Planning Commission - Regular Meeting

Morning everyone. Welcome to the city of Daily City's regular planning commission meeting. The agenda for today, Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026 is um Okay, hold on. Let me just start. um open up the meeting. Um for public participation, there are three ways to submit public comments. The first is to email your comment directly to the planning division. Um the second is to submit written comments via the city's website and the third to attend the meeting in person. To email your comment, simply email a comment to the planner identified in the public hearing notice or send the email to m van l o n k hu ys nailycity.org. Public comments may also be emailed to the same email by including planning commission public comment in the subject line. To submit a comment via the city's website, please visit www.dailycity.org/aggendas to complete the public comment form. In the comment field box, include the item number and or the title of the item as well as your comments. To speak at the meeting in person, please complete a speaker card located at the entrance to the council chambers and submit it to a staff member as early in the meeting as possible.

Please note, all written comments received by 400 PM on the meeting day will be provided to the planning commission prior to the meeting. Comments are not read aloud into the record. Any written comments received after 400 p.m. on the meeting date are not guaranteed to be received by the planning commission prior to the meeting. Persons with disabilities who require auxiliary aids or services in attending or participating in this meeting should call the office of Michael Van Longo Yusen at 9918158 as soon as possible. Now um let's open the meeting and pledge um to the flag. [clears throat] To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Do we do election of officers?

I think we need to start with the roll call real quick. Yeah. Just reading through. Okay. Roll call. That's That's my Oh, Cheryl Couture here. Okay. Tom Nurus here. Teresa Falpua here. Rayori here. Regel Penisa present. Okay. Great. Thank you. Um, Madame Chairman, what what's happening to the planning commission? Are are we abandoned by the staff or what? [laughter] Oh, no. We're here. Huh? We're here. Okay. It seems that this commission is you can just kick it. Kick kick it anytime.

So, I'm sorry about that. So, thank you very much. That's my observation. Thank you. So now do we do election officers? That is correct. That's the next item on the agenda. Election of officers would be next. Yes. So now we have election of officers. Uh I would like to elect Mr. Norris as a chairman. Can I get a vote, please? Anyone else? I I will second the motion. Second the motion. Okay.

So, um, now we do a vote. Yes, that's correct. Mike, this is you. Commissioner, yes. Commissioner Nurus, hi. Commissioner Penisa, yes. Commissioner Papua, yes. And Commissioner Sati, yes. Okay. Now we um do do we open the nomination for vice chair? I nominate Teresa, Miss Commissioner Pap. Second.

A vote. Now we uh do a vote for vice chair. Commissioner Qatar. Yes. Commissioner Nurus. Hi. Commissioner Penisa, yes. Commissioner Fapua, yes. Commissioner Sati, yes. Congratulations. Congratulations. [applause]

The minutes. Do I continue? We don't have to switch seats. You have to switch the Will you switch seats? Yeah. So, Here you go.

Well, thank you to my colleagues for uh um extending me the honor of being the commission chairman of this board.

Oh yeah, thank you. Thank you again. I was saying to my colleagues for extending me the honor to be the chairman of this board. Uh before we go any further, I want to uh recognize and thank uh Commissioner Couture for her service last year as our chairperson and all the work that she had to do for that. We appreciate that very much and we thank you for your work. [applause] Moving forward then the next item would be the minutes. Approval of the October 7th minutes of the planning commission. Uh if you've had an opportunity to review them at this time. If there's any questions that you have been so so long ago.

Yes. I think they were all sent out though uh yes by email. Are there any additions or corrections to the minutes? Hearing none. Is there a motion to approve the minutes as submitted? Motion to approve. Thank you. Do I have a second? Second. All in favor say I. I. I.

Any opposed? Okay. The minutes are then approved. So we move to our our first item of public hearing and um that is a minor subdivision SUB0724 0016596 and design review DR0824016609. This is subdivision of a vacant lot into four parcels in construction of one single family residence built with one accessory dwelling unit on each lot totaling eight residential units. So let me call in Sam Fieldings right now who will speak to that. Good evening Sam.

Good evening. Pull up the presentation. Good evening, chair, planning commission, members. The item before you this evenings are the planning entitlements of a minor subdivision and design review for one single family residence with one accessory dwelling unit each on four lots located at 933 969 Crocker Avenue and see oh uh before I start I just want to mention that We did re receive a letter of support from the California Housing Defense Fund uh that arrived uh late this afternoon supporting the project. The existing site is a 13,051q ft vacant lot located on the north side of Crocker Avenue between Templeton Avenue and Point Pacific Drive. The project site is located in the residential medium lowdensity land use designation and is zoned single family residential R1. This is the Santo County assessor map of the location of the property.

The surrounding uses include single family residential to the north, west, and east, and the Point Pacific subdivision to the south. The proposed project is the subdivision of the vacant lot into four parcels and construction of one single family residential building with one ADU on each lot totaling eight residential units. The requested planning entitlements are the subdivision parcel map and the design review for the site plan, building design and landscaping for the single family residents. This is a project summary. Again, the project site is 13,51 square foot lot um zone single family residential with residential medium density and the lot contains a north facing downhill slope of about 25%. The project entails uh subdividing the lot into four parcels and constructing one single family residence and one ADU on each parcel for a total of eight units. It would result in a subdivision subdivision map with one building being situated on each individual parcel. This project is uh similar to one that was proposed uh back in 2012. Um at that time it wasn't pursued due to uh financial constraints but the same owners are now moving forward with the project. Oops. I'm sorry the slideshow is advancing quickly. Okay. [snorts] So this is a slide that shows a little bit about the project detail.

I'll go right to to the design. and it's a contemporary home style design that's compatible with the neighborhood and complies with the citywide design objective standards. [sighs and gasps] The uh buildings are built on a steep slope with two stories facing the street and four stories at the rear elevation. [sighs and gasps] The parking required is four parking spaces for each single family residence and the proposed project does provide the four on-site parking spaces for each parcel. There's streetscape and landscaping improvements as part of the project. The project will have permeable grass paver driveways, city standard sidewalks, street lights and curbs, front yard landscaping with Japanese maple trees and backyard landscaping of grass lawn and drought tolerant native plants. This slide has data on the lot and floor area. The top uh table there shows the lot areas and then we have the uh primary residence. The uh includes priv private decks for each house. Sorry about that. And then we have the total proposed area for each of the parcels. And then the attached ADUs which are in the basement level and those also include uh small decks. This is a topographic survey of the site. This is the proposed tenative map parcel lot split. The homes are located approximately 28 to 38 ft from the project site rear property line. And this is the proposed parcel map.

These are site photos from left to right showing the facing north, facing northeast, facing east, facing southwest, and facing east where there's adjacent four single family residence homes. A question. The four homes that are right there, are they built the same way going down the slope? Is that the Yes. Okay.

He has similar similar design. Yes. These are uh additional site photos of the adjacent homes to the west and to the east. And I pointed out that there's a little uh cutout on the road there where there's street parking. This is the proposed site plan. The lots will comply with the required 20ft front setback and the 10-ft rear setback. This slide shows the proposed floor plan for each single family residence. From left to right, we have the basement level, basement 2, which comprises the ADU accessory dwelling unit with a deck. Basement level one, which is the kitchen, bathroom, sump room, and deck. Then we have the Sorry, go back here. We have the ground floor which is a living room, interior stairwell, bathroom deck, and two-car garage. [snorts]

And then the second floor, which is three bedrooms, three bathrooms, two front decks, and one rear deck off the rear bedroom. Sam, another question. Going back. Um, looking at the first one, when you see at the bottom where it's all like just nothing is there, is that the slope? That's that's what that's the slope where there's nothing there. Is it built into that slope? Is that what that is? The bottom part of that picture where it's just nothing there. Oh, the bottom part is actually the um it's the the actual hillside

surf. It's the front of the house. So the front. So that would be like the the front portion of the house and the driveway. So if you're going right to left, that is the second story above ground at the street level. Yeah. Street level. Street level is the one where the garage is with the two cars. And then the next two where you see those white areas that are nothing there, that's the slope. There's that's the slope. [snorts] That's the hillside. So, it's built into the hillside. Okay. Yes. Thank you.

There'll there'll be um some renderings that'll show it a little bit better coming up. This slide I just just pulled out just to give you an idea of the vehicle parking, the fourc car parking. So, there's the twocar sideby-side parking garage and then there's space in the uh front for two surface uh vehicle parking in the driveway. And they also it also maintains a clear sidewalk. This is the south elevation which is the front. So from the front it's a two-story buildings uh with a height from uh front elevation ground floor to the top parapit of about approximately 22 feet 3 in. This is the northeast elevation. So you can see the the peers and the slope uh [sighs] that that shows how the building is going to be constructed into the hillside. This is proposed southwest elevation and this is the northwest elevation or the the rear uh elevation. Uh the overall building height is about 55 ft approximately from if you measure from the the rear uh of the buildings to the top. This section shows the pure foundations and floors of each residence. From the Crocker Avenue, the building is two stories and from the rear elevation, the building is four stories. These are the design renderings for the project. The proposed hillside homes feature deep foundation, pure piles, retaining walls,

and terracing for stability. Visually, the project uses a multi-level design, expansive glass walls and windows, and cantalver decks and terraces to follow the slope, maximizing panoramic views, natural light, and outdoor living spaces integrated with the steep terrain. Sorry, skipped ahead there. [sighs] This slide shows the design and landscaping. The exterior materials and finishes have been chosen for their sustainability. The design will feature dark painted anodized aluminum windows and doors, yellow ceramic tile entry, vertical composite wood panels, and tempered glass railings. Grass pavers will be used to ensure permeable surface for the driveways complemented by drought tolerant landscaping which includes Japanese maple trees. The uh overall design of the development is is designed to integrate seamlessly with the surrounding area and enhance the residential character of the neighborhood. Staff has reviewed uh this design, the materials and colors and landscaping and determined that the project meets the required findings of section 17.45 design review of the municipal code and the citywide design objective standards and supports the building design for the proposed four residential homes. The slide shows the landscaping plan with Japanese maple leaf trees in the front and the grass permeable paved driveways. The backyard includes grass landscaping plants and a fence separating the storm water treatment biotreatment area. And all the proposed plants will be based on the appendex Z of the latest cemetery county water pollution prevention programs C3 regulated project guide. [laughter]

This this is the slide showing the storm water management plan and the [snorts] um bio treatment area highlighted in green at the rear of the properties. Planning staff has determined based on the review of the project plans and the tenative map that the proposed subdivision meets the findings required pursuant to the subdivision map act. And just I won't go through the entire slide here, but these are the the findings that need to be made and they're highlighted in bold and underlined. These are the design review findings. Uh staff has reviewed the uh completed review of the design review of the site plan, building design and landscape plan and determine that the project meets the findings for design review approval. The uh architect has has done a good job of integrating the residential building into the steep hillside terrain using the foundations, retaining walls, and terracing. Whoops. Um, also the front of the building utilizes a variety of exterior materials and colors and vertical and horizontal features to break up the mass of the buildings and provide a visually interesting facade. And this is the citywide objective design standards that it complies with. [snorts] Planning staff completed SQA environmental review for the proposed project and determined that the project is categorically exempt per sequel section 15332 for an infill development project on a vacant lot. Staff is recommending the planning

commission take the following action. recommend the city council approve the subdivision parcel map for a lot split from one to four parcels and design review for the construction of one single family residence with one accessory dwelling unit on each parcel. [snorts] This concludes staff's presentation. I'm happy to [clears throat] answer my any questions at the project applicants. Uh we also have the project applicants architect Wing Lee available and the property owners uh Ramon and Daniel Lee are also available to answer questions about the project. Thank you. Do any commissioners have questions? I have a question. Yes. Do you guys have any renderings of the view of the house it's going to get? I know it's right by Belleview, correct?

Or Crocker. It's Yeah, it's on Crocker Avenue. Top of the Daily City. Yeah. So, yeah. I I had the site photos sort of in the beginning. Um but right now if you go to the site there's a large number of eucalyptus trees that pretty much cover the but the project does as part of the project those trees are going to be removed. Understood. Yeah. So yeah it it should have a pretty nice view. Okay. Yeah. I'm pretty sure it would all be market rate. Huh. Not n not affordable. Yeah. Understood. Yeah. Any other questions from board members? None.

All right. Uh if there aren't any further questions from the board, is there [clears throat] anything else that uh any of the presenters would like to add or is this Are we concluded? Do you have anything? Sure. Do we have any members of the public? Yes. If there's any member of the public that would like to speak or if any of the um owners applicants have anything they'd like to say. Go ahead. Can Can I speak? Yes, of course. Oh, come right up. Coming up. And if you would state your name, please. Yeah.

Hi, my name is uh Burman Louie. Um I live in um I own one of the houses. Uh that's well the project's going to happen directly behind my house. Mhm.

So my question is um I noticed that that land over the years there's a lot of um vegetation trees. Um I was just wondering what happens to those. Do those stay? Cuz I noticed that uh the the site that uh the houses that are next to that current site that they built houses couple years ago, but they kept the trees there. Um, so I just want to know what happens to those trees. Do those get cut down and how far are they building towards my property with that um bio plant they talked about like the bio bile waste? Yeah, that's my question.

All right. Uh, can staff field any of those questions? So my understanding from the pro the project will be removing uh the trees. Um and as far as like distances [sighs] uh these are the estimated approximate distances from the property line to the homes below. Um, so we're looking at like 28 ft 30 uh 35, I think. Uh, but the the actual buildings of the proposed project are are not on the property line. They're they're further um up the hill from this from the um property line. Uh so and you had a question about the bio treatment uh area treatment.

Yeah.

Do those existing trees get in those trees like 70. the the biotreatment area is actually uh just it's a an an area with with natural vegetation and it's basically to filter storm water. So when there's storm water from from from the buildings um it's captured and then it's brought down and it and this is a county requirement that uh every project of this size requires um looking at uh drainage management areas and storm water filtration uh treatment measures. And so this is an area where there's going to be just it's going to be completely fenced off from both the the the property owners and and the property to the rear and it'll be managed uh just to filter the water. It's it's there's not going to be any trees in that location. Um yes, my understanding is that the trees the large the the large eucalyptus trees are going to be removed moved as part of the project. Um, I can have the uh the architect uh speak to to that um because he's a little bit more familiar with the the design and and the construction needs of the project.

I'll introduce the architect uh uh Wingley. Thank you. Sure. Good evening. Good evening,

planning commissioners, directors, and uh all the staff with the daily city and thank you for your question. uh Wing Lee here. I'm the architect of record. Um so if I may I can try to answer that question. So the all the existing trees none of them is uh protected. So uh it's part of the commitment and also working with the North County Fire Department uh because they have huge concern uh regarding any existing or proposed um uh landscape. uh they're not supposed to be tall and dense and we work with them. We're still working with them um uh in the next phase in the building uh building permit application phase uh to come up with like uh defensive fire design. Um I'm no expert uh on it but basically kind of like common sense tree is kind of like you you love it and also you hate it to certain degree when it get when it get too tall and it's hard to maintain and it could becomes fire hazard and also depends on the proximity to the uh existing structure. So the proposed project we are not proposing any tall trees and the zone that the associate planner was was talking about is basically the bio retention area all the rainwater just coming down from high point to low point and then at the end of the property line um there will be a planter if you will and then all the rain order will be collected and then um will be pumped back to the uh cockro. So, just to uh answer your question, the tall trees will be all gone. But, um the

downside is while there may be some privacy concern um because well, when you look out to your backyard, you're going to see four buildings. Um yeah. Uh and I'm here to answer additional question if you have additional question for me. Thank you [clears throat] again. Members, any questions? Yes, Commissioner Faroo.

So, you just um mentioned that that was my question was going to be for the privacy of the neighbors and how is that going to be affect their privacy? I mean I for example I don't I live on the bottom floor so most of the time I worry about a building that is you know for my privacy and I appreciate you as being you know advocating for yourself where these new development is going to happen at um but wondering what other neighbors who cannot be here to even um voice their opinions until the time they see like, "Wow, I didn't even know it was going to be that tall. It looks like state-of-the-art to work." You know, that's very beautiful. Very beautiful. But I'm a little worried or a little sensitive to some of the neighbors that are around there, how they feel about it.

Yep, that's a good question. Thank you for your questions. So it's a tough one and to be honest with you because of the existing slope we're talking about 20 25%. So um you know well in some other area we usually would apply some kind of landscape feature uh to kind of um act as a buffer or screen to help each other because well if you don't want to be seen then the other person may not want to see you too. So, it's a two-way street. But in this case, uh I think the North County Fire Department, they are very adamant about the height of the proposed uh landscape. Um so unfortunately maybe through some kind of um translucent glazing system that may help to certain degree but and then at some point well you may also question well if you have a window then if you put a translucent screen there then what's the point but you also I think there may be an opportunity to find a balance like what I said before if you can see the bedroom they can also see your bedroom vice versa. So unfortunately I may not have the perfect solution in this case.

Thank you. Yep. Sure. Of course. A question I thought I saw somewhere in the material uh public uh notice was given of this hearing to uh the people within uh the neighborhood. Is that correct? That's correct. We sent out notice. That's correct. We we we comply fully with the public noticing requirement in our municipal code. So um it was noticed uh to all residents within 300 ft of the proposed project site. And did anyone uh within that radius uh contact the department and uh raise any concerns or No, planning uh planning division did not receive any contact from the public.

Okay. Thank you. Uh any other commissioners? Any questions? Yes, I have a question. Um thank you chair. I have a question about the foundation um the type of foundation um to be used. Um I'm trying to look there's information about that because of the slope. So um can you share with us what type of um foundation uh um type?

Yep. Um so the team has been working closely with geotechnical engineer and also uh initial inquiry with the structural engineer who is responsible for the foundation system and the soil type is basically uh based on the soil report uh the owner committed to do like back in 2000 and then um you may think soil is joy so soil right? Well, nothing has changed, but we we did update the uh soil report um two years ago just to get an updated information. So, to answer your question, uh because of the 20 25% slope, there will be a combination of peers most likely and there will be a lot of concrete. Um but I think one of the commissioners was asking about what's the white space below the um uh proposed parking uh garage area that will be soil. So but all these technical information and also the design is they are yet to be resolved with the uh licensed geotechnical engineer and also structural engineer. Um we also have a civil engineer on board. Um, as you can tell because the the slope right now if you go out there the slope on both side it drops pretty quickly and um Sam and engineering department and the team work really hard to resolve that well whether you like it or not we have to find ways to put retaining wall a little bit outside of the property line otherwise it could be a public safety issue uh if you don't put anything uh on the two sides of the proposed structure.

Okay. Thank you. Is there a similar project design that um you've done um that is um you know like a uh property on a slope that you can site um like in this area close by. I personally did um a lot of [clears throat] uphill downhill lot. M

the challenge is not the same but it's almost as they are very similar um uh but if you're looking for a similar project I did in the area with the similar foundation maybe not but uh if you go out to the site there are three very similar uh structure they relatively new uh I think they were constructed like maybe within four to 5 years ago and they had some issue with the uh final inspection because of the discre discrepancy between the survey and also the the stair reaching the um uh the rear yard. Um but uh we have all the every every uh professional on the team they're all licensed uh engineer and uh we have civil we have geotech we have structural uh we have we're going to have landscape architect and mechanical electrical um plumbing. Uh it it may sound like it's a pretty small project but because of the site challenge uh the owner is committed to do it right and uh and because of the energy requirement in our wonderful state of California like all these eight unit we're not able to use gas is all electric uh it's just the requirement it is what it is. So I noticed that um it was f this uh project was first applied in 2012. Um is it the same what what were the challenges then? Um aside from funding, was there any other challenges why it didn't go through in 2012 versus today?

Well, I'll defer that uh to the owner.

Thank you. Good evening uh all uh city commissioner. Uh my name is Ramon Lelay and I'm the owner of the lot. And uh to give you a little story that I purchased the the big lot about 25 years ago when I was still young with the tea and everything and uh and uh because all the reason and so on. We get the um commissioner and also the city council even approved the project uh on year 2012. But because of my financial conditions there, you know and unable to complete the project then you know that was approved and everything is waiting for the school pay to school fee and order uh like a building permit for you know so anyway so uh right now I'm financially sound I'm 70 something years old so I finally sound now and then I want to move forward my project you know to get it done you know besides uh my I have son and order they they need housing also. So I building those four maybe two for them to live in and I just have a granddaughter and my son is getting married and you know we getting crowded in San Francisco. I live in San Francisco sunset [snorts] only two bedroom one bath you nothing anyway. So the the other two maybe I going to either rent or sell it. Okay. So basically four total what the uh ADU the ADU possibly you know they either the mother or father-in-law living there or the older sisters or something. All right. So now to answer the question is uh last time we get the approval 2012 um I think there's a lady uh brought up the issue regarding outside parking.

That's the only lady that came you know older lady. He said, "Well, what about the guests coming in and and uh they they want to visit one of those and then you have four houses there and everything." And um I said, "Well, they don't come at one time. They, you know, maybe one car, they have three or four nowadays, you know, car poolool." So I don't see any problem besides we have [snorts] uh two actually two or three parking on the parking in front and also where garages inside already too. So that was it. No no no uh other complaint or nothing else to answer the gentleman regarding the tree thing. We will get rid of all the trees. So no no no hassle to for going down to your place and also but the privacy issue I want to stay sometimes you know it cannot help it because of uh watching from the windows and also but with the uh drapes and mini blind and everything you know that will you know do at least you know uh uh you know this the purpose otherwise you know we we cannot really you know resolve the privacy issue. because uh they all together those houses you know they attach and so on you know. Okay. So um uh hopefully uh you can approve my project and then and we move on and I have you know actually the project right now uh I mean the lot itself is uh a lot of green trees there and it's look little like uh uh kind of like a run out lot you know all those debris and there you know so when we build the houses there because there are three build already there and uh I going to build four of them here and then they will

verify the area and then they create more units and you know and we can provide you know at least two year of great jobs you know construction jobs and you know and satisfy the state requirement more units and and and and for uh you know well-being of the good citizens you know thank you thank you Mr. too late. Okay. Thank you. Thank you,

Mr. Director. Can I ask a question? What what is the prescription period for whenever the city or the planning commission approve it? How many years can they implement it or how many more years can they hold on to it the permit? Well, for a subdivision, the answer is typically two years for the subdivision map act. Two years. And the design review is so he was saying here it was 2012 so it lapsed. So he's going to apply. So this is an just reapplication. Yes. This is a whole new brand new application. What was the reason why you were not able to build it on time Mr.

Financial? Yeah we know that I ran out the money you know. Yeah on the time then I have difficulty my business went down. But do you think you can you can you can implement this project now? Yes, good. I said so you know very good because that is what we are here. It was a uh 2012 so uh well 20 26 or 14 years ago already. I mean probably I was young then when I was the commission. Do you remember me? [laughter] But but even I was younger when I visited the land you know about almost I know times go by. Okay. Okay. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Do you remember, Mr. Any other [laughter] any other questions from members of the board?

No, thank you. No, that's it. Thank you. Okay. Well, I think we've heard uh a very nice presentations and thank you so much for everyone that did make the presentation. So, we have a recommendation right now from staff uh to affirm the environmental assessment and to approve the minor subdivision SUV 0724016596 and design review DR 082416609 as condition. Will someone move the recommendation? I so move your honor for approval of this. All right, it's been moved and seconded. If there's no further discussion, roll call, please.

Commissioner Couture, yes. Commissioner Fua, yes. Commissioner Nurus, I. Commissioner Panisa, yes. Commissioner Satari, yes. All right, it's uh it is passed and good luck to you on your project. We wish you well and um continue going forward. When is it going to council? Uh Mr. director. When is going to the council? This will go to the city council February 23rd. Mr. Listen to the the director. It will go to the council on February [laughter] 20th. February 12th. It's always 20 days later.

All right. The next item on our agenda is um uh zone change ZC0461650, creation of a commercial cannabis non retail combining district and amendments to the zoning map reszoning parcels to be included in the CCNR commercial cannabis combining commission. Um Mr. Lang is [laughter] thank you chair nur welcome. Yes. Uh it's it's a tough name. That's okay. We'll we'll get it right.

Not a problem. So, uh this is a somewhat of a continuation of a discussion of the uh expansion, if you will, of the city's commercial cannabis overlay zones. the planning commission and uh city council in fact uh heard uh this item last fall culminating in the city council's meeting in September to discuss the addition of parcels on Geneva Avenue and Mission Street into the commercial cannabis overlay zone which at that time the proposal was to allow uh in this on these parcels full retail uses is commercial cannabis retail uses. [clears throat]

Um, so I won't go through the whole background again. I think you've heard it before, but essentially the city has uh 12 uh eligibility zones where commercial cannabis is allowed with the commercial cannabis overlay zones. And the concept was to add two new ones, Geneva Avenue and Mission Street, where retail would be allowed. went to the planning commission, went to the city council, I think it went to the planning commission actually earlier in the summer and went to the uh city council in September when the item arrived to the city council. The city council took public testimony and at that time I think based on that public testimony directed the city staff to essentially developed a zoning concept wherein the uh uses that would be allowed would be non retail. So cannabis uses that uh would still be allowed in in on these Geneva Avenue and Mission Street uh parcels but not retail. So what does that mean? It means essentially like manufacturing of uh products that have cannabis in them but not for sale at that site or distribution could be so if an office uh type of use but with the cannabis present could also be a use that would be allowed but there would be no storefront re retail. There was some concern that was expressed by the public and at least one of the council members that um that was something that kind of rather uh hold off on and just allow the non- retail. So in response, the city staff came up with a new overlay zoning district called the CCNR. And there's really not a whole lot to uh show you in terms of visually, but we can look at the map of where this is. So, the new overlay zoning district would be called CCNR. So, commercial

cannabis, but not retail. That's what the NR stands for. And so, the actual uses that would be permitted in this zone are actually controlled in chapter 5. the the planning commission itself doesn't actually vote on those and that would go to the city when this goes to city council which would be uh in March uh that would be added to chapter 5 of the city the daily city municipal code the exact it's usually things like examples of uses that are non- retail. So, we did provide the language as an attachment to the staff report that uh would establish the new overlay zoning district and again it's the parcels that we're describing Mission Street between Crocker Avenue and Templeton Avenue and then in the Bay Shore Geneva Avenue between Talbert Street and Beayshore Boulevard and between and Geneva Avenue between Castillo Street and Calgary Street. So, these are the parcels that would be uh permitted to again have the non- retail uses. Under the current zoning scheme, there's one eligibility zone per each of these uh per Mission Street and Geneva Avenue. So, we've proposed it that way. Um, since it's non- retail, it's I suppose up for conversation about whether um we'd want to continue with this the scheme of, if you will, of of the opportunity areas just having one each. But, uh, that's the way we've currently written it up because that's the way the entire entirety of the other commercial cannabis overlay zones operate. They're eligibility zones and there's only one retail use in those other zones that's allowed. So, we just wrote this up very similarly. So, I'm I hope I'm making myself clear on on all of that. But that's essentially the history uh of where we came to be and why this is back before you. The city staff uh just as we always have done, distributed public

hearing notices to all of the property owners within 300 ft both on the Sanato and San Francisco uh sides of the the property lines or properties. And uh yeah, and we've had one one call uh from uh uh one of the residents that was just, you know, somewhat concerned about what was going on. Uh but aside from that, have no received we haven't received any public input prior to this meeting. Thank you. Uh commissioners, questions? Yes. Yes. Is there a demand for the commercial the non retail? I there probably is. Um it's it's not really our in in the planning division's role to sort of answer that, right?

Um in in development of allowing cannabis as a retail and non- retail use throughout the city, um there has been strong demand for the retail aspect. So it would follow seemingly that there would be demand for the non- retail aspect as well. So just an anecdotal answer is there probably is. Okay. Thank you.

Other questions? No. Okay. Well, we don't have any further questions. Uh so if there aren't any [clears throat] I'm seeing that the recommendation is that we make a finding that the proposed reszoning and exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act the SQA pursuant to SQUA guidelines section 15016 review for exemption and to recommend to the city council the approval of zone chain ZC 0402416507. 7 creating a new commercial cannabis non retail combining district and reszoning parcels fronting Mission Street between Crocker Avenue and Templeton Avenue fronting Geneva Avenue between Talbert Street and Beayshore Boulevard and fronting Geneva Avenue between Castillo Street and Calgary Street into the new combined district. Is there a motion to that effect?

I motion for approval. Thank you. Do we have a second? Second. Been moved in second. Any further comments? No. Hearing none. Roll call, please. [clears throat] Commissioner Coutur, yes. Commissioner Fapua, Commissioner Nurus, I. Commissioner Penisa, I. Commissioner Satari. Yes. All right. Thank you. Um, next on the agenda, public appearances, staff communications. Your honor, can can I make a a question of privilege by make Yes. rendering a a privilege speech? Yes.

Your honor, Mr. Chairman, it is about the synchronization of our work towards planning and the process and its oversight function. This is about the don dichotomy of government here in daily city about the planning commission is a deliberative body that should discuss and analyze development and economic activities of the city. That is why this is called your department called economic and community development. I will just focus on this department your honor because anyway it is supposed to be the year wherein we have to make a performance review and review technique about the city and I think the mayor will discuss that eventually but I'm going to settle only on the planning commission there are about eight departments I I'm just going to concentrate on this department what happened to the development agency probably abolish then there should be an oversight commission and and it's incumbent upon us being the planning commission we can take over of this based on our mandate that can advise the city council of development planning and intertwined to the other whether it's social economic development your honor there seems to be no economic activity going on in the city except probably when you Today there is a festival. This is only one shot deal. There should be a longer long range or medium range or even short range of plan for development that can be disseminated of information to the city council being the policym and of the city government. I'm glad that the city management is looking forward to this concern of development

in the preparation and process of ECD or the planning department in the coming days. There should be a coordinated effort through planning commission by means of consensus meeting with the people of daily city and planning commission as an adviser to the city council as I have said for policy formulation procedure that should be the process of oversight of development in economic activity and social development. You will notice that for the several years we do not have regular planning commission meeting. Sometimes we only have about three or four meetings a year. I don't know what's going on in the city. We have to build skills, allocate our time wisely, adapt to market changes, be creative in areas of development and take calculated risks as far as development is concerned. for the sake of public interest, general welfare, public safety and public health. My lingering question is whatever happens to the Grand Boulevard project, your honor. I have been here for almost 25 years and I have the Soliban corridors, your honor, and the other project. And every I think 10 years, we should have a general plan summit meeting with the people building up this consensus. And I'm calling upon the city management to see to it that they should get advice from the the so-called ECD department. This is possibly the the link between the city manager and the people they are taking care of as as I have said you know in the let me

read to you the the book in the in the social contract of Jean Ru a trans philosopher says the supreme power in any state lies not in any ruler individual or corporate but in the general will of the community though it may be delegated in part and for time but we can never surrender that we have to still do it our job with this your honor I'm just stating a fact because uh uh I think I think only this is my personal opinion uh we [clears throat] are not being as a commission. This is supposedly in in all America. It starts with planning and budgeting. Planning is more or less universal because you cannot build a bridge without a plan. This is not just a wedding planner. This is a a real plan for the development of the city, development of the people, whether it's economic. I and that's why I'm speaking my heart that we should really have to inculcate this to our heart being an appointed person of uh the city council and we should be uh be consensious enough not just let us just let it go just move forward you know uh we don't even know that there was really changing of guards we don't even No. Uh, this to me is disrespectful to us as a planning commissioner. We should be informed whether she's retired or she's been fired or whatever. At least we should we can be of help also to to the city as a to me not as a planning commissioner but as a

taxpayer. I want my city to be well done in in a good way. So with this your honor uh I'm just stating a fact here to for the general welfare public welfare general interest of the people. We are not here politicking. I am not interested in politics. I might not be I might be I would some people will say race is always mad. No I am not mad. There is a doctrine that's called self-righteousness for indignation. Especially those people who are treating us well. we just be fair with us and I'll be fair with you. So this is my my imparting words. Let us do what is best for the community. Thank you very much your honor.

If you want we can continue this while in discussion. Thank you very much commissioner. We appreciate uh your thoughts on this and they come from uh your heart and from your many years of experience and we appreciate that very much. Thank you for sharing them and going forward. I think we're all hearing what you're saying. Maybe it's a time for us to kind of rethink our role. Maybe we need to have uh some more study sessions, some more opportunities for us to also uh figure out uh what changes we might want to make and how we want to go forward as well. And so I I support you in those thoughts as well.

Yes. And thank you. Um, I wanted to address your comments, Commissioner Stori, and uh, let you know that uh, we've definitely heard what you're communicating to us. Um, in fact, uh, we did have a staff communication, which is that Tatum has retired, Tatum Mother's Head, as you all know. Oh, wow.

Um, so that was, uh, something we wanted to communicate to you at the planning commission meeting. Um, and this is the agenda location where it's appropriate to do that. And so, um, that that is the communication there. Um, but, uh, thank you for those comments and we completely understand what you mean. Uh, the planning commission's role in California and throughout the United States, in fact, is one that's very participatory in terms of involving the public, receiving information about what the city's uh, land use planning efforts are. Um, and we intend to, you know, include you as much as possible. Um, and it sounds like what I'm hearing is that you'd like to be maybe uh be included more than just when land use applications come forward.

So sometimes study sessions are the way that that happens. Um, if we're in a conversation just like u for example, we may begin conversation on the SAMR site. It could be something where the SAM trans comes and gives a presentation to the planning commission for very very early input or maybe not even input just to be informed information. Exactly. And so we see no issue with doing that. Um when large projects come forward to and and the developers sometimes like doing that they get the project in front of you.

Nothing wrong with that. Um but that's something that we can um make happen and involve you earlier in the process. some of the um other items that you'd mentioned, commissioner, with regard to the general plan, the Sullivan corridor specific plan. The general plan was adopted in 2013. Um it is I that's starting to age a little bit and uh a general plan update, you know, could be around the corner. Um these are the sorts of things that are very staff intensive and can be expensive if the staff uh doesn't write the general plan. in 2013. Uh in fact, it began in 2010. The city staff wrote the general plan. Um so, um we may not have the ability to do that again. So, the city will need to budget for that. Um it's usually upwards of a million dollars to do something like that. So, it's a it's there's a cost to some of the things that uh uh you know, we might want to do, but thank you for uh mentioning those things and putting them on our radar. We do appreciate it. I just want to add on um in March it's the annual planning commission training as well. Maybe we go if if it's fits in the within the budget we all attend

in Anaheim I believe this year. Thank you. Yeah. Yes. Commission your honor. Yes. How many staff do you have in in the the plan planning department? Currently we have two planners in the planning division. And there's an assistant and how about the the assistance? You know, I am really flabbergasted [clears throat] because when we came in here, it was so dark, no lights, and you are coming here as as as a director without any backup people around. Mhm.

This to me, you know, I I'm a corporate man. I have a secretary and assistant, but sit to it that it's highly organized. But this time when you came in, we don't even know whom to address. M what is that? Is this showing that we need people more because uh you know your your department is highly paid highly paid. Your range is highly paid. It's galloping high. So I don't think you need more people to to police the police the police you know this is what soal you know

uh when we came here it was highly disorganized. I'm just telling it to you now. Is is it because uh one person is out and I don't know but I think the show must go on because this is a government office. This is not a private the problem with with the the dichotomy between government and private in the private sector I am representing we we we think about how to to generate revenue but in public sector like government the city government is how to spend the money. You know the difference how to spend the money. Yes, we actually spend a lot of money.

No, no, I don't think you should know it better because how come? No, no, no, no assistance come from you.

Why? You are supposed to be the interim director. No, no one is trying to take care of you. I I don't think uh you need more people. You go there, it's a lot of people, but sometimes there are no people around. I don't know. This is to me as a to me not as a commissioner as a taxpayer I'm observing also and I have seen five city managers here from John Ro John Martin Martell Sean and then now and I [laughter] think the the new administrator this city man is doing his job well but the point is it should sip down it power him it should be like I don't know should be business is business business business whether you're a friend or not that's my my my take

thank you commissioner Faul

I I just want to thank you thank you to the staff um I really get it what Mr. Tori is trying to imply um but I'm not adding to it. I just want to thank thank you for the the hardworking wishing luck to Tatum to her retirement and other doors opening up to to them. Happy New Year's and just a just a tiny advice uh you know word of advice is to to keep us in the loop as many to keep us um I heard about that planning. I would like to attend as long as we know ahead of time and see if that is covered within our budget or coming out of my pocket. I'm not sure I can cover it from my pocket, but but if we have any budget, you know, within the planning commission to cover for that, I would love to learn and to attend.

Okay. Thank you. Well, I guess really what we're saying is and we're all on the same page here. We're in transition right now a little bit and uh we're kind of like re reassessing where we've been uh and where we want to be. And so I think we're all on the same page. We will all work together to try and improve everything that's going on around here and uh support each other in in doing what uh as Commissioner Stori has said uh what's the best interest of the community and our and our people. Uh are there any other uh comments from u board members? Um then let me check our agenda. Is uh there anything else that we need to discuss before we move for adjournment?

Not from our All right. Is there a motion to adjurnn? I second. And it's seconded. All in favor say I. I. All right then. Thank you.