04/20/2023 Planning Commission Special Meeting Adopted 05/04/2023
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City of Gilroy
Planning Commission
Special Meeting Minutes
Thursday, April 20, 2023 | 6:00 PM
1. OPENING
Chair Bhandal called the meeting to order at 6:02 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 Thursday, April 13, 2023 at 8:00 p.m.
Attendance Attendee Name
Present Manny Bhandal, Chair
Annedore Kushner, Vice Chair
Stefanie Elle, Commissioner
Joan Lewis, Commissioner
Adriana Leongardt, Commissioner
Kelly Ramirez, Commissioner
Michelle Montez, Commissioner
Absent None
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
No items.
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS
6.1. Emergency Shelters Zoning Amendment
1. Staff Report: Cindy McCormick, Customer Service Manager
2. Open Public Hearing
3. Close Public Hearing
4. Possible Action:
Staff has analyzed the proposed project, and recommends that the Planning
Commission:
a) Recommend that the City Council, based on its independent analysis, find
that approval of the Emergency Shelters Zoning Amendment is exempt from
review under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to
CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) in that it can be seen with certainty that
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Special Meeting Minutes
the Emergency Shelters Zoning Amendment would not result in a significant
environmental effect, and none of the circumstances set forth in CEQA
Guidelines Section 15300.2 applies; and
b) Adopt a resolution recommending that the City Council adopt an Ordinance (Z
23-03), approving amendments to the Gilroy City Code, Chapter 30 (Zoning),
Article XLI Section 30.41.32 (Specific Provisions—Emergency Shelters), Article
II Section 30.2.20 (Definitions), and Article XI Section 30.11.10C (Residential
Use Table) regarding Emergency Shelters
Following McCormick’s presentation and commission discussion, Chair Bhandal
opened public hearing. There being no speaker’s, Chair Bhandal closed public
hearing.
The City Attorney, Andy Faber, advised the Commission that if desired, both
recommendation A and B could be done under one motion.
Motion made by Chair Bhandal; seconded by Vice Chair Kushner to:
a) Recommend that the City Council, based on its independent analysis, find
that approval of the Emergency Shelters Zoning Amendment is exempt from
review under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to
CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) in that it can be seen with certainty that
the Emergency Shelters Zoning Amendment would not result in a significant
environmental effect, and none of the circumstances set forth in CEQA
Guidelines Section 15300.2 applies; and
b) Adopt a resolution recommending that the City Council adopt an Ordinance (Z
23-03), approving amendments to the Gilroy City Code, Chapter 30 (Zoning),
Article XLI Section 30.41.32 (Specific Provisions—Emergency Shelters), Article
II Section 30.2.20 (Definitions), and Article XI Section 30.11.10C (Residential
Use Table) regarding Emergency Shelters
RESULT: Pass [7 – 0]
MOVER: Chair Bhandal
SECONDER: Vice Chair Kushner
AYES: Commissioner Elle, Leongardt, Lewis, Montez, Ramirez, Vice Chair
Kushner, Chair Bhandal
6.2. Adoption of Gilroy 2023 - 2031 Housing Element
1. Staff Report: Cindy McCormick, Customer Service Manager
2. Open Public Hearing
3. Close Public Hearing
4. Possible Action:
Staff has analyzed the proposed project, and recommends that the Planning
Commission:
a) Recommend that the City Council, based on its independent analysis, find that
the adoption of the Gilroy 2023-2031 Housing Element is exempt from review
under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA
Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) in that it can be seen with certainty that the
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Special Meeting Minutes
Gilroy 2023-2031 Housing Element would not result in a significant
environmental effect, and none of the circumstances set forth in CEQA
Guidelines Section 15300.2 applies; and
b) Adopt a resolution recommending that the City Council adopt a Resolution
(GPA 22-01), adopting a general plan amendment to repeal the Gilroy 2015-
2023 Housing Element and adopt the Gilroy 2023-2031 Housing Element, in
substantial compliance with State Housing Element Law.
Cindy McCormick, Customer Services Manager, provided the commission with a
presentation on the Housing Element draft that consisted of a brief overview of
the different components of the Housing Element as well as the draft process
which included community engagement and HCD review. McCormick advised
that no public comment was received. Staff is looking to have a Housing Element
completed in the summer.
Following McCormick’s presentation, the Commissioners expressed their
questions and concerns in which staff, the City Attorney, and consultant
addressed.
After the discussion among the commission came to an end, Chair Bhandal
opened public hearing. There being no speaker’s, Chair Bhandal closed public
hearing.
The City Attorney, Andy Faber, advised the Commission that if desired, both
recommendation A and B could be done under one motion.
Motion made by Commissioner Ramirez; seconded by Vice Chair Kushner to:
a) Recommend that the City Council, based on its independent analysis, find
that the adoption of the Gilroy 2023-2031 Housing Element is exempt from
review under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to
CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) in that it can be seen with certainty that
the Gilroy 2023-2031 Housing Element would not result in a significant
environmental effect, and none of the circumstances set forth in CEQA
Guidelines Section 15300.2 applies; and
b) Adopt a resolution recommending that the City Council adopt a Resolution
(GPA 22-01), adopting a general plan amendment to repeal the Gilroy 2015-
2023 Housing Element and adopt the Gilroy 2023-2031 Housing Element, in
substantial compliance with State Housing Element Law.
RESULT: Pass [6 – 1]
MOVER: Commissioner Ramirez
SECONDER : Vice Chair Kushner
AYES: Commissioner Elle, Lewis, Montez, Ramirez, Vice Chair Kushner, and
Chair Bhandal
NAYS: Commissioner Leongardt
7. NEW BUSINESS
No items.
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Special Meeting Minutes
8. ADJOURNMENT To the Next Meeting of May 4, 2023 at 6:00 PM.
Chair Bhandal adjourned the meeting at 7:23 p.m.
Ariana Fabian Ariana Fabian, Planning Technician