City Council Special Meeting 4/7/2026

The City of San Ramon's City Council held a special meeting on April 7, 2026, primarily to conduct a public hearing on the appeal of the Planning Commission's approval of the Orchards Development Project, a large-scale mixed-use development spanning approximately 92 acres. The meeting included detailed presentations from city staff, environmental consultants, the appellant, and the project applicant, focusing on land use consistency, environmental review under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines, and project specifics including affordable housing commitments and phased development plans. The appellant challenged the adequacy of the environmental review, particularly the Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) analysis and the use of CEQA Section 15183 streamlining provisions, arguing that the long-term master plan and associated waivers required more detailed and current environmental analysis. The city staff and applicant responded by affirming the project's consistency with the General Plan 2040, the phased approach to environmental review, and the inclusion of affordable housing exceeding city requirements. Public comments reflected a range of views on environmental impacts, traffic concerns, and housing needs. After deliberation, the City Council voted 5-0 to deny the appeal and approve the Orchards Development Project, including multiple related applications and conditions of approval. This decision supports the city's housing goals and ongoing development plans while addressing environmental and community concerns through phased reviews and mitigation measures.