San Ramon residents are about to get another look at one of the most controversial numbers in local land use: the roughly $4,500 it can cost to appeal a zoning decision at City Hall.
On Tuesday night (tonight!), the San Ramon City Council is scheduled to discuss whether its zoning appeal fees should stay as they are or be reworked, after months of public criticism.
Right now, San Ramon does not charge a simple flat fee for appeals. Instead, residents must put down a deposit of $4,000 to $4,500 to challenge certain decisions by the zoning administrator or Planning Commission, with additional staff time billed on a time and materials basis.
By comparison, other Tri-Valley cities charge flat fees that are far lower in most cases. A city staff analysis found appeal fees ranging from about $251 in Dublin to $4,381 in Livermore, with most communities below $350 — and San Ramon the only one still using a deposit model, as local publications report.
The upcoming council discussion stems from an April 22 vote adopting the city’s overall master fee schedule for the current fiscal year. Appeal fees were not raised at that time, but public commenters packed the meeting to argue that a $4,500 deposit is a steep barrier for neighbors who want a second look at big developments. The council directed staff to come back later with a deeper review.
Critics argue that San Ramon’s current setup sends the wrong message. Activists have repeatedly called the $4,500 price tag one of the highest appeal costs in the Bay Area, roughly 10 to 15 times more than the fees in some neighboring cities.
City staff, for their part, say the existing deposit system is fair because it ensures the people filing appeals cover the cost of the additional work they are asking the city to do.
Appeals can be contentious, and some say that activists use them to unnecessarily delay projects.
No specific change is on the table yet. Staff are recommending that the council keep the current deposit structure for now, while giving direction on whether to explore a lower-cost entry point, hybrid model, or other revisions as the next fee schedule is drafted in the coming months.
Tuesday’s meeting starts at 7 p.m. at San Ramon City Hall on Bollinger Canyon Road, with the appeal fee discussion listed on the council’s regular agenda.
