Good morning, Walnut Creek! It's the first day of July, and we're thrilled to announce Walnut Creek's streamlined ADU construction with pre-approved plans and celebrate hitting 5,000 subscribers of Walnut Creek Spotlight! Participate in the housing needs survey to shape our community’s future, and check out the new weekly events added to our calendar. Plus, it's National Postal Worker Day and National Creative Ice Cream Flavors Day—show some love to your mail carrier and indulge in a unique ice cream treat!

In today’s Walnut Creek Spotlight:

• Walnut Creek Streamlines ADU Construction with Pre-Approved Plans

• 🎉 Celebrating 5,000 Subscribers of Walnut Creek Spotlight! 🎉

• Walnut Creek Residents Invited to Shape Future with Housing Needs Survey

• New Weekly Events Added

- Walnut Creek Spotlight Team

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Walnut Creek Streamlines ADU Construction with Pre-Approved Plans

The City of Walnut Creek has introduced pre-reviewed plans for detached Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) to make the building process easier for residents. These plans meet all 2022 California Residential Code requirements, offering a faster review process for quicker approvals.

Available Floor Plans

Residents can choose from four floor plans in cottage, modern, and ranch styles:

• Compact Studio: 408 square feet

• 1-Bedroom Unit: 615 square feet

• 1-Bedroom Unit: 672 square feet

• 2-Bedroom Unit: 796 square feet

Application Requirements

Applicants need to prepare a valid site plan using the provided template, obtain necessary construction permits, pay permit fees, and secure approvals from fire and sanitary agencies. The pre-approved plans must be used as they are, though they can be oriented in any direction and the floor plans can be mirrored.

Steps to Apply for PRADU

1. Confirm Requirements: Ensure your property is in Walnut Creek and not ineligible due to flood zones or slopes over 5%.

2. Review Plans and Buildable Area: Consider your budget, solar panel requirements for larger plans, and identify unbuildable areas using parcel maps.

3. Choose a Plan: Select and download the desired floor plan set.

4. Prepare the Plans: Create a site plan using the template, complete the cover and title sheets, and combine these with the selected plan set into one PDF file.

5. Apply for a Permit: Submit the required documents and forms online.

6. Permit Issuance and Construction: Pay permit fees, clear any conditions, and secure necessary approvals. Once approved, start construction.

Additional Information

New ADUs will receive an address from the Planning Division, using the main dwelling's address with an added "A" for the ADU. Property taxes are handled by the county, so applicants should consult the county assessor’s office for details.

For more resources, including an ADU Handbook, informational videos, and FAQs, visit the City of Walnut Creek's ADU webpage (link). City staff are available to answer questions via email at [email protected].

🎉 Celebrating 5,000 Subscribers of Walnut Creek Spotlight! 🎉

We are thrilled to announce that we have reached a major milestone – 5,000 subscribers of Walnut Creek Spotlight! To celebrate this special occasion, we have teamed up with Handel’s Ice Cream in downtown Walnut Creek to give away a $100 gift card to one lucky reader.

In the summer heat of 1945, Alice Handel created the sweetest of legacies in Youngstown, Ohio. Using fresh fruit from her backyard garden and her own personal recipes, Alice lovingly made ice cream that quickly became a neighborhood favorite. Handel’s, and a commitment to quality, was born. To this day, Handel’s upholds the traditions Alice started all those years ago. From making each batch fresh daily to using her original methods and recipes, we’re still sharing our homemade ice cream and serving the communities we love so much one scoop at a time.

Visit Handel's at 1273 Locust Street, Walnut Creek, California 94596, or call (925) 951-6555.

To enter the draw, simply refer a friend to Walnut Creek Spotlight by clicking the green button below and sharing your link (it contains your personalized referral code).

Once they’ve signed up, you’ll be entered & we’ll then pick a name at random. Good luck! 🤞

Walnut Creek Residents Invited to Shape Future with Housing Needs Survey

Walnut Creek, along with other cities and the County, is conducting a survey to decide how to use millions of dollars in federal funding. This money will go towards community improvements such as building affordable housing, enhancing parks and community centers, improving infrastructure like roads and handicap access, supporting local small businesses, and providing services for low-income families and homeless individuals.

Residents are encouraged to participate in this survey to share their thoughts and help shape the future of their community. The survey has been available since March and is still open for input.

To ensure everyone can participate, the survey is available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, and Tagalog.

For more information or to take the survey, residents can visit the Walnut Creek Housing Programs page. (link)

GoFundMe for Lemongrass Farms

The Walnut Creek Farmers' Market has launched a GoFundMe for Lemongrass Farms to support medical bills, rehabilitation, and lost income for two members critically injured in a DUI accident on June 2nd on Locust Street. (link)

NEW EVENTS ADDED

Native Plant Growers | July 5, 2024 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Civic Park, 1375 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek, CA 94596 | Free | Join the Native Plant Growers at the Native Wildflower Garden in Civic Park. Volunteers who like to garden are welcome. Meets weekly on Fridays.

Yoga in the Park | July 6, 2024 | 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM | Civic Park Gazebo, 1375 Civic Drive at Broadway, Walnut Creek, CA 94596 | Free | Join an all-levels, free yoga class at the Civic Park Gazebo. Register online.

Cut Paste Create Opening Party | July 6, 2024 | 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Bedford Gallery, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94596 | Free | Join the opening party of "Cut Paste Create: The Art of Collage" and explore a fascinating visual interplay of textures, colors, and forms.

EVENTS

Food & Drink

Trivia + Karaoke Night | Wednesdays at 6 PM | Retro Junkie | Join us for a fun-filled night with free admission, starting at 6 PM with happy hour, followed by pop culture trivia at 7 PM, and karaoke from 8 PM to 1 AM—no RSVP needed!

Trivia | Wednesdays at 6 PM | Mike Hess Brewing | Free to play! Test your knowledge and bring out some loved ones.

Geeks Who Drink Trivia | @ Rotator Taproom - Wednesdays at 6:30 PM

Karaoke Wednesday | @ Bourbon Highway - Wednesdays at 8 PM. Watch Video

Theatre

Best of San Francisco Stand Up Comedy | Lesher Center for the Arts | 6/15 - 8/31 on Saturdays | New generation of comedic talent with the "Best of San Francisco Stand-Up Comedy" tour, featuring some of the hottest up-and-coming acts in the Bay Area.

Community

Tai Chi | Mondays at 10:15 AM | Walnut Creek Library | Participants will learn the basic Tai chi movements, a series of sequential postures resembling a slow-motion dance.

Hooked on Books | Civic Park Community Center | 1st Tuesday of each month at 12:30 PM | A different book is discussed monthly. 1st Tuesday of the month, 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm

Qi Gong Drop-In (Seniors) | Civic Park Community Center | Wednesdays at 12 PM | Slow meditative stretching. No experience is needed. Weekly, Wednesdays from 11:50 - 12:10 PM. Civic Park, Assembly Hall.

Mah Jong Drop-In (Seniors) | Civic Park Community Center - Wednesdays at 1 PM

Bingo Drop-In (Seniors) | Civic Park Community Center | Thursdays at 12 PM | 50+ Drop-in activity. Try your luck and have fun!

Yoga in the Park | July 6, 2024 | 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM | Civic Park Gazebo, 1375 Civic Drive at Broadway, Walnut Creek, CA 94596 | Free | Join an all-levels, free yoga class at the Civic Park Gazebo. Register online.

Farmer’s Market Walnut Creek | Locust St | Sundays at 9 AM | The Walnut Creek Market, open Sundays 9 am-1 pm year-round on Locust Street, offers local produce, supports sustainability, and provides free first-hour parking at Grower’s Square; only certified service animals are allowed.

Diablo Valley Farmers’ Market | Shadelands | Saturdays at 9 AM | Located in Walnut Creek's Shadelands Business Park, the Diablo Valley Farmers' Market, open Saturdays 9 AM to 1 PM with over 40 vendors, features fresh Brentwood produce, a Kid’s Craft Corner, and is a family favorite, having been voted #1 in America’s Favorite Farmers’ Market contest.

Meditation hosted by the Divya Babaji Sushumna Kriya Yoga Foundation | Fridays at 10:30 AM | Walnut Creek Library | The meditation will be simple, effective, and designed for contemporary times to suit the needs of our community’s Holistic health – Physical, Mental, Emotional, Social health and Spiritual well-being. Meditation will take place seated in chairs and there will be time for questions after the session. No registration is required and beginners are always welcome.

Kids

Peek-A-Book Storytime | Ygnacio Valley Library | Tuesdays at 10:15 AM | Peek-A-Book Storytime is a playful event for ages 0-2 at Ygnacio Valley Library in Walnut Creek, CA, featuring books, songs, and activities to enhance early literacy skills.

Baby Storytime | Walnut Creek Library | Tuesdays at 12 PM | The Walnut Creek Library hosts Baby Storytime. Parents and caregivers with babies aged 0-1 are invited to enjoy stories, songs, and interactive activities. No registration is required for this engaging and nurturing experience designed for the youngest attendees.

Family Storytime | Thursdays at 10:15 AM | Ygnacio Valley Library

Toddler Storytime & Play | Thursdays at 10:15 AM | Walnut Creek Library | Join us for songs, stories, and movement! Stay after the stories to play! Most appropriate for ages 0-3, but all ages are welcome.

👉 CLICK TO SEE OUR FULL CALENDAR 👈

LIVE MUSIC & DANCE

Salsa Tuesdays | Tuesdays at 6 PM | Retro Junkie | Join Salsa Tuesdays at Retro Junkie for $10, featuring salsa lessons, DJ, and open dancing. Watch Video

Line Dancing Lessons | Tuesday, Thursday - Saturday at 8 PM | Bourbon Highway | Watch Video

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