Lafayette voters will decide on June 5, 2018, whether to affirm the city’s prior approval of The Homes at Deer Hill, a 44-unit single-family development on 22 acres north of Highway 24 that features 11 acres of parks, new public trail, parking lot across from Acalanes High School with student drop-off area, sports field and a 3-acre dog park. Longtime BIA member Dennis O’Brien and the O’Brien Land Co. have been working on a plan for the property for more than seven years. The first proposal called for 315 apartments, in conformity with the multi-family zoning. But in response to the community’s request for a less dense development, O’Brien redesigned the project as a single-family development and the City Council approved it. Anti-growth residents subsequently initiated the current referendum. If Measure L fails and the single-family project loses its approvals, O’Brien may return to the apartment project under a signed agreement with the city. Contrary to what opponents have stated in ballot materials and in public meetings, the apartment project cannot be overturned through another referendum and cannot be rejected by the City Council absent significant findings of adverse public health and safety, according to a written memo from Lafayette City Attorney Mala Subramanian. For more information about the measure, visit www.yesonl2018.org or click here to visit the Contra Costa County Elections page for Measure L.
