City Council Meeting - October 19, 2022

No item was presented or discussed in this transcript. The meeting was called to order and a roll call was initiated.

Dan announced the meeting was held via Zoom under government code section 54953 subsection E due to the state of emergency ▶ 📄. Chair Feller called the meeting to order ▶ 📄. Roll call: Commissioner Saad present, Commissioner Luxenberg present ▶ 📄, Vice Chair Junius present ▶ 📄, Chair Feller present. A quorum was confirmed ▶ 📄.

The commission considered approval of the agenda. A motion was made and seconded to approve the agenda ▶ 📄. Chair Feller then called for a roll call vote. Commissioners voted as follows: Commissioner Graff (response unclear), Commissioner Luxembourg - aye, Vice Chair Junius - aye, Chair Feller - aye. The motion carried ▶ 📄.

The chair opened the public comment period for items not on the agenda at ▶ 📄. Staff explained the rules: this time is for citizens to address the Planning Commission on matters not on the agenda, but state law limits discussion or action to referring matters to staff or agendizing them for a future meeting. Each speaker has three minutes, and participation is via Zoom's raise-hand feature ▶ 📄. No hands were raised, so the chair closed public comment and moved to item four ▶ 📄.

The Commission reviewed the minutes. Commissioner Saad noted a typo on page 3, line 3: 'HIAB' should be 'HEAC' (Housing Element Advisory Committee) ▶ 📄. Commissioner Graef observed his name was misspelled in a few places ▶ 📄. Chair Feller instructed staff to correct all instances of the acronym and confirm the spelling of Graef's name ▶ 📄. The Commission then considered approval.

City Manager Chris Zapata introduced the new Community Development Director Brandon Phipps. Zapata discussed the department's recent turnover, the use of consultants, and the importance of stabilizing staff. He acknowledged the challenging year and thanked Dan Hortor for his interim service ▶ 📄. He highlighted upcoming priorities, including objective design standards, landslide task force recommendations, and municipal code updates, and committed to determining funding for these efforts ▶ 📄. Commissioner Luxembourg was thanked for his role in the hiring process. Phipps then introduced himself, emphasizing collaboration and requesting one-on-one meetings with commissioners to understand challenges and opportunities ▶ 📄. He reported active recruitment for key planning positions and outlined a vision for economic development. Commissioners welcomed him. A brief update on the 110 4th Street wall color resolution was provided by Commissioners Saad and Graef, with direction to agendize the final outcome for a future meeting ▶ 📄. No public comments were received.

Magda Gonzalez, contract planner, presented a request for design review, heightened design review, variance, and encroachment agreement for 212 Woodward Avenue. The proposal includes a 500 sq ft concrete parking deck, residential remodel, trash enclosure, new entry deck, overhang, six-foot fence with gates, and planters. The encroachment agreement increases from 615 sq ft to 832 sq ft into the public right-of-way. A variance to exceed building coverage (91.5% proposed) and impervious surface was requested. Staff noted that six neighboring properties had similar encroachments or variances. A neighbor had raised concerns about water runoff; the Department of Public Works added a condition requiring a drainage swale overflow bubbler to be at least 10 feet from the property line ▶ 📄. The applicant addressed fire department clearance requirements ▶ 📄. Commissioners discussed plan dates ▶ 📄, the role of the drainage swale ▶ 📄, and ensuring proper documentation of approved plans ▶ 📄. The item had been continued from September 21st to address these issues.

The meeting concluded informally with participants saying goodbye. No formal adjournment motion was made; instead, brief farewells were exchanged, and the meeting ended around ▶ 📄.