San Ramon's CityWalk Master Plan Approved By Planning Commission

SAN RAMON, CA — The CityWalk master plan will advance to the San Ramon City Council after the Planning Commission signed off on the plan Tuesday.

The commission both approved the plan and the environmental impact report, a necessary step to advancing a construction project.

The plan, created by Bishop Ranch Business Park owner Sunset Development, would guide development on the 130-acre Bishop Ranch properties for the 25 to 27 years.

The plan includes:

• 4,500 housing units, including about 675 affordable units
• 169-room hotel
• 166,000 square feet of commercial space
• three parking structures
• a park and public spaces

The Annabel and Cecilia lakes would remain open for public use.

At Tuesday's meeting, residents reiterated concerns about traffic and a potential lack of public transportation options and parks given the density that could be in the area. Some also felt the commission should pump the breaks on approving the plan and allow community members more time to chew on the plan and share their opinions.

Commissioner Rick Marks said the commission spent almost eight months reviewing the project and he was comfortable with advancing it.

Commissioner Howard Frank said he felt planners were responsive to resident concerns, but he was concerned about the lack of park space, which falls short of what is required by the city's general plan.

The city is charging Sunset Development a fee in lieu of meeting the park space requirement and Frank noted he was hopeful that public amenities at the lakes could add to the open space-feel of the area.

Sunset Development Senior Vice President of Development Jerry Engen agreed that the city had done a comprehensive review of the project, including traffic concerns.

"I feel very confident that the city has done a very thorough job and has not rushed this analysis," he said.

Watch the meeting here.