March 19, 2023 | UPDATE ON THE MARKET PLACE PROJECT | REQUEST FOR YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT
As most of you know by now, the San Ramon City Council agreed to approve the Market Place Project Plan. Disappointing of course, but absolutely NOT the end of the road for our lawsuit.
The Council failed to uphold the basic duties of their positions: adhering to the city charter, enforcing the General Plan, city ordinances and ensuring the welfare and quality of life for all of their citizens.
THEY ARE ELECTED. AND THEY CAN BE REMOVED.
This fight is no longer just about the Market Place project, it is about the competency or incompetency of our city leadership to deal with the larger political issues of invalid and illegal state housing mandates, their own poorly written guidelines, insubordinate and deceptive staff members and unscrupulous developers.
The city has known for over two years that the Market Place housing project is an unnecessary and poorly conceived project, and that the vast majority of the residents are against the destruction of their local retail and service center. This project will do absolutely nothing to benefit our community.
This project will do absolutely nothing to benefit our community. And it will set a destructive precedent for the rest of the retail and service centers in the city of San Ramon.
Our attorneys are filing an amended complaint with the court. The amended complaint adds the latest legal violations that occurred during Tuesday’s meeting, including the improper waiver of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to the record.
Our group would like to ensure that city processes and policies are improved, and documents updated to close many of the gaps that currently exist and contributed to the mess with Market Place. We are hopeful that a judge may return the project to the initiation phase and possibly a redo. Otherwise, we see any delay or slowdown of the project, as a good thing. And perhaps even forcing TRC to reconsider the whole situation and have them decide to sell the property to a buyer who would come in and build a modern, smartly designed mixed-use complex that would truly benefit the whole community.
Responsible Growth San Ramon and Citizens Against the Market Place Apt/Condo Development (CAMPAD) are not finished fighting this nor are we backing down. We are soliciting donations from the community to help fund these new, BUT ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY, legal efforts. We hope we can count on your financial support.
THEY ARE ELECTED. AND THEY CAN BE REMOVED.
This fight is no longer just about the Market Place project, it is about the competency or incompetency of our city leadership to deal with the larger political issues of invalid and illegal state housing mandates, their own poorly written guidelines, insubordinate and deceptive staff members and unscrupulous developers.
The city has known for over two years that the Market Place housing project is an unnecessary and poorly conceived project, and that the vast majority of the residents are against the destruction of their local retail and service center. This project will do absolutely nothing to benefit our community.
This project will do absolutely nothing to benefit our community. And it will set a destructive precedent for the rest of the retail and service centers in the city of San Ramon.
Our attorneys are filing an amended complaint with the court. The amended complaint adds the latest legal violations that occurred during Tuesday’s meeting, including the improper waiver of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to the record.
Our group would like to ensure that city processes and policies are improved, and documents updated to close many of the gaps that currently exist and contributed to the mess with Market Place. We are hopeful that a judge may return the project to the initiation phase and possibly a redo. Otherwise, we see any delay or slowdown of the project, as a good thing. And perhaps even forcing TRC to reconsider the whole situation and have them decide to sell the property to a buyer who would come in and build a modern, smartly designed mixed-use complex that would truly benefit the whole community.
Responsible Growth San Ramon and Citizens Against the Market Place Apt/Condo Development (CAMPAD) are not finished fighting this nor are we backing down. We are soliciting donations from the community to help fund these new, BUT ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY, legal efforts. We hope we can count on your financial support.
Find out how you can donate to our legal fund by visiting our website:
Make a Donation - Responsible Growth San Ramon
Make a Donation - Responsible Growth San Ramon
March 11, 2023 | IMPORTANT WEEKEND UPDATE AND REMINDER FLYER FOR TUESDAY CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Dear Citizens Against the Market Place Area Development (CAMPAD) Member:
Attached are two important documents.:
1) A weekend update on the project approval process and
2) A flyer for the Tuesday March 14, 2023, City Council Meeting.
PLEASE PLAN TO ATTEND IN PERSON if at all possible!! 7 PM @ CITY HALL
We want the council members to see just who they are ignoring if they take staff’s recommendation and approve this horrible project.
You are welcome to add any public comments during the meeting. Just remember to fill out a speaker card and turn it into the city clerk.
Attached are two important documents.:
1) A weekend update on the project approval process and
2) A flyer for the Tuesday March 14, 2023, City Council Meeting.
PLEASE PLAN TO ATTEND IN PERSON if at all possible!! 7 PM @ CITY HALL
We want the council members to see just who they are ignoring if they take staff’s recommendation and approve this horrible project.
You are welcome to add any public comments during the meeting. Just remember to fill out a speaker card and turn it into the city clerk.
Thank you for your continued support in our fight against City Hall
March 2, 2023 | URGENT EMAIL ACTION PLAN
The City Council is scheduled to hear our appeal
during the Regular City Council Meeting
on March 14, 2023 @ 7PM in City Hall
YOUR HELP IS NEEDED NOW: Per our attorneys, in addition to the legal record they submitted, the City Council can consider new evidence regarding the Market Place Project. The appeal record can be supplemented by you until the hearing itself. BEGINNING TODAY, CONCERNED RESIDENTS are asked to email their specific City Council Member and copy the City Clerk and the City Council. Letters or emails should be addressed as follows:
Subject: “Appeal of Planning Commission 130 Market Place Approval”
To: (one of the following)
[email protected] (Dist.1) [email protected] (Dist.2)
[email protected] (Dist.3) [email protected] (Dist.4)
CC: [email protected], [email protected],
Your email should ask your City Council Member NOT to approve the project. It should identify your specific objections and any known or perceived impacts to you, your family or your neighbors if the project is approved. When you complete your email, please respond to our Poll regarding this campaign.
If you do not know what district you live in or who your council member is, the following links can help.
City Council - City of San Ramon (ca.gov)
San Ramon City Council District Map (arcgis.com)
Thank you, as always for your continued support!
Subject: “Appeal of Planning Commission 130 Market Place Approval”
To: (one of the following)
[email protected] (Dist.1) [email protected] (Dist.2)
[email protected] (Dist.3) [email protected] (Dist.4)
CC: [email protected], [email protected],
Your email should ask your City Council Member NOT to approve the project. It should identify your specific objections and any known or perceived impacts to you, your family or your neighbors if the project is approved. When you complete your email, please respond to our Poll regarding this campaign.
If you do not know what district you live in or who your council member is, the following links can help.
City Council - City of San Ramon (ca.gov)
San Ramon City Council District Map (arcgis.com)
Thank you, as always for your continued support!
February 27, 2023 | City Clerk Receives Our Appeal of the Commission's Feb 16th Approval of the Demolition and Construction Development Permit at Marketplace
TO READ THE ENTIRE LEGAL DOCUMENT, CLICK ON THE APPEAL FORM ABOVE.
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Attachment to Initiation of Appeal Citizens Against Market Place Apartment/Condo Development (“CAMPAD”) hereby appeals the Planning Commission’s February 16, 2023, approval of DP 2022-0007 (demolition and construction development permit), MJ 2022-0005 (major subdivision), UP 2022-0004 (use permit for Starbucks), AR 2022-032 (architectural review), (TRP 2022-032 (tree removal permit) and ENVR 2022-0004 (CEQA compliance) for 130 Market Place (APN 213-701-002). The Commission was required to determine that the proposed development would be consistent with the General Plan, compliant with the Zoning Ordinance, “compatible with existing and future land uses in the vicinity[,] ”and “would not be detrimental to the . . . welfare of the persons residing or working in the subject neighborhood[.]” (Muni. Code § D6-28(F),(G).)
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February 16, 2023 | Final Planning Commission Public Hearing and Next Steps
First, thank you to all the people who showed up in person and those who attended via Zoom! I know that public speaking does not come easy to most, so I am impressed by the comments you made, including the many written submissions that were acknowledged by the clerk, and will be attached to the record.
The Commission, Staff and TRC certainly know that we are still here, and very unhappy with what has transpired thus far; and we are not going away! Our appeal will be filed by the February 27th deadline. The vote to approve the Resolution to recommend project approval, passed with the following: Commissioner Kuznick = No, Marks = Yes, with condition, Alpert = Yes, Edwards = Abstain, and Wallis = Yes.
Where I believe we scored strongly in our favor, is the unanimous Commission’s refusal to remove the conditional requirement for a shared parking agreement with Starbuck’s, and they actually tightened the language around that condition. The other positive outcome is the acknowledgement that Market Place must have a specific plan as part of the General Plan rewrite. Because Market Place is part of the Walking District Plan, a strategic plan replaces a master plan, and it is a staff requirement, that we will monitor through the General Plan rewrite process.
Because TRC tried to avoid any Conditions of Approval, we believe there is a strong chance that their attorney will also file an appeal to the City Council. We know that because of a staff agreement with TRC, a final vote by the Council must happen by March 14th.
Stay tuned for details on the Appeal process and meeting date!
First, thank you to all the people who showed up in person and those who attended via Zoom! I know that public speaking does not come easy to most, so I am impressed by the comments you made, including the many written submissions that were acknowledged by the clerk, and will be attached to the record.
The Commission, Staff and TRC certainly know that we are still here, and very unhappy with what has transpired thus far; and we are not going away! Our appeal will be filed by the February 27th deadline. The vote to approve the Resolution to recommend project approval, passed with the following: Commissioner Kuznick = No, Marks = Yes, with condition, Alpert = Yes, Edwards = Abstain, and Wallis = Yes.
Where I believe we scored strongly in our favor, is the unanimous Commission’s refusal to remove the conditional requirement for a shared parking agreement with Starbuck’s, and they actually tightened the language around that condition. The other positive outcome is the acknowledgement that Market Place must have a specific plan as part of the General Plan rewrite. Because Market Place is part of the Walking District Plan, a strategic plan replaces a master plan, and it is a staff requirement, that we will monitor through the General Plan rewrite process.
Because TRC tried to avoid any Conditions of Approval, we believe there is a strong chance that their attorney will also file an appeal to the City Council. We know that because of a staff agreement with TRC, a final vote by the Council must happen by March 14th.
Stay tuned for details on the Appeal process and meeting date!
ATTENTION: Final Market Place Public Hearing - Thursday, February 16th at 6pm | We Need Your Voice!
Because the Final Hearing on Thursday is a continuation of the 2/7/2023 Planning Commission Meeting, there will not be any formal notice issued by the City. The meeting agenda & agenda packet should be posted to the city web site prior to the meeting. I will send out participation info as soon as it is available. Below is a flyer that you can share with friends and neighbors to encourage them to show up in-person on Thursday, Feb 16th at 6pm. City Hall is located at 7000 Bollinger Canyon Road.
Below is our attorney's letter that outlines why, legally, the Commission can and should deny the project. Greenfire law has provided additional guidance and case law numerous times before to the City Attorney, the Director of Community Development and the Planning Commission. Their responses have been minimal at best.
Planning Commission - City of San Ramon
www.sanramon.ca.gov/.../planning_commission
"Investigate and make recommendations to the City Council upon reasonable and practical means for putting into effect the General Plan or part thereof, in order that it will serve as a pattern and guide for the orderly physical growth and development of the City and as a basis for the efficient expenditure of its funds relating to the subjects of the General Plan; the measures recommended may include plans, regulations, financial report and capital budgets."
As we all know, there is nothing orderly about the Market Place project and it is not in compliance with San Ramon's General Plan or Mixed-Use definitions. And because the developer is "feeing out" of any affordable housing, the project does not meet the spirit and purpose of HAA/SB330 (which is to produce more affordable and low-income housing).
If TRC is allowed to subdivide their property into tiny chunks and to then circumvent the General Plan and housing guidelines (because the project is so small); the resultant precedent the Commission will have set almost certainly guarantees one terrible project after another, throughout the shopping centers in our beautiful city.
www.sanramon.ca.gov/.../planning_commission
"Investigate and make recommendations to the City Council upon reasonable and practical means for putting into effect the General Plan or part thereof, in order that it will serve as a pattern and guide for the orderly physical growth and development of the City and as a basis for the efficient expenditure of its funds relating to the subjects of the General Plan; the measures recommended may include plans, regulations, financial report and capital budgets."
As we all know, there is nothing orderly about the Market Place project and it is not in compliance with San Ramon's General Plan or Mixed-Use definitions. And because the developer is "feeing out" of any affordable housing, the project does not meet the spirit and purpose of HAA/SB330 (which is to produce more affordable and low-income housing).
If TRC is allowed to subdivide their property into tiny chunks and to then circumvent the General Plan and housing guidelines (because the project is so small); the resultant precedent the Commission will have set almost certainly guarantees one terrible project after another, throughout the shopping centers in our beautiful city.
We need to generate a very big turnout to this final hearing, where it is expected that the Planning Commission will approve the project—despite the fact it is NOT in compliance with the General Plan.
This approval will be appealed by our attorneys!
This approval will be appealed by our attorneys!
UPDATE | 01/16/2023 | Thank You To Our Wonderful Donors!
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66 San Ramon Residents have donated $15,313.00 towards our current goal of $25K to cover the legal costs associated with our lawsuit against the Market Place housing project. We have a very strong legal case, and we will continue to fight for a positive outcome for the San Ramon Community.
Another 26 people pledged support but have not yet made a payment. If you can make a donation, please consider doing so through one of our payment options: |
66 DONORS | $15,313
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1. GiveSendGo SAVE The Market Place Shopping Center - San Ramon
OR, send check made payable to:
2. Susie Ferris-Inderkum, 215 Summerford Circle, San Ramon, CA 94583
OR, send check made payable to:
2. Susie Ferris-Inderkum, 215 Summerford Circle, San Ramon, CA 94583
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT!
Ensure the Market Place Remains Essential
to San Ramon This Giving Tuesday
This Giving Tuesday, be inspired and rejuvenated
by the power of community activism in San Ramon
The Citizens Against the Market Place Apartment/Housing Development (CAMPAD) are driving excellence, innovation, and thoughtful design for any revitalization effort at the Market Place. Through our legal efforts we are striving to bring back a vital full-service grocery store and ensure a master plan that will benefit our community for years to come.
You can support our mission by making a donation to our legal fund
Save the Market Place - GiveSendGo Account
ACTION NEEDED: TUES, OCTOBER 18th at 7PM -
PUBLIC COMMENTS are needed at the beginning of the regular Planning Commission Meeting
Link to the Agenda is below which includes the Zoom information for the meeting.
http://sanramonca.iqm2.com/citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=1&ID=3221&Inline=True
http://sanramonca.iqm2.com/citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=1&ID=3221&Inline=True
The commission will be hearing on the El Nido Project, but we NEED TO LET THEM KNOW THAT CAMPAD IS NOT GOING AWAY until they hold TRC to the General Plan and they KEEP THE MARKET PLACE the retail hub the residents want and need.
For those who can attend in person, be sure to complete a speaker card for the first Public Comment item on the agenda, and turn it into the clerk before the meeting starts. For those who can attend by Zoom, you only need to click on the raise as soon as they open public comment. Wait until they call your name and be sure to unmute to speak.
Your own VOICE and THOUGHTS regarding Market Place are what the Planning Commission and the City Council need to hear.
THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR CONCERNED CITIZENS OF SAN RAMON!!
Market Place Shopping Center Needs Your Support!
Diana Kopri, Neighbor | Post Saturday, Oct 1, 2022
Loss of The Market Place Shopping & Retail Center being turned into housing, forcing community members to travel more miles for essential services. (City of San Ramon Agenda item for Tuesday Oct. 4, 2022)
SAN RAMON, CA — On Tuesday, October 4th, the San Ramon Planning Commission will hold a Public Hearing regarding a controversial market rate housing development, which will demolish a sizable portion of the cherished Market Place Shopping Center. In addition, the property owner is asking to subdivide their two parcels, into four additional chunks foreboding future project requests that will virtually eliminate any retail spaces in the Market Place. Over 1,043 concerned residents have joined forces to object to the loss of a full-service grocery store and other beloved eateries and shops in the Market Place. Former tenants have cited increased rents and owner neglect of the overall center as reasons for leaving. The loss of Nob Hill Foods has forced the residents, who used to walk to Market Place, into their cars to find the groceries & other products they need in a single store. The Market Place is in what the city calls, The Walking District. The loss of a long-time retail hub to housing is only going to add to the traffic and congestion problems already plaguing San Ramon. Concerned citizens should attend the Planning Commission meeting at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 7000 Bollinger Canyon Rd.
The meeting agenda is now available on the City Web Site www.sanramon.gov
The meeting agenda is now available on the City Web Site www.sanramon.gov
Please attend the Planning Commission Meeting Tues, Oct 4th at 7:00pm to show your support for retail at the Market Place!
Second Request for Support From Our Community
To our Responsible Growth San Ramon and CAMPAD Members:
It has been 2 weeks since we sent out our first request for your pledge of financial support for the work we have been doing to save the Market Place and return a full-service grocery store as the anchor store.
As of this morning, we have received 64 pledges for a total of $4,565.00. We are pleased that so many have given more than the $25.00 we asked for. But we are still way short of our target of $15,000.00, to pay for a new Market Place Specific Retail Analysis. We have a time constraint to commission the Retail Analysis by the end of this month, so that is ready before the owner of the Market Place completes their development application and the project moves on to the Planning Commission.
TRC's application (owner of The Marketplace) is now deemed Complete as of Sept 20, 2022 and it is scheduled for a review by the Open Space Advisory Committee on October 10, 2022.
We need your help to reach our goal now!
With 712 members in our Nextdoor CAMPAD group, and another 335 members on our Responsible Growth San Ramon website, for a total of 1,047 engaged San Ramon residents, we felt an ask of $25.00 per person would get us to our goal.
We are reaching out again, to ask those who have not already pledged, to please visit our website, and make a pledge today. Any $$ amount will help. Click the link below to reach our pledge page on www.ResponsibleGrowthSanRamon.com
Please ask your neighbors and friends to join us with a pledge.
Thank You for your support!
Click Photo to Review Project Updates
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Open Space Advisory Committee Sept 12, 2022 PROJECT UPDATES Year in Review 2021-2022 Term City of San Ramon |
We Need Your Support More Than Ever!
Shopping centers throughout San Ramon are being threatened by state laws that place new housing quotas on cities in an attempt to silence the voices of local governments and residents who simply want a say in where and how this happens in their own communities.
In a city like San Ramon, where most buildable land is gone, those housing quotas are forcing housing sites into parking lots, business parks and our retail shopping centers.
Responsible Growth San Ramon has been standing against the proposed development plans for the Market Place, that will demolish approximately 55,636 sq ft of existing commercial tenant space (former Nob Hill Foods, Sports Clips, cleaners, pharmacy) and replace it with housing.
- We successfully stopped the replacement construction of a proposed massive 5-story apartment complex in that location.
- We are continuing to fight the latest proposed replacement construction of 40 single-family detached Condominium units and 4 Junior Dwelling units.
- We are demanding a Master Plan be developed for the revitalization of the full Market Place shopping area, before a new development application is approved.
- We are actively working with other San Ramon city agencies to force shopping center owners to address the safety and neglect issues and the visual appearance of their property. As a result, some Market Place store fronts along Market Place Drive are being repaired and repainted, and more improvement efforts are expected.
- We are determined to support the current Market Place Small Business Owners and to find ways to demonstrate to the city the need to retain retail and restore a full-service grocery store in the Market Place.
We are working towards commissioning a Market Place specific retail analysis to counter a flawed city-wide retail analysis completed as part of the City’s General Plan Update process.
Cost estimate: $14,500.00
Cost estimate: $14,500.00
Up until now...the leadership of Responsible Growth San Ramon/CAMPAD has refrained from asking for dollar donations to support our efforts. However, we are reaching a point, where we need to reach out to you, our community, for help covering consulting and other costs.
Up until now...the leadership of Responsible Growth San Ramon/CAMPAD has refrained from asking for dollar donations to support our efforts. However, we are reaching a point, where we need to reach out to you, our community, for help covering consulting and other costs.
We already have the support of over 1,143 concerned neighbors along with several city officials, who want to keep Market Place a vital and vibrant retail center and part of the City Core.
Will you pledge to contribute $25.00 or more today to help us continue our efforts? Pledge Your $ Support today!
We will reach out later to collect pledge donations.
Thank you for your support!
We will reach out later to collect pledge donations.
Thank you for your support!