Including Lakeview Center near Golf Course Road

Will discuss staff contracts expired since last year, gas pipeline lawsuit

Make appointments to new General Plan Advisory Committee

By Allen D. Payton

During their meeting on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, the Antioch City Council will hold public hearings to consider approving conduit financing bonds for three of the 10 low-income apartment projects planned throughout the city. The council will also consider joining a joint powers authority for Green Stormwater Infrastructure, spending $500,000 for violence prevention services and $1.6 million for residential street resurfacing.

The council will also vote to appoint one member to the Antioch Police Oversight Commission for a partial-term vacancy and seven members and two alternates to the new General Plan Advisory Committee.

At the beginning of the regular meeting, the Council will hear two presentations, one on the Coordinated Outreach Referral and Engagement (CORE) Semi Annual Report on Contra Costa Health’s Health, Housing & Homeless (H3) Services in Antioch. The other will be the SeeClickFix 311 CRM Organizational Assessment Presentation.

Before the regular meeting at 7:00 p.m., during a Closed Session meeting beginning at 5:30 p.m., the council members will meet with representatives of the various city staff bargaining units on their contracts that expired last year. The City’s representative will be City Finance Director Dawn Merchant in the capacity of Acting City Manager in place of City Manager Bessie Scott who is on vacation. (See related articles here and here)

Will Discuss Two Lawsuits

The council will also discuss two lawsuits including an ongoing dispute with the California Resources Pipeline Corporation which owns the gas pipeline that runs through the city. It’s listed as Contra Costa Superior Court Case No. MSN21-2354.

After following the lead of the Brentwood City Council, in September 2021, the Antioch City Council voted 2-3 against renewing the franchise agreement for the low-pressure, natural gas pipeline that runs beneath the two communities. That resulted in it being closed, the City foregoing the annual franchise fee of about $17,000 and the lawsuit. The 35-mile long, 12-inch pipe previously carried 1.8 million cubic feet of natural gas daily which is enough to supply about 9,000 homes. The intent by the council majority of Councilwoman Monica Wilson and Tamisha Torres-Walker, and then-Mayor Lamar Hernández-Thorpe, was to protect the community from an explosion similar to what occurred in San Bruno in 2011 and save the environment from greenhouse gas emissions. However, according to a company spokesman, “The pressures are 50% below the allowable pressures.” Furthermore, the result was an increase in emissions and a much dirtier product being used by the refineries, from which Antioch is downwind. (See related article)

The second lawsuit to be discussed is against the City, water park and school district, was brought by Jayson Robinson, a former student with a heart condition who almost drowned in 2019. It’s listed as Contra Costa Superior Court Case No.C20-02420. (See related article)

Public Financing for Extremely Low, Very Low & Low-Income Apartment Projects

Under agenda items, 6., 7. and 8., the Council will conduct public hearings on financing for three proposed extremely low, very low and low-income housing projects, part of the 10 properties the City Council rezoned to a Commercial Infill Housing (CIH) Overlay Districts in 2022. While, as a result, no Planning Commission or Council decisions with public input are required to approve the projects, the public does have the opportunity to provide input on the City assisting with financing.

According to the staff reports for each item, under the Tax Equity Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 (TEFRA), the Council is being asked to approve the issuance of one or more series of revenue bonds by the California Municipal Finance Authority (CMFA) to provide for the financing or refinancing of the acquisition, construction, improvement and equipping of the projects.

Under agenda item 6., the bonds, not to exceed $50,000,000, will benefit Hillcrest Antioch LP for the 165-unit multi-family housing project on the 4.9-acre parcel known as Hillcrest Summit Apartments. It is planned for vacant land located behind the 76 Service Station and 7-Eleven bordered by Shaddick Drive, Harris Drive, E. Tregallas Road and Hillcrest Avenue.

Under item 7., the bonds, not to exceed $43,000,000, will benefit Standard Buchanan Venture LP for the 195-unit Buchanan Crossings CIH project, a multifamily rental housing project on 5.4 acres located at 3210 Buchanan Road next to the Grocery Outlet store.

Finally, under item 8., the bonds, not to exceed $50,000,000, will benefit Standard Lone Tree Venture LP, by Los Angeles-based Standard Communities, for the 233-unit Lakeview Center CIH, multifamily rental housing project. It will be located on 5.3 acres next to the CVS store on the southwest side of Lone Tree Way between Golf Course Road and James Donlon Blvd.

Green Stormwater Infrastructure Projects JPA

Under Consent Calendar agenda item 5.L, the Council will consider joining the Contra Costa County Regional Alternative Compliance (RAC) Joint Powers Authority (JPA) to establish one or more community facilities districts (CFDs), for Off-Site Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) Projects.

The RAC would be empowered to “accept applications from property owners, annex properties to the CFD, and levy special taxes to finance on-going maintenance costs.”

According to the City staff report, the RAC System is an innovative, regionally supported approach to fulfilling state-mandated stormwater treatment obligations. Developed through a partnership between the Contra Costa Clean Water Program, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board, the RAC System provides an off-site, alternate compliance mechanism for the GSI that would normally be required on site. The RAC System creates a countywide marketplace that allows both public agencies and private developers to purchase ‘compliance units’ generated by certified Off-Site GSI projects constructed elsewhere in the county. These units represent an equivalent amount of stormwater treatment required for regulatory compliance.

$500,000 for Violence Prevention Services

Under the Consent Calendar items 5.M and 5.N, the Council will also consider approving two contracts totaling $500,000 from the City’s CalVIP-5 grant for violence prevention training over the period of April 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029. The first agreement is with Advance Peace to provide technical assistance and training evaluation services in the amount of $360,000. The second agreement is with Evident Change to provide evaluation services in the amount of $140,000.

According to the City staff reports by Public Safety & Community Resources Director Monserrat Cabral, “On March 10, 2026, the City Council approved acceptance of CalVIP-5 funding to support and expand the City’s violence intervention infrastructure.”

The Advance Peace website describes the organization as, “Transforming Public Safety Through Leadership Development, Healing-Centered Support, Violence Reduction Fellowships and Training” and “is dedicated to ending cyclical and retaliatory gun violence in American urban neighborhoods.”

According to Cabral’s report for item 5.M, “The City’s program model includes Neighborhood Change Agents delivering intensive street outreach, case management, and wraparound services; workforce development and stabilization supports; and structured, incentive-based interventions designed to drive sustained behavioral change. This model is grounded in nationally recognized best practices and is aligned with the Advance Peace Peacemaker Fellowship model—an evidence-informed strategy with demonstrated outcomes in reducing gun violence in high-impact communities.”

According to the organization’s website, “Evident Change, formerly the National Council on Crime & Delinquency and the Children’s Research Center, is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that uses data and research to improve our social systems,” whose “work began in 1907” as “a volunteer organization made up of probation and parole workers who wanted to keep children out of the adult system.” Since then, they expanded their scope “to improving adult justice and public safety…the child welfare system” and “the adult protective services system.”

According to the Cabral’s report for item 5.N, “Evident Change has served as the City’s evaluation partner under CalVIP-4, providing critical support in program implementation tracking, participant outcome analysis, trend identification, and compliance with California Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) reporting requirements. Through this work, Evident Change has developed extensive knowledge of the City’s program model, data systems, performance measures, and community context.”

Police Oversight Commission Appointment

Under item 9 the council will also appoint one member to the Antioch Police Oversight Commission for a partial-term vacancy with the term ending November 2026.

Three residents have applied for the position include Jim Thor, a former Digital Security Engineer; Manuel “Manny” Soliz, Jr., a Wealth Advisor with Thrivent and a former Antioch Mayor Pro Tem and Councilman; and Nicholas Cannon, retired from a 40-year career in law enforcement and security, and a former member and chairman of the Antioch Police and Crime Prevention Commission.

Appointments to New General Plan Committee

Under item 10, the council will appoint six members and two alternates to the new General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC). According to the City staff report, “The GPAC is an advisory body that provides a mechanism for the General Plan project team (City staff and consultants) to receive input regarding the effectiveness of the current General Plan, methods to address issues of concern to the City and the Antioch community, and an opportunity for the public to provide input on the update to the General Plan. A series of GPAC meetings is anticipated throughout the General Plan Update process to address potential land use, economic development, infrastructure, circulation, and other considerations to develop the Land Use Map and the goals and policies for each topic to be addressed in the General Plan Update.

The committee will consist of two City Council Members, two Planning Commission Members; five At-Large Members of the general public and two At-Large Alternate Members of the general public.

At the March 10, 2026, City Council Meeting the Council voted 4-0, with one Councilmember absent, to approve the appointments of Mayor Ron Bernal and Mayor Pro Tem and District 3 Councilman Don Freitas to the GPAC.

At the February 4, 2026, Planning Commission Meeting they voted 4-0, with two Commissioners absent, to forward their recommendation of Commissioners Kevin Riley and Cortney Jones to Mayor Bernal for consideration to serve on the GPAC. He is nominating Commissioner both to fill the two Planning Commissioner seats.

A total of 16 residents have applied for the At-Large Member appointments including James Becker, the Antioch Chamber of Commerce Chair and non-profit CEO; Gerald “J.R.” Wilson, Founder of Delta Veterans Group; Melissa Case, a local Realtor and regular council meeting attendee and public comments speaker; and Sean McCauley, a local commercial building and business owner.

The other 12 applicants include:

• Alex Aorga, a retired IT Project Manager;
• Sally Ann Bergquist, Vice President Managing Agent for Unlimited Resources, LLC dba Berggie Trucking & Movers and dba Jacobson Transfer & Piano Movers & Storage;
• Desiree Coronado, a volunteer with Team Jesus Ministries;
• Lemuel def Castillo, a Lead Civil Engineer for the Federal Aviation Administration;
• Buffie Lafayette, Founder and Pastor of True Free Love Ministries who moved to Antioch last June;
• Nicola “Nikki” Lopez, CEO of Caring Haven;
• Edgar Alejandro Martinez, a Senior Practice Support Advisor for Hills Physicians Medical Group/UC Berkeley/CSU East Bay;
• Redonha Means, an HR Business Partner for Kaiser Permanente;
• Salvadore Morales, an Economic Development Planner for the Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development;
• Erika Raulston, a Community Navigator for GEO Reentry Services DRC (Day Reporting Centers);
• Tom Tafolla, Corporate Advisor and Legal Affairs Officer of Abacus Semiconductor Corporation and former Professor of Business & Technology Administration; and
• Veiongo Uesi, a Corporate Security Investigator Analyst for BMO and University of Pheonix.

Learn more about the General Plan Update, here: Antioch General Plan

$1.6 Million for Street Micro-surfacing

Under agenda item 11, the Council will consider approving $1.6 million for the Antioch Cape Seal Project 2026. According to the City staff report, the project consists of the placement of a half-inch Polymer Modified Asphalt Rubber Chip Seal with an application of micro-surfacing on top to various residential streets. They include:

Staff recommends that the contract be awarded to the lowest, responsive and responsible bidder, American Pavement Systems, Inc. of Modesto, CA in the amount of $1,565,550.58, with a 5% contingency in the amount of $78,277.53 for a total contract amount of $1,643,828.11.

Funds to pay for the project include $1,000,000 from the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA). The approval of this resolution will amend the Fiscal Year 2025/26 Capital Improvement Budget by adding $1,000,000 of RMRA funds for a total of $2,000,000 of RMRA funds. There is an additional $308,053 of Contra Costa County Measure J half-cent sales tax for transportation funds for a total budget of $2,308,053 for the project.

Meeting Details

The beginning of the Closed Session and the regular Council meeting will be held in the Council Chambers at 200 H Street, or can be viewed via livestream on the City’s website or on Comcast cable TV channel 24 or AT&T U-verse channel 99.

See the entire agenda packet.

Join Councilmember Monica Wilson and Antioch leadership for an evening of real conversation, connection, and community.

This is your opportunity to hear directly from city leaders, ask questions, and share what matters most in District 4.

Featuring:

• State Senator Tim Grayson

• Assemblywoman Anamarie Avila-Farias

• Antioch leadership and department directors

Thursday, April 16

6 PM – 7:30 PM

International Barbershop, 4629 Golf Course Road, Antioch, near Tailgaters.

Bring your questions. Bring your ideas. Be part of the conversation.

Julian Bridges wants to represent Antioch

“Julian is going to be a world champion, now.” – Ruben Herrera

Deer Valley High Class of 2019 grad

By Allen D. Payton

After leaving to train in Las Vegas seven months ago, Antioch boxer Julian Bridges is back and has been making his mark going undefeated in the first nine matches of his professional career including five knockouts. The City Council honored Bridges during their meeting Tuesday night, March 24, 2026, with a proclamation recognizing his success. He was also honored by Assemblywoman Anamarie Avila Farias with a Certificate of Recognition.

Before he left last August, the day after his 24th birthday, Bridges trained at the Team Salguera Boxing Gym in the Cielo Supermarket Shopping Center at 1860 A Street in Antioch, where he has returned.

Last summer, he officially signed a contract with Capetillo Boxing Gym in Las Vegas, Nevada, where Bridges continued his journey in professional boxing while proudly representing the city of Antioch. The gym, owned by renowned trainer Jorge Capetillo, is recognized for its elite training of world-class fighters, including Tyson Fury, Fernando Vargas, Jr., Emiliano Vargas, Brandon Moreno (UFC), and Canelo Alvarez, among others.

Pastor Ruben Herrera of Palabra De Dios Church in Antioch, with family connections to Capetillo Boxing Gym, has played a pivotal role in helping Bridges move closer to his dream of becoming a world champion.

“The community is excited to witness the rise of a future boxing champion representing Antioch, California,” Herrera said. “Julian is an impressive boxer and boasts an undefeated professional record.”

Return to Antioch

About Bridges’ return the pastor shared, “We were able to get out of that contract and bring him back home. His heart is here in Antioch and the Bay Area. He wants to be the face of Antioch.”

“He learned a lot in Las Vegas. Jorge Capetillo is an amazing coach and the gym was amazing,” Herrara continued. “Julian sparred with the best boxers in the world at that gym. He was able to go toe-to-toe with them. He’s probably the best boxer in the Bay Area. He’s ranked 47th in his weight class in the U.S. He feels stronger than ever. Julian is going to be a world champion, now.”

Started Boxing at Age 14

Bridges shared about his beginnings in the sport.

“I started when I was nine years old, first with kick boxing because I was getting bullied,” he said. “I switched over to boxing at 14 and I was trying to get a scholarship. Then I met coach Sergio who encouraged me to turn pro at 21 years old. He’s the one who believed in me before I believed in myself. I respect him. He’s like a second father figure to me.”

“Ever since then I had fights, locally in Sacramento, Redwood City and Nashville and in 2024 in Vegas as Canelo’s undercard during Cinco de Mayo weekend,” he stated.

“Sergio told me about Pastor Ruben. This is the guy who has connections,” Bridges explained. “My dad said let’s talk to him. So, we sat down and had a talk. He asked how serious and how committed I am to this. He said God directed him to help me out.” 

“We went to Vegas and met Jorge Capetillo, a trainer with a gym there,” Bridges continued. “I went there in August to train and he sent me a contract. Now, I’m signed with him.” 

A sendoff party was held on Thursday, August 21st, Bridges celebrated his 24th birthday on Saturday, then moved to Vegas on Sunday, the next day.

Wants to Represent Antioch

He says he wants “to represent the City of Antioch and will wear the city logo on his boxing shorts.”

During the council meeting, Mayor Ron Bernal said they’d get him a bigger City patch and Councilman Louie Rocha offered to get some items with the City of Antioch logo on them.

Born in San Jose, Bridges said he has lived in Antioch since he was eight years old and graduated from Deer Valley High School in 2019. 

His father and mother, John and Jessica Bridges, live in Antioch and Bridges has six siblings, three bothers and three sisters and he’s the second youngest.

His family supports him, he shared.

“At first my mom didn’t like me fighting. But now she’s all into boxing,” Bridges said with a laugh.

Mom Jessica said, “I’m a very proud mom. He’s come a long way. I’m excited about his new opportunities and I’m looking forward to seeing all the great things he’s going to do for the gym and the city of Antioch.” 

Boxing Record

The six-foot tall, 146-pound boxer said he “fights in the welterweight class.”

According to BoxRec.com, Bridges began his professional career with his debut fight on November 5, 2022, and his boxing matches also took him to Costa Mesa, CA and Tijuana, Mexico.

According to Tapology.com, his middle name is Delore and his first two knockouts occurred in Round 1, another was in Round 2 and the fourth happened in Round 3. Bridges’ four non-knockout fight victories were by unanimous decision. He fought twice in 2023, three times in 2024, once in 2025 and so far, twice in 2026.

City Council Honors Bridges

During their March 24th meeting the Antioch City Council voted unanimously to approve the following proclamation recognizing Bridges’ achievements in boxing.

MARCH 24, 2026

WHEREAS, the City of Antioch proudly recognizes the achievements and contributions of its residents who exemplify dedication, perseverance, and excellence; and

WHEREAS, Julian Bridges, a talented and disciplined boxer from Antioch, California, has demonstrated exceptional commitment to the sport of boxing and a relentless pursuit of excellence; and

WHEREAS, Julian Bridges has compiled an impressive boxing record of 9-0, 5KO’s Nine Wins, Zero Losses, five of those wins coming by Knock Out, reflecting his skill, preparation, and determination in the ring; and

WHEREAS, Julian Bridges has earned notable achievements and accolades, including earning the Professional Ranking of 47th within the entire Country, distinguishing himself as a high-performing athlete; and

WHEREAS, Julian Bridges trains with Coach Sergio Salguera, of the Team Salguera Boxing Gym, where he continues to refine his craft and represent Antioch with pride; and

WHEREAS, through his discipline, sportsmanship, and perseverance, Julian Bridges serves as a role model to youth in the Antioch community, demonstrating the value of hard work, focus, and resilience; and

WHEREAS, we recognize Julian Bridges for his outstanding accomplishments in boxing, his dedication to excellence, and his positive impact on the Antioch community; and

WHEREAS, Julian Bridges’ achievements bring recognition and pride to the City of Antioch and reflect the strength, determination, and spirit of its residents.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RON BERNAL, Mayor of the City of Antioch,

On behalf of the City Council do hereby recognize and honor Julian Bridges and extend our sincere congratulations and best wishes to Julian Bridges for continued success in all future endeavors.

MARCH 24, 2026

RON BERNAL, Mayor

According to a Facebook post by JuicyFights on March 7, 2026, “Undefeated welterweight prospect Julian Bridges kicks off his 2026 campaign this Saturday against veteran William Davis at Thunder Valley Casino Resort in Lincoln, California. The 24‑year‑old Antioch native, now 8‑0 with 4 KOs, reunited with coach Sergio Salguera, saying the home environment has him feeling sharper than ever.”

“Bridges’ resume already boasts a first-round KO of unbeaten Allen ‘Chubby’ Medina and a UD win over unbeaten Jabin Chollet, building confidence and resilience. He’s focused on growth and plans to stay active throughout 2026 in the tough welterweight ranks.”

Bernal and Herrera attended the fight. “It was my first fight,” Bernal said during the council meeting.

That was Bridges’ ninth victory.

Next Fight in Stockton June 27th

The Antioch boxer announced during Tuesday’s council meeting that his next fight is scheduled for June 27th at the Stockton Civic Center and invited everyone to attend. “Bridges will be the main event,” Herrera added.

Will also deal with legal matters including the ongoing civil rights class action lawsuit, potential lawsuit with “significant exposure” and two cases; Measure W spending & Economic Development reports

By Allen D. Payton

During a Special Meeting before their regular meeting on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, the Antioch City Council will discuss development of the 2026-27 Fiscal Year budget with a potential $13.5 to $14.1 million deficit. During their regular meeting the council members will also discuss approving an AI assistant for police dispatch, and receive reports on both Measure W spending, which has decreased the amount for police down to 65.4%, and economic development.

Closed Session, Lawsuits & Property Negotiations

But first, at 4:00 p.m., the Council will hold a Closed Session during which they will discuss the ongoing Trent Allen, et al. v. City of Antioch, et al., civil rights class action lawsuit that’s not yet completely settled. (See related articles here and here) They will also discuss a potential lawsuit described as, Significant Exposure to Litigation. The description for that agenda item reads, “The City is in receipt of information concerning facts and circumstances that might result in litigation against the City which are known to a potential plaintiff and that pertain to potential claims by the potential plaintiff against the City. Two cases.”

Finally, the Closed Session agenda item 3, the Council will enter into Real Property Negotiations with Lone Tree Golf & Event Center Manager Ron Parish for two properties, 4800 Golf Course Road and West 1st Street. The City owns both the Lynn House and the old Mayor Hard House on that street. UPDATE: Mayor Pro Tem Don Freitas and City PIO Jaden Baird later explained that including West 1st Street was a mistake and the negotiations are only about the golf and event center.

Budget Study Session

At 5:00 p.m., the Council will hold Special Meeting/Study Session on the 2026-27 Fiscal Year Budget Development. The City is facing a double-digit deficit of $13.5 million to $14.1 million depending if the council approves increasing the number of sworn police officers to 117.

AI Assistant for Police Dispatch

During their regular meeting, under the Consent Calendar Item J., the council will consider approving a Sole Source Agreement with Prepared to provide an AI assistive call taking system for the Police Department Dispatch Center for a two-year term, in an amount not to exceed $248,400 for Years 1 through 2, with an option to extend for three additional years.

According to the city staff report, “The Dispatch Center is currently operating with four Dispatcher vacancies out of 17 allocated positions (13 Dispatchers and 4 Leads), representing an approximately 24% vacancy rate.  Call demand remains consistently high. The Police Dispatch Center handled approximately 72,000 9-1-1 calls in both 2024 and 2025. Non-emergency call activity remained steady as well, at approximately 208,000 calls annually. In addition to phone call volume, the Police Department handled 86,185 calls for service incidents in 2025, including AQCRT (Community Response Team) calls, which require ongoing dispatch coordination beyond the initial intake.”

Assistive call taking technology is intended to support Dispatchers, not replace them with the following:

• Improve Service for Non-Emergency Callers and Reduce Hold Times
• Support Emergency Calls Through “Co-Pilot” Functionality
• Improve Documentation and Reduce Staff Time Spent on Records Requests
• Expand Language Access and Support DOJ (Department of Justice) MOA (Memorandum of Understanding) Obligations

Measure W Sales Tax Citizens’ Oversight Committee Annual Report

Under Consent Calendar agenda Item N. the Council will receive the Sales Tax Citizens’ Oversight Committee Fiscal Year 2024-25 Annual Report on Measure W (1% Sales Tax). It will show the amount being spent on police has decreased from 80%, as originally intended, to now, just 65.4%.

Economic Development Update

In addition, according to the City staff report for agenda item 7, the Council receive an update on the City’s Economic Development activities and progress, provide policy direction as appropriate, and offer feedback to staff on priorities and the timing of subsequent updates to the City Council. The matter is part of the Council’s 6-Month Priority list.

Meeting Details

The regular meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. The latter two meetings will be held in the Council Chambers at 200 H Street, or can be viewed via livestream on the City’s website or on Comcast cable TV channel 24 or AT&T U-verse channel 99.

See the complete meeting agenda packet.

By City of Antioch

Join Mayor Ron Bernal on Thursday, April 2, 2026, for a community conversation with state leaders, featuring State Senator Grayson and California State Treasurer Fiona Ma.

This town hall brings together local and state leadership to discuss issues impacting Antioch and the region. Residents will have the opportunity to hear updates, ask questions and engage directly with leaders working on behalf of our community.

Be part of the conversation and help shape Antioch’s future.

The event will be held at the Antioch Water Park Community Room at Prewett Family Park, 4701 Lone Tree Way from 6:00-7:30 PM.

Link to RSVP: https://bit.ly/COAMTH2026

Inclusionary Housing Ordinance will require developers to privately-subsidize housing by setting aside 15% of new units for low-income buyers/residents or pay a $200K per unit fee

Will also establish affordable Inclusionary Housing Trust Fund requiring more City staff

Building Industry says ordinance not state required, will have opposite effect

“The higher the inclusionary requirement, the fewer market-rate homes are constructed” – UC Berkeley, UCLA joint study

Participants might not be allowed to keep increase in equity, but share it with City instead

By Allen D. Payton

During their meeting tomorrow night, Tuesday, March 10, 2026, the Antioch City Council will require new home developers to set aside 15% of housing units for Very Low-Income, Low-Income, and Moderate Income households. Although it’s not required by the state and opposed by the Building Industry Association of the Bay Area, on February 4, 2026, the Planning Commission voted 4-0, with two members absent, to recommend the City Council adopt an Inclusionary Housing Ordinance (IHO). The IHO would apply to both single-family homes and both for rent and for sale multi-family projects.

Antioch would be only the eighth city out of 19 to approve such an ordinance.

Program Participants Might Not Get to Keep Equity Growth or Must Share it With City

The lower-income homebuyers who would participate in and benefit by the program would be able to purchase the same home as their neighbors but at a much lower price. Yet, when they sell the home, they might only be allowed to keep the amount of their original downpayment but not receive any of the increase in equity as the home must be resold to another buyer who qualifies, whenever the sale occurs “in perpetuity”. The other option would be the seller would have to share the increase in equity with the City.

Section 3.3 DISPOSITION REQUIREMENTS of the Financial Feasibility Analysis for the ordinance reads:

“An inclusionary ordinance will likely require that households purchasing an affordable unit qualify based

on income and that the sales price qualify as affordable to that household. The program will also have to identify what restriction, if any, will be applied to future resales of these affordable units. Different state and federal programs have different requirements.

We recommend that the city’s ordinance restrict future resales so that the purchasing household also be income-qualified and the sales price represents an affordable housing payment for the purchasing household. We further recommend that this restriction be enforced by a deed restriction for a period of 45 years. This would be consistent with some federal affordable housing programs, but it is worth noting that it is unlikely that federal funding would be involved with mixed-income inclusionary housing projects.

As an alternative, Antioch could consider using provisions similar to the State Density Bonus Law. The original purchaser would still have to be income-qualified and the sales price would have to be qualified as affordable to the purchasing household. The purchasing household would not be restricted from selling the property in the future at then market-rates or to selling to households that are not qualified as low income. However, there would be an equity sharing agreement, and the city would receive the amount of the original sales price write-down and a proportional share of any appreciation in value. Antioch could then use its share of the sales price to support other affordable housing projects and programs.”

However, the proposed ordinance in Section 9-5.4308 – Ongoing Affordability and Occupancy reads, “A. Ongoing Affordability of For-Sale Units. In order to maintain the availability of For-Sale Inclusionary Units constructed pursuant to this Article, the affordable sales prices of for-sale Inclusionary Units shall be restricted in perpetuity, and reset upon resale of the unit(s), as documented through an Inclusionary Housing Agreement, as prescribed in Section 9-5.4305.F, recorded against the property.”

Program Details, Previous Findings Stated Antioch IHO “Not Warranted…Not Reasonable”

According to the City staff report for the agenda item, #8, an IHO is a zoning tool that requires developers to allocate a percentage of housing units in market-rate developments as “affordable”, or below-market rate (BMR) units. Many HOs include the option of paying a fee (“in-lieu” fee) rather than building the required affordable units onsite.

Inclusionary ordinances require that a specific percentage of units in market-rate development projects be offered at below market rates, typically to Very Low-Income (VLI), Low-Income (LI), and Moderate Income (MI) households (see below for definitions). These percentages are known as inclusionary requirements.

Developers would be given the option to instead pay an in-lieu fee, which is proposed at $202,500 per unit, and the City would collect the fees and be deposited into an Inclusionary Housing Trust Fund (IHTF) to be used for affordable housing purposes. The purpose of the IHTF is to assist in the creation and preservation of affordable housing in the City of Antioch for the benefit of extremely low, very low, low and moderate-income households.

The staff report also explained that Antioch has considered adopting an IHO since approximately 2009. Past City leadership concluded that market rate housing in Antioch was already adequately affordable. In 2016, the Contra Costa Grand Jury released a report titled Where Will We Live: The Affordable Housing Waiting List Is Closed. The report recommended that Antioch should consider adopting an IHO. The City responded to this recommendation on August 9, 2016, stating that the City, assuming 2000-2009 home values, “already provides a diversity of housing options and is accessible to households of all income levels…” Therefore, an IHO was “not warranted and is not reasonable.”

IHO Income Levels

The Area Median Income (AMI) per household in Contra Costa County is $159,800. The three categories of affordable housing typically accommodated in IHOs are:

• Very Low-Income (VLI) Housing. Units affordable to households earning 0-50% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
• Low-Income (LI) Housing. Units affordable to households earning 51-80% of AMI.
• Moderate Income (MI) Housing. Units affordable to households earning 80-120% of AMI.

The State also recognizes Above-Moderate Income Housing, which are units affordable to households earning more than 120% of AMI. However, this affordability level is not provided for in IHOs.

Proposed Ordinance Applies Citywide Including New Sand Creek Area Subdivisions

The proposed City of Antioch Inclusionary Housing Ordinance is composed of the following basic regulations:

Applicable Geography. The proposed IHO requirements apply to Residential Development Projects citywide.

Affordability Term. The proposed IHO requires all BMR units to be affordable in perpetuity.

Threshold Project Size. The proposed IHO requirements apply to all Residential Development Projects consisting of five or more units.

Income and Affordability Requirements. As proposed, 15 percent of all new Residential Development Projects shall be affordable to VLI and LI incomes.

Specifically:

• Ten percent of the BMR units shall be affordable to VLI households.
• Five percent of the BMR units shall be affordable to LI households.
• The first BMR unit shall be affordable to VLI households, the second unit shall be affordable to LI households, and so forth for all the BMR units in the project.

Affordability Standards. The proposed IHO includes standards to ensure that affordable units are of the same quality as Market Rate Units. Per the IHO, all affordable units shall:

• Be built in the same proportion as the Market Rate Units.
• Have an average square footage of at least 90 percent of Market Rate Units with the same bedroom count.
• Be developed with the same bedroom count ratio as the Market Rate Units.
• Have the same quality of exterior design and overall quality of construction as the Market Rate Units.
• Have the same quality and type of interior finishes and features as the Market Rate Units.
• Meet all site, design, and construction standards included in the City’s Building Regulations, Planning and Zoning.

Planning Commission Recommendations

During the Feb. 4th Planning Commission meeting one member of the public opposed the IHO with six members of the public representing coalitions of housing advocates spoke in favor.  A letter in support was submitted by Joey Flegel-Mishlove, East Bay Housing Organizations, on behalf of California Center for Movement Legal Services, Contra Costa Budget Justice Coalition, East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy, East Bay Housing Organizations, Ensuring Opportunity Campaign to End Poverty in Contra Costa County, Hope Solutions, Lift Up Contra Costa County, Monument Impact, Multi-Faith ACTION Coalition, Public Advocates, Rising Juntos and United Latino Voices of Contra Costa County. They wanted to set “the IHO’s overall inclusionary rate at 20%.”

The Commission provided recommendations and requested that the City Attorney review them prior to the City Council reviewing the IHO including:

• That the housing units created with the IHTF shall be prioritized for residents of Antioch.

However, the City Attorney responded, “the City of Antioch generally cannot lawfully adopt a broad resident-priority rule for assistance funded by inclusionary in-lieu fees, particularly for homebuyer subsidies. California law strongly protects statewide housing objectives and fair housing principles, and such a preference would likely conflict with those goals.”

• That the IHO and IHTF gives preference to local unions.

But the City Attorney responded, “the City of Antioch cannot lawfully require private developers to give priority to union labor over non-union contractors on inclusionary housing projects. Such a requirement would first be preempted by federal law under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), which governs private-sector labor relations and occupies the field to the exclusion of most local regulation.”

Developers’ Share Concerns

According to the staff report, during a December 2024 workshop, local housing developers “stressed that the difficulty of qualifying for home loans may impede the function of an IHO. Per participants, lower income households in Contra Costa typically face severe economic barriers to mortgage qualification, including an adequate down payment. As such, requiring the construction of for-sale units for very low-income or low-income households may be an unproductive path toward privately subsidized affordable housing.”

Building Industry Says IHO’s Aren’t State Required, Don’t Work, Benefits “Lucky” Few

In a letter to the council members and commissioners for the study session during the Planning Commission meeting on April 16, 2025, the Eastern Division of the Building Industry Association of the Bay Area submitted a letter opposing the ordinance saying they aren’t required by the state and they don’t work, making the cost to build the market rate housing to high.

The letter reads, “the California Housing & Community Development staff informs us that no jurisdiction is required to study the feasibility of an inclusionary ordinance or adopt such a program as part of the housing element review process.”

The BIA letter also includes a policy brief published in 2019 and updated in 2021by the Mercatus Center at George Mason University  which “found that none of the six major studies of inclusionary programs show that they increase the housing supply or lower prices. Instead, much of the research comes to the opposite conclusion: Except for a very small number of people lucky enough to secure one of the affordable units, inclusionary programs cause overall housing prices and rents to rise, further reducing affordability for everyone else.”

“‘Relying on new housing construction to provide subsidized units is not a strategy that can lead to more housing that’s affordable for more people,’ wrote research fellow Emily Hamilton. ‘In cases where inclusionary zoning raises house prices generally, the costs of the policy fall hardest on the lowest-income.’”

Furthermore, the BIA letter claims that a “joint study by the Terner Center for Housing Innovation at UC Berkeley and the Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies released earlier this year also found that inclusionary policies trigger significant tradeoffs between affordable housing and market rate housing production levels: The higher the inclusionary requirement, the fewer market-rate homes are constructed.”

An IHO “improves housing affordability for a few at the risk of worsening affordability for many, and it taxes precisely the activity needed to ameliorate the housing shortage and bring down rents: development.”

The BIA letter also states, “a 15 percent inclusionary requirement is infeasible for all single-family large lot developments and only partially feasible for single-family small lot and townhome developments. On the rental side, only high-density multifamily projects are fully feasible for very low, low and moderate income households. The market for very dense rental housing in Antioch is limited, at best. Overall, adopting a 10 or 15 percent inclusionary requirement will result in fewer homes being built in Antioch.”

The BIA requests City “staff to work with the development industry on alternative incentive-based approaches.”

Local Real Estate Broker Says IHO “Unnecessary”, “Built on…Fundamentally Socialist Ideology…Failed Model”

In a letter to the Commission, local real estate broker, Mark Jordan wrote, “an inclusionary housing ordinance is unnecessary, unsupported by current case law, and of questionable constitutional validity. Adoption of this ordinance would expose the City to avoidable legal and financial risk.”  His letter cited a successful lawsuit against City of East Palo Alto and as a result, “significantly modified its inclusionary housing ordinance” and possibly paid the man who sued that city.

In a previous email to the City Council dated Sept. 15, 2025, Jordan wrote, “Though rarely stated outright, the lnclusionary Housing Ordinance is built on a fundamentally socialist ideology-one that demands others pay the price for systemic outcomes beyond their control. But socialism, like Marxism, is a failed model. It doesn’t uplift communities; it burdens them and eventually collapses under its own weight.

“If life hasn’t turned out the way we want, the answer isn’t to demand others pay the price. The answer is to adapt, to work harder, to upskill, to disengage from distractions-and to pursue our own happiness through self-reliance.

“In closing, I urge you to table this ordinance. It is ill-timed, legally risky, economically unwise, and ideologically misguided.”

Antioch Housing Already Affordable, Hundreds of Units Already Approved or in Approval Process

The City is already meeting its Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) requirements for very low- and low-income housing. A total of 1,248 new housing units are required in those categories. Yet, as previously reported, over 2,000 apartment units have either been or can be approved by staff through the 10 Commercial Infill Housing Overlay Districts about by the City Council in 2022, many of which will be affordable, including in the extremely-low, very-low and low-income housing categories.

In addition, according to Redfin.com, “The housing market in Antioch, CA, is currently competitive, with homes selling for a median price of $603K. The market is somewhat competitive, with homes selling in about 40 days on average. The median sale price per square foot is $306, down 3.2% since last year. In December 2025, Antioch home prices were down 1.2%.”

Finally, according to Realtor.com, “The housing market in Contra Costa County, CA, presents a range of home values and prices. As of February 2026, the median price for a single-family home is $780,000, with a median AVM value of $801,000 for properties sold in the last year.” According to RocketMortgage.com, AVM value is “an estimated property value generated by an Automated Valuation Model using algorithms and real estate data.”

Questions for Mayor, Council Members

An email was sent to the mayor and four council members Monday afternoon, asking questions about the ordinance:

They were asked, “since it’s not required by state law why do you feel an IHO is necessary in Antioch, since our city is already going to have at least five if not 10 more affordable housing apartment complexes as part of the Commercial Infill Housing Overlay Districts?”

They were also asked, “why does the proposed ordinance apply citywide and therefore include the remaining Sand Creek Focus Area developments that have yet to be approved, when those homes have long been intended to be the more upscale, higher priced homes for that end of our housing mix?”

Finally, they were asked, “why use this option to achieve the RHNA requirements when Antioch homes are less expensive than the average throughout the county?”

No responses were received to the email and further efforts to contact each of the council members were unsuccessful prior to publication time. Please check back later for any updates to this report.

Council Meeting Details

The Council meeting begins with a Closed Session at 4:30 p.m. for a Conference with legal counsel regarding “significant exposure to litigation.”

That will be followed at 5:00 p.m. for a Special Meeting/Study Session on the fiscal year 2026-27 budget and an update on the Code Enforcement Division’s progress and operations.

The regular meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. The latter two meetings will be held in the Council Chambers at 200 H Street, or can be viewed via livestream on the City’s website or on Comcast cable TV channel 24 or AT&T U-verse channel 99.

See IHO agenda item #8.

See Council meeting agenda packet.

No Planning Commission, Council decisions or public input required due to Council votes in 2022 to rezone 10 commercial properties to include Extremely Low, Very Low and Low-Income housing and mixed-use development; not state required

By Allen D. Payton

It’s been over 20 years since the residents who live near the Antioch golf course rose up in 2004 and successfully defeated a proposed apartment complex on Blue Rock Drive on the north side of Lone Tree Way. Yet Antioch City staff have “Approved, Administratively” an Extremely Low, Very Low and Low-Income, 233-unit apartment complex on the south side of Lone Tree Way next to the CVS store and shopping center without any public hearings before the Planning Commission or City Council.

But it’s only one of 10 sites throughout the city where the same conversion from commercial zoning to residential development can occur due to multiple votes by the City Council in 2022 where almost 2,500 affordable apartments can be built. Over 2,000 units only require city staff approval. Currently, four of the 10 sites have projects in process and have already been approved by staff, including the largest project, the 702-unit Somersville Town Center apartment complex.

That’s because higher density residential is allowed by right under the Regional Commercial land use designation of the General Plan due to a 2022 amendment to the General Plan Use Element (GP22-01), approved by the City Council, that added a “Commercial Infill Housing Policy.” Pursuant to this policy, the Council designated the various sites with a Commercial Infill Housing (“CIH”) overlay.

As part of the strategic infill housing study process in 2022, the specific sites within Antioch were rezoned to allow for the streamlined development of medium- and high-density residential and mixed-use projects. These infill sites are typically vacant and / or underutilized commercial areas of the City.

According to the City staff report for the City Council meeting agenda item on April 12, 2022, “The intent with this policy is to encourage revitalization in commercial developments that have commercial vacancies and relocation of commercial activity to other parts of the city. These sites are eligible for streamlined review subject to compliance with objective standards. This fulfills the need to add more housing through the building of medium and high-density housing and allows for existing commercial sites to be developed with high quality residential development.”

Unanimous Council Votes in Favor of Rezoning

During that meeting, the council voted unanimously through five separate motions to approve the Zoning Map Amendments and Rezone the 10 sites to include a CIH Overlay District designation, an addendum to the 2003 General Plan Environmental Impact Report, the General Plan Amendment, establishing Commercial In-Fill Housing Policies in the Land Use Element, the project’s Objective Design Standards and other administrative requirements to implement the changes.

Nine sites are currently developed with existing commercial uses, requiring demolition, and vary in size from 4.9 to 40.9 acres. One site, located at the southeast corner of Crestview Drive and W. 10th Street, is vacant and is 2.3 acres.

The 10 sites rezoned by the City Council are labeled as:

1. Lakeview Center – Estimated Units: 80. Actual: 233  See below.
2. In-Shape Shopping Center – Estimated Units: 267. Actual: 245  See below.
3. Deer Valley Plaza – Location of former AMC theaters building and parking lot. Estimated Units: 147. No plans yet submitted.
4. Hillcrest Summit – Estimated Units: 147. Actual: 165  See below.
5. Hillcrest Terrace – on Deer Valley Road next to McDonald’s, across from Safeway and the Hillcrest Crossings shopping center. Estimated Units: 189. Actual: 165 No plans yet submitted. (Owned by the Antioch Unified School District).
6. Buchanan Crossings – Estimated Units: 81. Actual: 195  See below.
7. Delta Fair Shopping Center – Estimated Units: 221 Submitted: 210  Withdrawn  See below.
8. Somersville Towne Center – Estimated Units: 720. Actual: 702  See below.
9. 99 Cents Only/Big Lots shopping center – on Somersville Road. Estimated Units: 113. No plans yet submitted.
10. Crestview Drive/W. 10th Street – empty lot near Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Estimated Units: 115. No plans yet submitted.

Votes, including two split, on individual sites occurred as follows:

On Nov. 22, 2022, the council voted to rezone and include in CIH Overlay Districts for both the Lakeview Center (Ayes: Ogorchock, Wilson, Barbanica, Thorpe; Noes: Torres-Walker) and Buchanan Crossings (Ayes: Ogorchock, Wilson, Thorpe; Noes: Torres-Walker, Barbanica recused himself) and on Dec. 13, 2022, the council unanimously approved them during the second reading as part of the Consent Calendar.

City of Antioch Principal Planner Kevin Scudero was asked about those votes and when the other eight sites were rezoned and included in CIH Overlay Districts by the City Council. He responded, “The City Council adopted the CIH Overlay on April 12, 2022. The Lakeview Center and Buchanan Crossings parcels were part of the original approval but there was an error in processing and some parcels within the center that were intended to be included were left out of the ordinance. The action on November 22, 2022, was a cleanup to add in the parcels that were mistakenly left off of the original approval.”

Asked if any additional parcels been added to the list of 10, Scudero responded, “No parcels have been added.”

Not State Required

Although the City was awarded $310,000 in SB 2 The Building Homes and Jobs Act grant funding to study feasibility of providing infill, high-density residential development on underutilized and vacant commercial sites, the rezoning was not required by state mandate.

No Additional Commission or Council Meetings with Public Input Required

Once a site has a CIH overlay, residential development is a permitted use under the General Plan. Furthermore, the entitlement process for a residential development within the CIH Overlay is ministerialprovided the proposed project is consistent with the applicable CIH Overlay District Objective Design Standards. That means no additional Planning Commission or City Council hearings with public input are required.

So, instead of future potential commercial and employment areas as the City grows south into the Sand Creek Focus Area, the designated properties will now be used to build over 2,000 apartments and townhomes. Since the change in 2022, developers have been submitting applications to build on many of the sites.

Following are the projects on the City’s Community Development Department, Planning Division’s Current Projects webpage:

233-Unit Extremely Low, Very Low and Low-Income Lakeview Center Apartments Near Golf Course Road

Labeled “Lakeview Center Multi-family”, it’s described as “Commercial Infill Housing, Administrative Design Review Request for a Multi-family development with 233 affordable units.”

Currently, the General Plan designations for the four parcels on 7.56 acres are Office, Neighborhood Community Commercial or both and each has a CIH overlay zoning. The project has been “Approved, Administratively.”

Development plans show seven new 3- and 4-story buildings included in the project by Los Angeles-based Standard Communities. The Project will include 350 on-grade parking stalls, community amenities, and site landscaping. The apartments will be single level and arranged in a “stacked flat” configuration. Each unit will be accessed through stairways with direct access to the parking areas. There will be 109 one-bedroom 607 s.f. units, 58 two-bedroom 793 s.f. units and 66 three-bedroom 1,008 s.f. units included.

The architectural style for the Project is “California Contemporary,” simple, and sophisticated. The amenity building is located at the center of the Project and includes a leasing center, clubhouse, business center, fitness center and laundry. The indoor amenity areas will connect to the landscaped courtyard which will include a BBQ area, lounge seating and tot lot. The Project will also have a dog park.

245-Unit Lone Tree Apartments at In-Shape Shopping Center

The Lone Tree Way Apartments project, proposed by The Spanos Corporation of Stockton, sits on 8.93 acres in Antioch, located between Bluerock Drive and Eagleridge Drive near the In Shape health club. The project, submitted in May 2023, and also “Approved, Administratively”, consists of 245 apartment units within (5) 49-plex, 4 story buildings as well as a stand-alone 2-story community clubhouse (approximately 9,400 SF). Each building is served by an elevator with interior-conditioned corridors. Units will range from 477 SF studios to 1,047 SF 2-bedrooms.

Each unit will include washer/dryer, private balcony, and luxury interior finishes. Located centrally within each building will be a pet spa and bicycle café. The community clubhouse will include a leasing center, great room, fitness center, mail and parcel room, game room, theater, sports simulator, rooftop deck and more. Outdoor amenities will include a pool, spa, cabana, fire pit, bocce ball, tot lot, dog park and pickle ball court.

Last year, a commercial project was approved to be located in front of the apartment complex, along Lone Tree Way, which will include a Chipotle Mexican Grill, Habit Burger & Grill and Mister car wash.

165-Unit Hillcrest Summit Apartments 

Administrative review for a 165-unit, 100% affordable apartment development, complete with associated parking and site improvements on a Commercial Infill Housing site also “Approved, Administratively”.

Hillcrest Summit Apartments is a proposed 100% affordable apartment project at Hillcrest Avenue and Shaddick Drive on a vacant site behind the 76 Service Station and 7-Eleven. Effective May 26, 2022, the property was included in the Commercial Infill Housing (CIH) Overlay District. The new zoning classification allows for by-right housing development for projects in compliance with Objective Design Standards.

In accordance with the purpose of the CIH Overlay District, the project aims to revitalize the underutilized commercial site and increase the city’s housing supply. The convenient location is less than a half-mile from the Antioch BART Station, near access onto Highway 4, and includes a bus stop at the Hillcrest frontage. The project will include 165 residential units on four levels.

165-Unit Hillcrest Terrace Apartments – No Project Yet Submitted

This project, planned for the vacant property located next to the McDonald’s and across Deer Valley Road from the Hillcrest Crossings/Safeway shopping center, consists of a 165-unit affordable senior housing project. The CIH Overlay District would allow for up to 189 units on the 6.3-acre parcel.

The only information about the project available is regarding a loan from the City’s former redevelopment agency. According to a City staff report in the 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the Council meeting on Feb. 13, 2024, “In October 1998, the former redevelopment agency made a commitment for $731,175 in housing set-aside funds towards this project.

“Commencing on the first date of disbursement, the loan accrues simple interest at 3% per annum. The 55-year term loan is secured by a deed of trust. Commencing on the June 1 after project completion, and on June 1 of each year thereafter, the developer will pay the Agency one-half of the residual receipts to the extent there is residual receipts. Payments will be first credited against accrued interest and then against principal. Any outstanding principal and interest is due and payable in full in June 2055. In September 2001, the Agency made a commitment of an additional $200,000 due and payable October 1, 2038. Principal and interest outstanding for these loans at June 30, 2023, is $1,599,570.”

Scudero confirmed ownership of the property. “According to our records this site is still owned by the (Antioch Unified) school district,” he wrote. However, there are no current plans submitted for the site.

195 Affordable Apartments on Buchanan Road next to Grocery Outlet

Standard Communities of Los Angeles has another affordable apartment complex in Antioch, known as Buchanan Crossings Phase II, which was also “Approved, Administratively.” The application is for a residential 100% affordable multifamily development project on 6.22 acres along Buchanan Road that will include residential apartment units with associated parking, amenity areas and site landscaping as well as frontage improvements along Buchanan Road.

The Project will consist of six new 3-story buildings with a total of 195 total affordable residential apartments and 293 on-grade parking stalls. There will be 91 one-bedroom, 49 two-bedroom and 55 three-bedroom units included in the complex.

Both parcels are located within the Western Antioch Commercial Focus Area of the Antioch General Plan and have a Regional Commercial land use designation and the CIH designation added in 2022.

210-Unit Delta Fair Shopping Center Apartments – Withdrawn

The project, which proposed a 4,000 s.f. commercial building and 210 apartments, known as the Delta Fair Village, was withdrawn by the developer after the City Council voted 3-2 in Sept. 2020 to postpone indefinitely his application. That was before the CIH policies were approved and the property rezoned to allow for high-density housing. At that time the plans show the residential units to be condominiums.

702-Unit Somersville Town Center Apartment Complex

The largest, new apartment complex currently in process in Antioch, will be the redevelopment of a majority of the Somersville Town Center shopping mall which has also been “Approved, Administratively” due to its location in a Commercial Infill Housing (CIH) Overlay District.

The existing mall includes 500,000 sf+/- of retail floor area. When the buildout is complete the approximately forty-acre site will include 702 new apartment units and 124,872+/- of commercial space.

Development is proposed to occur in two phases. Following demolition of most of the existing shopping mall, the first phase would begin at the northern part of the site and include eleven residential buildings, comprising 330 apartment units. Three-story, walk-up apartment buildings would be arrayed along Fairview Drive and Delta Fair Boulevard, with a central clubhouse facility.

Phase Two will complete the residential master plan adding 372 units in twelve buildings. The resulting design will define two distinct apartment villages, each with a unique architectural identity and community character. On-site parking will provide covered parking spaces for all of the units.

OTHER AFFORDABLE APARTMENT PROJECTS

180-Unit Wildflower Senior Apartments

In addition to the administratively approved apartment complexes on the various CIH Overlay District sites, the 180-unit Wildflower Senior Apartments are planned for the corner of Wildflower Drive and Hillcrest Avenue. According to the Project Description, it is a proposed 100% affordable, senior apartment project on a 3.77-acre, vacant site located across Wildflower Drive from the previously approved Wildflower Station Multi-Family project and across Hillcrest Avenue from the Chevron gas station.

The General Plan land use is High-Density Residential with a zoning designation of R-35. The site is identified in the 2023-2031 Housing Element as Site 112. As a Housing Element site, the property has been targeted for redevelopment.

Within the building, a mix of one- and two-bedroom units make up the 180 residential units on four levels arranged around the central courtyard. The 102 one-bedroom units are approximately 559 s.f. each and make up 56.7% of the units. There are also 78 two-bedroom units (43.3% of total) at approximately 771 s.f. each. Two, one-bedroom units will be utilized as manager’s units.

The project will provide 100% of the residential units at 60% Area Median Income (AMI) or less and is currently in processing.

395 Apartments, 101 Townhomes Planned for Lone Tree Way Not Part of CIH But Some Units Will be Affordable

While, according to Principal Planner Scudero, the proposed project labeled, Apartments at Lone Tree, is not part of the CIH zoning overlay district, “the City Council approved the rezoning of the property from commercial to high-density residential in January 2023 as part of the Housing Element approval.”

The project by The Martin Group based in Oakland, is planned for the north side of Lone Tree Way between Country Hills Drive and Deer Valley Road, below the Seventh Day Adventist Church and Hilltop Christian School. The developer proposes 395 apartment units consisting of 25 or 33 junior one-bedroom, 261 or 253 one-bedrooms, and 109 two-bedrooms. In addition, proposed townhome buildings include a total of 84 two-bedroom, 2-bath, 1-car and 27 three-bedroom, 2.5-bath, 2-car units. This project includes 616 vehicle parking stalls with 399 surface parking spaces, and 220 proposed garage spaces. The project sponsor proposes to develop the property per the California state density bonus law.

The 19 townhome buildings are planned for the west end of the property along Country Hills Drive. The four apartment buildings and clubhouse are planned for the center of the property facing Lone Tree Way and the east end near the intersection with Deer Valley Road.

The project sponsor proposes to develop the property per the California state density bonus law (government code sections 65915-65918). The proposed project can utilize the concessions, incentives and waivers that are afforded.

While the CIH Overlay District is not required by the state, according to the 2021 Guide to the California Density Bonus Law by the Meyers Nave law firm, the Density Bonus is a state mandate requiring cities to adopt ordinances to implement the law. It “provides developers with powerful tools to encourage the development of affordable and senior housing, including up to a 50% increase in project densities for most projects, depending on the amount of affordable housing provided, and an 80% increase in density for projects which are completely affordable.”

“A developer who meets the requirements of the state law is entitled to receive the density bonus and other benefits as a matter of right,” the Guide continues. “Special development bonuses are available for developers of commercial projects who partner with affordable housing developers to provide onsite or offsite affordable housing.”

The developer is currently processing the project application with City staff but did not provide in the Project Description the percentage of units that will be affordable and at what AMI levels.

Scudero was asked questions regarding the Apartments at Lone Tree project. He was first informed of and asked about the discrepancy in unit totals as the Project Description reads, “PROPOSES A TOTAL OF 395 UNITS CONSISTING OF 33 JUNIOR ONE-BEDROOM, 253 ONE-BEDROOMS, AND 109 TWO-BEDROOMS. TOWNHOMES BUILDINGS PROPOSES A TOTAL OF 84 TWO-BEDROOM AND 27 THREE-BEDROOM TOWNHOMES.” But further down in the Unit and Area Summary chart it shows 25 Junior One-Bedroom and 261 One-Bedroom apartments.

Finally, the Project Description reads, “The project sponsor proposes to develop the property per the California state density bonus law (California government code sections 65915-65918). The proposed project can utilize the concessions/Incentives and waivers that are afforded.”

The state Density Bonus Law means a portion of the units will be affordable. Scudero was asked what percentage of the units will be affordable or if those numbers be submitted later.

Scudero responded, “Regarding the Lone Tree project, we have notified the applicant of the inconsistency in the plans and project description as part of our consistency review. Once we receive a revised submittal we will update the plans on the website. The total unit count of 506 units is correct. Regarding the density bonus, you are correct they will be providing affordable units. They have not determined yet what percentage of affordable they will propose to achieve the density bonus. That will come at a later date. 

“Regarding the CIH site at Hillcrest that was approved as part of the original CIH approvals. The ordinance needs a second reading and goes into effect 30 days after that which is why the effective date is later than the original approval date,” he added. 

City Staff Provides Additional Information

Questions were emailed to City staff, Mayor Ron Bernal and Councilmembers Don Freitas and Louie Rocha about the apartment and townhome projects.

Staff were asked if the parcels with projects that do not yet have administrative approval can be rezoned, the CIH overlays be eliminated and the projects be stopped. Principal City Planner Scudero responded, “Given the current complexities in state housing laws, we will need to look further into this question and get back to you.”

Staff were also asked if SB330, the state law that streamlines and limits local regulations on housing developments in California, applies to these projects since they’re apartments and not single-family residences. The townhome projects recently approved by the City Council at Wildflower Station and Slatten Ranch were submitted under the law and the council was required to approve them.

Scudero responded, “Yes, SB330 applies to all housing projects that are consistent with the General Plan and Zoning standards.”

The three council members were asked if they were aware of the CIH apartment projects and, if they can, are they willing to reverse the decision on parcels that don’t yet have a project that’s been administratively approved.

Creating Another Sycamore?

Both the councilmembers and staff were asked if approving 702 apartment units where most of Somersville Towne Center currently exists and must be demolished was going to create another Sycamore area, the City’s neighborhood with the greatest crime problems, with too many multi-family units in one area. They were also asked if some of those units could instead be approved as for sale, owner-occupied condominiums.

Scudero responded, “The decision to make a project for sale versus for rent is up to the developer. They are reviewed against the same objective design standards with the one difference being that a for sale project also requires the processing of a map for subdivision purposes.”

Questions Regarding Delta Fair and 99 Cents/Big Lots Shopping Center Projects

The four were also asked if someone has contacted Gabriel Chew, the owner of the property where the Delta Fair Village is proposed, to reconsider submitting and processing it. They were also asked if Chew owns the 99 Cents/Big Lots property and has there been any contact with him or the owner (if different) about redeveloping it.

Finally, they were asked about Deer Valley Plaza, where the former theaters building is located and is included on the list, but no plans have been submitted for it, yet, if it was purchased and going to be a mosque as has been rumored.

Scudero responded, “The Delta Fair Village property owned by Gabriel Chiu is included in the CIH Overlay district and the site is eligible to be developed under the streamlined CIH approval process. The former 99 Cents/Big Lots/CVS building is actually three separate parcels under separate ownership. A church has recently purchased the former CVS and obtained a use permit to operate there.”

A sign on the side of the former theaters building reads, “Bay Area Pentacostals”.

Bernal Must Check with Staff, City Attorney if Stopping Projects Not Yet Approved Possible

Bernal responded with, “I am aware of the overlays the Council approved in 2022 but do not know if the City can ‘undo’ these overlays and will have to find out from City staff and the City Attorney’s office if this is a possibility. 

“Regarding Mr. Chiu, I have reached out to him but have been unable to arrange a time for us to meet,” the mayor continued. “My understanding is that he still owns shopping centers on Delta Fair Blvd., 18th and A Streets and Deer Valley Plaza. I’m told he sold the theater to a church which I have seen is currently being renovated.”

“I’ve been told the former CVS and 99 Cent stores at the Bank of America Center on Somersville Road have been purchased by La Palabra de Dios Church and are currently being renovated,” Bernal added, reiterating what Scudero shared.

Rocha Open to Reviewing Commercial Properties Not Yet Administratively Approved

In response to the questions posed to him, Rocha said, “I’m aware of the approved projects and in favor of reviewing all projects as we develop our new General Plan with a focus on rezoning of commercial properties that have not received Administrative Approvals.”

“We have learned the limitations to local government control with properties that were rezoned from commercial to residential under new legislation SB 330 that grants high density housing as part of the States response to the housing crisis without local approvals,” he continued. “I am in favor of advocating for mixed housing and commercial projects that support economic development that provides housing, business and local employment.”

Asked if he had nny concerns about too many low-income rental units being concentrated in one area of the city as part of the redevelopment of Somersville Towne Center and possibly creating more future crime problems, Rocha responded, “I’m in favor of mixed development that provides equitable opportunities for all members of our community.

Pressed again if he is concerned about too many low-income rental units being concentrated in one location, the councilman did not respond.

Barbanica Wanted Up-Scale Housing, Ogorchock Knew They Would be Affordable, Neither Were Aware They Only Required Staff Approval

At the time the CIH rezoning was proposed to the city council, Con Johnson was City Manager, Forrest Ebbs was Community Development Director and Kwame Reed was Economic Development Director.

When reached for comment about the matter, former District 2 Councilman Mike Barbanica said, “It was never the intent to be affordable, low-income housing. It was to be upscale housing and mixed use. I had several meetings with Forrest about rezoning the properties.”

Asked about her votes on the CIH Overlay Districts for the 10 properties, former District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock said, “Basically, I remember them being infill projects. The one that sticks in my mind was the property behind CVS on Lone Tree Way.”

“I don’t remember them ever allowing them to be administratively approved,” she continued.

“I didn’t meet with Con Johnson because he never had answers and he was going to ask department heads for the answers and then never got back to me,” Ogorchock offered. “He didn’t want us meeting us with department heads without his presence. But I would talk to Forrest.”

“I would have never voted for anything if it was only administratively approved,” she stated. “I believe in the process of the Planning Commission and Council meetings with public input.”

“I do remember them being affordable but, that we couldn’t say ‘no’ to any housing projects because of the new state law. (SB330). I also remember them being mixed use,” Ogorchock added.

Questions for Former Mayor, Current Councilwomen, Torres-Walker Thought She Voted for Mixed-Use

Councilwomen Monica Wilson and Tamisha Torres-Walker, and former Mayor Lamar Thorpe were asked the following questions:

“Were you aware you were giving City staff the authority to approve each project without having to go through the public approval process?”

For the councilwoman they were asked the same questions as the current mayor and councilmen, “Are you willing to either require the five sites that don’t yet have administrative approval to go through the public process, require that they be mixed use instead of just housing or stop and rezone them? They were also asked, “Are you concerned about creating another policing problem area like the Sycamore neighborhood, by concentrating too many rental housing units in the same area at the Somersville Towne Center project?”

Wilson was specifically asked, were you aware of the 2004 effort to stop the apartments from being built on the property where your townhome is located? If so, why would you vote to approve not only an apartment complex there, but one that includes Extremely Low, Very Low and Low-Income units? 

Only Torres-Walker responded with, “I am a supporter of affordable housing projects and I have considered the need for housing projects that include options for individuals that fall under the category of Extremely Low, Very Low and Low-Income.”

“When I voted I was under the impression that we were supporting mixed-use and mixed income projects,” she added.

The District 1 Councilwoman was again asked if she was aware that they had given City staff the authority to approve the projects without holding hearings for public input. But she did not respond prior to publication time.

Lakeview Center, Buchanan Crossing Projects on Feb. 24th Council Meeting Agenda

For the council meeting on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, two of the projects were on the agenda, as Items #5 and #6. They were Appeals of the December 18, 2025 Administrative Decision Regarding Lakeview Center Commercial Infill Housing Application and the November 13, 2025, Administrative Decision Regarding Buchanan Crossing Commercial Infill Housing Application. However, both items were requested to be postponed until the next council meeting on March 10, 2026, for Public Hearings.

Multiple efforts to reach Freitas, Wilson and Thorpe for their responses to the questions were unsuccessful. Please check back later for any updates to this report.

Positions on Police Oversight, Parks & Recreation and Sales Tax Oversight Commissions, Board of Administrative Appeals, General Plan Advisory Committee

Application deadline: Feb. 27 at 5:00 p.m.

By Allen D. Payton

The Antioch City Council is seeking residents to serve on the following three commissions and one board. Any interested resident is invited to apply for the following vacancies by 5:00 p.m., Friday, February 27, 2026.

Antioch Police Oversight Commission

• One (1) Partial Term Vacancy, expiring November 2026

The Antioch Police Oversight Commission shall advise the City Council and Staff on the administration of the Antioch Police Department and public safety issues to ensure that the policies conform to national standards of constitutional policing. The Commission shall promote, encourage, and facilitate community participation and oversight by reviewing and recommending policies that is sensitive to the diverse needs of residents, aiming to inform the community of its rights and responsibilities on interactions with police officers.

Meetings are held at 6:00 pm on the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month, except in July and December, when meetings occur only once, inside the Council Chambers, at City Hall, except for two meetings per year will be held at locations within Antioch for the purpose of increasing community engagement.

For more information visit Antioch Police Oversight Commission | Antioch, CA.

Parks & Recreation Commission

• One (1) Partial Term Vacancy, expiring March 2028

The Commission serves in an advisory capacity to the City Council in matters pertaining to parks, recreation functions and policy, as well as engaging the community in programs and services. The Commission also surveys current and future recreation and park needs of the community to provide sound, year-round program for all ages.

Meetings are held at 7:00 pm on the 3rd Thursday of every month in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 200 H Street.

For more information please visit Parks & Recreation Commission | Antioch, CA.

Sales Tax Citizens’ Oversight Commission

The Sales Tax Citizens’ Oversight Committee shall review the expenditures and report publicly how the funds are being used to address the City Council’s stated priorities of maintaining Antioch’s fiscal stability, police patrols, 911 emergency response, youth violence prevention programs; ensuring water quality/safety; repairing streets; cleaning up parks/illegal dumping; restoring youth afterschool/summer programs; and other essential services. Each year, an independent auditor shall complete a public audit report of the revenue raised and its expenditure. The Committee’s review shall be completed in conjunction with the City’s budget process. The Committee’s report on its review, whether oral and written, shall be considered by the City Council at a public meeting before April 1 of each year. Any written report shall be a matter of public record.

Meetings are held at least twice annually at a location to be determined.

For more information visit Sales Tax Citizens’ Oversight Committee | Antioch, CA.

Board of Administrative Appeals

• Three (3) Full Term Vacancies, expiring March 2030
• One (1) Alternate Vacancy, Two-Year Term

The Board of Administrative Appeals hears appeals regarding administrative decisions by any official of the City dealing with Municipal Code Interpretations.

Meetings are held at 3:00 pm on the 1st Thursday of every month in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 200 H Street.

For more information visit Board of Administrative Appeals | Antioch, CA.

General Plan Advisory Committee

• Five (5) Committee Member Vacancies
• Two (2) Alternate Committee Member Vacancies

The City of Antioch encourages residents to become involved in their local community. One way to do so is to serve on various commissions, boards, and committees. Any interested resident is encouraged to apply.

Purpose: The Committee (GPAC) will serve as one of the primary channels for the community to provide input and make recommendations on the General Plan Update. Participation by members appointed to the GPAC is temporary; the roles and responsibilities of its members will terminate with City Council adoption of the General Plan.

Meetings will generally occur once per month, but there may be months when no meetings are held. The first meeting is anticipated to be held April 2026.

GPAC Requirements:

•Must be a resident of the City of Antioch.

•Members are subject to The Brown Act open meeting law.

•Commissioners are required to submit the Fair Political Practices Commission(FPPC) Form 700 (Statement of Economic Interests) upon assuming office, and everyyear thereafter.

•Commissioners are required to complete a 2-hour online AB1234 Ethics course withinone year of their appointment.

•Newly appointed and reappointed Members are required to take an Oath of Office administered by the City Clerk.

For more information see General Plan Advisory Committee.

To apply visit Boards & Commissions page on the City’s website select the link to download the application. The application will download onto your computer or mobile device and can be emailed directly to the City Clerk’s Office. You can also print and mail/drop off your application to the City Clerk’s Office at 200 H Street Antioch, CA 94509.

The City Council will vote for each appointment at a future council meeting.