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The Weekly Roundup, July 2, 2026

Post Date:07/02/2026 1:22 PM

Thursday, July 2, 2026| What’s Doing in Lafayette?

News From the City Manager’s Corner

Happy Independence Day – This email is being posted early as City offices will be closed on Friday in observance of the holiday.

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

  • Come to the Library this Afternoon to Celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary
  • All Fireworks are Illegal in Contra Costa County
  • Considering a Run for City Council?
  • New Housing Breaks Ground in Downtown Lafayette
  • One Week Left to Take the Survey About the Countywide Community Warning System (CWS)
  • Shape Future Transportation in Contra Costa County! 
  • Reminder: Register for Informational Webinars about Affordable Homeownership Opportunities
  • Planning Commission Meeting Monday Night

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

 

Come to the Library this Afternoon to Celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary

We hope to see you at the library this afternoon (Thursday, July 2) to join us in celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary with an afternoon of activities for all ages!

From 4 to 6pm:

  • Carnival Games & Craft Activities
  • Live music by The Au Contraires and Janel & the Magdalena Sage Band
  • Sign a giant copy of the Declaration of Independence
  • Learn about the Marquis de Lafayette through exhibit panels, art show and short videos
  • Complete 5 passport activities to receive a free USA flag and a special cookie!
  • Hot dogs available for purchase until 6pm

At 6pm

  • National Anthem performed by Janel Wagner
  • How our City Got its Name by Mary McCosker
  • Screening of Lafayette: The Lost Hero (one-hour documentary; rated PG-13)

FREE Admission. Presented by City of Lafayette in partnership with the Lafayette Historical Society, the Acalanes Daughters of the American Revolution Chapter, and All Ages Recreation Downtown (AARD), with special thanks to Front Porch Music.

 Flyer for America’s 250th Celebration on July 2nd 2026

 

All Fireworks are Illegal in Contra Costa County

The use of fireworks of any type is illegal in Contra Costa County and exceedingly dangerous during current heightened fire danger conditions. Contra Costa Fire urges anyone observing fireworks being used to report this by calling 1-833-885-2021.Check out their Wildfire Prevention Programs to learn what else you can do to keep your community safe.

 

Considering a Run for City Council?

A General Municipal Election will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, for:

  • Two City Councilmembers for the full term of 4 years each
  • One City Councilmember for the partial term of 2 years

To be eligible to run for public office in the City of Lafayette, you must meet the following requirements: 1) An elector of the city when he or she assumes office; and 2) A registered voter of the City at the time nomination papers are issued; and 3) Not disqualified by the Constitution or laws of the State of California from holding office. 

The nomination period opens on July 13 and closes on August 7, 2026. Starting on Monday, July 13, if you are interested in running for public office, please contact City Clerk Joanne Robbins at 925-284-1968 or jrobbins@lovelafayette.org to schedule an appointment to pull nomination papers.

 

New Housing Breaks Ground in Downtown Lafayette

Last week, Diamond Construction broke ground on Oak Hill, a new 85-residence condominium community at 1001 Oak Hill Road in the heart of downtown Lafayette. (See photo below.) This project adds much-needed housing in the heart of downtown, helping create a vibrant, walkable community while supporting local businesses and economic activity.

The 7-story project includes 74 market-rate residences and 11 below-market-rate homes. This development will help Lafayette make meaningful progress toward meeting our Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) obligations and addressing the region's housing shortage.

Mayor Anduri commented, “We are grateful to Jeff Stone and Brian Griggs for bringing a development with this architectural quality to our community. We welcome this new development in downtown Lafayette which will include both market-rate and much-needed affordable homes.”

Close to the Lafayette BART station, Oak Hill will offer one-, two-, and three-bedroom residences along with a hospitality-inspired lobby, private library and conference room, golf simulator, indoor/outdoor fitness center, Zen-garden, an elevated outdoor lounge with Mt. Diablo views, a dog run, and ground-floor café space. Construction is targeted to be completed by summer 2028. Visit Diamond Construction for construction updates. You can also see renderings on our Major Development Projects webpage – simply navigate the map or scroll through the list of projects in the sidebar.

 

One Week Left to Take the Survey About the Countywide Community Warning System (CWS)

Help improve emergency preparedness efforts and emergency alerts across Contra Costa County by taking the County’s online Emergency Alerts & Preparedness Survey today. If you live, work, study or commute through Conta Costa County, please take a few minutes to fill out the survey:          Survey in English  |  Survey in Spanish

CWS is an important part of our public alerting strategies to reach you in the case of a disaster or public safety emergency that requires immediate action (such as evacuating, or sheltering-in-place, etc.). Your feedback will help Contra Costa County enhance the Community Warning System (CWS), better understand how people receive emergency information, identify barriers to receiving alerts, enhance language access and accessibility, strengthen emergency preparedness efforts, and improve public communication during emergencies.

 

Shape Future Transportation in Contra Costa County! 

If you live, work, study or travel through Contra Costa, the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (“CCTA”) wants to hear from you about what’s working, what’s frustrating, and what would make it easier and safer for you and your family to get where you need to go! Take the CCTA Summer Listening Survey and you can enter to win one of five $100 Visa gift cards.

Your feedback will help CCTA better understand local needs and shape future transportation in Contra Costa County. Learn more at CCTA.ca.org/community/listening. CCTA delivers countywide transportation improvements such as smarter highways and signals, street repairs, bike/pedestrian overcrossings, and safer and easier ways to get to school. 

CCTA also has another survey specifically about how young people travel, what is working, and where families may need more support. CCTA wants to hear from kids, families, and community members about how students are getting around Contra Costa County such as where they walk, bike, take transit, get a ride, or use different options. Take the Youth Transportation Survey.

  

Reminder: Register for Informational Webinars about Affordable Homeownership Opportunities

Looking to become a homeowner in Lafayette? Applications for two- and three-bedroom homes at The Brant for moderate income households will be accepted soon. You must apply through HouseKeys and complete the required eligibility and income verification process. Visit the HouseKeys website or sign up for informational webinars on July 7 or July 16 at 6pm to learn more.

Opportunity Drawing includes Below-Market-Rate (BMR) homes available for purchase. The two-bedroom homes are priced at $511,046 and the three-bedroom homes are priced at $579,675. Monthly HOA dues are $825.52.

 

Meetings & Events 

Planning Commission Meeting Monday

The Planning Commission Meeting on Monday (July 6) starts at 7pm and includes:

  • Preliminary review of development request from Temple Isaiah to construct a new community building adjacent to the existing temple at 945 Risa Road. No formal action will be taken.
  • Request by Khristo (Owner) to construct a 4,330 sq. ft. single-family home with a 2,200 sq. ft. attached garage with related grading and tree removal on a vacant lot in the Hillside Overlay District at an unaddressed parcel on Carlyle Terrace. The project proposes site access from Burton Vista Court.

Read the full agenda for the staff reports as well as information about how to participate in or watch the meeting.

 

Other Top Meetings This Week

 

Explore Lafayette's Past Through Three Perspectives

Step into Lafayette's past this summer with Points of Reference: Three Perspectives on Lafayette's Past, a trio of exhibitions presented as part of Lafayette's observance of America's 250th anniversary:

  • Discover watercolor paintings by John Finger reflecting on General Lafayette
  • Explore 1950s aerial photographs that reveal how our community has changed over time, and
  • View artifacts from the Saklan people that honor the region's earliest inhabitants and their enduring connection to this landscape

These exhibitions at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center offer a chance to explore the many stories that have shaped our community. Free and open to the public through August 4.

 

Save the Date: National Night Out is Tuesday, August 4

Meet First Responders at National Night Out, an annual event designed to strengthen police-community partnerships and foster neighborhood camaraderie. This initiative aims to enhance safety and create a more caring living environment in our neighborhoods.

Drop by the Lafayette Community Center – Pickleball Court Area (500 St. Mary’s Road) from 5 to 5 to 7pm on Tuesday, August 4 to talk with local police officers, firefighters and your neighbors who volunteer to serve on the City’s Crime Prevention Commission.

 

Roadwork Projects

Ongoing City-led Projects:

 

Other Utility Work in/around Town:

  • EBMUD Pipeline Replacement Downtown – EBMUD’s pipeline crew will continue to install the new water mains downtown on Moraga Rd with nightwork likely to take place on July 15 through 17. 
  • PG&E Brook Street Gas Line Replacement – PG&E’s crew will continue to install the new gas main along Hough and Dewing Avenues; this work requires one lane to be closed so please observe signs and instructions from flaggers.
  • Caldecott Tunnel Overnight Work Caltrans
  • will conduct overnight closures of the 4th bore of the Caldecott Tunnel Bore 4 (westbound) for routine maintenance activities on July 7 & 8. To view more Caltrans projects in our area, visit Caltrans D4.

 

Lafayette Reservoir Construction – July Update

Here’s an update regarding EBMUD’s Lafayette Reservoir Tower Safety Upgrade Project:

The tower is now fully enclosed in scaffolding and protective wrapping, and on Monday, the physical demolition of the upper portion of the tower will begin. Demolition activity in July will be highly visible from most points around the reservoir. There are no planned vehicular closures in the month of July 2026. Intermittent traffic flagging will continue at the park entrance to manage heavy equipment and debris transport.

Upcoming Milestones:

  • Operating House Demolition: Demolition will begin with the roof of the existing operating house, which will be cut into two pieces and removed by the crane barge. Following the roof removal, crews will saw-cut the operating house walls into multiple pieces and lift them onto the barge.
  • Debris Off-Hauling: Once brought to shore, the tower debris will be loaded onto trucks and hauled out of the reservoir area using the Acalanes Road onramp, completely avoiding downtown Lafayette.
  • Tower Lowering: Demolition of the operating house will continue through July. Following its removal, crews will begin the subsequent concrete cuts required to lower the tower structure by 40 feet. The upper tower demolition portion of the project remains on schedule for completion by late fall 2026.

Project Resources:

 

Community News & Events

Independence Day Celebrations

Here’s information about Orinda and Moraga’s events on Saturday:

And, if you are headed elsewhere in the Bay Area, be aware that BART will be running a Sunday schedule (8am to midnight) on Saturday, July 4. Plan your door-to-door trip using BART’s Trip Planner.

 

Nominate a Sustainability Champion by Monday, July 6

Do you know an individual, nonprofit organization, government program, school, or business making a positive impact in our community through sustainability efforts?

Sustainable Contra Costa is currently accepting nominations through July 6 for its Leadership in Sustainability Awards, which celebrate outstanding contributions to environmental stewardship, innovation, community engagement, and sustainable practices throughout Contra Costa County. These awards shine a spotlight on local champions whose work is helping create a healthier, more resilient, and environmentally responsible future for all.

Award recipients will be honored at the 18th Annual Sustainability Awards Event on September 16. Click Sustainable Contra Costa to learn more and submit your nomination.

 

New Webinar Series for Entrepreneurs Starts July 6: Money Smart for Small Business

If you are new to business or are thinking of starting a business, this series will give you an introduction to the financial knowledge necessary for successfully starting and managing a business. Starting on Monday, July 6, from 1 to 2:15pm, the San Francisco District Office of the Small Business Administration (SBA) will present one module every week in a live webinar. The program has modules covering different topics such as:

  • Financial Management
  • Cash Flow Management
  • Bank Services
  • Insurance, Etc. 

To get the webinar link, send an e-mail to sfomail@sba.gov. Write Money Smart in the subject line and your full name in the body of the e-mail.

 

Youth Production of Eleven Variations on Friar John's Failure at Town Hall Theatre on July 11 and 12

This hour-long comedy by Yuri Baranovsky details eleven different ways that Romeo and Juliet may have gone wrong. Maybe Friar John was trying to deliver the letter telling Romeo that Juliet is not dead and he got tricked by Tom Sawyer, or recruited by Starbucks, or mistaken for Hamlet. Tickets and more information at www.townhalltheatre.com/eleven-variations.

 

Friends Corner Book Shop Sale Saturday  

Looking for your next summer read? On Saturday, July 11, every book will be 50% off.  Shop hours are 10am to 4pm. Proceeds from the Friends Corner Book Shop support the collection, programs, and services of the Lafayette Library.

 

Looking for more upcoming happenings around town?

Visit the Chamber’s Community Events Calendar online.

 

Miscellaneous

See a Swarm of Bees? Call the Mount Diablo Beekeeping Association (MDBA) for Help: Contra Costa and Alameda community members can report honey bee swarms using the MDBA website, diablobees.org. On the home page , click “ Report a Swarm-Call a Swarm Collector”. A local beekeeper (currently there are 19 in Lafayette!) will collect swarms and safely relocate them.

 

June Election Results: The final results from the State Primary Election on June 2 are available. For Contra Costa results, visit www.ContraCostaVote.gov or call the County Elections Office at 925-335-7800. 

 

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.

 

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.

 

Curious about Development Around Town? Information on major planning projects can be found on the Major Development Projects webpage.  You can navigate the map 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.

 

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! July is French American Heritage Month and Disability Pride Month.

 

Photo for the Week

 26 oak Hill groundgreaking

Last week, City representatives joined developers Jeff Stone and Brian Griggs to celebrate the groundbreaking for Oak Hill, a new 85-residence condominium community downtown at 1001 Oak Hill Road.

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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.

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