Redwood City Planning Commission Regular Meeting - October 15, 2024
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Redwood City Planning Commission Regular Meeting - October 15, 2024
The Redwood City Planning Commission held a regular meeting on October 15, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 7:03 PM in Council Chambers at 1017 Middlefield Road, with remote participation via Zoom. Commissioners present: Vice Chair Chu (joined at 6:05 PM), Commissioners Cornejo, Finch, Koch, Chair Crnogorac, and Commissioner Hunter. No commissioners absent. The meeting included two public hearings on historic preservation agreements (Mills Act contracts) and associated landmark designations. Both items received unanimous support from the commission, which recommended approval to the City Council.
Consent Calendar
- No items on the consent calendar.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item 5A (1200 Arguello St): Glenn Babbitt, a member of the Historic Resources Committee speaking personally, expressed strong support for the Mills Act contract. He noted the property's significance within the Mezesville Historic District and urged the commission to approve the resolution.
- Item 5B (1337 Hopkins Ave): No public comments were received.
Discussion Items
- 5A. 1200 Arguello St – Mills Act Contract: Assistant Planner Jonathan Turner presented the proposal. The property, built in 1867, is a contributing resource in the Mezesville Historic District and features Greek Revival architecture. The 10-year improvement plan includes exterior paint, masonry repair, structural assessment, window repairs, HVAC upgrades, and ongoing maintenance. The Mills Act would provide a 40–60% reduction in property tax valuation in exchange for preservation. Staff noted that since 1990, only 34 Mills Act contracts have been approved in Redwood City. The applicant, Satyanaraynan Chandrasekar, described prior improvements ($150,000–$275,000 invested) and outlined the planned work. The Historic Resources Advisory Committee (HRAC) had previously recommended approval. Commissioners expressed support, noting the property's prominence and the program's benefits.
- 5B. 1337 Hopkins Ave – Historic Landmark Designation and Mills Act Contract: Senior Planner Ryan Kuchenig presented. The 1924 Spanish Revival home, located in the Mount Carmel (Dinghy Park) neighborhood, is eligible under criteria A, B, and C. The property is associated with notable figures Dr. George Franklin Shields (a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient) and builder Charles Miller (who also built the Redwood City Women's Club). The 10-year plan includes window replacement with wood-clad, paint, porch pony wall removal, roof evaluation, and ongoing maintenance. HRAC unanimously recommended approval on September 12, 2024. Applicant Emanuel Robinson provided a detailed history and improvement plan. Commissioners praised the thoroughness and commitment to preservation.
- Matters of Commission Interest: Staff announced cancellation of the November 5, 2024 meeting (Election Day). The next regular meeting is scheduled for November 19, 2024, at 6:00 PM.
Key Outcomes
- Motion to approve minutes of September 17, 2024: Passed 5-0 (Vice Chair Chu not yet present).
- Item 5A (1200 Arguello St): Motion (Hunter/Koch) to adopt Resolution 2408 recommending City Council approval of the Historic Preservation Agreement (Mills Act Contract). Passed 6-0.
- Item 5B (1337 Hopkins Ave): Motion (Cornejo/Hunter) to adopt Resolution 2409 recommending City Council designation of the property as a local historic landmark and approval of the Historic Preservation Agreement (Mills Act Contract). Passed 6-0.
Meeting Transcript
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 the other agenda items will be taken only when that item is called. We're continuing to offer in-person and remote options for planning commission meetings. However, due to the continued recent disruptions during the public comment period at open meetings throughout the region and state, we've modified a public comment procedures. At this time, we're temporarily suspending public comment provided by Zoom. We want to ensure that the city can continue to conduct the business in a manner that allows all residents to participate and we will continue to evaluate a public comment procedures.org. Comments that were emailed to PC at ReboCity dot org by 5 p.m. today may be read into the record by the staff liaison and will be made part of the final meeting record. Both in-person and email comments are subject to the three-minute time limit. Um I will now turn it over to staff to call the roll call. Thanks, Chair. Commissioner Cornejo. Here Commissioner Finch. Here. So for purpose of this meeting, I am Sue Xline, the assistant and community development director, and staff liaison to the commission. The other staff that are attending this evening. Jennifer Byers, Assistant City Attorney, Ryan Kuchenig, senior planner, Jonathan Turner, assistant planner, and Jessica Goodall, Secretary, and meeting host. Um we're moving on to item number two, public comments on the approval of minutes, consent items and matters of commission interests. If you have joined us in person, please fill out the speaker's card and bring it to the staff. Um I have one card, but it's not on this uh agenda item. Do we have any um oh yeah, I guess no comments by Zoom. All right. Uh thank you all for your comments. Uh I guess we don't have any speakers this time. Um if there's no objection, I will now close the public comment. Um before I close, actually, um may I ask if we have received any public comments via email and agenda item number two. We have not. I thought that she said there was a comment on item number two, which we now have to do. Uh on item number five. Yeah, no worries. All right. Having moved from item number two, we're moving on to item number three, approval of minutes. Um we have the September 17th meeting from 2024. Is there a motion to approve the meeting minutes of the September 17th? I'll move to approve the approval of those minutes of September 17th. Uh moved by Commissioner Hunter. Second. Uh seconded by Commissioner Koch. Commissioner Cornejo. Um can you repeat it again? The motion? Oh uh yes, for the minutes for the approval of the September minutes from September 17th. Uh-huh. I approve. Approved. Okay, yes. Commissioner Finch? Yes. Commissioner Hunter.
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