MINUTES
Planning Commission Meeting
Council Chambers, 380 Civic Drive, Galt, California
[GALTI Thursday, August 14, 2025, 6:00 p.m.
Chair Denier called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The Commissioners present were Denier, Gerling, Jackson, and Johnson. Absent: Jones.
Staff members present: Assistant City Manager Amie Mendes, Community Development Director Jennifer Carloni, Public Works Director John Griffin, Attorney Olivia Clark, Senior Planner Kristyn Bitz, and Associate Planner Stacy Schafer.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
1. Dylan Volkman is concerned with maintenance and grading issues for the Fairway Oaks project site.
2. Jay Vandenburg is concerned with 2 story homes being placed behind existing 1 story homes, elevation changes, and wall issues.
3. Carol Smith, a resident of Cornell Road, is also concerned with the future maintenance of the walls and the design of the wall being placed on Cornell Road
4. Gavin Voyne advised he does not want to see Cornell Road opened for the project and why opening this road would not benefit the residents or the city.
5. Jason Cobb spoke for Christine Mitchell, agreed with all previous comments and updated the commission on the lack of communication and noticing the Fairway Oaks developers have had with the existing residents and the safety concerns of the current construction.
6. Mark Albert, a resident of Cornell Road, has concern with the elevations and grade issues currently seen on site and the wall that is being placed on Cornell Road.
7. Stephanie Albert read a letter she had emailed the commissioners.
8. Mary Hood spoke for the Creekside subdivision stating they do not want to see Cornell Road remain closed, also had questions on the gravity vs pump station decision for the sewer.
9. Jeff Hood agreed that Cornell Road needs to be opened, the plans have always stated it would open and they need to follow the plans.
10. Dale Templeton stated Cornel Road is nothing more than a long driveway and it should remain closed.
City of Galt Planning Commission Minute: Page 2 of 5
egular Meeting of August 14, 202
INFORMATION/CONSENT CALENDAR
A. SUBJECT: Minutes of the July 12, 2025, Regular Meeting.
RIC 12,2025, Regula N. The Planing Commission aprove the minutes of the ACTION: Commissioner Gerling motioned to approve the minutes of the July 12, 2025 Regular Meeting. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion. The motion was passed by Chair Denier, Commissioner Gerling, Commissioner Jackson, Commissioner Johnson.
PUBLIC HEARING:
A. SUBJECT: Fairway Oaks Design Review Public Hearing
RECOMMENDATION: 1) Receive a presentation; 2) Open the public hearing to receive comments and; 3) Consider a resolution approving the Design Review (Project Architecture, Walls, and Fences) for the Fairway Oaks project.
CEQA: On August 4, 2020, the City Council adopted an IS/MND for the Project pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act, Public Resources Code section 21000 et seq. (CEQA). No substantial changes have been made to the Project, to the circumstances of the Project, or to new information regarding the Project that require major revisions to the IS/MND. Thus, further review pursuant to CEQA is not required pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15162.
ACTION: Staff Schafer presented.
Rachel Corona and Robert Sprague, the project managers for the Fairway Oaks project introduced themselves to the commission.
Commissioners took turns clarifying comments and questions with the Fairway Oaks project managers and staff.
Chair Denier opened public hearing.
Tony Jacobson asked that 2 story homes not be placed behind the existing I story homes and expressed concern with the proposed fence height, and elevation issues.
Dulce spoke on behalf of her father Dudley Cox also concerned with 2 story homes being placed directly behind the existing 1 story homes and the proposed fence height.
Jay Vandenburg stated this subdivision should meet the same criteria placed on other subdivisions throughout the city and 2 story homes should not be allowed directly behind existing 1 story homes.
Gavin Voyne stated that the proposed fence height of the wall that will be fence on top of the retaining wall would require a harness to be worn on a construction site when any work was being done on a fence that tall.
City of Galt Planning Commission Minutes Page 3 of 5
Regular Meeting of August 14, 2025
Carol Smith expressed concern with wall height and requested that City provide more meetings and public comment windows to hear from the residents.
Gilbert Smith requested that Cornell Road remain closed and that the wall that will be facing Cornell Road be changed to full cinderblock and no wood.
Stephanie Albert agreed that the wall on Cornell Road should be all cinderblock and no wood and expressed concern with the height of the proposed fencing.
Oli Rodriguez was also upset with the fence and wall heights being proposed and requested the wood fence on top of the retaining wall be all cinderblock.
Shawn Farmer advised he was a City Council Member and that he would not be allowed to vote on the item due to his home being in the vicinity of the project. He requested the commissioners maintain conditions they have placed on other projects and to rely on what the City code states.
Mark Albert went through all the conditions he had to meet while building his one single family home and requested the commissioners require the same from the home developers.
Jason Cobb questioned the height of the proposed fencing and if it will be strong enough during certain weather conditions.
Dudley Cox expressed concern with the fence maintenance in the future and the current dirt and concrete issues that are occurring in the existing lots.
Chair Denier closed the public hearing.
The commissioners took turns with comments and questions for the Fairway Oaks project managers and staff addressing multiple items including fence design and height, where two story homes will be placed, project architecture, and the pump station decision.
Attorney Clark worked with the commissioners on creating a motion that best fits the project and the residents' requests.
Commissioner Johnson motioned for approval of the design review for the Fairway Oaks project with the following conditions.
• All fences with an underlying retaining wall shall be a split block wall built to be constructed by the developer, the cost difference of which between the proposed wood fence and split block, shall be borne by the City. Parties shall enter a reimbursement agreement delineating the terms for acceptance and reimbursement. • Plan 1 Boise enhanced will not be built backing any open space. • Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 162 will be one-story designs. Of the remaining lots backing Glendale Avenue, at least five lots will be one-story, and no lot will be any of the proposed two- story Craftsman designs.
Lot 155 will be a one-story design.
Lots 131, 132, and 127, unless 127 is impossible to be one-story with the variances granted herein then Lots 133 or 134, will be one-story. Of the remaining lots backing Tradepost Trail, none will be any of the proposed two-story Craftsman designs.
City of Galt Planning Commission Minutes Page 4 of S
Regular Meeting of August 14, 2025
• The Commission finds the following as to Lot 127:
• There are special circumstances applicable to the property, including size, shape, topography, location or surroundings, and because of such circumstances, the strict application of requirements of applicable setbacks would deprive the property of privileges generally enjoyed by other property in the vicinity and under identical zoning classification.
• The variance authorized does not constitute a grant of special privileges inconsistent with the limitations upon other properties in the vicinity and in the same zoning district.
• The variance does not authorize a use that is not otherwise allowed in the zoning • The variance will not adversely affect the interests of the public or the interests of other residents and property owners within the vicinity of the premises in question. • All the applicable legislative requirements of Government Code Section 65906 are met.
• Therefore, pursuant to Galt Municipal Code section 18.68.140, the Commission grants a variance as to the setbacks on every side of Lot 127, leaving a minimum setback in every direction of at least three feet.
Motion seconded by Chair Denier. Motion carried 4-0.
PUBLIC MEETING:
A. SUBJECT: Planning Commission Annual Report - FY 2024/2025 RECOMMENDATION: That the Planning Commission review and make recommendations and/or revisions as needed to finalize the Planning Commission Annual Report for presentation to the City Council.
ACTION: Staff Schafer presented.
There were no recommendations or revisions from the commissioners.
The item was closed and will be presented to the City Council at the September 2' meeting.
REGULAR CALENDAR:
None.
COMMENTS BY PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBER/FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
Commissioner Johnson directed staff that a gathering location and a site to place a large United States of America flag is being requested at Galt Ranch.
City of Galt Planning Commission Minutes Page 5 of 5
Regular Meeting of August 14, 2025
COMMENTS BY STAFF/DIRECTORS REPORT:
Community Development Director Jennifer Carloni introduced herself to the commissioners as the new director of the department.
Staff Bitz provided the Commission with an update on the status of current and upcoming residential and commercial projects. Staff Bitz advised what is expected for the planning commission for the remainder of the year and that discussions for the next General Plan will begir at the end of next year.
ADJOURN
Meeting adjourned at 10:27 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Stacy Schafer, Associate Planner.
Hacken
Stacy Schafer, Associate Planner