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Vol. 27, No. 43
YOUR HOMETOWN NEWS SOURCE | WWW.THEPRESS.NET
October 24, 2025
Brentwood raises ‘affordable’ housing requirement Planning Commission recommends increase from 13% to 18%
Brentwood’s Planning Commission is increasing its affordable housing requirement following Tuesday’s Planning Commission meeting.
By Jeff Weisinger Staff Writer
Brentwood is taking another step to address the growing housing affordability gap, moving to increase its affordable housing requirement from 13% of new housing developments to qualify as affordable housing up to 18% after months of discussion and analysis. Brentwood’s Planning Commission voted unanimously Tuesday night to recommend the change to the City Council following a presentation by staff outlining both the financial and legal considerations, regional housing needs data, and a detailed breakdown of how the increase would be allocated among income levels. Under the proposed amendment, as
Photo by Jeff Weisinger
presented by City of Brentwood senior analyst Sylvia Elias, 9% of units in new residential projects would be set aside for moderate-income households, 5% for
Tips to stay safe this Halloween Activities planned in Brentwood, Oakley, Antioch, and Discovery Bay By Taylor Shepherd Correspondent
Whether participating in Halloween or bypassing the festivities this year, knowing the safety tips are important to ensure a fun and scare-free night, local police officials say. East County will be having various events leading up to Halloween on Oct. 31. “Parents should seize this [Halloween] as an opportunity to spend time with their kids to create memories and to keep their kids safe,” Oakley Police Chief Paul Beard said. “Depending on the type of costume your children are wearing you may very well end up being the eyes and see Halloween page 22
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he Antioch Historical Society invites the public to celebrate the 25-year anniversary of a significant addition to the museum and two milestones at 1910 Riverview Union High School on Saturday, Nov. 1 at 11 a.m. rain or shine. The museum is dedicating the refurbished 1871 First Congregational Church Bell housed in the newly constructed Unity Bell Tower. It is also celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Antioch Historical Society and the 25-year anniversary of residing at the historic 1910 Riverview Union High School building, the society said in a press release. Through the “Ring it loud, Antioch! Ring it proud!” marketing campaign Photo by Carla Baker Marymee and successful fundraising initiatives, the museum raised more than $85,000.00 to refurbish what is said to be one of the oldest artifacts from the settling of Antioch by early Americans. The First Congregational Church traces its roots to June 12, 1865, and the bell brought early members of the church together as it rang loudly across the city. “We are very proud to have brought this church bell back to life for our community to treasure and enjoy. The celebration on Nov. 1 is our way to acknowledge and thank all who supported this project,” said Shari Gayle, Antioch Historical Society president.
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Antioch Historical Society to rededicate historic bell on Nov. 1
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low-income, and 4% for very low-income residents, totaling the affordability requirement to 18%. That would, put it in the middle of the 15%-20% range that the
City Council asked the Planning Commission to explore back during their March 12 meeting. The increase would apply to both ownership and rental developments. Planning commissioners praised the proposal as a meaningful move toward more equitable housing access in Brentwood. “I’m really happy that we are doing this, keeping up with some of our neighbors like Lafayette and Berkeley,” Commissioner Anita Roberts said. “I think it’s needed and I appreciate it. “I’m really happy that we’ve come into the real world here. I hate to use the word ‘affordable’ when nothing is affordable, so this really does bring us closer to what affordability should look like.” The ordinance amendment — as Roberts identified as RZ 25-0003 — would revise Chapter 17.725 of the Brentwood Municipal Code governing
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Bell Game win streak ingrained at Liberty
Duffey is City Manager finalist
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