OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Sacramento Planning & Design Commission Meeting - November 13, 2025

Planning & Design Commission — Thursday, November 13, 2025
BodySacramento, California
SessionPlanning & Design Commission
DateThursday, November 13, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:56:43
Transcript — Verbatim
0:27

Good evening.

0:29

Welcome to the meeting of uh Thursday, November 13th of the Planning and Design Commission.

0:34

Meeting is now called to order.

0:37

Clerk, can you uh please take a roll?

0:39

Thank you, Chair.

0:40

Um Commissioners, please unmute.

0:42

Commissioner Lee here.

0:44

Commissioner Tao is absent.

0:46

Commissioner Lamas is absent.

0:49

Commissioner Naibo is absent.

0:51

Commissioner Caden.

0:52

Here, Commissioner Hernandez?

0:54

Here.

0:55

Commissioner Masis Reed?

0:56

Here.

0:57

Commissioner Ortiz?

0:58

Here.

0:58

Commissioner Blunt?

1:00

Here.

1:00

Commissioner Rishke?

1:02

Here.

1:02

Commissioner Thompson is absent.

1:04

Chair Young is absent.

1:06

And Vice Chair Chase?

1:07

Here.

1:07

Thank you, Wabacorm.

1:12

I'd like to remind those who wish to speak on any item on today's agenda.

1:17

Please turn on a speaker slip before the item begins.

1:21

You will have three minutes to speak once you are called on.

1:24

After the first speaker, we will no longer accept slips.

1:28

We'll now proceed with a land acknowledgement in honor of Sacramento's indigenous people and tribal lands.

1:33

Please rise.

1:39

To the original people of this land, the Nissanan people, the Southern Maidu Valley and Plains Mewak, Patwin, Winton peoples, and the people of the Winton Rancheria.

1:49

Sacramento's only federally recognized tribe.

1:52

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 uh together today in the active practice of acknowledgement and appreciation for Sacramento's indigenous people's history, contributions, and lives.

2:09

Thank you.

2:09

Please remain standing for the pledge of allegiance.

2:13

I pledge allegiance to the flag.

2:16

The United States of America to the Republic.

2:21

Under God, indivisible, liberty, justice for all.

2:31

Our first business today is the director's report.

2:37

I have no director's report this evening.

2:38

Thank you, Chair.

2:40

Thank you.

2:41

Um our next item is the consent calendar, which is item one on the agenda.

2:47

Uh we'll now pursue proceed to the approval of the consent calendar.

2:51

Are there any members of the public who wish to speak on the consent calendar?

2:54

Thank you, Chair.

2:55

I have no speaker's lifts for this item.

2:56

Okay, thank you.

2:57

Are there any commissioners who wish to speak on the consent calendar?

3:04

Commissioner Blunt.

3:06

I move uh ask this item.

3:11

We have a motion.

3:12

Do we have a second?

3:13

Um, I'll second it.

3:15

Thank you, Commissioner Mosses Reed.

3:17

Um, it was oh I'm sorry.

3:23

Sharing these mics throws me off.

3:25

Commissioner Ortiz, thank you for the second.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Land Use Planning█████████████████████████████████████████████76%
Homelessness████7%
Economic Development████6%
Procedural███5%
Engineering And Infrastructure█2%
Community Engagement█1%
Budget and Finance█1%
Transportation Safety█1%
Affordable Housing█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Sacramento Planning & Design Commission Meeting - November 13, 2025

The Sacramento Planning and Design Commission met on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at 5:30 PM at City Hall. The commission considered two public hearings, three discussion items, and the consent calendar. Key topics included a proposed Raising Cane's drive-through restaurant, a mixed-use car wash and apartment project, the River District Specific Plan update, the 2026 work program, and the commission's annual report. The meeting adjourned at 8:36 PM.

Consent Calendar

  • Item 1: Approval of Minutes – The commission unanimously approved the minutes from the October 23, 2025, meeting. Motion carried 10-0 (Commissioners Lamas, Thompson, and Chair Yeung absent).

Public Hearings

Item 2: 2025 Title 17 Omnibus Ordinance

  • The commission conducted a public hearing and unanimously approved a motion recommending City Council adopt an ordinance amending various provisions of Title 17 of the Sacramento City Code. The ordinance is exempt from CEQA. The motion also included enabling language for objective ADU standards in historic districts and at landmark properties. Vote: 11-0 (Commissioners Thompson and Chair Yeung absent).

Item 3: Raising Cane's Gateway Park (P24-027)

  • Staff Presentation: Associate Planner Zach Dahla recommended denial of the project, citing inconsistency with the 2035 General Plan and North Natomas Community Plan, particularly regarding transit-oriented development near a future light rail station. The site is within a quarter-mile of the planned Green Line extension at Truxel and Gateway Park Boulevard.
  • Applicant Presentation: Ryan Hooper argued the project is consistent with the vested 2035 General Plan, requires only a conditional use permit, and has strong community support. He noted 11 letters of support, including from the North Natomas Community Coalition, and that RT had not commented.
  • Public Comments: Three speakers addressed the item. Two spoke in support (Penelope Lempkin and Serena McGee), citing job opportunities for teens and dining convenience. One speaker (Margaret Smitty) opposed, suggesting a non-drive-through restaurant would better support transit access.
  • Commission Discussion: Commissioners were divided. Many acknowledged the auto-oriented nature of the area and the lack of RT input. Concerns centered on whether approving the project would hinder future light rail funding. Commissioner Nybo proposed a motion to direct staff to bring the project back with findings of fact for approval, and to request input from Regional Transit. The motion passed unanimously (11-0). The project will return to the commission at a future date.

Item 4: Bee Shine Carwash and New Multi-Unit Dwellings (P23-014)

  • Staff Presentation: Danny Abbes recommended approval of a rezoning and conditional use permit to construct a car wash, oil change facility, and 48 apartment units on Stockton Boulevard. The proposal aligns with General Plan goals for efficient land use and increased housing near transit.
  • Applicant Presentation: Brian Holloway highlighted the project's benefits, including eliminating a junkyard and adding housing.
  • Public Comments: Frank Louie (Stockton Boulevard Partnership) spoke in support, noting the positive transformation of the corridor.
  • Commission Action: Unanimous motion (11-0) to recommend City Council approve the mitigated negative declaration, rezoning, and project entitlements.

Discussion Items

Item 5: River District Specific Plan Update (LR24-003)

  • Staff Presentation: Alexi Wordell provided an overview of the plan update process, draft vision, and 10 guiding principles. Staff requested feedback on the vision and a motion to initiate rezoning and text amendments to the River District Special Planning District (SPD).
  • Public Comments: Two speakers (Greta Lachin and Devin Strecker) expressed concerns about over-concentration of homeless services and the need to rethink the street grid and development standards.
  • Commission Comments: Commissioners supported the update, with discussion on height consistency, river access, connectivity, and the Blue Diamond site. Commissioner Kadin urged standardization of height limits. The commission unanimously passed a motion to initiate the rezoning and SPD amendments.

Item 6: 2026 Planning and Zoning Work Program (M25-023)

  • Staff Presentation: Planning Director Greg Sandlund presented the work program for council approval. No substantive changes since the October 9 preview.
  • Public Comments: Chris Valencia (North State BIA) spoke against the Mixed Income Housing Ordinance, arguing it would hinder housing production.
  • Commission Action: Unanimous motion (10-0, Commissioner Nybo absent) to recommend approval and forward to City Council.

Item 7: Planning and Design Commission 2025 Annual Report

  • Staff Presentation: Stacia Cosgrove presented the final report, which includes a chair's message and updated accomplishments. No amendments were requested from the commission.
  • Commission Action: Unanimous motion (11-0) to forward the report to the Personnel & Public Employees (P&PE) Committee for consideration.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Calendar – Approved unanimously.
  • Item 2 (Omnibus Ordinance) – Recommended to City Council (11-0).
  • Item 3 (Raising Cane's) – Continued to a future meeting; staff directed to prepare findings for approval and solicit input from Regional Transit (11-0).
  • Item 4 (Bee Shine Carwash) – Recommended to City Council (11-0).
  • Item 5 (River District Specific Plan) – Initiated rezoning and text amendments (11-0).
  • Item 6 (2026 Work Program) – Recommended to City Council (10-0).
  • Item 7 (2025 Annual Report) – Forwarded to P&PE Committee (11-0).

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. Welcome to the meeting of uh Thursday, November 13th of the Planning and Design Commission. Meeting is now called to order. Clerk, can you uh please take a roll? Thank you, Chair. Um Commissioners, please unmute. Commissioner Lee here. Commissioner Tao is absent. Commissioner Lamas is absent. Commissioner Naibo is absent. Commissioner Caden. Here, Commissioner Hernandez? Here. Commissioner Masis Reed? Here. Commissioner Ortiz? Here. Commissioner Blunt? Here. Commissioner Rishke? Here. Commissioner Thompson is absent. Chair Young is absent. And Vice Chair Chase? Here. Thank you, Wabacorm. I'd like to remind those who wish to speak on any item on today's agenda. Please turn on a speaker slip before the item begins. You will have three minutes to speak once you are called on. After the first speaker, we will no longer accept slips. We'll now proceed with a land acknowledgement in honor of Sacramento's indigenous people and tribal lands. Please rise. To the original people of this land, the Nissanan people, the Southern Maidu Valley and Plains Mewak, Patwin, Winton peoples, and the people of the Winton 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 uh together today in the active practice of acknowledgement and appreciation for Sacramento's indigenous people's history, contributions, and lives. Thank you. Please remain standing for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag. The United States of America to the Republic. Under God, indivisible, liberty, justice for all. Our first business today is the director's report. I have no director's report this evening. Thank you, Chair. Thank you. Um our next item is the consent calendar, which is item one on the agenda. Uh we'll now pursue proceed to the approval of the consent calendar. Are there any members of the public who wish to speak on the consent calendar? Thank you, Chair. I have no speaker's lifts for this item. Okay, thank you.

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