Friday, May 1, 2026| What’s Doing in Lafayette?

News From the City Manager’s Corner

This week’s updates from City Manager, Niroop Srivatsa highlight:

• Housing Development Approved for 949 Moraga Road Site
• City Seeks Consultant to Design ADU Prototype Plans
• Light “Facelift” Approved for Downtown Commercial Building
• Share a Photo/Artwork of the Res Tower to Win a Prize
• Coyotes in Lafayette
• Celebrating Lafayette Rotary Club’s 80 Years of Service

If you have feedback for us about these topics, send an email to lafayettelistens@lovelafayette.org.

Housing Development Approved for 949 Moraga Road Site

We’re excited to be partnering with Sunflower Hill and Satellite Affordable Housing Associates to bring affordable, supportive housing for adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) to downtown Lafayette!

On Monday night, non-profit developers, Sunflower Hill and Satellite Affordable Housing Associates (SAHA) were given unanimous approval by the City Council to build a new four-story, 48 unit building for adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD).

The site in downtown Lafayette is a City-owned parking lot at 949 Moraga Road, and the City is contributing the land as part of its commitment toward facilitating more affordable housing in Lafayette.

“The City Council welcomes Sunflower Hill to Lafayette and is very excited to see this much-needed development come to our community. The project is perfectly located for residents to walk to grocery stores, restaurants, the Lafayette BART station, the library and all the other amenities that our vibrant downtown offers,” said Mayor Carl Anduri.

The development includes 27 one-bedroom and 20 two-bedroom below-market-rate (BMR) units and one (1) three-bedroom moderate-rate unit reserved for the on-site manager. It also includes a fitness area, teaching kitchen, bike storage, laundry room, resident lounges, and outdoor courtyards.

The project has been designed specifically for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), including autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and other chromosomal abnormalities. As part of their joint development agreement, SAHA will serve as the on-site property manager and Sunflower Hill will provide activities and resident services. The project team includes Pyatok, an architectural firm with extensive design experience for the I/DD population as well as Sunseri Construction, which specializes in affordable multi-family housing.

“I am thrilled that Sunflower Hill has chosen to build supportive housing in Lafayette and we look forward to working with them and the other project partners to build much needed affordable homes,” said City Manager Niroop Srivatsa.

“Sunflower Hill first approached the City in 2024 about a project to provide affordable, supportive housing for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. I am proud of this partnership and that Lafayette can help to fill this urgent need,” said Anduri.

Sunflower Hill has received $19.5 million towards construction and support services through California’s Multifamily Finance Super NOFA program. Additional funds have been requested through Contra Costa County’s Measure X program as well as federal appropriations. Sunflower Hill and SAHA intend to apply for Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) in Summer 2026.  

“The City of Lafayette has made a strong commitment to embrace the needs of individuals with I/DD who need affordable housing and residential support. The contribution of the land was critical to the success of the project.  Sunflower Hill is thrilled to bring our vision to Contra Costa County,” said Rosemary Kirbach, Sunflower Hill Board Member.  

To stay informed about housing opportunities with Sunflower Hill in Lafayette, people are encouraged to sign up for Sunflower Hill’s newsletter on their website at https://sunflowerhill.org/newsletters.

Other Major Developments Around Town

If you are curious about other major developments, visit our Major Development Projects webpage. Use the map to navigate or scroll through the list of projects in the sidebar. Projects are only listed here after submission of a complete application and the project is heading into the review process. If you are interested in large and small project applications submitted to the Planning Department, visit the Planning Applications Received webpage, which is updated monthly.

City Seeks Consultant to Design ADU Prototype Plans

Together with our neighbors, Moraga and Orinda, we are working to create a collection of “permit-ready” pre-approved plans for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) to reduce the cost and streamline the permitting process for property owners in Lamorinda to build ADUs.

This week, we issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for qualified residential design and design/build firms to prepare ADU plan sets ranging from studio to two-bedroom units  in multiple architectural styles. The selected Consultant will develop these designs that will be made available by the cities/town to the public free-of-charge. This work is being funded courtesy of the Senate District 7 ADU Program.

If you are an architect or design/build firm interested in this opportunity, read the RFP for Prototype ADU Plans. Proposals are due May 29. Contact Assistant Planner Madison Church with any questions.

Light “Facelift” Approved for Downtown Commercial Building

The owner of the building on the corner of Mt. Diablo Blvd and Moraga Road plans to rehabilitate the vacant building and reconfigure the three tenant spaces on Mt. Diablo Blvd to accommodate a restaurant, retail store, and bank. These improvements will contribute to creating a more vibrant and pedestrian-friendly downtown. On April 13, the Design Review Commission (DRC) approved a proposal for a light “facelift” including new colors, landscaping, a restaurant space with outdoor seating on the corner, and public art in the second story windows; the staff report and approved plans can be found on the DRC April 13 Agenda webpage under Item 7.a. We expect the owner to submit a building permit application for the project soon but do not currently have a timeframe for the work.  

Saying Farewell to the Top 40: Share a Photo/Artwork of the Res Tower to Win a Prize

Construction related to EBMUD’s Seismic Upgrade Project is getting underway. This project includes shortening the tower by 40 feet. Scaffolding will be erected around the tower in the coming weeks, so everyone is encouraged to visit the Res soon to see the current 170’ tall tower for one last time.

To commemorate the iconic tower, share a recent photo, selfie, sketch, painting or other artwork of the 170’ tower and post it on Instagram or Facebook with the hashtag #lafayetterestower. We’ll randomly select 5 tagged images that are posted this month to receive a hat designed by Bart Bridge featuring the tower. The randomly-selected winners will have their image shared on our Instagram and Facebook pages, as well as our website on June 5. Winners will have until June 15 to contact us to claim their prize. 

• Winners must be able to pick up prize in person in Lafayette CA.
• Images or posts including vulgar language/gestures (e.g. anything not rated "G"), etc. will be assumed as not participating in this opportunity. Duplicate images will be excluded.

For questions about the #LafayetteResTower prize drawing, contact Suzanne Iarla. For more information about EBMUD’s Seismic Upgrade Project, read construction updates on EBMUD's website. See a rendering of what the shortened tower will look like at www.lovelafayette.org/towerredesign. 

Coyotes in Lafayette

This time of year, the warmer weather brings more people outside and encounters with coyotes become more common. Coyotes are native to California and are found in various wildland habitats, as well as in rural and urban areas, including Lafayette. During the pup-rearing season (March-August), coyotes can be very protective of their pups. Coexistence with local wildlife is a community effort. Read tips from EBRPD about what to do if you encounter a coyote, how to keep your small pets safe, steps you can take to reduce conflict with coyotes in your neighborhood, and how to easily report coyote sightings.

Congratulations to the Lafayette Rotary Club

We want to congratulate the Lafayette Rotary Club on their 80 years of service to the community. Over the decades, the Club has supported local charities, educational initiatives, and youth leadership development; enriched the Lafayette community through events such as Concert at the Res and annual Candy Scramble; and fostering a strong sense of community while promote integrity, goodwill, and civic service. Rotary brings together community leaders committed to fellowship and service, guided by Rotary' s principle of "Service Above Self" and we are grateful for everything clubmembers have done for our community since being chartered in 1946. Read the City Council’s proclamation.

Meetings & Events 

Top Meetings This Week

• Emergency Preparedness Commission – Monday, May 4 at 10am
• Planning Commission – cancelled
• Transportation & Circulation Commission – cancelled
• Public Art Committee – Wednesday, May 6 at 4pm
• Creeks Committee – Wednesday, May 6 at 7pm

Get Your Student’s Bus Pass Now for the New School Year

Spots are limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration opened for TK to 6th grade students today and will open for 7^th and 8th graders on Tuesday, May 5 at 1pm.

Lafayette Artisan Walk Downtown Next Saturday

Shop local, experience art! Lafayette Chamber’s Lafayette Artisan Walk is Saturday, May 9, from 11am to 3pm in downtown Lafayette. Shop for unique, locally hand-crafted gifts—perfect for Moms, grads, teachers & Dads!

The Lafayette Chamber’s retail committee is excited to promote a collaborative shopping event between Lafayette’s retail businesses and local artists. Shop Lafayette to find local artisan items that are perfect gifts for upcoming occasions. The Artisan Walk includes art stops at local businesses and includes some of Lafayette’s beautiful public and privately initiated art. Learn more and find a map of participating businesses at https://lafayettechamber.org/shop

Bike to Wherever Day on Thursday, May 14 Includes Morning Energizer Station at Lafayette Plaza

Get ready to hop on your bike for your commute to BART, school, your workplace or wherever your bike takes you. Next Thursday morning, stop by Lafayette’s energizer station for some snacks, a drink, a tote bag, and some friendly faces. We’ll be at Lafayette Plaza from 7 to 9 am and would love to see you there!

Bike to Work/Wherever Day is a region-wide event that attracts over 100,000 participants across the Bay Area.  Visit 511 Contra Costa’s website to locate other Bike to Work/Wherever Day energizer stations and for details on other events this month.

First Burton Valley Firewise Event on May 16

Burton Valley is now a Firewise Community! If you live in the Burton Valley area (or just want to learn more about Firewise), come to the Firewise community event on Saturday, May 16 at 2pm at the Lafayette Community Center. Learn more about what it means to be part of a Firewise community and how you can get involved. City Staff and Emergency Preparedness Commissioners will share information about wildfire preparedness in Lafayette including Firewise and evacuation considerations. To sign up for information, please email burtonvalleyfirewise@gmail.com

More on Firewise: Firewise is a nationally recognized program that helps neighbors learn simple, effective ways to reduce wildfire hazards around their homes and properties. By working together, residents can improve safety, increase awareness, and better prepare for wildfire season. Lafayette now has 33 approved Firewise neighborhoods, covering 36% of the city's homes, with seven additional neighborhoods in the application process. Go to Lafayette’s Firewise webpage to learn more about the City’s Firewise communities.

Roadwork Projects

City Road Restriping Project

For the week of May 4, our contractor will continue daytime work (wrapping up by 2:30pm each day). Please refer to the “no parking” signs on each block for specific details. This work will require some closure of travel lanes with traffic control during certain phases of construction and temporary blocking of parking spaces. For more details, read the Engineer’s Weekly Update on the Re-Striping project webpage.

City BART Bike Station/Pathway Project

This project is underway. For more information, visit the project webpage.

Caltrans Work on Highway 24

Caltrans will be closing one lane of eastbound traffic around Acalanes Road and the El Nido Ranch undercrossing past the  on Saturday (May 2) from 6am to 4pm to make bridge repairs.

Additionally, Caltrans will conduct overnight closures of the 4^th bore of the Caldecott Tunnel Bore 4 (westbound) for routine maintenance activities from Monday, May 4 through Wednesday, May 6.

Overnight Road Closures Downtown for EBMUD Pipeline Replacement

EBMUD will begin overnight construction for its Wilkinson Cluster Pipeline Replacement Project in downtown Lafayette. This project involves nighttime roadwork on Mt. Diablo Boulevard between Lafayette Circle and Moraga Road, on Moraga Road between Mt. Diablo Boulevard and Brook Street, and on Wilkinson Lane. Work hours are 9pm to 6am Sunday through Thursday. Please refer to signs in the area for specific details.  Drivers should expect delays of up to 10 minutes. For project details and updates, visit EBMUD’s project webpage.

Lafayette Reservoir Closed to Vehicles Wednesday Morning - Date Clarification

As part of EBMUD’s Lafayette Reservoir Tower Seismic Upgrade Project, the Lafayette Reservoir will be temporarily closed to vehicular traffic on Wednesday, May 6, from 8am to noon to allow for scheduled construction activities. Pedestrians may also experience a delay but will be able to walk into the park when guided by crewmembers. [Editor’s note: Last week we accidentally said this was taking place on Tuesday.]

Sign up for EBMUD alert email notifications and follow EBMUD’s social media channels to keep informed about additional temporary vehicular traffic closures over the next two months. More information is available on their website at www.ebmud.com/lafayettetower, and questions can be directed to construction-east@ebmud.com.

Community News & Events

National Small Business Week

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is shining a spotlight on small businesses and their contributions to our economy. National Small Business Week includes events and a free educational virtual summit (May 5 and 6) which will cover a variety of business topics to help you start, grow and expand your business.

Learn About Water Conservation Rebates for Landscape, Plumbing and Technology upgrades

EBMUD's water conservation programs are designed to help save water and money. Connect with water conservation during online office hours (via Zoom) from 12 to 1pm on May 5 and 19. Learn more at ebmud.com/rebates.

DATE CORRECTION! Presentation on BART’s Financial Situation on Wednesday, May 6

The Lafayette Homeowners Council is hosting an informational presentation about BART’s future and the regional transportation sales tax that will be on the November ballot. Hear from BART Boardmember Matt Rinn, followed by Q&A. This event will be held at the Lafayette Library & Learning Center - Don Tatzin Room at 7pm this Wednesday.  [Editor’s note: Last week we incorrectly said this was taking place on Friday.]

Lafayette Business Insights Series: Future Proof Your Business on May 7

Business Owners and Entrepreneurs can step into the future with confidence. As part of the Lafayette Chamber’s Business Seminar Series, this hands-on AI workshop, Future Proof Your Business, is designed to help you cut through the noise and walk away with practical tools you can use right away. Led by certified trainers from Meta Platforms, Inc., you’ll gain real-world strategies to save time, reduce risk, and support growth—alongside fellow business leaders doing the same. Thursday, May 7, 9am to 12:30pm. Free for Lafayette Chamber Members, $30 for guests. Limited seating. Registration required at https://lafayettechamber.org/seminar.

Sale at the Friends Corner Book Shop

Next Saturday, May 9, every book at the Friends Corner Book Shop will be 50% off.  Shop hours are 10am to 4pm. Proceeds support the collection, programs, and services of the Lafayette Library.

Contra Costa County Animal Services Events in May

Contra Costa County Animal Services is hosting a series of upcoming community events this May, including mobile dog adoption pop-ups (in Lafayette and elsewhere), a free vaccination and microchip clinic, and an Animal Services Officer Town Hall. These events offer great opportunities to meet adoptable pets, access essential services, and connect with Animal Services.

Looking for more upcoming happenings around town?

Visit the Chamber’s Community Events Calendar online.

Miscellaneous

Lafayette Vistas Spring Issue – Read our periodic print newsletter online at www.lovelafayette.org/vistas.

Reduced ADU Development Impact Fees: The City has temporarily reduced the development impact fees charged for new Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) by 50% through 2026. And, if you finish construction by September 30, 2026, you may be eligible for a rebate through the ADU Accelerator Program. Learn more about all the current incentives.

Below Market Rate Homes for Sale: Housekeys will manage the lottery process for qualified buyers for the below-market-rate (BMR) condominiums units priced to be affordable at The Brant, a new condo development in downtown Lafayette. If you are interested in applying, create an online account with Housekeys or call Housekeys at 877-460-5397 to schedule an appointment.

Know Your Rights Regarding ICE: Access resources compiled by the County’s Employment & Human Services Department and Stand Together Contra Costa. Stand Together Contra Costa’s Rapid Response hotline is 925-900-5151.

Learn About Water Conservation Rebates

Talk with EBMUD water conservation experts to ask questions about their rebate programs and get project advice. Drop into their online office hours (via Zoom) from 12 to 1pm on May 5 and 19. Learn more at ebmud.com/rebates.

Sign up to receive City notifications: Sign up for meeting agendas and Lafayette’s publications at bit.ly/LafayetteNotifications. Also, find out how to follow us on social media at https://www.lovelafayette.org/connect

Contact Us: To contact a City Department or Staff member, refer to our online Staff Directory. For information on contacting an individual City Council member, see the City Council webpage. You may also email the entire City Council at cityhall@lovelafayette.org. Comments regarding a City Council agenda item should be sent to cityhall@lovelafayette.org  by noon on the day of the public meeting.  Comments received by noon on the day of the meeting will be included as part of the agenda packet, while those received after the deadline will be distributed to the Council on the following business day.

Cultural Observations and Celebrations

Celebrate our diversity by learning more about these cultural observations and celebrations! The City Council has proclaimed May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and Jewish American Heritage Month. May is also Haitian Heritage Month | Better Hearing and Speech Month | Foster Care Awareness Month.

May 1              May Day/Labour Day/ International Workers’ Day

May 5              Cinco de Mayo (Mexico)

May 10            Mother’s Day

Photo for the Week

Here’s a rendering of the Sunflower Hill residential development to be built at 949 Moraga Road.

Quote for the Week

Uncertainty and mystery are energies of life. Don't let them scare you unduly, for they keep boredom at bay and spark creativity.

  - R. I. Fitzhenry

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The Weekly Roundup is prepared for the Lafayette Community, City Council and Staff. If you have thoughts about this week’s Roundup, a contribution for a future edition or a photo to be considered for the “Photo of the Week”, please email the City of Lafayette's Communications Analyst/Public Information Officer, Suzanne Iarla.

Learn more about Lafayette’s other digital publications and social media sites here.