City officials are making plans for an 82-townhome development, assuming everyone agrees.
They don't.
The biggest reason is that the proposed development is on property that the Toll Brothers Developer does not own, which is why citizens are taking it personally. If constructed, it will eliminate the tennis courts owned by ClubSports.
Dozens of citizens reject the proposal.
Toll Brothers slide show presentation at the Sept. 16 San Ramon Planning Commission meeting. (Photo: OpGov.ai)
"The fallout of this development greatly outweighs the benefits to the community," Noah Hausmann protests in a written statement before the Sept. 16 San Ramon Planning Commission study session.
The more than 2-hour discussion over the proposed 82-unit townhome complex on Ballinger Canyon Lane, led by Toll Brothers Land Acquisition Analyst Robert Connolly, left the sea of citizens in the audience uninformed rather than educated.
Toll Brothers Land Acquisition Analyst Robert Connolly (Photo: OpGov.ai)
Nearly two dozen citizens took to the podium, presenting their cases and addressing concerns about traffic safety, environmental impact, quality of life, and other issues. Not to mention the loss of highly-used resident tennis courts.
"You have to get in right away," Susie Ferris-Inderkum, a four-decade-long resident, said after the meeting. Ferris-Inderkum said that is the only way to fight against unwanted development.
That is precisely what Siena Hills Neighborhood did when having the Homeowners Association (HOA) hire Legal Counsel Ariel Straus to represent their appeal against the development.
The Greenfire Law, PC attorney advised Toll Brothers, "This declaration provides access to select lots based on an allocation of maintenance costs, but does not grant easement to Parcel P and O, which now have tennis courts and have otherwise been open space since before the lots and parcels were subdivided 40 years ago."
Forty is significant to Noah Hausmann, one of many write-in protesters, and a Sienna Hills HOA board member. The 40-year-long resident told officials he was "sad" to have to pen the protest, as townhomes are the "last thing our city needs."
Ferris-Inderkum recalls when Hausmann came to her upon hearing about the development.
"He called me in an absolute panic," Ferris-Inderkum said, assuring Hausmann not to worry. "Until they submit something to the city, it's just theoretical, and I don't know that I would get too horribly upset about it."
She did advise Hausmann to be proactive, suggesting he "start to formulate a support group there at Siena Hills HOA and see what is involved."
Hausmann did just that. Only to find it was exactly what he feared, as stated in his written protest, pointing to many development defects, including sun exposure, which "will be reduced significantly from the towering structures, causing surrounding neighborhoods to be in complete darkness for many more hours a day."
Resident Mihaela Dimitrova also shared a quality of life in her written public comment.
"For decades, Siena Hills has been a small, nature-friendly, and safe community—one that made us make great sacrifices to be a part of," Dimitrova wrote. "This development threatens to dismantle the very qualities that make our neighborhood livable."
Toll Brothers' plans will "irreversibly" destroy natural habitats and biodiversity, according to Dimitrova, citing concerns for local foxes, snakes, coyotes, deer, and rabbits.
Aerial view of proposed 82-unit townhome complex (Photo: OpGov.ai)
Traffic is yet another concern, according to Dimitrova, who notes that Canyon Lakes Drive and Bollinger Canyon Lane are already "overwhelmed" during peak traffic hours." The resident estimates that 82 new units will result in an additional 160 vehicles, further clogging already congested intersections.
The written public comments are in addition to the more than 20 citizens who took to the podium.
Commissioner Max Zhang showed momentary concern for the public, specifically noting to the Toll Brothers representative, "It would be great for everyone to know that you're looking at the letters and paying attention."
However, Zhang's concern soon faded as he addressed the public.
"This doesn't have to be a done deal; it doesn't have to be like these projects will get built, these homes will be built, and all your concerns will be ignored," Zhang said. "I don't think it has to be like that."
Why does it have to happen at all?
That is what resident Cynthia Stevenson wants to know, along with a page full of other questions on everything from zoning ordinances to property value.
Resident Cynthia Stevenson's written public comment provided to San Ramon Planning Commission members. (Photo: OpGov.ai)
Ardell Zunino takes the project application personally, saying she feels as though she is reliving three years ago, when she and others formed Citizens Against Market Place Apartment Development (CAMPAD) to halt the destruction of existing structures needed to construct a 40-unit condominium complex.
The plan already shut down Nob Hill in 2022, with no consideration given to replacing the full-service grocery store within the surrounding community.
Ardell and Ferris-Inderkum remain in a legal battle regarding the development as they begin what may be another.
"They say to you we will hear you, let's have this meeting, then they set our hands tied," Zunino said of her experience with city officials.
Linda Burgest's opposition cites "San Ramon's zoning ordinance, including Ramon's limit, overlay zones, and recent objective design standards adopted in 2024."
"This project raises multiple concerns that I urge you to consider seriously," Burgest said.
Legalities were seemingly secondary to Connolly, who showed colorful slides of proposed stucco-covered farmhouse designs he called "timeless aesthetic," that complemented both rural suburban designs while meeting modern expectations.
Commissioner Betty Avila asked Connelly if there had been any conversations with neighboring HOAs or the community, and if not, when he would initiate such discussions.
He said there has been, but the legal complaint disagrees.
Legal complaint filed against a Toll Brothers application. (Photo: OpGov.ai)
Among thirteen points of contention, one is "a lack of mailing list or proof of "mailing showing that residents within a 300-foot radius have been notified of the application."
After touting Toll Brothers' stock prices and statistics in a slide, Connolly said his team wants to work "collaboratively with the city, HOA, and interested parties" throughout the application process, noting that the HOA's legal complaint is under review by Toll Brothers' legal team.
Toll Brother success slide presented to San Ramon Planning Commision members. (Photo: OpGov.ai).
Going forward, Commissioner Gary Albert inquired about what happens after the 30-day review process, showing more interest in the future of the application than in the obvious appeal before him.
Connolly stated that the plans will undergo an architectural board review in the future and will also offer another public hearing.
While officials plan dates for further hearings, Hausmann, Ferris-Inderkum, Zunino, and dozens more will continue to collaborate on how to stop a very unwelcome development.
"They said the meeting was so they could hear from us, but instead of listening, their response was 'we're so impressed, it's the largest we have seen,'" Zunino said. "Then they turn around and say our hands our tied."
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