Proposed Fiscal Year 2025/2026
Planning Commission Workplan
Background
On the Planning Commission reviewed the upcoming FY2025/2026 workplan and proposes to work on the following list of items.
1. Study Sessions (See Table below)
2. Land Use Priorities for Council Consideration (See table Below) Current Membership
Meetings are on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 6:00 PM at City Hall Council Chambers Name
Appointed
Term Ends
Nancy Biagini
appointed to a serve a partial and full term
04/01/19 (22)
2026
Mario Bouza
08/16/22 (26)
2026
Yashraj Bhatnagar
appointed to a serve a partial term
05/27/21 (23)
2027
Priya Cherukuru
05/21/19 (23)
2027
Eric Crutchlow
appointed to a serve a partial and full term
06/13/23 (24)
2028
Lance Saleme
appointed to a serve a partial and full term
11/07/17 (20)
2028
Qian Huang
appointed to a serve a partial and full term
01/12/21 (21)
2029
Purpose, Role and Duties of Planning Commission:
Based on the Charter, the Planning Commission is a quasi-judicial body which acts in an advisory capacity to the City Council in all matters pertaining to the physical development of the City. The commission is comprised of seven commissioners appointed by the City Council.
As prescribed by Ordinance, after a public hearing, the Commission makes a recommendation to the City Council on:
General Plan Amendments
Zoning of Real Property
Changes to the Zoning Code
Land Subdivisions
And, after a public hearing, the Commission takes final action, except in the event of an appeal, for the granting of any:
Conditional Use Permit
Variances
Appeals of Director’s Decision’s for Single-Family residential projects, Minor Modifications, and CEQA determinations.
Per the City Code, when making decisions, the Planning Commission must find that a project is:
consistent with the General Plan
any applicable Specific Plan
the subject zone
applicable provisions of the Zoning Code and the City Code that the design, location, size, and operating characteristics of the proposed use are compatible with the allowed uses that the operation of the use at the location would not be detrimental to the harmonious and orderly growth of the City or constitute hazard to the public convenience, health, interest, safety, or general welfare that the site is physically suitable for the project/use in terms of design, location, operating characteristics, shape, size, topography, and the provision of public and emergency vehicle access and public services and utilities that the site is served by highways and streets adequate in width and improvement to carry the type and quantity of traffic the proposed use would likely generate To make informed decisions, the Commission seeks trainings on topics relevant to their decision making by attending conferences and procuring study sessions on relevant topics. These items are reflected in their workplan. In addition, during the course of its work, the Planning Commission has also identified a list of land use priorities for City Council to consider during its priority setting process, which is also reflected in the workplan.
Study Sessions
Topic
Timeline
Notes
Budget
Yearly Housing Legislation Enacted by the State Legislature January 15, 2025
Presented by Assistant CAO
No Cost
City Council Study Session - State of Santa Clara Real Estate & Development Market February 13, 2025
Presented by the Urban Land Institute (ULI)
No Cost
Mobile Food Vendor Ordinance
April 16, 2025
Presented by staff
No Cost
CEQA
May 21, 2025
Presented by David J. Powers & Associates
No cost
Data Centers
May 20, 2025
Joint Study Session w/
City Council
No Cost
Due Process Requirements
(e.g. how to respond to reporters)
September 2025
Assistant CAO
No Cost
Infrastructure Planning to Support Future Growth
VTA Transit Planning
Code Enforcement: Rights & Obligations (enforcement of COA’s) Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget Environmental Determinations and General Plan Conformity Findings Land Use Priorities for Council Consideration
Topic
Timeline
Notes
Data Center Development Standards and Location Requirements Entertainment District
Supportive Housing Solutions – Tiny Homes; Moveable Homes Sustainability
Vacant & Blighted Building Ordinance
Skilled Labor Policy
Citizen Commission Overseeing SVP