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City of Gilroy
Planning Commission
Regular Meeting Minutes
Thursday, March 13, 2025 | 6:00 PM
1. OPENING
Tonight’s meeting was called to order by Chair Bhandal at 6:00 PM.
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, March 6, 2025, at 6:25 PM.
Attendance Attendee Name
Present Patricia Bentson, Commissioner
Stefanie Elle, Commissioner
Annedore Kushner, Commissioner
Adriana Leongardt, Commissioner
Brian Dauenhauer, Vice Chair
Manny Bhandal, Chair
Absent Monica Valdez, 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. February 20, 2025 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
A motion was made by Chair Bhandal; seconded by Commissioner Bentson to
approve the consent agenda.
RESULT: Pass [6 – 0]
MOVER: Chair Bhandal
SECONDER: Commissioner Bentson
AYES: Commissioner Bentson, Elle, Kushner, Leongardt, Vice Chair
Dauenhauer, and Chair Bhandal
ABSENT: Commissioner Valdez
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS
6.1. Architectural and Site Review and Variance for removal of existing 35-foot
monopole and installation of a 65-foot monopole and related equipment
located at 401 First Street, Application No. AS 24-14 and V 24-01
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Regular Meeting Minutes
1. Staff Report: Vanessa Sanchez, Planner I
2. Public Hearing:
Chair Bhandal opened public comment.
3. Close Public Hearing:
There being no speakers, Chair Bhandal closed public comment.
4. Disclosure of Ex-Parte Communication:
None.
5. Possible Action:
Staff has analyzed the proposed project, and recommends that the Planning
Commission:
a) Based on its independent analysis, determine this project is exempt from
further environmental review pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines section
15303 (Class 3); and
b) Adopt a resolution approving the Architectural and Site Review permit
application AS 24-14; and
c) Adopt a resolution approving the Variance permit application V 24-01.
A motion was made by Vice Chair Dauenhauer; seconded by Chair Bhandal to:
Based on its independent analysis, determine this project is exempt from further
environmental review pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines section 15303 (Class
3).
RESULT: Pass [6 – 0]
MOVER: Commissioner Dauenhauer
SECONDER: Chair Bhandal
AYES: Commissioner Bentson, Elle, Kushner, Leongardt, Vice Chair
Dauenhauer, and Chair Bhandal
ABSENT: Commissioner Valdez
A motion was made by Vice Chair Dauenhauer; seconded by Chair Bhandal to:
Adopt a resolution approving the Architectural and Site Review permit
application AS 24-14.
RESULT: Fail [3 – 3]
MOVER: Commissioner Dauenhauer
SECONDER: Chair Bhandal
AYES: Commissioner Bentson, Vice Chair Dauenhauer, and Chair Bhandal
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Regular Meeting Minutes
NAYS: Commissioner Elle, Kushner, and Leongardt
ABSENT: Commissioner Valdez
A motion was made by Chair Bhandal; seconded by Commissioner Bentson to:
Adopt a resolution approving the Variance permit application V 24-01.
RESULT: Fail [3 – 3]
MOVER: Chair Bhandal
SECONDER: Commissioner Bentson
AYES: Commissioner Bentson, Vice Chair Dauenhauer, and Chair Bhandal
NAYS: Commissioner Elle, Kushner, and Leongardt
ABSENT: Commissioner Valdez
The Assistant City Attorney stated that the Planning Commission’s votes to
approve AS 24-14 and V 24-01 were 3-3, the effect of which are denials, and the
Planning Commission’s action was final, thus appealable to the City Council.
7. NEW BUSINESS
7.1. VTA Bicycle Superhighway Implementation Plan Update – Presentation by
the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority
Lauren Ledbetter, a Senior Transportation Planner with Valley Transportation
Authority (VTA) and VTA’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Manager, provided
the Commission with a presentation on VTA’s Bicycle Superhighway
Implementation Plan updates and answered the Commissioners’ questions.
8. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
8.1. Civic Center Master Plan Community Workshops
Community Development Director, Sharon Goei, provided the Commission with
information on the community workshops scheduled for the Civic Center Master
Plan development.
8.2. Planning Division Staff Approvals
There were no staff approvals since the last report provided to the Planning
Commission at its February 20, 2025 special meeting.
9. PLANNING DIVISION REPORT
Community Development Director, Sharon Goei, provided an informational flyer to the
Commission with information pertaining to the district-based election workshops and
public hearings scheduled.
Community Development Director Goei provided a friendly reminder to the Planning
Commissioners to complete their Form 700 by April 1, 2025.
Commissioners Bentson and Elle shared that they attended the League of California
Cities Planning Commissioners Academy and found it very informative.
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10. ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
None.
11. ADJOURNMENT To the Next Meeting of April 3, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Chair Bhandal adjourned the meeting at 7:34 PM.
Ariana Fabian, Planning Technician