Sacramento Planning and Design Commission Regular Meeting - May 25, 2023
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City of Sacramento Planning and Design Commission Regular Meeting - May 25, 2023
The Sacramento Planning and Design Commission met on Thursday, May 25, 2023, at 5:33 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber. Chair Nicolina Hernandez presided. Commissioners present: Barry Boyd, Robert Chase, Dov Kadin, Julio Lamas, Kendra Macias Reed, Lee Xiong, Enoch Yeung, Maya Wallace, and Chair Hernandez. Commissioner Tyrone Buckley was absent. The meeting included a land acknowledgment, pledge of allegiance, director’s report, consent calendar, two public hearings, and a discussion item.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Planning and Design Commission Minutes of April 27, 2023 – Approved unanimously (9-0).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item 3 – The Grace Rezone & Mixed-Use: Four speakers expressed support:
- James Allison, representing the Midtown Association, voiced support for the 40-unit mixed-use project, citing the need for housing and responsible infill.
- Ian Hopps, a neighbor and actor at Sacramento Theater Company, supported the development, especially the restaurant component and additional housing near the theater.
- Jennifer, representing FKI Management on behalf of the Mansion and SKK developments, expressed support for the rezone as a complementary project.
- Ben Radersdorf, a new neighbor in the historic district, strongly supported the project, noting it balances preservation and progress.
Discussion Items
- Item 2 – Robla Estates Subdivision (P21-009): Staff presented a proposal for a 177-unit single-family subdivision on 19.58 acres at 5240 Rio Linda Boulevard. The project requires a General Plan amendment, rezone, tentative map, and tree permit (removal of 40 city trees and 2 private trees, with replacement of 112 inches). The applicant, Michael Robertson, noted the project’s timeline (construction beginning as early as next summer) and flood mitigation measures. Commissioners asked about pricing (not yet determined) and tree replacement ratios. No public comments were offered. The commission voted unanimously (9-0) to recommend approval to the City Council.
- Item 3 – The Grace Rezone & Mixed-Use (P21-032): Staff presented a 40-unit mixed-use building with 1,786 sq ft of commercial space on 0.22 acres at 620 and 628 15th Street. The project includes a rezone, FAR exemption (2.68 FAR vs. 1.5 max) in exchange for 8 income-restricted units (20% of total at 80% AMI, deed-restricted for 55 years), and two height deviations. The applicant, John Bignocki, highlighted design compliance with historic district guidelines, community benefits (local art, bike/scooter parking, undergrounded utilities), and a signed letter of intent for a restaurant. Commissioners commended the affordable housing component and the applicant’s outreach. The commission voted unanimously (9-0) to recommend approval to the City Council.
- Item 4 – Review of FY 2023-28 Capital Improvement Program (CIP): Staff reviewed two new CIP programs: railway quiet zone maintenance and residential water meter replacement. Staff found the programs consistent with the 2035 General Plan. Commissioners asked about the water meter replacement process. No public comments were offered. The commission voted unanimously (9-0) to forward a consistency report to the City Council.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar approved.
- Robla Estates Subdivision recommended for City Council approval (9-0).
- The Grace Rezone & Mixed-Use recommended for City Council approval (9-0).
- CIP consistency report to be forwarded to City Council (9-0).
- All votes were unanimous with 9 commissioners present; Commissioner Buckley absent.
Additional Notes: The Director’s Report noted City Council approvals of the Dry Creek Estates project (May 9), Terrace Park Subdivision, and Elder Creek 7 Eleven annexation (May 23). Commissioner comments included an invitation for commissioners to speak at Kennedy High School’s class on homelessness.
Meeting Transcript
Great, thank you. Good evening, everybody. Welcome to the City of Sacramento Planning and Design Commission meeting. Today's Thursday, May 25th, 2023. The time is 5 32 p.m. We hope you've been enjoying the weather. I've missed you all the last month. We'll move right into the uh roll. Clerk, will you please call the roll call? Yes, thank you, Chair. Commissioner Boyd is currently absent. Commissioner Buckley will be absent tonight. Commissioner Chase. Here. Thank you. Commissioner Caden. Here. Thank you. Commissioner Lamas. Here. Thank you. Commissioner Masius Reed. Here. Thank you. Commissioner Zong. Here. Commissioner Young. Here. Thank you. Vice Chair Wallace. Here. Thank you. And Chair Hernandez? Here. Thank you. We have a quorum. Thank you very much. We'll start with instructions for particip public participation via Zoom. I'd like to remind members of the public and in the chambers. If you would like to speak on an agenda item, please turn your speaker slip when the item begins. For members of the public who wish to join virtually, please refer to the agenda for the Zoom link. And once you've joined the meeting and wish to speak, raise your hand to provide us with your opinion during public comments period. If you're joining us online, click on raise hand at the bottom of your screen. If you are joining by 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. Then to unmute or mute yourself, dial star six. Speakers will be called upon by the last four digits of their phone number. Everyone will have three minutes to speak once you are called on. After the first speaker, we will no longer accept speaker slips and the raise hand feature in Zoom will be disabled. We'll move on to the land acknowledgement and pledge of allegiance.
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