HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission 2022-11-15 Minutes
Planning Commission
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, November 29, 2022, 7:00 P.M.
AGENDA
In-Person:
San Rafael City Council Chambers
1400 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901
Participate Virtually:
Watch on Webinar: https://tinyurl.com/pc-2022-11-29
Watch on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/cityofsanrafael
Telephone: 1 (669) 444-9171
Meeting ID: 883 2384 1452#
One Tap Mobile: US: +16694449171, 88323841452#
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Previtali called meeting to order at 7:00 PM. He then invited Planning Manager Leslie
Mendez to call roll.
RECORDING OF MEMBERS PRESENT AND ABSENT
PRESENT: JON HAVEMAN, COMMISSIONER (In-person)
ALDO MERCADO, COMMISSIONER (In-person)
SHINGAI SAMUDZI, COMMISSIONER (Virtual)
KELLY SHALK, COMMISSIONER (In-person)
SAMINA SAUDE, VICE-CHAIR (In-person)
JON PREVITALI, CHAIR (In-person)
ABSENT CAMILLE HARRIS, COMMISSIONER
ALSO PRESENT: LESLIE MENDEZ, PLANNING MANAGER (In-person)
ALI GIUDICE, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR(In-person)
DIANE HENDERSON, CONSULTANT PLANNER (In-person)
HEATHER HINES, CINSULTANT PLANNER (In-person)
APPROVAL OR REVISION OF ORDER OF AGENDA ITEMS
No changes were made to the order of the agenda.
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION OF MEETING PROCEDURES
Chair Previtali invited Planning Manager Leslie Mendez, who informed the community the
meeting is being streamed live to YouTube and members of the public could provide public
comment either on the telephone, through Zoom, or in person. She explained the process
for community participation in-person, on the telephone and Zoom.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
There was 3 community members that communicated topics not on the Agenda.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Approval of the Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of September 13th, 2022
Chair Previtali invited public comment and there was none.
Vice-Chair Saude moved, and Commissioner Haveman seconded to approve the Consent
Calendar.
Chair Previtali then invited Planning Manager Leslie Mendez to take roll:
AYES: Commissioners Haveman, Mercado, Samudzi, Shalk, Vice-Chair Saude, and
Chair Previtali.
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner Harris
ABSTAIN: None
Motion carried 6 – 0
ACTION ITEMS
2. Study Session Northgate Town Square Project
PLAN21-039. ZC21-001, UP21-007, ED21-024, TS21-002, IS21-002 & DA21-001
Study Session to solicit focused feedback on the proposed Northgate Town Square
Project which includes requests for a Rezone to the Planned Development (PD) zone,
a Use Permit, an Environmental and Design Review Permit, a Tentative Map, a
Development Agreement, State Density Bonus, and a Master Sign Program to allow a
comprehensive redevelopment of the existing mall at 5800 Northgate Drive into a
phased mixed-use development with approximately 225,000 square feet of retail and
1,320 residential units with an option up to 1,422 residential units on the 44.76-acre
site. APNs: 175-060-12, -40, -59, -61, -66 & -67; General Commercial (GC) District;
MerloneGeier Partners, owner/applicant.
Project Planners: Ali Giudice, CDD Director; Diane Henderson, Consultant; and
Heather Hines, Consultant
Chair Previtali invited Staff to present the project. Community Development Director, Ali
Giudice provided an introduction.
Consultant Planner, Diane Handerson, presented the Staff Report.
Applicant team, Peter Shakow, Board President of the Aldersly Retirement Community, Sue
Em, Architect, Shannon Brown, Executive Director, Linda Jackson, Planning Consultant,
presented Adersly Master Plan.
Vice-Chair Saude asked for questions from the Planning Commission. Staff responded and
Applicant team responded.
Vice-Chair Saude opened public hearing and asked Staff to open public comment. Staff did
so and reviewed the procedures on public comment via zoom, telephone, and in person.
Seven public comments were provided and heard by the Commission and Staff.
There being no further public commentary, Vice-Chair Saude closed the public hearing
portion and requested responses from Staff to the questions raised in public comment.
Vice-Chair Saude then asked, in turn, for final comments from Commissioners.
Commissioners provided final comments.
Commissioner Mercado moved with modifications, and Commissioner Haveman seconded
to approve the Consent Calendar.
Vice-Chair Saude then invited Planning Manager Leslie Mendez to take roll:
AYES: Commissioners Harris, Haveman, Mercado, and Vice-Chair Saude.
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner Shalk and Chair Previtali
ABSTAIN: Commissioner Samudzi
Motion carried 4 – 0
3. Public Meeting on the San Rafael 2023-2031 HCD Draft Housing Element
GPA22-002 & P21-006
Presentation on the Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element. An opportunity for Planning
Commission and public comment will be provided. The Planning Commission is being
asked to recommend that the City Council approve submittal of this Draft to the State
Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for review.
Project Planner: Ali Giudice, CDD Director (415) 485-3092, and,
Barry Miller, Consultant
Liz Darby, Consultant
Alexis Captanian, Housing Programs Analyst
Recommended Action – Make recommendation that the City Council approve submittal of
the Working Draft Housing Element to the State Department of Housing and Community
Development for their initial 90-day review.
Comissionner Samudzi rejoined the virtual chambers.
Vice-Chair Saude invited Staff to present the project. Community Development Director, Ali
Giudice, Barry Miller, Liz Darby, and Alexis Captantian presented the Staff Report.
Vice-Chair Saude asked for questions from the Planning Commission. Staff responded.
ViceChair Saude opened public hearing and asked Staff to open public comment. Staff did
so and reviewed the procedures on public comment via zoom, telephone, and in person.
Three public comments were provided and heard by the Commission and Staff.
There being no further public commentary, Vice-Chair Saude closed the public hearing
portion and requested responses from Staff to the questions raised in public comment.
Commissioner Samudzi lost internet connection during the public comment.
Vice-Chair Saude then asked, in turn, for final comments from Commissioners.
Commissioners provided final comments, and Vice-Chair Saude subsequently called for a
motion.
Commissioner Haveman moved to approve the proposed staff recommendation, and
Commissioner Harris seconded.
Vice-Chair Saude invited Planning Manager Leslie Mendez to take roll:
AYES: Commissioners Mercado, Harris, Haveman and Vice-Chair Saude
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner Shalk, Chair Previtali, Commissioner Samudzi
ABSTAIN: None
Motion carried 4 – 0
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Planning Manager reported on the following items:
• Both Aldersly and the Draft Housing Element are scheduled for City Council for
December 5th.
• City-wide master fee schedule is going before Council on December 19th.
• Northgate Study session in two weeks at Planning Commission November 29th.
COMMISSION COMMUNICATION
Vice-Chair Saude requested a report on the changes to the Planning Commission by City
Council.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Vice-Chair Saude adjourned the meeting at 9:15 PM.
________________________________
LESLIE MENDEZ, Planning Manager
APPROVED BY PLANNING COMMISSION ON _________________, 2022