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San Ramon's City Council is considering a General Plan amendment to accommodate a 48-unit townhome project. Located on Ryan Industrial Court, the Acre development is a 3-acre site currently occupied by two office buildings.

"We resolved a lot of details, issues…the parking issue was one of the larger ones and I think we're there. The site has a lot of amenities, a lot of positives to it. Is an infill development," said Tom Schulz, of Acre Investment Company. "I think this project could be a catalyst for potential development in the area."

Acre is requesting a General Plan amendment and rezone that would change the existing site designation from mixed use to multiple family high density, or 14 to 30 units per acre. According to a staff report by Planner Lauren Barr, the site's location on a cul-de-sac with only one access point makes commercial use difficult.

"While the current mixed use designation allows for the construction of residential units as part of a mixed use project, it was also envisioned that the entire Ryan Industrial Court cul -de -sac would be comprehensively redeveloped," the report stated. "The…amendment will allow for residential development to the rear of the cul- de -sac and retain the existing commercial uses and future mixed use development potential on the lower parcels."


The property backs to other residential projects and is bordered by Home Depot and Staples to the west. Although the city encourages such "infill" development to, Mayor Bill Clarkson expressed concern access to public transit, pedestrian safety and creating a safe environment for children.

"This project seems like a residential neighborhood that will be isolated because the only way into and out of it is through commercial access," he said, adding an eight-degree slope in the development would make it difficult for children to play. "I'm kind of concerned that this is a square peg in a round hole."

Councilmember Jim Livingstone worried that residents of the three-bedroom, two-car garage condos would use their garages as storage and resort to street parking. There is no driveway to park in, he noted.

Barr said developers exceeded the minimum requirement for quest parking by eight spaces and proposed various controls to make sure residents use garages for the intended purpose. Such enforcement would be the burden of the homeowners' association.

Councilmember Scott Perkins asked planners to gather information on comparable infill projects in the area to determine whether they "create problems or solutions."

As a solution to offset the additional cost of providing city services, Barr suggested creating a community facilities district that could be used as a tool for future developments. The district could charge $495 per unit assessment.

A second public hearing on the project is scheduled for 7 p.m. March 12 at the council chambers (2222 Camino Ramon). A total of four public hearings must be held to address concerns and the city's Planning Commission must approve the final development application following the City Council's decision.

"We need to ask are we really creating a family friendly environment," Clarkson added.

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