ATTACHMENT F
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
FROM JUNE 15, 2026
MINUTES
Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission
MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2026
City Council Chambers
1 Civic Center Drive, San Marcos, CA 92069
CALL TO ORDER
At 6:30 p.m. Planning Commission Chair Saulsberry called the meeting to order.
PL
EDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Smith led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
R
OLL CALL
The Secretary called the roll:
P
RESENT: COMMISSIONERS: MARCINKO, CAVANAUGH, KILDOO, SAULSBERRY, CARROLL, GUERRERO, SMITH
AB
SENT COMMISSIONERS: BARNETT, NORRIS
A
lso present were: Planning Division Director Joe Farace, Sustainability Program Manager Sean del Solar, Senior Management Analyst Song LeBaron, Administrative Assistant Sonia Rathee Gulia, Deputy City Attorney Punam Prahalad
O
RAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
No oral communications.
A
n email from Neighborhood Healthcare was received, distributed to the Commissioners, included in the agenda binder, and will be posted on the City's website the next day.
C
ONSENT CALENDAR
1. AP
PROVAL OF MINUTES, 5/18/2026
A
ction:
COMMISSIONER KILDOO MOVED TO APPROVE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM #1 AS PRESENTED; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MARCINKO. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE.
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Monday, June 15, 2026 | Page 2 of 4
2 AYES: COMMISSIONERS: MARCINKO, CAVANAUGH, KILDOO, SAULSBERRY, CARROLL,
GUERRERO, SMITH
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: NONE
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: NONE
ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: NONE
2. P
roject No: TEXT AMENDMENT TA 26-0001
Request: A pproval of an ordinance implementing SB 79.
Recommendation: Staff recommends to the City Council ADOPTION and APPROVAL of the following, in the order set forth below:
1. A
DOPT Notice of Exemption (EX26-041); and
2. APPR
OVE Resolution PC 26-5216 (Text Amendment TA 26-0001)
Sustainability Program Manager Sean del Solar: gave the staff presentation O
PEN PUBLIC COMMENTS
N
on- Resident of San Marcos: Maxwell Geryen with BuildSD.org suppor ts the project but recommends some amendments to the parking requirements.
P
lanning Commissioner Discussions: The Commissioners discussed several aspects of the proposed project and sought clarification on a variety of topics, including the definition of a transit stop; pedestrian access and walkway requirements; the distinction between dwelling units and resident ial units; how the proposed Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) standards compare to existing higher-density development standards; and whether current transit ridership data, including Sprinter usage, was considered in the analysis. Additional questions addressed wildfire risks, emergency access and evacuation considerations, parking requirements associated with the proposed density of 140 dwelling units per acre, the potential number of additional housing units that could be accommodated citywide, the industrial site exemption and its implications for future rezoning, and applicable fire mitigation requirements.
S
ustainability Program Manager Response: Sean del Solar explained that state law establishes specific criteria for qualifying transit stops, including service frequency and transit type. The proposed ordinance focuses on Tier 2 transit stop designations associated with Sprinter commuter rail stations, with sta tion locations determined by SANDAG. He noted that the transit eligibility criteria are based on service frequency and do not consider ridership capacity or utilization levels.
He further clarified that the maximum walking distance associated with the transit-oriented development standards is approximately one mile. Questions regarding broader implementation of the ordinance and its relationship to existing development standards will be evaluated comprehensively as part of the General Plan update process.
Regarding parking, Sean explained that state law prohibits local agencies from imposing minimum parking requirements within one-half mile of qualifying transit districts. While the City may not require minimum 3 Regular Planning Commission
Monday, June 15, 2026 | Page 3 of 4
vehicle parking in these areas, the ordinance includes standards for bicycle facilities and bicycle parking.
He indicated that market demand is expected to continue to drive the provision of parking by developers.
He also noted that projects proposed in high fire hazard areas would remain subject to applicable fire safety regulations, wildfire risk assessments, and fire mitigation requirements.
Deputy City Attorney: Punam Prahalad clarified 30 dwellings units per acr e is the density permitted by SB-79.
Planning Director Response: Planning Director Joe Farace explained that the proposed standards differ from existing regulations in that they are more specifically defined and allow for a higher density range.
Based on a preliminary analysis of eligible properties, locations, and maximum allowable densities — without accounting for site -specific constraints—t he ordinance could potentially accommodate approximately 90,000 additional dwelling units citywide. The Director further clarified that any proposal requiring a General Plan Amendmen t or rezoning would remain subject to the City's discretionary review process, and the City retains the authority to approve or deny such requests.
CLOSED PUBLIC COMMENTS
Action:
COMMISSIONER GUERRERO MOTIONED TO ADOPT NOTICE OF EXEMPTION EX26-041 AND APPROVE PC 26-5216 FOR TEXT AMENDMENT TA 26 -0001 AN D SECONDED BY C OMMISSIONER KILDOO . M OTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE.
AY
ES: COMMISSIONERS: MARCINKO, CAVANAUGH, KILDOO, SAULSBERRY, CARROLL,
GUERRERO, SMITH
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: NONE
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: NONE
ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: NONE
P
LANNING DIVISION DIRECTOR COMMENTS: Planning Director Joe Farace reported that appeals have been filed for the North City Sign Program and North City West Phase 2 projects, both of which are scheduled for City Council consideration on June 23, 2026. He also informed the Commission that there will be no second Planning Commission meeting in June and that two Planning Commission meetings are scheduled for July.
PLANNING COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS: Commissioners expressed appreciation for the detailed presentation and the clear graphics included in the staff report.
ADJOURNMENT
At
7:18 p.m. Chair Saulsberry adjourned the meeting.
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Monday, June 15, 2026 | Page 4 of 4
4 __
_____________________________________________________
LIONEL SAULSBERRY , CHAIRPERSON
CITY OF SAN MARCOS PLANNING COMMISSION
A
TTEST:
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_____________________________________________________
SONG LEBARON, SR. MANAGEMENT ANALYST
CITY OF SAN MARCOS PLANNING COMMISSION