General Plan and Housing Element Update

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December 15, 2023 Update:

City Council Certifies the Environmental Impact Report and Adopts the San Ramon General Plan 2040 Project

On December 12, 2023, the City Council adopted two Resolutions and three Ordinances (effective 30 days after adoption) taking the following actions related to certifying the Environmental Impact Report and adopting the San Ramon General Plan 2040 Project. The adopted San Ramon General Plan 2040 documents are included in the following Resolution and Ordinance Exhibits:

Resolution No. 2023-132 (with Exhibits): Adopting CEQA Findings and a Statement of Overriding Considerations, and certify the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the San Ramon General Plan 2040 Project and related applications and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
- San Ramon 2040 General Plan Final Environmental Impact Report
Resolution No. 2023-133 (with Exhibits): Approving the San Ramon General Plan 2040 Project, including approval of a General Plan Amendment (GPA 2023-0002); Rezone (RZ 2023-0002); Prezone (PZ 2023-0001); Specific Plan Amendment (SP 2023-0001); Environmental Review (ENVR 2023-0003)
Ordinance No. 522 (with Exhibits): Repealing the North Camino Ramon Specific Plan development standards and zoning regulations for the Plan Area and amended the Zoning Map and Zoning Ordinance implementing the San Ramon General Plan 2040 Project
Ordinance No. 523 (with Exhibits): Amending the San Ramon Village Specific Plan development standards and zoning regulations for the Plan Area implementing the San Ramon General Plan 2040 Project
Ordinance No. 524 (with Exhibits): Amending the Zoning Map related to an approximate 0.13+ acre area within the Deerwood Road Unincorporated Island

Work continues on the Climate Action Plan (CAP) Update, which will be reviewed at future public meetings.

December 8, 2023 Update:

General Plan 2040 Update – December 12, 2023 City Council Adoption Hearing

The City Council will consider the following items at the City Council meeting on December 12, 2023 commencing at 7:00 PM in the City Hall Council Chamber located at 7000 Bollinger Canyon Road:

Certification of the San Ramon General Plan 2040 Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR)
Final adoption of the San Ramon General Plan 2040 Update
Final adoption of three (3) Ordinances (Rezone 2023-0002; Prezone 2023-0001; and Specific Plan Amendment 2023-0001)

The full meeting agenda will be available online at least 72 hours prior to the meeting at www.sanramon.ca.gov/meeting under the City Council, December 12, 2023 event date.

November 17, 2023 Update:

General Plan 2040 Update – November 28, 2023 City Council Public Hearing

The City Council will hold a Public Hearing on November 28, 2023 commencing at 7:00 PM in the City Hall Council Chamber located at 7000 Bollinger Canyon Road. This public hearing continues the public review process for the General Plan 2040 Update with a discussion to review and consider the San Ramon General Plan 2040 Update Project.

The full meeting agenda will be available online at least 72 hours prior to the meeting at www.sanramon.ca.gov/meeting under the November 28, 2023 event date. No decisions concerning the project will be made at this meeting.

October 3, 2023 Update:

General Plan 2040 Update – Revised Public Review - Draft Elements

The following General Plan 2040 Update Revised Public Review Draft Elements and Proposed Revised General Plan Land Use and Zoning Map Exhibits are now available:

September 22, 2023 Update:

General Plan 2040 Update – October 3, 2023 City Council and Planning Commission Joint Public Hearing

The City Council and Planning Commission will hold a Joint Public Hearing on October 3, 2023 commencing at 6:00 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers located at 7000 Bollinger Canyon Road. This joint public hearing continues the public review process for the General Plan 2040 Update with a discussion to review and consider the San Ramon General Plan 2040 Update Project.

The full meeting agenda with instructions to view or participate via teleconference or in person will be available online at least 72 hours prior to the meeting at www.sanramon.ca.gov/meeting under the October 3, 2023 event date. No decisions concerning the project will be made at this meeting.

August 30, 2023 Update:

General Plan 2040 Update – Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) Now Available / Notice of Availability of the DEIR / Notice of a Planning Commission Public Hearing on September 19, 2023 at 6:00PM

The City of San Ramon, as the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), has prepared a programmatic Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the San Ramon 2040 General Plan. The Draft EIR is now available for a 45-day public review and comment period from August 30, 2023 to October 16, 2023 at 12 PM. The Draft EIR document (with Appendices) is available to download at the following link:

San Ramon 2040 General Plan Draft Environmental Impact Report document with Appendices (Draft EIR)

Hard copies of the Draft EIR document can be viewed at:

City Hall, 7000 Bollinger Canyon Road, San Ramon, CA
San Ramon Library, 100 Montgomery Street, San Ramon, CA
Dougherty Station Library, 17017 Bollinger Canyon Road, San Ramon, CA

The City of San Ramon is soliciting comments from public agencies, organizations, and members of the public regarding the Draft EIR. In accordance with the time limits established by CEQA, the Draft EIR public review period will begin on August 30, 2023 and end on October 16, 2023 at 12 PM. Please provide your written/typed comments on the adequacy of the Draft EIR (including name, affiliation, telephone number, and contact information) to the address shown below by 12:00 p.m., Monday, October 16, 2023:

Ms. Cindy Yee, Senior Planner
7000 Bollinger Canyon Rd.
San Ramon, CA 94583
Phone: 925.973.2560 Email: planning@sanramon.ca.gov

During the 45-day public review and comment period, the Planning Commission will hold a Public Hearing on September 19, 2023, commencing at 6:00 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers located at 7000 Bollinger Canyon Road. This Public Hearing provides an additional opportunity for public comment on the Draft EIR. The full meeting agenda with instructions to view or participate via teleconference or in person will be available online at least 72 hours prior to the meeting at www.sanramon.ca.gov/meeting under the September 19, 2023 event date. No decisions concerning the project will be made at this meeting.

Additional details regarding the Notice of Availability, the September 19, 2023 Planning Commission Public Hearing Notice, and the Project Location Map are contained in the documents below:

July 20, 2023 Update:

General Plan 2040 Update – August 2023 Planning Commission Public Hearings

The Planning Commission will hold Public Hearings on August 1, 2023 and August 15, 2023 commencing at 6:00 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers located at 7000 Bollinger Canyon Road. These public hearings continue the public review process for the General Plan 2040 Update. The San Ramon General Plan 2040 Update includes the updates to the various elements: (1) Economic Development, (2) Growth Management, (3) Land Use, (4) Traffic and Circulation, (5) Parks and Recreation, (6) Public Facilities and Utilities, (7) Open Space and Conservation, (8) Safety, (9) Noise, (10) Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas. The Project also includes an update to the Climate Action Plan, amendments to the San Ramon Village Specific Plan, repeal of the North Camino Ramon Specific Plan, associated Municipal Code Zoning Ordinance amendments, and Zoning Map changes that will implement the General Plan.

The full meeting agenda with instructions to view or participate via teleconference or in person will be available online at least 72 hours prior to the meeting at www.sanramon.ca.gov/meeting under the August 1, 2023 and August 15, 2023 event dates. No decisions concerning the project will be made at these meetings.

June 14, 2023 Update:

General Plan 2040 Update – Public Review - Draft Elements

The City Council and Planning Commission have begun the public review process of the General Plan 2040 Update, which will continue into Summer 2023. The following public review Draft Elements and proposed General Plan Land Use and Zoning Map Exhibits are now available:

May 19, 2023 Update:

General Plan 2040 Update – Public Hearing Review Process

The City Council and Planning Commission will hold a Joint Public Hearing on May 30, 2023 commencing at 6:00 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers located at 7000 Bollinger Canyon Road. This public hearing will begin the public review process for the General Plan 2040 Update, which will continue into Summer 2023 with the Planning Commission and the City Council. The full meeting agenda with instructions to view or participate via teleconference or in person will be available online at least 72 hours prior to the meeting at www.sanramon.ca.gov/meeting under the May 30, 2023 event date. No decisions concerning the project will be made at this meeting.

The San Ramon General Plan 2040 Update includes the updates to the various elements: (1) Economic Development, (2) Growth Management, (3) Land Use, (4) Traffic and Circulation, (5) Parks and Recreation, (6) Public Facilities and Utilities, (7) Open Space and Conservation, (8) Safety, (9) Noise, (10) Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas. The Project also includes an update to the Climate Action Plan, amendments to the San Ramon Village Specific Plan, repeal of the North Camino Ramon Specific Plan, associated Municipal Code Zoning Ordinance amendments, and Zoning Map changes that will implement the General Plan.

February 27, 2023 Update:

HCD certifies the adopted 2023–2031 Housing Element

On February 27, 2023, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) found the City of San Ramon’s revised Adopted 2023–2031 Housing Element to be in substantial compliance with State Housing Element Law.

San Ramon is the first city in Contra Costa County and the Tri-Valley to receive certification.

The adopted 2023-2031 Housing Element is available below:

City Council Resolution No. 2023-017 (with Exhibits)

Work continues on the update to the remainder of the General Plan 2040 and Climate Action Plan, which will be reviewed at future meetings.

February 2, 2023 Update:

City Council Adopts the 2023–2031 Housing Element

At the City Council meeting on January 30, 2023, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2023-017 adopting a General Plan Amendment (GPA 2021-0001) to repeal the 2015-2023 Housing Element and adopt the Housing Element of the General Plan for the period of 2023-2031 in compliance with State Housing Element Law.

The adopted 2023-2031 Housing Element is available below:

City Council Resolution No. 2023-017 (with Exhibits)

Work continues on the update to the remainder of the General Plan 2040 and Climate Action Plan, which will be reviewed at future meetings. To receive Project updates, please subscribe on to the City’s project page at PlanSanRamon.com

January 19, 2023 Update:

Planning Commission Recommends City Council adoption of Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element

At the Planning Commission meeting on January 12, 2023, the Planning Commission approved Resolution No. 01-23 recommending City Council approval of General Plan Amendment 2021-0001, updating the Housing Element of the General Plan covering the planning period 2023-2031.

Planning Commission Resolution No. 01-23

Planning Commission Resolution No. 01-23 includes Exhibit 3, Errata Revisions to the City of San Ramon 2023-2031 Housing Element Update. Exhibit 3 includes revisions to the Draft since the release of the Draft to the public on December 21, 2022. In accordance with AB 215, the public is invited to provide public comments on the Draft Housing Element. Please email planning@sanramon.ca.gov or send written communication to the City of San Ramon Planning Services Division at 7000 Bollinger Canyon Road, San Ramon, CA 94583.

The City Council will be considering adoption of the Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element on Monday, January 30, 2023 at 6 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers located at 7000 Bollinger Canyon Road. Additional details regarding the public hearing can be found here on the notice.

The full meeting agenda with instructions to view or participate via teleconference or in person will be available online at least 72 hours prior to the meeting at www.sanramon.ca.gov/meeting under the January 30, 2023 event date.

December 21, 2022 Update:

Revised Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element Available for Public Review

On October 18, 2022, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) provided the City of San Ramon comments on the Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element along with a list of revisions necessary to comply with State Housing Element Law. In consultation with HCD, the City has prepared an update to the Draft Housing Element using “tracked changes” that show revisions to the document in underlined and/or highlighted yellow text. In accordance with AB 215, the Revised Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element (dated December 2022) is available for a 7-day public review period, from December 21, 2022 through December 27, 2022. The link to the Revised Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element is available below and on the PlanSanRamon.com website:

Revised Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element, dated December 2022

HCD Comment Letter on Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element, dated October 18, 2022

To provide comments on the Revised Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element, please email planning@sanramon.ca.gov or send written communication to the City of San Ramon Planning Services Division at 7000 Bollinger Canyon Road, San Ramon, CA 94583 during the 7-day public review period, from December 21, 2022 through December 27, 2022.

FAQ

In the State of California, every incorporated city has a General Plan: an outline of how the City wants to mature over time. Within the General Plan, every parcel of land within the city is designated for a specific type of land use.

Land Use is one of the required Elements that a city’s General Plan must include (the others are Housing, Circulation, Conservation, Open Space, Noise, Environmental Justice, and Safety). Additional Elements (i.e. Parks and Recreation and Air Quality) may also be included, depending upon local conditions.

Land use designations may include uses such as residential, park, open space, commercial, non-residential, and mixed use (a combination of two or more types). Zoning Ordinance regulations implement the General Plan land use designations and outline the development standards for each type of land use.

Changes to the General Plan are made through review and approval of a General Plan Amendment, including public hearings with the City Council, Planning Commission, and numerous Boards and Committees.

Unique to San Ramon, a local ballot initiative, Measure G, was approved by San Ramon voters in 1999, requires a super majority vote (4 out of 5 representatives) from both the San Ramon Planning Commission and the San Ramon City Council, and three (3) public hearings with each public body for any changes to the General Plan (General Plan Amendment).

The Planning Commission always votes first with a recommendation on any proposed General Plan Amendment, followed by a decision by the City Council.

A city’s General Plan must include a Housing Element that, unlike the other Elements, must be updated every 8 years for a new housing cycle. The Housing Element must demonstrate how a community can meet the housing needs of everyone in the community. The Housing Element includes an assessment of all existing housing, as well as the projected housing needs within the community, an analysis of adequate housing sites, and an analysis of potential constraints on housing development. It also establishes the community’s vision for local policies and programs to direct the way housing develops, consistent with State law.

Changes to the Housing Element are considered a General Plan Amendment because the Housing Element is part of the City’s General Plan (See How Are Changes to the General Plan Made?). State law also requires certification of an adopted Housing Element by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).

The Housing Element is prepared by City staff and adopted by a City’s legislative body (City Council) and is part of the local community’s General Plan. Additionally, State law requires certification of the adopted Housing Element by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).

The Regional Housing Needs Allocation, RHNA (often pronounced “REE-nah”), is a process that is repeated on an eight (8) year cycle when updating the Housing Element.

The State’s role, through the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), is to determine how many total housing units (by income category) each region (including the Bay Area) within the State will need in an 8-year housing cycle, based on population projections and job growth.

For the Bay Area, the regional planning agency, Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), creates a methodology for allocating the Bay Area’s total housing need (by income category) to each of the 101 cities and nine (9) counties within the Bay Area. State law requires all jurisdictions plan to meet the housing needs of everyone in the community.

The City of San Ramon’s role is to plan and program the City’s share of the RHNA through the update of the Housing Element in the General Plan.

The upcoming RHNA cycle is for the period from 2023 to 2031. To learn more about the RHNA process, watch the video below, visit the Ask City Hall - Housing in San Ramon page, view the February 19, 2021 City Update Housing Update Presentation, and view the February 23, 2021 Joint City Council / Planning Commission RHNA Update Presentation.

Changes to the General Plan and to the Housing Element are reviewed through the General Plan Amendment process, including public hearings with the Planning Commission and City Council. The primary opportunities for public input include public workshops and public hearings with various Committee/Boards, Commissions, and City Council meetings.

If the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) determines that a Housing Element fails to substantially comply with the State’s Housing Element Law, there are potentially serious consequences. When a jurisdiction’s Housing Element is found to be out of compliance, a jurisdiction may be sued by the California Office of the Attorney General. A court may impose requirements for land use decisions until the jurisdiction brings its Housing Element into compliance with State law.

A Housing Element is considered out of compliance with State law if one of the following applies:

1. It has not been revised and updated by the statutory deadline, or

2. Its contents do not substantially comply with the statutory requirements. If a Housing Element is certified, there is a presumption that it is adequate, and a plaintiff must present an argument showing that it is in fact inadequate.

Over the years, California has steadily increased the penalties for not having a legally compliant Housing Element, and this trend is expected to continue.

Repercussions may include:

1. Limited access to State Funding. The Bay Area's Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) awards funds based on competitions that take into consideration the approval status of a community’s Housing Element.

2. Lawsuits. Developers and advocates may sue jurisdictions if their Housing Element is not compliant with State Law. Several potential consequences of being sued may include:

a. Mandatory compliance – The court may order the community to bring the Housing Element into compliance.

b. Suspension of local control on building matters – The court may suspend the locality's authority to issue building permits or grant zoning changes, variances or subdivision map approvals.

c. Court approval of housing developments – The court may step in and approve housing projects, including projects that may be opposed by the local community.

d. Fees – If a jurisdiction faces a court action stemming from its lack of compliance and either loses or settles the case, it often must pay substantial attorney fees to the plaintiff's attorneys in addition to the fees paid to its own attorneys. These fees can easily exceed $100,000.