Residents raise open-space deed, senior village and restaurant patio concerns during public-comment period

Several residents used the public-communications portion of the March 18 Walnut Creek City Council meeting to raise local concerns.

MD Rose of Rossmore said a deed recently recorded "changes and clouds the open space boundaries in Rossmore" and asked the city to require a public hearing before any changes are finalized. Rose said the deed was recorded without a public hearing or Brown Act notice and referenced an application involving a proposed pickleball project that she said could affect open space and senior interests. Rose said she would deliver the deed packet to staff and asked for city attention.

Ellen Osmundson and Keith Firing spoke about a grassroots nonprofit for seniors that had changed its name to Mount Diablo Village to avoid confusion with another project. Osmundson described the organization as a volunteer-supported nonprofit focused on socialization, learning and services to help older residents remain in the community; she said the group is nearing launch and invited the council to learn more.

Jack Dudum, owner of 1515 North Main Street, asked the council for help after receiving a city letter requiring an annual $3,600 payment for use of a restaurant patio that Dudum said had operated for years under a prior 10‑year lease. Dudum told council the patio was essential to customers reaching his front door and recounted significant private investments to maintain and upgrade the patio; he said he received no prior warning about the new charge and asked staff to work with him.

Mayor Darling and staff acknowledged the public comments and said staff would follow up with residents and business owners on the issues raised.