The city of San Ramon, where I live, is starting the annexation process of the Tassajara Valley. Just to the east of the city’s current border, this area is primarily undeveloped, spotted with just a few homes and primarily left for cattle grazing. Growing up here, I always considered that area to be part of Danville, so frankly it seems a bit strange that San Ramon is making a play for it.

"Obviously the citizens and the voters have rejected Tassajara Valley proposals over and over. … This is an attempt to break both the county’s and the city’s urban limit line, and it’s the first step in a massive development," Seth Adams, director of land programs for the environmental group Save Mount Diablo, said.

San Ramon officials confirmed that San Ramon plans to petition the Local Agency Formation Commission to extend its "sphere of influence" to the Tassajara Valley — often a prelude to annexation.

From: Contra Costa Times

A quote from the article included a quote from San Ramon Mayor that I don’t completely understand. It sounds like the city was forced into the current development plan in the Dougherty Valley.

"What we don’t want to have happen is another Dougherty Valley," said Wilson, who argued it is important for San Ramon to lay its claim to the Tassajara Valley now, before development occurs. "We don’t want to see San Ramon be at the bottom of the totem pole. We’re going to be proactive and protect San Ramon’s interests."

Some very brief research dug up a 5-year-old article hinting that forced agreements between the county and the developers in the early 90′s set the stage for what is in the place today. It sounds like a lot of the controversy was over water rights.

(map inserted via Windows Live Writer… awesome feature, I am really liking this blogging tool)