Walnut Creek Passes Measures U and T and Opens FY27 Housing Funding

Voters and municipal leaders in Walnut Creek and neighboring Pleasant Hill are advancing transit-oriented housing, administrative modernization, and seasonal community celebrations. In Tuesday's election, Walnut Creek voters approved both Measure U and Measure T by wide margins, while two new councilmembers prepared to take office without opposition.

Measure U captured 71% voter approval, authorizing the rezoning of a 2.4-acre property near the Walnut Creek BART station to allow higher-density mixed-use residential and senior housing development. Measure T passed with approximately 60% support, transitioning the position of Walnut Creek city treasurer from an elected office to an official appointed by the city manager by 2030. In the City Council race, candidates Brendan Moran and Cherise Marie Khaund ran unopposed to claim the two open seats on the dais.

Complementing the ballot results, the City of Walnut Creek launched its Fiscal Year 2027 Affordable Housing Development Request for Proposals, accepting applications from October 30, 2026 through December 14, 2026 at 5 p.m. The solicitation introduces two distinct financing tracks for housing builders: Affordable Housing Development Loans providing gap financing for capital requests exceeding $100,000, and the new two-year pilot Affordable Development Accelerator Program running from January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2028, which awards grants of up to $100,000 to offset early predevelopment expenses and municipal entitlement fees.

Just north along the Interstate 680 corridor, the City of Pleasant Hill and downtown merchants announced the free annual Light Up the Night holiday festival scheduled for Saturday, November 21, 2026 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. in downtown Pleasant Hill. The evening gathering will feature an official tree lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. near Jack's, a Holiday Arts & Crafts Fair, complimentary hot chocolate and coffee, live musical performances, dancers, holiday caroling, trackless train rides, and visits with Santa.