Sunday, May 10th
Happy Mother’s Day! From The Press Vol. 28, No. 19
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May 8, 2026
‘This is like a heart transplant for Brentwood’ Planners approve The Grove for downtown
The Grove at Brentwood, a new public market to be built downtown, was unanimously approved by the Planning Commission.
By Jake Menez Staff Writer
The Brentwood Planning Commission voted 5-0 during their May 5 meeting to approve designs and permits for The Grove at Brentwood, a proposed public market to be built downtown on the corner of Oak Street and Walnut Boulevard. The City Council has 10 days from approval of the project to determine if it needs further review. The council meets next on May 12. “This is probably the most impressive project I’ve seen to date – it’s quite something,” Chairperson Kristopher Brand said during the discussion. “This is like a heart transplant for Brentwood, in such a beautiful way. It links everything that our residents want in addition to a respect for the
Image courtesy of The Grove at Brentwood
heritage of where we’ve come [from] and an outward look to where the city is going. I have just so many wonderful things to say about this.” The Grove is a two-story public market complete with an outdoor seating area and
proposed community theatre, according to the agenda packet for the meeting. The developer, Matt Hagar, had previously used Oxbow Public Market in Napa as a point of comparison when describing the project. As a fourth-generation Brentwood resident,
Cities face weed reduction deadline next week By Sean Tongson Correspondent
Homeowners in East County cities have to reduce the amount of weeds by May 15, or they face fines of up to $500. With warmer temperatures on the horizon and vegetation throughout the county losing its moisture and being more susceptible to burns, the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District has established weed reduction standards for all land within the fire district. According to the District’s website, the County’s weed reduction program aims to eliminate possible hazards caused by exterior fires, such as cured grass, weeds, and shrubs, along with combustible debris such as paper, cardboard, and plastics, It also reduced the severity of fires where they cannot be completely eliminated. “Because of their compactness and reduced moisture content, they significantly contribute to fire spread,” said fire district Capt. Joe Ottolini. Calendar................................................ 9 Classifieds........................................... 14
Opinion................................................ 11 Pets....................................................... 20
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Following closed session of the Antioch City Council, the city reported that effective Wednesday, May 6, 2026, City Manager Bessie Marie Scott is on a leave of absence from work. Compensation and benefits will continue without disruption during this period. The City Council appointed Human Resources and Risk Management Director Ana Cortez to serve as SCOTT Acting City Manager effective immediately during the City Manager’s absence. City operations and services will continue without disruption. As this matter pertains to a confidential personnel issue, the City is not at liberty to provide additional information at this time.
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Antioch City Manager on leave of absence
“It is a seasonal requirement and is mandatory throughout Contra Costa County.” Ottolini said that the mandate includes the county from Willow Pass Road in Bay Point to the eastern boundary of the fire district near Discovery Bay, Orwood, and Bethel Island. The standard for properties within the fire district’s jurisdiction is: • Properties of five acres or less must cut all weeds and grasses to three inches or less and remove all cuttings from the property • Properties greater than five acres must provide a fuel break around their perimeter. and cross breaks if the property is larger than 10 acres. The width of the breaks is 30 feet when disced and 60 feet when mowed. Discing (or disking) is a common agricultural tillage practice that uses a disc harrow — a series of concave metal blades — to break up, turn over, and smooth soil to a depth of about four inches. It is used when site and soil con-
Food...................................................... 10 Milestones............................................ 8
Hagar had underscored the importance of bringing a project like this to the downtown area to help bolster it as a destination for both residents and those from out of town while still honoring Brentwood’s hometown feel. “This project hit me like a lightning bolt,” Hagar had explained in the weeks leading up to the meeting with the Planning Commission. “I spend a lot of time downtown — I go out to dinner just like everybody else and I’ve seen it grow over the last several years. It used to be very sleepy 10, 15 years ago and it’s come alive and it’s vibrant. It’s where people want to be.” The 18,366-square-foot first floor would feature multiple small tenant spaces focusing on artisanal and boutique products, as well as service uses such as barbers or beauty shops, according to the agenda
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