COUNCIL INFRASTRUCTURE & AIRPORT COMMITTEE MEETING
Hybrid Participation - Digital Zoom Meeting
June 23, 2026
5:30 p.m.
MEETING MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER: Meeting called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Chair Salinas.
ROLL CALL:
Committee Members’ Present:
Angela Andrews, City Council Member
George Syrop, City Council Member
Mark Salinas, Mayor/ Chair
HARD Staff Present:
Louis M. Andrade, HARD Board Member
Adriane Lee Bird, Director of Recreation, Arts and Community Service Sara Lamin, HARD Board President
Dwayne Taylor, Director of Park & Facilities Maintenance
BART Staff Present:
Shannon Dodge, Principal Property Development Officer at BART
City Staff Present:
Alex Ameri, Director of Public Works
George Foster, Senior Transportation Planner
Douglas McNeeley, Airport Manager
Jennifer Ott, City Manager
Amber Parras, Senior Secretary
Taylor Richard, Associate Planner
Pamela Svrdlin, Airport Operations Supervisor
Byron Tang, Deputy of Public Works- Transportation
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Dolores Burke, a Hayward resident, stated that she had only recently become aware of the proposed Eden Landing data center project. She inquired about the project's environmental review process, including when the Environmental Impact Report was conducted and when the project ultimately received approval.
Sara Lamnin, HARD Board President, expressed appreciation for the ongoing collaboration regarding the La Vista project and noted that there have been reports of shifting land conditions on the property. She suggested that this may be an appropriate time to evaluate the project design to ensure that it is as stable and environmentally appropriate as possible. Ms. Lamnin also emphasized that the funding provided by HARD was intended specifically for park design improvements and not for any remediation efforts that may become necessary due to developing site conditions.
Tyler Dragoni commented that Committee meetings are where much of the government's work, including legislative discussions and decision-making, takes place. He expressed concern that holding committee meetings in smaller rooms that are not broadcast on YouTube creates unnecessary barriers to public participation and engagement. Mr. Dragoni noted that the meeting room can become uncomfortable when agenda items are of significant public interest and suggested that the City consider holding committee meetings in the Council Chambers, similar to the practice used by the City of San Leandro.
REPORTS/ACTION ITEMS
1. Approval of Minutes of the Council Infrastructure & Airport Committee (CIAC) Meeting Held on April 22, 2026.
The item was moved by CM Andrews, seconded by CM Syrop, and approved unanimously.
2. Joint Agency Discussion and Recommendation to City Council on Revised Site Plan for Skywest Property
Director of Public Works Ameri provided a synopsis of the staff report and Airport Manager McNeeley presented a PowerPoint presentation.
Public Comments
Several speakers expressed opposition to the proposed development and airport expansion at the former Skywest Golf Course property. Commenters emphasized the importance of preserving the site as open space, citing concerns about increased aircraft noise, air pollution, traffic, and impacts on quality of life, public health, and property values. Speakers advocated recreational and park uses, noting the community's limited access to open space and the benefits of preserving the area for families, children, and future generations.
Several residents raised concerns regarding environmental impacts, including the preservation of wildlife habitat, native turtles, monarch butterfly overwintering sites, and existing ponds. Speakers encouraged the City to pursue long-term conservation and recreational opportunities, including potential trail connections and regional partnerships.
Additional concerns included the proposed airport safety area, impacts to adjacent neighborhoods, emergency access, and buffering between any future development and existing residential properties. Speakers also questioned the need for further airport expansion, requested preservation of existing structures such as the clubhouse for community use, and urged the City Council to prioritize environmental stewardship and community benefits in future planning decisions.
Committee Member’s Comments
HARD Board Director Andrade acknowledged public comments and emphasized that the issue is primarily a land use decision rather than a Parks responsibility. He stated that HARD would be open to managing the site as a park or naturalized area if offered, and
noted potential for ecological improvements such as stormwater projects, tree planting, trails, and habitat enhancements, along with opportunities to connect the site to nearby parks and expand regional trail access. However, he clarified that HARD lacks the funds to purchase the property and would need a financially sustainable arrangement to move forward. He suggested that a long-term, low-cost lease (such as a 40-year lease) would be necessary to justify and protect any investments made. He concluded that the western portion of the site has strong potential for public benefit and encouraged careful consideration of public input, noting that HARD could support implementation depending on the final decision.
HARD Board President Lamnin thanked community members for their longstanding advocacy to preserve the Skywest property as open space and emphasized the importance of continued public engagement. She stated that while HARD is interested in potentially managing the property, several key issues must be resolved before updating any agreement or making recommendations to the City Council. She identified outstanding questions related to long-term land lease arrangements, aging water and irrigation infrastructure, ongoing maintenance and operating costs, deferred maintenance obligations, and environmental protections, including habitat preservation. Ms. Lamnin noted that HARD currently lacks dedicated funding to acquire or maintain the property and stressed the need for a financially sustainable partnership with the City. Speaking personally, Ms. Lamnin expressed support for preserving the entire Skywest property as open space while also recognizing the economic benefits of airport-related development.
She suggested that alternative sites may be available for industrial or commercial uses and reiterated her preference for preserving the Skywest property while pursuing development opportunities elsewhere.
CM Syrop requested additional information regarding the site's ponds, turtle habitat, and water infrastructure, including the condition of existing water systems, potential rehabilitation or replacement costs, and any deferred maintenance obligations that future operators may face. He also asked how irrigation and park operations would be supported if HARD or another entity assumed management of the property. He expressed appreciation for HARD's involvement and inquired about the status of discussions with East Bay Regional Park District regarding potential future collaboration. CM Syrop requested additional community engagement before the proposal advances to the full City Council and suggested a phased approach that would allow the western portion of the site to move forward while additional outreach is conducted on the central and eastern portions. He expressed support for partnering with HARD to preserve and maintain the western area and recommended that staff conduct a community engagement process similar to the 2021 outreach effort, including engagement with SOS Skywest and other stakeholders. He also requested that SOS Skywest be recognized in future staff reports for its ongoing involvement in the process.
CM Andrews thanked staff, the public, and HARD for their efforts, while emphasizing that the Skywest property is not currently open to the public due to liability concerns. She requested environmental analysis prepared by CEQA consultants to evaluate environmental impacts and habitat concerns before advancing any proposals. She also
sought additional information on the minimum level of development necessary to support the long-term maintenance and operational costs of preserving the park and open space areas. She requested updated information on airport jet operations and noise concerns for a future meeting.
Director of Recreation, Arts and Community Services Bird thanked the City for including HARD in the discussion and emphasized the value of hearing community input. She highlighted HARD's ongoing commitment to expanding recreational opportunities, parks, open space, and trail connectivity throughout the community, citing recent investments in the San Lorenzo Creek Trail, San Lorenzo Community Park, and Kennedy Park. She noted that, as HARD approaches the end of its current bond funding cycle, it is important for staff to understand the true long-term maintenance and operational costs associated with the Skywest property in order to properly advise the Board. She stated that, following further evaluation of those costs, HARD would begin its own community engagement process as part of considering potential involvement with the project.
Mayor Salinas expressed interest in expanding recreational and open space opportunities while also addressing environmental and wildlife concerns raised by the community. He clarified that the City must comply with FAA requirements to pursue airport improvements, emphasizing that the goal is modernization and safety rather than increasing flight activity. He asked about balancing potential commercial development with recreational uses, whether an economic development analysis is underway, and how the project timeline aligns with early environmental review under CEQA and NEPA. He also questioned whether the item should move out of the Council Infrastructure and Airport Committee to allow a more detailed framework to be developed. This framework would include clearer project options, cost estimates, and a structured timeline, helping define scope and next steps in collaboration with HARD. He further clarified that his suggestion to advance the item out of committee would not stop ongoing communication, public outreach, or continued collection of community input.
CM Syrop stated he was uncomfortable with the committee framing the item as a formal recommendation to the City Council on a specific site plan. However, he explained that some level of conceptual plan is still necessary to support negotiations and understand key tradeoffs, including how much open space could be preserved and what the associated costs would be. He supported advancing the item to the full City Council, with conditions that additional community engagement occur in the interim, including a survey similar to the 2021 outreach effort. He also emphasized that feedback from the community survey, along with ongoing negotiations with the FAA and HARD, should also be incorporated. He stated he would oppose any site plan that remains unchanged from what was presented, emphasizing that public input and ongoing negotiations should meaningfully shape the final outcome. He clarified that his support was for moving the item forward for negotiation purposes only, not as a final recommendation of the site plan.
CM Andrews commended staff for responding to the committee’s feedback and presenting a revised plan, noting appreciation for efforts to incorporate recreation considerations and alignment with the shoreline plan. She acknowledged ongoing public advocacy and
supported further exploration of development options that creatively integrate landscaping and recreational space. She also emphasized that development could include recreational components and encouraged keeping that flexibility in mind as the plan continues to be refined.
CM Syrop clarified his motion to move the item forward to the full City Council without recommending approval of the current site plan. He stated that the purpose of advancing the item is to use the concept as a working framework for negotiations with the FAA and HARD, while also committing to a community survey similar to the 2021 process. He emphasized that feedback from both the survey and ongoing negotiations should be incorporated into updated materials presented to Council in the fall.
The item was moved by CM Syrop, and seconded by Mayor Salinas, and approved unanimously with the conditions that were previously discussed.
3. Update on BART Transit-Orientated Redevelopment Projects
Director of Public Works Ameri provided a synopsis of the staff report and introduced Senior Transportation Planner Foster and Principal Property Development Officer at BART Shannon Dodge who presented a PowerPoint presentation.
Public Comments
There were none.
Committee Member’s Comments
CM Andrews asked about opportunities for interim activation of the site through events or programming, noting that nearby areas are already hosting community activities and suggesting the space could be used sooner rather than waiting for the TOD RFP process.
She also requested more information on potential bicycle facilities, including expanded amenities such as bike storage, repair, and service options. She asked whether live-work spaces have been incorporated into ground-floor designs in other TOD projects and whether teacher housing or broader workforce housing could be included as a priority or theme in future RFPs. She also inquired whether staff had engaged with the Downtown Hayward Improvement Association regarding the TOD project to ensure coordination with downtown stakeholders.
CM Syrop commended staff for the presentation and thanked CM Andrews for her earlier efforts on TOD strategic planning, noting their joint work in 2023 to help advance it. He also expressed appreciation to Mayor Salinas and City staff for their support and contributions to the ongoing effort. CM Syrop expressed appreciation for staff’s efforts in strengthening interagency coordination with BART, noting that the presentation reflected a positive and productive working relationship. He highlighted his encouragement that the
project is included in BART’s near-term and mid-term planning lists and expressed interest in seeing South Hayward move into the near-term category in the future. He also asked whether BART’s real estate development plans are contingent on the passage of the “Connect Bay Area” ballot measure, seeking clarification on how the measure may affect implementation timelines and asked for BART’s long-term vision for the project and surrounding station-area development.
CM Andrews asked whether public art could be included as a requirement within the RFP process. She also referenced local developments such as Paris Baguette, noting that while they incorporate retail and design elements, they have also experienced parking challenges, including illegal parking and congestion issues. She emphasized that these are important downstream impacts staff must manage and should be considered when planning ground- floor retail in future development proposals.
Mayor Salinas stated that as the project moves forward, the City Council and City are willing to collaborate with BART to help develop an innovative concept for the site and station area. Mayor Salinas noted that parking requirements in future developments are expected to be reduced and asked how other projects address transportation demand management. He inquired about strategies such as encouraging transit use, providing Clipper card incentives, and other programs that reduce reliance on parking while supporting access through public transportation.
CM Syrop asked for clarification on the capacity and utilization of existing parking structures for TOD projects, noting that only about 25% is currently used and requesting the total number of available spaces. He also strongly advocated for bike parking as part of Transportation Demand Management (TDM) strategies, highlighting the City’s Hayward Rides program and the need for secure, protected, and ideally indoor bike storage to support residents in smaller housing units and advance broader City goals around biking and sustainable transportation.
4. Proposed Agenda Planning Calendar: Review and Comment
Director of Public Works Ameri stated that the next meeting is scheduled for August 26th and noted that two items will be presented: a site recommendation and project update for the Public Safety Center, and a Corp Yard needs assessment along with a proposed site layout.
CM Andrews asked for a timeline on when more information could be provided about recycled water loop systems, particularly in relation to potential data center development or similar uses.
COMMITTEE MEMBER/STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REFERRALS
There were none.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Salinas adjourned the meeting at 8:25 p.m.
MEETINGS
Attendance Present
6/23/26
Meeting
Present
to Date
This Fiscal
Year
Excuse
to Date
This Fiscal
Year
Absent
to Date
This Fiscal
Year
Angela Andrews ✓ 16 0 0
Mark Salinas ✓ 16 0 0
George Syrop ✓ 16 0 0