Rezoning Request for Builder Denied by City Council

The Dublin City Council unanimously voted against approving the study to convert land currently zoned for commercial to residential.  The Dublin Land Company (DiManto Property), was hoping to sell the property to SummerHill Homes, a home builder based in San Ramon.

During the May 21 council meeting, the city council voted 4-0 against approving the study, which would be needed to change the zoning for the 39 acres, between Tassajara Road and Brannigan Street, to residential. 

According to councilmember David Haubert, there were numerous complaints from Dublin residents, especially as more residential will have an adverse effect on schools. 

"I recognize that some residential housing was already approved by a prior city council but we also need to protect the commercial land that has been set aside as much as possible," Haubert said. "We need to do a better job of evaluating the impact of city council decisions on our crowded schools."

Councilmember Abe Gupta says he is happy about the council's decision. Gupta told Patch, via email:

"I'm thrilled the Council sent a clear message in favor of smart, balanced growth. This is a victory for the residents of Dublin who expect and need great shops, great restaurants and great services close to home. As a city, we need to hold out for the best possible deal for our residents. Jamming in more housing would have been a permanent loss for our residents and our children."

Mayor Tim Sbranti has recused himself from this issue because he owns property in the area.

In a previous article, Patch readers weighed-in about the use of the land in that area:

• Gwenzilla April 29, 2013 at 04:14 pm Dublin already has 80 bazillion homes. I say if not commercial then sink a small lake or pond and make it a nice park.
  
• Barinthus April 29, 2013 at 05:05 pm Commerical! Way too many high density housing. We need more stores, preferably local.
  
• Kat Hartnagel April 29, 2013 at 06:24 pm Definitely Commercial. We need so many more things that are closer like Gas Station, Office Supply, Dry Cleaning, Wine Bar just to name a few....
  
• kayster April 29, 2013 at 06:31 pm Absolutely not!! NO MORE HOUSING. NO MORE HOUSING. We need commercial on this end of town. Geez! Enough with the houses. Please!!!!!
• Wendy April 29, 2013 at 06:36 pm Commercial!!!! Love the park and lake idea.
  
• Camaro on Cinderblocks April 29, 2013 at 08:05 pm The school district will ask for another 100 million if you add 10 more houses....
  
• Mari April 29, 2013 at 08:10 pm No more houses!!! Gas station, mini-library that has facilities to rent for small conferences/meetings/or just a place to work away from home, community garden (rent out spaces for veggie/fruit plot) or a nice botanical garden with picnic areas surrounded by mom and pop restaurants
  
• Paul April 29, 2013 at 08:45 pm Make this space commercial or put a field in there with a running trail. Even a residential/commercial mix better than just residential. Something like the District at Green Valley Ranch in Vegas. What this area really needs is a gas station more than anything.