PIEDMONT CITY COUNCIL
Regular Meeting Minutes for Monday, February 2, 2026
A Regular Session of the Piedmont City Council was held Monday, February 2, 2026, in the City Hall Council Chambers at 120 Vista Avenue. In accordance with Government Code Section 54954.2, the agenda for this meeting was posted for public inspection on January 29, 2026.
CALL TO ORDER Vice Mayor McCarthy called the Regular Session meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL Present: Vice Mayor Conna McCarthy, Councilmember Jennifer Long, Councilmember Lorrel Plimier, and Councilmember Tom Ramsey
Absent: Mayor Betsy Smegal Andersen
Staff: City Administrator Rosanna Bayon Moore, City Attorney Deepa Sharma, Finance Director Kiran Bawa, Communications Program Manager Echa Schneider, Public Works Director Daniel Gonzales, Fire Chief Dave Brannigan, Police Chief Frederick Shavies, Recreation Director Chelle Putzer, Planning and Building Director Kevin Jackson, Senior Planner Gopika Nair, Associate Planner Tiffany Edwards, and City Clerk Anna Brown
PUBLIC FORUM Public Comment was received from:
Sonny Bostrom-Flemming spoke on the need for the city to provide infant and child swim lessons at the new Piedmont pool.
PRESENTATIONS
Black History Vice Mayor McCarthy presented the proclamation marking February 2026 as Month Black History Month to Violet Williams and Alexandria Wilson, members of Proclamation the Piedmont High School African Affinity Student Union.
CONSENT CALENDAR The Consent Calendar consisted of the following item:
Building Approval of Resolutions to: (1) Approve Job Classifications and Set Inspector, Compensation and Employment Terms for the New Building Inspector and Permit Technician, Permit Technician, and add both classifications to the Unrepresented And Police Officer Professional, Technical and Supervisory Unit; (2) Approve Revised Job Academy Trainee Classification for Police Officer Academy Trainee Position 0750-0582 Classifications
Resolution No. 10-2026
RESOLVED, that the City Council adopts Consent Calendar as submitted.
Moved by Ramsey, Seconded by Long
Ayes: McCarthy, Long, Plimier, and Ramsey
Noes: None
Absent: Smegal Andersen
City Council Minutes
February 2, 2026
2 REGULAR AGENDA The Council considered the following items of regular business:
Public Hearing Planning and Building Director Jackson recapped the development and timeline for Piedmont of the Piedmont Objective Design Standards. The objectives were developed by Objective Design the Planning Commission subcommittee, Good City Company, and Van Meter Standards Williams Pollack. The objectives contain three policy documents: the Objective Design Standards, Piedmont Desing Standards and Guidelines revisions, and Zoning Ordinance revisions.
Director Jackson noted these standards are in response to new state legislation requiring local jurisdictions to process housing projects without public input.
The standards aim to be flexible and lead developers toward creating quality architecture reflective of Piedmont’s current architecture. The standards can be revised in the future.
Director Jackson explained the city may be somewhat behind in approving objective design standards. The city is, however, ahead in approving one-tofour-unit design standards, as there are few examples from other cities.
Kevin Gardiner of Good City Company gave a presentation reviewing what the resolution includes, the definition of Objective Design Standards, the timeline of the resolution’s development, and revisions.
Senior Planner Nair reviewed the amendments included in the resolution and amendments in response to public comments.
There was no Public Comment received.
Resolution No. 11-2026
RESOLVED, that the City Council:
1) Adopts Objective Design Standards for Accessory Dwelling Units, One-ToFour Unit Residential Developments, Multifamily Developments and MixedUse Developments. 2) Approves the Introduction and First Reading of Ordinance 788 N.S. (amending divisions 17.20 Zone A: Single Family Residential, 17.28 Zone E:
Estate Residential, 17.30 Parking, 17.32 Fences; Trash Enclosures; Corner Obstructions, 17.34 Landscaping, 17.38 Accessory Dwelling Units, 17.46 Wireless Communication Facilities, 17.54 Urban Lot Splits and Two-Unit Housing Developments (SB 9), and 17.67 Ministerial Design Review Permit, to bring the City Code into compliance with the Objective Design Standards and updates clarifying maximum retaining wall height for SB 9 projects and clarifying locations where parking is prohibited on single family parcels in zones A and E.
3) Adopts amendments to Piedmont Design Standards and Guidelines that are related to the Objective Design Standards and updates modifying the list of projects that are exempt from needing a design review, amending the submittal checklist for all planning project types, and adding information related to water efficient landscape ordinance.
4) Finds that the Objective Design Standards was studied under Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Housing Element Implementation Project (SCH 2022020362) in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and that the Resolutions and the Ordinance are exempt under CEQA Guidelines Sections 15061(b)(3), the common-sense exception that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment and 15183, projects consistent with a community plan, City Council Minutes
February 2, 2026
3 general plan or zoning.
Moved by Plimier, Seconded by Ramsey
Ayes: McCarthy, Long, Plimier, and Ramsey
Noes: None
Absent: Smegal Andersen
Public Hearing of Planning and Building Director Jackson summarized that these amendments are Amendments of in response to a change in state law and will make the city code compliant with Accessory Dwelling those changes.
Units
Associate Planner Edwards presented a summary of all the amendments.
Planning and Building Director Jackson explained city code does not include any recourse for a property owner placing an ADU over 800 square feet placed in front or back yards.
There was no Public Comment received.
Resolution No. 12-2026
RESOLVED, that the City Council Conducts First Reading and Introduces Ordinance 789 N.S. Amending Divisions 17.38 Accessory Dwelling Units,
17.62 Notice Requirements, 17.78 Appeals; Calls for Review; and 17.90 Definitions; Measurements of Chapter 17 of the Piedmont City Code and Finding that the Ordinance is Exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act.
Moved by Ramsey, Seconded by Long
Ayes: McCarthy, Long, Plimier, and Ramsey
Noes: None
Absent: Smegal Andersen
Consulting Services Planning and Building Director Jackson explained Economic & Planning Agreement Systems has aided Piedmont in several previous projects.
Economic & Planning Systems Senior Associate Ren summarized the company’s involvement in the project, including aiding in creating the project’s RFP and reviewing and scoring developer proposals. Their goal is to aid the city to select a developer before the end of 2026.
Public Comment was received from:
Ralph Catalano expressed a desire for a holistic approach of building a neighborhood within the Moraga Canyon area.
Director Jackson explained the project RFP will be created with a set of criteria and consultation. The Council will review major aspects of the RFP before it is published. A review committee will also review the RFP.
Resolution No. 13-2026
RESOLVED, that the City Council approves the consulting services agreement in an amount not to exceed $35,000 with Economic & Planning Systems, Inc. (EPS) for services related to the Preparation of a Request for Proposals/ Qualifications and Review of Responses for the Moraga Canyon Specific Plan area; and authorizes the City Administrator to approve budget adjustments to the scope of work as provided in Exhibit A within the not-to-exceed value of $35,000.
City Council Minutes
February 2, 2026
4 Moved by Long, Seconded by Plimier
Ayes: McCarthy, Long, Plimier, and Ramsey
Noes: None
Absent: Smegal Andersen
REPORTS AND Councilmember Plimier announced the next Planning Commission ANNOUNCEMENTS meeting will be held on February 9, where there will be a public hearing on amendments to the Environmental Hazards Element of the General Plan to incorporate the 2026 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP).
Councilmember Ramsey announced the next Park Commission meeting will be held on February 4, 2026, which will include an update on the Sustainable Park Management Plan. The Park Commission is currently requesting Heritage Tree nominations, and Piedmont’s annual Earth Day and Arbor Day events will be held on April 23, 2026.
Councilmember Long announced Cop on the Block dates for February 8, 12, 17, and 28. The Piedmont Recreation Department will open Summer Camp registration for residents on February 3 and for non-residents on February 10, with over 300 camps offerings for the summer. The department is also wrapping up the middle school basketball season.
Vice Mayor McCarthy commented on the passing of long time Piedmont resident and faithful community advocate, Sue Herrick.
ADJOURNMENT With no further business, Vice Mayor McCarthy adjourned the meeting at 8:11 p.m., in honor of Sue Herrick.