City Council Meeting Page 1 of 11 July 14, 2025
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City of Lafayette
City Council Minutes
Lafayette Library and Learning Center – Don Tatzin Community Hall July 14, 2025 3491 Mount Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette, California 6:15 p.m.
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City Council Meeting Page 2 of 11 July 14, 2025
1. CALL TO ORDER – 6:15 P.M.
Mayor Candell called the Regular City Council meeting to order at 6:15 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Candell; Vice Mayor Anduri; Councilmembers Cervantes, and McCormick Staff Present: Niroop Srivatsa, City Manager; Tracy Robinson, Assistant City Manager; Lt. Jamie Williams; Greg Wolff, Planning and Building Director; Stefanie Cervantes, Senior Planner; Mala Subramanian, City Attorney; Joanne Robbins, City Clerk
3. Disclosure and/or Take Action on Remote Participation due to Just Cause or Emergency Circumstances Pursuant to AB 2449 (Gov. Code section 54953(f).)
4. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
ACTION: It was M/S/C (Anduri/McCormick) to adopt the agenda. Vote: 4-0 (Ayes: Candell, Anduri, Cervantes, and McCormick; Noes: None).
5. PUBLIC COMMENTS (For Closed Session Items only) - None.
6. CLOSED SESSION
Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation (Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)) Housing Action Coalition v. City of Lafayette
Contra Costa Superior Court Case No. N25-0512
REPORT OUT ON CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Candell announced that there was no reportable action from the Closed Session.
7. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – 7:00 p.m. – Mayor Candell led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
MAYOR CANDELL
Land Acknowledgement Statement
We acknowledge that Lafayette is part of the unceded, ancestral homeland of the Bay Miwok people. The Bay Miwok and neighboring Ohlone people have lived in and moved through this place for thousands of years. They stewarded and shaped this land for hundreds of generations. We express our appreciation and gratitude for this profound legacy, which enhances and contributes to our lives to this day. We will strive to honor this land and strengthen our ties with the Indigenous communities that continue to live and work in our East Bay region as our neighbors and community members. We acknowledge and honor them and their ancestors, elders, and next seven generations.
8. PUBLIC COMMENTS – (For Items not on the agenda) – 7:00 p.m.
There were no speakers.
City Council Meeting Page 3 of 11 July 14, 2025
9. CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE
City Manager Srivatsa provided the following update:
• Any homeowner who wishes to obtain a permit to build an ADU may be eligible for a rebate through the City’s newly launched ADU accelerator program. The City has about $50,000 which requires plans for the ADU, the City issues the ADU permit, and require it be completed within 18 months. Anyone interested should contact the Planning Department. • She congratulated all local businesses that were chosen as Best of the East Bay by Diablo Magazine. This is the first time there are so many Lafayette businesses. First, the Chamber of Commerce is recognized for best festival and for best local road running race (Res Run). She read the list of Lafayette businesses awarded:
o Town Hall Theater
o Lafayette Park Hotel
o Vintage Vida
o Sharp Bicycle
o First Mile Cycle Works
o Lamorinda Music
o Diablo Foods
o Whole Foods
o Creative Alterations
o Luck Lafayette
o Little Seeds
o Tutu’s Food and Drink
o REVE Bistro
o Uncle Yu’s Lafayette
o Swad Indian Cuisine (runner up)
o The Cancer Support Community
o Lamorinda Genecology and Surgery
o ArtistryMK
o Pandora Nail Spa
o Caroline’s Salon
o Douglah Design
o Abode Flooring and Finishes
o Orchard Nursery
Mayor Candell opened the public comment period, and there were no speakers.
10. PRESENTATIONS
A. Lt. James Williams
Introduce Police Services Assistant Halley Cuellar; Officer Zachary Cowan; Detective Gabriella Giovannetti
Recommendation: Receive and file.
Police Chief Lt. Jamie Williams provided backgrounds and introduced CSI Police Services Assistant Halley Cuellar, Officer Zachary Cowan, and Detective Gabriella Giovannetti. A round of applause followed, and Mayor Candell and Councilmembers welcomed all new employees to the City of Lafayette.
City Council Meeting Page 4 of 11 July 14, 2025
Mayor Candell opened the public comment period, and there were no speakers.
11. CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Candell asked and confirmed there were no requests from the Council or the public and no public comments.
A. June 23, 2025 City Council Minutes
Recommendation: Adopt.
B. 2024 Traffic Calming Program: Traffic Calming Projects Recommendation: Authorize staff to construct the proposed traffic calming projects on Glenside Drive and Glen Road, using the Traffic Calming Sinking Fu ACTION: It was M/S/C (Anduri/McCormick) to adopt Consent Calendar Items A and B. Vote: 4-0 (Ayes:
Candell, Anduri, Cervantes, and McCormick; Noes: None).
12. OLD BUSINESS – None.
13. STAFF REPORTS – None.
14. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Greg Wolff, Planning and Building Director and Stefanie Cervantes, Senior Planner Ordinance 697 Adopting Amendments to amend and adopt Title 6, Part 2, Chapter 6-3 “Definitions”, Chapter 6-4 “Activity Classifications”, Chapter 6-5, Article 1, Section 6-534 “Supportive care criteria”, Part 3, “Land Use Districts”, Part 7, Chapter 6-34, “Reasonable Accommodation”, Chapter 6-35 “Emergency Shelters”, Chapter 6-37 “Inclusionary Housing”, and Chapter 6-38 “Housing Development and Urban Lot Splits” and Repeal Title 6, Part 3, Chapter 6-13, Article 2 “General Agricultural District” and Article 3 “Heavy Agricultural District” of the Municipal Code for ZT01-25 Housing Element Implementation. Environmental Review:
An EIR was prepared and certified (with an Addendum) and the subject Housing Element implementation is covered by this prior EIR. Additionally, zoning text amendment is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3), which provides that CEQA does not apply where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility of a significant effect on the environment.
Recommendation: Conduct a public hearing and take public testimony; Introduce Ordinance 697, waive first reading and continue the matter to July 28, 2025, for second reading and adoption.
Director of Planning and Building Greg Wolff gave the staff report and background on the City’s work and submittal of the 6th Cycle Housing Element to HCD, certification letter received in March, and the Housing Element includes approximately 60 implementation programs, which will be presented by Ms. Cervantes.
Senior Planner Stefanie Cervantes gave the staff report and overview of Ordinance 697 adopting amendments to various titles and chapters of the LMC relating to Housing Element implementation. The amendments were reviewed by the Planning Commission (PC) in April and June 2025, and she reviewed the various sections being revised as outlined in the staff report.
City Council Meeting Page 5 of 11 July 14, 2025
Ms. Cervantes concluded her presentation and said staff recommends the Council hold a public hearing, introduce and waive the first reading of Ordinance 697 and continue the matter to July 28, 2025, for second reading and adoption.
Councilmember Cervantes said in looking at definitions, he asked and confirmed that the City is basically aligning its LMC with State definitions to comply with implementation of the Housing Element.
Councilmember McCormick thanked staff for including the summary table, referred to the boarding house item with definitions and prohibition for them, and confirmed the addition of the classification is to clarify they are prohibited to avoid future issues.
Mayor Candell referred to page 35, specific findings required, Item C, which she read regarding factors considered of special needs created by the disability, potential benefit that could be accomplished with the request of modification, and potential impact on surrounding uses which was struck out. She asked why this last item was struck out. Ms. Cervantes replied State law prohibits the City from reviewing impacts to surrounding neighbors that could be considered subjective. This is a simple way to conform with State law; to remove the finding.
Mayor Candell referred to objective standards on page 51 which relates to building height exceedances and stories. The next section relating to building height for ADUs heights, which was struck out. She asked if there was still a State law that limited heights of ADUs. Ms. Cervantes said the City still has height limits for ADUs that are under the ADU ordinance. This is to clarify that when an SB 9 project with an ADU is received, staff would be applying the ADU ordinance to it versus this prohibition on height.
Mayor Candell asked if this should point to the other statement for clarity, noting that it would further clarify it with a cross-reference, and Ms. Cervantes agreed this could be done.
Vice Mayor Anduri referred to a grammar comment, stating on page 9, vacant lot definition. He asked to change “having” to “that has.” Ms. Cervantes agreed to revise this.
Mayor Candell opened the public comment period, and there were no speakers.
Mayor Candell referred to minor revisions to the item:
• “Vacant lot means any parcel or lot having that has no permanent structures, is undeveloped.” • Include a cross-reference for the ADU item on page 51.
ACTION: It was M/S/C (Anduri/Cervantes) to Introduce Ordinance 697, as amended, waive first reading and continue the matter to July 28, 2025, for second reading and adoption. Vote: 4-0 (Ayes: Candell, Anduri, Cervantes, and McCormick; Noes: None).
B. Stefanie Cervantes, Senior Planner
City Council Meeting Page 6 of 11 July 14, 2025
TR9707, HDP27-24, GR16-24, TP48-24 Oak Hill Place LLC (Owner), R-10 Zoning: Request for 1) Major Subdivision; 2) Hillside Development Permit; 3) Grading Permit; and 4) Tree Permit to subdivide and grade a 3.19-acre lot and construct 17 detached single-family homes with three attached ADUs with a max height greater than 17', removing 80 protected trees, in the Hillside Overlay District at 3600 Oak Hill Rd, APN 244-190-028. The project includes a State Density Bonus with concession and waiver requests. CEQA Determination: Categorically exempt from CEQA under Section 15332, In-Fill Development Projects.
Recommendation: Conduct a public hearing, review the proposal and adopt Resolution 2025-38, finding the project exempt from CEQA and approving the project.
Senior Planner Stefanie Cervantes gave the staff report and overview of the request for 1) Major Subdivision; 2) Hillside Development Permit; 3) Grading Permit; and 4) Tree Permit to subdivide and grade a 3.19-acre lot and construct 17 detached single-family homes with three attached ADUs with a max height greater than 17', removing 80 protected trees, in the Hillside Overlay District at 3600 Oak Hill Road.
The project includes a State Density Bonus with concession and waiver requests.
Ms. Cervantes then described receipt of opposition to the project which have been reviewed by staff prior to the public hearing process starting and have been deemed acceptable. Some concerns have been addressed by the applicant by making changes to the project.
Staff recommends the Council adopt Resolution 2025-38, finding that the project is exempt from CEQA and approving the project.
Councilmember McCormick said he watched both Planning Commission meetings on the project and said he knows there is no parking requirement, but he asked how the parking flow was going to work for guests or deliveries when parking is assigned to units.
Ms. Cervantes said there were discussions with the applicant related to this. There will be some loading zones in the development. Due to the low number of residential units, staff does not anticipate traffic will be a major issue so deliveries and other items such as waste pickup should not be creating any impacts for residents. In terms of guest parking, this will be left up to the HOA. She confirmed that some of the assigned spaces are on the driveway and other assigned spaces are accommodated off-site but on the project site, along with one-car garages.
Councilmember McCormick asked about units with ADUs and parking accommodations. Ms. Cervantes confirmed there is no additional parking required or provided for the ADUs.
Mayor Candell said the orange portions of the parcels are separate deemed for open space which she appreciates, but she wondered why there is a third orange area, noting that typically there would be two—one for the Crosses and one for the development.
Ms. Cervantes replied that Parcel D is the Crosses parcel, Parcel A is all open space that will be managed by the HOA which includes landscape space, the new sidewalk along Oak Hill Road, as well as the community park.
Vice Mayor Anduri asked if the new 6-foot pathway along Oak Hill is a privately maintained pathway and not a City walkway. Ms. Cervantes deferred this question to the applicant who has been working with the Engineering Department.
City Council Meeting Page 7 of 11 July 14, 2025
Mayor Candell called upon the applicant for a presentation.
Laura Dutto, Applicant, said the over-arching theme of this project is preservation, community, and sustainability. She provided information on her raising their children in Lafayette and said she is a local developer. She displayed photos of her working at the Crosses on Veteran’s Day, working on the mural at Uncle Yu’s working with community arts as well.
She displayed a photo showing the site behind the memorial and pointed to the one-quarter mile and one-half mile areas where there is no parking required because they are literally across the street from BART. The yellow area is the memorial and she cares deeply about it and it will stay. They have a recorded easement for it and no changes are proposed for that. She then provided an overview of how the site plan came to fruition which has been a long process, described compliance with all setbacks, PC feedback about pedestrian safety and need for a sidewalk, comments from housing advocates, meeting with the Mayor on the tree ordinance and Zone Zero to create a sustainable landscape plan, adjacent neighbors’ interaction, reasons for respecting densities and providing a mix of housing types to meet the “missing middle,” and she confirmed the sidewalk is a City-maintained walkway and everything around it would be the responsibility of the HOA.
She then described her efforts to bring down the Oak Hill Road side building heights, landscape details, the third story waiver, a neighborhood cooperation agreement and her extensive work meeting with over 50 neighbors and several meetings, the recorded easement agreement, and said she can talk more about trees if Councilmembers have questions.
Councilmember McCormick said he watched both presentations before the Planning Commission, thanked Ms. Dutto for the parking explanation, and questioned the path which is an improvement. He asked if there is lighting on the path, and asked if this has been considered given those coming to and from BART and from the housing project.
Ms. Dutto said she did not receive this question in the past, but knows there is lighting at the entrance of the project’s driveways on both sides, and this is something they can look at, given it seems that dark corner should be lit.
Councilmember McCormick referred to the bike shed and commented that the shed shown seemed very small. Because they want to encourage biking, he thought it might be powered for e-bikes. Ms. Dutto said there was a goal to actually put some e-bikes in there for share and power them so it would be a commodity. It will take up to 10 bikes and there would be power, so it might be a combination of regular bikes and e-bikes which will be shared and worked out with the HOA.
Councilmember Cervantes said this is sort of a hybrid type of project and he asked who Ms. Dutto sees buying these units, and he asked what kind of marketing strategy in how it fits in the context of what Lafayette provides for housing.
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Ms. Dutto agreed it is sort of a hybrid. Everybody loves their single-family homes, but feels it is not sustainable to continue to build these types of homes and feels that the project should be inclusive of those needing and supporting ridership on BART so this is good for BART. She thinks there may be some empty-nesters living there and when she shared the project with people, they all want to be on the wait list so she believes it might be young professionals, first-time homebuyers, and those willing to be a singlecar family.
Mayor Candell thanked Ms. Dutto for reaching out to so many neighbors and making revisions to the project over time.
Mayor Candell opened the public comment period.
JIM BAVA said having expressed his displeasure with the entire project in general, he knows it will go through and appreciates the few things the applicant has done to accommodate him because he lives next door to the project. He referred to lighting and asked if there is any public lighting involved, noting he did not see any poles in these presentations.
Mayor Candell closed the public comment period and asked for rebuttal from the applicant.
Rebuttal – Applicant
Ms. Dutto waived any rebuttal.
Vice Mayor Anduri said there are no street lights in the plan, and the lighting discussed was the foot path lighting just for the path.
Ms. Dutto said there are street lights for driving, but they are all night-sky approved and in compliance with codes. This was a condition of approval from the DRC and included, and they submitted all specifications for lighting for the project, and they can add some pathway lights of some sort along the sidewalk without affecting Mr. Bava’s property.
Mayor Candell asked for comments for conditions of approval or the resolution.
Vice Mayor Anduri noted there are two minor typographical errors in the resolution, and Ms. Cervantes agreed to address these.
City Attorney Mala Subramanian said there is one additional revision that has not been covered which is the sale of the affordable units to comply with density bonus law.
Mayor Candell asked and confirmed that staff will add a COA regarding the sale of the very low-income unit to have it be consistent with density bonus law.
Mayor Candell thanked Ms. Dutto for this project, said it is a beautiful and well-meant project for the town, and she appreciates the work and thought put into it, as well as accommodations for all of the neighbors, moving the road, adding lights, and voiced support of the project.
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Councilmember McCormick echoed comments, thinks the project is inspiring, shows what can be done on a small piece of property and it is a price point the City does not have right now which is needed. He was especially interested in the multi-modal and being next to BART and leveraging this. Shared biking is exciting and will encourage people to not use their cars and voiced support. He has seen the progression of the design, and he voiced appreciation to Ms. Dutto for her work and revisions over time.
Councilmember Cervantes thanked Mr. Wolff and Ms. Cervantes for walking him through the site this morning. He felt he needed to see it because it is tucked in. He appreciated the narrative of how the oak tree which is striking and with a marker on it because the centerpiece of the project. This is a creative use of density bonus law in California, a great project that fits in, and it is a great transition point from the BART station up into the neighborhood. It fits the needs of many people who may not want the traditional four-bedroom rancher home any longer. He loves the creativity of the project and feels this is real estate with a heart, thinks you can see the work that went into developing the project, efforts to accommodate the neighborhood to get it right, and he voiced full support.
Vice Mayor Anduri agreed with all comments, and said he visited the site after Councilmember Cervantes’ visit and he was very surprised because the Blue Heron that hangs out at the Reservoir was on the property. It was on the corner by Oak Hill and Deer Hill Road. It took off and flew around the hill and came back to perch on the other side. Mayor Candell said he is trying to hang out on her property because he tries to get fish in their little pond, and they are enormous birds.
ACTION: It was M/S/C (Cervantes/McCormick) to adopt Resolution 2025-38, as amended, finding the project exempt from CEQA and approving the project. Vote: 4-0 (Ayes: Candell, Anduri, Cervantes, and McCormick; Noes: None).
15. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT – None.
16. COUNCIL / COMMISSION REPORTS
A. Councilmembers report on activities and consideration of matters a Councilmember wishes to initiate for placement on a future agenda.
Vice Mayor Anduri said he found ground-nesting wasps on his property and he brings this up because of the service of Contra Costa Vector and Mosquito Control District who will come to your house and remove ground-nesting wasps. They come within five business days, are very professional, and noted there is a vacancy for the City of Lafayette on the Board of the Special District. He encouraged those interested to get involved. He also reported on the DEIB Committee that held a Summer Social which he attended and it was a great event.
Councilmember Cervantes reported a number of cities are grappling with very difficult budget challenges.
Pleasanton went for a sales tax measure that failed and they are dealing with cuts across the board. It would have been what Lafayette would have been dealing with had Measure H not passed. Some issues are fallout from the pandemic as well as changes in how revenues are collected, and so he thanked voters of Lafayette for approving Measure H.
Councilmember McCormick referred to the sympathy strike from Republic Services which has affected surrounding areas, noting Lafayette has not been affected. The City’s contract has a no sympathy strike clause and their drivers will be doing work as normal. The only impact is that the composting facility they use is now closed down in sympathy, but there is an alternative site used for the City’s composting.
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He also referred to the Daily Briefing from the City which talked about what Danville did with e-bikes.
They have been struggling with e-bikes, held a public study session, came out with four recommendations on community outreach and education, increased enforcement, and State advocacy to get additional laws passed at the State level, and looking at any local ordinances to make e-bikes safer. In this case, he did not think the City needs to reinvent the wheel, asked to monitor what Danville does, take their best practices, and see if they can leverage their work.
Mayor Candell reported from the Mayor’s meeting last week; they voted on a resolution proclaiming July 17th as Port Chicago Remembrance Day. She also reported work on SB 79 with Sacramento and trying to get some amendments to the bill for Lafayette and Orinda and other cities that have many high fire danger areas next to transit. Also, MTC is rolling out the same rules as SB 79 if the City seeks OBAG grant funding, so it is important to advocate with cities.
Lastly, at the SWAT meeting, Supervisor Andersen spear-headed a free rides on County Connection for the summer. There is a free pass program for kids, but there are only 1,000 passes. Supervisor Andersen said she wanted kids to be able to ride free, so ridership in June last year was 650 extra rides with the Pass for Class program. With the free program, 11,500 new rides were seen with outrageous success.
Therefore, they will try to continue the free program through the end of the year and obtain data on it.
They took a vote, and TransPac meeting was two days later, and they did not approve it. Therefore, they will work to get free rides next summer and see how success will continue with this.
B. Mayor Candell and Vice Mayor Anduri
Resolution 2025-40 Appointing Lafayette Representative and Alternate Representative to the Contra Costa Library Commission
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution 2025-30.
Mayor Candell said they held interviews and recommended Sarah Blumenfeld as the representative, and Stuart Robinson as the alternate.
Mayor Candell opened the public comment period.
MARY ANN HOISINGTON congratulated the Council on their choice, and she is not worried in leaving the position at all, given the appointments made.
Vice Mayor Anduri cited a revision to read, “Now, therefore be it resolved that the City Council of the City of Lafayette recommends to the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors the appointment of the following named citizens, Sarah Blumenfeld, our representative, and Stuart Robinson, Alternate.” ACTION: It was M/S/C (Anduri/Candell) to adopt Resolution 2025-40, as amended, recommending Sarah Blumenfeld as Lafayette’s representative and Stuart Robinson as Lafayette’s alternate representative to the Contra Costa Library Commission. Vote: 4-0 (Ayes: Candell, Anduri, Cervantes, and McCormick; Noes:
None).
C. Councilmember McCormick
Resolution 2025-39 Appointing two members to Crime Prevention Commission Recommendation: Adopt Resolution 2025-29.
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Councilmember McCormick reported the Commission had an expiring term and one opening, and he reported they support the reappointment of Denise Brown, and appointment of Ken McCormick to the Commission, who has experience in white collar crime and scamming experience.
Mayor Candell opened the public comment period, and there were no speakers.
ACTION: It was M/S/C (McCormick/Anduri) to adopt Resolution 2025-39 appointing Denise Brown and Ken McCormick to the Crime Prevention Commission. Vote: 4-0 (Ayes: Candell, Anduri, Cervantes, and McCormick; Noes: None).
17. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
A. E-mail from the Lamorinda Arts Council requesting a proclamation recognizing the Lamorinda Arts Council’s 75th Anniversary
Recommendation: Approve the proclamation.
Mayor Candell opened the public comment period, and there were no speakers.
ACTION: It was M/S/C (Candell/Cervantes) to approve the Proclamation recognizing the Lamorinda Arts Council’s 75th Anniversary. Vote: 4-0 (Ayes: Candell, Anduri, Cervantes, and McCormick; Noes: None).
ADJOURNMENT – 8:23 p.m.
APPROVED:
__________________________________
Susan Candell, Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________
Joanne Robbins, City Clerk