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
01/15/2025
Revised Agenda: Public Hearing Item has been moved to Continuances 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:
https://santaclaraca.zoom.us/j/91729202898
Webinar ID: 917 2920 2898 or
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 6:00 p.m.
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Pledge of Allegiance and Statement of Values
Secretary Crutchlow read the Statement of Values.
Roll Call
Commissioner Nancy A. Biagini, Commissioner Priya Cherukuru, Commissioner Qian Huang, Vice Chair Mario Bouza, Chair Lance Saleme, and Commissioner Eric Crutchlow
Present 6 -
Commissioner Yashraj BhatnagarAbsent 1 -
A motion was made by Commissioner Biagini, seconded by
Commissioner Cherukuru to excuse Commissioner Bhatnagar.
Aye: Commissioner Biagini, Commissioner Cherukuru, Commissioner Huang, Vice Chair Bouza, Chair Saleme, and Commissioner Crutchlow
6 -
Excused: Commissioner Bhatnagar1 -
DECLARATION OF COMMISSION PROCEDURES
Secretary Crutchlow read the Declaration of Commission Procedures.
CONTINUANCES/EXCEPTIONS
1. 24-1118 Public Hearing: Continuance for Action on a Variance (PLN24-00514) to Locate a Six-Foot Wrought Iron Fence Within the 10-Foot Street Side Setback and Within the 20-Foot Front Setback Proposed at 572 Woodhams Road
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 300 feet of the project site.
A motion was made by Commissioner Crutchlow, seconded by Commissioner Bouza to approve the continuance to date to be determined and renotice the item at that time.
Aye: Commissioner Biagini, Commissioner Cherukuru, Commissioner Huang, Vice Chair Bouza, Chair Saleme, and Commissioner Crutchlow
6 -
Excused: Commissioner Bhatnagar1 -
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CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Commissioner Biagini, seconded by
Commissioner Bouza to approve this item.
Commissioner Cherukuru abstained from voting on Item 1.B due to her absence at that meeting.
Aye: Commissioner Biagini, Commissioner Cherukuru, Commissioner Huang, Vice Chair Bouza, Chair Saleme, and Commissioner Crutchlow
6 -
Excused: Commissioner Bhatnagar1 -
1.A 25-008 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of November 6, 2024 Recommendation: Approve the Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of the November 6, 2024 Meeting.
1.B 25-68 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of December 4, 2024 Recommendation: Approve the Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of the December 4, 2024 Meeting.
PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
None.
PUBLIC HEARING
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2. 24-1256 Public Hearing Continuance: Action on Conditional Use Permit (PLN23-00148) for a New Unmanned AT&T Telecommunication Facility with the Installation of a 60-Foot-Tall Monotree or an Alternative Design with Three 42’-6” Monopoles Located in the Parking Lot at 3111 Benton Street
Recommendation: 1. Determine that the project is categorically exempt from formal environmental review per Section 15303(d), New Construction of Utility Extensions, of the CEQA Guidelines; and
2. Adopt a Resolution to approve a Conditional Use Permit for a new unmanned AT&T wireless telecommunication facility with the installation of a 60-foot-tall monotree at 3111 Benton Street, subject to findings and conditions of approval.
Planning Manager Lesley Xavier provided the staff presentation and stated this was the fourth time this item has been heard by the Planning Commission due to several continuance.and that this project is being reviewed under the "classic code".
Commissioners inquired upon several items including why the City was recommending the monotree design; impact to neighboring properties and the impact to the value of the neighboring properties.
Steve Proo, representing AT&T provided the Applicant presentation.
Radio Frequency Engineer Enrico Cornejo was in attendance.
Mr.Proo stated the applicant had done a thorough search for the location of the monopine and done their due diligence.
Public Speakers:
Yongli Wen
Ken Kratz
Lee Benton
Nicholas Rossi
Alexandra
Vignesh
Sherry
Linda
Diane Harrison
Public Speaker
Commissioner Crutchlow requested that the City have a master plan for cell towers.
Assistant City Attorney Alexander Abbe provided clarification on the parameters of the Shot Clock.
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A motion was made by Commissioner Crutchlow, seconded by Commissioner Biagini to close public hearing.
Aye: Commissioner Biagini, Commissioner Cherukuru, Commissioner Huang, Vice Chair Bouza, Chair Saleme, and Commissioner Crutchlow
6 -
Excused: Commissioner Bhatnagar1 -
A motion was made by Commissioner Biagini, seconded by
Commissioner Cherukuru to approve staff recommendation 1.
Aye: Commissioner Biagini, Commissioner Cherukuru, Commissioner Huang, Vice Chair Bouza, and Chair Saleme
5 -
Nay: Commissioner Crutchlow1 -
Excused: Commissioner Bhatnagar1 -
A motion was made by Commissioner Biagini, seconded by
Commissioner Cherukuru to adopt Staff Alternative 2.
Aye: Commissioner Biagini, Commissioner Cherukuru, Commissioner Huang, and Chair Saleme
4 -
Nay: Vice Chair Bouza, and Commissioner Crutchlow2 -
Excused: Commissioner Bhatnagar1 -
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3. 24-1216 Public Hearing: Action on a Conditional Use Permit and Variances (PLN23-00513) to Allow Expansion of an Existing Service Station by Removing a Portion of the Fuel Canopy and Two Fuel Dispensers, and by Adding a 1,605 square foot Convenience Store and Self-Service Carwash within the Rear Setback for the Store at 2455 Lawrence Expressway Recommendation: 1. Adopt a Resolution Denying a Conditional Use Permit to allow expansion of an existing service station for removing a portion of fuel canopy and two fuel dispensers, and adding a 1,605 square foot convenience store and a self-service carwash within the rear setbacks at 2455 Lawrence Expressway.
2. Adopt a Resolution Denying a Variance to allow reduced rear setbacks, reduced landscaping planter depth along the street frontages, reduced required landscape screening depth, reduced required tree planter depth, and reduced required shrub planter depth in connection with a proposed expansion of an existing service station at 2455 Lawrence Expressway.
Associate Planner Daniel Sobczak provided the staff presentation.
Chair Saleme announced he had an email correspondence with the Applicant.
Architect Muthana Ibrahim provided a sketch to Planners of an alternate plan for the project.
Applicant/Owner Surjait Baines stated he had a traffic report and had met with a traffic engineer for the project.
Commissioners inquired upon several items including noise mitigation for the proposed car wash and design aspects.
Public Speakers:
Nick
Bhopinder Singh
Fateh Sing
Avee Patel
Iknoor Singh
Jaspreet Singh
Jesse Singh
Linda
Dil
Sunny
Assistant City Attorney Alexander Abbe stated that the project does not comply with city code.
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The meeting went into recess at 9:50 p.m. and reconvened at 10:04 p.m.
A motion was made by Commissioner Biagini, seconded by
Commissioner Crutchlow to close public hearing.
Aye: Commissioner Biagini, Commissioner Cherukuru, Commissioner Huang, Vice Chair Bouza, Chair Saleme, and Commissioner Crutchlow
6 -
Excused: Commissioner Bhatnagar1 -
A motion was made by Commissioner Biagini, seconded by
Commissioner Crutchlow to reopen public hearing.
Aye: Commissioner Biagini, Commissioner Cherukuru, Commissioner Huang, Vice Chair Bouza, Chair Saleme, and Commissioner Crutchlow
6 -
Excused: Commissioner Bhatnagar1 -
A motion was made by Commissioner Biagini, seconded by
Commissioner Crutchlow to continue this item date certain to March 19, 2025.
Aye: Commissioner Biagini, Commissioner Cherukuru, Commissioner Huang, Vice Chair Bouza, Chair Saleme, and Commissioner Crutchlow
6 -
Excused: Commissioner Bhatnagar1 -
4. 24-1240 Study Session: 2024 State Housing Legislation Update A motion was made by Chair Saleme to extend the meeting past 10 pm
Aye: Commissioner Biagini, Commissioner Cherukuru, Commissioner Huang, Vice Chair Bouza, Chair Saleme, and Commissioner Crutchlow
6 -
Excused: Commissioner Bhatnagar1 -
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Study Session: 2024 State Housing Legislation Update
Assistant City Attorney Alexander Abbe provided the staff presentation.
Commissioners inquired on several aspects of the presentation.
Director of Community Development Afshan Hamid provided additional input on the presentation.
REPORTS OF COMMISSION/BOARD LIAISON AND COMMITTEE:
1. Announcements/Other Items
2. Commissioner Travel and Training Reports, Requests to attend Trainings A motion was made by Commissioner Cherukuru, seconded by Commissioner Huang to expend funds for Commissioners
Cherukuru, Huang and Crutchlow to attend the Joint Venture Silicon Valley (JVSV) State of the Valley event taking place on March 7, 2025.
Aye: Commissioner Biagini, Commissioner Cherukuru, Commissioner Huang, Vice Chair Bouza, Chair Saleme, and Commissioner Crutchlow
6 -
Excused: Commissioner Bhatnagar1 -
Joint Venture State of the Valley Conference - March 7, 2025 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 staff updates.
ADJOURNMENT:
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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.