Sacramento Planning and Design Commission Meeting – December 14, 2023
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Sacramento Planning and Design Commission Meeting – December 14, 2023
The Sacramento Planning and Design Commission met on Thursday, December 14, 2023, from approximately 5:30 p.m. to 6:05 p.m. at City Hall, 915 I Street. Commissioners present were Andrade, Boyd, Buckley, Chase, Kadin, Macias Reed, Thompson, Wallace, Xiong, and Chair Hernandez; Commissioners Lamas and Yeung were absent. The Commission approved its consent calendar and unanimously approved the El Camino monopole telecommunications facility, then heard public comments, including a student proposal for César Chávez Park.
Consent Calendar
- The Commission approved the consent calendar by a single motion (Macias Reed/Wallace) with a 10–0 yes vote (Lamas and Yeung absent). This included approval of the Planning and Design Commission minutes. The agenda and minutes identify the minutes as being from November 9, 2023, while the chair referred to the draft minutes as being from the November 29th meeting; the discrepancy should be clarified by the City Clerk.
Director’s Report
- Planner Stacia Cosgrove reported that the City Council approved planning permits for the La Familia Opportunity Center on Franklin Boulevard on November 28, 2023, after the Commission recommended approval on October 26, 2023.
- The 2024 Planning Academy application period is open: an 11-week, free program running March 4 through May 13, 2024, with applications due by 5:00 p.m. on January 31, 2024.
- Commissioners interested in the League of California Cities 2024 Planning Commissioner Academy (March 6–8, 2024, in Long Beach) were asked to notify staff by the following day.
Public Comments & Testimony
- El Camino Monopole item: one eComment opposed the project, citing concerns about radio frequency radiation and its proximity to the park. Staff explained that the federal Communications Act prevents cities from basing decisions on radio frequency emissions and that the facility must comply with FCC rules.
- Nicholas Votar, representing applicant Vertical Bridge, submitted an EME report prepared by Hammond & Edison. He stated that ground-level emissions would be 18% of the FCC maximum allowable public exposure limit at the tower base, 48% at an adjacent building’s elevated second roof, and 24% at a nearby residence on the second floor, and that no mitigation would be required.
- Under Matters Not on the Agenda, Rachel and Ariana Ong, UC Davis students, presented a proposal to remove parking meters around César Chávez Park and replace them with purple ground lights, offering options such as two-hour free parking or a single pay station plus ParkMobile. Commissioners praised the proposal and offered introductions to community partners; no action was taken.
Public Hearing: El Camino Monopole (P23-008)
- Assistant Planner Deja Harris presented the request to construct a 75-foot-tall monopine telecommunications facility at 410 El Camino Avenue, APN 275-0031-018-0000, Council District 2, in the General Commercial (C-2) zone. The facility would serve T-Mobile and include co-location opportunities at the lower portion of the structure. The applicant requested deviations to exceed the height development standard and reduce the minimum interior side-yard setback. Staff recommended approval of the environmental exemption (CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 and 15311), conditional use permit, and site plan and design review.
- Commissioner Macias Reed moved approval; Commissioner Chase seconded. The motion passed unanimously, 10–0, with Lamas and Yeung absent.
Commissioner Comments – Ideas and Questions
- Chair Hernandez thanked Commissioner Barry Boyd for his service. Commissioner Boyd said this was likely his final Planning Commission meeting and announced he had accepted a board seat with the Sacramento Environmental Justice Coalition (SAC EJC), which works with Rise Economy.
Key Outcomes
- Approved consent calendar, including prior meeting minutes (10–0).
- Approved the El Camino monopine project with the requested deviations (10–0), including the CEQA exemption, conditional use permit, and site plan and design review.
- Accepted the EME report for the record; the facility will be required to comply with FCC emissions rules.
- Referred the student César Chávez Park proposal to community partners through commissioner networking, with no formal city action.
- Chair noted the next meeting would be on the 11th; the context indicates January 11, 2024.
Meeting Transcript
The second begins. 30 seconds has begun. Chair staff is ready when you are. Thank you very much. Good evening, everybody. Let's call the meeting to order. This is the City of Sacramento Planning and Design Commission meeting. Today's Thursday, December 14th, 2023. The time is 5 31 p.m. Heather, would you please call the role to establish a quorum? Thank you, Chair. Commissioners, please unmute. Commissioner Andrade here. Commissioner Boyd. Commissioner Buckley. Here. Commissioner Chase. Here. Commissioner Caden. Here. Commissioner Lamas. Not here. Um Commissioner Macius Reed. Here. Commissioner Thompson. Here. Commissioner Wallace. Commissioner Zhang. Yeah. Commissioner Young. Absent. And Chair Hernandez. Here. Thank you. We have quorum. Thank you very much. We'll start with instructions for public participation. So just reminding members of the public who are here today. If you would like to speak on an item, make sure that you uh fill out a speaker slip and uh turn it in before that agenda item begins. You'll have three minutes to make your comments. We'll now move on to the land acknowledgements. If everyone can please rise for the opening acknowledgments in honor of Sacramento's indigenous people and tribal lands. To the original people of this land, the Nissanon people, the Southern Maidu, Valley and Plains, Miwok, Petwood Windomb peoples, and the people of Wilton Rancheria, Sacramento's only federally recognized tribe. May we acknowledge and honor the Native people who came before us and still walk beside us today on these ancestral lands by choosing to gather today in the active practice and of acknowledgement and appreciation for Sacramento's Indigenous Peoples history, contributions, and lives. Thank you. Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you all. You may be seated.
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