Planning Commission approves Bartlett 7 amendment to move required affordable units to Bishop Ranch site

The San Ramon Planning Commission on Nov. 4 approved a development-plan amendment for the Bartlett 7 residential project that removes on-site affordable units and satisfies the project’s affordable-housing obligation by dedicating land at an off-site Eden Housing development at Bishop Ranch.

The vote adopted Planning Commission Resolution No. 14-25 by a 5-0 roll call after staff presented the amendment and recommended approval. The commission’s approval follows written public comments submitted in advance and no in-person speaker cards for the item.

City planning staff said the Bartlett 7 site, at 2527 Camino Ramon, is 12.64 acres in the Downtown Mixed Use North (DMU North) designation and was originally approved for 190 for-sale units with a 15% inclusionary requirement (29 affordable units). Under the approved amendment, those 29 on-site units are removed from the Bartlett site and the affordable obligation will be met through land dedication of units to an Eden Housing site at 2453 Camino Ramon. Staff said the transfer results in a 22-unit increase at the Eden-managed Bishop Ranch affordable apartment site, producing 51 rental units there.

Staff explained that removing the on-site affordable units altered the project’s eligibility under the California State Density Bonus Law for reduced parking standards. The applicant requested a minor exception to the city’s parking standards to allow a 12.1% reduction in on-site parking (a 60-space reduction relative to standard city code). Staff noted the revised project maintains the same absolute number of on-site spaces previously approved—436 spaces—and that a city zoning text amendment adopted Nov. 14 that reduces some multifamily parking standards means the revised project will exceed the new standard by eight spaces.

Commission discussion was brief and largely supportive. Commissioner Candela moved to receive the staff report and approve the staff recommendation; Commissioner Zane seconded. The oral roll-call vote was: Commissioner Kuznick — yes; Commissioner Candela — aye; Commissioner Zane — yes; Vice Chair Avila — yes; Chair Albert — yes. The motion carried 5-0.

The staff report and resolution note that decisions of the Planning Commission may be appealed to the City Council within 10 calendar days by filing a letter with the City Clerk and paying the required fee.

The Bartlett amendment and the related parking exception are now approved subject to the conditions listed in Resolution 14-25; staff will reflect the commission’s action in final entitlement documents.