Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Brentwood public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
50 issues with medium priority
Residential Street Tree Policy and Removals
Commissioner Myers has asked the commission to discuss residential street trees, which affects neighborhood aesthetics, shade, and sidewalk maintenance. Residents will want to see how city policies might impact tree care responsibilities.
Zoning Text Amendment for Subarea “M” within PD-17
The city is correcting an administrative omission by reinstating Subarea “M” into the PD-17 zoning district for a church property on Birch Street.
Fairview Avenue Commercial Center and Dental Office
A new 1.56-acre commercial project featuring a dental office and retail building will be developed on Fairview Avenue, bringing new professional services to the area.
Community Events Participation and Budgeting
Commissioners approved participation in the Liberty Homecoming Parade and Hometown Halloween, allocating up to $800 for Halloween supplies and meals.
Closed Session Personnel and Legal Discussions
The city council met privately to handle confidential personnel evaluations and discuss potential legal disputes involving the city.
Youth Center Development
Good news for Brentwood teens: a brand-new 15,000-square-foot youth center is officially in the works at Lone Tree Way and Windy Springs Lane, backed by county funds and set to open its doors in 2029. It'll give local kids a dedicated space to hang out, learn, and grow.
Real Property Negotiations for 400 Guthrie Lane
The council discussed potential terms and pricing for property located at 400 Guthrie Lane with negotiators.
Planning Commission Conduct
A local Brentwood planning commissioner caught heat for dropping unverified rumors about a potential data center during a public meeting. Instead of focusing on actual city policy, officials ended up airing messy speculation that left everyone scratching their heads.
Poet Laureate Anthology Project Funding
Current Poet Laureate Maria Denny presented volume 8 of the community poetry anthology "In Mount Diablo's Shadow," and the commission recommended $2,122 in city funding to support its publication.
Eight Acres Kitchen and Bar Music Hours Extension
Eight Acres Kitchen & Bar requested an extension for live music hours from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. as part of its one-year operational review. Neighbors and patrons spoke in support of the neighborhood restaurant and its extended hours.
Invasive Mosquito Public Health Risk
County health officials alerted the city to the presence of the invasive Aedes aegypti mosquito in Brentwood, prompting calls for residents to dump standing water and coordinate public outreach.
School Recycling Infrastructure
A community member requested the installation of recycling bins across all schools in the UHSD district to improve environmental sustainability.
Coastal Redwood Decline and Replacement
City staff presented findings on the decline of coastal redwoods across Brentwood due to local climate and non-potable irrigation water. Commissioners and residents discussed replacement strategies and removal timelines.
Outstanding Future Agenda Items and Commission Request Process
Council members discussed updating internal rules, specifically addressing whether an abstention counts as a yes vote, how remote meeting quorums work, and recusal standards.
Tintix Film and Graphics Studio CUP
A new industrial tenant requested a conditional use permit to operate a window tinting and vehicle graphics business in a newly constructed building at 131 Technology Way.
Real Property Negotiations for City Land
The city is negotiating the price and payment terms for potential property transactions, including land near Lone Tree Way and the Lower Sand Creek Basin expansion. These deals could impact municipal assets and local flood control infrastructure projects.
Lone Tree Way Subdivision Time Extension
The developer of a 40-home subdivision on Lone Tree Way received a 12-month extension to keep their permits active while they finish engineering plans with the city.
2026 Banner Up Program Submissions
Local artists submitted hand-painted banners to beautify downtown Brentwood during the summer months.
SB 707 Remote Public Meeting Compliance
Meeting rules were updated to comply with state mandates for hybrid participation, ensuring residents can continue addressing the council remotely.
Municipal Sharps and Battery Disposal Services
Staff was directed to investigate potential locations, costs, and materials for establishing citywide sharps and battery disposal drop-off sites.
Carport Variance at 232 Nancy Street
A homeowner sought permission to keep a newly built carport that exceeded lot coverage limits and encroached on setbacks due to historical neighborhood rezoning.
Youth Scholarship and Essay Awards
The commission approved awarding two $1,000 scholarships to support local students' educational pursuits.
Cancellation of Summer Pool Party and July Meeting
Due to low registration and vacations, the commission canceled its July meeting and the annual middle school pool party.
Specialized Recreation Programming and Tree Health
Commissioners requested future staff follow-up on the health and fire safety of redwoods along Sand Creek Boulevard and the feasibility of expanding specialized recreation programs.
Heron Park Restroom Addition
Council agreed to tap into reserve funds to finally build a much-needed permanent restroom at Heron Park, addressing long-standing resident requests.
Development Application Review and Public Engagement Process
The Planning Commission reviewed how city staff process development projects, how recommendations are formulated, and when the public can provide input. Commissioners emphasized the need for residents to engage early by checking project lists on the city website rather than waiting for the final agenda packet.
Downtown Special Events and Street Closure Management
The council addressed growing community complaints about frequent street closures hurting downtown merchants, voting to limit event durations, establish core event criteria, and study parking lot relocations.
Police Conduct Inquest
A woman died in Brentwood back in October, and now the District Attorney is launching a formal inquest to figure out what happened. The police department says they're on board and want to be transparent about the whole thing.
Public Hearing Notification Process Expansion
Chairperson Brand proposed expanding public hearing notices beyond the standard 1,000-foot radius to give residents more awareness of major projects.
Police Calls and Crime Report
Brentwood's police are reporting a solid 20% drop in crime for 2025! They've released their latest call data, giving residents a peek at what's happening around town, from serious incidents to minor offenses.
Crime Statistics
Great news, Brentwood! Crime rates have plummeted by 20% in the last year, with both violent and property crimes seeing significant drops. The police chief says their proactive approach is paying off.
Engineering Standards and Traffic Calming Review
Vice Mayor Pierson requested a comprehensive review of city engineering standards, decision-making frameworks, traffic calming measures, and associated costs.
Single-Family Home Design Review and Roof Standard Exception at 2337 Windy Springs Lane
The subcommittee debated whether to grant an exception to objective design standards requiring roof dormers for a new home. The applicant needed flat and varied roof planes to install 40 solar panels for a net-zero energy home, raising questions about maintaining strict design rules versus supporting green building goals.
Youth-Friendly Business Recognition Program
The commission recognized Geddes Music as the April 2026 Youth-Friendly Business to highlight local establishments that support youth musicians and offer opportunities like apprenticeships.
Volunteer Process Transparency
The city is looking to update its website to make it easier for residents—including students needing community service hours—to find and sign up for volunteer jobs at city events.
Automobile Service Station Cap of 20 Citywide
To prevent an overconcentration of gas stations, the city is capping the total number of service stations at 20. Commissioners debated future gas supply, electric vehicle trends, and fuel pricing impacts.
Middle School Pool Party Planning and Fundraising
The commission approved a $1,500 budget and a June 12 date for the annual middle school pool party, while planning to solicit local business donations.
Industrial Land Sale and Economic Development
The city approved selling a vacant city-owned parcel to a local developer to build a 30,000-square-foot industrial flex building, bringing new jobs and investment to Brentwood.
Parks and Recreation Commission Board Vacancies
Candidates were interviewed to fill two open seats on the Parks and Recreation Commission to advise on community parks, trails, and recreational programming.
Officer-involved Shooting
A fatal police shooting in Brentwood is under scrutiny after the department released video footage. The city hopes this will bring clarity to the incident.
Closed Session and Legal Counsel Guidance
The council held a closed session following public criticism regarding city counsel recommendations and transparency.
Opposition to Federal Oil and Gas Leasing
The city council voted to formally oppose federal oil and gas leasing plans near city borders to protect local air quality, water supplies, and resident health.
Seacon Development Park Design
A new 0.64-acre neighborhood park in the Seacon subdivision is getting a unique jungle theme with multi-age play equipment and a picnic shade structure to serve the local community.
Duplex Development at 220 Fahmy Street
A proposal to add a new duplex to an existing residential lot sparked discussion about how city zoning rules interact with general plans and state housing laws. The committee ultimately found that because the project meets all design standards, there was no reason to block it.
Apple Hill Park Trellis Replacement
The old wooden trellis at Apple Hill Park was declared unsafe and removed, and the city is now deciding whether to replace it with a new wooden structure or a fabric shade sail.
Sports Complex Groundbreaking
Get ready, Brentwood! The new Sand Creek Sports Complex is finally breaking ground, meaning awesome new fields and facilities are on the way. This is a big win for local athletes and families looking for more places to play.
Immigration Policy Statement
Brentwood's mayor has officially stated the city's position on immigration enforcement. This policy statement clarifies the city's approach to a topic that's been getting a lot of attention.
Daylighting Law Discussion
Brentwood is looking at a new state law that could shake up how construction projects are approved and managed. This means changes are coming to how buildings get made in our city.
Police Misconduct Settlement
Brentwood is shelling out nearly $1 million because a police dog went wild and severely injured a woman. This massive settlement is a direct result of a brutal K-9 unit encounter.
Candidate Forum
Unsure about your Brentwood candidates? They're hashing out big issues like crime, homelessness, and the economy in upcoming forums. It's your chance to hear directly from them before you vote!