04/06/2023 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Adopted 05/04/2023
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City of Gilroy
Planning Commission
Regular Meeting Minutes
Thursday, April 6, 2023 | 6:00 PM
1. OPENING
Tonight’s meeting was called to order by Chair Bhandal at 6:00 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Chair Bhandal led the pledge of allegiance.
3. REPORT ON POSTING THE AGENDA AND ROLL CALL
The agenda was posted on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at 1:04 p.m.
Attendance Attendee Name
Present Stefanie Elle, Commissioner
Adriana Leongardt, Commissioner
Joan Lewis, Commissioner
Kelly Ramirez, Commissioner
Annedore Kushner, Vice Chair
Manny Bhandal, Chair
Absent Michelle Montez, Commissioner
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Chair Bhandal opened public comment for items not on the agenda.
There being no speakers, Chair Bhandal closed public comment for items not on the
agenda.
5. CONSENT AGENDA
5.1. March 2, 2023 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
Motion made by Commissioner Ramirez ; seconded by Commissioner Lewis to
approve the consent agenda.
RESULT: Pass [6 – 0]
MOVER: Commissioner Ramirez
SECONDER: Commissioner Lewis
AYES: Commissioner Elle Leongardt, Lewis, Ramirez, Vice Chair Kushner,
Chair Bhandal
ABSENT: Commissioner Montez
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS
No items.
7. NEW BUSINESS
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Regular Meeting Minutes
7.1. FY 2023-24 and FY 2024-25 Planning Commission Workplan, Training, and
Budget
1. Staff Report:
Sharon Goei, Community Development Director
2. Possible Action:
Staff recommends that the Planning Commission establish and recommend for
approval by the City Council the Fiscal Year 2023-24 and Fiscal Year 2024-25
Planning Commission Workplan, training requests, and budget requests.
The Planning Commissioners completed the discussions initiated at the March 2,
2023 meeting. The Planning Commission voted to establish and submit for
approval by the City Council the FY 2024 and 2025 proposed Planning
Commission Workplan, training requests, and budget requests of $20,000 per
year.
RESULT: Pass [6 – 0]
MOVER: Chair Bhandal
SECONDER: Commissioner Elle
AYES: Commissioner Elle, Leongardt, Lewis, Ramirez, Vice Chair Kushner, Chair
Bhandal
ABSENT: Commissioner Montez
7.2. Commission Input on the Update of the 2019 Board, Commission &
Committee Member Handbook
The Planning Commissioners continued to discuss the Commission’s input on
the Handbook initiated at the March 2, 2023 Planning Commission meeting and
completed the discussions at the April 6, 2023 meeting. Planning Commission
input consists of the following recommendations:
1. Update the attendance policy.
2. Add page numbers to the Handbook.
3. Include hyperlinks in the table of contents for rapid access.
4. Add an index with hyperlinks.
8. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
8.1. Planning Division Staff Approvals
Senior Planner, Kraig Tambornini, presented the Planning Division staff
approvals to the Planning Commission which consisted of two new architectural
and site review applications, one for a new industrial project on Renz Lane and
another for a sign program amendment.
9. PLANNING DIVISION REPORT
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Regular Meeting Minutes
Community Development Director, Sharon Goei, reminded the Planning Commissioners
that their Form 700 was due on April 3, 2023 and she sent an e-mail reminder to
Commissioners last week.
Community Development Director Goei informed the Planning Commission of the
upcoming Planning Commission special meeting to be held on April 20, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.
Items currently planned are the capital improvement plan, the Housing Element update,
and a zoning code update on emergency shelters.
Assistant City Attorney, Jolie Houston, added that the City is required to designate zoning
for emergency shelters.
Community Development Director Goei shared with the Planning Commission that the
City Council had decided not to move forward with the billboard ordinance by denying the
appeal.
Community Development Director Goei reported that she had attended the League of
California Cities Planning Commissioners conference and will share session presentations
posted on the League’s website.
Commissioner Ramirez reported that she also attended the League of California Cities
Planning Commissioners conference and found the conference to be very informative.
10. ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
Assistant City Attorney, Jolie Houston, stated that it is encouraged that Planning
Commissioners attend the planning academy as it serves many benefits such as
networking, training opportunities, etc.
Community Development Director Goei added that staff and the Assistant City Attorney
Houston will work on providing internal training for the Planning Commissioners including
training on zoning and the General Plan given that a zoning code update is underway.
Senior Planner, Kraig Tambornini, stated that staff is reviewing the last section of the
zoning code update before the draft is reviewed internally. Once internal review has been
completed, the draft will be presented to the Planning Commission, City Council, and the
public for review. The zoning code update draft will then be brought back for approval and
adoption.
Vice Chair Kushner asked what had triggered the zoning code update.
Senior Planner Tambornini advised that part of the General Plan adoption included zoning
code updates to address any new policies.
Assistant City Attorney Houston added that the City Attorneys have been actively involved
in the review process of the code update. Attorney Houston advised the Planning
Commission that the zoning must be consistent with the General Plan.
11. ADJOURNMENT To the Next Special Meeting of Thursday, April 20, 2023 at 6:00 PM
Chair Bhandal adjourned the meeting at 6:33 p.m.
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Regular Meeting Minutes
Ariana Fabian
Ariana Fabian, Planning Technician