|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
More than two years after San Ramon-based Sunset Development Company purchased the former Chevron Park site back from the energy company amid its downsizing of operations in San Ramon – which it ultimately departed from this year – the formal redevelopment process for the site is set to kick off this month, with applications now filed with the city.
Early this year, Bishop Ranch officials hosted a media tour resulting in a number of news stories sparking buzz about the plans. However, city officials posted a notice to the website at the time that while discussions on the planned redevelopment process for the 92-acre site were underway, Sunset had not yet filed formal development applications with the city or discussed the project at public meetings on anything more than an informational level.
“No development plan for the site has been submitted yet, and the City looks forward to working with Sunset Development on the review process for the Orchards development once formal applications are submitted,” city officials said on Jan. 31. “There will be multiple opportunities for Public Comment on any project applications submitted to the City.”
That status changed this week, with Sunset announcing that the formal application process was underway as of Monday and city staff estimating that the approval process will take approximately one year.
“Bishop Ranch is embarking on an exciting transformation, transitioning from a traditional office campus to a dynamic mixed-use development that aligns perfectly with the evolving needs of our community,” Sunset Development officials said on the website for Bishop Ranch. “Our vision is to create an all-encompassing destination that offers a remarkable 15-minute lifestyle, eliminating the hassle of long commutes and providing a seamless blend of convenience and luxury.”
The redevelopment of the former Chevron Park site is a major component of that overall vision for Bishop Ranch – as well as for the city itself, which is tasked with accommodating the development of an additional 5,100+ homes during the current housing element cycle.
Progress in meeting that goal would be significantly bolstered by the redevelopment plans submitted by Sunset this week, which propose a total of 2,510 new homes and the replacement of the longstanding office park at 6001 Bollinger Canyon Road with a mixed-use and residential neighborhood dubbed The Orchards – a throwback to Bishop Ranch’s agricultural past, as well as the development company’s early plans for housing in the area – that would consist of three different districts.
The first district of the reimagined neighborhood would consist of mixed-use, residential areas including ground-floor entertainment and commercial services aimed at complimenting neighboring City Center Bishop Ranch, with the second consisting of multi-family communities in a variety of housing options, Sunset Development officials said this week. The third district would consist of a lower density neighborhood featuring single-family homes situated along new streets and adorned by mini parks.
“These districts are connected through parks and open space and a coordinated streetscape with approximately 15 acres of open space,” Sunset Development officials said Monday.
The mixed-use district would feature streets lined with retail and dining options leading from Bishop Ranch to the former Chevron Park site across Bollinger Canyon Road, as well as a 2.5-acre park.
According to this week’s announcement from Sunset, the city is expected to complete an initial review of the project and provide formal feedback this month. The application materials are available here.
