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AGENDA REPORT CityofPoway
DATE:
TO:
FROM:
CONTACT:
September 15, 2026
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
Carrie Gallagher, City Clerk
Carrie Gallagher, City Clerk
(858) 668-4535 or [email protected]
CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT: Approval of the August 18, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Summary
The City Council Meeting Minutes submitted hereto for approval are:
• August 18, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
The Poway City Council sits as the Poway Planning Commission, the Poway Housing Authority, the Public Financing Authority, and the Successor Agency to the Poway Redevelopment Agency.
Recommended Action:
It is recommended the City Council approve the August 18, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes.
Public Notification:
None.
Attachments:
A. August 18, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Tracy Steve s
Assistant City Manager
Reviewed By:
Alan Fenstermacher
City Attorney
Ap~/
Chris Hazeltine
City Manager
2 of 7 September 15, 2026, Item #2ATTACHMENT A
CITY OF POWAY
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
August 18, 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, Anita Edmondson, Jenny Maeda, Steve Vaus STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
City Manager Chris Hazeltine; Assistant City Manager Tracy Stevens; 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, Assistant City Manager, City Attorney, City Clerk and Director of Finance shall be used to indicate Mayor/Chair, Deputy MayorNice Chair, Councilmember/Director, City Manager/Executive Director, Assistant City Manager/Assistant Executive Director, City Attorney/Counsel, City Clerk/Secretary and Director of Finance/Finance Officer.)
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Deputy Mayor Maeda led the Pledge of Allegiance.
MOMENT OF SILENCE:
Mayor Vaus led a moment of silence.
PRESENTATIONS:
None.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
None.
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CONSENT CALENDAR:
Motioned by Councilmember De Hoff, seconded by Councilmember Pikus to approve Consent Calendar Items 1 through 7. Motion carried 5/0 by the following roll-call vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Abstained:
Absent:
Disqualified:
De Hoff, Edmondson, Pikus, Maeda, Vaus
None
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 May 19, 2026, June 16, 2026 and July 7, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
3. Award of Agreement to CAPO Projects Group, LLC for Construction Management and Inspection Services for Emergency Interconnection No.1, RFP No. 26-005
4. Award of Contract to PK Mechanical Systems, Inc. for Emergency Interconnection No.1 at Avenida La Valencia/ Pump Station 17 Project, Bid No. 27-002
5. City's Investment Report as of June 30, 2026
6. Approval of As-Needed Consultant Agreements with Fuscoe Engineering, Hoch Consulting, NV5, and Parsons Corporation for Engineering Services; RFQ No. 26-011
7. Award of Contract to Vortex Services, LLC dba Sancon Technologies, for the Annual Sewer Manhole Rehabilitation Project, Bid No. 27-001 and Determination the Project is Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act
ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION:
None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
None.
STAFF REPORTS:
8. Pre-Development Conference 26-0001 , a Proposal for 42-Townhomes and Mixed-Use Development, Phase 2 of the Poway Commons Project at 13027 Poway Road, APNs 317- 472-02, 317-472-38 and 317-472-39
Director of Development Services Julie Procopio presented the item along with a PowerPoint presentation. She explained Meridian Development had requested the Pre-Development Conference for the proposed Poway Commons II project at 13027 Poway Road within the Poway Road Corridor Specific Plan. She noted the conference allows applicants to receive feedback from the City Council and community while a project remains conceptual, she emphasized the conference is advisory only, and the City has not received a formal application.
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Ms. Procopio provided background on the Poway Road Corridor Specific Plan and reviewed the Poway Commons I development. She described the proposed Poway Commons II project, which would develop three lots west of Civic Center Drive with 42 townhomes, ground-floor commercial space, second-story office space, a passive recreation area, and a pedestrian pathway connecting Poway Road and Community Park. An internal connector road would facilitate future connections to adjacent properties.
Ms. Procopio described the proposed architectural design, highlighting storefronts, canopies, glazing, corner towers, and a combination of stucco, lap siding, and composite tile roofing intended to create a pedestrian-friendly main street environment. She explained lot consolidation would make the project eligible for a Tier One height incentive, allowing three stories and a maximum height of 38 feet. The project proposes 17.66 dwelling units per acre and 152 parking spaces compared to the 127 required.
Ms. Procopio reviewed the project's conformance with the Specific Plan's commercial standards, noting minor deviations in commercial frontage, storefront depths, ceiling heights, and commercially supportive space. She noted additional development of the building elevations is needed to evaluate articulation and massing. She identified potential improvements including courtyards and plazas, additional building articulation, enhanced pedestrian amenities along the pathway, and move-in-ready commercial spaces with designated parking.
Following staff's presentation, Guy Asaro and Rey Ross of Meridian Development, (the applicants), presented a PowerPoint presentation. Mr. Asaro provided a brief background on Poway Commons I and noted Meridian had also worked for several years to acquire the Enterprise Rent-A-Car property at the City's request to facilitate future redevelopment.
Mr. Asaro explained the proposed Poway Commons II project evolved through collaboration with City staff and community input. He noted the original concept included live-work units, but the design was revised to provide dedicated commercial spaces that would be separately owned from the residential units and could be professionally managed and leased.
Mr. Ross provided an overview of the proposed project, noting the 2. 7-acre site would include 12 townhomes along Poway Road and 30 interior units, with two-car garages, approximately 10,500 square feet of commercial space, and 47 dedicated commercial parking spaces, which would allow residential guest parking to remain available for residents. He explained the larger commercial spaces could accommodate restaurants or other commercial uses, while a variety of smaller spaces would provide opportunities for other businesses.
Mr. Ross described the site plan and architectural design, including the pedestrian pathway connecting Poway Road to Community Park, a public access easement through the development, and an internal connector road consistent with the Specific Plan. He highlighted the commercial storefronts, outdoor areas, design and style elements, and residential decks intended to add depth and articulation to the buildings.
Mr. Ross concluded by reviewing the project's conformance with the Poway Road Corridor Specific Plan, including parking, ceiling heights, storefronts, and setbacks, and stated the project was intended to create an active commercial frontage and high-quality Main Street environment.
Public Comment:
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Lisa DuMolt questioned the prior retail development agreement and spoke regarding the pedestrian passageway and project design.
Chris Cruse, participating remotely, had questions regarding Meridian's prior loan payback and the project's commercial space and community trail.
Kathleen Lippitt, participating remotely, requested a smoke-free policy for the planned community.
Michael Yee, participating remotely, had questions regarding pedestrian access to Community Park and proposed pedestrian improvements.
End of Public Comment.
Council discussion ensued regarding the project's role as a catalytic site within the Poway Road Specific Plan, architectural design, pedestrian connectivity, commercial space, residential amenities, and setbacks. Council emphasized the importance of creating a vibrant, inviting project and requested additional building articulation, architectural detail, pedestrian amenities, and connections as the project advances.
Responding to Council questions, staff explained the project includes an east-west connection consistent with the alignment contemplated in the Fairfield project, with the intent future redevelopment of adjacent properties would create a continuous pathway providing an alternative to Poway Road. Staff also indicated rooftop dining would not be precluded by the Poway Road Specific Plan, subject to applicable height limitations. Council supported rooftop dining, outdoor patios, and other amenities to enhance Town Center activity and discussed concerns the number of smaller commercial spaces could limit the types of businesses attracted to a catalytic site. The applicants explained flexibility in commercial space size and configuration would be important to accommodate future users and enhance the pedestrian experience. Council also discussed commercial parking and the potential for two-bedroom residential units.
Council discussed the project's consistency with the Poway Road Specific Plan and catalytic site criteria, emphasizing the current proposal was a good starting point but required further refinement to demonstrate superior design, commercial activation, and pedestrian amenities.
Council discussed the history and intent of the Specific Plan, including its effort to balance growth along Poway Road with community character and economic feasibility.
Council asked about the commercial square footage referenced in the Specific Plan and the status of adjacent properties. The applicants and staff explained the referenced commercial allocation was used for infrastructure planning and was not a requirement to construct the specified amount of commercial space and discussed prior efforts to acquire adjacent properties and the potential for phased development. Council recognized the applicants' prior development work and community improvements in Poway while emphasizing the current proposal should continue to be refined through Council, staff, and community input.
City Council provided input and direction regarding the request as recommended. No additional action was taken on this item.
WORKSHOPS:
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None.
COUNCIL-INITIATED ITEMS:
None.
COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS and ANNOUNCEMENTS: Pursuant to AB1234 -(G.C. 53232(d))
Mayor Vaus expressed support for sending a letter of opposition to the County Board of Supervisors, San Diego County Health and Safety Act, a proposed half-cent countywide sales tax measure.
Councilmember De Hoff expressed support for signing the letter of opposition . He reported attending the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner and National Night Out, hosted by the Poway Sheriff's station, noting the strong community participation and opportunities to connect with volunteers, law enforcement, and first responders.
Councilmember Pikus reported attending the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner and National Night Out, he also reported attending the grand opening of Ted's World of Arcade and Brews and Boots, a fundraiser for the Poway Community Foundation. Mr. Pikus expressed appreciation to the Fire Department, Sheriffs Department, and Senior Volunteer Patrol for their prompt response to a recent bicycle collision involving a friend, noting the incident reinforced the importance of bicycle connectivity between Fairfield and Community Park. He recognized the Boy Scouts who attended the meeting. Mr. Pikus expressed support for signing the letter of opposition.
A motion was made by Councilmember Pikus to "direct Staff to study the potential to establish an active-duty military discount for various City recreation programs." Motion passed by Council Concurrence.
Councilmember Edmondson recognized City staff, volunteers, and community members involved in recent events, including the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, Brews and Boots, National Night Out, and the final "Summer Concert Series: Cheese Whiz" show at Lake Poway. She noted the events showcased the residents, staff, volunteers, and programs that contribute to the community's quality of life and thanked everyone involved.
Deputy Mayor Maeda expressed support for signing the letter of opposition.
Mayor Vaus reported attending National Night Out, he recognized volunteers as an integral part of the community and thanked Community Services for its role in Brews and Boots, noting the event's potential to become an annual event.
CITY MANAGER ITEMS:
City Manager Hazeltine welcomed Senior Management Analyst Marisa Reza-Pham to the City Manager's Office, noting her previous service with the City and expressing appreciation for her return.
CITY ATTORNEY ITEMS: (Including any public report of any action taken in closed session) None.
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CLOSED SESSION:
None.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 8:49 p.m.
Carrie Gallagher, CMC
City Clerk
City of Poway, California