Contra Costa Supervisors Begin Discussion on District Changes

In a couple months, the boundaries for the Contra Costa County supervisorial districts could look a lot different.

Among the possible changes are a new supervisor for the San Ramon Valley, one or two supervisors instead of three covering Walnut Creek, and a district that could stretch from Hercules to Antioch.

The supervisors will have their first public discussion of these plans when they study four proposed maps at their Tuesday meeting.

The redistricting hearing is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. in the county administration building, 651 Pine St. in Martinez.

The changes are necessary because of shifting and growing population figures revealed in the 2010 census.

County planners say Contra Costa County has 1,049,205 residents, a 10 percent increase from 2000. Each supervisorial district now needs to have about 210,000 people.

The population growth in the San Ramon Valley and east Contra Costa County are forcing supervisors to redraw their districts to meet the 210,000 goal.

Earlier this year, supervisors asked county planners to come up with a plan that would not split any cities between supervisorial districts. They were particularly concerned about Walnut Creek, which is represented by three supervisors.

None of the four proposed maps accomplishes this goal, so supervisors may tinker with the plans.

"It's early in the process, so everyone is still looking at the maps," said Supervisor Mary Piepho. "Things could very well look very different when this is done."

Piepho's district is likely due for some big changes.

She represents the southern half of Walnut Creek, all of San Ramon Valley and the far reaches of eastern Contra Costa County.

One map proposal removes Walnut Creek and Alamo from her district. Others take away Danville and San Ramon while another takes away all of the San Ramon Valley and Walnut Creek and adds Oakley to her east county duties.

Piepho isn't enthusiastic about that final option. She grew up in Walnut Creek, worked for years in the San Ramon Valley and lives in Discovery Bay.

"They're all my home bases," she said.

Supervisor Gayle Uilkema also may see significant changes in her district. She represents the Lafayette, Moraga and Orinda areas as well as parts of Walnut Creek, Martinez and northwest Contra Costa County.

One map has few changes, but the others take away the northwest county and add Danville and San Ramon. 

Uilkema said the supervisors need to decide what districts are best for geographic reasons as well as community cohesion. She said the Lamorinda area, for example, should stay intact as should the San Ramon Valley.

"Some of the maps present a whole new concept," she said.

Supervisor Karen Mitchoff represents Clayton, Concord, Pleasant Hill and part of Walnut Creek. The map alternatives include removing Walnut Creek and Clayton and adding part of Martinez and Alamo.

Supervisor Federal Glover represents Antioch, Pittsburg, Bay Point and Oakley. The alternatives for his district include taking away Oakley and adding part of Martinez as well as stretching his district from Antioch to Hercules.

The one district not recommended for much change belongs to Supervisor John Gioia. He represents Richmond, San Pablo, El Cerrito and Pinole. The four maps simply tinker around the edges of his district.

The supervisors are scheduled to hold a public hearing on the plans next week and host three public workshops in each of the five districts between May 16 and May 26.

They are expected to approve the new supervisorial districts in June.