October 23, 2023 1
San Carlos City Council/Successor Agency to the
Redevelopment Agency/Housing Authority Regular Meeting
Council Chambers, City Hall
600 Elm Street, San Carlos, CA 94070
October 23, 2023 7:00 PM
MINUTES
ROLL CALL
City Council Present: Adam Rak, Mayor
Ronald Collins, Councilmember
John Dugan, Vice Mayor
Sara McDowell, Councilmember
Pranita Venkatesh, Councilmember
Staff Present: Nil Blackburn, Assistant City Manager
Lisa Costa Sanders, Principal Planner Consultant
Rucha Dande, Senior Planner
Sajuti Haque, Senior Management Analyst
Steven Machida, Public Works Director
Jeff Maltbie, City Manager
Andrea Mardesich, Assistant Community Development Director Crystal Mui, City Clerk
Gregory Rubens, City Attorney
Al Savay, Community Development Director
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Rak called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
2. ASSEMBLY BILL 2449 TELECONFERENCE REQUESTS
Mayor Rak announced that all Councilmembers are attending this meeting in-person.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Boy Scout Troop 321.
4. CHANGES TO THE ORDER OF THE AGENDA
None.
5. PRESENTATIONS
a. Present a City Coin to Community Volunteer Samina Ginwalla.
Mayor Rak highlighted Samina Ginwalla’s contributions to the community and presented her with a City Coin as a token of appreciation.
October 23, 2023 2
Ms. Ginwalla thanked the Council for the recognition and for supporting the youth in the community.
b. Present a Proclamation Recognizing the 30th Anniversary of Art Bias.
Mayor Rak recognized the 30 th anniversary of Art Bias and presented its Boardbmember, Shana T. Bryant, with a proclamation.
Ms. Bryant spoke on Art Bias’ mission and upcoming events and recognized their Boardmembers and artists.
Vice Mayor commended Art Bias for their work in the community.
c. Present Proclamations to Jack Alger and Christos Daskarolis with Boy Scout Troop 321 Upon Receiving Their Eagle Scout Award.
Mayor Rak presented proclamations to Eagle Scouts Jack Agler and Christos Daskarolis.
Mr. Agler and Mr. Daskarolis shared about their Eagle Scouts project.
d. Receive an Annual Report from the San Carlos Library.
Library Branch Manager Jess Koshi -Lum and Community Tech Specialist Manny Serrano presented the library’s Fiscal Year 22-23 annual report and responded to Council questions.
Councilmembers McDowell and Venkatesh and Vice Mayor Dugan commended the library for their service to the community.
6. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Rak announced that he and Assemblymember Diane Papan will hold office hours at the Adult Community Center this coming Wednesday and invited the community to attend.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember McDowell removed item ‘f’ – Ordinance 1602, from the Consent Calendar.
MOTION: Approve City Council Consent Calendar Items ‘a’ through ‘d’; and Item ‘e’ Adopt Ordinance 1601 Approving the 841 Old County Road Project Planned Development Plan and Related Zoning Map Amendment to Rezone the Project Site from Heavy Industrial (IH) to Planned Development (PD) at 841 Old County Road (APNs 046-133-160, 046-134-050, 046-134-060, 046- 135-010, 046-135-020, 046-135-030, 046-135-040, 046-182-100, 046-182- 110, 046-182-150).
MOVER: Ronald Collins
SECONDER: Pranita Venkatesh
AYES: Collins, McDowell, Venkatesh, Dugan, Rak
NAYS: None.
RESULT: Motion Passed 5 – 0
a. Motion to Waive Reading of All Ordinances.
b. Approve the September 11, 2023 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes.
October 23, 2023 3
c. Adopt a Resolution Awarding the 2024 Sewer System Root Foaming Project C1752; Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Public Projects Agreement with Duke’s Root Control, Inc. of Elgin, Illinois in the Amount of $150,678.45; and Authorizing the Expenditure of Contingency up to the Project Budget. Resolution 2023-126
d. Adopt a Resolution Adopting a Meeting Decorum and Civility Policy for Public Meetings.
Resolution 2023-127
e. Adopt Ordinance 1601 Approving the 841 Old County Road Project Planned Development Plan and Related Zoning Map Amendment to Rezone the Project Site from Heavy Industrial (IH) to Planned Development (PD) at 841 Old County Road (APNs 046-133-160, 046-134-050, 046-134-060, 046-135-010, 046-135-020, 046-135-030, 046-135-040, 046-182-100, 046-182- 110, 046-182-150).
f. Adopt Ordinance 1602 Approving a Development Agreement with the Sobrato Family Foundation, for the 841 Old County Road Project.
Item 7f was pulled from the Consent Calendar for a separate discussion.
7f. Adopt Ordinance 1602 Approving a Development Agreement with the Sobrato Family Foundation, for the 841 Old County Road Project.
At Councilmember McDowell’s r equest, City Attorney Greg Rubens provided the following amendments needed on Ordinance 1602:
- In Exhibit C of the Development Agreement, add a line item to the table for “Parking” and state:
“Tenant and Tenant employees may not use the seven parking spaces designated in Exhibit G of the Development Agreement”.
- In the Development Agreement (Exhibit B to the Ordinance), under the non-profit use for special events, add “or that serve persons living within the city limits.” - Add an attachment map to Exhibit G of the Development Agreement to show where the seven parking spaces are located in the parking lot.
MOTION: Adopt Ordinance No. 1602 Approving a Development Agreement with the Sobrato Family Foundation, for the 841 Old County Road Project with the three amendments outlined by the City Attorney.
MOVER: Sara McDowell
SECONDER: Pranita Venkatesh
AYES: Dugan, Collins, McDowell, Venkatesh, Rak
NAYS: None.
RESULT: Motion Passed 5 – 0
8. PUBLIC HEARING
a. Consideration of Introducing an Ordinance Amending San Carlos Municipal Code Title 18 - Zoning to Create Objective Design Standards for Single-Family Development.
Senior Planner Rucha Dande and Consultant Principal Laura Stetson presented the Objective Design Standards (ODS) for single-family residential properties and proposed a project review process and urban infill units (SB-9) Ordinance.
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Assistant Community Development Director Andrea Mardesich, Ms. Dande, City Attorney Greg Rubens, Ms. Stetson and Principal Planner Lisa Costa Sanders responded to Council questions.
Council recessed at 9:25 PM and reconvened at 9:31 PM.
Public Comment
- David Crabbe, resident, suggested Council consider editing the building’s maximum height from 30’ to at least 35’.
- Shuli Chen inquired about the distance requirement for notifications.
- Bill Harkola, resident, advocated for Council to provide the residents with reasonable protection for their quality of life in their homes.
- Josh Wallace, resident, requested Council to take steps to mitigate large housing and buildings in San Carlos.
- Christian Vescia, resident, expressed concern with large homes and request ed Council reduce the allowable home size.
- Lucia Vescia, resident, expressed concern with large homes and spoke in opposition to the proposed Ordinance.
- Peter Hartzell, resident, spoke in opposition to the proposed Ordinanc e and requested Council reduce the floor area ratio to mitigate oversized homes.
- Diana Ray, on behalf of resident Laura Deck, expressed concerns for large homes and provided suggestions to be aligned with neighboring cities.
- Ken Castle, resident, spoke in opposition to large homes.
- Marshall Bern, resident, spoke in opposition to large homes.
MOTION: Approve to Close the Public Hearing.
MOVER: Sara McDowell
SECONDER: Ronald Collins
AYES: Venkatesh, Dugan, Collins, McDowell, Rak
NAYS: None.
RESULT: Motion Passed 5 – 0
Ms. Mardesich, City Manager Jeff Maltbie and Ms. Dande responded to Council’s additional questions.
MOTION: At 10:15 PM, Extend the Meeting to 11:30 PM.
MOVER: John Dugan
SECONDER: Sara McDowell
AYES: McDowell, Venkatesh, Dugan, Collins, Rak
NAYS: None.
RESULT: Motion Passed 5 – 0
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Council discussed amendments to the Ordinance and direct ed staff to not study flag lots nor zero lot lines and to work with the Housing Subcommittee to re-review the allowable units for SB 9 and provide a report back in six months.
MOTION: Introduce Ordinance 1603 to Create Objective Design Standards for Single- Family Development by Amending San Carlos Municipal Code Title 18 - Zoning: Chapter 18:03 - Rules of Measurement; 18.04 - Residential Districts; 18.12 - Hillside Overlay District; 18.15 - General Site Regulations;
18.20 - Parking and Loading; 18.26 - Planning Authorities; 18.27 - Common Procedures; 18.29 - Design Review; 18.40 -Use Classification; and 18.41 - Terms and Definitions; and Adding a New Subsection 18.23.310 - Urban Infill Units, Under 18.23 - Standards for Specifics Uses and Activities with the following amendments:
- Define the height of plant screening for rear facing balconies. - Remove all “ADA” references to just state the 36” width walkways. - Follow the recommended Field Guide to American Homes when it pertains to porches.
- For a second unit on an SB- 9 subdivided lot, do not allow anything greater than 50% of the primary unit or exceed 800 square feet - Include a Director’s Hearing Review process, to resolve ODS compliance disputes.
- City staff will handle the initial notification and collection of concerns and increase the neighborhood notification period to 21 days. - Continue with a 14-day public comment process at stage 3 of the compliance review process and post a front yard sign displaying compliant plan, and staff will send neighborhood notification.
MOVER: Pranita Venkatesh
SECONDER: John Dugan
AYES: Collins, McDowell, Venkatesh, Dugan, Rak
NAYS: None.
RESULT: Motion Passed 5 – 0
MOTION: At 11:20 PM, Extend the meeting to 12:00 AM.
MOVER: Sara McDowell
SECONDER: Pranita Venkatesh
AYES: Dugan, Collins, McDowell, Venkatesh, Rak
NAYS: None.
RESULT: Motion Passed 5 – 0
b. Consideration of Introducing an Ordinance Amending the San Carlos Municipal Code Section
18.23.210 - Accessory Dwelling Units/Junior Accessory Dwelling Units and Sections 18.03 - Rules of Measurement, 18.12 - Hillside Overlay District, 18.29 - Design Review, and 18.40 - Use Classifications.
Assistant Community Development Director Andrea Mardesich presented proposed changes to the Accessory Dwelling Units and responded to Council questions.
Council directed the subcommittee to re -review the height limit of attached ADUs above first stories.
Public Comment
None.
October 23, 2023 6
MOTION: Approve to Close the Public Hearing.
MOVER: John Dugan
SECONDER: Ronald Collins
AYES: Venkatesh, Dugan, Collins, McDowell, Rak
NAYS: None.
RESULT: Motion Passed 5 – 0
MOTION: Introduce Ordinance 1604 Amending the San Carlos Municipal Code Section 18.23.210 - Accessory Dwelling Units/Junior Accessory Dwelling Units and Sections 18.03 - Rules of Measurement, 18.12 - Hillside Overlay District, 18.29 - Design Review, and 18.40 - Use Classification s with amendments allowing a maximum height limit of 20’ for detached ADUs regardless of location to transit; requir ing obscured windows or 5’ sills for ADUs located above the first floor and within 7’ of the side or rear setback; and striking additional height to 2nd floor ADUs limiting them to 25’.
MOVER: John Dugan
SECONDER: Sara McDowell
AYES: McDowell, Venkatesh, Dugan, Collins, Rak
NAYS: None.
RESULT: Motion Passed 5 – 0
9. AGENDA SETTING
Councilmember McDowell suggested agendizing an item to discuss and reconsider the policy requiring single-family residentials to underground utilities. The request received Council support and will be agendized at a future meeting.
10. PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
11. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Rak adjourned the meeting at 11:46 PM.
Crystal Mui,
City Clerk