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CITY OF POWAY
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
February 17, 2026
City Council Chambers
13325 Civic Center Drive, Poway, California
(Per Government Code 54953)
(Meeting Called to Order as City Council/City of Poway Planning Commission/Poway Housing Authority/Public Financing Authority and Successor Agency to the Poway Redevelopment Agency) CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Vaus called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Peter De Hoff, Christopher J . Pikus, Jenny Maeda, Steve Vaus STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
City Manager Chris Hazeltine; City Attorney Alan Fenstermacher; City Clerk Carrie Gallagher; Director of Development Services Julie Procopio; Director of Finance Craig Schmollinger; Director of Human Resources and Risk Management Jodene Dunphy; Director of Public Works Eric Heidemann; Director of Community Services Audrey Denham; Fire Chief Brian Mitchell; Captain Claudia Delgado, San Diego County Sheriff's Office.
(Note: Hereinafter the titles Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Councilmember, City Manager, City Attorney and City Clerk and Director of Finance shall be used to indicate Mayor/Chair, Deputy MayorNice Chair, Councilmember/Director, City Manager/Executive Director, City Attorney/Counsel and City Clerk/Secretary.)
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Deputy Mayor Maeda led the Pledge of Allegiance.
MOMENT OF SILENCE:
Mayor Vaus led a moment of silence.
PRESENTATIONS:
None.
Mayor Vaus announced that, at the request of the Applicant, Item No. 8 "Development Review 25-0002 and Tentative Tract Map 25-0002, a Request to Construct 47 Townhomes and Three Ground-Floor Commercial Spaces within the Town Center Land Use District of the Poway Road Corridor Specific Plan Located at 13044 and 13056 Poway Road (APNs 317-101-04 and 317- 1 of 7
City of Poway -Minutes -February 17, 2026
101-05); and Determine the Project is Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act" will be continued to a date uncertain .
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Jim Ambrose shared concerns regarding the pickleba/1 court concept plan at the Farm.
Anita Edmondson thanked the Poway Firefighters Association for their recent endorsement of her District 2 campaign, she expressed opposition to the lntracorp mixed use project, and proposed the City host a public workshop on Poway Road development.
Vanessa Springet expressed concerns regarding potential tennis and pickleba/1 court plans at the Farm, specifically noise issues, she voiced parking-related concerns with the lntracorp project, and stated support for a Poway Road development workshop.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Motioned by Councilmember De Hoff, seconded by Mayor Vaus to approve Consent Calendar Items 1, 2 and 4. Motion carried 4/0 by the following roll-call vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Abstained:
Absent:
De Hoff, Pikus, Maeda, Vaus
None
None
None
Disqualified: None
Motioned by Councilmember De Hoff, seconded by Mayor Vaus to approve Consent Calendar Item 3. Motion carried 311 by the following roll-call vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Abstained:
Absent:
Disqualified:
De Hoff, Pikus, Vaus
Maeda
None
None
None
1. Approval of Reading by Title Only and Waiver of Reading in Full of Ordinances on this Agenda 2 . Approval of the November 18, 2025 Regular City Council meeting minutes
3. Approval of Final Map for Tentative Parcel Map 24-0002; Todd Wiersum, Applicant (APN 321- 110-52-00)
Applicant Todd Wiersum spoke in support of Item #3.
Jeff Schmidt spoke in opposition to Item #3.
4 . Award of Contract to L. B. Civil Construction, Inc., for the Annual Channel Rehabilitation Project, Bid No. 26-007 and Determination the Project is Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act
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ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION:
5. Ordinance to Repeal Poway Municipal Code Provisions Regarding Conduct During Physical Attendance at City Council Meetings
City Attorney Alan Fenstermacher presented the item, noting the item is intended to repeal certain provisions of the Poway Municipal Code (PMC) related to conduct during physical attendance at City Council meetings. He explained the proposed amendments to the PMC would delete recently added sections requiring Council Members to request a recess before leaving the dais and would instead return to prior practices guided by general standards of reasonableness.
Mr. Fenstermacher further noted the ordinance would remove a provision restricting public comment from addressing individual Council Members, noting it to be unenforceable and inconsistent with the Brown Act, stating the provision has created confusion.
Public Comment:
None.
End of Public Comment.
Council discussion ensued. Council discussed the prior adoption of the provisions, noting they were implemented in response to an unprecedented situation within Council and the provisions were intended to formalize basic expectations of decorum and conduct during meetings. Council further commented that the circumstances prompting the adoption of the provisions had since been resolved and expressed support for returning to prior practices.
Responding to Council questions, City Attorney Fenstermacher explained the current provision restricting public comment likely dates back to the City's incorporation and he provided an example of a municipality being subjected to a legal challenge on constitutional and Brown Act grounds, noting public speakers are permitted to address individual Council Members.
As requested by the Mayor, City Clerk Gallagher titled the Ordinance for introduction.
Motioned by Mayor Vaus, seconded by Deputy Mayor Maeda to introduce Ordinance No. 880 entitled "An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Poway, California, Amending Chapter 2.18 (Meetings) of the Poway Municipal Code Regarding Physical Attendance at City Council Meetings" for first reading by title only, waive further reading and schedule the adoption of the Ordinance for the March 3, 2026 Regular City Council meeting. Motion carried 4/0 by the following vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Abstained:
Absent:
Disqualified:
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De Hoff, Pikus, Maeda, Vaus
None
None
None
None
City of Poway -Minutes -February 17, 2026
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
6 . Tentative Parcel Map 24-0003, a Request to Subdivide One Commercial Parcel into Two Commercial Parcels (APN 317-101-40-00, 317-101-41-00, 317-101-42-00 and 317-101-43- 00); and Determine the Project is Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
Mayor Vaus opened the Public Hearing at 7:22 p.m.
Director of Development Services Julie Procopio presented the item along with a PowerPoint presentation . Ms . Procopio stated the project site location and noted it to be within the Poway Road Corridor Specific Plan area. She added the property is developed with five commercial buildings fronting Poway Road and a mini-storage facility located to the rear. Existing uses include retail, restaurant, service, and automotive-related facilities.
She explained the proposed subdivision would create two parcels: a larger parcel containing the primary commercial buildings and storage facility, and a smaller parcel at the southwest corner containing the drive-through restaurant and car wash.
Ms . Procopio noted the site was originally developed in the 1970s under prior standards, and the project includes conditions of approval intended to bring the property into conformance with current City standards. These improvements include installation of streetlights, driveway consolidation and ADA upgrades, a bus bench pad, landscape enhancements, updates to the comprehensive sign plan, and construction of screened trash enclosures to meet stormwater requirements .
Public Comment.
The following individual spoke in support of Item #6:
David May (via American Sign Language interpreter).
End of Public Comment .
Mayor Vaus closed the Public Hearing at 7 :29 p.m.
Council discussion ensued. Council expressed support for the project, noting the proposed subdivision and associated improvements would enhance the existing commercial center.
Council highlighted benefits including landscaping upgrades, ADA improvements, and screened trash enclosures, as well as driveway consolidation to improve traffic flow and safety along Poway Road .
Responding to Council questions, staff confirmed the consolidation of two driveways into one and explained that, although the site includes multiple Assessor's Parcel Numbers (APNs), it constitutes a single legal parcel. Staff further clarified the subdivision would not affect allowable density or the site's housing inventory designation.
Motioned by Councilmember De Hoff, seconded by Councilmember Pikus to find and determine the project is categorically exempt from CEQA and adopt Resolution No. 26- 004 entitled "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Poway, California, Approving Tentative Parcel Map (TPM) 24-0003 to Subdivide One Parcel into Two 4 of 7
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Commercial Parcels within the Poway Road Corridor Specific Plan, Town Center District, Assessor's Parcel Numbers 317-101-40-00, 317-101-41-00, 317-101-42-00 and 317-101-43-00". Motion carried 4/0 by the following vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Abstained:
Absent:
Disqualified:
De Hoff, Pikus, Maeda, Vaus
None
None
None
None
7. Conditional Use Permit 25-0001 and Development Review 25-0003, a Request to Construct a 950 Square-Foot Dutch Bros Coffee, with a Two-Lane Drive-Through, in the Automotive General Commercial Land Use District of the Poway Road Corridor Specific Plan, within the Existing Lowe's Home Improvement Parking Lot, Located at 13740 Poway Road, (APN 317- 130-69-00); and Determine the Project is Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act
This Public Hearing item was continued from the February 3, 2026 Regular City Council meeting. Mayor Vaus continued the Public Hearing at 7:33 p.m .
Associate Planner Jazmin Sanchez presented the item along with a PowerPoint presentation.
She noted the project site is located within the Automotive General Commercial land use district of the Poway Road Corridor Specific Plan (PRSP), occupying the southwest corner of the existing Lowe's parking lot.
Ms. Sanchez described the proposed development as a 950-square-foot, single-story building with a maximum height of 24 feet, including a two-lane drive-through and trash enclosure. The modern industrial design incorporates earth-tone colors and is compatible with surrounding commercial uses. A walk-up service window is proposed on the western elevation, with pedestrian access from Poway Road via an enhanced crosswalk, supporting PRSP pedestrian-oriented goals .
She explained the project requires removal of 15 trees, to be replaced on a one-for-one basis.
Existing landscaping along Poway Road will be maintained . The project provides parking in compliance with City standards.
Traffic access is provided from Poway Road. A traffic memorandum concluded the project would not result in significant impacts . A 2 .lane drive-through accommodates up to 19 vehicles, with additional queuing managed on-site during peak periods .
Ms . Sanchez reported a neighborhood meeting was held on September 15, 2025, with notice provided to property owners and occupants within 500 feet. One comment was received regarding noise. She noted the project does not include loudspeakers, and a noise study determined levels would not exceed 45 decibels at the nearest sensitive noise receptors, resulting in no significant impacts.
Public Comment.
None .
End of Public Comment.
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Mayor Vaus closed the Public Hearing at 7 :38 p.m.
Council discussion ensued. Council expressed support for the project, not ing the tree replacement component and the site's location along Poway Road as well-suited to serve both residents and commuters. Council discussed regional traffic patterns and suggested the project could capture commuter trips while providing a convenient local service .
Council also noted the project would enhance an underutilized portion of the existing parking lot , with proposed landscaping and screening improving the site's appearance . The project was described as consistent with prior planning for the site , modest in scale, thoughtfully designed, and adequately separated from nearby residential uses . Council indicated a preference that any future operational changes involving drive-through speakers be subject to Council review rather than administrative approval.
Motioned by Councilmember De Hoff, seconded by Councilmember Pikus to find and determine the project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and adopt Resolution No. 26 -005 entitled "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Poway, California, Approving Conditional Use Permit 25 -0001 and Development Review 25-0003 for the Construction of a Dutch Bros Coffee with a Drive Through Located at 13740 Poway Road; Assessor Parcel Number 317-130-69-00".
Motion carried 410 by the following vote:
Ayes: De Hoff, Pikus, Maeda, Vaus
Noes: None
Abstained: None
Absent: None
Disqualified: None
8. Development Review 25-0002 and Tentative Tract Map 25-0002 , a Request to Construct 47 Townhomes and Three Ground-Floor Commercial Spaces within the Town Center Land Use District of the Poway Road Corridor Specific Plan Located at 13044 and 13056 Poway Road (APNs 317-101-04 and 317-101-05); and Determine the Project is Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act
Mayor Vaus continued the Public Hearing to a date uncertain, per the applicants ' request.
Public Comment.
The following individual submitted a written comment card in opposition to Item #8:
Diana Newland
End of Public Comment .
STAFF REPORTS:
None .
WORKSHOPS:
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None.
COUNCIL-INITIATED ITEMS:
None.
COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS and ANNOUNCEMENTS: Pursuant to AB1234 -(G.C. 53232(d))
Deputy Mayor Maeda reported attending the first in-person Cal Cities meeting of the year. She noted the District Attorney discussed the County's implementation of Proposition 36 without additional State funding. She further noted a presentation provided by representatives from 2-1- 1 and she added having invited the organization to present at a future City Council meeting in Poway.
Mayor Vaus shared a local news story reporting Poway was recently ranked the seventh safest city in the State of California, an improvement from number 12 the prior year, and expressed appreciation to the Sheriff's Department including the Volunteer Sheriff's Patrol. He further reported on Senate Bill 677, stating it would shift local land use authority to the State, and announced his intent to submit a letter of opposition, inviting the full Council to participate in signing the letter.
CITY MANAGER ITEMS:
None.
CITY ATTORNEY ITEMS: (Including any public report of any action taken in closed session) None.
CLOSED SESSION:
None.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 7:46 p.m.
(~~ Carrie Gallagher,MC
City Clerk
City of Poway, California
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