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Walnut Creek Magazine

TALK OF THE TOWN

Aug 07, 2020 08:48AM ● By Harper Klein

HOUSING 

Hall Equities Group, a Walnut Creek-based real estate development company, sold its parcel at 699 Ygnacio Valley Road to Resources for Community Development (RCD). The affordable housing developer plans to build a 94-unit apartment complex at Civic and Ygnacio once funding comes through for the $68 million project. The City of Walnut Creek recently committed $6 million toward the project from its housing fund. Other low-income projects completed by RCD in Walnut Creek include St. Paul's Commons, a 44-unit apartment building that houses the Trinity Center, and the 58-unit Riviera Apartments near BART.

After years of lawsuits and neighborhood activism that turned Lafayette into a national symbol of regional housing wars reported in the New York Times, the project that started it all in 2011 is back. Terraces of Lafayette, a proposal for 315 apartments (47 units below market rate) on 22-acres off Deerhill Road, heads to the City Council on August 10 at 5 pm for a final vote. Citing quality of life, traffic congestion, and school impacts, the citizen group, Save Lafayette, continues to oppose the project.

Two bills advanced in the state legislature aimed at creating more affordable housing in California. Senate Bill 899 would grant religious institutions and nonprofit colleges by-right approval to build 100% affordable housing on their properties, and Senate Bill 1299 would allow local governments to rezone idle retail sites and sections of shopping malls for housing.

RESTAURANTS: OPEN & SHUT

Closed since mid-March, The Counter reemerged this week on California Boulevard for carryout and patio dining. Speaking of eating in parking lots, Sunrise Bistro starts outdoor service next week on its newly expanded, covered patio. A business and social tradition since 1976, sources tell us Scott’s Seafood has permanently closed its Walnut Creek location. Scott’s, like the popular Italian mainstay Prima Ristorante, fell victim to both a changing dining culture that favors fast-casual food and a lengthy coronavirus shutdown. Other restaurants remain in a state of temporary closure, working on ways to move forward or to close permanently. When we have verifiable details, we will report them here.

CITY COUNCIL RACE

It's heating up…ten residents have pulled nomination papers for the three open seats in November. These include incumbents Loella Haskew, Justin Wedel, and Kevin Wilk, as well as Hailey Ayres, Cindy Darling, Kurtis Reese, Michael Samson, Lauren Talbert, Joseph Tursi, and Hasham Younas. The filing deadline is August 10, 2020.

FIRE SEASON

California faces a continued and growing threat of extreme weather and wildfires. Take the steps to get ready by creating an emergency kit and a plan for your family. Learn more at prepareforpowerdown.com.

STOP THE SPREAD

It’s been 143 days since the Bay Area shutdown began, yet despite all of our best efforts and unimaginable sacrifices, the virus continues to rage in our county, state, and country. July was the worst month yet for California in its battle with the coronavirus, with record-breaking infections and deaths.. Please wear a mask. Social distance. Wash your hands. Stay home as much as possible. Avoid gathering at bars, restaurants, and backyard barbecues. Get tested. For more information, go to coronavirus.cchealth.org.

 

 


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