Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Lafayette public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
16 issues in development
Sunflower Hill at Sierra Place naming
A four-story, 100% affordable building at 949 Moraga Road will house 47 very-low and low-income households plus a manager, serving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The council approved it unanimously after emotional testimony from families; state tax-credit funding is the next hurdle.
Revised seven-story mixed-use project at 3458 Mount Diablo Boulevard
A six-story condo building replaces an old one-story commercial building on Lafayette's main thoroughfare. The fight was over where the three affordable units land — two sit on the garage floor, which a divided Council would not call 'dispersed.'
Housing Element lawsuit settlement downtown zoning changes
The city settled its Housing Element lawsuit last month — it will consider rezoning downtown areas and the suit is dismissed. Lafayette must plan for 2,114 new units, mostly along Mt. Diablo Boulevard, plus a corridor mobility study and a 48-unit Sunflower Hill affordable project at 949 Moraga Road.
Vesce lawsuit settlement and public access to 'the Dips'
The city's proposed settlement with the Vesces would exit the city from a six-year lawsuit over pedestrian access between Happy Valley Road and the Glen. Residents fear that without dismissal of the entire action, the Vesces could later default the public and close the cherished path.
Pre-approved ADU prototype designs
Lafayette, Moraga and Orinda jointly adopted pre-approved backyard-cottage designs to cut design and permitting costs. Free permit-ready plans arrive March 2027 — a small but real step toward easier housing additions, with fire-safe landscaping guidance requested before release.
New hillside home at 1716 Reliez Valley Road
A new two-story, 1,993-square-foot house is proposed on a vacant lot in the Hillside Overlay District, with major earthmoving (1,353 cubic yards of cut) and removal of 20 trees. The hearing was pushed to August 17, so neighbors still have time to weigh in.
Tilden Preparatory School relocation to downtown Lafayette
A small private school serving neurodivergent middle and high school students wants to move into the old office building at 3435 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Parents described how the one-on-one model transformed their kids' education; commissioners weighed parking and drop-off impacts near Golden Gate Way.
Community Center replacement
The original 1950s Community Center is at the end of its life and costs $500,000+ a year to patch up. The city will study replacing it, assess recreation needs, and is negotiating for land for playing fields, a dog park, and downtown parks.
Khristo hillside home and contested driveway on Carlyle Terrace
A family wants to build a 4,330-square-foot home on a landlocked wooded lot reached by a narrow dirt road over neighbors' property. Burton Vista Court residents flagged retaining wall engineering, tree loss, and heavy-truck safety; the Commission approved Phase 1 siting anyway and left driveway details to Phase 2.
Temple Isaiah campus expansion at 945 Risa Road
The three Lamorinda cities jointly hired out pre-approved ADU plans to make additions cheaper and faster, and Temple Isaiah has applied for a new 16,000-square-foot two-story building — first public hearing July 6.
Terraces of Lafayette Parcel Map Appeal
A de novo appeal hearing on the parcel map for the 315-apartment Terraces project drew hours of testimony about permit validity, noticing, wildfire evacuation risk, and housing needs. The Council upheld the Planning Commission 3-1.
Oak Hill Road mixed-use project modification
The 7-story condo project downtown is moving ahead with 85 units instead of 90, less parking, and a shifted mix of below-market-rate units. Construction financing is secured, so actual building could start soon — a rare win after years of entitlements sitting unused.
Happy Valley Road Hillside Residence
A proposed 6,160-square-foot house on a steep Happy Valley Road parcel reignited long-running neighbor fears about flooding, mudslides, and giant retaining walls looming over the road. Four neighbors opposed, citing a 2018 denial and drainage problems, and the Commission put off a decision to April 20.
2025 Annual Housing Progress Report
The commission received the annual report on housing applications, production, and programs that the state requires, and passed it along to the City Council.
Affordable housing at 949 Moraga Road
Staff reported progress on the 949 Moraga affordable housing project — a fee waiver request and DRC/Planning Commission joint meeting set for February 23, plus a Disposition and Development Agreement with SAHA nearly finalized. The DeSilva property owners remain interested in a housing project and land for recreation.
Development Approval Litigation
A court just upheld Lafayette’s approval of the Terraces of Lafayette housing project, so the development can move ahead despite local opposition. The ruling removes one legal roadblock and shifts the fight from the courtroom to construction and implementation.