Elk Grove Planning Commission Approves Laguna Incubator Space Project (October 1, 2026)

The Elk Grove Planning Commission met on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Elk Grove City Council Chambers. All five commissioners were present. The commission approved the agenda, approved the September 3, 2026 meeting minutes with one abstention, and held a public hearing for the Laguna Incubator Space Project (PLNG24-012). After staff and applicant presentations and no public testimony, the commission approved the project, including a no-further-CEQA-review finding. The meeting was adjourned at 6:18 PM.

Call to Order and Agenda

• Roll call showed all five commissioners present: Chair Oscar O'Con, Vice Chair Varinder Singh, and Commissioners Juan Fernandez, Sandra Poole, and Suman Singha.
• A motion to approve the agenda as presented passed 5-0.

Consent Calendar

• The Regular Meeting Minutes of September 3, 2026 were approved. One commissioner abstained, stating that they were not present at that meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No speakers came forward during the general public comment portion.
• During the Laguna Incubator Space Project hearing, applicant representative Craig Myers of George Scott Architects introduced himself as the owner's representative and offered to answer questions. No members of the public testified.

Discussion Item: Laguna Incubator Space Project (PLNG24-012)

• Senior Planner Sarah Kirchgessner presented the staff report. The project is a Major Design Review for three office/incubator buildings with associated parking, lighting, landscaping, and site improvements, plus a Determination of Consistency with the General Plan for abandonment of several existing easements.
• The site is on the north side of Laguna Boulevard, east of High Tech Court. A portion contains the Elk Grove Sports Center complex, and the eastern portion is vacant. Surrounding uses include Laguna Boulevard and single-unit residential to the south, Laguna West Business Park to the east, the Apple campus parking lot to the west, and the Echo Water Resource Recovery Facility and vacant property to the north.
• The Sports Center complex was originally developed with an approximately 188,000-square-foot industrial building before Elk Grove's incorporation. In 2007, the city council approved a General Plan amendment from light industrial to commercial and a rezoning from light industrial to general commercial. In 2009, the planning commission approved design review for six future buildings, but all six pads remained undeveloped. A major design review was previously approved for Pad 5, and this project covers Buildings 1 and 2 in the previously approved locations. The southeastern Venture Commerce Center portion was approved in 2006, its final map was recorded in 2007, and its entitlements have since expired.
• The site has two General Plan designations (community commercial and light industrial) and two zoning designations (general commercial and industrial office park). No tenants are identified; future uses must be consistent with permitted uses in each zoning district, potentially including business and professional offices, specialized education and training studios, business support services, building trade contractor offices, personal services, and research and development.
• The project proposes approximately 83,000 square feet of total building area across three buildings, with parking between the buildings and the rear portion of the site, several small bioretention drainage facilities, and a contemporary design using exterior metal siding, plaster walls, steel canopies, and matte black, rosewood, and white colors.
• Staff stated that the existing water line, emergency vehicle, and public utility easements contain no facilities and are not needed for present or foreseeable future use. Emergency access would be provided between existing and proposed drive aisles, and future utilities would be located within new easements or public rights-of-way. Staff found the abandonments consistent with General Plan goals and policies.
• Staff recommended a finding that no further environmental review is required under State CEQA Guidelines Sections 15162 and 15183.

Director's Report

• The Community Development Director noted that the City Council meeting on September 23 received the Historic Preservation Committee's annual update and a proclamation for History Week.
• The Summer Flats project will return to the Planning Commission on October 15; the packet is expected to be available by Monday.
• The Summer Villas project is targeted for November 5, with the final EIR being completed and the hearing notice due to the newspaper next week. Staff will arrange security for heavier agendas.
• The Zoning Administrator has nothing scheduled in October and is targeting November 9 for three items: the El Poyo Local Restaurant repaint, the Cornerstone Village map extension, and the Beta Road map extension.
• No council agenda items are currently scheduled for October 14 or October 28.

Planning Commission Matters

• Commissioners discussed planning commissioner training. The next League of Cities Commissioners conference is scheduled around March 10, with more details expected in December, and local training may be held in February once new commission terms begin.
• A commissioner suggested using challenging scenarios from recent meetings, such as the Summer Flats session, as case studies for training. Staff noted that a proposed conference session titled 'Planning Commission 101' may address challenging meetings, and internal training is also being considered.

Key Outcomes

• The commission approved the Laguna Incubator Space Project (PLNG24-012) by a voice vote with no opposition, adopting the resolution with the CEQA no-further-review finding, Major Design Review approval, General Plan consistency determination for easement abandonments, and conditions of approval contained in the draft resolution.
• The meeting adjourned at 6:18 PM.