Planning Commission Meeting of March 23, 2023
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Planning Commission Meeting of March 23, 2023
The Stockton Planning Commission met on March 23, 2023, at 5:31 PM. The meeting was called to order with a quorum present (Commissioners Mallett, Jones, Thompson, Hull, Nathaniel; Chair Rizvi absent excused; Commissioner Boparai arrived late at 5:35 PM). The commission received two training presentations: first from Deputy City Attorney Taryn Jones on meeting rules and legal compliance (Brown Act, conflicts of interest, procedures) and second from Community Development Department staff Brad Wall on the land use and planning overview, project types, and the commission's role. No public comment was given, there were no consent items, no new or unfinished business, and no public hearings. Commissioner comments followed, and the meeting adjourned at 7:06 PM.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were provided, as announced by the chair and confirmed by the city clerk.
Discussion Items
- 23-0079 2023 City of Stockton Planning Commission Training Program Presented by Taryn Jones, Deputy City Attorney: Informational only. Ms. Jones provided a comprehensive training covering the Brown Act open meeting requirements, meeting basics such as serial meetings and social media rules, procedural rules (Rosenberg's Rules of Order and city-specific policies), motion procedures conflict of interest rules under the Fair Political Reform Act (FPPC), the role of the chair, findings of fact, and the formal structure of public hearings. She emphasized that commissioners must avoid serial meetings, refrain from discussing member of a quorum of a matter within their jurisdiction outside meetings, and be mindful of public records obligations for electronic communications.
- 23-0261 2023 City of Stockton Planning Commission Training Program Presented by the Stockton of the Community Development Department: Informational. Planning Manager Brad Wall provided the presentation on land use planning, including the authority hierarchy (federal, state, local with general plan and development code), ministerial vs. discretionary development review, commission's role in reviewing use permits, variances, tentative maps, and making recommendations to the city council. He also discussed environmental review (CEQA), design guidelines, community outreach and noticing, and findings needed for approval. He noted that to approve a project all required findings must be made; a failure to make even the finding can lead to denial of the project. The commission asked questions about CEQA triggers (Commissioner Thompson) and NEPA (Commissioner Boparai).
Commissioner Comments & Announcements
- Commissioner Mallett thanked staff and noted that the training material covering findings was especially helpful because the commission themselves had experience overriding staff recommendations.
- Commissioner Boparai thanked staff, apologized for arriving late, and reported several community events including the opening of Barber City (barber shop) on the waterfront plaza, a recent recycle drive-through event, future Shape Stockton workshops, and a Clean California cleanup day on March 25, 2023, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at 2201 West Washington Street.
- Commissioner Jones asked Deputy City Attorney Jones about the conflict rule for city employees serving as planning commissioners. Ms. Jones clarified that there is a specific council policy prohibiting city employees from serving on city boards, and that follow-up would be sent via email.
- Vice Chair Nathanial (acting chair) commented on Chair Rizvi's humanitarian work in El Salvador, distributing specialized wheelchairs to children in need.
Key Outcomes
- No votes, decisions, resolutions, or actions were taken during this meeting. Both presentations were informational only.
- The next steps discussed include continued orientation of commissioners through the upcoming Planning Academy (mentioned by Ms. Jones) and oversight of future meetings where decision items would be presented and voted upon.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the Planning Commission meeting of March 23rd, 2023. City Clerk, please take roll. Commissioner Jones, present. Commissioner Mallet, present. Vice Chair Nathaniel. Present. Chair Revzi is absent. Commissioner Thompson. Present. Commissioner Bopari is absent. Commissioner Hall. Present. We have a quorum. Thank you. I would now like to ask Commissioner Mallet to lead us in the flag salute. And to the Republic or just stand under indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Agenda item number three, consent. There are no consent items. Moving on to agenda item number four, public comment. This section of the agenda is reserved for public comment on anything within the jurisdiction of the commission. If a member of the public would like to speak on a specific agenda item, they may do so here or later when that item is called. If blue, if there are any blue cards, clerk. There are no public comments, Chair. Are there any public comments from those in the chamber? Great. Moving on to agenda item number five, public hearings. There are no public hearings. Moving on to agenda item number six, new business. There is no new business items. Moving on to agenda item number seven, unfinished business. This commission gets stuff done. We have no unfinished business to attend to. Moving on to agenda item number eight, reports, communications, and informational items. Agenda item 8.1 will be called at this time, 2023 City of Stockton Planning Commission training program presented by Taryn Jones, Deputy City Attorney. The floor is yours. Thank you, Chair. All right. I've already asked permission to stay in my seat so I don't have to go to the podium. So I'm gonna uh remain here and just get this presentation started. So tonight I am presenting on the rules and regulations that govern your meetings and decisions as a planning commission. Some of you have received trainings either here through the city or through other trainings, such as a prior uh planning commission academies. For you, my hope is that this will be a refresher because the more you're exposed to the material, the more that it becomes second nature. Um, some of you will be receiving additional trainings just next week at this year's planning academy. My hope is that this will uh establish a foundation of information for you to process all of the information that you're gonna be bombarded with next week. And then for anybody who's unable to uh attend the additional trainings, I hope that this will provide you with sufficient information and materials so you can uh fully participate in these meetings in a meaningful way. So, overall, this is meant to provide groundwork and meeting basics. Uh, we'll never be able to cover everything in one presentation. So as questions arrives throughout the year, please be sure to reach out to staff. That's what we're here for. We're here to support you.
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