____________________________________________________________________________________
FOR CITY CLERK ONLY
Council Meeting:
Disposition:
Special Meeting
Agenda Item No: SM 1
Meeting Date: August 19, 2024
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Department: City Clerk
Prepared by: Lindsay Lara, City Clerk City Manager Approval: ______________ TOPIC: PLANNING COMMISSION INTERVIEWS
SUBJECT: INTERVIEW APPLICANTS FOR OPEN PLANNING COMMISSION SEATS AND MAKE APPOINTMENTS FOR THREE, FOUR-YEAR TERMS ENDING OCTOBER 31, 2028:
ONE REGULAR MEMBER AND TWO ALTERNATE MEMBERS; AND APPOINT
CURRENT PLANNING COMMISSIONERS TO SPECIFIC SEATS ON THE PLANNING
COMMISSION TO FINALIZE MEMBERSHIP ON THE COMMISSION
RECOMMENDATION:
Interview the following eligible members from the former Design Review Board to fill the licensed architect regular voting member seat and the two alternate member licensed architect seats on the Planning Commission:
Applicants
Donald Blayney
Jeff Kent
Stewart Summers
Sharon Kovalsky
Approve recommended appointments of current Planning Commissioners to specific seats on the Planning Commission to finalize members on the Commission.
BACKGROUND:
On July 15, 2024, the City Council adopted an Ordinance Amending Titles 2 – Administration of the San Rafael Municipal Code to Add Design Professionals to the Planning Commission Membership Composition, and Amend Titles 14 – Zoning, and 15 - Subdivisions of the San Rafael Municipal Code, to Dissolve the Design Review Board and Transfer Existing Duties of the Design Review Board to the Planning Commission, or Zoning Administrator, or Director of Community and Economic Development.
On June 21, 2022, the City Council adopted an Ordinance amending the Planning Commission’s membership composition to include district representatives through attrition. Since then, three members have been appointed to serve as District Representatives: Jill Rodby (D1), Samina Saude (D2) and former Commissioner Shingai Samudzi (D3). If we continue to appoint through attrition, the Planning SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2
Commission would have District Representatives appointed by October 2025, and staff recommends appointing members to District Seats on August 19th.
ANALYSIS:
Interviews and Appointments
Staff recommends providing a first-round opportunity to former Design Review Board members who are licensed architects to apply to serve on the newly consolidated Planning Commission. Staff recommends interviewing the four eligible former Design Review Board members and appointing three of them to serve on the Planning Commission as either the regular voting licensed architect or the two alternate member licensed architects until the end of October 2028.
Appoint Planning Commissions to Seats
With all of the changes being made to the Planning Commission, staff recommends seating all current members in a seat on the Commission so all district representative seats will be filled, all design professional seats will be filled, and all at-large seats will be filled.
Commissioner Jill Rodby has already been appointed District 1 representative.
Commissioner Aldo Mercado resides in District 2, and staff recommends the City Council appoint him to serve in the District 2 Representative seat.
Commissioner Jon Haveman resides in District 3, and staff recommends the City Council appoint him to serve in the District 3 Representative seat.
Commissioner Jonathan Previtali resides in District 4, and staff recommends the City Council appoint him to serve in the District 4 Representative seat.
Commissioner Samina Saude is currently appointed to a District 2 seat but is also a design professional.
Staff recommends modifying her appointment role to ‘design professional’.
After interviews and appointments, and the appointments to seats, there will be one vacancy to the atlarge seat on the Planning Commission due to the recent resignation of Commissioner Samudzi and will be filled at a future City Council meeting.
Next Steps and Other Vacancies
Staff will conduct a recruitment and schedule interviews to fill the vacant at-large seat on the Planning Commission.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
ATTACHMENTS:
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 3
1. Bylaws
2. Four Applications
3. Member Roster, as proposed
Planning Commission Bylaws
PLANNING COMMISSION BYLAWS
ARTICLE I. NAME AND PURPOSE
Section 1.1. Name. The name of this body shall be the City of San Rafael Planning Commission, hereinafter referred to as the “Commission.” Section 1.2. Purpose. The purpose of the Commission to make decisions or advise the Council on land use and property development issues. The Commission assures that new development is consistent with our long-range General Plan, State laws and other public policies that advance the interests of our community.
Section 1.3. Committee Responsibility. The Commission’s authority is decisionmaking.
It shall be the function and duty of the planning commission to act as a decision-making body on matters including, but not limited to:
• Major subdivisions as delegated to the planning commission under Title 15 of this Code.
• Conditional use permits delegated to the planning commission. • Environmental and design review permits delegated to the planning commission. • Appeals made by a lower body and appealed to the planning commission. • Other matters including physical improvements, or environmental and design permits referred by the community development direction to the planning commission pursuant to powers and duties set forth in the Municipal Code.
It shall be the function and duty of the planning commission to act as an advisory body to the city council on legislative matters related to but not limited to the following:
• General plan updates and amendments.
• Zoning text and zoning map amendments.
• Other land use matters requiring city council action.
It shall be the duty of the members of the planning commission to inform themselves on matters affecting the functions and duties of the commission and all planning matters, and, to that end, they may attend training and planning conferences and the reasonable traveling expenses incidental to the attendance shall be charged upon the funds allocated to the commission.
The planning commission shall provide professional design analysis, evaluation and judgment as to the appropriateness of development proposals for the use and setting and to recommend approval, approval with conditions, redesign or denial based on design standards and findings of approval adopted by the city council.
Planning Commission Bylaws
The planning commission shall endeavor to promote public interest and understanding of plans developed, and the regulations relating thereto. The commission shall adopt rules for the transaction of business and shall keep a record of its resolutions, transactions, findings, and determinations, which records shall be a public record.
ARTICLE II. MEMBERSHIP
Section 2.1. Number of Members. The Commission shall consist of a total of nine (9) members. Seven (7) regular voting members and two (2) alternate members as follows:
- District 1 Representative
- District 2 Representative
- District 3 Representative
- District 4 Representative
- At-large Member
- At-large Member (Design Professional)
- At-large Member (Licensed Architect)
- At-large Alternate Member (Licensed Architect)
- At-large Alternate Member (Licensed Architect)
Section 2.2. Eligibility. The commission shall be composed of seven (7) regular voting members, comprised of one (1) commissioner from each of the city's four (4) city council electoral districts, and three (3) at-large commissioners.
Requirements for eligibility:
1. District representatives: Each district representative must reside in the district they represent.
2. At-large members: Must reside in city limits. At least one (1) at-large member shall be a licensed architect and at least one (1) at-large member shall be a design professional.
”Design professional” means an architect, engineer, landscape architect, building designer, urban designer, urban planner, or other similar design specialist. They may, but are not required to, be licensed or registered in their related field.
In addition, the commission shall include two (2) alternate members who shall be eligible to vote when serving in the absence of any of the commission’s regular voting members.
Both alternate members shall reside in city limits and be licensed architects.
Section 2.3. Term Limits. Members of the Committee shall be limited to three (3) consecutive four-year terms. Additional terms may be served if there is a break between terms.
Section 2.4. Absence and Removal. An unexcused absence from two (2) consecutive Planning Commission Bylaws
Commission meetings without notification to the Staff Liaison shall be considered a voluntary resignation from the Commission. Previously dismissed Commission members may be eligible for reappointment to the Commission.
Section 2.5. Compensation. Commissioners may apply for stipends through the Stipend Program at $50 per month, not to exceed $600 per year per member.
ARTICLE III. MEETINGS
Section 3.1. Time and date of Regular Meeting. Notification of meeting place, date, and time shall be rendered to the public through posting on the City of San Rafael website.
Regularly scheduled Commission meetings shall be the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, but these dates may be impacted by holidays. A schedule shall be approved annually by the Commission. The Commission shall meet once per month and shall be scheduled annually. The schedule for the upcoming year will be set by December of the previous year.
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
1 / 3
Q1
Contact Information / Información del contacto
First and Last Name / Nombre y Apellido Donald Blayney
Address / Dirección
City / Ciudad San Rafael
State / estado Calif.
ZIP/Postal Code / Código postal 94901
Email Address / Dirección de correo electrónico
Phone Number / Número de teléfono
Q2
What district do you currently live in?¿En qué distrito vive actualmente?
District 3/Eastern / Distrito 3/Este,
Peacock Gap
Other (please specify)Otros (especifique):
Q3
How long have you lived in San Rafael?
since 1994
Q4
Business Information
Company Donald L. Blayney & Associates
Address
City/Town San Rafael
ZIP/Postal Code 9901
#74
COMPLETE
Collector: Web Link 1 (Web Link)
Started: Wednesday, July 24, 2024 8:29:20 AM
Last Modified: Wednesday, July 24, 2024 9:00:40 AM
Time Spent: 00:31:19
IP Address: 24.6.235.121
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
2 / 3
Q5
How did you hear about this vacant position?
City Council Agenda
Q6
What Board would you like to apply to?¿A cuál te gustaría aplicar?
Planning Commission
Q18
Do you participate in any civic activities? If so, what are they? see attached
Q19
List any civic organizations of which you are a member:
see attached
Q20
Education:
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, 1976
Q21
Why are you interested in serving on a board or commission? see attached
Q22
Describe possible areas in which you may have a conflict of interest with the City:
None
Q23
Upload your resume.
Respondent skipped this question
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
3 / 3
Q24
Ethnicity / Raza/etnia:
Q25
To which gender do you most identify?¿Con qué género se identifica más?
Q26
How old are you?¿Cuántos años tienes?
Civic and Community Activities / Organizations
For your review and consideration I am applying for a position on the City of San Rafael Planning Commission. I feel that I will be able to bring a wealth of experience to this Commission with the following involvement that I have had living in San Rafael.
Special Qualification
1. I am a practicing registered Landscape Architect (LA#3370) with over 48 years of planning experience and city agencies collaboration experience.
2. I have a small Landscape Architect and Planning firm located here in San Rafael. Since 1990.
3. I have lived in or in close proximity to San Rafael since 1980, permanent residency since 1994.
4. I have been before the San Rafael Design Review, Planning Commission and the City Council numerous times as part of the project management of several projects located here in San Rafael.
5. I have an excellent understanding of the City’s process and dealing with the City Agencies.
6. Member of the Landscape Architects Technical Committee.
7. Member of the American Society of Landscape Architects Civic Activities
8. I was a member of the Andersen Drive Vision Committee and the Landscape Architect charged with the visual design of Andersen Drive and the Albert Park Palm Promenade.
9. I was a member of the North San Rafael Promenade Charette.
10. I was a member of the North San Rafael Vision In Action (VIA) Committee.
11. I was a member of the San Rafael 2020 General Plan Update Committee, -Quality of Community Life Task Group.
12. I Chaired the Design Committee for the Falkirk Cultural Center Master Plan.
13. Graduate of the San Rafael Citizen Police Academy, 2000.
14. Appointed member of the Canalfront Advisory Committee.
Community Activities
15. Member of the San Rafael City School District Technology Committee.
16. Member of the Glenwood Elementary School Foundation 1999 to 2009, Chairmen 2006 to 2009.
17. Vice President of the Peacock Gap HOA 1994 to 2003.
18. Architectural review chairman Peacock Gap HOA, 1994 to Present.
19. Past President of the Peacock Point HOA, 2005.
20. Prepared plans and Specification and coordinated the DSA submittal for the Glenwood Elementary School Shade Structure.
21. Prepared Master Plan for the Davidson Middle School Sports Fields.
22. Prepared New Entry planting plan and 8th grade plaza for Davidson Middle School.
23. Board member Peacock Point Homeowners association
24. Current sitting member of the San Rafael Design Review Board from January 2016 to Present.
With my passed experience in Civic and Community involvement above, I feel I will bring a wealth of experience to the Planning Commission and with my tenure of volunteerism for our City and working on and chairing committees I feel qualified for this position.
My reasons for Serving
To give back to my community and a desirer to help determine the direction of our City, a strong desirer to help better our community and to protect and preserve the City of Rafael as we move forward.
I very much look forward to one day joining the team.
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
1 / 3
Q1
Contact Information / Información del contacto
First and Last Name / Nombre y Apellido Jeff Kent
Address / Dirección
City / Ciudad San Rafael
State / estado Ca
ZIP/Postal Code / Código postal 94901
Email Address / Dirección de correo electrónico
Phone Number / Número de teléfono
Q2
What district do you currently live in?¿En qué distrito vive actualmente?
District 3/Eastern / Distrito 3/Este
Q3
How long have you lived in San Rafael?
30 years
Q4
Business Information
Company Retired
Q5
How did you hear about this vacant position?
Other (please specify):
City staff
#71
COMPLETE
Collector: Web Link 1 (Web Link)
Started: Wednesday, July 10, 2024 10:30:58 AM
Last Modified: Wednesday, July 10, 2024 11:17:28 AM
Time Spent: 00:46:29
IP Address: 174.195.86.143
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
2 / 3
Q6
What Board would you like to apply to?¿A cuál te gustaría aplicar?
Planning Commission
Q18
Do you participate in any civic activities? If so, what are they? Design Review Board
Formally Public Art Commission
Volunteer for Street Painting Festival
Q19
List any civic organizations of which you are a member:
Marin Agricultural Land Trust
DBCNA-neighborhood association
Q20
Education:
UC Berkeley, Post Graduate Certificate in Landscape Architecture Oregon State University, MS Horticulture/ Plant Pathology UW-River Falls, BS Horticulture/Soil Science
Q21
Why are you interested in serving on a board or commission? After 23 years of serving on the Design Review Board, I still have a strong interest in participating in the design and planning process in San Rafael.
Q22
Describe possible areas in which you may have a conflict of interest with the City:
None
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
3 / 3
Q23
Upload your resume.
Respondent skipped this question
Q24
Ethnicity / Raza/etnia:
Q25
To which gender do you most identify?¿Con qué género se identifica más?
Q26
How old are you?¿Cuántos años tienes?
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
1 / 3
Q1
Contact Information / Información del contacto
First and Last Name / Nombre y Apellido Sharon Kovalsky Address / Dirección
City / Ciudad San Rafael
State / estado California
ZIP/Postal Code / Código postal 94903
Email Address / Dirección de correo electrónico
Phone Number / Número de teléfono
Q2
What district do you currently live in?¿En qué distrito vive actualmente?
District 4/Northern / Distrito 4/Norte
Q3
How long have you lived in San Rafael?
11 years
Q4
Business Information
Company AplosGroup Architects
Address
City/Town San Rafael
ZIP/Postal Code 94903
#69
COMPLETE
Collector: Web Link 1 (Web Link)
Started: Tuesday, July 09, 2024 11:00:02 AM
Last Modified: Tuesday, July 09, 2024 11:11:40 AM
Time Spent: 00:11:38
IP Address: 73.189.247.159
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
2 / 3
Q5
How did you hear about this vacant position?
Other (please specify):
Lindsay Lara asked me to apply
Q6
What Board would you like to apply to?¿A cuál te gustaría aplicar?
Planning Commission
Q18
Do you participate in any civic activities? If so, what are they? Public Art Review Board, Design Review Board
Q19
List any civic organizations of which you are a member:
Marin Women at work
Linked in Marin
American Institute of Architects
Q20
Education:
BS Architecture, 1982, University of Michigan
M. Architecture, 1984, University of Michigan
M. Urban Planning, 1984, University of Michigan
Q21
Why are you interested in serving on a board or commission? I want to give back and help San Rafael build well
Q22
Describe possible areas in which you may have a conflict of interest with the City:
if existing/past clients come before the board, I would recuse myself.
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
3 / 3
Q23
Upload your resume.
2024%20Sharon%20Kovalsky%20Resume.pdf (116.5KB)
Q24
Ethnicity / Raza/etnia:
Q25
To which gender do you most identify?¿Con qué género se identifica más?
Q26
How old are you?¿Cuántos años tienes?
A P L O S G R O U P A R C H I T E C T U R E
Principal Architect at Aplos Group -
Architecture
San Rafael, California
Experience
Principal Architect - Aplos Group Architects, San Rafael, CA 2013-present After 30 years of design and architecture experience, I've honed my focus on creating beautiful, functional spaces I'd love to both live and work in.
My aesthetic focuses on respecting the natural environment and incorporating its beauty and simplicity into my work, always keeping my clients' needs front and center.
As a specialist in green design and Mid-Century Modern architecture, I understand the design opportunities and challenges they offer, and I work with other area specialists to source authentic, efficient, and affordable materials that respect the integrity of these architectural jewels and protect our environment.
Currently in Construction:
• 1200 sf addition to family compound in San Rafael (Marin County Jurisdiction) • 800 sf addition to Marinwood home
• Eichler whole house remodel/restore, San Rafael
Construction completed in recent years
• House Remodel, San Rafael
• ADU, Santa Rosa
• House remodel and addition, San Rafael
• 2 new home fire rebuilds, Santa Rosa (Sonoma County Jurisdiction) • Home design showroom, retail storefront, Santa Rosa
Principal Architect - Sharon Kovalsky Architects, New York City, 1992-2013 Working in the built environment of New York City. Condo renovations, apartment renovations. New homes, remodels, and renovations.
Education: University of Michigan
B. Science - 1982 - Master of Architecture – 1984 – Master of Urban Planning - 1984 Licenses & Certifications
Licensed Architect States of California and New York,
Member in good standing, American Institute of Architects
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
1 / 3
Q1
Contact Information / Información del contacto
First and Last Name / Nombre y Apellido Stewart Summers Address / Dirección
City / Ciudad San Rafael
State / estado CA
ZIP/Postal Code / Código postal 94901
Email Address / Dirección de correo electrónico
Phone Number / Número de teléfono
Q2
What district do you currently live in?¿En qué distrito vive actualmente?
District 2/Western / Distrito 2/Oeste
Q3
How long have you lived in San Rafael?
56 Q4
Business Information
Company SKS Architects
Address
City/Town San Rafael
ZIP/Postal Code 94901
#70
COMPLETE
Collector: Web Link 1 (Web Link)
Started: Tuesday, July 09, 2024 11:28:30 AM
Last Modified: Tuesday, July 09, 2024 11:49:32 AM
Time Spent: 00:21:02
IP Address: 181.214.153.129
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
2 / 3
Q5
How did you hear about this vacant position?
City Council Agenda,
Other (please specify):
as current DRB Member
Q6
What Board would you like to apply to?¿A cuál te gustaría aplicar?
Planning Commission
Q18
Do you participate in any civic activities? If so, what are they? I have been an active City of San Rafael DRB member for many years (+/- 18) Q19
List any civic organizations of which you are a member:
City of San Rafael DRB
Q20
Education:
B.A. Architecture
U.C. Berkeley
Q21
Why are you interested in serving on a board or commission? I was born and raised in San Rafael. I feel it is my duty and owe this town my expertise on how the city evolves and it's relationship with the build environment. I love San Rafael. I have raised my own family here at the same schools etc. I have established my business here. This is my home and will be for the rest of my days. I want to contribute.
Q22
Describe possible areas in which you may have a conflict of interest with the City:
N/A
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
3 / 3
Q23
Upload your resume.
Stewart%20K%20Summers%20Resume.pdf (573.1KB)
Q24
Ethnicity / Raza/etnia:
Q25
To which gender do you most identify?¿Con qué género se identifica más?
Q26
How old are you?¿Cuántos años tienes?
Stewart K. Summers, Architect ___
Stewart K. Summers has over 30 years of experience in the Architectural field. During that time, Stewart has worked on diverse projects that include Custom Residential, Subdivisions, Additions and Alterations, Commercial Office, Restaurant and Religious Assembly. This wide range of experience has allowed him to become well versed in managing projects of all types and obtain technical proficiency required for a variety of project types. Stewart’s skills extend to an extensive understanding of the entitlement process and dealing with local government agencies to secure project approvals.
Stewart has received certifications from Built it Green as Certified Green Building Professional and Certified Green Rater and currently serves as a member of the City of San Rafael’s Design Review Board.
Professional Experience
2007 – Present: Principal Architect
SKS Architects, San Rafael, California
• Principal Architect and Project Manager on a variety of projects ranging from Commercial to Custom & Spec
Residences, Remodels and with the associated
coordination of Consultants, Jurisdictional Entitlement Processes, preparation of Construction Documents and
Construction Management.
1995 – 2007: Licensed Architect, Project Manager, Cad Manager Urban Dynamics Inc. dba G. Thomas Telfer, Architect,
Novato, California
• Project Architect and or Project Manager on a variety of projects ranging from Commercial to Custom & Spec
Residences, Remodels, Additions and Multi-Family
along with the associated coordination of Consultants,
Jurisdictional Entitlement Processes, preparation of
Construction Documents and Construction
Management.
1989 – 1995: Project Manager, Cad Manager, Draftsman
Urban Dynamics Inc., a California Corporation, dba Telfer– Chiesa–Dunham & Johnson, Architecture & Engineering,
Novato, California
• Project Manager on a various projects ranging from
Commercial to Residential. Managing and Training of
Staff in the utilization of AutoCAD as the primary
design and drafting tool for the firm. Cad Drafting on
various projects
1983 – 1989: CAD Draftsman
Craiker Associates, Inc., San Rafael, California
• Autocad Drafting of Design and Construction
Documents on various projects, commercial and
residential.
Education & Certificates
1995-present: Licensed as Architect in State of California #C25816 Acquired required Equitable Practical Years of Experience by College Education credits and work experience to qualify for State of California Architectural Licensing
1985 – 1989: Bachelor of Arts, Architecture
University of California, Berkeley CA
2008-present: Certified Green Building Professional
Acquired certification as green building consultant through Build It Green (non-profit in Berkeley, CA focusing on healthy and energy/resource efficient homes for California)
Professional and Community Affiliations
Board Member, City of San Rafael Design Review Board, term 2007-present Build it Green Certified Green Building Professional, 2007 Eagle Scout, Troop 101, San Rafael, CA - 1984
Planning Commission
Proposed Member Roster
City of San Rafael
Name Term Term Limit
Jill Rodby
District 1 Rep
04/2023 through 10/2025 1/3
Aldo Mercado
District 2 Rep
08/2022 through 10/2026 2/3
Jon Haveman
District 3 Rep
08/2022 through 10/2026 1/3
Jon Previtali
District 4 Rep
07/2021 through 10/2025 1/3
Samina Saude
Design Professional
10/2023 through 10/2027 2/3
Vacant
Licensed Architect
08/2024 through 10/2028 1/3
Vacant
At-large
10/2024 through 10/2028 1/3
Vacant
Alternate Member
Licensed Architect
08/2024 through 10/2028 1/3
Vacant
Alternate Member
Licensed Architect
08/2024 through 10/2028 1/3