Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Lafayette public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
31 issues with medium priority
Recycling changes and garbage route shifts
Garbage rates are going up 10 percent this year under a rate-smoothing plan, with a much bigger increase expected when the new contract starts in March 2027.
State legislative landscape and ballot measures
The lobbyist flagged wildfire/insurance bills that passed, more e-bike rules coming, and ballot propositions (especially Prop 43's two-thirds tax threshold and Prop 40/41/42) that could reshape local budgets. If the state's budget wobbles, Lafayette's does too.
Driverless shuttle on Mt. Diablo Boulevard
Councilmember Wotherspoon floated adding an autonomous circulator shuttle to the city's transportation wish list — a driverless vehicle shuttling shoppers and visitors up and down Mt. Diablo so people stop circling parking lots. The council loved the idea, added it to the county project list as a placeholder, and wants to pitch Lafayette as a pilot site to vendors.
Federal E-Rate funding at risk
The FCC is considering changes that could gut the E-Rate program, which reimburses the County Library for internet and equipment — over $2 million over the next five years. Losing it could mean 64,000 fewer new books; comments to the FCC are due October 13.
K-9 program restored
Lafayette police have a canine again after more than four years. Elwood, a two-year-old Belgian Malinois named for a fallen Pittsburg officer, will do patrol work, school and event safety sweeps, and explosive detection after upcoming training — and saves the city money it used to pay other agencies for those services.
Refunding the library bonds
Refinancing 2014-15 redevelopment bonds would save about $1.9 million over 12 years, though Lafayette's share is only about $10,500 a year. The deal is frozen if savings dip below 5%.
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.
Downtown mural program and the General Lafayette controversy
The Council approved a mural featuring a large General Lafayette figure, 4-1, after neighbors and a former Public Art Committee member objected that it lionizes a wealthy white military figure near the Ohlone memorial area. Supporters argued the design provokes valuable conversation and honors the city's namesake; an Ohlone-themed mural remains a goal for a future wall.
California Tort Reform and Rising City Insurance Costs
State talks are focused on childhood sexual assault claims, and Lafayette worries cities' rising insurance costs are being ignored. The council joined a coalition letter and will push for a fix next legislative session rather than adopt a formal platform now.
Domestic and Teen Dating Violence Awareness
Two Girl Scouts asked the council to display awareness posters in October, promote teen dating violence awareness in February, and partner with organizations like STAND to better support survivors.
Volunteer recognition and commissions
Two seats on the Planning Commission are open. Anyone interested in shaping Lafayette's development decisions can apply through the City Clerk.
Moraga Way safety and connectivity study
Moraga is launching a federally funded planning study to make Moraga Way safer and better connected — no design or construction yet, but community meetings are coming and residents can sign up for updates.
AB 1751: ministerial townhome approvals and density loss
The council opposed this bill requiring ministerial approval of qualifying townhome projects. Members worried developers could swap approved multi-family projects for lower-density townhomes, leaving Lafayette with fewer units than planned — something that has already happened here.
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.
2025 Police Department Performance
Crime is down, traffic enforcement is up, and Lafayette has gone four straight years without a traffic fatality. The department is shifting from education to enforcement on e-bikes and e-scooters.
Downtown landscaping/lighting district underfunded since 1994
The council moved forward the annual assessments for the city's two lighting/landscaping districts — routine but it's what keeps streetlights and landscaping funded next fiscal year.
Memorial Day Recognition and Veterans Support
In the nation's 250th year, the city honored five fallen local service members and two WWII veterans, with Gold Star mothers sharing tributes. Veterans group leaders described the Lafayette Veterans Memorial Center's community role.
MCE Clean Energy Program Update
MCE reported 90% participation in Lafayette, a 14% generation rate cut, EV rebates up to $4,000, and roughly 8,000 metric tons of CO2 avoided since 2016. A resident challenged MCE's renewable percentages versus PG&E.
Aqueduct Path EBMUD Roadblock
A major regional trail project hit a snag: EBMUD won't allow grading, bridges, or retaining walls on its right-of-way, so the Dolores-to-BART segment design is on hold. The Council was urged to intervene politically.
Downtown Burglaries and Business Security
Vice Mayor McCormick reported recent break-ins at Cresco Rents and Wear Design Jewelry. The Crime Prevention Commission, Chamber, and police are organizing a downtown business walk-through and security assessments.
Town Center Pathway and BART Station Improvement Project
Councilmembers Candell and Anduri pressed staff because the parking study didn't model what happens if BART's lots — already rezoned for 75 units/acre — are fully developed, potentially removing all commuter parking. Staff will do further analysis before talks with BART.
Multi-Modal Mobility Advisory Committee
A new time-limited committee will coordinate the overlapping downtown transportation studies — the Mt. Diablo corridor study, aqueduct pathway, BART access and more — over 18–24 months, with quarterly council updates and hybrid meetings planned.
Lamorinda Spirit Van 20th anniversary and senior mobility
The senior shuttle program turns 20 in June, just won grants for two new vans, and remains a lifeline for residents who no longer drive. Council leaders say the program will need to expand as Lafayette ages.
Sale of city-owned property at 986-990 Moraga Road
The council approved the purchase and sale agreement for the city-owned Campana property, with proceeds going back to Fund 75.
7 Lark Creek Lane barn conversion variance
A family wanted to convert a barn into a two-bedroom home for the wife to live near her sister — but the building sits about 1½ feet from the lot line, and the Council said the variance findings just can't be made. An ADU or lot-merger path may still work.
Medical office use at Desco Plaza
A downtown commercial building can now host medical offices in all its tenant spaces, with 25 parking spots switching to two-hour short-term parking. Residents gain nearby medical services without driving to Concord or Walnut Creek. Commissioners weighed parking congestion and accessible parking but found no obstacles.
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.
School Street and Topper Lane pathway project
Environmental review of cultural resources has pushed construction of the Connecting Lafayette pathway project to next year; utility relocations happen in 2026.
Lamorinda school bus program funding
The city will sponsor the program to access a $104,142 grant, keeping school buses running and trimming school-run traffic and emissions.
City finances and FY 2024/25 audit
Lafayette got a clean audit and a $5.35 million general fund boost — but council members cautioned it came mostly from one-time federal ARPA money and delayed projects, so don't expect that every year.