(SAN RAMON) A year ago, San Ramon dismissed public input and passed a developer-friendly ordinance that the public calls "No Kings."
Following the General Plan Amendment and a voter referendum with 1300 signatures, the rezoning of the Downtown Mixed-Use-North was inspired by applicant Sunset Development Company.
Sunset, which only owned ~1% of the land was considered as a legitimate applicant, while 99% land owners were marked as various, and turned what was to be affordable housing into a $200 million deal for multiple land owners without naming them.
(Photo: Local San Ramon youth collecting signatures against Sunset Development Company project)
The deal would not be possible if San Ramon officials did not change the law. Rather than allow Sunset to face public scrutiny and challenges considered in the San Ramon Planning Commission and City Council settings, Sunset applied to amend the developer agreement, thereby granting a city zoning administrator sole authority to approve development projects.
It all came to light at the Planning Commission meeting on July 15, 2025.
Here is the ordinance language that essentially makes Zoning Administrator the sole authority.
Eric Wallace, a former Planning Commission member who campaigned for Measure G, strongly opposed the ordinance then and now. The summary below from the 2025 meeting reports Wallace's rejection, noting that "Wallace contended that this change would eliminate Planning Commission oversight, moving approvals to 'virtual secrecy' via Zoning Administrator meetings that are less accessible than Planning Commission hearings."
Wallace is right.
(Photo: Summary of Eric Wallace's comments at a 2025 San Ramon Planning Commission meeting)
Resident Brian Swanson shared the same concerns, noting "the need to maintain public process and integrity, despite cities' desires to retain authority versus state mandates." Swanson also called the move "foolhardy."
(Photo: Summary of Brian Swanson's comments at a 2025 San Ramon Planning Commission meeting)
A year later, it must be noted just how unique the ordinance is in that both the Planning Commission and City Council voted to reduce their power so Sunset Development Company could have more. The only power elected officials should subitt to is that of the public who voted for them, not a developer.
Here is how the vote happened in that meeting.
During this meeting one important point came to light. Planning commissioner Kanjula abstained making the planning commission approval invalid.
Of all things to note on the anniversary is that the vote lacked a supermajority as mandated by Measure G, a voter-approved law. And when it was all said and done, Council Member Robert Jweinat, a lawyer, admitted that passing the ordinance was not legal, as seen here. Needless to say, the year-old ordinance threatens San Ramon's open space, which is still something to mourn.
On Aug 12 when this Kings Ordinances moved to City Council for discussion. During this meeting 7 residents raised red flags and urged City Council to keep their and Planning Commission oversight.
During this Council meeting Council Member Jweinat, highlighted the public trust concerns and abstained in passing this ordinance.
The meeting ended at 12:21am most hard decisions in San Ramon come late in the night.
Final hearing on the ordinances was set on Sept 9th, 2025. What happened will be covered in next weeks article.
If you have further questions or comments, please drop them in the comments below.
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