OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Novato Planning Commission Special Meeting – December 30, 2024

City Council — Monday, December 30, 2024
BodyNovato, California
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, December 30, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:09

Underground with liberty and justice rule.

0:16

Yeah, I like them.

0:19

All right.

0:19

Let's do a quick roll call.

0:22

Uh Commissioner Dawson.

0:25

Present.

0:26

Commissioner Gerby.

0:27

Present.

0:28

Commissioner Ingall.

0:29

Here.

0:30

Commissioner Heath.

0:31

Present.

0:32

Commissioner Crockett is not here.

0:35

Commissioner Tiernan is not present.

0:38

And Commissioner Havill is present.

0:43

Okay.

0:45

As we move forward, do we have an approval of the final agenda or any modifications to thereof?

0:55

Move that we keep it just as is.

0:58

Do we need a vote on that one?

0:59

I can't remember.

1:00

I usually we do a motion in a second and correct.

1:03

Yeah.

1:03

Motion now.

1:05

Second.

1:06

All right.

1:07

So Commissioner Dawson.

1:08

Aye.

1:09

Commissioner Groby.

1:10

Aye.

1:10

Commissioner Ingall.

1:11

Aye.

1:11

Commissioner B.

1:12

Aye.

1:12

Commissioner Highville.

1:13

Aye.

1:14

And Chairman and Crockett not present or abstaining.

1:21

Next up, we have public comment.

1:23

So this is the portion of tonight's agenda where if there is someone from the public who would like to speak about a topic that is not on tonight's agenda, you have three minutes to do so now.

1:36

If anybody is here to speak on a com on a topic that's not on tonight's agenda, please approach now.

1:43

And seeing none, we'll move along.

1:47

Next up, we have consent items.

1:51

We have minutes to approve from our meeting of November 18th, 2024.

1:58

Do I have a motion?

1:59

So move to approve those.

2:00

Second.

2:02

Very well.

2:03

Commissioner Dawson.

2:05

Hi.

2:05

Commissioner Derby.

2:06

Aye.

2:07

Commissioner Ringdall.

2:08

Aye.

2:08

Commissioner Heat.

2:09

Aye.

2:10

Commissioner Pavel.

2:10

I as well.

2:15

Staff, do we have any unfinished or other business?

2:21

We do not.

2:22

I didn't think we did.

2:23

Thank you.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Land Use Policy████████████████████████████████████████40%
Procedural██████████████████████████26%
Public Engagement███████████11%
Personnel Matters███████████11%
Capital Improvements████████8%
Housing████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Novato Planning Commission Special Meeting – December 30, 2024

The Novato Planning Commission held a special meeting on December 30, 2024, to consider a public hearing for the Nativity of Christ Greek Orthodox Church's master plan, precise development plan, and design review. The meeting also included approval of previous meeting minutes, introduction of a new principal planner, and updates on upcoming projects. All votes were unanimous (5-0) with Commissioners Crockett and Tiernan absent.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Meeting Minutes (November 18, 2024): The commission voted unanimously to approve the minutes from the November 18, 2024, meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No members of the public spoke on non-agenda items during the public comment period.
  • During the public hearing, no additional public comments were offered aside from the applicant's presentation.

Discussion Items

  • Greek Orthodox Church Master Plan, Precise Development Plan & Design Review (File No. P2022-114):
    • Staff presented a proposed 1,600 sq ft narthex, 500 sq ft rooftop dome, 1,400 sq ft pavilion addition, 1,800 sq ft outdoor shade structure, new drop-off area, landscaping, and an elevator for the hall building. The project seeks to bring existing non-conforming church and wireless facilities into compliance with PD zoning.
    • The project is CEQA-exempt under CEQA Guidelines Section 15183 (consistency with General Plan 2035 EIR).
    • The Design Review Commission provided a favorable recommendation on September 6, 2023.
    • Father John Kakollis, the parish priest, expressed community support and positive neighborhood relations. No opposition was voiced.
    • Commissioners unanimously expressed support, noting the church's established role in the community.
  • General Business:
    • Introduction of new Principal Planner Michael Smith, who joined from San Bruno and has over 20 years of planning experience.
    • Staff provided updates: housing element programs and ADU zoning code updates expected in early 2025; ongoing development projects (Fireman's Fund demolition, First in Grant remediation, 1787 Grant Avenue site plan).
    • Discussion about the recent collapse of Novato's Christmas tree due to windstorm.

Key Outcomes

  • Resolution 1 (CEQA Findings): Motion to adopt findings under CEQA Guidelines Section 15183. Passed unanimously (5-0).
  • Resolution 2 (Master Plan): Motion to recommend City Council approval of the Master Plan. Passed unanimously (5-0).
  • Resolution 3 (Precise Development Plan & Design Review): Motion to recommend City Council approval of the PDP and Design Review. Passed unanimously (5-0).
  • The commission's recommendations will be forwarded to the City Council for final action and a future public hearing.

Meeting Transcript

Underground with liberty and justice rule. Yeah, I like them. All right. Let's do a quick roll call. Uh Commissioner Dawson. Present. Commissioner Gerby. Present. Commissioner Ingall. Here. Commissioner Heath. Present. Commissioner Crockett is not here. Commissioner Tiernan is not present. And Commissioner Havill is present. Okay. As we move forward, do we have an approval of the final agenda or any modifications to thereof? Move that we keep it just as is. Do we need a vote on that one? I can't remember. I usually we do a motion in a second and correct. Yeah. Motion now. Second. All right. So Commissioner Dawson. Aye. Commissioner Groby. Aye. Commissioner Ingall. Aye. Commissioner B. Aye. Commissioner Highville. Aye. And Chairman and Crockett not present or abstaining. Next up, we have public comment. So this is the portion of tonight's agenda where if there is someone from the public who would like to speak about a topic that is not on tonight's agenda, you have three minutes to do so now. If anybody is here to speak on a com on a topic that's not on tonight's agenda, please approach now. And seeing none, we'll move along. Next up, we have consent items. We have minutes to approve from our meeting of November 18th, 2024. Do I have a motion? So move to approve those. Second. Very well. Commissioner Dawson. Hi. Commissioner Derby. Aye.

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