Sacramento Planning and Design Commission Special Meeting – December 1, 2022

The Sacramento Planning and Design Commission held a virtual special meeting on Thursday, December 1, 2022, from 10:03 a.m. to 12:24 p.m. The meeting included three discussion items: an update on the city code governing boards and commissions, the 2023 Planning and Zoning Work Program, and a status update on the Missing Middle Housing Implementation Study. Commission members present: Barry Boyd, Robert Chase, Douglas Covill, Lynn Lenzi, Phillip Pluckebaum, Joseph Yee, Maya Wallace, and Chair Nicolina Hernandez. Absent: Tyrone Buckley, Kendra Macias Reed, and Enoch Yeung.

Director’s Report

• Greg Sandlund, Planning Director, reported that appeals on the Northgate Industrial Park were withdrawn, and the city council adopted the new Building Electrification Ordinance, effective January 1, 2023, with limited exemptions for restaurants and industrial uses.

Discussion Item 1: Update on Chapter 2.40 of the Sacramento City Code (Boards and Commissions)

• City Clerk Mindy Cuppy presented an oral report on the August 30, 2022, council-approved update to Chapter 2.40, which governs appointment procedures, attendance requirements, terms (four years, two-term limit), meeting protocols, and prohibitions on ad hoc committees (existing ad hocs allowed only until end of 2022). A recruitment video was shown.
• Commissioner comments: Commissioner Chase asked if the video is available online (yes). Commissioner Boyd questioned why the commission elects chair/vice chair mid-year rather than in January; Clerk Cuppy said she would work to align with other commissions. Vice Chair Wallace noted that mid-year elections make sense given council transitions and asked about recruitment outreach; Cuppy described efforts targeting youth and diverse communities. Commissioner Lenzi asked where residents can find commission openings (city clerk website). Chair Hernandez asked whether the new code applies retroactively to the previously established parking ad hoc committee; Cuppy clarified that ad hocs may continue through December 2022 but must cease by year-end.
• Action: Received and filed.

Discussion Item 2: 2023 Planning and Zoning Work Program

• Greg Sandlund presented the initial draft work program, highlighting 2022 accomplishments (community ambassador program, pro-housing designation, climate action plan draft, etc.) and outlining priorities for 2023. Key projects include: General Plan update (public review draft winter 2023, final hearing fall 2023), Mixed Income Housing Ordinance review, emergency shelter updates per state law, density bonus ordinance simplification, AB 2097 implementation (eliminating parking minimums near transit), existing building electrification strategy, Missing Middle Housing Study, Stockton Boulevard Specific Plan, River District Specific Plan, and other initiatives. Staff noted that positions have been filled to support increased workload.
• Commissioner comments: Vice Chair Wallace raised concerns about lengthy approval processes for small, innovative businesses (e.g., Nigel Boy tacos pop-up) and asked about streamlining for equity. She also asked about cultural districts and arts policy; Sandlund said arts and entertainment provisions from the general plan have not been removed but could be revisited. Commissioner Boyd asked about qualifying percentages for AARP community living (Sandlund did not have numbers but would follow up), clarified the dual plumbing (gray water) ordinance scope, and asked about outreach for the 102-acre site in Meadowview. Commissioner Lenzi emphasized water as critical and asked about reconciling parking minimum removal with areas lacking transit; Sandlund noted state mandate but said parking management and reuse of parking lots are options. Commissioner Chase supported nuanced parking discussions, lamented the termination of the ad hoc committee, and asked if commissioners could participate individually in outreach; City Attorney Courtney confirmed they can as long as they do not represent the commission or discuss with a quorum. Commissioner Covill suggested the commission could request a formal subcommittee on parking via Law and Legislation Committee.
• Action: Reviewed and commented; to be forwarded to council after additional review.

Discussion Item 3: Status Update on the Missing Middle Housing (MMH) Implementation Study

• Project manager Nguyen Nguyen, with consultants Matali (Opticos) and Alex Steinberger (Cascadia Partners), presented an overview of the study. MMH includes house-scale, multi-unit buildings (duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, cottage courts) designed to blend into single-family neighborhoods. Phase 1 outreach (concluded in November 2022) included 4 workshops (2 in-person, 2 virtual) and an online questionnaire. Participation: 57 in-person, 45 virtual, over 380 online responses. Demographics: nearly 80% participated online; 70% owned homes; over 50% spent a considerable amount on housing. Key findings: 69% of respondents felt MMH can increase housing opportunities; over 70% of those who lived in MMH reported good/excellent experience; 53% were highly interested in building MMH (top reasons: additional income or housing family). Main concerns: street parking, building size/scale, open space, and trees. The study will produce four reports: informational (draft provided), place-based economic feasibility, displacement risk assessment, and final recommendations.
• Displacement risk assessment (Alex Steinberger): Analysis will map displacement vulnerability (demographic risk factors), demographic/market change, and access to opportunity to apply anti-displacement strategies. Reference to research showing that market-rate housing supply can reduce rent pressure in higher-income segments but must be paired with policies like just-cause eviction to minimize harm.
• Commissioner comments: Commissioner Covill praised the approach but cautioned against building large multiplexes in the middle of single-family blocks. Commissioner Boyd questioned the generic neighborhood example, arguing that 90% of Sacramento neighborhoods do not match that image and that visuals may be misleading for lower-income areas. He also disputed the state’s methodology for housing target numbers (citing external presentations). Steinberger responded that visuals are generic and that design standards will ensure compatibility. Commissioner Chase raised cost challenges: smaller units have higher per-square-foot costs, and the loss of redevelopment funding hampers affordability. He asked about advocating for renewed financing tools; Matt Hertel mentioned Enhanced Infrastructure Financing Districts (EIFDs) currently being explored. Vice Chair Wallace asked how displacement risk will be measured and acted upon; Steinberger described multi-layered mapping and policy options.
• Action: Reviewed and commented; no vote required.

Commissioner Comments – Ideas and Questions

• Chair Hernandez reminded the public about open commission seats and the free Planning Academy (applications open December 5, 2022, via city website). She noted the final regular meeting of 2022 is December 8 and asked staff to report back by January 2023 on the process to request a subcommittee on parking. Commissioner Boyd seconded that timeline.
• Greg Sandlund confirmed he would provide a memo outlining the subcommittee process by the January commission meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Item 1 (Chapter 2.40 update): Received and filed. Ad hocs must end by December 31, 2022. Staff to consider aligning chair/vice chair election timing with other commissions.
• Item 2 (2023 Work Program): Reviewed and commented. Staff will incorporate feedback and present final program to council for approval in January 2023.
• Item 3 (Missing Middle Housing Study): Reviewed and commented. Phase 2 analysis continues; draft informational report available as supplemental. No vote required.
• Parking subcommittee: Staff to present a process memo to the commission by the January 2023 meeting for potential request to the Law and Legislation Committee.
• Planning Academy: Applications open December 5, 2022; program runs Monday evenings from March through May 2023.