Redwood City Planning Commission Meeting - July 18, 2023

The Redwood City Planning Commission held a regular meeting on July 18, 2023, at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chambers and via Zoom. Commissioners present: Alvarez, Chu, Espinoza, Koch, and Vice Chair Crnogorac. Commissioners absent: Lazarus and Chair Hunter. The meeting covered three public hearings: a hotel project at 1690 Broadway, a restaurant addition at 1100 El Camino Real, and the adoption of the commission's work plan for fiscal years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025. All three items were approved unanimously, with the work plan motion directing staff to incorporate commissioner feedback and a mission statement review.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dylan Finch (in-person, non-agenda item): Urged the commission to encourage developers to place main building entrances on side streets rather than arterial roads like El Camino Real, citing safety and pedestrian experience. He noted that a previous development on El Camino had an unpleasant entrance while the quieter side street behind it offered better opportunities for pedestrian amenities.
• Brian Shields (in-person, on 1690 Broadway): Representative from Carpenter's Local 217 spoke in support of labor standards for the project. He argued that labor standards attract responsible contractors, help maintain bonds, and provide local workforce opportunities. He noted that he had reached out to the applicant but had not received a response.

Discussion Items

• 1690 Broadway – Hyatt Place Hotel (Resolution 23-17): The applicant requested a Planned Development Permit, Use Permit, and Architectural Permit to demolish an existing 17-room motel and construct a 112-room hotel with 91 on-site parking spaces (a reduction from the standard 112 spaces). The five-story building (53 feet 10 inches, with a 64-foot-9-inch tower element) includes subterranean parking, widened sidewalks, 10 new street trees, bioretention areas, and underground utilities. A parking study by Hexagon indicated a 0.77 parking ratio would be sufficient, supported by a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) plan including transit subsidies for employees. The project is within half a mile of the downtown and Caltrain. Commissioners discussed the parking ratio, TDM measures, potential demand, and the importance of local labor. Commissioner Chu supported reduced parking minimums, citing climate goals and national trends. Commissioner Espinoza and Koch encouraged the applicant to engage with local unions. The project was approved 5-0.
• 1100 El Camino Real – Grand Hot Pot Restaurant (Resolution 23-18): The applicant sought a Downtown Planned Community Permit and Use Permit for exterior modifications and a second-story addition to a historic dry-cleaning building (built 1941). The ground floor will become a restaurant seating up to 127 occupants, with a second-floor deck and private rooms. The historic facade on El Camino Real will be preserved, and the existing projecting sign retained. No parking is required due to AB 2097 (within half mile of public transit). A subsurface soil evaluation found no remediation needed for the change from dry cleaner to restaurant. The Historic Resources Advisory Commission recommended approval on June 8, 2023. Commissioners praised the design, noted the proximity to Whole Foods and Sequoia Station, and encouraged the applicant to explore planting trees on the Harrison Avenue side and adjacent parking lot. The project was approved 5-0.
• Planning Commission Work Plan for FY 2023-2024 and 2024-2025: Principal Planner Francis presented a review of past work plans and proposed new goals, including implementation of the Housing Element, downtown precise plan gatekeeper projects, the Central Redwood City Plan, the Redwood Life Precise Plan, and an update to the Historic Preservation Ordinance (unchanged since 1980). Commissioners discussed the need to align the work plan with city strategic priorities (equity, housing, transportation, children/youth) and to revise the commission's mission statement (last updated 2005). Commissioner Espinoza proposed reframing the work plan around priorities such as reducing car-centric land use, streamlining approvals, and ensuring public benefit for affordable housing. Commissioner Chu emphasized abolishing parking minimums and transportation equity. Commissioner Koch noted the importance of senior mobility and green space. The commission voted unanimously to direct staff to bring back a revised work plan that incorporates the discussion and includes consideration of a mission statement revision.

Key Outcomes

• Approved Resolution 23-17 for 1690 Broadway (Use Permit 2022-003, Planned Development Permit 2022-003, Architectural Permit 2022-013) – Motion by Espinoza, second by Koch. Vote: 5-0.
• Approved Resolution 23-18 for 1100 El Camino Real (Downtown Planned Community Permit DPC2022-001, Use Permit UP2022-002) – Motion by Espinoza, second by Chu. Vote: 5-0.
• Approved motion directing staff to revise the work plan for FY 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 based on commissioner feedback, including reframing around priorities (e.g., land use for public health, reducing car dependency, affordable housing) and adding a review of the commission's mission statement. The revised work plan will be brought back at a later meeting (tentatively August 15, 2023). Vote: 5-0.
• Meeting adjourned at 8:35 PM. The next regular meeting is scheduled for August 15, 2023, at 6:00 PM.