Redwood City Planning Commission Special Meeting - January 31, 2023

The Redwood City Planning Commission held a special meeting on January 31, 2023, at 6:00 PM (adjourned at 7:40 PM) in Council Chambers and via Zoom. The meeting included two major public hearings: a use permit and architectural permit for a rock climbing gym at 801 Willow Street, and a series of General Plan Amendments (including the Housing Element, Safety Element, and Environmental Justice policies) to comply with state law. Both items were approved unanimously. The meeting also included approval of prior meeting minutes and a resignation announcement from a commissioner.

Consent Calendar

• No items were on the consent calendar.

Public Comments & Testimony

• 801 Willow Street (Item 5A): Glenn Babbitt spoke in support of the project but suggested that the Planning Commission consider a condition of approval requiring a more robust landscaping plan to better tie the project to adjacent Hoover Park.
• General Plan Amendments (Item 5B): No public speakers.

Discussion Items

• 801 Willow Street – Use Permit and Architectural Permit: The applicant, Touchstone Climbing, proposed converting an existing 40,000 sq. ft. industrial building into a rock climbing gym with a 40-foot height increase (using translucent fiberglass panels) and a reduction in required parking from 158 to 99 existing spaces. Key statistics: 20,000 sq. ft. of climbing area, maximum 8 staff, operating hours 6 a.m.–11 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m.–6 p.m. weekends; 19% of customers expected in pairs and 44% using alternative transportation. Staff recommended approval. Commissioners expressed strong support, citing the facility's benefits for an under-resourced area, affordable access programs, and the building's design. Vice Chair Crnogorac asked about missing trees along Spring Street and suggested planting two new trees. The applicant agreed.
• General Plan Amendments (Item 5B): Senior Planner Rojas presented the update to the Housing Element (2023–2031), Safety Element, Built Environment, Building Community, and Natural Resources Elements. The city’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) is 4,588 units, but the city set a 153% target (approximately 7,000 units) to provide a buffer and qualify for a pro-housing designation. The city received a letter of compliance from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) on January 19, 2023—one of only three cities in the ABAG region to do so. The accompanying Program Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was certified on January 27, 2023. Staff also noted minor corrections to the land use map and language adjustments from the Airport Land Use Commission. Commissioners unanimously praised staff for extensive outreach (over 40 meetings) and the city’s leadership in exceeding state housing requirements.

Key Outcomes

• 801 Willow Street: Motion (Espinoza/Crnogorac) to approve Resolution 23-01, approving Architectural Permit AP2022-071 and Use Permit UP2022-12, subject to condition that two trees be planted along Spring Street in consultation with the City Arborist prior to certificate of occupancy. Motion passed 6-0.
• General Plan Amendments: Two motions (both Crnogorac/Espinoza):
  1. Approve Resolution 23-02 recommending City Council certify the Final EIR, adopt CEQA findings, and adopt the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program. Passed 6-0 (roll call).
  2. Approve Resolution 23-03 recommending City Council adopt the General Plan Amendments (including the Housing Element and other element updates), with the date on the resolution corrected to January 27, 2023. Passed 6-0 (roll call).
• Minutes Approval: Minutes of December 6, 2022, and December 13, 2022, were approved 5-0 (Commissioner Espinoza abstained on both).
• Commissioner Resignation: Commissioner Bondonno announced his intention to resign from the Planning Commission effective March 2023 due to relocation.