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
04/16/2025
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 6:03 p.m.
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Pledge of Allegiance and Statement of Values
Secretary Crutchlow read the Statement of Values.
Roll Call
Commissioner Yashraj Bhatnagar, Commissioner Nancy A. Biagini, Commissioner Priya Cherukuru, Commissioner Qian Huang, Vice Chair Mario Bouza, Chair Lance Saleme, and Commissioner Eric Crutchlow
Present 7 -
DECLARATION OF COMMISSION PROCEDURES
Secretary Crutchlow read the Declaration of Commission Procedures.
CONTINUANCES/EXCEPTIONS
None.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1.A 25-434 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of March 19, 2025 Recommendation: Approve the Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of the March 19, 2025 Meeting.
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1.B 25-422 Action to Adopt Resolutions to Approve 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. Determine the project to be categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15303 (Class 3 - New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures)
2. Adopt a Resolution Approving 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.
3. Adopt a Resolution Approving 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.
A motion was made by Commissioner Bouza, seconded
byCommissioner Crutchlow to approve the consent calendar
Aye: Commissioner Bhatnagar, Commissioner Biagini, Commissioner Cherukuru, Commissioner Huang, Vice Chair Bouza, Chair Saleme, and Commissioner Crutchlow
7 -
PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
None.
PUBLIC HEARING
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2. 25-376 PUBLIC HEARING: Action on a Conditional Use Permit (PLN24-00424) to Construct a Single-Sided Digital LED Billboard as Part of a Billboard Relocation Agreement and a Minor Modification to Reduce the Required 1,500 Linear Feet Distance from Another Electronic Digital Display Message Sign, and Recommendation to the City Council to Approve Adoption of the Billboard Relocation Agreement, Located at 1700 Duane Avenue.
Recommendation: 1) Determine the project to be categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15303 (Class 3 - “New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures”).
2) Adopt a resolution approving a Conditional Use Permit to allow for construction a single-sided digital LED billboard as part of a Billboard Relocation Agreement, located at 1700 Duane Avenue, subject to findings and conditions of approval.
3) Adopt a resolution approving a minor modification to reduce the required 1,500 linear feet distance from another electronic digital display message sign, located at 1700 Duane Avenue, subject to findings and conditions of approval.
4) Recommend to the City Council approval of the Billboard Relocation Agreement.
Associate Planner Meha Patel provided the staff presentation.
Commissioners discussed several topics including the size of the billboard, how many billboards will be removed with the addition of the new billboard, safety studies, road/safety hazards due to billboards.
Commissioners requested that staff look at neighboring cities policies regarding billboards.
Cameron Hall provided the applicant presentation and Jeff McCuen answered additional questions.
Public Speaker:
Linda
A motion was made by Commissioner Crutchlow, seconded by Commissioner Biagini to close public hearing.
Aye: Commissioner Bhatnagar, Commissioner Biagini, Commissioner Cherukuru, Commissioner Huang, Vice Chair Bouza, Chair Saleme, and Commissioner Crutchlow
7 -
A motion was made by Commissioner Saleme, seconded by
CommIIssioner Biagini to reopen public hearing.
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Aye: Commissioner Bhatnagar, Commissioner Biagini, Commissioner Cherukuru, Chair Saleme, and Commissioner Crutchlow
5 -
Nay: Commissioner Huang, and Vice Chair Bouza2 -
A motion was made by Commissioner Crutchlow, seconded by Commissioner Crutchlow to continue this item date certain to June 11, 2025 and have staff do additional research on traffic safety impacts from billboards, billboard message hold time, and illumination.
Aye: Commissioner Bhatnagar, Commissioner Biagini, Commissioner Cherukuru, Chair Saleme, and Commissioner Crutchlow
5 -
Nay: Commissioner Huang, and Vice Chair Bouza2 -
3. 25-436 PUBLIC HEARING: Recommendation on a General Plan Text Amendment for the 2023-2031 Housing Element Sites Inventory List
Recommendation: Alternative 1: Adopt a Resolution to Recommend the City Council Amend the General Plan Housing Element with revisions associated with changes to the Housing Sites Inventory
Meeting went into Recess at 7:20 p.m. and reconvened at 7:27 p.m.
Associate Planner John Baty provided the staff presentation.
Public Speaker:
DanielAlvarez - NorCal Carpenters
Linda
A motion was made by Commissioner Crutchlow, seconded by Commissioner Cherukuru,to approve Staff Recommendation 1.
Aye: Commissioner Bhatnagar, Commissioner Biagini, Commissioner Cherukuru, Commissioner Huang, Vice Chair Bouza, Chair Saleme, and Commissioner Crutchlow
7 -
A motion was made by Commissioner Cherukuru, seconded by Commissioner Saleme to approve Staff Recommendation 2.
Aye: Commissioner Bhatnagar, Commissioner Biagini, Commissioner Cherukuru, Commissioner Huang, Vice Chair Bouza, Chair Saleme, and Commissioner Crutchlow
7 -
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4. 25-214 PUBLIC HEARING: Recommendation on a General Plan Amendment to Remove the Lawrence Station Phase II, Central Expressway, and De La Cruz Focus Areas
Recommendation: Alternative 1: Adopt a Resolution to Recommend the City Council Amend the General Plan to remove the Lawrence Station Phase II, Central Expressway and De La Cruz Focus Areas and make associated text edits.
Senior Planner Steve Le provided the staff presentation.
Public Speaker:
Linda
A motion was made by Commissioner Crutchlow, seconded by Commissioner Bouza to close public hearing.
Aye: Commissioner Bhatnagar, Commissioner Biagini, Commissioner Cherukuru, Commissioner Huang, Vice Chair Bouza, Chair Saleme, and Commissioner Crutchlow
7 -
A motion was made by Commissioner Crutchlow, seconded by Commissioner Bouza to approve staff recommendation.
The motion did not pass.
Aye: Commissioner Huang, Chair Saleme, and Commissioner Crutchlow3 - Nay: Commissioner Bhatnagar, Commissioner Biagini, Commissioner Cherukuru, and Vice Chair Bouza
4 -
A motion was made by Commissioner Cherukuru, seconded by Commissioner Bouza that the Focus Area not be removed and that this item be forwarded to City Council with no recommendation.
Aye: Commissioner Cherukuru, Vice Chair Bouza, Commissioner Bhatnagar, and Commissioner Biagini
4 -
Nay: Chair Saleme, Commissioner Huang, and Commissioner Crutchlow3 -
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5. 25-189 Public Hearing: Recommendations related to the adoption of the Second Zoning Code Cleanup Ordinance and Rezoning of Properties Currently Designated TN (Transit Neighborhood) to R6 (Transit Neighborhood Residential)
Recommendation: 1. Recommend that the City Council adopt the Zoning Code cleanup ordinance; and
2. Recommend that the City Council apply the R6 Transit Neighborhood District to the properties currently zoned TN on the Zoning Map, consistent with the General Plan.
Principal Planner John Davidson provided the staff presentation.
A motion was made by Commissioner Bouza, seconded by
Commissioner Cruthclow to close public hearing.
Aye: Commissioner Bhatnagar, Commissioner Biagini, Commissioner Cherukuru, Commissioner Huang, Vice Chair Bouza, Chair Saleme, and Commissioner Crutchlow
7 -
A motion was made by Commissioner Crutchlow, seconded by Commissioner Biagini to approve staff recommendation.
Aye: Commissioner Bhatnagar, Commissioner Biagini, Commissioner Cherukuru, Commissioner Huang, Vice Chair Bouza, Chair Saleme, and Commissioner Crutchlow
7 -
6. 25-67 STUDY SESSION: Mobile Food Vendors
Planning Manager Lesley Xavier provided the staff presentation.
Commissioner inquired on several items, including permits for mobile food vendors and the impact to local restaurants by having mobile food trucks.
7. 25-464 Planning Commission Workplan Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Recommendation: There is no staff recommendation.
Planning Manager Lesley Xavier provided a presentation with a compilation of items discussed at previous meetings for the Planning Commission Workplan.
REPORTS OF COMMISSION/BOARD LIAISON AND COMMITTEE:
1. Announcements/Other Items
Chair Saleme requested annual updates on projects that the Planning Commission has approved.
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2. Commissioner Travel and Training Reports, Requests to attend Trainings Staff Aide II Elizabeth Elliott provided information on the upcoming APA California Chapter Conference taking place in August 2025.
Registration opens June 2, 2025.
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REPORTS:
1. Planning Commission Budget Update
Staff Aide II Elizabeth Elliott provided budget updates.
2. Upcoming Agenda Items
Commissioner Cherukuru requested to be registered for the virtual National APA Conference.
A motion was made by Commissioner Cherukuru, seconded by Commissioner Crutchlow to expend funds for Commissioner Cherukuru to attend the NPCA virtual conference
Aye: Commissioner Bhatnagar, Commissioner Biagini, Commissioner Cherukuru, Commissioner Huang, Vice Chair Bouza, Chair
Saleme, and Commissioner Crutchlow
7 -
3. City Council Actions
Planning Manager Lesley Xavier provided updates.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting adjourned at 10:06 p.m. The next meeting is a Joint Council/Planning Commission Study Session on May 20, 2025. The next regular Planning Commission Meeting is May 21, 2025.
Aye: Commissioner Bhatnagar, Commissioner Biagini, Commissioner Cherukuru, Commissioner Huang, Vice Chair Bouza, Chair Saleme, and Commissioner Crutchlow
7 -
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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.
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.