Public Meetings - San Jose, California

The San Jose Planning Commission held a regular hearing on July 8, 2026, with Chair Chuck Cantrell presiding. The meeting included public comment on a major development proposal, approval of the consent calendar, and a staff report on upcoming City Council items. All commissioners were present, and a new commissioner was welcomed. Public Comments & Testimony - Sherat Lin (representing community and human agenda organizations) spoke in opposition to the PD 25-013 development proposal for the block bounded by San Carlos Street, San Salvador Street, 2nd Street, and 1st Street. He stated that Option B calls for three residential towers (29 to 30 stories) and an eight-story data center that will be almost as tall as the residential towers due to high floor heights. He emphasized that the data center's power consumption is 22 megawatts with 22 one-megawatt backup generators and a cooling complex on the roof. He expressed concern that the 43-foot separation between the data center and the nearest tower is inadequate, citing noise and pollution from generators, and argued that the data center would create an empty, inappropriate area in downtown. Consent Calendar - The consent calendar was adopted by a single motion. After roll call, the chair reported 8 yes votes and 3 absences (the chair did not vote). The motion carried. Staff Reports / City Council Referrals - Manira Sandhir (Deputy Director for Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement) reported that the City Council is on recess in July but will meet on August 11, 2026, to consider two land use items: an appeal of an eight-unit project at Kirtner and Cottle (environmental appeal) and a conforming rezoning from industrial park to combined industrial commercial to convert an office building into a church use. On August 18, 2026, the Council will take up the Planning Commission's recommendation on the General Plan. The commission will resume a regular schedule of two meetings per month. Key Outcomes - The consent calendar was approved (motion carried). - No formal action was taken on the public comment regarding PD 25-013; the commission is limited to responding, requesting staff reports, or placing items on a future agenda. - Upcoming City Council hearings were noted for August 11 and 18, 2026.

On July 8, 2026, the Planning Director Hearing was convened via Zoom by Hearing Officer Ruth Gueto, acting on behalf of the Director of Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement. The meeting covered deferrals of two items and approval of a consent calendar item. No public hearing items were scheduled. Consent Calendar - SP 25-028 / ER25-242: A special use permit to allow retaining walls up to 9 feet in height and removal of existing retaining walls in the rear yard of a single-family house on a 0.28-gross-acre site near Rosemar Avenue and Fleming Avenue (Council District 5). The CEQA exemption was pursuant to Section 15303. The item was approved without discussion. Key Outcomes - Deferrals Granted: Two items were deferred to the July 8, 2026 Director's Hearing (the same date as this meeting): - APD 20-004 / ER22-112: A plan development permit for a mixed-use building (65 residential units, 14,070 sq ft commercial space) and removal of one ordinance-sized tree at 653 North 7th Street (Council District 3). Deferred per staff recommendation. - SP 24-031 / ER24-206: A special use permit to legalize a religious assembly and post-secondary boarding school use at 1228 Redmond Avenue (Council District 10). CEQA exempt under Section 15301. Deferred per staff recommendation. A public commenter asked about the meeting time, and was informed it would be at 9:00 AM. - Consent Calendar Approval: SP 25-028 / ER25-242 was approved unanimously as part of the consent calendar.

The hearing, presided over by hearing officer David Keon, covered a deferral, a consent calendar item, and two public hearing items. The meeting addressed a mixed-use development in Japantown and a data center use in an existing R&D building. Consent Calendar - Item 3A (SP24-031 / ER24-206): A special use permit to expand an existing legal nonconforming religious assembly use and allow a post-secondary boarding school at 1228 Redman Avenue, with no new construction or tree removals. The item was approved without comment after no public speaker requested removal from the consent calendar. Public Comments & Testimony - Item 4A (653 N 7th Street mixed-use project): - Eileen Hunter (resident of 568 N 9th Street) expressed support for the project but submitted a petition signed by over 200 local residents, families, and workers requesting public restroom access at Heinlandville Park, noting the lack of restrooms in the park and that current access is limited. - Jordan Moldow (neighborhood resident) expressed support for the project and requested short-term bike parking (at least three spaces) at street level for visitors, citing compliance with the California Green Building Standards Code. - Item 4B (300 Vulgar Way data center): - Khalila Fetterman (Citizens for Responsible Industry) argued that the project is part of a larger 20-megawatt data center and that the city's reliance on a Class 32 CEQA exemption is improper because substantial evidence shows significant air quality, noise, greenhouse gas, and burrowing owl habitat impacts. She requested postponement and preparation of an EIR. - A nearby resident from Los Encinos Court mobile home park asked how the city would ensure that the data center's water and electrical usage does not negatively affect low-income housing water costs, citing new individual water meters in the park. Discussion Items - Deferral (Item H25039 / ER25225): A site development permit for an eight-story residential building with 276 dwelling units (5% very-low-income affordable), underground parking, and extended construction hours at 470 West San Carlos Street was deferred to the July 15, 2026 director's hearing per staff request. No public comment was made. - Item 4A (PD20-004 / ER22-112): Plan development permit for a mixed-use building at 653 N 7th Street. Staff (Laura Miners) presented the project: up to six stories, 65 residential units, 14,070 sq ft of commercial space including a Tyco performance building and gallery, one level of below-grade parking, removal of one ordinance-size tree, and extended Saturday construction hours. The project is the final piece of the Japantown Corporation Yard redevelopment. Community meeting in December 2025 had 14 attendees, all in support. The project is subject to 1999 residential design guidelines and was analyzed under the 2008 Final EIR with a CEQA addendum. Applicant Sean McCarron (Shea Properties) emphasized the partnership with Silicon Valley Creates and San Jose Tyco to provide a permanent home for Tyco, and that the 65 larger units are family-friendly. Hearing officer discussed restroom access: staff noted that a restroom already exists in the South Building for events per previous parkland agreement, but applicant declined to open new building restrooms to the public citing safety and maintenance concerns. Hearing officer found no nexus to require public restroom access but encouraged continued community cooperation. On bike parking, applicant acknowledged ability to add short-term spaces. Approved with a change to condition 44C (removing City Council approval requirement for encroachment; now subject to encroachment agreement under Chapter 13.37). - Item 4B (SP25-029 / ER25-243): Special use permit to allow data center use within an existing 97,800 sq ft R&D building at 300 Vulgar Way, with no exterior changes or site improvements. Staff (Angela Wong and Charlotte Ewan) explained the project qualifies for Class 32 infill exemption: site under 5 acres, urbanized, served by utilities, no habitat value, no construction, and less-than-significant VMT. Applicant Eric Schaenauer (Menlo Equities) stated the SUP is proactive to secure zoning conformance due to the city's ambiguous data center definition; no new equipment or construction is proposed. Hearing officer clarified that any future installation of backup generators or exterior equipment would require separate review (SUP amendment or building permits) including air quality and noise analysis. Staff confirmed no ground disturbance, no burrowing owl habitat due to paved existing site. Approved the CEQA exemption and special use permit. Key Outcomes - Deferred: Item H25039 / ER25225 (470 W San Carlos Street) renoticed to July 15, 2026 director's hearing. - Approved consent calendar: Item 3A (1228 Redman Avenue). - Approved Item 4A: Plan development permit for 653 N 7th Street mixed-use building with condition 44C modified. Extended construction hours Saturday 8 a.m.–5 p.m. approved. - Approved Item 4B: Special use permit for data center at 300 Vulgar Way. Class 32 CEQA exemption granted. No exterior modifications authorized; future additions require separate discretionary review. - Hearing adjourned at 10:00 a.m.

This was a Planning Director's Hearing for the City of San José, held via Zoom. The hearing officer, Jared Ferguson, presided on behalf of the Director of Planning, Building and Code Enforcement. The meeting covered a consent calendar item for a special use permit and environmental review. No public hearing items were on the agenda. Consent Calendar - Item 3A: SP 25-021 and ER25-197 – A special use permit to allow construction of an approximately 875-square-foot detached four-car garage on a 0.16-gross-acre two-family lot located at 685 and 687 South 10th Street (Council District 3). The project was found to be categorically exempt from CEQA under Section 15303 (new construction or conversion of small structures). No members of the public requested to speak on the consent calendar. The hearing officer approved the consent calendar item as recommended by staff. Key Outcomes - The hearing officer approved the consent calendar, including the special use permit and the CEQA exemption for SP 25-021 and ER25-197.

This regular meeting of the San Jose Planning Commission, chaired by Carlos Rosario, focused primarily on the General Plan 4-Year Review Policy Framework, required per goal IP-2. The commission considered a series of staff recommendations covering residential capacity, small multifamily housing, urban village strategy, and jobs-to-employed-resident ratio. After extensive public testimony and commissioner deliberation, the commission approved most recommendations, with one notable exception on the Winchester Boulevard corridor. The meeting concluded with the election of new chair and vice chair for fiscal year 2026-27. Consent Calendar - Unanimously approved the consent calendar consisting solely of meeting minutes. Public Comments & Testimony - Michelle (Cory neighborhood): Opposed urban residential (UR) zoning on Winchester Boulevard, citing pedestrian safety, parking overflow from Valley Fair, and loss of business tax base. Advocated for mixed-use neighborhood (MUN). - Liana Oli (Cory neighborhood): Argued the proposal was scattershot, not a plan, and objected to UR as irreversible. Preferred MUN. - Ken Hiddleman: Supported housing but urged MUN, not UR. - Kelly McDonough (Cory neighborhood): Said public transit in the area is nearly nonexistent, so densifying without transit is dangerous and contrary to Vision Zero. - Lisa Miller (Cory resident): Noted UR density with density bonus could reach 190 units/acre; requested MUN as reasonable growth. - Robert Wood (California Faculty Association, SJSU): Favored more ambitious housing capacity, including reevaluating growth areas, housing in single-family zones, and allowing housing on PQP lands. - Greg Carlson (Concerned Cory Neighbors): Proposed MUN for Winchester corridor, not UR. - Alison Siglioni (SV@Home): Submitted a letter from multiple community leaders supporting expanded allowable uses on school and faith lands (PQP). Opposed a limited approach that could create inequities. - Teresa Doe (San Jose YIMBY): Supported staff recommendations for increased density, including PQP and missing middle housing. - Benjamin White (Winchester corridor resident): Urged MUN as a compromise. - Harte Suamela (Santa Clara resident adjacent to Cory): Concerned about parking and lack of reliable transit; urged less dramatic expansion. Discussion Items Staff Presentation - Ruth Cueto (Principal Planner) introduced the four-year review, a culmination of a nine-month task force effort. Four topics: residential capacity, jobs-employed-resident balance, small multifamily housing, and urban village strategy. - Outreach: 5 community meetings, 16 stakeholder meetings, 6 neighborhood meetings, 3 focus groups, 8 task force meetings. Over 800 in-person participants, 422 comments; 400 virtual participants, 610 comments. - Jobs to Employed Resident (JER) Ratio: Current target is 1.1, but observed average since 2011 is 0.82. Staff recommended maintaining the target to support fiscal and environmental goals. - Residential Capacity: Proposed increasing densities in several land use designations: Residential Neighborhood (RN) max from 8 to 32 du/ac; Mixed-Use Neighborhood (MUN) from 30 to 20-50 du/ac; Urban Residential (UR) from 30-95 to 50-95 du/ac. Also proposed targeted changes along Winchester Boulevard and The Alameda. - Public Quasi-Public (PQP) Lands: Staff recommended developing a framework to evaluate potential land use changes, preserving an inventory of community-serving sites rather than a wholesale change. - Urban Village Strategy: Recommended consolidating 12 local transit villages into 4 corridor-based plans, deferring planning for now; prioritizing commercial corridor and center urban villages; eliminating individual plans for neighborhood urban villages. - Small Multifamily Housing: Proposed citywide increase to 32 du/ac on most RN properties (covering over 80% of residential land), with a ministerial approval process for most projects, and a 35-foot/3-story height limit. Commissioner Deliberations - Item 1A (Residential Capacity designation changes except Winchester): Approved unanimously, 11-0. - Item 1A3 (Winchester Boulevard corridor): Multiple motions failed (5-6 on each): - Motion to adopt staff recommendation (UR) failed. - Motion for staff recommendation except 826 North Winchester (make that MUN) failed. - Motion to make all proposed UR parcels MUN failed. - Result: No recommendation from the commission; the planning commission forwarded the split record. - Item 1B (PQP lands) : Approved staff recommendation unanimously, 11-0. (Develop criteria and evaluate requests.) - Item 2 (Missing Middle/Small Multifamily, Urban Villages, JER ratio) : After pulling 2A for separate vote, approved the rest of Section 2 (including urban village strategy and JER ratio) unanimously. - Item 2A (small multifamily density increase to 32 du/ac) : Approved 9-2. Commissioners Olivario and Chair Rosario voted no. Olivario expressed concerns about mistrust and unclear outcomes from similar policies elsewhere. - Item 4A (JER ratio) : Approved unanimously 11-0, maintaining the 1.1 target. Key Outcomes - Consent Calendar: Approved. - General Plan 4-Year Review – Policy Framework (Item 8A) : - The commission forwarded recommendations to City Council with support for most staff proposals, except on the Winchester corridor (no consensus) and a minority opposing the 32 du/ac citywide increase. - Staff will now proceed with environmental review; final recommendations to Planning Commission and City Council are due December 2027. - Election of Officers for Fiscal Year 2026-27: - Chair: Commissioner Cantrell (unanimous, 11-0). - Vice Chair: Commissioner Young (unanimous, 11-0). - Recognition: Commissioner Luis Barroso recognized for his service. - Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m.

The San Jose City Council met on June 23, 2026, to address a range of items including a controversial parking rate increase, a proposed charter amendment for ranked choice voting in special elections, approval of airport billboards, and several housing and homelessness initiatives. The meeting featured extensive public testimony and council debate, with key decisions including deferral of the parking increase and advancement of a ranked choice voting ballot measure. Invocation & Ceremonial Items - Invocation: Drew Lloyd, president of BAMEC, delivered remarks on Pride Month, emphasizing inclusion, democracy, and local government's role in protecting LGBTQ+ rights. - Proclamation: Councilmember Kamei recognized June 24th as Día de San Juan, honoring Puerto Rican heritage, and presented a proclamation to Tony Estramera for his community service. - Climate Smart Champions: Councilmember Cohen recognized seven awardees in categories including mobility, energy, water conservation, youth, equity, business, and champion of the year (posthumously awarded to John Brazil). - Adjournment in Memoriam: The meeting was adjourned in memory of Chris Berticelli, co-owner of Berticelli's La Villa Delicatessen, who passed away on February 25, 2026. Closed Session Report - The council voted to direct the city attorney to support litigation filed by the California Attorney General and Santa Clara County opposing the construction of an ICE detention facility in Gilroy, by contributing to amicus briefs. Consent Calendar - Item 2.21 (Pulled): A proposal to increase downtown parking meter rates to $4/hour and extend paid hours to 9 p.m. was pulled for separate discussion (see Discussion Items). - Remaining Consent Items (Approved Unanimously): Routine approvals including minutes, contracts, and other items, approved via voice vote with Councilmember Ortiz absent. - Land Use Consent (Items 10.1A, 10.1B, 10.1C): Approved unanimously. Councilmember Mahan recused from 10.1A due to campaign contributions; Vice Mayor Foley recused due to property ownership. Public Comments & Testimony - Item 2.21 (Parking Rate Increase): Over 15 speakers, mostly small business owners, employees, and downtown residents, opposed the increase. They argued it would harm working-class employees, deter visitors, and undo recent downtown momentum. Speakers noted the lack of public outreach and urged deferral for further engagement. - Item 3.3 (Ranked Choice Voting): About 12 speakers presented mixed views. Supporters cited cost savings, reduced voter fatigue, and successful use in other cities; opponents argued complexity, lack of transparency, and questioned the one-person-one-vote principle. - Item 5.1 (Airport Billboards): Three speakers from "No Digital Billboards in San Jose" opposed the project, citing environmental concerns, lack of detail in the memo, and prior airport commission opposition. - Item 7.1 (Animal Services Contract with Milpitas): Two speakers expressed concerns about shelter capacity and spay/neuter availability for large dogs. - Item 8.1 (Homelessness Grants): One speaker criticized the city's encampment sweeps, alleging a nonexistent waitlist. - General Public Comment: Carmen Bramer (Global Majority Consulting) urged the council to protect Black voters' representation, requesting meetings with council members. Discussion Items - Item 2.21 – Downtown Parking Rate Increase: Councilmember Casey moved to defer the item to August after hearing public concerns. The motion included directions for enhanced outreach (including door-to-door engagement) and analysis of citywide alternatives to concentrated downtown impacts. Staff acknowledged insufficient early outreach. The city manager committed to treating future major rate increases like utility rate notices. Deferral approved unanimously. - Item 3.3 – Ranked Choice Voting Charter Amendment: Councilmember Cohen proposed placing on the March 2028 primary ballot (instead of November 2026) to save $2 million in election costs. Amendments added an informational memo (including data from other jurisdictions) and a return to council for a vote before final placement. Debate centered on complexity, voter education, and equity for monolingual and first-time voters. Approved 8-2 (Foley and Casey opposed). - Item 5.1 – Airport Billboards: The airport director presented two digital billboards on Highway 101, with a minimum $600k/year revenue (estimated $20M over 10 years). Compliance with city policy includes 100% renewable energy and 12 billboard removals in low-income areas. Council despite public opposition approved unanimously. - Item 7.1 – Animal Services Contract Extension: The 9-year contract with Milpitas was revised to reflect proportional costs (30% increase). Councilmember Duan verified cost coverage. Approved unanimously. - Item 8.1 – Homelessness Grant Agreements: Director Sullivan outlined programs (showers, outreach, youth housing, SJ Bridge jobs, DV support, transit passes) totaling $6.2M. Councilmember Campos moved approval. Approved unanimously. - Item 8.3 – Multifamily Housing Incentive (Zero Selee Building B): A 50% tax reduction and $4.5M fee waiver for 372 units (19 affordable) as part of a 1,400-unit master-planned community. Staff noted improving market conditions. Approved unanimously. Key Outcomes - Parking Rate Increase (Item 2.21): Deferred to August 2026 with directions for enhanced outreach and analysis of citywide alternatives. Approved unanimously. - Ranked Choice Voting (Item 3.3): Referred to March 2028 primary ballot; informational memo from city clerk to be returned before final placement. Approved 8-2. - Airport Billboards (Item 5.1): Contract awarded to Outfront Foster Interstate. Approved unanimously. - Animal Services Contract (Item 7.1): Amended agreement with Milpitas for $551,000/year over 9 years. Approved unanimously. - Homelessness Grants (Item 8.1): $6.2 million in grant agreements approved unanimously. - Housing Incentive (Item 8.3): Tax and fee waiver for Zero Selee Building B approved unanimously.

The Public Safety, Finance, and Strategic Support Committee of the San José City Council met on June 18, 2026, at 9:45 AM. The meeting included a consent calendar approval, three detailed presentations on community safety, wildfire prevention, and equity, with all agenda items receiving unanimous votes. No public comments were made on any item. Consent Calendar - Third Quarterly Financial Report: Approved unanimously without discussion or public comment. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public spoke during any agenda item. Discussion Items - City Council Focus Area Status Report – Increasing Community Safety: - Presented by Aurelia Bailey (Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Services), Assistant Fire Chief Dobson, Lieutenant Bennett (Police), and Rick Scott (Department of Transportation). - Reported year-over-year improvements in resident perception of safety: 11% more residents feel the city is safe, 12% more feel their neighborhood is safe, and 3% more feel downtown is safe. - Police priority one response compliance down 1% despite 3% call volume increase; fire compliance also down 1% with 3% decrease in priority one calls. - Fire Station 32 opening deferred to 2028 due to budget constraints; a Safer Grant application may allow opening as early as June 2027. - 911 to 988 call transfers averaged 100 per month, exceeding benchmarks. Public awareness of 988 reached 32% (target 30%). - Crimes against property declined 10%; crimes against society declined 12% year-over-year. - Red light camera program issued approximately 5,500 citations in six months; automated speed enforcement expected to be operational by September 2026. - DUI-related fatalities increased 13% year-over-year; the city is deploying variable message boards and coordinating with CHP and the county for checkpoints. - Committee members asked about recruitment, Prop 36 funding, and DUI prevention. Chair requested a collective letter of support for the Safer Grant. - Vice Chair Kamei noted the new performance measurement format and expressed satisfaction with progress. Councilmember Tordillos moved acceptance; the motion passed unanimously. - Wildfire Prevention and Preparedness Status Report: - Presented by Captain Anthony Ibarra, Assistant Chief Dobson, and Deputy Chief Aaron Freiler of the San José Fire Department. - Covered hazard mapping, operational readiness (TIER model), regional collaboration, and community outreach. - Since the 2025 study session, response times for the initial attack phase were cut by nearly half under the updated TIER model. - Firewise USA communities grew from one to three, with three more applications pending. - A FEMA-funded WUI Wildfire Risk Reduction Education Campaign reached nearly 7,000 homes; received a 2026 Award of Distinction from CAPIO. - Vegetation fires from 2022–2026 totaled 2,660 events related to unhoused activity; the department emphasized fuel mitigation. - Chair inquired about drone use for fuel mapping; collaboration with San José State University is exploring AI-powered tools. - Councilmember Kamei suggested partnering with Santa Clara Valley Water District for water tenders. - The committee accepted the report unanimously. - Advancing Equity Through Cultural Practice Annual Report: - Presented by Sulma Masil (Director, Office of Racial Equity), Mia Hernandez, Lydia Bustamante, and Sheila Sanchez. - Reported training over 700 city employees across multiple equity topics. Twenty-four departments have active racial and social equity action plans; 236 action items were accomplished. - San José earned a four-star Certified Welcoming designation. - Investments included $1 million for immigrant legal services, outreach, Rapid Response Network, and Safe Site protocols. - Chair and councilmembers praised the work and acknowledged Ms. Masil’s retirement. Discussions included pursuing a five-star certification in the future. - The report was accepted unanimously. Key Outcomes - Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously. - Focus Area Status Report: Accepted unanimously with a request to coordinate a letter of support for the Safer Grant. - Wildfire Prevention Report: Accepted unanimously. - Advancing Equity Report: Accepted unanimously. - Other: Meeting adjourned without further public comment. No action items requiring a follow-up vote.

Hearing Officer Ruth Gueto called the meeting to order at approximately 8:00 AM via Zoom. The sole agenda item was a consent calendar matter concerning a special use permit for retaining walls on a single-family property. Consent Calendar - Item A (SP26-009 / ER26-048): A special use permit to allow construction of retaining walls up to four feet in height in the side and rear yard of a single-family property at 847 Foothill Court, Council District 10. Staff recommended a Class 3 Categorical Exemption (Section 15303) under CEQA. No public comments were received, and the item was approved without discussion. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public requested to speak on the consent calendar item or any other matter. Discussion Items - No separate discussion items were considered; the hearing was limited to the consent calendar. Key Outcomes - The consent calendar item (SP26-009 and ER26-048) was approved unanimously, granting the special use permit with the CEQA exemption. The hearing concluded immediately after the approval.

This was the eighth and final meeting of the 2025-2026 General Plan Four-Year Review Task Force, chaired by Planning Commissioner Carlos Rosario. The meeting included an outreach summary, recommendations on urban villages and public quasi-public (PQP) lands, environmental review updates, public testimony, and task force discussion. No formal votes were taken; recommendations will be forwarded to the Planning Commission (June 24) and City Council (August 18). Public Comments & Testimony - Greg Carlson (Concerned Corey Neighbors) – Supported some proposals but requested consideration of a concept for the Winchester Corridor that balances beautification, housing, and safety without exceeding 45-50 feet. - Rob Swerk (VTA Principal Planner) – Supported staff recommendations to defer local transit urban village planning due to SB 79, and supported a voluntary commercial overlay; encouraged expediting remaining unplanned urban villages. - Matthew Tinsley (Santa Clara County Office of Education) – Urged expanding permitted uses within PQP to allow compatible community-serving uses (e.g., child care) so school districts can repurpose surplus sites without selling. - Maharish Patel (Alpha X Capital) – Supported staff recommendations on urban villages and cautioned against significantly expanding commercial zoning given current market conditions (office vacancies, struggling shopping centers). - Josh Ishimitsu (Silicon Valley at Home) – Requested that PQP school and faith lands be allowed to include affordable housing and other community-serving uses (child care, clinics). Cited an 18,000-student enrollment decline in San Jose elementary schools over the past decade and argued that more affordable housing would help keep families. - Alex Shore (Catalyze SV) – Thanked staff for listening to community feedback, reiterated the severity of the housing crisis, and encouraged streamlining housing production. Discussion Items Outreach Summary (Presented by Michelle Flores) - Staff held over 800 in-person open house participants (422 comments), 400 virtual participants (610 comments), 16 stakeholder meetings, 6 neighborhood meetings, 3 focus groups, and other engagements. - Feedback showed support for more housing (especially affordable), mixed-use, transit-oriented development, and complete communities. Concerns included infrastructure capacity, traffic, parking, and neighborhood compatibility. - On mixed-use commercial sites, 83% of respondents supported allowing more homes. On Winchester and The Alameda corridors, the community prioritized parking and affordable housing. - Missing middle housing received support for expanding options for young adults and seniors, but with concerns about design compatibility and anti-displacement. - Urban villages were generally supported as a strategy for walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods. Urban Village Recommendations (Presented by Cora McNaughton) - Regional Transit Urban Villages: One (Blossom Hill Road/Hitachi) recommended for removal from unplanned list due to existing PD zoning. - Local Transit Urban Villages: Defer planning for most due to SB 79 (allows residential on commercial within ½ mile of transit). Staff recommended a commercial overlay to incentivize job-generating uses. Some category changes (e.g., Oak Ridge Mall moved to commercial corridor/center; two others moved to neighborhood category). - Commercial Corridor & Center: Maintain traditional planning process; move two neighborhood villages (Hamilton Meridian, Cooser Meridian) into this category. - Neighborhood Urban Villages: Make targeted land use/zoning changes rather than full plans. - Mobile Home Parks: Remove three from urban village boundaries to preserve affordable housing. Public Quasi-Public (PQP) Lands (Presented by Jared) - PQP covers 15% of developable land (6,700 acres), 45% public schools, 40% government. - SB 79 permits residential on PQP within ½ mile of transit at a minimum 30 du/ac; 30% of PQP is affected, of which 26% is school land (548 acres). - Staff recommended against wholesale change but proposed developing a framework to evaluate land use changes on PQP sites, including criteria for adequate community space. The framework would start after August 2026. - Task force discussion centered on the tension between preserving public lands and using surplus sites for housing. Commissioners expressed interest in expanding PQP uses (e.g., health clinics by right) and asked for scenario options. Environmental Review (Presented by Ruth) - A supplemental EIR will be required due to increased residential capacity. - Updates to the greenhouse gas reduction strategy and transportation analysis policy are needed. - Council direction includes: expanding standard permit conditions (e.g., child care centers), expanding construction hours (currently 7am-7pm Mon-Fri), and updating vibration standards for historic resources. Key Outcomes - No formal motions or votes were taken at this meeting. - The task force process concluded. The Planning Commission will consider a final recommendation on June 24, 2026, to forward to City Council on August 18, 2026. - Staff will prepare a grid of recommendations for the June 24 meeting to facilitate discussion and amendments. - Commissioners requested a mid-process update (e.g., a study session) before the December 2027 target, to avoid a long silent period. Staff agreed to consider periodic updates. - Commissioners also requested further analysis on PQP scenarios, including pros/cons of different levels of flexibility and potential land swap mechanisms.