Redwood City Planning Commission Meeting – November 7, 2023
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Planning Commission Regular Meeting – November 7, 2023
On November 7, 2023, the Redwood City Planning Commission convened at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers. Commissioners Alvarez, Chu, Koch, Lazarus, Vice Chair Crnogorac, and Chair Hunter were present; Commissioner Espinoza was absent. Staff included Assistant Community Development Director Exline, Senior Planner William Chu, Consultant Attorney Rick Jarvis, and Administrative Secretary Christina Mateo. The meeting featured a public hearing on the Historic Resources Advisory Committee (HRAC) work plan for fiscal years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025, approval of previous minutes, and commission interest updates. The meeting adjourned at 7:15 PM.
Consent Calendar
- No items were presented.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comment cards or emails were received for general public comment.
- During the public hearing, Glenn Babbitt, HRAC member, spoke in support of the work plan, citing the recent landmark designation of the Women's Club of Redwood City as an example of the prestige landmark status can provide.
Discussion Items
- Approval of October 3, 2023 Minutes: Motion by Commissioner Chu, seconded by Vice Chair Crnogorac. Passed 6-0.
- Review of HRAC Work Plan for FY2023-2024 and FY2024-2025: Lindamarie Roche, HRAC Chair, presented the work plan. Key goals include updating the historic preservation ordinance (last revised in 1980), researching under-documented history (e.g., Japanese flower growers along Woodside Road), improving outreach and education for historic preservation, especially targeting youth, and increasing awareness of the Mills Act program. Commissioners discussed the benefits of landmark designation, challenges of engaging young people, the importance of clarifying the preservation ordinance, and ideas for public outreach such as public forums and website improvements. Commissioner Koch and others expressed support for the plan's ambition.
Key Outcomes
- Motion to recommend City Council approval of the HRAC Work Plan: Moved by Commissioner Chu, seconded by Commissioner Alvarez. Passed 6-0.
- Approval of October 3, 2023 meeting minutes: Passed 6-0.
- Meeting schedule update: The November 14, 2023 meeting was canceled; the next regular meeting is scheduled for December 5, 2023.
- Commissioner recognition: Chair Hunter acknowledged the service of Commissioner Rudy Espinoza, who was attending his last meeting before moving to New York.
Meeting Transcript
I can text MLM. Yes, it was. I don't know if now. Maybe maybe that's what we're talking about. Yeah, it's true. I could be completely wrong. No, I'm glad you said that. Do you see the stuff we are guessing? You want to stay on guess or guess a little bit slower. I don't know how to understand that. As a reminder, items will be taken in the order in which they are listed on the agenda. Before we get started, I wanted to briefly go over the public comment procedures for the meeting for those who may be joining us for the first time. Public comments on the approval of minutes, consent items, matters of commission interest and items not on the agenda will be taken during item number two on this evening's agenda. Comments on other items, agenda items will be taken only when that item is called. And this is a new part of the script that is also being um read during city council meetings and other um BCC meetings. We are continuing to offer in-person and remote options for our planning commission meetings. However, due to continued recent disruptions during public comment at open meetings throughout our region and state, we've modified our public comment procedures. The city welcomes public comment on topics within the city's subject matter jurisdiction, and this can be provided in person during the meeting or by email ahead of the meeting. At this time, we are temporarily suspending public comment provided by Zoom. We want to ensure that the city can continue to conduct the city's business in a matter that allows all residents to participate, and we will continue to evaluate our public comment procedures. I want to highlight that the disruptions in other communities have resulted from racist, anti-Semitic, anti-LGBT, and white supremacist comment on topics not before the public agency. Our city's vision is to be a committee, a community where people of all backgrounds and income levels can thrive. Additionally, Redwood City is a supporter of United Against Hate Week, a call for local civic action to stop the hate and implicit biases that are a dangerous threat to the safety and civility of our neighborhoods, towns, and cities. We appreciate your patience as we continue to evaluate our procedures to best facilitate city business. Our public comment procedures are as follows. Public comment will be taken in person during the meeting or in advance via email at PC at redwoodcity.org. In-person speakers must turn in a speaker card to our admin or staff liaison at the dais to be recognized to speak. Please be sure to indicate the agenda item number you wish to speak on. In-person speakers will be called in the order in which speaker cards are turned in. Comments that were emailed to PC at Redwood City.org by 5 p.m. today will be read into the record by the staff liaison. And also made part of the final meeting record. And both in-person and emailed comments are subject to the three-minute time limit. So with that, I will turn it over to the staff to call the roll, please. Thanks, Chair Hunter. Commissioner Alvarez. Here. Commissioner Chu. Here. Commissioner Espinoza is absent. Commissioner Koch. Here. Commissioner Lazarus. Present. Vice Chair Sonicaretz? Here. And Chair Hunter. Here. And for the purposes of this meeting, I'm Sue Xline, the Assistant Community Development and Transportation Director, and also staff liaison to the Commission. Other staff attending this evening include William Chu, our senior planner, Rick Jarvis, consultant attorney, and Christina Mateo, administrative secretary and meeting host.
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