NEVER FORGET YOUR HOMETOWN NEWS | SERVING EAST COUNTY
Vol. 22, No. 37
Reservoir expansion moves ahead The Los Vaqueros Expansion Project will increase the reservoir’s capacity from 160,000 acrefeet to 275,000 acre-feet. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation recently determined the project is eligible for federal funding.
by Tony Kukulich Staff Writer
REGIONAL A major expansion of the Los Vaqueros Reservoir took a step forward with the release of the Final Feasibility Report by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) that concluded the initiative is economically viable. The reservoir is owned and operated by the Contra Costa Water District (CCWD), and the project will increase its capacity by more than 70% when complete. “This is a significant milestone for the Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project and project partners,” said Lisa Borba, CCWD board president. “We are grateful for our partnership with Reclamation as we move forward to make this important investment in water storage a reality.” According to Lisa Navarro, USBR public affairs specialist, the Secretary of the Interior’s determination of feasibility and providing the Final Feasibility Report to Con-
Photo by Tony Kukulich
gress enables the USBR to move forward with permitting, advance project designs and other key project activities. Importantly, it also makes the project eligible to receive federal funding for construction costs. “The report includes the analysis that the alternative to expand the reservoir to 275,000 acre-feet is the
preferred alternative,” added Jennifer Allen, CCWD director of public affairs. “With the cost analysis that they put into the report, up to 25% of the construction can be paid for with federal dollars.” The reservoir at Los Vaqueros, which operates as part of the federal government’s Central Valley Project, opened in 1998 with a capacity
of 100,000 acre-feet. It was expanded to its current capacity of 160,000 acre-feet in 2012. The new project proposes another expansion, this one to a total of 275,000 acre-feet. An acre-foot of water is the volume of water needed to cover one acre with one foot of water. It is roughly see Reservoir page 22
Commission votes against Bridle Gate “ Brentwood loses a lot of potential sales
by Aly Brown Staff Writer
BRENTWOOD The Brentwood Planning Commission voted unanimously last week to recommend the city council deny the Bridle Gate development project. The 5-0 vote was cast during a three-hour Sept. 1 meeting, which saw about 40 public speakers voice their contention with the applicant’s latest request: a rezone and general plan amendment to accommodate an increase in housing units and a cutback on commercial development, parks and open space. Discovery Builders Inc.’s Bridle Gate project — slated for land located west of the Sand
tax dollars to other cities because a lot of people shop where they work. Creek Road and State Route 4 interchange — has seen back and forth with the city since 2001. The application went through variations and was approved by the city council in 2006. “Discovery Builders never moved forward with the construction of the project, so all of the entitlements expired except the general plan amendment and rezone, which took effect at that time and resulted
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Erik Nolthenius, Brentwood planning manager in the land-use and zoning we have today,” said Debbie Hill, associate planner for the city. The current proposal in comparison to the 2006 plan would provide an increase of 86 single family dwelling units, the addition of 258 multi-family units and the decrease of commercial acres by about 16, open space by 21 and parks by .75 acre. The newest version of the plan also slates about 11 acres for an el-
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City hires new chief OAKLEY The city named its new chief of police this week. Beginning Sept. 28, Dean Capelletti will step into the role, replacing the now-retired Police Chief Eric Christensen. “Throughout the hiring process, we were looking primarily for an experienced candidate who we knew would care for the City of Oakley just like we do,” said City Manager Bryan Montgomery. “Chief Capelletti brings great energy and passion for the law enforcement profession and is very skilled in working at building relationships of trust, which is especially important in these unique and challenging times. I know Chief Capelletti will fully devote himself to the protection and service of the people of Oakley.” Capelletti previously served as captain of the La Habra Police Department in Southern California and comes to the Oakley position with a variety of experience, including time in the private sector. He has 18 years of extensive experience in law enforcement and holds a master’s degree in public administration with an emphasis on organizational leadership. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy. “My career goal has always been to find a quality position in the Bay Area, where I feel most at home,” Capelletti said. “I could not be more excited to have found such an exciting opportunity. I can’t wait to get to know and become part of the Oakley community.”
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ementary school site. Brentwood Union School District (BUSD) Superintendent Dana Eaton said the district entered into an agreement with Discovery Builders Inc. on Aug. 19, which gives the district the option of purchasing the land for a future school should the project pan out. But should the district, for whatever reason, not pursue purchase of the land, those 11 acres would also turn into 63 additional houses, bringing the total single family unit count to 315, as outlined in a staff report presented by Hill. In that scenario, the applicant would pay the city $25,000 for each of the additional single-family
September 11, 2020
Teens offer peer support
The Delta Gallery reopens
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