02/06/2014 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Adopted 03/06/20141
Planning Commission
Regular Meeting
FEBRUARY 06, 2014
I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Chair Fischer called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and led the pledge of allegiance.
II. REPORT ON POSTING THE AGENDA AND ROLL CALL
Deputy City Clerk Knerr reported that the agenda for the regular Planning Commission
meeting of February 6, 2014 was posted on January 31, 2014 at 4:00 p.m.
Roll Call:
Present: Commissioner Brad Bannister; Vice Chair Richard Gullen; Commissioner Kai
Lai; Commissioner Elizabeth Sanford; Chair Tom Fischer
Absent/Excused: Commissioner Christi Garcia; Commissioner Paul Kloecker
Chair Fischer stated that Commissioners Garcia and Kloecker had called in to report
their absence.
Staff Present:
Kristi Abrams, Community Development Director; Lee Butler, Development Center
Manager; Jolie Houston, Assistant City Attorney; Jennifer Knerr, Deputy City Clerk;
Susan Martin, Planning Manager
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. January 9, 2014
Motion on Item III.A.
Motion: to approve the minutes of January 9, 2014.
Moved by Vice Chair Richard Gullen, seconded by Commissioner Elizabeth Sanford
Vote: Motion carried 5-0-0-2
Yes: Commissioner Brad Bannister; Vice Chair Richard Gullen; Commissioner Kai Lai;
Commissioner Elizabeth Sanford; Chair Tom Fischer
No: None
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Abstain: None
Absent: Commissioner Christi Garcia; Commissioner Paul Kloecker
IV. PRESENTATION BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
No comments or presentations were made
V. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None
VI. OLD BUSINESS
None
VII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Draft Economic Development Strategic Plan. The Economic Development Strategic
Plan is the City’s five-year strategy to promote job growth and economic development in
the City. It recognizes the interconnected nature of a variety of factors influencing
economic development, such as fiscal health, tourism, quality of life, and community
amenities.
Development Center Manager Lee Butler presented the staff report.
Doug Svensson, President of Applied Development Economics spoke on the vision and
specific goals of the Economic Development Strategic Plan.
Vice Chair Gullen asked what is the role of government in respect to the economic
development goals and how do we invest resources wisely and diversify the economy.
Mr. Butler spoke about the partner organizations that work together toward the goals.
The City makes land use available, provides services and makes the community
attractive to businesses.
Commissioner Lai commented about working with the County and accommodating
future business. He asked about vocational training to improve the work force. He
stated that the school district boundary line is different than the City boundary line and
maybe that should be incorporated into the plan.
Mr. Butler stated that the comments can be taken into consideration as the plan moves
forward and some of the items are already touch on in the plan.
Commissioner Sanford asked about the letters from the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce
and the Welcome Center and how are they being addressed.
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Mr. Butler stated they’ll incorporate some of the comments into the report as well as the
comments received from Gilroy Gardens and the Planning Commission before it goes to
the City Council.
Chair Fischer opened the public hearing.
Chair Fischer stated seeing no public comments he closed the public hearing.
B. Review of Planning Commission Bylaws
Planning Manager Martin introduced the bylaws and asked for comments.
Assistant City Attorney Houston stated that she spoke with City Attorney Callon about
the calendar and bylaw issue. She commented that the City Charter states that boards
and commissions should meet once a month and the Planning Commission bylaws
reflect that. She also commented on item 16 revisiting the voice votes and item 18 to
reflect the Brown Act language on conflict of interest.
Planning Manager Martin asked if item 5 is necessary and item 14 order of
consideration should include public comment.
Commissioner Sanford stated that it’s the order of public comment. She also asked
about item 21 amending the bylaws.
Assistant City Attorney Houston clarified that changes made can be brought back to the
Commission at the next meeting for approval.
Commissioner Lai asked about quorums and conflict of interest.
Assistant City Attorney Houston commented on the rules of conflict of interest and
quorums.
Commissioner Bannister stated he feels item 5 should be removed from the bylaws. He
also asked about maps that are in their Planning Commission packets.
Planning Manager Martin stated maps that are in the packets are extra copies and not
the original file copy.
Commissioner Lai asked if only four (4) members of the Commission are present at a
meeting could the applicant request a continuance.
Assistant City Attorney Houston stated that an applicant can always ask for a
continuance.
Vice Chair Gullen asked if item 12 is possibly in conflict with item 17 a request for
reconsideration of an agenda item.
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Assistant City Attorney Houston commended on the rules of reconsideration in Roberts
Rules. She stated language could be reworded for item 17.
Commissioner Sanford asked for clarification on electronic verses voice votes. She
asked if item 16 could be changed to reflect electronic or voice votes.
Assistant City Attorney Houston stated that voice votes are different than roll call votes.
Commissioner Sanford asked to change item 18 to “leave the chambers” when there is
a conflict of interest.
Chair Fischer stated the City Clerk was adamant about the Commissioner leaving the
chambers if there is conflict of interest. He asked staff to bring back changes to the
March meeting.
VIII. CORRESPONDENCE
None
IX. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
A. Current Planning Projects
B. Planning Staff Approvals
Planning Manager Martin gave a brief summary of the current planning project and staff
approvals.
C. 2014 Schedule for Planning Commission Meeting Date s
Planning Manager Martin introduced changes to meetings in June and July. She stated
change the July 3rd meeting to June 26th.
Consensus of the Commission was to approve the 201 4 Planning Commission
calendar.
X. PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
None
XI. ORAL REPORTS BY COMMISSION MEMBERS
A. City Council Meeting of January 6 and 27, 2014
Commissioner Kloecker was absent and no report was given.
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Chair Fischer stated he attended the February 3, 2014 Council meeting and gave a brief
report.
B. Housing Advisory Committee
Vice Chair Gullen stated that he was appointed after the meeting. He will attend the
next meeting.
C. Historic Heritage Committee
Commissioner Garcia was absent and no report was given.
D. Arts & Culture Commission
Commissioner Bannister gave a brief summary of the meeting.
E. South County Joint Planning Advisory Committee
Commissioner Kloecker was absent and no report was given.
F. Street Naming Committee
Commissioner Lai stated that there was no meeting.
G. Development Standards Task Force
Chair Fischer stated that there was no meeting.
H. Sign Ordinance Review Task Force
Commissioner Sanford stated that this Task Force was no longer meeting.
I. General Plan Advisory Committee
Chair Fischer stated that there was no meeting.
XII. PLANNING DIVISION MANAGER REPORT
Planning Manager Martin stated that March 22nd is the date for the Planning
Commission retreat at the Police Department Community Room from 9:00 am to 1:00
pm. She stated to contract her with any topic of interest.
XIII. ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
None
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XIV. PLANNING COMMISSION CHAIR REPORT
None
ADJOURNMENT at 7:47 p.m.
______________________________
/s/ Susan Johnson, Deputy City Clerk