Measure U: City of Walnut Creek Senior Housing

In plain language

Measure U would change city planning rules in Walnut Creek. It covers a 2.4 acre site at North California Boulevard and Ygnacio Valley Road. A YES vote changes the site's zoning from office use to a new mixed-use district. It would allow only senior housing (mainly for people 55 and older). It would also allow commercial uses that fit with senior housing. A NO vote keeps the site zoned for office use.

Impartial analysis

CITY OF WALNUT CREEK MEASURE U CITY ATTORNEY’S IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS Measure U was placed on the ballot through a voter -sponsored petition signed by the requisite number of Walnut Creek voters. It proposes to amend the city’s General Plan, North Downtown Speci�ic Plan (NDSP), and the zoning ordinance/zoning map to establish a new “Mixed Use – Residential Senior & Commercial” (MU-RSC) zoning district and to speci�ically rezone a 2.4 -acre parcel at the northeast corner of North California Boulevard and Ygnacio Valley Road across from the Walnut Creek BART station to MU-RSC. The MU-RSC district would change the site’s current use from of�ice to mixed-use residential, consisting primarily of senior housing serving primarily persons 55 years or older , residential care and congregate living facilities, supportive and accessory housing required by state law, and compatible commercial retail uses. Future projects in MU-RSC district may, but are not required to, develop any or all of these uses, with required senior housing. The Measure does not propose a speci�ic project in the MU-RSC, but sets a base density at 1 unit per 425 square feet of net lot area and increases the maximum �loor area ratio for commercial uses to 0.6 from the current 0.3. The city’s inclusionary ordinance would require future senior residential projects to develop affordable units or pay an in -lieu fee. These inclusionary units can be used to qualify the project for additional density and incentives/concessions. Future senior housing will likely qualify for a density bonus pursuant to Government Code section 65915, which grants a default 20 percent bonus. If density -bonus eligible, the project can also request waivers of applicable city development and design standards, including reducing setbacks and exceeding Measure A height limit applicable to the 2.4-acre property. A future project may be subject to California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA ”) review or may qualify for a CEQA exemption. Absent voter approval or city approval of the landowner’s application, the city cannot substantively amend the MU-RSC or reduce its development capacities as they apply to 2.4-acre site. While the MU- RSC only includes the 2.4-acre site currently, other Walnut Creek properties could be rezoned to this zoning designation to utilize its development allowances, if approved by the city council. A “Yes” vote is a vote to approve Measure U and its proposed amendments. A “No” vote is a vote against Measure U and the proposed amendments. Measure U will be approved if it receives a simple majority of “Yes” votes. If approved, Measure U would take effect on the earliest date legally possible. If the city has already made the maximum four general plan amendments allowed in a calendar year under state law, Measure U’s General Plan amendments would take effect on January 1 of the next year and its other amendments will take effect subject to this effective date as applicable. The above statement is an impartial analysis of Measure U. If you desire a copy of Measure U, please contact the city clerk at [phone number omitted] or cityclerk@walnutcreekca.gov and a copy will be mailed at no cost to you. DATED: August 19, 2026 /s/ Steve Mattas Steve Mattas, City Attorney

Official ballot arguments

Filed for the official voter guide by each side, printed as submitted.

The official arguments will appear here once both sides’ arguments are on file.