Redwood City Planning Commission Meeting

Date: November 18, 2025 | Time: 6:00 PM | Location: Redwood City, CA

The Planning Commission held a regular meeting to consider a Fourth Amendment to the Development Agreement for the 1548 Maple Street townhome project, adopt the 2026 regular meeting schedule, and receive liaison updates. The meeting began with roll call: Commissioners Bott, Cornejo, Hunter, Vice Chair Koch, and Chair Suna-Gorwatz present; Commissioners Finch and Robinson absent. Public comments were accepted only in-person or via email due to temporary suspension of Zoom comments.

Consent Calendar

• No items were on the consent calendar.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke in person, and no emailed comments were received.

Discussion Items

1548 Maple Street – Fourth Amendment to Development Agreement

• Senior Planner Ryan Kucinic presented the request for a Planning Commission recommendation to the City Council to approve a three-year extension of the Development Agreement (DA) for the 131-townhome project originally approved in 2018. The extension would move the expiration from 2026 to 2029, with a possible additional two-year extension to 2031 if certain construction milestones are met.
• Key obligations unchanged: developer must construct the Bloomquist Street extension from Maple Street to Redwood Creek, complete Bay Trail and waterfront improvements, and relocate/restore the historic water tank (completed).
• The amendment adjusts impact fees downward by an estimated $2 million (from ~$7.8 million to ~$5.8 million) through credits for work on the Bloomquist extension. The developer argued this was necessary to make the project financially feasible given economic conditions and extended delays from the COVID-19 pandemic and a tri-party property exchange involving the city and county.
• Staff emphasized that the Bloomquist extension is critical for enabling future affordable housing at 1580 Maple Street and improving access along Redwood Creek.
• Commissioner Hunter expressed concern over the $2 million fee reduction, stating the city was losing expected revenue. She requested more clarity and suggested continuing the item to renegotiate terms. Other commissioners noted the challenging macroeconomic environment, the developer's good faith in completing prior improvements, and the broader benefits of the extension and affordable housing.
• After discussion, Vice Chair Koch moved to adopt the staff recommendation to approve the Fourth Amendment; Commissioner Cornejo seconded. The motion passed 4-1, with Commissioner Hunter voting against. Commissioner Bott voted in favor after receiving assurances of the developer's good faith.

Adoption of 2026 Regular Meeting Schedule

• Staff Liaison Sue Exline presented the proposed 2026 Planning Commission meeting calendar. Commissioner Bott moved to adopt the schedule; Commissioner Hunter seconded. The motion passed 5-0.

Matters of Commission Interest

• Staff noted that the December 2, 2025 meeting would likely be cancelled; the next meeting is December 16, 2025.
• Upcoming City Council items: 1548 Maple Street (December 8), Elco Yards (November 24), and Mills Act updates.
• Commissioner Cornejo inquired about restoring Zoom public comments for the Planning Commission; staff indicated it would likely return in early 2026, possibly December 2025.

Key Outcomes

• Approved Minutes: The November 4, 2025 special meeting minutes were approved unanimously (5-0).
• 1548 Maple Street DA Amendment: Recommended to City Council for approval (4-1).
• 2026 Meeting Schedule: Adopted (5-0).
• Next Meeting: Scheduled for December 16, 2025 (December 2 meeting likely cancelled).