YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 19, No. 42
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Developer promises to ease traffic
October 18, 2019
Local Actor’s Star Power
by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
The Press continues to explore Brentwood’s Measure L, this week focusing on roads and traffic. The measure — spearheaded by a group of local developers, including longtime Brentwood farmer and developer Ron Nunn — would move the mark at which urban development must stop, clearing the way for a proposed 815-acre project of up to 2,400 residential units (at least 80% agerestricted, active-adult-specific), along with other elements, situated north of Balfour Road, east of Deer Valley Road and west of the Shadow Lakes and Brentwood Hills neighborhoods. The special election is set for Nov. 5. The proposal promises a range of roadway improvements, but measure opponents believe that, even with the roadway amendments, the project is too big for the area and will worsen traffic, strain infrastructure and degrade quality of life. An independent environmental impact report estimates the project will generate see Developer page 30
East County’s Jermaine Harris Jr. is making his mark in some high-profile TV shows. Page 5
Preserving History
Photo by Tony Kukulich
Bob Nunn of the development group Blackhawk Nunn Partners discuss the extension of American Avenue from a hilltop overlooking the planned route of the roadway in Brentwood, Monday, Oct. 14. The extension, intended to provide traffic relief near Heritage High School, will built by Blackhawk Nunn if Measure L is passed by Brentwood voters Nov. 5.
Affordable senior complex moves forward by Deanna Gordon Staff Writer
The Oakley City Council approved a request Tuesday, Oct. 8, for a conditional use permit, design review and density bonus housing agreement for a project to include 130 affordable senior apartment units and 5,667 square feet of commercial space, at 2605 Main St. Vice Mayor Doug Hardcastle and city councilmembers Kevin Romick and Sue Higgins voted in approval. Mayor Claire Alaura and Councilmember Randy Pope were absent. The project — named Twin Oaks — is designed to be similar to Summer Creek Place Apartments, a one- and two-bedroom senior apartment complex southwest of the site. The new complex’s location is 5.85 acres located on the south side of Main Street, just east of Oakley Town Center, bookended by Lucky
Supermarket and Rite Aid. The proposed project is composed of a three-story apartment building with 130 units, of which 98 will be one-bedroom, and 32 twobedrooms, with a maximum occupancy of two individuals in either. It will include 188 parking spaces: 133 for residents, 33 for visitors and 22 for shoppers. The applicant, Highridge Costa Development Company LLC, only develops affordable housing, according to its representative present at the meeting, Mohannad Mohanna. He spoke highly of the standards his company uses in their development, and the reputation they hold. “I don’t know the last time we’ve advertised on any of our senior communities,” Mohanna said. “They are typically wait-listed.” The proposal for Twin Oaks includes a resident courtyard at its center, with several onsite amenities, including a pool and pool cabanas, a spa and hot tub, barbecues, shuffle-
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board, a bocce court, garden furniture, vegetable beds, and two of three existing oak trees, to be preserved and maintained with canopy drip lines. Highridge Costa hires third-party property managers who specialize in senior affordable housing. Twin Oaks will house senior residents 62 and older, and, according to Mohanna, rents will be set by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, and determined by 50%, 60% and 80% of the average median income in Contra Costa County. Diane Spurrier, a 61-year-old resident of the nearby senior Summer Creek Place Apartments, who recently expressed concerns over continually rising rents affecting her complex, spoke to oppose the project. “We don’t need affordable housing,” Spurrier said. “Oakley needs fixed-income housing for seniors on fixed income, because seniors are being priced out of their homes.”
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East Contra Costa Historical Society volunteers build, shape and preserve history. Page 4
LAX Making Its Debut
Oakley couple is launching a youth lacrosse program to inspire interest in the sport. Page 21 Calendar................................31 Classifieds.............................25 Cop Logs................................15 Entertainment.....................11 Food........................................10 Health & Beauty....................6 Milestones..............................9 Opinion..................................19 Pet of the Week...................14 Sports.....................................21
Landmark Bill
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California enacts AB 218, a critical effort to protect children from abuse.