Special Planning Commission Meeting - August 18, 2026: Draft EIR for Recycled Water Master Plan Phase 2 and Officer Elections
Special Planning Commission Meeting - August 18, 2026
The Redwood City Planning Commission held a special meeting on August 18, 2026, at 6:30 PM. The primary purpose was a public hearing to receive comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Recycled Water Master Plan Phase 2 project. The commission also elected a new chair and vice chair and received updates on recent City Council actions. No decisions were made on the draft EIR; the public comment period remains open until September 21, 2026.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public spoke in person or virtually. The chair reminded the public that written comments can be submitted via email to staff until September 21, 2026.
Discussion Items
- Recycled Water Master Plan Phase 2 – Draft EIR Presentation: Staff (Melinda Hugh, Principal Planner, and Justin Chappell, Assistant Public Works Director) presented the draft EIR. The project would expand the city's recycled water system to serve more customers, adding approximately 762 acre-feet (250 million gallons) of recycled water per year. Currently, recycled water meets about 7–8% of the city's overall water demand, using around 500 acre-feet annually (up to 800 historically). Proposed infrastructure includes new recycled water storage (either a two-million-gallon buried concrete tank or two one-million-gallon above-ground steel tanks) at Bloomquist and Maple Streets, and potable water storage (one- or three-million-gallon tank) at the public works yard on Broadway. All environmental impacts identified are construction-related and less than significant with mitigation. The branch transmission alternative was identified as the environmentally superior alternative but staff expressed preference for the proposed project for maximum flexibility and reliability. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about phasing (10- to 20-year buildout), dual-plumbing requirements for new developments (including affordable housing, where no cost concerns were reported), and the distinction between transmission and distribution pipelines.
- Chair and Vice Chair Elections: Commissioner Hunter nominated Vice Chair Koch for chair; the motion passed unanimously (7–0). Commissioner Finch was then nominated for vice chair. After discussion about seniority and a competing nomination from Commissioner Cornejo, the commission voted on the motion to elect Commissioner Finch as vice chair. The motion passed with 5 votes in favor, 1 opposed (Commissioner Cornejo), and 1 abstention (Commissioner Sonagaratz).
- Staff Updates: Staff reported on recent City Council actions from July 13, 2026 ("Planning Night"). An update on the SB 79 transit-oriented development alternative, zoning code amendments (with two rezoned parcels removed), and the expansion of the Greater Downtown Area Plan (GDAP) to include an area bounded by Woodside Road, Highway 101, Douglas, Bay, and Willow along Broadway. The next regular meeting on September 1, 2026 is canceled; the next meeting is September 15, 2026.
Key Outcomes
- Draft EIR for Recycled Water Master Plan Phase 2: No action taken. The public hearing was closed; written comments will be accepted until September 21, 2026. A final EIR will be prepared after the comment period, followed by future hearings for certification and plan approval.
- Chair and Vice Chair Elections:
- Chair: Vice Chair Koch was elected chair by a vote of 7–0.
- Vice Chair: Commissioner Finch was elected vice chair by a vote of 5–1–1 (Commissioner Cornejo opposed, Commissioner Sonagaratz abstained).
- Future Meetings: The September 1, 2026 meeting is canceled. The next meeting is scheduled for September 15, 2026, tentatively including objective design standards and BCC appointments.
Meeting Transcript
All right. Good evening, and thank you for joining our August 18th, 2026. Oh, not special planning commission meeting. Where am I? No, I do not have the script. No, I think it's this one. I think the second one is also special. I guess we're both special. Yes, both meetings were special. So there is this is a special planning commission meeting. As a reminder, items will be taken in order as I listed on the agenda. Before we start, I want to briefly go over 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, planning commission. Um chair and vice chair appointments, matters of commission interest and items not on the agenda will be taken during item number three tonight. Comments on other agenda items will be taken only when that item is called. In-person speakers will be called first, followed by virtual attendees. In-person speakers, if there are any, please fill out a speaker's card at the front of the council chambers and bring to staff for the days. For those joining us virtually, you may raise hand feature on the zoom to speak. Uh if you're joining by teleconference, you may raise your hand by dialing star nine and star six to unmute your microphone when prompted. Please only raise your hand at the time that the item on which you are speaking is called. Uh we're allotting three minutes, but time may be adjusted. Lastly, we know that we each bring different perspectives to discussion. We want to be sure everyone has a chance to be heard without interruption. Uh Planning Commission welcomes public comments on the items within our purview. Thank you for your attention and considering consideration during this process. I will turn it over to staff for the roll call. Commissioner Cornejo? Here. Commissioner Russo Cruz? Here. Commissioner Finch? Here. Commissioner Hunter. Here. Commissioner Robinson. Here. Vice Chair Koch. Here. And Chair Sonagaratz. Here. I'm Sue Xine, and the Assistant Community Development Director and Staff Liaison to the Commission. Other staff attending this evening. Eleanor Ignacio, Assistant City Attorney. I think this is your first meeting, Eleanor. Excited to have you. Uh Alexander Barnhell, our consultant city attorney is joining us remotely. Linda Hugh is our principal planner. Justin Chappell is assistant public works director and chief sustainability and resiliency officer. And Christina Mateo, administrative secretary and meeting host. Do we have any remote participation notification or requests from the commission to consider?
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