Redwood City Council Regular Meeting - July 13, 2026
Redwood City Council Regular Meeting - July 13, 2026
This hybrid-format regular City Council meeting, held on July 13, 2026, included a proclamation, presentations from the San Francisco Peninsula tourism organization and Caltrain, a public hearing on SB 79 (Affordable Homes Near Transit Act), zoning and municipal code amendments, and a discussion on expanding the Greater Downtown Area Plan (GDAP) boundary. The meeting ran from approximately 7:15 PM to past midnight, with multiple extensions.
Consent Calendar
- Items on the consent calendar were approved unanimously by roll call vote, with Councilmember G recused from item 7B (grant to Casa Secure Catorau). The motion passed 6-0 (item 7B separately approved 6-0).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Bear Island Rezoning (Item 8B): Three in-person speakers (Dr. Gregory Gilbert, Aaron Takitomo Gilbert, Shruti Dibodkar) and one virtual speaker (Gita Dev) urged the council to not approve the rezoning of two parcels under power lines from mixed-use waterfront back to general commercial with a residential overlay. They cited concerns about transparency, lack of broader community outreach, potential loss of waterfront zoning, and environmental and traffic impacts. Staff clarified the parcels were inadvertently rezoned in 2023 and the change would allow a use permit to regulate the current illegal use.
- Greater Downtown Area Plan (Item 9A): Three in-person speakers (Cindy Bickerstaff, Michael Rusa Cruz, Dylan Finch) supported expanding the GDAP boundary to improve bike/pedestrian connectivity, micro-retail opportunities, and land use flexibility. One speaker highlighted safe micromobility passage during upcoming construction projects.
Discussion Items
- Proclamation for Jason New Blanc: The Mayor read a proclamation honoring outgoing Arts Commissioner Jason New Blanc for 13.5 years of service. New Blanc spoke about his work advancing public art, the percent-for-art ordinance, and building the foundation for the city's public art program.
- San Francisco Peninsula Presentation: John Hutar (President & CEO) presented the organization's new strategic plan focusing on asset development (e.g., event center upgrades, sports facilities), maximizing destination experiences (e.g., food festivals, bay trail completion), and organizational excellence. Council members expressed support and discussed TV advertising and local collaboration.
- Caltrain Ridership/Budget Update: Michelle Bouchard and Casey Fromson (Caltrain) reported on electrification success, fastest-growing transit ridership (some months over 50% increase), but a projected $75 million annual operating deficit due to changed commute patterns. They discussed cost-cutting measures, potential service cuts (hourly weekday/weekend service, station closures), and the need for external funding (SB 63). Council members asked about revenue opportunities (land use, station amenities) and clarified a recent news article about $1.2 million consultant authority (actual payments were about a quarter of that).
- SB 79 Public Hearing: Senior Planner Ellen Yao presented options to implement SB 79, which requires by-right housing within half a mile of Caltrain with increased density/height. Staff recommended allowing baseline obligations to take effect without a temporary exclusion ordinance (as already in effect since July 1) while developing a transit-oriented development (TOD) alternative plan in coordination with existing planning efforts (GDAP, MTC policy). Council discussion included impacts on RHNA goals, historic resource protections, and community outreach. The motion passed unanimously.
- Zoning and Municipal Code Amendments (Item 8B): Assistant Director Sue X-Line and Senior Planner Apollo Rojas presented amendments to streamline development review: ministerial approval for 100% affordable housing, extending entitlements from 3 to 5 years, reducing open space and setbacks, eliminating parking minimums for certain uses, and updating ADU and short-term rental rules. Public comment focused on the Bear Island rezoning. Council debated the two parcels: some wanted further study, others favored the rezoning to allow a use permit. A motion to adopt the staff recommendations except for the Bear Island rezoning (bifurcated for future study and community engagement) passed 6-1 (Councilmember Padilla opposed).
- Greater Downtown Area Plan (GDAP) Boundary Expansion (Item 9A): Principal Planner John Francis presented alternatives to expand the GDAP boundary east of Woodside Road to improve connectivity and land use. Councilmember Chu championed option 2 (expand now) to capture a generational opportunity with concurrent Stanford cancer center and 101/84 interchange projects. Others preferred option D (separate community plan after GDAP) to avoid delays and budget overruns. After extended debate, a motion to expand the GDAP boundary and return with an amended scope/budget passed 4-3 (Councilmembers Chu, Sturkin, Padilla, and Mayor Martinez Savallos in favor; Councilmembers Howard, G, and Vice Mayor Aiken opposed).
Key Outcomes
- SB 79: Council unanimously directed staff to allow baseline SB 79 obligations to take effect and develop a TOD alternative plan (spring 2027).
- Zoning Amendments: Adopted all amendments except the Bear Island rezoning (bifurcated for separate planning commission process and community engagement). Vote: 6-1.
- GDAP Boundary Expansion: Approved to expand the plan area east of Woodside Road as shown, with emphasis on a person-centered Broadway prioritizing pedestrians, bikes, and transit. Vote: 4-3.
- Meeting Extensions: Meeting extended multiple times (to 11:15 PM, 11:30 PM, and 11:45 PM) by unanimous votes to complete the agenda.
Meeting Transcript
I'll put them on now. It word my heels today. Well, you could move the mic down if you want to. I mean, we have a stool, but I don't think you need our answer. Good evening again. And thank you for joining our regular City Council meeting of July thirteenth, twenty twenty-six. We hold meetings in a hybrid format with both in-person and virtual participation available. The city welcomes public comment on topics within the city's subject matter jurisdiction and members of the public may provide comments as follows. In-person speakers will be called first, and speaker cards are located at the back table in the council chambers and must be turned in to the city clerk here at the dais. Attendees who have joined us by Zoom will be called to speak after the in-person comments have been given, and detailed instructions for public comment will be writed on the screen when the time for public comment begins. With that, I'll now turn it over to our city clerk to call the role. Good evening. Councilmember Chu here. Councilmember G. Present. Councilmember Howard here. Councilmember Padilla. Present. Councilmember Sturkin. Here. Vice Mayor Aitken. Present. Mayor Martinez Ayos. Thank you. Thank you, everybody. And now we'll go to the Pledge of Allegiance. Councilmember Howard, could you lead us? Please join me as we honor our flag and our country. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. Our nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Councilmember. We have all members of the council participating in person, so we will skip item four and go to item five, which is a proclamation for our outgoing arts commissioner member, Jason New Blanc. And I will read uh just quick background. Jason was a member of the Arts Commission and was first appointed when it was still called the Civic Cultural Commission. The uh City of Redwood City sincerely appreciates volunteers like Jason whose commitment of time and talent enriches our community and helps make Redwood City a better place for everyone. And I'll read a few of the whereas of the proclamation. Whereas Jason New Blanc has faithfully served the residents of Redwood City for more than 13 years as a dedicated member and leader of the Civic Cultural Commission and the Arts Commission. And whereas Jason helped lead the evolution of the Civic Cultural Commission into the Redwood City Arts Commission, drafted ordinances and public art resources, created institutional knowledge tools and commissioner guides, and worked tirelessly to improve long-term arts infrastructure and accessibility. And whereas Jason championed numerous murals, public art installations, utility box projects, bike rack art, youth art initiatives, and community-driven creative placemaking efforts that have enriched neighborhoods and strengthened civic pride. And whereas Jason's passion, creativity, leadership, and countless volunteer hours have left a lasting and visible legacy that will continue to inspire artists, residents, and visitors for generations to come. Now, therefore, be it resolved that I, Elmer Martina Savallos, Mayor of Redwood City, on behalf of the City Council and the people of Redwood City, do hereby recognize and honor Jason New Blanc for his exceptional 13 and a half years of dedicated public service and commend him for his enduring contributions to arts, culture, and community in Redwood City. And now I'd like to welcome Jason to the podium to say a few words. Jason, welcome. Good evening, City Council members and staff. Um it's been an honor to serve on the Redwood City Arts Commission. Um I'd like to thank you for entrusting me and the rest of the Arts Commission and the supporting staff to make Redwood City a better place through the arts. Working on the Arts Commission has been a labor of love, not a love of doing the work, but really a love for our city. And I'm sure you guys can relate with that. As you probably know, I have a passion for public art, and one of my superpowers is the ability to imagine art everywhere. Um I see our city as a vibrant um engaging outdoor gallery where public art inspires and connects our community.
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