San Ramon planning commission approves Orchards master plan, presses for affordable-housing milestones

The San Ramon Planning Commission on Tuesday approved Resolution 02-26, adopting the Orchards master plan and the Orchards neighborhood-district development plan, associated tentative map, architectural review, tree removal permit and environmental review, with a 5-0 vote. Commissioners said the conditions before them obligate the applicant to provide a minimum share of affordable housing and directed staff to seek development-agreement milestones to ensure timely delivery.

Staff opened the continued public hearing and said the packet incorporated changes the commission requested at prior meetings and included a resolution for action. Stephanie Hill, representing Sunset Development, told the commission the project’s design guidelines commit to pedestrian connections and that the applicant can “commit to [pedestrian connectivity] prior to occupancy of the first building permit.” Staff described the project as a 92-acre master plan with an expected 20-year buildout.

Public speakers included Adam Masters of Sheet Metal Workers Local 104, who urged the use of local union contractors and cautioned that without explicit agreements the project’s economic assumptions about local…