Walnut Creek Planning Commission Meeting - September 10, 2026

The Walnut Creek Planning Commission met on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chamber at 1666 North Main Street. Commissioners present: Pamela Nieting (Chair), Molly P. Clopp (Vice Chair), Steven Kwok, Ken Strongman, Cherise Khaund, Brendan Moran. Commissioner Brandt Andersson was absent. The meeting adjourned at 7:38 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Adoption of Meeting Minutes of August 27, 2026: Unanimously approved (6-0). Motion by Cherise Khaund, second by Ken Strongman.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were received on any agenda item.

Discussion Items

• Item 4a – Joybound Animal Daycare Building (2890 Mitchell Drive): The applicant, Joybound (formerly ARF), requested a Conditional Use Permit (CUP), Design Review, Tree Removal Permit, and Sign Ordinance Exception to expand its existing cultural institution use with a new 12,577-square-foot animal daycare building. The project also includes outdoor training/exercise areas, covered dog runs, landscaping, additional parking, and removal of 13 trees (10 requiring a permit; none are highly protected). The site is 8.6 acres, with 1.56 acres vacant. A Negative Declaration was prepared under CEQA after a 20-day review period with no public or agency comments. Staff (Simar Gill) and the applicant team (architect John Parezo and CFO Cheryl McKenna) presented. Key discussion points included noise mitigation (operational noise from dogs measured below required decibel levels, with sound walls, berms, and indoor kennels used), the “crisis support program” (reserving at least 20% of capacity for temporary animal care during domestic violence, medical, or disaster situations), and sign exceptions for a 144 sq ft total sign area (exceeding the 100 sq ft business park allowance but below the 200 sq ft typical maximum) and retention of an existing 29 sq ft monument sign (24 sq ft allowed). The commission praised the project’s sustainability features (water treatment, landscaping) and regional disaster response potential.
• Item 4b – Sign Ordinance Update (Citywide): The city proposed a comprehensive update to Title 10, Chapter 8 of the Municipal Code, last overhauled in 1992. Consultants Michael Gibbons and Nikki Zanchetta (Mintier Harnish) presented. The update aims to modernize regulations, enhance flexibility for businesses, and reduce visual clutter. Key proposed changes include: reformatted zone-based tables; increased sign area allowances (1.5–2 sq ft per linear foot of building frontage, up to 150–200 sq ft total); a new minor deviation process (up to 20% dimensional increase or one additional sign); updated standards for portable (A-frame) signs, painted wall signs, cabinet signs, and projected light signs; and amortization of non-conforming signs over 15 years. The commission provided direction on two specific staff questions: (1) Sign area allowance by zoning district – the commission unanimously supported differentiating allowances by zone rather than a uniform citywide standard, citing clarity and consistency with other objective standards. (2) Maximum number of signs per business – after debate, the commission supported limiting signs to 4 for standalone businesses and 3 for multi-tenant buildings, to balance advertising needs with visual clutter reduction. The chair noted this would work with the minor deviation and non-conforming sign provisions. No public testimony was received on this item.

Key Outcomes

• Joybound Animal Daycare Building: Unanimously adopted Resolution No. 4022 (Negative Declaration) and Resolution No. 4023 (approving CUP, Design Review, Tree Removal Permit, and Sign Ordinance Exception). Motion by Cherise Khaund, second by Ken Strongman. Vote: 6-0.
• Sign Ordinance Update: Unanimously adopted a resolution (No. 4023 per minutes, but likely 4024 – note discrepancy: minutes list same number as previous item) recommending that the City Council approve the proposed sign ordinance update with the commission’s direction on zone-based allowances and sign number limits. Motion by Steven Kwok, second by Ken Strongman. Vote: 6-0.
• Staff Announcements: Planning Secretary Meily Sheehan noted a joint Planning Commission/Design Review Commission meeting on October 22, 2026, for the General Plan Update Existing Conditions Report, and promoted the city’s online parcel viewer tool for zoning and property information.