City of Lafayette, CA

08/12/2022 | News release | Distributed by Public on 08/12/2022 18:10

The Weekly Roundup, August 12, 2022

Friday, August 12, 2022 | What's Doing in Lafayette?

City Council Nomination Filing Period Ends Today at 5 p.m.

The period to file nomination papers for City Council Candidates ends today, August 12, at 5:00 p.m. and will not be extended. Next week, look on the City's website at www.lovelafayette.org/election for the list of candidates running for City Council.

In November, voters will elect two City Councilmembers for full 4-year terms and one City Councilmember for a 2-year term.

Planning Commission Meeting Monday Night

Monday night's Planning Commission meeting starts at 7 p.m. and includes public hearings on

  • A General Plan amendment and a zoning amendment to create an overlay district to change the land use designation and rezone the eligible parcels subject to Assembly Bill 2923 to 75 units/acre and establish development and design standards. (AB 2923 is applicable to BART-owned properties that are within ½-mile of its stations, among other criteria.)
  • City-initiated zoning amendment to Title 6 of the Lafayette Municipal Code to revise the electric vehicle (EV) charging requirements for commercial development projects and multi-family projects with 20 or more dwelling units.

Read the full August 15, 2022 agenda (including staff reports). For information about how to participate in or watch the online meeting, see the agenda or go to the online calendar.

We Want You! Volunteer to Serve on a City Advisory Body

The City is putting together a multi-disciplinary Vision Zero Task Force to help City staff prepare a Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP) as part of the City's commitment to implement Vision Zero. The City is currently seeking applications from residents to fill two "community at-large" positions on the Task Force. Applicants must be a Lafayette resident and interested in improving safety on our local transportation networks. Desired preference includes a background in Transportation Planning, Engineering or Public Health. For full details, visit www.lovelafayette.org/visionzero. Applications are due by Friday, August 19.

There is also currently one vacancy on the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission is charged with development of the General Plan, implementation and administration of the Zoning Ordinance and review of development applications including new multi-family residential buildings, subdivisions, land use permits, and hillside development permits. For more information about the Commission's duties, please visit www.lovelafayette.org/PC. Applications are due by September 1.

There are a number of other advisory bodies also seeking new members. See the list of volunteer opportunities, then download the application form at www.lovelafayette.org/city-hall/commissions-committees and submit your completed application to the City Clerk.

Roadwork Wrapping Up

We are in the home-stretch for the completion of this year's surface seal road maintenance program. This week, the contractor completed the final surface sealing of Mildred Lane and North Thompson Road, along with the recoating of the bulb on Arrowhead. The contractor also completed slurry sealing sections of the pathway on North Thompson, and miscellaneous "punchlist items" relating to the slurry seal work.

However, the striping crew was not able to finish the striping, so next week, they will finish the striping in both Lafayette and Moraga, filling in crosswalks and speed humps, and installing any missing legend items. No road closures or lane closures are anticipated, and impact to traffic will be at a minimum.

Next week, the contractor will also be raising monument covers on some streets. Lane closures should be anticipated for this work, so expect minor delays. Monuments are a physical marker that locates a corner or line on the ground used for surveying; some of the frames and covers need to be raised to be flush with the new pavement level.

While work is in progress, please continue to lend us your cooperation and extra patience. Be alert to workers, equipment, and traffic. More information is on our website at www.lovelafayette.org/2022roadwork.

Town Hall Theatre Fall 2022 Education

Fall Education registration is still open but filling up fast! Featuring musicals and skill classes for all ages and abilities in far off swamps, Bikini Bottom, the Land of Giants, and beyond! THT offers course for pre-K through high school students plus adult classes! For more information, see: www.townhalltheatre.com/fall-2022 and www.townhalltheatre.com/adult-education-1

25th Anniversary of the Beloved Lafayette Art & Wine Festival

We are excited for the return of the Lafayette Art & Wine Festival on Saturday, September 17 & Sunday, September 18. The festival will feature more than 40 bands performing on four stages, approximately 300 booths with art and handmade crafts, and the popular giant slide and many other fun kid's activities in the Kid Zones. The Festival is family-friendly and well behaved, leashed family dogs are welcome, but typically happiest during cooler - and less crowded - morning hours.

The Lafayette Art & Wine Festival is an annual event that promotes Lafayette's Downtown and raises money for local education, the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce and many other local non-profit organizations. The event is produced by the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the City of Lafayette and Eckerstrom Productions.

Please visit https://lafayettefestival.com for maps, music schedule and a current update on our safety policy at the time of the event. The Festival committee will follow all required health and safety procedures and requirements set by Contra Costa County and the State of California.

If you are on social media and want to help spread the word, check out these accounts:

Community Events and Meetings

Audition to Join Diablo Women's Chorale on August 15: For information on membership and auditions, visit www.DiabloWomensChorale.org/join-us or contact Nancy Hickman, Membership Chair, at 925-899-5050 or [email protected].

Assistance League Thrift Shop Sales: The Assistance League Thrift Shop at the Way Side Inn (3521 Golden Gate Way) will host its annual All Things Asian Event to begin on Tuesday, August 16. On Wednesday, August 17, all clothing will be 50% off. Learn how your purchases and donations help improve the lives of those who are vulnerable by visiting: www.assistanceleague.org/diablo-valley.

Staged Reading at Town Hall Theatreon August 20: Staged Reading at 8 p.m. of The Re-Education of Fernando Morales. More information and tickets are available online at www.townhalltheatre.com/re-education

Get Ready for Wildfire Online Town Hall on Thursday, August 25: Help you prepare your family, home and neighborhood for wildfires and other hazards, such as earthquakes and power failures! The Town Hall will be held online (on Zoom) from 6 to 7 p.m. At the time of the event, go to www.bit.ly/wildfire2022lafayette. For additional information prior to the event, please email Cathy Surges-Moscato at [email protected].

Saint Mary's College Weekend of Welcome 2022 for new students will take place August 25 through 28. Fall classes for the Gaels begin on Monday, August 29.

International Film Showcase Presents Lost Illusions: Opening on Friday, August 26 at the Orinda Theatre, the International Film Showcase will be screening Lost Illusions, directed by Xavier Giannoli. A Lumiere Award winning film (France) for Best Screenplay, Lost Illusions tells the story of Lucien de Rubempré, a poet who sets his sights on living in Paris in the name of love. Tickets are available at http://internationalshowcase.org/?p=1270.

Celebrate 11 Years of the Lafayette Community Garden and Outdoor Learning Center on August 28: The event, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., is free and will feature speakers, guided tours, family crafts and more! Visit the Lafayette Community Garden website for more information.

Back to School Spaghetti & Meatball Dinner Benefitting Moraga Rotary on August 31: Dinner is provided by La Finestra and can be picked up at a designated time selected when you order online. Orders must be placed by August 29 online at www.moragarotaryfundraiser.com. Your donation will go towards local projects that support Moraga's youth while also helping support a local restaurant.

Thriving in the Golden Years: 13th Annual Senior Symposium on September 10: Seniors, caregivers and family members are invited to attend the 13th annual Community Foundation of Lafayette's free Senior Symposium in person at Acalanes High School from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Learn about heart health, Alzheimers, keeping connected with family through technology and the importance of health and nutrition as we age. Visit the Community Foundation of Lafayette's website to register or to learn more about sponsorship opportunities. Admission is free.

Summer Bike Challenge: The 2022 Summer Bike Challenge is still rolling through the end of the month! Visit 511cc.org/sbc to sign up.

Public Meetings

During the pandemic, Lafayette has been holding public meetings online. (Contra Costa Health Services continues to recommends teleconferencing for public meetings since online meetings present the lowest risk of spreading the coronavirus.) Meeting agendas will provide instructions on how to contribute public comment and participate in the meetings. You can sign up for meeting notices here. To view all of next week's public meetings please visit our full calendar. This week's top meetings:

Planning Commission at 7 p.m. on August 15 (see above)

General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) at 6 p.m. on August 16

Fiscal Sustainability Subcommittee at 3 p.m. on August 17

Creeks Committee at 7 p.m. on August 17

Click on the links above to access the meeting agenda and instructions on how to participate in online meetings.

Community Briefs

Covid-19 Information and Resources: For all your covid-related questions, visit the County website at cchealth.org/coronavirus. The CCHS Covid-19 Call Center is available at 844-729-8410, daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (available in English and Spanish). For assistance in other languages or after hours, please call 211 or 800-833-2900. You can also text HOPE to 20121.

Supervisor Andersen's office is no longer distributing covid-19 at home test kits or masks, however, free test kits are now available for pick-up at the Contra Costa Health Services San Ramon drive-thru clinic in Bishop Ranch or at a library near you (while supplies last; limit 2 kits per family). More information on where to get test kits can be found here: coronavirus.cchealth.org/home-tests.

Phone Down, Eyes Up! With school back in session, be sure to watch for walking and biking students, and pay attention to school bus stops. Most importantly, slow down and stay off your phone when driving.

Shop Local eCard Program is Supporting Local Businesses: Buy a Shop Local Lafayette eCard and receive double the value to spend at participating businesses in Lafayette! Limit two bonus cards per purchaser. For full details, visit www.lovelafayette.com/eCard.

Lafayette Planning Applications and Major Development Projects: Want to know the planning applications that the City's Planning Department is processing? Just visit the Planning Applications Received page for the latest application information. For information on major developments that are underway, visit the City of Lafayette Major Development Projects website.

City of Lafayette Notifications: Sign up for meeting agendas and Lafayette's publications here: bit.ly/LafayetteNotifications.

Preparedness Tip: The Lafayette Emergency Preparedness Commissions invites you to use your imagination the next time you are returning home late at night. Imagine that you are an ambulance driver (no, you don't have lights and siren and you have to obey speed limits) and you have just been dispatched for a cardiac arrest call at your home! As a driver who doesn't know your house, when you are driving, look for street signs (are they visible or covered by trees) and are the house numbers easily visible at night if you don't know where they are. Addresses are supposed to be easily visible from the street in both directions. They should be high contrast with reflective numerals or background at least 4" high (per the Fire Code). Numbers painted on a curb with a reflective white background are great!

Cultural Observations and Celebrations

Celebrate our diversity by learning more about these upcoming cultural observations and celebrations:

22 - Raksha Bandhan (Hindu)

Photo for the Week

The Rotary Club of Lafayette hosted a lovely concert and successful food drive at the Res last Saturday. See more photos highlighting the event partners at https://www.facebook.com/rotarylafayette.

Quote for the Week

The great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.

- William James

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The Weekly Roundup is prepared each week for the Lafayette Community, City Council and Staff. If you have thoughts about this week's Roundup, a contribution for next week's 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.

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