City of Sunnyvale
Excerpt Meeting Minutes - Draft
Planning Commission
6:00 PM Online and Bay Conference Room
(Room 145), City Hall,
456 W. Olive Ave.,
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Tuesday, May 28, 2024
Special Meeting: Study Session - 6:00 PM | Public Hearing - 7:00 PM 7 P.M. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Pyne called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
ROLL CALL
Chair Martin Pyne
Vice Chair Nathan Iglesias
Commissioner Galen Kim Davis
Commissioner Michael Serrone
Commissioner Neela Shukla
Present: 5 -
Commissioner Daniel Howard
Commissioner John Howe
Absent: 2 -
The absences of Commissioner Howe and Commissioner Howard are excused.
PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS
2. 24-0596 Forward a recommendation to City Council to Amend the Climate Action Playbook, Adopt Game Plan 2028, and Adopt a Negative Declaration for the Climate Action Playbook Update/Game Plan 2028 and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds
Regulatory Programs Division Manager Melody Tovar presented the staff report with a slide presentation.
Commissioner Serrone confirmed with Regulatory Programs Division Manager Tovar that the proposed updates to the Climate Action Playbook and Game Plan 2028 include broader language regarding approaches to natural gas regulation.
Commissioner Serrone questioned whether the City has considered outlawing
Attachment 13
May 28, 2024Planning Commission Meeting Minutes - Draft nitrous oxide. Regulatory Programs Division Manager Tovar responded that consideration has been given to energy performance and indoor air quality approaches and that staff is working closely with Silicon Valley Clean Energy to learn about practices implemented by other cities.
Commissioner Serrone confirmed with Regulatory Programs Division Manager Tovar that if the amended Climate Action Playbook and Game Plan 2028 are not adopted, impacts to the greenhouse gas emissions are uncertain.
Commissioner Serrone inquired about whether consideration has been given to vehicle miles traveled (VMT) due to the removal of retail from concentrated areas.
Kelsey Bennett, from Rincon Consultants, explained that VMT will be assessed at the project level.
At Commissioner Serrone’s request, Regulatory Programs Division Manager Tovar and Environmental Programs Manager Madeline Khair explained the discrepancy in the data for one-time costs covering consultant services, advertising and material costs found in the staff report and the Draft Climate Action Playbook Update and Game Plan 2028.
Commissioner Serrone spoke in support of qualifying the Playbook for California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) streamlining purposes.
Commissioner Davis confirmed with Regulatory Programs Division Manager Tovar that the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission and Sustainability Commission forwarded the staff recommendation for this agenda item to the City Council.
Commissioner Davis shared the same sentiments as Commissioner Serrone regarding CEQA streamlining.
Commissioner Davis confirmed with Regulatory Programs Division Manager Tovar that the state’s carbon neutrality target is absolute rather than per capita.
Commissioner Davis and Regulatory Programs Division Manager Tovar discussed challenges involved with meeting the 2030 target to reduce emissions 56% below 1990 levels. They also discussed the 2045 goal to reduce VMT by 30%.
At Vice Chair Iglesias’ request, Regulatory Programs Division Manager Tovar explained how VMT is measured.
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May 28, 2024Planning Commission Meeting Minutes - Draft Vice Chair Iglesias asked about ways to accomplish VMT reduction goals.
Regulatory Programs Division Manager Tovar answered that such factors as vehicle type, distance traveled, availability of electric vehicle infrastructure, and development of communities that support alternative modes of transportation must be considered.
Vice Chair Iglesias and Regulatory Programs Division Manager Tovar discussed community engagement and response thus far.
Vice Chair Iglesias inquired about housing costs associated with building environmentally friendly residential developments. Regulatory Programs Division Manager Tovar shared that research shows it is more cost effective to build environmentally friendly residential developments than to retrofit existing developments at a later time.
Commissioner Shukla noted that the City does not currently have an inventory of its trees. Regulatory Programs Division Manager Tovar stated that this is being addressed by an ongoing Study Issue.
Commissioner Shukla questioned whether it is possible to achieve the 2030 target for reduced landfilled garbage. Director of Environmental Services Ramana Chinnakotla confirmed this possibility and explained strategies for achieving this target.
Chair Pyne offered comments on Moves 3.F and 3.C. He inquired about expanding microtransit services in areas beyond Peery Park and areas that are not undergoing redevelopment. Planning Officer Shaunn Mendrin explained why these services are being considered for areas undergoing redevelopment.
Chair Pyne asked whether the staff recommendation includes a recommendation for the City Council to adopt the revised draft resolution in Attachment 11. Chair Pyne also noted that Rebecca Moon’s title on this draft resolution must be updated to reflect her new title of City Attorney.
Chair Pyne opened the Public Hearing.
Scott McClennan questioned whether a work from home policy may be enforced at the City level to aid in reducing emissions due to VMT. Regulatory Programs Division Manager Tovar answered that while this strategy has been considered and is practiced by the City for its own employees, there is no policy in place to require local employers to enforce a work from home policy. Mr. McClennan spoke in
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May 28, 2024Planning Commission Meeting Minutes - Draft support of the proposed Climate Action Playbook and expressed his hope that the City’s climate goals may be met.
Stephen Meier encouraged the Planning Commissioners to consider reducing parking minimums, enforcing solar canopies for parking lots, increasing densities, and requiring secure bicycle parking to meet our climate goals.
Chair Pyne closed the Public Hearing.
MOTION: Commissioner Shukla moved and Commissioner Davis seconded the motion to recommend that the City Council Adopt a Resolution (as shown in Attachment 11) to Amend the Climate Action Playbook, Adopt Game Plan 2028 and California Environmental Quality Act Greenhouse Gas Emissions Thresholds, and Adopt a Negative Declaration for the Climate Action Playbook Update/Game Plan 2028 and California Environmental Quality Act Greenhouse Gas Emissions Thresholds.
Commissioner Shukla spoke in overall support of the motion and the proposed Climate Action Playbook.
Commissioner Davis voiced his support of the proposed Climate Action Playbook.
Chair Pyne noted that Moves 3.B, 3.C, and 3.F focus on reducing VMT by improving transit services within the City. He added that there is a current Study Issue that will evaluate the reduction of our required parking minimum. Chair Pyne also spoke in support of the motion.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Yes: Chair Pyne
Vice Chair Iglesias
Commissioner Davis
Commissioner Serrone
Commissioner Shukla
5 -
No: 0
Absent: Commissioner Howard
Commissioner Howe
2 -
This recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for consideration at the June 25, 2024 meeting.
Attachment 13