Elk Grove Planning Commission Meeting – August 6, 2026
Elk Grove Planning Commission Regular Meeting – August 6, 2026
The Planning Commission convened on August 6, 2026, with Chair Oscar O'Con absent and Vice Chair Varinder Singh presiding. The meeting included a consent calendar, general public comment, and a public hearing on a proposed moratorium on new personal storage facilities. Commissioners voted unanimously to recommend the moratorium to the City Council. Several residents spoke during public comment urging protection of rural Elk Grove, though their comments were not tied to an agendized item.
Consent Calendar
- Regular Meeting Minutes of May 21, 2026 – A motion to approve failed due to insufficient votes (2 abstentions, 1 absent, 2 in favor). The item was tabled to the next meeting when a quorum is present.
- Regular Meeting Minutes of June 4, 2026 – Approved unanimously (4 ayes, 1 absent).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Constance Conley (rural area resident) – Presented a "Rural Roots Booklet" and urged the Commission to uphold the General Plan’s commitment to preserving rural Elk Grove’s character, agriculture, and open space.
- Eileen Cowell – Described the booklet’s 23 stories and ongoing series, emphasizing community support for rural preservation.
- George Murphy – Thanked contributors and stressed that the rural area should remain preserved, protected, and intact as a lifestyle option and city asset.
- James Gilliam – Opposed any development that would erode the rural area, citing past experiences with lawsuits over low-income housing and a Buddhist temple; asked the Commission to keep Sheldon Road rural.
- Sharon Lockwood (Wilton resident) – Emphasized the importance of preserving rural areas for future generations, describing negative impacts of urban sprawl and a proposed winery in Wilton.
- Carolyn Sorries – Acknowledged the booklet and reminded the Commission that the community has consistently voted to protect rural Elk Grove.
- Amelia Van Kueren (Sheldon Road resident, Sacramento State professor) – Explained how the rural area benefits her children’s 4‑H activities, groundwater recharge, pollinator habitat, and counteracts urban heat island. She urged preservation for the entire community’s good.
Discussion Item: Moratorium on New Personal Storage Facilities
- Staff Presentation – Senior Planner Sarah Kirchgessner introduced a proposed citywide moratorium on new personal storage facilities (except those already approved). The moratorium is intended to allow a study of the use’s impacts, as such facilities generate few jobs, consume large land footprints, and can create pedestrian dead zones. The proposal is exempt from CEQA under the Common Sense Exemption (Section 15061(b)(3)).
- Commission Questions – Commissioner Poole asked whether the moratorium is linked to completion of the study; staff confirmed that the moratorium has no set end date but will remain until council either repeals it or adopts new regulations. Commissioner Fernandez expressed support.
- Public Testimony – Eugene Lee (climate ambassador) spoke in favor of the moratorium, describing a personal storage facility near his home as visually unappealing and disruptive to pedestrian flow, and urged the city to conduct a thorough study.
- Commission Deliberation – Vice Chair Singh moved to adopt the resolution recommending the moratorium to the City Council; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously (4 ayes, 1 absent).
Director’s Report
- Assistant Director reported on recent City Council actions (July 22 presentation on Historic Main Street; June 10 approval of Climate Compass and Calvine Point Major 3; June 24 approval of Sheldon Road rezone; annual growth report). Upcoming Planning Commission items include the Elk Grove Subaru Design Review Amendment (August 20) and a mural on Elk Grove Boulevard (September 3). The moratorium will be heard by City Council on August 26.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar: May 21 minutes tabled; June 4 minutes approved.
- Moratorium on Personal Storage Facilities: The Commission approved a resolution (4-0) recommending that the City Council adopt an ordinance imposing a citywide moratorium on new entitlements for personal storage facilities, effective until further action by council.
- No regular agenda items were considered.
Meeting Transcript
To order the Oak Grove Planning Commission regular meeting Thursday, August 6, 2026 at 6 p.m. I will start with the land acknowledgement. We honor, respect, and acknowledge Elk Grove's first inhabitants, the Plains Miwok, who lived as sovereign caretakers of this land in these waterways since time immemorial. We commemorate and abdicate for their descendants, the Wilton Rancheria 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. At this time, please silence your electronics and cell phone devices. All right, the clerk will read the customary greeting. The Outgrove Planning Commission welcomes, appreciates, and encourages participation in the meetings. The commissioners commission reserves the right to reasonably limit the total time for public comment on any particular particular noticed 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 the consideration of the agenda item. All right, the clerk will call the roll. Commissioner Sandra Poole. Present. Commissioner Juan Fernandez. Present. Commissioner Suman Singa. Present. Commissioner or Vice Chair Varender Singh. Present. And Chair Oscar O'Khan, absent. All right. I invite Commissioner Juan Fernandez to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. One national liberty into this time, would you please join us in a moment of silence? Thank you. All right. I move to approve the agenda as presented. Can I get a motion? Mr. Chair, I move to approve the agendas presented. Second. All right. Motioned and seconded. Approved. All in favor. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Aye. All right. And so we have one abstinent. Absent, right? Okay. All right. Moving on to public comment. Um, 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. At this time, I would like to open the general public comment opportunity and call the public speakers. And our first speaker. I'm unable to see the names on here. Clerk, could you call the first person? Yeah.
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