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Record of Proceedings

Elk Grove Planning Commission Regular Meeting - February 1, 2024

Other — Thursday, February 1, 2024
BodyElkgrove, California
SessionOther
DateThursday, February 1, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:13

Good evening.

0:16

I will call to order the Elk Grove Planning Commission regular meeting this Thursday, February 1st at 6 o'clock p.m.

0:24

And we will start with our land acknowledgement.

0:28

We honor, respect, and acknowledge Elk Grove's first inhabitants, the Plains Miwok, who lived as sovereign caretakers of this land, and these waterways since time immemorial.

0:40

We commemorate and advocate for their descendants, the Wilton Ranteria tribe, the only federally recognized tribe in Sacramento County who endure because of the bravery, resiliency, and determination of their ancestors, tribal members, and leaders.

0:57

We're gonna ask everyone in the audience, um, and on the dais, if you could please um silence your electronics and cell phone devices, and our clerk will read the customary greeting.

1:12

Good evening.

1:13

The Elkro Planning Commission welcomes, appreciates, and encourages participation in the meetings.

1:20

The commission reserves the right to reasonably limit the total time for public comment on any particular noticeed agenda item as it may be necessary.

1:30

If you wish to address the commission during the meeting, please complete a speaker card and give it to the clerk prior to consideration of the agenda item.

1:40

Thank you, Sandy.

1:42

And would you please call the roll?

1:46

Commissioner Juan Fernandez.

1:49

Present.

1:50

Commissioner George Murphy.

1:51

Here, Commissioner Oscar O'Khan.

1:54

Present.

1:56

Yep.

1:57

And Chair Sandra Poole.

1:59

Present.

2:02

Okay.

2:02

I did.

2:03

I will ask Commissioner Cinca if he would lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

2:20

One nation.

2:22

And it is with liberty and justice for all.

2:29

Thank you.

2:29

And as customaries, if we could just take a moment of silence.

2:41

Thank you.

2:43

Next agenda item is approval of the agenda.

2:46

I will entertain a motion for approval.

2:50

Chair Poole, I will move to approve the meeting minutes of the January 4th.

2:56

Agenda.

2:57

I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

2:59

I jumped ahead.

3:00

Um I move to approve the agenda.

3:05

Do you have a second?

3:06

Second.

3:07

It's moved and properly seconded that we approve the agenda for this evening.

3:11

All in favor.

3:12

Aye.

3:13

No opposition or abstention.

3:15

Motion passed.

3:16

Madam Chair.

3:17

I abstain.

3:18

I wasn't here for that meeting.

3:19

One abstention, duly noted.

3:23

This is just for the agenda.

3:25

I jumped ahead, sorry.

3:27

Okay, sounds like we have a unanimous approval of the agenda.

3:31

Thank you.

3:36

Okay, next we're item is public comment.

3:39

Um at this time, members of uh the audience may comment on any item that is not on the agenda that is of interest to the public and within the jurisdiction of the planning commission.

3:50

The planning commission cannot take action on a non-agendized item raised under public comment until that matter has been specifically included on an agenda as an action item.

4:03

So at this time, I will open the general public comment opportunity.

4:12

Do we have any public speakers?

4:14

Anyone signed up to speak?

4:19

We need a speaker card.

4:26

Yes.

4:28

This is just a general public comment that's not on the agenda.

4:31

You'll have an option.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Lighting Regulations████████████████████████████████████████40%
Energy Management████████████12%
Technology and Innovation██████████10%
Public Comment████████8%
Land Use Planning███████7%
Procedural██████6%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████6%
Trails And Transportation██2%
Transportation Safety██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Elk Grove Planning Commission Regular Meeting - February 1, 2024

The Elk Grove Planning Commission held its regular meeting on Thursday, February 1, 2024. The agenda included a public hearing for a commercial development project featuring a hydrogen fueling station, informational presentations on electric vehicle charging and city lighting standards, and the annual reorganization of commission officers.

Consent Calendar

  • Agenda Approval: The agenda was approved unanimously.
  • Minutes Approval (January 4, 2024): The minutes were approved with three votes in favor and two abstentions.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • General public comment on non-agenda items was opened; no speakers came forward.

Public Hearing: Triangle Point North Commercial Center (PLNG21-066)

  • Project Description: A Design Review and Conditional Use Permit request for a fueling station with a car wash, market, a quick-serve restaurant with a drive-through, one without, a non-restaurant drive-through, and an alternative fuel hub with two hydrogen dispensers and six EV charging spaces. Located at Waterman Road and Grant Line Road.
  • Staff Position: Staff recommended approval, finding the project meets development standards and requested modifications to the bicycle master plan are acceptable. The project is CEQA exempt.
  • Applicant Position: Chris Brown of PM Design stated the corner placement of the gas station is the client's preference for customer access. He confirmed the hydrogen station meets all Fire and Building Codes and that the owner will maintain the EV chargers.
  • Commission Deliberation: Commissioner O'Con expressed significant concern about the safety of the hydrogen fueling station, requesting specific data on tank capacity, blast radius, and construction. Commissioner Singha expressed strong support for hydrogen as a beneficial future technology for the city but agreed safety data was needed for a fully informed vote. Commissioner Murphey echoed concerns about explosive materials. Staff Attorney Chelsea noted that California Government Code Section 65850.7 restricts the city from denying a hydrogen station without written findings of a specific, unmitigable adverse public health or safety impact.
  • Key Outcome: The project was approved on a vote of 3-2. Commissioners Fernandez, Singha, and Chair Poole voted in favor; Commissioners Murphey and O'Con voted against.

Discussion Item: Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Presentation

  • Staff Presentation: Carrie Whitelock provided an informational overview of the EV market, regulatory landscape, and design considerations. She reported that 25% of all new cars purchased in California in 2023 were zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), the state targets 100% ZEV sales by 2035, and the median EV range has increased to 270 miles. The presentation covered charging levels (Level 1-3), plug standards (NACS/SAE J3400), federal NEVI infrastructure funding, state building code requirements for EV-capable spaces, and design best practices (signage, cord management, accessibility, shade).
  • Commission Response: Commissioners expressed interest in integrating these design review considerations into the city's standard planning process. No formal action was taken.

Discussion Item & Direction: City of Elk Grove Lighting Standards

  • Staff Presentation: Kira Killingsworth presented that the city's lighting code (Chapter 23.56) only regulates multifamily and non-residential development; there are no standards for single-family residential zones. Senior Code Enforcement Officer Ryan Huber confirmed that resident-to-resident lighting complaints are unenforceable. Of eight lighting-related complaints in four years, several were unfounded because no standard existed.
  • Public Testimony: Kathy Goodell testified that a neighbor installed a full-size soccer field with ten stadium lights on their residential property, causing severe light intrusion into her home and her 87-year-old mother's bedroom late into the night. She stated there is currently no code enforcement recourse.
  • Commission Deliberation: Commissioners expressed strong concern about the quality-of-life impacts of the code gap. Commissioners Murphey and Chair Poole led a request for staff to draft objective residential lighting standards. Attorney Chelsea emphasized that any new standard must be objective (uniformly verifiable with no subjective judgment) under state law SB 330.
  • Direction to Staff: The Commission directed staff to research objective residential lighting models from other cities and return with concepts. Key concepts mentioned included: maximum light fixture heights, shielding requirements, footcandle limits at property lines (to prevent light trespass), placement restrictions, and an explicit exemption for holiday and decorative lighting.

Organizational Outcome: Commission Reorganization

  • Commissioner Suman Singha was elected Chair for 2024 by a vote of 4-0-1.
  • Commissioner Juan Fernandez was elected Vice Chair for 2024 unanimously (one abstention).

Director's Report and Other Business

  • Development Services Director confirmed the next regular meeting is February 15, 2024. The Zoo Environmental Impact Report (EIR) comment period closes February 20, 2024, and a public workshop on the EIR is scheduled for the following Tuesday at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers.

Key Outcomes Summary

  • Triangle Point North Commercial Center: Approved (vote 3-2). Includes a hydrogen fueling station subject to code compliance.
  • Residential Lighting Standards: Staff directed to research and draft objective standards to address nuisance light intrusion.
  • Commission Officers: Suman Singha (Chair) and Juan Fernandez (Vice Chair) elected for 2024.
  • Meeting Adjournment: 8:26 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. I will call to order the Elk Grove Planning Commission regular meeting this Thursday, February 1st at 6 o'clock p.m. And we will start with our land acknowledgement. We honor, respect, and acknowledge Elk Grove's first inhabitants, the Plains Miwok, who lived as sovereign caretakers of this land, and these waterways since time immemorial. We commemorate and advocate for their descendants, the Wilton Ranteria tribe, the only federally recognized tribe in Sacramento County who endure because of the bravery, resiliency, and determination of their ancestors, tribal members, and leaders. We're gonna ask everyone in the audience, um, and on the dais, if you could please um silence your electronics and cell phone devices, and our clerk will read the customary greeting. Good evening. The Elkro Planning Commission welcomes, appreciates, and encourages participation in the meetings. The commission reserves the right to reasonably limit the total time for public comment on any particular noticeed agenda item as it may be necessary. If you wish to address the commission during the meeting, please complete a speaker card and give it to the clerk prior to consideration of the agenda item. Thank you, Sandy. And would you please call the roll? Commissioner Juan Fernandez. Present. Commissioner George Murphy. Here, Commissioner Oscar O'Khan. Present. Yep. And Chair Sandra Poole. Present. Okay. I did. I will ask Commissioner Cinca if he would lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. One nation. And it is with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. And as customaries, if we could just take a moment of silence. Thank you. Next agenda item is approval of the agenda. I will entertain a motion for approval. Chair Poole, I will move to approve the meeting minutes of the January 4th. Agenda. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I jumped ahead. Um I move to approve the agenda. Do you have a second? Second. It's moved and properly seconded that we approve the agenda for this evening. All in favor. Aye. No opposition or abstention. Motion passed. Madam Chair. I abstain. I wasn't here for that meeting. One abstention, duly noted. This is just for the agenda. I jumped ahead, sorry. Okay, sounds like we have a unanimous approval of the agenda. Thank you.

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