Stockton Planning Commission Meeting - February 27, 2025

The Stockton Planning Commission held a regular meeting on February 27, 2025, at 5:30 PM. The meeting included one public hearing on a 93-lot residential development (Agave), an informational presentation on the 2024 General Plan and Housing Element Annual Progress Reports, and commissioner comments. The meeting adjourned at 6:48 PM.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Armando Rodriguez (homeless advocate, address 1273 Little Hell Place, Stockton) spoke about a new program to address prostitution and human trafficking, seeking community support. He invited commissioners to contact him via a business card.

Discussion Items

• Item 5.1 (Continued): Agave Residential Development – A proposed 93 single-family home development on 13.57 acres at 9473 West Lane. Staff reported that after a prior continuance (February 13, 2025), the applicant met with Woodbridge Irrigation District (WID) and city staff to clarify an easement. A survey confirmed the irrigation pipe is off-site, and four new conditions of approval (Conditions 20–23) were added via a bench memo to protect the WID easement (e.g., restrictions within 20 feet, repairs, recording on map). The project was revised to remove only 10 heritage oaks (down from 38), with a 3:1 mitigation ratio (30 new oaks). The project requires a Planned Development permit and waiver for gross density (6.85 units/acre vs. 6.1 max) and a mitigated negative declaration under CEQA. Applicant Dave Butts of Bright Development stated homes would sell in the $450,000–$550,000 range. Commissioner questions addressed affordability, tree preservation, and the median on Murata Lane (none proposed).
• Item 8.1: Informational Presentation on 2024 General Plan and Housing Element Annual Progress Reports – Senior Planner Anson Lahocett presented the annual reports required by state law. Key statistics: Stockton’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) for the sixth cycle (2024–2031) is 12,006 units; the city’s total capacity is 22,999 units. In 2024, 837 new housing units were permitted (253 very low-income, 31 low-income, 16 moderate, 537 above moderate). To meet the RHNA goal, the city needs an average of 1,584 units per year; the 2024 total is about half that. The reports will go to city council in March and must be submitted to the state by April 1, 2025. Discussion included potential penalties (none current), incentives for transit-oriented development, the role of land costs, and the city’s pro-housing designation. No action was taken.

Key Outcomes

• Resolution 2025-02-27-0501-01 (Adopting a Mitigated Negative Declaration for Agave) and Resolution 2025-02-27-0501-02 (Approving Vesting Tentative Map, Planned Development, Waiver, Design Review, and Heritage Tree Removal, subject to conditions as modified in the bench memo) were approved by a vote of 6–0 (Moved by Commissioner Boparai, seconded by Commissioner Hull; all present voted yes).
• The informational housing report required no vote but will proceed to city council.

Commissioner Comments

• Commissioner Hull reported on a Rotary Read-In event with Councilmember Blower promoting literacy.
• Vice Chair Muetzenberg thanked staff and fellow commissioners and inquired about the Climate Action Plan (staff will follow up).
• Commissioner Boparai raised concerns about the city’s security policy prohibiting religious items (turbans, kirpans) at city hall, requesting an exemption. He also read a prepared statement expressing support for the will of the people regarding a council member resignation call, emphasizing his integrity in service.
• Chair Sanguinetti supported Commissioner Boparai and asked staff to investigate the security issue.
• The meeting adjourned with a motion passed 6–0.