San Ramon for Open Government Files Suit

For Immediate Release
January 22, 2008
Contact: Jim Gibbon (925) 828-8563
San Ramon for Open Government Email Contact Information

San Ramon CA. - San Ramon for Open Government, a group of San Ramon residents, filed a lawsuit today to prevent the San Ramon City Center Mixed Use Project from moving forward. Spokesman Jim Gibbon warns that the project could create a traffic tsunami and cost taxpayers million of dollars. The lawsuit was filed challenging the adequacy of the Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) and for violating the voter approved San Ramon General Plan.

On November 6, 2007 the project was approved by the Planning Commission and the SEIR was certified. Subsequently, two appeals to the project were filed, including one by Gibbon representing San Ramon for Open Government. On December 11, 2007 the appeals were heard by the city council and denied, the SEIR was re-certified and the project approved.

Gibbon says the City Council is attempting to change the intent of the voter approved 2020 General Plan. It specifically states the City Center is to be primarily ‘a cohesive mix of civic, compatible retail, and open space uses with an arts and entertainment focus. Intended as a vital core for San Ramon, the City Center will be a people place first and include a performing arts center, library, and small scale retail establishments, such as restaurants and cafes, bookstores, gift shops, etc.’ “What this council created is a massive urbanized commercial center with high rise office buildings, no cultural venues and no open space in blatant disregard to the voter approved General Plan,” states Gibbon. Gibbon added that the project is primarily structured to economically accommodate the Sunset Development Company.

According to the SEIR, the project will also generate a minimum of 30,000 additional vehicle trips a day, creating an unacceptable increase in traffic density along already congested Bollinger Canyon Road, Norris Canyon Road and Alcosta Boulevard. Many residents expressed concern that Bollinger Canyon Road will become a traffic morass of unparalleled proportions, with commuters spilling into residential neighborhoods in search of routes around Bollinger Canyon Road.

Other unavoidable environmental impacts generated by this project according to the lawsuit are a significant degradation in air quality, increased noise impacts and the glare generated by illuminating the City Center at night.

Gibbon believes the City Council is ignoring the wishes of San Ramon residents by revising the voter approved General Plan and moving forward with this project. Consequently, he is not ruling out a referendum on the project in an effort to allow San Ramon voters to make the final decision on the project. “The City Center Mixed Use Development is the biggest issue facing San Ramon since incorporation of the city. Why shouldn’t they have an opportunity to vote on the project?” says Gibbon.

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