Elk Grove Planning Commission Regular Meeting – October 17, 2024
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
Elk Grove Planning Commission Regular Meeting – October 17, 2024
The Elk Grove Planning Commission met on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting included a consent calendar, two public hearings, the director's report, and commission matters. Both agenda items were approved unanimously.
Consent Calendar
- Regular Meeting Minutes of September 5, 2024: Approved unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item 5.2 – Old Town Special Planning Area Amendment: Four members of the public spoke.
- Peggy Forseth Andrews (Chair of Historic Preservation Committee) expressed concern that the amendment did not first go to the Historic Preservation Committee for review, urging the commission to send it back for that input.
- Sandra Williams (resident near Old Town) reported ongoing noise, intoxicated patrons, and safety issues from existing establishments (notably Babe's Lounge, which is not under a CUP) and opposed increasing the cap without addressing current problems.
- Gina McLaughlin (resident) described nightly disturbances, dangerous behavior, and lack of management of existing businesses, asking the commission to demonstrate responsibility before adding more.
- David McLaughlin (resident) questioned the police department's analysis of crime data, arguing that problems have worsened despite increased police presence, and warned that opening more bars would exacerbate issues.
Discussion Items
- 5.1 Sutter Campus Expansion (PLNG24-003): Senior Planner Kyra Killingsworth presented a proposal for a ±57,411-square-foot medical office building on the existing Sutter campus. The project required a Major Design Review with Deviation to allow fewer landscaped islands than required (one per 10 parking spaces) because photovoltaic shade structures would provide equivalent shade. The project also sought revocation of unconstructed phases of the 2008 master plan and a finding of consistency for future floodway easement abandonment. The applicant (landscape architect Tyas Del Castillo and project architect Jose Vaca) added details on services, circulation, and design. Commissioners asked about signage, EV parking (65 spaces, 52 capable, 13 installed), maintenance of chargers, and construction traffic management. No public comments were received. The commission commended the staff and approved unanimously.
- 5.2 Old Town Special Planning Area Amendment: Planning Manager Antonio Ablog presented a proposal to increase the number of allowed Conditional Use Permits (CUPs) for bars, breweries, wineries, and brew pubs in the Old Town SPA from three to six. This action would not approve any specific business but would allow additional CUPs to be considered case-by-case. The existing three CUPs are all issued. Staff coordinated with the police department, which found no correlation between the existing CUPs and increased crime. Commissioners discussed the selection process (first-come, first-served), differences from restaurants that serve alcohol, noise mitigation, and pedestrian safety at the Elk Grove Boulevard railroad crossing. Public comments raised concerns about current noise and safety issues (from establishments not covered by CUPs). Staff clarified that the amendment is a land-use change and that individual CUPs would undergo full public hearings, including Historic Preservation Committee review if affecting historic properties. The commission ultimately approved the amendment, with direction to staff to follow up on code enforcement and noise complaints related to existing businesses.
Key Outcomes
- Item 5.1: Motion carried unanimously (5-0) to adopt a resolution finding no further CEQA review required (Section 15183), revoking unconstructed phases of the 2008 master plan, making a finding of consistency for floodway easement abandonment, and approving the Major Design Review with Deviation for the Sutter Campus Expansion Project (PLNG24-003) with conditions of approval.
- Item 5.2: Motion carried unanimously (5-0) to adopt a resolution recommending the City Council find the amendment exempt from CEQA (Sections 15162 and 15183) and approve the ordinance increasing the CUP cap from three to six for bars, breweries, wineries, and brew pubs in the Old Town SPA.
- Director’s Report: Development Services Director Christopher Jordan noted the council’s approval of a public convenience and necessity determination for a new Safeway grocery store at Bruceville and Whitelock, and that the November 7, 2024 planning commission meeting was canceled. Two items are expected for November 21, 2024.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. I will call to order the Elkro Planning Commission regular meeting of Thursday, October 17th, 2024 at 6 p.m. Let me start with the land acknowledgement. We honor, respect, and acknowledge Elkrove's first inhabitants, the Plains Maywalk, who lived as sovereign caretakers of this land and these waterways since time immemorial. We commemorate and advocate for the descendants, the Wilton Rancheria tribe, the only federally recognized tribe in Sacramento County, who endured because of the bravery, resilience, and determination of their ancestors, tribal members, and leaders. At this time, please silence your electronic devices, cell phones, et cetera. Thank you. And I will uh request the clerk to read our customary greeting. The L Group, excuse me. The Elk Grove 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 notice agenda item as it may deem 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 item. Okay. With that, uh we'll move to the roll call with the clerk, please call the rule. We'll start with commissioners. Oscar O'Khan. Present. Sandra Poole. Present. Verenda Singh. Present. Vice Chair Juan Fernandez. Present. And Chair Sumensinger. Yeah. I would now like to invite Commissioner Oscar Kahn to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Hand over Hart. Of the United States of America and the Republicans. At this time. Thank you. With that, we'll move to the approval of the agenda. Do I have a motion to approve the agenda as presented? Chair Singer, I move to approve the agenda. You have a second. I second. It's been moved and seconded. All those in favor, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed. Hearing none, the motion is the agenda is approved as presented. At this time, we'll move to the public comment. Members of the audience may comment on any item not on the agenda that is of interest to the public and within the jurisdiction of the planning commission. The planning commission cannot take action on non-agendized items raised under public comment until the matter has been specifically included on an agenda as an action item. So with that, I will open the general public comment opportunity. We have no speakers. Okay. Given that there is uh no one has signed up to speak. I will close the public comment opportunity. And we will move to the consent consent calendar. Uh do I have a motion to approve the consent calendar item, the first of which is uh the regular meeting meeting minutes of September 5, 2024.
openpublica.com