IT’S YOUR PAPER
www.claytonpioneer.com
KEiTH HAydoN
MAYOR’S CORNER
“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time, they just have the heart.”
-Elizabeth Andrew
I hope everyone had a good summer. It seems like it sure passed quickly. Now fall is coming, and with it, this year, a City Council election. Two council positions will be up for election, and we have four candidates. I encourage you to research each candidate’s experience, community involvement and knowledge about community issues. Speaking of community involvement, the joy of giving back to your community has many rewards, including maintaining and improving your community, making new friends and helping those less fortunate. Volunteering to serve on
September 7, 2018
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Shell station makes major shift from car repair to 7-Eleven store
PEGGY SPEAR Clayton Pioneer
Come November, the popular Shell station on the corner of Kirker Pass and Clayton roads will be swapping out oil cans for Big Gulps. The station, owned by Amir and Gitti Hatambeiki since 2005, is converting its service garage into a 7-Eleven store. It’s a major change for the station that has been servicing vehicles for more than 50 years, when it was Bob Preston Shell. The lot is the only parcel on that corner that is in Concord; the rest of the shopping center is in Clayton. “It was part of Clayton’s incorporation that the Shell station remain in Concord,” Amir Hatambeiki said. The $1.5 million change is bittersweet for Hatambeiki, who is overseeing the construction of the convenience store with an eagle eye. Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer “I’m excited about the new Shell gas station assistant manager Gary Taylor and owner Amir Hatambeiki are revving up for a new adventure: running
See Mayor, page 7 venience store. Pumps are open during construction which is expected to wrap up by mid-November.
a 7-Eleven, as the iconic station on the corner of Clayton and Kirker Pass roads is converting its service bay into a con-
City Council further restricts parolee housing with increased buffer zone TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
Angry residents packed the library meeting room at the Aug. 21 meeting when the city council once again wrestled with the thorny subject of how to regulate—or not—parolee group homes in the city. There is currently nothing in the Municipal Code that addresses parolee housing. Prompted by a 2016 email inquiry from a non-profit interested in opening a parolee home in Clayton, the Council declared a moratorium, temporarily banning parolee group homes while city staff considered the options—do nothing, pass regulations or ban parolee housing altogether. That moratorium expires Oct. 3. If the
What’s Inside
Around Town . . . . . . . . .3
Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Community Calendar .13
Council does nothing, after October a parolee group home can open anywhere in the city with no use permit or notification required. Parolee housing has become a pressing issue since the enactment of AB109, Public Safety Realignment Act, which aims to reduce the number of incarcerated individuals by early release and transfers responsibility for managing and supervising parolees to the local level. At its July 17 meeting, the Council introduced an ordinance limiting possible parolee homes to four areas zoned for multiple family, high density and requiring a conditional use permit and public hearing. That ordinance prohibited parolee housing from locating
less than 500 feet from schools, parks or other sensitive areas. Opposition was fierce from the residents attending and from Councilman Jim Diaz, who wanted an outright ban. According to the city’s attorney Mala Subramanian, an outright ban would open the city to potential civil rights lawsuits. Although the Council passed the ordinance for a first reading with the 500-foot buffer recommended by Subramanian, it asked Community Development Director Mindy Gentry to prepare maps showing the effect of 750- and 1000-foot buffer zones and bring them to the next council meeting. At that meeting after more
than two hours of public discussion and flaring tempers, the Council agreed to amend the ordinance with a 1000-foot buffer. This reduces the possible parolee housing locations from four to only two—condominiums in Keller Ridge and Chaparral Springs. Subramanian said she did not believe that would cause a de facto ban. Diaz and city council candidate Brian Buddell were still calling for an outright ban, regardless of potential exposure to lawsuits. Buddell, an attorney, called the city’s fear of litigation “ridiculous.” Diaz called for a 1500- or 2000-foot buffer. “If moving the buffer creates a de facto ban, let’s test it.”
See Parolee, page 5
See Shell, page 6
We Remember
Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer
The billowing carpet of American flags surrounding Contra Costa Fire Station No. 11 is a silent reminder of the devastating terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. A flag stands for each firefighter and police officer that lost their lives due to the attack on the World Trade Center. The idea for this memorial in Clayton originated with then Captain dave George. The public is welcome and encouraged to visit this annual memorial and pay their respects.
Four vie for two seats on council this fall
Directory of Advertisers .7 Hearts and Hands . . . . .2 Senior Living . . . . . . . .17
Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Schools . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Postal Customer ECRWSS
BRIAN BUDDELL
DAVE SHUEY
JEFF WAN
CW WOLFE
The coming City Council election promises to be both interesting and lively with downtown development and land use issues taking center stage. There are two seats up for grabs in November. Keith Haydon will not run for a third term. Councilman and Vice-mayor Dave Shuey will run for a fifth term. Joining him on the ballot are a current planning commissioner, a CPA and an attorney. This month we will introduce the candidates. In the October 12 issue, we will cover the major issues and their positions.
See Election, page 6
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