Sacramento Planning and Design Commission Meeting - February 9, 2023
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Sacramento Planning and Design Commission Meeting - February 9, 2023
The Sacramento Planning and Design Commission held a regular meeting on Thursday, February 9, 2023, at 5:30 p.m., conducted via teleconference due to the COVID-19 emergency. The meeting lasted approximately 69 minutes, adjourning at 6:39 p.m. The commission took action on the consent calendar, continued one public hearing item, and held a public hearing on a major development proposal for temporary surface parking lots in the Railyards district. The commission also recognized Commissioner Joe Yee for his service, as this was his final meeting.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Planning and Design Commission Minutes (January 26, 2023): Passed by a motion (Vice Chair Wallace, seconded by Commissioner Macias Reed) with all commissioners present voting in favor. Commissioner Lee Xiong was absent. The clerk later added Vice Chair Wallace and Chair Hernandez's votes to the record.
Discussion Items
- Item 2: Sacramento Music Hall (P20-041) (Continued from January 26, 2023): Chair Hernandez announced that this item was continued again to the next meeting on February 23, 2023, per staff recommendation due to ongoing negotiations. No public hearing was held.
- Item 3: Railyards Temporary Surface Parking Lots (P23-001): A public hearing was conducted for a proposal to amend the Railyards Development Agreement and approve temporary surface parking lots on Lots 4, 9, and 15, with a sunset date of December 2029. Staff presented the project, noting the removal of certain development conditions, an increase in the baseline temporary parking requirement from 4,000 to 4,128 spaces, and deviations to waive paving, tree shading, and perimeter landscaping standards. The applicant, Josh Leechman (Downtown Railyard Venture), emphasized the temporary nature of the lots and the need to support the upcoming music venue and stadium. Commissioner discussion included concerns about the potential for the lots to become permanent, the impact on future development, and the choice of gravel surfacing. Commissioner Kadin expressed concern that the lots might delay development of structured parking. Commissioner Boyd questioned the need for additional parking spaces and the suitability of gravel. Staff clarified that the annual parking audit and sunset date provide safeguards, and that the commission could recommend conditions to city council. The applicant stated that gravel is more appropriate given the historic setting and temporary nature. No public comments were received. The commission voted 10-0 to recommend approval to the City Council, with a motion by Commissioner Macias Reed and second by Commissioner Chase.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar: Approved.
- Sacramento Music Hall: Continued to February 23, 2023.
- Railyards Temporary Surface Parking Lots: Recommended approval to City Council with a 10-0 vote. The motion included staff's recommendation and the existing provisions for annual audits and sunset date. The commission did not add additional conditions.
- Commissioner Comments: The commission recognized Commissioner Joe Yee for his over 10 years of service, including prior service on the Planning Commission and the Planning and Design Commission since 2014. Commissioners expressed gratitude for his contributions and expertise.
Meeting Transcript
Chair staff is ready when you are. Thank you, Alexis and Julia. Good evening, everybody. Let's call the meeting of the City of Sacramento Planning and Design Commission to order. The date is Thursday, February 9th, 2023. The time is 5 31 p.m. Will the clerk please call the roll to establish a quorum? Yes, thank you, Chair. Commissioners, please unmute and turn on your video for roll call vote. Commissioner Boyd is currently absent. Commissioner Buckley. Here. Thank you. Commissioner Chase. Thank you. Commissioner Caden. Here. Thank you. Commissioner Lamas, please correct me if I'm saying that wrong too. Lamas and I'm here. Lamasque. Thank you. Um Commissioner Messias Reed. Here. Thank you. Commissioner Zong is currently absent. Commissioner Yi. Here. Thank you. Commissioner Young. Here. Thank you. Chair, we do have a quorum. Thank you. Thank you very much. Just a few reminders and announcements. I would like to start that we have one agenda change. Item number two, the Sacramento Music Call P20-041, which was continued from our prior meeting on January 26th, will be continued again to our next meeting on February 23rd per staff recommendation due to ongoing negotiations. Now on to housekeeping for public participation. For members of the public who wish to join, you can find the Zoom link on the agenda. And once you've joined the meeting and wish to speak, uh please use the raise your hand feature when your desired item begins in order to join the queue. We'll first hear a staff presentation. The applicant will have an opportunity to speak. Commissioners will then ask questions and then we'll open up the public comment period where the clerk will call upon you to speak. If you're joining us online, click on raise hand on the bottom of your screen. If you're in the mobile app, you can raise your hand by tapping the raise hand option in the more tab. And if you're calling in by telephone to raise your hand, dial star nine. Once you call in to unmute or mute yourself, you can dial star six and speakers will be called upon using the last four digits of your phone number. You'll have three minutes to let us know your opinion. Members of the public can also submit written electronic comments for the record, an email address and a link to submit your comments online are also available on the agenda.
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