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The San Ramon Planning Commission is set Tuesday to discuss a proposal from The Bridges Golf Club’s owner to add a new event center and lodging facility across the street from the Dougherty Valley golf course.
In its early review stage before city officials, the initial concept from course owner Yadav Enterprises, Inc., calls for a two-story building with a 7,000-square-foot event hall, meeting rooms, a kitchen and 60 suites for overnight stays on part of The Bridges property that houses the driving range and maintenance building.
“We’ll look forward to the city of San Ramon team’s comments on this concept submittal, and we are looking forward to moving forward with this exciting development,” company president Anil Yadav said in a one-page letter to the city Oct. 31 introducing his proposal.
Tuesday night’s meeting serves as an opportunity for planning commissioners and the public to provide their initial thoughts about the project concept before formal development applications are submitted, according to senior city planner Lauren Barr.
“The development plan conceptual review process, initiated and paid for by the applicant, is not intended to look at a detailed development proposal, but rather serve as an initial screening of a project concept,” Barr wrote in a staff report to the commission.
“The value of the process is in the feedback provided by the Planning Commission and staff that allows the applicant to make informed decision regarding potential revisions to their project based on the comments received,” Barr added.
The property at 9053 S. Gale Ridge Road, located just off Bollinger Canyon Road, is designated for parks and recreation land-uses, which include golf courses and small conference centers.
“There is certainly some potential synergy between the existing golf course facility and the proposed event center,” Barr said, while also noting city guidelines offer “no specific development criteria that defines the characteristics or scale of development for such a ‘small conference center.'”
The Yadav Enterprises concept proposes 53,610 square feet in all for the two-story event center and lodging building, with Mediterranean-style architecture planned to be consistent with the design at The Bridges Golf Club across the street.
The building would be shorter along South Gale Ridge Road, about 25 feet tall, and then increase in height to provide taller ceilings for the main entry and event space, at approximately 34.5 feet at the midpoint of the highest sloped roof, according to Barr.
The ground floor would consist of a main event room at roughly 7,000 square feet, an event foyer and lobby, meeting rooms, 20 lodging rooms, a kitchen and other support facilities. The second floor would feature 40 lodging rooms, each with access to a balcony or central exterior deck.
“It is envisioned that the suites would be available for overnight rentals by event attendees, wedding parties or the general public, such as golf course patrons (golf packages),” Barr said.
The proposal calls for 101 on-site parking spaces, plus another 28 spots associated with the adjacent driving range and 69 spaces for the maintenance building that could be used for shared parking if needed. It was not immediately clear how much the driving range would be impacted by the event center.
Yadav representatives and city staff are set to be on hand to hear the commissioners’ comments Tuesday night, allowing the company officials to consider the input before deciding whether to move forward with a formal development proposal at a future time.
Barr said they’d like the conversation to focus on issues such as “vision and appropriateness” of a small conference center at the site, the inclusion of overnight suites, project scale, compatibility with The Bridges’ overall development and compatibility with other land-uses in the vicinity.
The commission’s discussion is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. in the council chamber at San Ramon City Hall, 7000 Bollinger Canyon Road.
In other business, the commissioners are set to gather for a special meeting at 4:30 p.m. in City Hall’s large conference room to conduct applicant interviews for the city’s Transportation Demand Management Advisory Committee and then make appointments to the committee.
If it brings in one nickle of tax revenue to the city, consider it DONE.
more tax revenue to the City isn’t a ‘bad’ thing. Look who’d be paying?!?
Perfect idea and much needed event center in city of San Ramon specially with the new bishop ranch city center coming in ….
We are always short of Event Centers in San Ramon. Also the propose 60 suite will only bring additional revenue to city plus make the golf package more attractive. Go for it
Love the idea, it is a win-win situation for city as well as residents of San Ramon.
If the project guarantees negligible environmental affect, LEED cerified building, discounted facility rental rates for San Ramon residents and if the city assures part of the tax proceeds from the new building supporting San Ramon Schools… I request commission to approve the project.
This will give boost to Golf activities for sports lovers, generates more revenue for city and prestigious tournaments can also be held in San Ramon city. School district can also have arrangements for sports education at ficility like this. Creating suites and event center will give residents new additional venue for hosting events and gives city more taxes.
As a resident of the Bridges I support this project. The proposed facility is very attractive and will offer our community more tax revenue.
Obviously none of you guys lives on S. Gale Ridge Road, nor the house right next to that plot of land. I’m against it. I can’t find any golf courses(public or private) around here that has a hotel on its property. Why should Bridges be so special? I like my neighborhood as it is. That was one of the reasons I bought it. If any of you guys, lived on this street, ESPECIALLY that house that is right next to where they want to built it. I bet you’d be singing a different tune.
I wonder if you or any of your neighbors attended the planning commission meeting?
Gale Ranch resident.
I’m appalled at the above comments from people who obviously do not reside on the S.Gale Ridge road and are in favor of the
60 room hotel plans as it doesn’t affect them. Everyone is talking about so called future revenues its going to rake in at the expense of peace and tranquility of the residents of S. Gale ridge? Imagine having a 60 room hotel opening up amidst million plus dollar homes? Would you have settled for that in your neighborhood?
Also, why do we need 60 room hotel when per the information in link below, San Ramon downtown is going to built 169 room hotel less than 2-3miles away?
http://www.sanramon.org/new-downtown-for-san-ramon/
I am confident in city planning commissions ability to put an end to this plan at its initial stages. Bridges a is very affluent area and it needs to remain as such in order to maintain the home prices, the peace and tranquility of residents over the greed of developer.
To all of the newly concerned residents:
Now that there is some possible impact to your way of life, you have become concerned. Many times over the years other residents have asked for widespread support from you about impacts in their neighborhood. You stood by and watched.
At the south end of town they called for help to keep Walmart out. At the north end of town they asked for help keeping the Faria from being developed. Near I-680 they asked for help keeping the HOV on/off ramps from being built at Norris Canyon Road. In your own Dougherty Valley, the people near the old Windemere Welcome Center asked for help to keep the Walgreen’s from being built.
Where were you when they asked for your help? Snug in your very pricey homes I bet. And now you ask for their help.
This is the very definition of NIMBY – Not In My Back Yard. When it MIGHT affect you, your scream for help. When it affect someone else you ignore it and go on with your life.
Be real. You won’t get much support from out side your neighborhood. Try to get the best development you can. Try to work with the developer to modify the plan to minimize the impacts. You might notice that the Walmart is not the problem that those neighbors thought it would and the same is true for the Walgreens.
Get involved all around San Ramon or don’t ask for help when you need everyone to help you.
Once again have to ask are the nearest neighbors (I live in Gale Ranch too, as a datapoint) done something like attend the meeting. complaining here won’t get any traction with anybody.
Also, if you do live here and have so for more than 7 years, did you not notice all the vacant land that was already approved to be built on?
Surely you did your due diligence and knew the entire Dougherty Valley was going to sprout houses and more, yea?
I think the theory nothing changes once YOU move in is just that; a theory with holes….
First of all “Jack”, we are rightfully newly concerned residents, as we were just made aware of this outrageous idea over the weekend. Yes, our HOA wasn’t very generous in sharing the news. And yes, you are absolutely right that when we see an outrageous idea being sprouted, we as a ‘community’ will stand up and voice our opinion.
Surprisingly enough, some of the above comments are from people who aren’t even a part of Gale Ranch community (I know at least 5 of them) and I am confused as to how they seem to think this is a great idea, especially considering the impact is minimum for them. Their positive comments make me wonder if they are friends of the developer from Fremont and maybe even stand to benefit from this hotel project…?
Also, could someone please enlighten me as to why we need another 60 room hotel when the city is building a new posh 169 room hotel within 2 miles of the proposed site? Who stands to benefit from this hotel? We as a community definitely do not! It will benefit just a handful of people who can afford to play golf and the special perks that go with it. Additionally, to answer your claims about Gale Ranch neighbors not showing support for Walmart and Walgreens, I say the following.
Let’s start with Walmart. It was built to replace a Chinese supermarket called Le Asia (kind of like Ranch 99). There was a desperate need for a grocery store in the Alcosta neighborhood. The place was pre-built ready for move in with ample parking spots. Most importantly, it came located in a designated strip mall not in middle of residential homes. I am aware of this issue as my aging Aunt used to live there and was in favor of it. When she was diagnosed with brain cancer, during her few precious days of remission, she drove herself to Walmart for groceries. It was the biggest moment of joy and independence in her last days. The Alcosta neighborhood houses are mostly inhabited by members of the baby boomer generation, hence the location for Alcosta Senior Center. It was seen as a win-win and convenient place for all. Most importantly, Walmart was beneficial for people from all walks of life unlike a few elite who tend to benefit from a “Golf/Spa/Hotel”!
Now the issue of Walgreens, the Windemere owners were hesitant at first, but ultimately realized the pros. The Walgreen was built within months and it currently sits right across from a Fire station. The hotel and conference center, on the other hand, are a massive undertaking, easily involving over a year of construction and ultimately affecting our day-to-day lives. All for what? A 60 room hotel which just spells out booze, party, noise and disruption! This area had been zoned for parks and recreation and NOT for a hotel.
Let’s keep it this way and not try to find a loophole.
Thus, there is no sane comparison between a 60 room hotel being built next to a place of worship, day care, an elementary school and smack in the middle of residential neighborhood. There is just no need for this hotel or the proposed 7000 sqft conference center. We are delighted and contented with our Bridges Golf Club and the community center with ample parking spaces. These are beautiful venues that cater for large gatherings of any size.
I am calling on all Gale Ridge and San Ramon residents to stand up and let their voices be heard!
>I am calling on all Gale Ridge and San Ramon residents to stand up and let >their voices be heard!
We can’t wait to hear your report as you attend all the public meetings.
A fellow Gale Ranch resident. BTW, surely you are not referring to Quail Run elementary school? Miles away, aye?
If you truly are a fellow Gale Ranch resident, then you should know that Coyote Creek Elementary is around 0.6 miles from the proposed site. Are you sure you live in Gale ranch (as a datapoint), aye?
Oh please. That school will not be effected at all. U did view the map of the proposed location, yes? And no, I don’t generally know all 32 school locations. After all my child only attends one.
No matter. We await your reports of the planning and city councils meetings, since you will be attending, right? Posting here certainly won’t have any impact.
Good. I’m sure I will see you there as well, since you seem to have a lot to say on the matter. I’m sure the Planning Commission will appreciate your condescension. G’day mate.
Building a hotel in the heart of San Ramon will significantly impact the worsening traffic situation in Bollinger Rd, and will definitely impact all residents living in Gale Range/Windemere. It is the negative impact for daily commuters, and cannot see how much ‘revenue’ will be able to cover your loss of time.
Let us stand out to protect our beautiful community.
You all should worry about the over 1k new homes still not completed in Gale Ranch. the golf course change will be a nit (after construction).
btw, When did ‘new’ Gale Ranch become the heart of San Ramon? Pretty sure, at best, it is described as ‘East’ San Ramon.
To build a hotel in the middle of a residential community is completely counter to the notion of why people move to live here. Of course residents are not going to be excited about this. It only benefits the owner of the golf course. Tax revenues is a smokescreen argument. We have plenty from the many houses sprouting up and the new City center project coming online.
Building more houses on the open land is one thing. But adding a commercial enterprise next to a church amongst single family homes is absurd. Let’s make sure that this doesn’t happen here. It goes on in Stockton. Do we want to be like Stockton?
Tax revenue is not a direct benefit to the community. Tax revenue goes to the State and County.
Anyone who supports this hotel is not a Gale Ranch resident. This is a ridiculous proposal especially since the city is building a 169 room hotel within 2 miles of the proposed site? I have lived in Gale Ranch for over 15+ years. Stop proposing build on every inch of open space.