Resident asks council to secure pedestrian easement on Campana parcel; city staff says easement would be recorded at sale

David Clark, a Lafayette resident, used public comment at the March 10 council meeting to follow up on a suggestion to secure a pedestrian easement across the northern portion of the Campana parcel to preserve future access to Lafayette Plaza.

“I’m not sure what the next step is … If it does, can we get it on the agenda?” Clark asked, urging the city to consider recording an easement so that access would be preserved if the property is sold.

A city staff member responded that the city cannot place an easement on its own property now but could require an easement to be recorded as part of a conveyance if the city decides to sell the parcel. Clark and another commenter noted that the Contra Costa County Flood Control District already holds an easement on the property, and suggested the city could “superimpose” a pedestrian easement on top of that county easement to preserve access and then adjust its location later if needed.

Council discussion noted potential grant conditions and downtown creek-plan elements that might interact with future negotiations. Clark asked council to keep creek-plan proposals and possible grant conditions in mind as negotiations proceed.

Why it matters: securing an easement now or as a condition of sale could preserve future pedestrian connections downtown; the presence of an existing county flood-control easement affects options and timing.

What happened next: Council did not take immediate action. Staff indicated easement language and a legal description are being prepared; councilors asked staff to remember these public comments if and when a sale is considered.