HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-26-2025 Planning Commission Special Meeting MinutesAPPROVED MINUTES
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2025
SARATOGA PLANNING COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING
Chair Choi called the Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Chair Jojo Choi, Vice Chair Anjali Kausar, Commissioners Clinton
Brownley, Ping Li, Razi Mohiuddin and Herman Zheng
ABSENT: Paul Germeraad (excused)
ALSO PRESENT: Bryan T. Swanson, Community Development Director
Christopher Riordan, Senior Planner
Kyle Rathbone, Associate Planner
Cindy McCormick, Development Manager
Frances Reed, Administrative Analyst
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Action Minutes from the Planning Commission Meeting of January 22, 2025
Recommended Action:
Approve Minutes of January 22, 2025 Special Planning Commission Meeting.
KAUSAR/ZHENG MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 22, 2025
MEETING. MOTION PASSED. AYES: BROWNLEY, CHOI, KAUSAR, LI, MOHIUDDIN, ZHENG.
NOES: NONE. ABSENT: GERMERAAD. ABSTAIN: NONE.
2. PUBLIC HEARINGS
2.1 Application ZOA25-0002: City Wide. Amend City Code by adding Article 15-82 (Inclusionary
Housing Ordinance) to Chapter 15 (Zoning Regulations) to implement Policy 5.1-1 of the adopted
2023-2031 Housing Element to require new housing developments consisting of five or more units to
dedicate 15 percent of the units as affordable housing. Staff Contact: Cindy McCormick (408) 868-1232
or cmccormick@saratoga.ca.us.
Recommended Action:
Adopt Resolution No. 25-002 recommending the City Council adopt an ordinance adding Article 15-82
(Inclusionary Housing Ordinance) to Chapter 15 (Zoning Regulations) to implement Policy 5.1-1 of the
adopted 2023-2031 Housing Element to require new housing developments consisting of five or more units
to dedicate 15 percent of the units as affordable housing.
Kausar/Mohiuddin moved to adopt resolution no. 25-002, recommending the city council adopt ordinance
amendment ZOA25-0002. Commissioner Li offered a friendly amendment to the motion to have the
Planning Commission review the BMR Guidelines prior to the Guidelines being issued. This change was
accepted.
Chair Choi moved to add language in 15-82.090 to include financial penalties for potential violations to the
BMR Guidelines. No second was made. Motion failed.
KAUSAR/MOHIUDDIN MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-002, RECOMMENDING
THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPT ORDINANCE AMENDMENT ZOA25-0002. MOTION PASSED.
AYES: CHOI, LI, ZHENG. NOES: KAUSAR, MOHIUDDIN, BROWNLEY. ABSENT: GERMERAAD.
ABSTAIN: NONE.
3. DIRECTOR ITEMS
Director Swanson explained the process and timing for Commission Work plans this year and asked
the Commission if they want to hold Chair/Vice-Chair elections before or after the Joint City Council
Meeting. Director Swanson noted that there are no agenda items for the March meeting, so if the
Commission chooses, they can cancel the March meeting.
Chair Choi asked for a Builder’s Remedy update. Director Swanson noted that there are now 21
projects under review. The project on Oak Street dropped off . He also noted that there is an update
underway on the City’s Builder’s Remedy web pages to make more information available to the public.
The second reading of the Objective Design Standards goes on to the City Council on March 5th. In
April the House Family Vineyards project will come before the Commission.
4. COMMISSION ITEMS
Commissioner Mohiuddin expressed thanks to all of his colleagues on the present Commission and
past ones as well as thanks to staff. He really appreciates current and past staff for making sure that
projects were moved forward along with allowing residents to express their opinions.
Commissioners Zheng, Li, Brownley and Chair Choi thanked Commissioner Mohiuddin for his
dedication to the community, his thoughtfulness in listening and his knowledge of the City’s processes.
Chair Choi thanked his fellow Commissioners for their collective efforts, service and comradery on
the planning Commission. He thanked Director Swanson and former Director Pedro for their hard
work on the Housing Element program.
5. ADJOURNMENT
Chair CHOI moved for adjournment at 8:56 P.M.
Minutes respectfully submitted:
Frances Reed, Administrative Analyst
City of Saratoga