Stockton Planning Commission Meeting – February 9, 2023

The Stockton Planning Commission held a regular meeting on February 9, 2023, at 5:30 PM at 425 N. El Dorado St. The meeting included the election of officers for the coming year, interviews and appointments to the Cultural Heritage Board, and an informational presentation on the 2022 General Plan and Housing Element Annual Progress Reports. All seven commissioners were present.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Brando Villapudua (former councilmember) wished commissioners well and thanked Commissioner Boparai.
• Michael Blower (Councilmember, District 3) thanked commissioners for their service and expressed excitement for Commissioner Hull's background in urban and regional planning.

Discussion Items

6.1 Election of Planning Commission Officers (2023)

• The commission elected a Chair and Vice Chair for a 12-month term in accordance with Standards and Policies No. 1.
• Motion to elect Waqar Rizvi as Chair passed 5-2 (Mallett, Jones, Rizvi, Boparai, Hull in favor; Thompson, Nathaniel opposed).
• Motion to elect Rajan Nathaniel as Vice Chair passed 7-0.

7.1 Cultural Heritage Board Interviews and Appointments

• Staff explained that the Planning Commission appoints members to the nine-member Cultural Heritage Board, with appointments requiring City Council approval. Due to past attendance issues, interviews were conducted to assess commitment.
• Three applicants (Leon Bach, Bryan Baldeon, William Maxwell) were interviewed; a fourth (Virtu Arora) had been interviewed at a prior meeting but was still considered. One applicant (Shannon Merritt) withdrew.
• Commissioners ranked their top five candidates using a points system. The top four applicants were Virtu Arora, Leon Bach, Bryan Baldeon, and William Maxwell.
• Motion to forward these four to City Council passed 7-0.

8.1 Informational Presentation: 2022 General Plan and Housing Element Annual Progress Reports

• Matt Deas (Advanced Planning Manager) presented the required annual reports, due to the state by April 1, 2023. Key points included:
  • The current housing element cycle (2015–2023) required maintaining capacity for 11,824 housing units (RHNA allocation).
  • In 2022, 605 residential permits were issued (60 low-income units, 60 ADUs, 485 single-family). Total permits since 2015: 3,935, leaving 7,889 units needed to meet the RHNA target, which staff noted is unlikely due to market conditions.
  • Upcoming work includes a new housing element (2024–2031) with a projected RHNA of ~12,600 units, a Development Code overhaul, a Housing Action Plan, and neighborhood action plans.
  • The city has received ~$2 million in grants for planning work, with ~$365,000–$400,000 spent; remainder must be used by August 2023.
  • A pro-housing designation will be sought from the state in March 2023.
• No action was taken; the item was informational only.

Key Outcomes

• Chair elected: Waqar Rizvi (Motion 2023-02-09-0601-01, vote 5-2).
• Vice Chair elected: Rajan Nathaniel (Motion 2022-02-09-0601-02, vote 7-0).
• Cultural Heritage Board appointees: Virtu Arora, Leon Bach, Bryan Baldeon, and William Maxwell forwarded to City Council (Motion 2023-02-09-0701, vote 7-0).
• No other votes: The General Plan/Housing Element report was informational only; no action taken.
• Future meetings: Training on ethics and Brown Act scheduled for March; Planning Commission Academy in late March; workshops on housing element and development code upcoming.

The meeting adjourned at 7:00 PM.