Ido Adler, who has owned the land with Einat Adler since 2021, filed a builder's remedy preliminary application on July 11, 2023 to subdivide Parcel B of SD 6196, a parcel of about 47 acres on the hillside above and north of the Anderson Ranch neighborhood in Danville (town file SD 9673). The land is designated General Open Space, which "allows for no development," and access would come from an extension of Hill Meadow Drive across land owned by the Anderson Ranch Single Family Owners Association. Town records from 2024 describe 30 lots; later press accounts and the owners' 2026 complaint describe 38 units, at least 20 percent for low- to moderate-income households. Danville lacked a compliant housing element when the preliminary application was filed; HCD found it in substantial compliance on April 9, 2024. The town found the formal application incomplete on January 19 and May 16, 2024, citing missing access and utility easements and a landslide repair plan, and on June 18, 2024 the Town Council denied Adler's appeal 5-0; staff said the 2023 preliminary application would then expire. Adler sued in November 2024. After a tentative ruling in May 2025, the council rescinded its incompleteness finding on June 17, 2025, and on July 11, 2025 Contra Costa County Superior Court Judge Danielle Douglas ruled that the town had violated the Permit Streamlining Act and the Housing Accountability Act and that the 2023 rules, including the builder's remedy, apply. The project still has no legal access. In a separate suit over the easement, a judge tentatively denied Adler's motion on August 17, 2026, finding the easement's scope disputed.
Staff · City Council · Court · Judge Danielle Douglas · Judge Leonard E. Marquez
| Date | Event | What the record shows |
|---|---|---|
| July 11, 2023 | Owner Files Builder's Remedy Preliminary Application | Filed while Danville lacked a compliant housing element. The formal application follows on Dec. 22, 2023. Town of Danville: https://danville-ca.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=9&clip_id=3303&meta_id=59419 |
| January 19, 2024 | Town Deems Subdivision Application Incomplete | The letter lists eight deficiencies. Town of Danville: https://danville-ca.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=9&clip_id=3303&meta_id=59419 |
| April 9, 2024 | State Certifies Danville Housing Element | HCD finds the housing element in substantial compliance. Town of Danville: https://danville-ca.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=9&clip_id=3303&meta_id=59419 |
| May 16, 2024 | Second Incompleteness Notice Issued | Cites missing access and utility easements and a landslide repair plan. Town of Danville: https://danville-ca.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=9&clip_id=3303&meta_id=59419 |
| June 18, 2024 | Council Denies Appeal 5-0 | Resolution 44-2024. Staff said the 2023 preliminary application would then expire. Town of Danville: https://danville-ca.granicus.com/DocumentViewer.php?file=danville-ca_8895f054283b39e002f0602900497047.pdf&view=1 |
| November 1, 2024 | Adler Sues Danville | Filed in November 2024 in Contra Costa County Superior Court, with Permit Streamlining Act and Housing Accountability Act claims. Danville San Ramon: https://www.danvillesanramon.com/housing/2025/06/08/danville-facing-lawsuit-over-builders-remedy-housing-project-in-anderson-ranch/ |
| June 17, 2025 | Council Rescinds Incompleteness Finding | Resolution 47-2025 passes on consent, 5-0, after a May tentative ruling; the application is declared complete. Town of Danville: https://danville-ca.granicus.com/DocumentViewer.php?file=danville-ca_255652e08f9fa5da94bbb1074d5e00bb.pdf&view=1 |
| July 11, 2025 | Judge Rules Town Violated Two State Housing Laws | Judge Danielle Douglas finds violations of the Permit Streamlining Act and the Housing Accountability Act; the 2023 rules, including the builder's remedy, apply. Pleasanton Weekly: https://www.pleasantonweekly.com/courts/2025/07/26/judge-rules-against-danville-in-builders-remedy-case/ |
| August 17, 2026 | Court Tentatively Denies Adler Easement Motion | In the easement case against the homeowners association, the judge finds the easement's width disputed: 55 feet claimed, 28 to 40 feet possible. Contra Costa Superior Court: https://retired.cc-courts.org/civil/TR/Department%2034%20-%20Judge%20%20Leonard%20Marquez/34_081726.pdf |
| Date | Body | Action | Vote | Staff rec. | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 19, 2024 | Staff | deemed application incomplete | — | None | Town of Danville: https://danville-ca.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=9&clip_id=3303&meta_id=59419 |
| May 16, 2024 | Staff | deemed application incomplete | — | None | Town of Danville: https://danville-ca.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=9&clip_id=3303&meta_id=59419 |
| June 18, 2024 | City Council | appeal rejected | 5–0 | Unknown | Town of Danville: https://danville-ca.granicus.com/DocumentViewer.php?file=danville-ca_8895f054283b39e002f0602900497047.pdf&view=1 |
| July 11, 2025 | Court | ruling issued | — | Unknown | Pleasanton Weekly: https://www.pleasantonweekly.com/courts/2025/07/26/judge-rules-against-danville-in-builders-remedy-case/ |
Rating 4 of 5. Primary records for the key facts; minor details may rest on reporting. Corrections: https://whokilledthebuilding.com/corrections.