Livermore council re-adopts Eden Housing agreement, excluding Veterans Park, over opponents' objections

The Livermore City Council on July 28 voted 4–1 to ratify, reaffirm and readopt the 2022 amended and restated disposition, development and loan agreement (DDLA) with Eden Housing for a 130-unit, 100% affordable housing project in downtown Livermore, excluding any provisions related to construction of Veterans Park.

City staff told the council that the appellate court’s March 2024 decision made the park component a legislative act subject to referendum while the housing provisions were administrative and therefore separable. Shannon Pagan, assistant planner, said the agreement’s readoption would allow Eden Housing to secure final construction financing and move the project toward construction after years of litigation and delay.

Supporters urged the council to approve the administrative housing elements now. Vasco Yorgov, speaking for Eden Housing, said the project has endured years of delay and lost a tax-credit award and noted “6,700 applications for 72 units” at a recent Alameda County open enrollment, underscoring local demand. Nathan Tran of Innovation TriValley urged the council to act for the workforce: “By adding 130 units of high quality, low cost housing, the downtown Livermore apartments will transform the lives of numerous Tri Valley families.” The Livermore Valley Chamber of Commerce also recommended approval.

Opponents urged delay until pending court proceedings conclude and argued the referendum and petition signatures showed local opposition. Tom Ramos and other callers said the community preferred more open shopping space downtown and urged the council to respect the petition process. Carol Silva noted a letter from Move Eden Housing’s attorneys submitted the same day, arguing readoption was premature and that separating park and housing components could leave the promised open space unprotected.

Council debate centered on whether action would undermine the referendum process or was legally permissible under the court’s separation of legislative and administrative acts. Council member Barrientos said the council should “table this until after this court decides” and expressed concern about timing. Several other council members supported moving forward, arguing further delay increased costs and harmed people in need of housing.

Vice Mayor Branning moved and Council member Wong seconded the staff recommendation. The motion carried 4–1 with Council member Barrientos voting no. The council directed staff to file the required California Environmental Quality Act notices consistent with the readopted agreement.

The resolution readopted the DDLA as it stood in 2022, excluding provisions related to Veterans Park; staff said approval would let Eden Housing resume efforts to secure construction financing and proceed toward permitting and construction.

Next steps: staff will file the environmental determination and continue coordination with Eden Housing to finalize financing and permitting. The council’s action does not reinstate the park component, which remains treated separately under the court’s ruling.