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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Davis Planning Commission Meeting - September 24, 2025: Historic Resources Transfer and General Plan Subcommittee Selection

City Council & Planning Commission — Wednesday, September 24, 2025

BodyDavis, California

SessionCity Council & Planning Commission

DateWednesday, September 24, 2025

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:21:51

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:05

Okay, everybody, I have 701, so let's call this meeting to order.

0:10

The planning commission today is Wednesday, September the 24th.

0:13

Happy birthday, my sister Sabrina.

0:16

Okay.

0:19

I think we uh have a quorum here.

0:22

Yep.

0:23

Excellent.

0:23

I know we have three commissioners out this evening.

0:27

Um can I get a motion to approve the agenda?

0:30

So move.

0:31

Second.

0:32

All those in favor.

0:34

Aye.

0:35

Excellent.

0:36

Any brief announcements from staff.

0:41

Thank you, Madam Chair.

0:42

Dara Denworth, principal planner.

0:44

Just a couple of project updates and planning work updates for you.

0:50

Uh 500G Street has proposed some revisions to the project, including their unit mix.

0:57

And so they have brought to the city their revised draft affordable housing plan, and it's with social services staff to take a look at.

1:06

We hope to get that scheduled before the Social Services Commission before the end of the year, but we've got a lot of stuff going on, so we'll work that in as best we can.

1:18

On 240 G Street, we're processing their 18 month extension.

1:23

They've already gone through an 18-month period of having been approved, so we're keeping that project moving forward.

1:31

Some of you may have um have known this.

1:35

I don't think I saw anyone there, but the Davis collection is mostly leased up, and they celebrated with a grand opening a couple of weeks ago, so that's very exciting.

1:45

Um more work areas rather than project work.

1:52

Um we are working on the finishing touches for the omnibus 2025.

1:56

There were quite a few additions, two chapters outside of chapter 40 that we will take straight to city council.

2:03

So we're just tying up all those loose ends.

2:07

Um we're also, as you know, working on the general plan update, and there will be more on that in Thomas's report in a bit.

2:13

We're making more progress this evening.

2:16

Uh we're also working on the major JRD amendment.

2:20

Um as you've probably already calendared, the commission Palooza will be on our regular night October 8th, where we bring in the five other commissions just as we did uh for the general plan Palooza that we had a couple of months ago.

2:37

Seems like it was just yesterday, but I think that was over the summer.

2:41

Um and then staff is also I'm sorry.

2:44

Just real quick on that particular meeting.

2:49

It's a workshop again, much like we did with the general plan, getting feedback from all six of the commissions at the same time, and so you all can hear each other's input and kind of feed off of each other.

3:03

It's just kind of a kick.

3:07

I'm sure we will.

3:08

Okay.

3:09

Yeah, thank you.

3:09

Yeah, Sherry's handling more of that.

3:11

So yeah, it's coming quick, which is why I wanted to mention it, but we'll have more information out for you.

3:17

We'll have a run of show and get the details sorted out.

3:22

Um so yeah, thank you.

3:23

We'll have definitely have more information on that coming out soon.

3:27

Staff is also working on ordinance amendments for um outdoor dining and mobile vending, so those will be coming forward just as soon as we can bring those to you as in as much as those affect chapter 40, though they both touch other areas in the municipal code, but we'll bring the chapter 40 pieces to you for your review.

3:49

Umge farms.

3:51

I will um speak to a little bit more in the long-range calendar, but I would encourage you again to tune in or watch the uh city council special meeting next Tuesday the 30th.

4:04

Um there'll be some policy discussion there with respect to both Village Farms and Willow Grove and more broadly the general plan update efforts too.

4:14

So that's one to try to put on your calendar or block some time for later.

4:19

And then on Willow Grove, the draft EIR is ever closer to being released in the next couple of weeks.

4:26

Thank you all for your prompt responses to our survey to get a quorum.

4:32

We have uh confirmed for a special meeting on October 30th for the public comment meeting on Willow Grove's draft EIR.

4:41

So thank you again for making that possible to help staff kind of balance everything out and us not have a marathon six or seven-hour meeting.

4:50

So I think everybody appreciates everyone's availability and willingness to to be uh flexible for us.

5:00

Um and uh other than that, there's a few notes on the long range calendar that we can hit at the end.

5:04

So thank you.

5:09

Sorry, I'm just uh I had that as a hold rather than it is for real.

5:14

It's for real.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Historic Preservation█████████████████████████████████████████████47%

Procedural█████████████14%

Urban Planning███████████11%

General Plan Update████████8%

Public Engagement██████6%

Village Farms██████6%

Transportation Safety█████5%

Affordable Housing███3%

Summary of Proceedings

Davis Planning Commission Meeting - September 24, 2025: Historic Resources Transfer and General Plan Subcommittee Selection

The Planning Commission met on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at 7:00 PM in Community Chambers, 23 Russell Boulevard, Davis, CA. The meeting was called to order by Chair Michelle Weiss. Commissioners present: Alan Bennett (Vice Chair), Catherine Brinkley, Vince McLaughlin, Greg Rowe, Johannes Troost, Georgina Valencia, Michelle Weiss (Chair), and Rachael Fulp-Cooke (Alternate). Three commissioners were absent. The agenda was approved unanimously. Staff present: Principal Planner Dara Dungworth, Senior Planner Eric Lee, Associate Planner Thomas McNair, and City Clerk Zoe Morley. Council Liaison Donna Neville attended.

Consent Calendar

Minutes from June 11, 2025: Approved on a motion by Commissioner Rowe (second by Commissioner McLaughlin). Commissioner Fulp-Cooke abstained as she was not present at that meeting.
City Street Standards (Informational): Approved as part of the consent calendar. Commissioner Brinkley expressed that the standards seemed disproportionately focused on bicycle/pedestrian facilities and lacked consideration of traffic flow and calming. She noted the standards had not come before the Planning Commission despite being reviewed by the Transportation Committee and approved by the City Council in February 2025.

Public Comments & Testimony

No public comments were recorded or made in person for items not on the agenda or on the consent calendar.

Discussion Items

Historic Resources Management Introduction (Item 6A): Senior Planner Eric Lee presented an overview of the transfer of historic resource management responsibilities from the now-disbanded Historic Resources Management Commission (HRMC) to the Planning Commission, effective after the HRMC's final meeting in June 2025. The Planning Commission will serve as the city's historic body for Certified Local Government (CLG) status. Key duties include: overseeing historic designations (43-44 local landmarks/merit resources), reviewing certificates of appropriateness (no fee), maintaining the cultural resources inventory, environmental review, and updating related ordinances (Article 40.23, 40.4A, 40.14A). A proposed update to the Planning Commission's enabling resolution (purpose and functions) was presented. Commissioners discussed:
- Catherine Brinkley asked about experiences of other cities that merged historic and planning commissions; staff cited reasons including volunteer shortages and streamlining. City Clerk Zoe Morley noted that staff workload and community interest changes drove the decision.
- Greg Rowe inquired about the 300-foot notification clause for developments near historic resources; staff noted it has rarely been invoked in recent years and may be revised.
- Vince McLaughlin praised the HRMC's legacy and asked about training plans; staff indicated formal training (a “101”) would likely occur early 2026 after ordinance amendments are brought back (targeted for December 2025). He also asked about four pending items from the HRMC’s final meeting (College Park historic district management plan, historic markers, eligible historic districts, historical surveys); staff will integrate those into the transition.
- Rachael Fulp-Cooke noted that the enabling resolution’s third function (historic resources) seemed too broad compared to the first; staff explained the ordinance will provide details.
- Chair Michelle Weiss suggested a subcommittee to assist with training to ease staff burden; staff noted a standing subcommittee would have separate Brown Act requirements and might be harder to maintain than having the full commission handle historic matters.
- Commissioners expressed openness to self-study and further discussion.
General Plan Update PC Subcommittee (Item 6B): Associate Planner Thomas McNair explained the need for two commissioners to serve on a subcommittee that will meet with staff and consultants during business hours to develop high-level land use concepts for the General Plan update. Nominations were made:
- Greg Rowe was nominated by Vince McLaughlin and accepted.
- Vince McLaughlin was nominated by Greg Rowe and accepted.
- Catherine Brinkley was nominated by herself and accepted. A voice vote was taken: Commissioner Rowe received 5 votes, Commissioner McLaughlin received 3 votes, and Commissioner Brinkley received 2 votes. Greg Rowe and Vince McLaughlin were appointed to the subcommittee.

Long Range Calendar & Staff Updates

Principal Planner Dara Dungworth provided updates:
- 500 G Street: Revised draft affordable housing plan submitted for Social Services Commission review.
- 240 G Street: 18-month extension being processed.
- Davis Collection: Grand opening held; mostly leased up.
- Omnibus 2025: Finishing touches, with two new chapters going to City Council.
- General Plan update: On track; Commission Palooza (major JRD amendment) scheduled for October 8, 2025 (workshop).
- Village Farms Project: Workshop on October 22, public hearing on November 12. Final EIR responses are being wrapped up; a final decision by City Council is targeted for December 2, 2025. Staff confirmed the Commission can act based on draft EIR if necessary.
- Willow Grove: Draft EIR release expected within weeks; public meeting on October 30 (special meeting). Community outreach by developer occurred on September 25 at Harper Junior High.
- Other: Outdoor dining and mobile vending ordinances in progress.
Commissioner Vince McLaughlin requested a future agenda item to report on the safety survey that was a condition of approval (Condition #30) for the URE extension project (intersection at Risli, Shasta, and West Covell). Staff agreed to coordinate with engineering and report back.

Key Outcomes

Consent calendar items (minutes and City Street Standards) approved.
Commissioners provided feedback on the proposed Planning Commission functions update and historic resources transition; staff will incorporate input and bring ordinance amendments and a revised enabling resolution to a future meeting (targeted December 10, 2025).
Subcommittee for General Plan update land use concepts formed: Greg Rowe and Vince McLaughlin appointed.
Staff to report back on the URE safety survey and its timing.
Next meeting: October 8, 2025 – Commission Palooza (major JRD amendment workshop).

Meeting Transcript

Okay, everybody, I have 701, so let's call this meeting to order. The planning commission today is Wednesday, September the 24th. Happy birthday, my sister Sabrina. Okay. I think we uh have a quorum here. Yep. Excellent. I know we have three commissioners out this evening. Um can I get a motion to approve the agenda? So move. Second. All those in favor. Aye. Excellent. Any brief announcements from staff. Thank you, Madam Chair. Dara Denworth, principal planner. Just a couple of project updates and planning work updates for you. Uh 500G Street has proposed some revisions to the project, including their unit mix. And so they have brought to the city their revised draft affordable housing plan, and it's with social services staff to take a look at. We hope to get that scheduled before the Social Services Commission before the end of the year, but we've got a lot of stuff going on, so we'll work that in as best we can. On 240 G Street, we're processing their 18 month extension. They've already gone through an 18-month period of having been approved, so we're keeping that project moving forward. Some of you may have um have known this. I don't think I saw anyone there, but the Davis collection is mostly leased up, and they celebrated with a grand opening a couple of weeks ago, so that's very exciting. Um more work areas rather than project work. Um we are working on the finishing touches for the omnibus 2025. There were quite a few additions, two chapters outside of chapter 40 that we will take straight to city council. So we're just tying up all those loose ends. Um we're also, as you know, working on the general plan update, and there will be more on that in Thomas's report in a bit. We're making more progress this evening. Uh we're also working on the major JRD amendment. Um as you've probably already calendared, the commission Palooza will be on our regular night October 8th, where we bring in the five other commissions just as we did uh for the general plan Palooza that we had a couple of months ago. Seems like it was just yesterday, but I think that was over the summer. Um and then staff is also I'm sorry. Just real quick on that particular meeting. It's a workshop again, much like we did with the general plan, getting feedback from all six of the commissions at the same time, and so you all can hear each other's input and kind of feed off of each other. It's just kind of a kick. I'm sure we will. Okay. Yeah, thank you. Yeah, Sherry's handling more of that. So yeah, it's coming quick, which is why I wanted to mention it, but we'll have more information out for you. We'll have a run of show and get the details sorted out. Um so yeah, thank you. We'll have definitely have more information on that coming out soon. Staff is also working on ordinance amendments for um outdoor dining and mobile vending, so those will be coming forward just as soon as we can bring those to you as in as much as those affect chapter 40, though they both touch other areas in the municipal code, but we'll bring the chapter 40 pieces to you for your review. Umge farms. I will um speak to a little bit more in the long-range calendar, but I would encourage you again to tune in or watch the uh city council special meeting next Tuesday the 30th. Um there'll be some policy discussion there with respect to both Village Farms and Willow Grove and more broadly the general plan update efforts too.

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