Sacramento Planning & Design Commission Meeting – January 11, 2024

The Sacramento Planning and Design Commission met on January 11, 2024, from 5:33 PM to 7:53 PM. The meeting included approval of minutes, continuances of two projects, a contested public hearing on the Third-Party Appeals of the Contemporary Commons project, and the election of the 2024 Chair and Vice Chair. The Commission voted unanimously to deny the appeals and approve the Contemporary Commons project, and elected Maya Wallace as Chair and Enoch Yeung as Vice Chair.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes (File ID: 2023-01635): The Commission approved the minutes of the Special Meeting of November 29, 2023, and the Regular Meeting of December 14, 2023. The motion passed with Commissioners Blunt and Yeung abstaining (they were not present for those meetings). Note: The draft minutes erroneously list Commissioner Boyd; the transcript confirms Commissioner Blunt was present and voted.

Public Hearings

• Item 2: Natomas Bottle Shop (P23-027) – Continued to January 25, 2024. Unanimous vote.
• Item 3: H-Mart Retail Store (P23-029) – Continued to January 25, 2024. Unanimous vote.
• Item 4: Third-Party Appeals of Contemporary Commons (Z22-079) – The project proposes a 24-unit condominium development (six three-story fourplexes) on a 1.09-acre site at 707 Commons Drive, with demolition of an existing office building and removal of 10 private protected trees (including two coast redwoods with diameters of 90 inches and 55 inches). The appeals were filed by residents of Campus Commons, citing concerns about historic preservation, tree removal, density (22 units per acre vs. 6.78 units per acre in the surrounding area), and design incompatibility. The Commission heard staff presentations, the applicant's presentation, and the appellant's presentation. Nine members of the public spoke in opposition to the project (supporting the appeal). The Commission then debated and voted to deny the appeals and approve the project, including the environmental exemption (CEQA Class 32), tentative map, site plan and design review, and tree permit. The vote was unanimous (12-0). Chair Hernandez noted that the site plan and design review is final, but the tentative map can be appealed to the City Council by January 22, 2024.

Public Comments & Testimony

• On Item 4 (Contemporary Commons): Nine speakers, all residents of Campus Commons or nearby, expressed opposition to the project. Key arguments: density, loss of mature trees (especially the two coast redwoods), inadequate tree replacement plan, design incompatibility with the historic character of Campus Commons, concerns about trash pickup (72 bins on street), and potential use of HOA amenities by new residents. Some speakers argued the building is historically significant and should be preserved. The appellant, Carr Kunzi, presented a detailed case for historic district potential and violation of the PUD guidelines.
• On Matters Not on the Agenda: Two speakers (Howard and Endergit) addressed the general plan process and the need for better communication from staff regarding the Housing Accountability Act (HAA) and historic preservation options.

Discussion Items

• Item 5: Selection of Chair and Vice Chair for 2024 – Commissioner Macias Reed nominated Vice Chair Maya Wallace for Chair and Commissioner Enoch Yeung for Vice Chair. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Xiong and passed unanimously (12-0). Commissioners thanked outgoing Chair Hernandez for her service.

Key Outcomes

• Contemporary Commons Appeals Denied: The Commission voted 12-0 to deny the third-party appeals and approve the project with all requested entitlements.
• Leadership Elected: Maya Wallace was elected Chair and Enoch Yeung was elected Vice Chair for calendar year 2024.
• Continuances: Items 2 and 3 were continued to January 25, 2024.
• Meeting Adjourned at 7:53 PM.