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Record of Proceedings

San Jose Planning Commission Meeting - April 22, 2026: Airport Master Plan and Environmental Review Handbook

Planning Commission — Wednesday, April 22, 2026
BodySan Jose, California
SessionPlanning Commission
DateWednesday, April 22, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:13:53

Transcript — Verbatim
0:11

Good evening.

0:12

My name is Carlos Rosario, and I'm the chair of the planning commission.

0:15

Welcome to the planning commission meeting.

0:17

Please remember to turn off your cell phones.

0:19

The parking validation machine for the garage under City Hall is located near the entrance.

0:24

Please join me if you are able to uh pledge allegiance to the flag.

0:35

The United States of America to the Republic.

0:40

Under God.

0:41

Invisible Liberty and Justice Crawl.

0:49

We'll start with the roll call.

0:52

Vice Chair Bickford.

0:54

Here.

0:55

Commissioner Barroso.

0:57

Here.

0:58

Commissioner Bondal?

0:59

Here.

1:00

Commissioner Cantrell.

1:01

Here.

1:02

Commissioner Cow.

1:03

Here.

1:04

Commissioner Casey.

1:05

Here.

1:06

Commissioner Escobar.

1:08

Here.

1:09

Commissioner Wynne.

1:11

Perhaps not here yet.

1:12

Commissioner Oliverio.

1:16

Commissioner Young said he would not be able to make it.

1:20

And I am here, so that is nine.

1:23

I'm sorry.

1:24

Yeah, and we have quorum.

1:27

Okay, summary of hearing procedures.

1:29

If you want to address the commission, please fill out a speaker card located at the table near the audiovisual technician and deposit the completed card in the basket.

1:37

There are also speaker cards in the back of the chambers and near the side entrance.

1:42

The hearing procedure is as follows.

1:44

After staff's presentation, applicants may make up to a five-minute presentation.

1:49

During the public comment period, the chair will call out names on the submitted speaker cards in the order they are received for members of the public who attend in person.

1:57

As your name is called, lined up in front of the microphone in the front of the chamber.

2:00

Generally, each speaker will be given up to two minutes for public testimony, and speakers using a translator will have up to four minutes.

2:07

At the discretion of the chair, the time allotted to each speaker may be changed depending on the number of items on the agenda, number of speakers, and other factors.

2:15

Speakers using a translator will have double the time allotted.

2:19

After public testimony, the applicant and or appellant may make closing remarks for an additional five minutes.

2:25

Planning commissioners may ask questions of the speakers.

2:27

Response to commissioner questions will not reduce the speaker's time allowance.

2:32

The public hearing will then be closed, and the planning commission will take action on the item.

2:36

The planning commission may request staff to respond to public testimony, ask staff questions, and discuss them.

2:42

If you challenge these land use decisions in court, you may be limited to only raising those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing or in written correspondence delivered to the city at or prior to the public hearing.

2:53

The planning commission's action on rezonings, pre-zonings, general plan amendments, and code amendments is only advisory to the city council.

3:00

The city council will hold public hearings on these items.

3:03

Sections 20 section 20, 120, 400 of the municipal code provides the procedures for legal protests to the city council on rezonings and pre-zonings.

3:13

The planning commission's action on conditional use permits is appealable to the city council in accordance with section 2010 220 of the municipal code.

3:22

Agendas and all staff reports for this meeting may be accessed at the city's website.

3:28

Before I begin, um let's see.

3:31

Commissioner Oliverio is here by teleconference.

3:34

And before I begin, I want to remind the planning commission members and members of the public to follow the code of conduct at our meetings.

3:41

This includes commenting on the specific agenda item only and addressing the full body.

3:46

Public speakers will not engage in conversation with the commissioners or staff.

3:50

All members of the planning commission, staff, and public are expected to refrain from abusive language, reputed repeated failure to comply with the code of conduct, which will disturb, disrupt, or impede the orderly conduct of this meeting may result in a removal from the meeting.

4:04

This meeting of the planning commission will now come to order.

4:09

Public comment.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Climate and Environment██████████████████████████26%
Procedural███████████████████19%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████████████████18%
Technology and Innovation██████████████14%
Transportation Safety█████5%
Community Engagement█████5%
Municipal Finance█████5%
Economic Development█████5%
Public Comment███3%
Summary of Proceedings

San Jose Planning Commission Meeting - April 22, 2026

The San Jose Planning Commission, chaired by Carlos Rosario, met on April 22, 2026, to consider two major items: an amendment to the San Jose Mineta International Airport Master Plan and a new Environmental Review Policy. The commission also approved the consent calendar and heard public testimony. Both items were recommended to the City Council for approval in unanimous 9-0 votes.

Consent Calendar

  • The consent calendar was approved unanimously (9-0, with Commissioners Wynne and Young absent). No specific items were discussed.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Item 5A - Airport Master Plan Amendment: Two members of the public spoke. Jim Stallman (Saratoga resident) and Betsy Megus (Santa Clara resident, bicycle/pedestrian advisory committees member) urged the commission to preserve bicycle and pedestrian access via Ewart Road to the airport, noting a planned closure on May 1, 2026, as part of the Guadalupe River Trail Plan. The City Attorney clarified that the closure was not part of this agenda but was approved by the City Council on April 14, 2026. The chair directed speakers to contact the Department of Transportation, bicycle advocacy groups, and their council representatives.
  • Item 5B - Environmental Review Handbook: Dasha Leeds, Conservation Coordinator for the Sierra Club Loma Prieta chapter, raised three concerns: (1) the threshold of significance for wildlife movement in the handbook could improperly imply such impacts are limited to areas outside the Urban Growth Boundary, overlooking important corridors like creeks and Coyote Valley; (2) the handbook should require analysis of biological impacts of artificial light at night, especially near sensitive areas; (3) the standard permit conditions for nesting birds should explicitly address indirect disturbances from construction noise and lighting, not just direct disturbances. Staff acknowledged the comments and stated they would revise the handbook before the City Council hearing.

Discussion Items

  • Item 5A - Amendment to the Airport Master Plan (ER25259):

    • Staff from the Department of Aviation (John Wilson, Patrick Hanson, Patricia Singh) and PBCE (Nuna Wynn) presented. The amendment updates aviation demand forecasts (2037 horizon), revises capital projects, and adds potential vertiport sites for advanced air mobility. Key forecast changes: passenger demand reduced by 26% (from 22.5 million to 16.75 million), passenger aircraft operations reduced by 20% (from 184,000 to 147,000). General aviation and air taxi operations are expected to grow (36% and 49% increases, respectively). The amendment also adds an air traffic control tower replacement (FAA-funded) and taxiway improvements. An addendum to the 2020 EIR found no new significant impacts.
    • Commissioners asked about forecast certainty, risk management, and capital prioritization. Patricia Singh stated the passenger volume forecast is the least certain; the airport uses a consultant (cost ~$200,000) and models various scenarios. Large projects like Terminal C and parking garage expansion would be deferred if demand is insufficient. Commissioner Oliverio questioned the business model and demand creation; staff noted they work with airlines on incentives but regionally face reduced business travel due to remote work. Commissioner Bondal inquired about historical peaks in 2018-2019 and international routes; staff cited a confluence of factors including airline competition. Commissioner Cantrell expressed concern about a potential "demand death loop."
    • The commission recommended council approval (9-0).

  • Item 5B - Environmental Review Policy (Environmental Review Handbook and Standard Permit Conditions):

    • Staff from PBCE (Court Hitchens and David Keon) presented a policy that consolidates environmental review requirements, standardizes thresholds of significance, and adopts Standard Permit Conditions (SPCs) to streamline CEQA and NEPA processes. The handbook is organized into eight sections; Section 4 details thresholds for impacts like construction noise (using FTA standards) and shade/shadow. The SPCs address common resource areas (air quality, noise, biological resources, etc.) and reduce the need for technical studies for typical urban projects. Staff also proposed amending Title 21 to eliminate mailing hard copies of environmental appeal staff reports (still available online).
    • Public comments were addressed: staff stated they will revise the handbook to clarify that wildlife movement impacts can occur within the city, especially in areas like Coyote Valley, and will consider input on artificial lighting and bird buffers.
    • Commissioner Cantrell sought assurance that riparian corridors within the city remain protected; staff confirmed existing policies (e.g., Riparian Corridor and Bird Safe Design Policy) still apply. Vice Chair Bickford asked about the noticing change; staff clarified that postcards are still sent and hard copies can be requested.
    • The commission recommended council approval (9-0), with staff to finalize revisions before the May 19, 2026 City Council hearing.

Key Outcomes

  • Airport Master Plan Amendment: Recommended to City Council for approval (9-0). The amendment reduces passenger forecasts significantly and updates capital projects. Next steps: City Council hearing on May 19, 2026.
  • Environmental Review Policy: Recommended to City Council for approval (9-0). Includes adoption of the Environmental Review Handbook and Standard Permit Conditions, and a Title 21 amendment for noticing. Staff will incorporate public comments before the May 19, 2026 hearing.
  • General Plan 4-Year Review: Outreach continues; next meeting scheduled for April 23, 2026, at Southside Community Center. A special meeting on the 2026-2031 Capital Improvement Program is set for May 6, 2026.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. My name is Carlos Rosario, and I'm the chair of the planning commission. Welcome to the planning commission meeting. Please remember to turn off your cell phones. The parking validation machine for the garage under City Hall is located near the entrance. Please join me if you are able to uh pledge allegiance to the flag. The United States of America to the Republic. Under God. Invisible Liberty and Justice Crawl. We'll start with the roll call. Vice Chair Bickford. Here. Commissioner Barroso. Here. Commissioner Bondal? Here. Commissioner Cantrell. Here. Commissioner Cow. Here. Commissioner Casey. Here. Commissioner Escobar. Here. Commissioner Wynne. Perhaps not here yet. Commissioner Oliverio. Commissioner Young said he would not be able to make it. And I am here, so that is nine. I'm sorry. Yeah, and we have quorum. Okay, summary of hearing procedures. If you want to address the commission, please fill out a speaker card located at the table near the audiovisual technician and deposit the completed card in the basket. There are also speaker cards in the back of the chambers and near the side entrance. The hearing procedure is as follows. After staff's presentation, applicants may make up to a five-minute presentation. During the public comment period, the chair will call out names on the submitted speaker cards in the order they are received for members of the public who attend in person. As your name is called, lined up in front of the microphone in the front of the chamber. Generally, each speaker will be given up to two minutes for public testimony, and speakers using a translator will have up to four minutes. At the discretion of the chair, the time allotted to each speaker may be changed depending on the number of items on the agenda, number of speakers, and other factors. Speakers using a translator will have double the time allotted. After public testimony, the applicant and or appellant may make closing remarks for an additional five minutes. Planning commissioners may ask questions of the speakers. Response to commissioner questions will not reduce the speaker's time allowance. The public hearing will then be closed, and the planning commission will take action on the item. The planning commission may request staff to respond to public testimony, ask staff questions, and discuss them. If you challenge these land use decisions in court, you may be limited to only raising those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing or in written correspondence delivered to the city at or prior to the public hearing. The planning commission's action on rezonings, pre-zonings, general plan amendments, and code amendments is only advisory to the city council. The city council will hold public hearings on these items. Sections 20 section 20, 120, 400 of the municipal code provides the procedures for legal protests to the city council on rezonings and pre-zonings.

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