The controversial Humphrey Ranch development project may get a second chance.
On Aug. 17, the San Ramon Valley Regional Planning Commission voted unanimously to deny Davidon Homes’ application to build 39-high end homes on 24 acres of the former Humphrey Ranch property. The property sits on Stone Valley Road, across from Monte Vista High School, and directly abuts six homes on Monte Sereno Drive.
When Davidon Homes purchased the 96 acres from the Humphreys, it also took on an obligation to sell 10-acres of the land to the San Ramon Valley School District.
The school district plans to use the 10 acres to build a 400-space parking lot for Monte Vista High School, which has had a shortage of parking for several years, and a practice playing field.
Davidon’s project has been mired in controversy since the beginning because of its association with school district plans. Alamo residents have been vocal in their opposition to the proposed parking lot and practice playing field.
Some Alamo residents feel it’s a safety issue. They believe it is dangerous to have hundreds of students crossing Stone Valley Road everyday. Others feel the stoplight that is planned at the crosswalk between the existing parking lot and the new parking lot will back up traffic on Stone Valley Road even more than it is now.
Residents whose properties directly abut the parking lot oppose having a parking lot and playing field in their backyard and wonder if the school couldn’t build somewhere else.
On Tuesday, Oct. 18, Davidon will have an opportunity to appeal the planning commission’s decision in front of the County Board of Supervisors.
Davidon will make a presentation to the supervisors where public comment on the issue will also be taken. Longtime opponents of the project plan on attending the meeting.
“We hope to convey the benefits the whole project can bring to the community,” said Jeff Thayer of Davidon Homes.
County staff will also make a recommendation to the board that they uphold the appeal as requested by Davidon Homes, said Patrick Roche, principal planner with the county. Roche has been working on the Humphrey Ranch project since 2001.
County staff feels the planning commission’s decision to deny the project was not supported by substantial evidence.
“Currently, our general plan identifies a portion of the site to be developed for single-family residential use. The proposal is in sync with that,” said Roche.
County staff is not troubled by Davidon’s association with the school district. Staff views the two as separate projects.
During the planning commission review process, county staff was asked three times to answer whether or not the county had any jurisdiction over the school district project. County staff consistently found that the state oversaw school district projects, not the county.
Ultimately, Davidon’s relationship with the school district was interesting, said Roche, but not relevant.
On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors could uphold the Valley Planning Commission’s decision or it could decide to overturn it. If it is overturned and the Board of Supervisors approves the subdivision map, the project has basically been given the green light. After the subdivision map is approved, the project is no longer open for debate or discussion, said Roche.
A case like the Humphrey Ranch development happened just recently in Alamo. The Board of Supervisors overturned a Valley Planning Commission decision when it approved plans for a 50,000-square-foot YMCA in Alamo, said Roche.
