Summary Minutes for May 14, 2026, Meeting:
- All Members present; Staff: Dominique Vogelpohl
- The meeting was called to order at 2:36 PM.
- No public comments.
- Acceptance of Summary Minutes for February 12, 2026, Meeting: Anthony Geisler moved to accept
the minutes; David Yuers seconded. The minutes were accepted: all Ayes, 0 Nays.
- Discussion Items:
• Reporting to the Transportation, Water & Infrastructure Committee (TWIC)
o HLAC staff informed the HLAC that the Department of Conservation and Development is preparing
to present at an upcoming TWIC meeting before the end of the year.
o HLAC staff will inform the HLAC the specific date it will be scheduled.
o HLAC discussed the topics TWIC wanted investigated: lawsuits, potential impacts to property values
and property rights.
o No public comment.
• Status of the Contra Costa County 2045 General Plan
o HLAC staff informed the HLAC that Envision 2040 is preparing to have the Board accept their
proposal on how to address/satisfy each action item in the new General Plan known as the General
Plan’s Action Program.
o Once this proposal is accepted by the Board County staff will have specific direction on how to
address/satisfy each action item, including those within the new Conservation, Open Space, and
Working Lands Element.
o HLAC staff will keep the HLAC informed of the progress of the Action Program.
o No public comment.
• Delta National Heritage Area (NHA) Management Plan Update - Carol Jensen
o HLAC Chair, Carol Jensen, is a member of the NHA Advisory Committee.
o NHA webpage: Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area - Delta Protection Commission
(ca.gov)
o This Discussion item provides Chair Carol Jensen the opportunity to share the current progress of this
with the HLAC.
o Carol Jensen shared with the HLAC the advancements in water tourism in the east county.
o No public comment.
• Properties of Interest to the HLAC:
o Staff provided the following updates:
- TUGS restaurant – 6201 Bethel Island Road, Bethel Island
o A Land Use Permit and Development combination is currently being processed to renovate the
exterior and interior to reopen as a bar.
- Byron Hot Springs – 5400 Byron Hot Springs Road, Byron
o The structural reinforcement project is currently under construction. The last inspection scheduled was
in April for the foundation.
- Eugene A. Bridgford house – 4090 Gateway Road, Bethel Island
o A building permit application was submitted on August 20th to demolish the Bridgford house. It is
currently under review with the Planning Department.
o Carol Jensen spoke with the project representatives about trying to purchase the building. She
discussed the possibility of seeking assistance from the John Muir Trust, and she wanted to know the
appeal process of a building permit application.
- No Permit Activity:
o Nail Ranch – 3890 and 3900 Sellers Avenue, Brentwood
o Diablo Country Club – 1700 Club House Road, Diablo
