Remarks by Peter Tiernan
99 remarks on the record, newest first · Page 3 of 4
- Play at 15:15
“I appreciate that. Thank you. So let me first quiz the commission to see if they have questions of staff before we move on. So do we have any questions regarding the text or this transfer of development rights? I have a couple questions.”
Planning Commission · Jul 27, 2026
- Play at 30:17
“So we'll stick on the TDR for a little while. I think the advantage is that they don't have to be affordable units, the units on the receiving end. So if they prefer to have market rate housing rather than provide the affordable, that in their perception would be a red ink, they get to have market rate. But what I see is that it's such a narrow area for receiving. It's just exclusively downtown. It goes up to Atherton, stops there. That would be the North Redwood corridor picking up that triangle, and then down Grant Avenue. What's a challenge for me is trying to actually, without a concrete…”
Planning Commission · Jul 27, 2026
- Play at 32:31
“Okay. So would it be possible for that same property owner who, their property is zoned, it's hillside, it's zoned for 30, though, to say, well, I'm going to sell 15 to project A, but then we're going to sell, split off the other 15 and sell them to project B. Is that a likely scenario as well?”
Planning Commission · Jul 27, 2026
- Play at 33:47
“Do we have anybody waiting in the lurches that's ready to jump on a transferred property?”
Planning Commission · Jul 27, 2026
- Play at 35:00
“So that kind of brings to mind, so because we have the county line fairly close in many parts of this town, could some development rights from the county be transferred into the city?”
Planning Commission · Jul 27, 2026
- Play at 35:30
“OK, so I do have a couple of questions about the text. And my PC is not operating. So I have the pages that showed up in our staff report. I have some questions. Sure. So page six. It has under building standards something about the max density doesn't apply for open space. I'm just curious, why would even, it's open space, what density do we need there?”
Planning Commission · Jul 27, 2026
- Play at 36:09
“So it was on page six, as part of the text changes, table two, three, under AG, where it shows open space, It has something about building standards in my notes here. And I don't get why we need building standards in open space. Unless it's like maybe a shed.”
Planning Commission · Jul 27, 2026
- Play at 36:43
“I'm assuming it's just for a shed or for maintenance stuff, but if you could clarify.”
Planning Commission · Jul 27, 2026
- Play at 37:08
“Okay, I mean, that's what I'm assuming, but I just want to verify that that is indeed the case. Yeah. Okay, so then on page 19, The residential unit uses CN for multifamily. As I recall, or as I, I don't have the grid in front of me, but it was something about how it needed a permit. So again, page 19. Residential land uses CN. Yes. multifamily, it says that it needs a permit.”
Planning Commission · Jul 27, 2026
- Play at 38:28
“okay so so previously it was a it was a permitted use now it requires a permit somebody's got to actually apply for it it's actually the other way so previously a use permit was required now a use permit is no longer automatic okay that's that's fine um page 16. um the abbreviations you and i'm curious which one is Old Town versus New Town. You know, we've got a CDR and then we've got a CDB. And I'm assuming the business district is the West End. New Town, if you will. Yes. Okay. Okay.”
Planning Commission · Jul 27, 2026
- Play at 39:09
“It would be nice, actually, in brackets if it said Old Town. Right. To make it a little bit clearer. Do we... So... Page 21, this is about the check cashing. So that was the question why it was. I think it's a permitted in the West End, in Newtown, but not in Oldtown. Is that accurate? Or did the city council take action on that? Because we had a little controversy about a business.”
Planning Commission · Jul 27, 2026
- Play at 41:03
“Okay, so let me try that one more time. So Old Town, check cashing is now, as long as it's within a grocery store or some other service, is a permitted use. Yes. Okay, it doesn't require a huge permit.”
Planning Commission · Jul 27, 2026
- Play at 42:13
“Okay. Thank you. And then lastly, so there's a table for And it's regarding design review. And I'm just curious, did they have a chance to review that? Have they had that committee?”
Planning Commission · Jul 27, 2026
- Play at 42:58
“balance of it that's so so assuming we make a recommendation to just go straight to the city council exactly okay okay um that's the extent of my questions at least for now around the text and the tdrs um does staff want to contribute anything else before i open the hearing Okay, so I'm gonna open up a public hearing in case members of the public wanna talk to us about these text changes or the transfer of development rights. It is kind of esoteric a little bit. I'd be curious from staff's perspective how much more work this may well develop being that now you'll be handling projects with 150…”
Planning Commission · Jul 27, 2026
- Play at 45:36
“We share some of your questions. Do you want her to clarify the question, or can you give her some? I know you explained already, but. We know you have the back and forth, but that's fine. Let's see if they can try and address that for you, Celia.”
Planning Commission · Jul 27, 2026
- Play at 47:51
“Proof will be in the pudding if we ever see one of these projects. Anyway. Thank you. Thank you.”
Planning Commission · Jul 27, 2026
- Play at 48:55
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
Planning Commission · Jul 27, 2026
- Play at 49:33
“OK. Because of that caveat? Yeah. OK. Uh-oh.”
Planning Commission · Jul 27, 2026
- Play at 50:58
“Thank you. Thank you. Yeah, I think you asked great questions. Okay, so anybody else from the public want to speak to us? Otherwise, I'm going to close the public hearing and bring it back. Okay, back to the commission. You've heard a little bit of discussion, further questions. Are we prepared for some actions? Commissioner Rook.”
Planning Commission · Jul 27, 2026
- Play at 52:10
“Yeah, I think what this ultimately means will be, you know, trades and some of their rights and we see the locations and the criteria are established I mean one of the things that I have felt comfortable with is trying to identify development infill closer to our services and that's precisely what this would be doing would be bringing if there are units available that are on the perimeter of town but can't be developed you know closer restaurants and services.”
Planning Commission · Jul 27, 2026
- Play at 52:59
“I think that you're onto something there. It is very conceptual. But if you have questions, just ask the other evening.”
Planning Commission · Jul 27, 2026
- Play at 53:10
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. No, I'm supported, but I'm hesitant about the process until I actually see the realities of it come around.”
Planning Commission · Jul 27, 2026
- Play at 53:52
“Yeah, I think that the streamlining aspect is pretty apparent, trying to combine stuff and make it less to go through the process and find what can you use in which districts and what have you. So I believe that that will be accomplished with this vote. But the TDR thing is new turf. I'll support it.”
Planning Commission · Jul 27, 2026
- Play at 54:29
“Okay, any discussion on the motion before us? Okay, I'll start with Commissioner Greenkey.”
Planning Commission · Jul 27, 2026
- Play at 55:52
“So I don't want to, but the design review established objective standards and that's supposedly their answer. You know, you fit into one of these boxes. It's okay with us. I mean, I don't want to put words in their mouth, but that's okay.”
Planning Commission · Jul 27, 2026