City of Santa Clara
Meeting Minutes
Planning Commission
Draft
6:00 PM Hybrid Meeting
City Hall Council
Chambers/Virtual
1500 Warburton Avenue
Santa Clara, CA 95050
09/11/2024
The City of Santa Clara is conducting Planning Commission meetings in a hybrid manner (in-person and continues to have methods for the public to participate remotely).
• Via Zoom:
o https://santaclaraca.zoom.us/j/91729202898 Webinar ID: 917 2920 2898 or o Phone: 1(669) 900-6833
• Via the City’s eComment
The public may view the meetings on SantaClaraCA.gov, Santa Clara City Television (Comcast cable channel 15 or AT&T U-verse channel 99), or the livestream on the City’s YouTube channel or Facebook page.
Public Comments prior to meeting may be submitted via email to [email protected] no later than noon on the day of the meeting;
(Comments received after 12:00 PM on the day of the meeting will be made part of the public record but will not be read out loud during the meeting) and also before and during the meeting via eComment. Clearly indicate the project address, meeting body, and meeting date in the email.
Agendas, Staff Reports and associated documents for Planning Commission items may be viewed on the City's website at https://santaclara.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx 6:00 PM REGULAR MEETING
Call to Order
Chair Saleme called the meeting to order at 6:03 pm
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Pledge of Allegiance and Statement of Values
Secretary Crutchlow read the Statement of Values.
Roll Call
Commissioner Yashraj Bhatnagar, Commissioner Priya Cherukuru, Commissioner Qian Huang, Vice Chair Mario Bouza, Chair Lance Saleme, and Commissioner Eric Crutchlow
Present 6 -
Commissioner Nancy A. BiaginiAbsent 1 -
A motion was made by Commissioner Cherukuru, seconded by Commissioner Bhatnagar to excuse Commissioner Biagini.
Aye: Commissioner Bhatnagar, Commissioner Cherukuru, Commissioner Huang, Vice Chair Bouza, Chair Saleme, and Commissioner Crutchlow
6 -
Excused: Commissioner Biagini1 -
DECLARATION OF COMMISSION PROCEDURES
CONTINUANCES/EXCEPTIONS
Planning Manager Lesley Xavier announced that Item 3 on the Public Hearing Calendar was withdrawn by the Appellant.
24-844 Continuance from August 21, 2024, for Action on Conditional Use Permit (PLN23-00148) for a New Unmanned AT&T Telecommunication Facility with the Installation of a 60-Foot-Tall Monotree at 3111 Benton Street Recommendation: Staff recommends that the Planning Commission continue the request to a date uncertain, for which will be noticed by mail to property owners within 500 feet of the project site.
Assistant City Attorney Alexander Abbe provided information that AT&T and the City signed a tolling agreement to extend this item until November 15, 2024.
Applicant Steve Proo spoke and requested a continuance on this item.
A motion was made by Commissioner Crutchlow, seconded by Commissioner Bhatnagar to close public hearing and continue this item to date uncertain.
Aye: Commissioner Bhatnagar, Commissioner Cherukuru, Commissioner Huang, Vice Chair Bouza, Chair Saleme, and Commissioner Crutchlow
6 -
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Excused: Commissioner Biagini1 -
CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Commissioner Cherukuru, seconded by Commissioner Saleme to approve the consent calendar
Aye: Commissioner Bhatnagar, Commissioner Cherukuru, Commissioner Huang, Vice Chair Bouza, Chair Saleme, and Commissioner Crutchlow
6 -
Excused: Commissioner Biagini1 -
1.A 24-841 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of August 21, 2024 Recommendation: Approve the Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of the August 21, 2024 Meeting
1.B 24-873 Consent Item: Action to Approve a Resolution for a Variance (PLN24-00217) for 1296 Chapel Drive, Previously Heard at the August 21, 2024, Planning Commission Hearing.
Recommendation:
1. Adopt a Resolution to approve a Variance to expand into the front setback by 6’-6” to create additional living space for a residence located at 1296 Chapel Drive
PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
PUBLIC HEARING
2. 24-811 Public Hearing: Recommendation on Four Corrective Amendments to the Zoning Map for Properties located at 3005 Democracy Way, 807 Washington Street; 1430, 1435, and 1448 Madison Street; and 2805 Bowers Avenue
Recommendation: 1. Adopt a Resolution Recommending that the City Council Adopt the revised Zoning Map, consistent with the City’s General Plan land use diagram.
Principal Planner John Davidson provided the staff presentation.
A motion was made by Commissioner Cherukuru, seconded by Commissioner Bouza to close public comment.
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Aye: Commissioner Bhatnagar, Commissioner Cherukuru, Commissioner Huang, Vice Chair Bouza, Chair Saleme, and Commissioner Crutchlow
6 -
Excused: Commissioner Biagini1 -
A motion was made by Commissioner Crutchlow, seconded by Commissioner Bhatnagar to approve staff recommendation.
Aye: Commissioner Bhatnagar, Commissioner Cherukuru, Commissioner Huang, Chair Saleme, and Commissioner Crutchlow
5 -
Nay: Vice Chair Bouza1 -
Excused: Commissioner Biagini1 -
3. 24-799 Public Hearing: Action on an Appeal (PLN24-00356) of the Architectural Review Approval of a 498 Square Feet Single-Story Addition Located at 1485 Bellomy Street
Recommendation: 1. Determine the project to be Categorically Exempt per CEQA Guidelines section 15301 (e)(2) (Class 1 - Existing Facilities); and
2. Adopt a resolution overruling the appeal and upholding the July 5, 2024, Architectural Review approval to allow the construction of 498 square feet single-story addition, interior remodel, and a new roof on a 674 square feet single-family residence at 1485 Bellomy Street, subject to findings and conditions of approval.
Item 3 was withdrawn by the Applicant.
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4. 24-730 Public Hearing. Action on a Rezone (PLN23-00208) from PD - Planned Development to HI - Heavy Industrial and Variance for Parking for the Property Located at 2201 Lafayette Street
Recommendation: 1. Determine the project is consistent with a Class I Categorical Exemption per Section 15301, Existing Facilities of the CEQA Guidelines;
2. Adopt a resolution approving the Variance for parking, including the required findings; and
3. Adopt a resolution recommending City Council approve the Rezone from Planned Development (PD) to Heavy Industrial (HI) for the property located at 2201 Lafayette Street, subject to findings and conditions of approval.
Senior Planner Nimisha Agrawal provided the staff presentation.
Commissioners inquired upon ADA parking, egress and in ingress into the parking lot and the parking agreement.
John Ha from Innovative Design Architecture spoke on behalf of the Applicant
A motion was made by Commissioner Cherukuru, seconded by Commissioner Crutchlow to close public comment.
Aye: Commissioner Bhatnagar, Commissioner Cherukuru, Commissioner Huang, Vice Chair Bouza, Chair Saleme, and Commissioner Crutchlow
6 -
Excused: Commissioner Biagini1 -
A motion was made by Commissioner Cherukuru, seconded by Commissioner Saleme to approve staff recommendation 1.
Aye: Commissioner Cherukuru, Commissioner Huang, Chair Saleme, and Commissioner Crutchlow
4 -
Nay: Vice Chair Bouza1 -
Excused: Commissioner Biagini1 -
Abstained: Commissioner Bhatnagar1 -
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4. 24-730 Public Hearing. Action on a Rezone (PLN23-00208) from PD - Planned Development to HI - Heavy Industrial and Variance for Parking for the Property Located at 2201 Lafayette Street
Recommendation: 1. Determine the project is consistent with a Class I Categorical Exemption per Section 15301, Existing Facilities of the CEQA Guidelines;
2. Adopt a resolution approving the Variance for parking, including the required findings; and
3. Adopt a resolution recommending City Council approve the Rezone from Planned Development (PD) to Heavy Industrial (HI) for the property located at 2201 Lafayette Street, subject to findings and conditions of approval.
A motion was made by Commissioner Cherukuru and seconded by Commissioner Crutchlow to approve staff recommendation 2 with the following conditions:
- Applicant shall provide a plan detailing alternate commuting methods, which explores all options with surrounding properties for parking solutions, including shared parking agreements, shared transit agreements, parking passes, bicycle racks, transit options, and mechanical parking lifts, to the satisfaction of the Director of Community Development, in advance of the City Council Meeting - Applicant shall further explore providing an additional 1 - 2 parking spaces for ADA parking or an additional parking stall at the front of the building
Aye: Commissioner Bhatnagar, Commissioner Cherukuru, Commissioner Huang, Chair Saleme, and Commissioner Crutchlow
5 -
Nay: Vice Chair Bouza1 -
Absent: Commissioner Biagini1 -
A motion was made by Commissioner Cheurkuru, seconded by Commissioner Cruthclow to approve staff recommendation 3.
Aye: Commissioner Bhatnagar, Commissioner Cherukuru, Commissioner Huang, Chair Saleme, and Commissioner Crutchlow
5 -
Nay: Vice Chair Bouza1 -
Absent: Commissioner Biagini1 -
REPORTS OF COMMISSION/BOARD LIAISON AND COMMITTEE:
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1. Announcements/Other Items
Chair Saleme commented he had an outstanding issue he is awaiting follow-up on from city staff.
Commissioner Cherukuru inquired if there is an estimated date for an upcoming data center study session.
Planning Manager Lesley Xavier requested that commissioners provide questions they may have for the study session to her ahead of time.
Commissioner Bhatnagar announced he is unable to attend the October 9, 2024 Planning Commission meeting.
2. Commissioner Travel and Training Reports, Requests to attend Trainings DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REPORTS:
1. Planning Commission Budget Update
Staff Aide II Elizabeth Elliott provided budget updates.
2. Upcoming Agenda Items
Planning Manager Lesley Xavier provided updates.
3. City Council Actions
Planning Manager Lesley Xavier provided updates.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting adjourned at 8:18 pm. The next regular scheduled meeting is October 9, 2024.
Aye: Commissioner Bhatnagar, Commissioner Cherukuru, Commissioner Huang, Vice Chair Bouza, Chair Saleme, and Commissioner Crutchlow
6 -
Excused: Commissioner Biagini1 -
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The time limit within which to commence any lawsuit or legal challenge to any quasi-adjudicative decision made by the City is governed by Section 1094.6 of the Code of Civil Procedure, unless a shorter limitation period is specified by any other provision. Under Section 1094.6, any lawsuit or legal challenge to any quasi-adjudicative decision made by the City must be filed no later than the 90th day following the date on which such decision becomes final. Any lawsuit or legal challenge, which is not filed within that 90-day period, will be barred. If a person wishes to challenge the nature of the above section in court, they may be limited to raising only those issues they or someone else raised at the meeting described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City of Santa Clara, at or prior to the meeting. In addition, judicial challenge may be limited or barred where the interested party has not sought and exhausted all available administrative remedies.
STREAMING SERVICES: As always, the public may view the meetings on SantaClaraCA.gov, Santa Clara City Television (Comcast cable channel 15 or AT&T U-verse channel 99), or the livestream on the City’s YouTube channel or Facebook page.
Note: The public cannot participate in the meeting through these livestreaming methods; livestreaming capabilities may be disrupted at times, viewers may always view and participate in meetings in-person and via Zoom as noted on the agenda.
If a member of the public submits a speaker card for any agenda items, their name will appear in the Minutes. If no speaker card is submitted, the Minutes will reflect "Public Speaker."
In accordance with the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ("ADA"), the City of Santa Clara will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its services, programs, or activities, and will ensure that all existing facilities will be made accessible to the maximum extent feasible. The City of Santa Clara will generally, upon request, provide appropriate aids and services leading to effective communication for qualified persons with disabilities including those with speech, hearing, or vision impairments so they can participate equally in the City’s programs, services, and activities. The City of Santa Clara will make all reasonable modifications to policies and programs to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to enjoy all of its programs, services, and activities.
Agendas and other written materials distributed during a public meeting that are public record will be made available by the City in an appropriate alternative format.
Contact the City Clerk’s Office at 1 408-615-2220 with your request for an alternative format copy of the agenda or other written materials.
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Individuals who require an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or any other disability-related modification of policies or procedures, or other accommodation, in order to participate in a program, service, or activity of the City of Santa Clara, should contact the City’s ADA Coordinator at 408-615-3000 as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours before the scheduled event.