Environmental Planning Commission Meeting - June 17, 2026: Work Plan for FY 2026-2027 Approved After Discussion
Environmental Planning Commission Meeting - June 17, 2026
The Environmental Planning Commission (EPC) met on June 17, 2026, to approve the meeting minutes from earlier in the year and to review and act on the proposed EPC work plan for fiscal year 2026-2027. The meeting featured extensive staff presentations and commissioner deliberation on the work plan's timeline, priorities, and the integration of state housing mandates including SB 79 and housing element programs. The commission ultimately voted 4-2-1 (with one absent) to forward the work plan as presented to the City Council for approval.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes Approval: The commission unanimously approved the meeting minutes from January 21, 2026, February 4, 2026, and February 18, 2026, by a vote of 6 yes (one absent). No public comment was received on the minutes.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Oral Communications (Non-Agenda Items): No members of the public spoke during the oral communications portion of the meeting.
Discussion Items
- Environmental Planning Commission Work Plan for FY 2026-2027 (Item 5.1)
- Principal Planner Diana Pancholi presented the proposed work plan, highlighting that it reflects carryover items from the previous work plan, updated timelines, and alignment with the City Council's 2025-2027 strategic priorities. Key projects include the Moffett Boulevard Precise Plan, Downtown Precise Plan Comprehensive Update, R3 Zoning Update, Dark Sky Ordinance, Historic Preservation Ordinance and Register Update, SB 79 implementation standards, and Housing Element Programs 1.4 and 2.6. Estimated timelines for deliverables were provided, with staff noting that some projects may exceed the two-year time frame due to staff capacity and the need for public outreach.
- Commissioner Questions and Discussion:
- Vice Chair Donahue inquired about the SB 79 Alternative Plan; Community Development Director Murdoch clarified that council has not yet directed staff to prepare a local alternative plan beyond the downtown area, and no timeline has been set pending further council discussion.
- Commissioner Subramanian asked about the earlier timeline for Housing Element Programs 1.4 and 2.6 (originally due end of 2024, now Q4 2027). Staff cited expanded scope, staff capacity constraints, and the priority given to the R3 Zoning Update, Dark Sky, and Historic Preservation ordinances.
- Commissioner Pham sought details on the Historic Preservation Ordinance update (discussed in October 2025) and the Dark Sky outreach efforts. Staff confirmed the ordinance is largely consistent with prior recommendations and that Dark Sky outreach included neighborhood associations and advocacy groups.
- Commissioner Subramanian also raised concerns about the delay in moving from administrative to ministerial approval for AB 130 projects (Item 7) and the integration of SB 79 standards with the R3 update. Staff noted the complexity of developing ministerial objective standards and the challenge of staffing.
- Commissioner Gutierrez asked about the many "to be determined" milestones, especially for the Downtown Precise Plan and SB 79 alternative plan. Staff explained that the city council must first decide on a local alternative plan under SB 79 before the downtown plan can proceed.
- Chair Nunez (Alex) questioned the prioritization system used by staff, leading to a discussion about the qualitative and quantitative methods for assessing council priorities. Staff described how public study sessions and council feedback shape the work plan.
- Several commissioners expressed concern about the delayed timeline for Housing Element Programs 1.4 (faith-based sites, 65 units) and 2.6 (40 units), noting the city's commitments to the state. Chair Nunez and Commissioner Gutierrez advocated for recommending the council reprioritize these items.
- Commissioner Cranston opposed reopening priorities, stating the work plan appropriately reflects council direction and that the Dark Sky ordinance is nearly complete.
- Commissioners Donahue, Pham, and Subramanian ultimately supported the work plan as presented, while Gutierrez and Nunez expressed desire for faster timelines on housing element items.
Key Outcomes
- Motion and Vote: Commissioner Cranston moved to approve the work plan as presented and forward it to the City Council. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Subramanian. The vote was 4 yes (Cranston, Pham, Gutierrez initially supported? Actually careful: The final vote was 4 yes, 2 no, 1 absent. From transcript: "The motion carries with four yes and two no and one absent." The absent was Dempsey. The two no votes were likely Chair Nunez and Commissioner Gutierrez, who wanted changes. Thus, the work plan was approved as is.
- Next Steps: The approved work plan will be submitted to the City Council in September 2026 for final approval along with other advisory body work plans. The next EPC meeting is tentatively scheduled for August 19, 2026.
- Other Updates: Staff announced that the Transportation Demand Management Ordinance was adopted by City Council on May 26, 2026, the Parks and Recreation Strategic Plan was also adopted on May 26, 2026, and the Biodiversity and Urban Forest Plan is scheduled for the June 23, 2026 council agenda.
Meeting Transcript
Yeah, audio and video presentations can no longer be shared from the lectern. Requests to show an audio or video presentation during a meeting should be directed to EPC at Mountainview.gov by 4 30 p.m. on the meeting date. Additionally, due to our hybrid environment, we will no longer have speakers line up to speak on an item. Anyone wishing to address the EPC in person must complete a yellow speaker card. Please indicate the name you would like to be called by when it is your turn to speak and the item number on which you wish to speak. Please complete one yellow speaker card for each item on which you wish to speak and turn them in to the EPC clerk as soon as possible, but no later than the call for public comment on the item you're speaking on. Instructions for addressing the commission virtually may be found on the posted agenda. Now I will ask the EPC Clerk to proceed with roll call. Commissioner Suberman. Here. Commissioner Pham. Here. Commissioner Gutierrez. Here. Commissioner Dempsey. Commissioner Cranston. Here. Vice Chair Donahue. Here. And Chair Nunez. Here. All Commissioner or President present except for Commissioner Dempsey. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Having done that, we will now move forward to item number three, 3.1. Minutes approval of the Environmental Planning Commission meeting notes of January 21st, 2026, February 4th, 2026, and February 18th, 2026. I'll open the floor up for any EPC discussion on those minutes. Any uh public comment. If anyone would like to provide comments on the minutes, please fill out a yellow speaker card and provide it to the EPC clerk. If anyone on Zoom would like to provide comment on the minutes, please click the raise hand button in Zoom or press star nine on your phone. Phone users can mute and unmute themselves with star six. Mr. Clerk, do we have any yellow speaker cards or attendance in the queue? Uh there are no uh speakers in person, and there's uh no one raising their hands on Zoom. All right, thank you very much. Uh I'll entertain anyone who wants to make a motion. I'll make a motion to approve the minutes. Okay. Got a motion from Vice Chair. I'll second. Okay. All right, we've got a second from Commissioner Subramanian. The motion carries with six yes and one absent. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Alright, having completed the minutes approval, we will proceed to item four on the agenda. This is the oral communications. The portion of the meeting is reserved for persons wishing to address the EPC on any matter not on the agenda. Speakers are allowed to speak on any topic for up to three minutes during this section.
openpublica.com