(SAN RAMON) — Residents here face the nation’s highest developer appeal.
On tomorrow night’s agenda, Community Development Director Lauren Barr will present the city’s new appeal fee structure to the public who began their objections in March.
Tomorrow night, Mayor Mark Armstrong and the San Ramon City Council will once again ignore Jim Blickenstaff, a former councilmember, and other citizens who oppose the rise in fees that accompany the removal of Measure G, a law that protects open space.
In March, Blickenstaff expressed shock at the proposed $4500 fee for residents to appeal a Planning Commission decision to the City Council, noting it was significantly higher than in the past ($2500) and vastly more than Danville's $311 fee.
OpGov.ai Publisher Chirag Kathrani Nextdoor Post that acquired 25 comments
A month later in April, OpGov.ai captured Blickenstaff again.
Blickenstaff “argued that high appeal fees (around $4500) are prohibitive for ordinary citizens, creating an inequitable system,” and “suggested a two-tier system with lower fees for citizens and higher for developers.”
The former elected official also proposed refunding fees if a citizen's appeal is successful.
Gary Chaban argued the same, stating high appeal fees amount to “double taxation” for residents and urged the council to consider a more affordable appeal process for citizens. Resident Brian Swanson agreed, with the platform reporting Swanson argued the higher fees, “favor developers, burden taxpayers, and are based on flawed methodology.”
In May, Blickenstaff went back to the podium and criticized the inaction on reducing high appeal fees of $4,500.
Carolyn Wetmore also disagree with the proposed fees. Expressing “alarm at the steep increase from $2K in 2023, to $4.5 K now. Wetmore compared the fees with Danville, which are only $311 and appeal, or like Pleasanton's tiered system.
As far as Wetmore is concerned, “the optics look and sound very bad,” and questioned if the intent is to silence citizens when it comes to future development.
Residents also voiced opposition on Nextdoor.
Nextdoor post on appeal fees with obvious resident concerns in comments
Another topic on the agenda is City Attorney's Performance Bonus.
Of all nights, the San Ramon Council will also approve a 2.5% performance bonus for the city attorney who helped lead the removal of Measure G. As of tomorrow night, Martin Lyons will make $319,752 annually, paid for by the residents.
What is happening in San Ramon is surreal. That is a fact. The more citizens cry out to those whom they elected for help, the more they are ignored.
OpGov.ai is making every effort to counter hidden ordinances that raise city attorney salaries, while also educating citizens about Measure G. Citizens must understand what is happening right before their eyes, before it is too late.
If you would like to add to this report, please contact me at reporterangelunderwood@gmail.com.
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