San Ramon residents voice concerns over disruptive lighting at Pradera senior community

During the San Ramon City Council meeting on April 18, 2025, community concerns took center stage as residents voiced issues affecting their neighborhoods. The public comment segment highlighted significant topics, including lighting disturbances from a new senior living community and requests for transparency in city planning processes.

One of the most pressing issues raised was by a resident from Gale Ranch, who spoke on behalf of approximately 50 families affected by excessive lighting from the newly constructed Pradera senior living community. The resident described the intense brightness as blinding and disruptive, impacting the sleep quality of families and even affecting local wildlife. Despite attempts to communicate these concerns to the builder and property management, residents reported a lack of response, prompting the need for city council intervention.

Another resident requested that recordings of a recent special session, where interviews for the planning commission were conducted, be made available on the city’s website. This request aimed to enhance community engagement and transparency, especially as two additional planning commission seats are expected to open later in the summer. The speaker emphasized that access to these recordings would help prepare potential candidates for future opportunities.

Additionally, a resident shared a personal story related to the devastating fires in Los Angeles, expressing gratitude for the city’s emergency preparedness efforts. This comment underscored the importance of having robust plans in place to protect residents from various disasters, not just fires.

The meeting concluded with a reminder that while the council values public input, state law restricts discussions on non-agenda items. However, the council assured residents that their concerns would be taken seriously and addressed appropriately.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the city council's role in addressing community issues and fostering transparency, as residents seek to ensure their voices are heard in local governance. The council's next steps will likely involve addressing the lighting concerns and considering the requests for increased accessibility to planning commission processes.