City of Sunnyvale

Meeting Minutes

Planning Commission

Monday, June 24, 2024

7:00 PM

Online and Council Chambers, City Hall,

456 W. Olive Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086

No Study Session | Public Hearing - 7:00 PM

NO STUDY SESSION

7 P.M. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING

CALL TO ORDER

Chair Pyne called the meeting to order at 7:04 PM.

SALUTE TO THE FLAG

Chair Pyne led the salute to the flag.

ROLL CALL

Present: 7 -

Chair Martin Pyne

Vice Chair Nathan Iglesias

Commissioner Galen Kim Davis

Commissioner Daniel Howard

Commissioner John Howe

Commissioner Michael Serrone

Commissioner Neela Shukla

PRESENTATION

PRESENTATION - Recognition of Service

24-0749

City of Sunnyvale Mayor Larry Klein gave a recognition of service presentation for

Commissioner Howe and Commissioner Howard who each served two terms on the

Planning Commission.

Commissioner Howe and Commissioner Howard stated their appreciation for Mayor

Klein, their families, and their fellow Planning Commissioners.

ORAL COMMUNICATIONS

None.

CONSENT CALENDAR

There were no public speakers for this agenda item.

MOTION: Vice Chair Iglesias moved and Commissioner Howard seconded the

motion to approve the Consent Calendar.

The motion carried by the following vote:

Yes: 5 -

Chair Pyne

Vice Chair Iglesias

Commissioner Howard

Commissioner Serrone

Commissioner Shukla

No: 0

Abstained: 2 -

Commissioner Davis

Commissioner Howe

Approve Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of June 10, 2024

24-0748

Approve Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of June 10, 2024 as submitted.

PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS

None.

STANDING ITEM: CONSIDERATION OF POTENTIAL STUDY ISSUES

Proposed Study Issue for 2025: Identify Opportunities for Allowing

Neighborhood-Serving Commercial Uses in Residential Zoning Districts

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Principal Planner George Schroeder provided an oral presentation on the proposed

study issue.

Commissioner Howard presented additional information on the proposed study

issue.

Vice Chair Iglesias expressed his support of the proposed study issue.

At Vice Chair Iglesias’ request, Principal Planner Schroeder explained that the

proposed study issue will explore the types of commercial uses that may be

permitted in residential zoning districts, the performance standards that they will be

subject to, and the process by which they will be approved.

Commissioner Serrone spoke in support of the proposed study issue and asked

whether the commercial uses include those that are not home-based such as food

trucks or pop-up retail. Principal Planner Schroeder stated that such uses may be

explored as part of the proposed study issue at the direction of the Planning

Commission. Principal Planner Schroeder added that this language may also be

included once the Planning Commission reviews the study issue paper for the

proposed study issue.

Commissioner Shukla confirmed her support of the proposed study issue and

suggested relevant ideas that may be explored.

Commissioner Davis stated that he is in support of the proposed study issue and

noted that accessible services improve quality of life.

Chair Pyne voiced his support of the proposed study issue, acknowledged that it

would consider applicable regulations for commercial uses, and emphasized the

convenience of living near service-based businesses.

Chair Pyne opened the Public Hearing.

There were no public speakers for this agenda item.

Chair Pyne closed the Public Hearing.

MOTION: Commissioner Howard moved and Vice Chair Iglesias seconded the

motion to sponsor the study issue to identify opportunities for allowing

neighborhood-serving commercial uses in residential zoning districts.

Chair Pyne acknowledged that the Planning Commission may discuss the scope for

the proposed study issue in greater detail at a later time since the scope will dictate

which commercial uses may or may not be permitted in residential zoning districts.

The motion carried by the following vote:

Yes: 7 -

Chair Pyne

Vice Chair Iglesias

Commissioner Davis

Commissioner Howard

Commissioner Howe

Commissioner Serrone

Commissioner Shukla

No: 0

Proposed Study Issue for 2025: Allow Commercial Marijuana Activities

in Certain Zoning Districts

24-0736

Principal Planner George Schroeder provided an oral presentation on the proposed

study issue.

Commissioner Howard presented additional information on the proposed study

issue.

Commissioner Serrone spoke in overall support of the proposed study issue and

explained why. In response to public safety concerns associated with commercial

marijuana activities, Commissioner Serrone noted that such businesses are

generally targeted and do not necessarily generate crimes.

Commissioner Shukla confirmed her support of the proposed study issue and spoke

in agreement with comments made by Commissioner Howard and Commissioner

Serrone.

Commissioner Davis questioned the whether the scope of the proposed study issue

includes marijuana growth for personal consumption. Principal Planner Schroeder

answered that the proposed study issue will explore commercial marijuana activities

and outdoor cultivation of marijuana and the types of zoning districts that could

support these activities. He added that the scope of the proposed study issue may

be expanded at the Planning Commission’s discretion.

At Commissioner Davis’ request, Principal Planner Schroeder explained the types of

taxes that apply in the sale of marijuana.

Vice Chair Iglesias voiced his support of the proposed study issue and explained

why.

Chair Pyne opened the Public Hearing.

There were no public speakers for this agenda item.

Chair Pyne closed the Public Hearing.

MOTION: Commissioner Davis moved and Commissioner Howard seconded the

motion to sponsor the study issue to allow commercial marijuana activities in certain

zoning districts.

Commissioner Davis stated that the proposed study issue will explore whether

commercial marijuana activities are supported by any of City’s zoning districts. He

added that the Commission may review the results of the study to determine

whether to move forward with the study issue if it is sponsored.

Chair Pyne expressed his support of the motion. He stated that he is sympathetic to

public safety concerns regarding commercial marijuana activities, and he is

interested in whether cities that permit such activities have reduced their public

safety resources in recent times.

The motion carried by the following vote:

Yes: 7 -

Chair Pyne

Vice Chair Iglesias

Commissioner Davis

Commissioner Howard

Commissioner Howe

Commissioner Serrone

Commissioner Shukla

No: 0

INFORMATION ONLY REPORTS/ITEMS

None.

Planning Commission Proposed Study Issues, Calendar Year: 2025

(Information Only)

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NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND COMMENTS

-Commissioner Comments

Vice Chair Iglesias acknowledged the years that Commissioner Howe generously

devoted to the City. He also cited Commissioner Howard as the reason he is on the

Commission today and highlighted the way he served as Chair of the Planning

Commission.

Commissioner Davis noted that Commissioner Howe and Commissioner Howard

served the City in a distinguished, respectable, and honorable way. He added that

the City was lucky to have them both and that he appreciated serving on the

Commission with them.

Commissioner Serrone stated that there is no substitute for Commissioner Howe’s

years of experience and historical knowledge of the City. He also recognized

Commissioner Howard’s contributions to the community and for serving as Chair of

the Planning Commission for some time.

Commissioner Shukla commended Commissioner Howe for his meaningful input on

matters and his advocation of issues and members of the public. She also

recognized Commissioner Howard for his courage and ability to highlight areas

within the City that need improvement.

Chair Pyne spoke of Commissioner Howe’s dedication to procedural fairness and

noted that his depth of knowledge will be missed. He also expressed his gratitude

for the example that Commissioner Howard set as Chair of the Planning

Commission in previous years.

Commissioner Howe thanked his fellow Planning Commissioners for their kind

words. He stated that he enjoyed learning from them and recognized the

harmonious way they were able to collaborate.

Commissioner Howard thanked his fellow Planning Commissioners and noted that

the Commission is in good hands.

-Staff Comments

Planning Officer Shaunn Mendrin announced that the City Council will consider an

update to the Climate Action Playbook at the June 25, 2024, meeting.

Planning Officer Mendrin informed Commissioners of the Council Subcommittee on

Boards and Commissions meeting that will take place on the morning of June 26,

2024.

Planning Officer Mendrin stated that the Planning Commission will select new seats

and a new Chair and Vice Chair at their meeting on July 22, 2024.

Planning Officer Mendrin thanked Commissioner Howe and Commissioner Howard

for their service on the Planning Commission. He also shared that he is looking

forward to having new Commissioners join the Planning Commission soon.

ADJOURNMENT

Chair Pyne adjourned the meeting at 8:08 PM.