So This Happened…Week of Jan. 20-26, 2025
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Jan. 26, 2025) — The city of Concord is looking at seven areas for higher density housing by placing overlay zoning to increase housing numbers.
“We’re not committing to any of those sites at this moment but going through the process of seeing how they would actually impact the community if they were developed,” noted Councilmember Dominic Aliano. “I’ve heard from a bunch of people that the impacts to our roadways, our schools, those are legit concerns.”
The locations could become part of the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) Rezoning Project while the city strives to meet new state rules.
“As home prices have become more expensive, it’s been more complicated for lower income families to find housing,” said consultant Eric Yurkovich. “So the state law requires that cities take meaningful action to increase housing mobility and opportunity in those high resource areas.” Read the complete story.
Theft from Oakmont: Officials at Oakmont Memorial Park in Lafayette reported that about 200 bronze vases attached to gravesites were stolen and a memorial bench vase was vandalized. It is unclear when the crimes occurred, and the Sheriff’s Office is investigating the situation. For more local crime news, read the latest from Concord PD.
In sports: Several local high schools are leading the way into 2025, with Carondelet and De La Salle going strong in non-league basketball results and Clayton Valley, Carondelet and De La Salle standing out on the soccer fields. Meanwhile, De La Salle football came up short in last month’s bowl game. For more local sports news, check out the Pioneer’s Sports Shorts.
More stories
Here are some other stories the Pioneer covered recently:
Local events: Valentine’s Day comes early at Feb. 2 boutique in Concord, and be a part of history at Clayton’s Feb. 16 Camellia Tea.
In Concord: Obringer hopes to engage with community as mayor; Birsan wants your input on survey questions. embracing sustainable living and fitness; and Wood Rose Academy hosts K-8 Open House on January 28-29.
In Pleasant Hill: Council ready to focus on development, climate.
In the county: Library changing courtesy notices, plus help Shape Contra Costa’s transportation future.
For your health: Non-medical home care a crucial support for seniors aging in place. and Microplastics now detected in blood, organs and breast milk.
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Bev Britton
Bev Britton graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of North Dakota and moved to the Bay Area with her soon-to-be husband Jim in 1986. She was features editor at the Contra Costa Times in Walnut Creek before becoming managing editor of the Contra Costa Sun in Lafayette in 1995. She retired from newsrooms in 2001, but an ad for the Clayton Pioneer drew her back in. The family moved to Lake Wildwood in the Gold Country a few years ago - but working at the Pioneer keeps her in touch with her old neighborhoods in Concord and Clayton.