Redwood City Planning Commission Meeting: December 6, 2022

The Redwood City Planning Commission held a regular meeting on December 6, 2022, at 6:00 PM. The meeting included a public hearing on the Draft Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (DSEIR) for the Downtown Precise Plan (DTPP) amendments and a public hearing on a proposed six-story, 130-unit residential project at 1330 El Camino Real, for which the Commission recommended approval to the City Council. Two sets of meeting minutes were approved, and no consent calendar items were presented.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of the Draft Minutes from November 1, 2022: Moved by Vice Chair Crnogorac, seconded by Commissioner Chu. Motion passed 4-0 (Commissioner Bondonno abstained).
• Approval of the Draft Minutes from November 15, 2022: Moved by Vice Chair Crnogorac, seconded by Commissioner Koch. Motion passed 4-0 (Commissioner Bondonno abstained).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Adrian Brandt (Item 5A): Expressed support for rooftop entertainment and proposed covering the two-acre flooding retention pond with an active-use roof to maximize land use in the transit district.
• Glenn Babbitt, HRAC Member (Item 5A): Asked whether historic resource impacts in the DSEIR apply only to specific structures on the landmarks list or also include spatial areas like Stambaugh-Heller. He requested a concrete example to clarify the abstract language.
• Adrian Brandt (Item 5B): Applauded the applicant's decision to switch from bundled to unbundled parking, calling it more enlightened and equitable, and expressed support for the project overall.

Discussion Items

• Item 5A: Draft Subsequent EIR for Downtown Precise Plan (DTPP) Plan-Wide and General Plan Amendments

  • Senior Planner William Chui presented the background on the gatekeeper process, development assumptions (including a potential boundary extension and a 10% contingency for office and residential), and the DTPP amendments (e.g., small office capacity increase, parking ratio changes, allowances for R&D lab uses and rooftop structures).
  • Karl Heisler, ESA CEQA Consultant, explained the CEQA process, noting that the DSEIR identifies new or more severe impacts in shadow, noise, air quality, greenhouse gases, utilities/infrastructure, and historic resources. Four impacts were conservatively deemed significant and unavoidable: air quality criteria pollutants (cumulative), greenhouse gas emissions, and historic resources.
  • Commissioners asked clarifying questions about open space conversion (Little River Park/901 El Camino), VMT calculation boundaries, noise sources (vehicle traffic, building equipment), and sensitive receptors. Commissioner Chu emphasized comparing emissions to a scenario where people live elsewhere, noted that shadow can be an amenity (shade), and supported reduced VMT to lower noise health impacts. Vice Chair Crnogorac stressed preserving Little River Park's open space and habitat. Chair Hunter expressed concern about the jobs/housing ratio (estimated 6.1:1 shortfall) and recommended the altered land use mix or reduced development alternatives, and questioned whether mitigation measures address supply/capacity for utilities.
  • No action was taken; the public comment period ends December 29, 2022.

• Item 5B: 1330 El Camino Real – DTPP Amendment, Tentative Parcel Map, Downtown Planned Community Permit, and Affordable Housing Plan

  • Staff Planner Brendan Northart presented the project: demolition of existing buildings (including the Recordman Building, determined not historic), construction of a six-story, 130-unit residential building (26 affordable units, 20% affordability) with 110 parking spaces (using stackers), 22+ bicycle parking spaces, and amenities including a community garden, gym, and rooftop terrace.
  • The project requires a DTPP amendment to remove the Recordman Building from the historic resource list, and several design deviations (e.g., a 40-degree daylight plane instead of 45 degrees, stoop height of 18 inches, use of fixed/casement windows). The Architectural Advisory Committee (AAC) recommended approval after two reviews.
  • Applicant Toby Long and architect Joshua Jewett presented the design, emphasizing Mediterranean style with vibrant colors and described the terraced edges as non-accessible stormwater planters.
  • Commissioner discussion: Commissioner Chu praised the design and unhappiness about parking but acknowledged constraints; asked if terraces could be accessible. Commissioner Koch requested bike repair amenities. Vice Chair Crnogorac supported the project and suggested future-proofing EV charging in the parking stackers, and urged city enforcement of parking regulations in the neighborhood. Commissioner Koch also asked about relocation assistance for displaced businesses; the applicant stated no coordination was planned.
  • The Commission voted to recommend approval to the City Council with a modification to Condition of Approval No. 5 to require unbundled parking (the applicant voluntarily committed to this change). The motion passed 5-0 (Commissioners Espinoza and Sturken absent).

Key Outcomes

• Item 5A: Public hearing held; no action taken. The public comment period for the DSEIR remains open until December 29, 2022. Staff will prepare final SEIR with responses to comments, and the Planning Commission will hold a future study session on the DTPP amendments in early 2023.
• Item 5B: The Planning Commission voted 5-0 to recommend approval to the City Council of the 1330 El Camino Real project, including the DTPP amendment, tentative parcel map, downtown planned community permit, and affordable housing plan, subject to the modified condition requiring unbundled parking.
• Future meetings: A special meeting on December 13, 2022, and regular meeting on January 17, 2023. The City Council approved the Transit District and the second reading of REACH codes on November 28, 2022.