City of Sunnyvale  
Meeting Minutes  
Planning Commission  
Monday, January 23, 2023  
7:00 PM  
Online Meeting: City Web Stream |  
Comcast Channel 15 | AT&T Channel 99  
Special Meeting: Study Session - Canceled | Public Hearing - 7:00 PM  
STUDY SESSION CANCELED  
7 P.M. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING  
CALL TO ORDER  
Pursuant to Government Code Subdivision 54953(e), the meeting was conducted  
telephonically; pursuant to state law, the City Council made the necessary findings  
by adopting Resolution No. 1089-21, reaffirmed on December 13, 2022.  
Chair Pyne called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.  
ROLL CALL  
Present: 6 - Chair Martin Pyne  
Vice Chair Nathan Iglesias  
Commissioner John Howe  
Commissioner Michael Serrone  
Commissioner Neela Shukla  
Commissioner Carol Weiss  
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Daniel Howard  
Commissioner Howard’s absence is excused.  
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS  
None.  
CONSENT CALENDAR  
There were no public speakers for this agenda item.  
Commissioner Weiss asked staff if the seventh paragraph on page nine of the  
minutes may be revised to indicate her recognition of the use of CoolSeal  
technology for the proposed project’s parking lot.  
MOTION: Commissioner Weiss moved and Commissioner Howe seconded the  
motion to approve the Consent Calendar with the following revision to the minutes:  
1.) Note that the first sentence of the seventh paragraph on page nine pertaining to  
Agenda Item 3 should read as follows: “Commissioner Weiss recognized the  
proposed project for being carefully thought out and incorporating such technology  
as CoolSeal for its parking lot.”  
The motion carried by the following vote:  
Yes: 6 - Chair Pyne  
Vice Chair Iglesias  
Commissioner Howe  
Commissioner Serrone  
Commissioner Shukla  
Commissioner Weiss  
No: 0  
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Howard  
Approve Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of January 9, 2023  
1.  
23-0199  
PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS  
Forward a Recommendation to the City Council to Adopt an  
2.  
23-0084  
Ordinance to Amend Chapter 19.36 of Title 19 of the Sunnyvale  
Municipal Code to Modify Table 19.36.060B  
Permitted, Conditionally Permitted, and Prohibited Uses in El Camino  
Real Specific Plan (ECRSP) zoning districts to conditionally permit  
Auto sales or rental in ECR-MU zoning districts and find that this  
action is within the scope of the program EIR for the El Camino Real  
Specific Plan pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15168 (Planning  
File #2022-7790)  
Senior Planner Jeffrey Cucinotta presented the staff report with a slide  
presentation.  
Commissioner Howe confirmed with Senior Planner Cucinotta that this amendment  
will have no impact on existing auto dealerships along El Camino Real or their  
ability to sell or service vehicles.  
At Vice Chair Iglesias’ request, Senior Planner Cucinotta provided an explanation  
about what predicated staff’s discovery of the error in table 19.36.060B found in  
Chapter 19.36 of Title 19 of the Sunnyvale Municipal Code (SMC).  
Vice Chair Iglesias and Senior Planner Cucinotta discussed the ways in which this  
amendment will impact mixed-use developments along El Camino Real. While it  
will not result in changes for commercially zoned properties along El Camino Real,  
it will allow proposed mixed-use developments to include auto sales or rental uses  
on the ground floor.  
Commissioner Shukla stated that, in her opinion, it is innovative to allow auto sales  
or rental uses on the ground floor of mixed-use developments.  
Commissioner Shukla confirmed with Senior Planner Cucinotta that this  
amendment will continue to allow bicycle sales or bicycle repair facilities in  
mixed-use zoning districts. He added that the El Camino Real Specific Plan  
(ECRSP) considered opportunities to provide bicycle parking and bicycle and  
pedestrian connections where appropriate.  
Commissioner Shukla confirmed with Senior Planner Cucinotta that vehicle repair  
facilities within auto dealerships are not permitted in mixed-use zoning districts and  
that this operation is considered under a different land use classification.  
Chair Pyne asked about whether adverse findings regarding health and safety  
would be sufficient to deny an application for mixed-use developments – including  
ones that would supply sufficient housing units while meeting affordability  
requirements. Senior Planner Cucinotta advised that applications for mixed-use  
developments are required to meet City policies and that a California  
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) checklist would need to be prepared to ensure  
that such developments are within the scope of the ECRSP’s Environmental Impact  
Report (EIR).  
Chair Pyne opened the Public Hearing.  
There were no public speakers for this agenda item.  
Chair Pyne closed the Public Hearing.  
MOTION: Commissioner Howe moved and Vice Chair Iglesias seconded the  
motion to recommend to City Council Alternative 1 – Adopt an Ordinance  
(Attachment 2 to the report) to Amend Chapter 19.36 of Title 19 of the Sunnyvale  
Municipal Code to Modify Table 19.36.060B Permitted, Conditionally Permitted, and  
Prohibited Uses in ECRSP Districts to conditionally permit Auto sales or rental in  
ECR-MU zoning districts and find that this action is within the scope of the program  
EIR for the El Camino Real Specific Plan pursuant to California Environmental  
Quality Act Guidelines Section 15168.  
Commissioner Howe commented that auto dealerships are of great economic value  
to the City and that they have proved to be good neighbors to adjacent residents.  
He urged his fellow Commissioners to support the motion as well.  
Chair Pyne spoke in favor of the motion and noted his confidence in the CEQA  
process as a means of safeguarding City residents from any hazards due to  
approved developments. He also echoed comments made by Commissioner Howe  
regarding the economic value that auto dealerships offer the City.  
The motion carried by the following vote:  
Yes: 6 - Chair Pyne  
Vice Chair Iglesias  
Commissioner Howe  
Commissioner Serrone  
Commissioner Shukla  
Commissioner Weiss  
No: 0  
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Howard  
This recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for consideration at the  
February 7, 2023 meeting.  
Proposed Project: Moffett Park Specific Plan Update  
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL  
IMPACT REPORT (DEIR) for the Moffett Park Specific Plan  
Update.  
3.  
23-0201  
Comment Period: December 19, 2022 through February 10, 2023  
Location: Moffett Park Specific Plan Area (APNs: Various)  
File #: 2018-7715  
Zoning: Moffett Park (MP) - Various  
Applicant: City of Sunnyvale  
Environmental Review: An Environmental Impact Report has been  
prepared in compliance with California Environmental Quality Act  
(CEQA) provisions and City CEQA Guidelines.  
Project Planner: Michelle King, 408-730-7463,  
mking@sunnyvale.ca.gov  
Principal Planner Michelle King, Chris Sensenig (Senior Associate at Raimi +  
Associates), and Amber Sharpe (Project Manager at David J. Powers &  
Associates, Inc.) presented the staff report with a slide presentation.  
Commissioner Weiss voiced her concerns about the lack of parcels designated for  
school districts in the Moffett Park area. Principal Planner King noted that the Draft  
Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) contains a section that indicates potential  
school sites in the area and also describes the process by which the City collects  
fees to fund future schools. She added that all comments shared during the  
meeting will be recorded and later addressed in a written response.  
Commissioner Weiss suggested that staff consider adjusting the Development  
Reserve in light of such market changes as increased office vacancy.  
Commissioner Serrone mentioned that he has met with Google staff on several  
occasions regarding the proposed project.  
Commissioner Serrone asked how the timeline for the Moffett Park Specific Plan  
(MPSP) interacts with the timeline for the Housing Element. Principal Planner King  
explained that the Housing Element identifies parcels of the Moffett Park area that  
are part of their housing and future housing inventories. For this reason, the MPSP  
will be adopted prior, with adoption of the Housing Element following shortly after.  
She added that a significant number of housing units in the MPSP are critical to the  
City’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA).  
Commissioner Serrone noted that page 42 of the MPSP indicates that there is a  
salt pond off of Caribbean Drive when, to his knowledge, there is none there. He  
advised that this detail is important when considering mitigations for sea level rise.  
Commissioner Serrone noted the developable area indicated on slide 81 of the  
staff presentation and confirmed with Principal Planner King that it is likely owned  
by Lockheed Martin. Principal Planner King informed him that while it is not a  
protected area, it has been identified as a future developable area. Commissioner  
Serrone questioned whether this area might be able to support a site similar to Palo  
Alto’s Lucy Evans Baylands Nature Interpretive Center or San Francisco’s Don  
Edwards National Wildlife Refuge.  
Commissioner Serrone asked whether there is a maximum percentage for  
affordable housing units that the MPSP aims to target. Principal Planner King  
answered that while there is no maximum, the MPSP relies upon the City’s current  
standard for housing requirements. Commissioner Serrone highlighted the MPSP’s  
inclusion of alternative pathways to meet affordable housing requirements as well.  
Commissioner Serrone stated that he shares the same concerns as Commissioner  
Weiss regarding the lack of school districts within the MPSP area. He also inquired  
about whether this area will include a new library. Principal Planner King responded  
that the inclusion of a community facility, such as a library, is a requirement for one  
of the MPSP’s nodes. Kristy Weis, Vice President and Principal Project Manager at  
David J. Powers & Associates, Inc., noted an analysis in the DEIR which explains  
how existing data supports projected data for types of schools, enrollment rate, and  
expected number of students upon completion of the MPSP. She added that the  
City’s constant contact with school districts regarding this data will allow the City to  
determine when there will be a need for a new school in the future.  
Commissioner Serrone confirmed with Principal Planner King that the Development  
Reserve does not account for retail since this is considered as a separate item.  
She added that retail is a requirement on frontages that are related to activity  
centers.  
Commissioner Serrone confirmed with Principal Planner King that the Mary Avenue  
overpass will support vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic. Commissioner  
Serrone also noted that the MPSP area includes a diagonal that passes through  
privately owned properties. As such, he asked how this diagonal will be  
implemented.  
Vice Chair Iglesias stressed the importance of studying traffic flow within and  
around the MPSP area given the eventual high population density that will be there.  
He also advised that consideration be given to maintaining a responsible and  
adequate water supply in the area. Lastly, he emphasized the need to conserve  
space within the MPSP area so that these spaces may be available once a need  
for them arises in the future.  
Commissioner Shukla commented that of the three evaluated alternatives to the  
project, she is in support of the 25 percent reduced development alternative since it  
will allow more parcels to remain undeveloped and available for use should a need  
arise.  
Chair Pyne highlighted a CEQA limitation in that the DEIR does not account for  
environmental impacts associated with commuters traveling to and from the MPSP  
area for work if they are unable to reside within the MPSP area.  
Chair Pyne stated that any references to “significant and avoidable impacts” on  
pages VII and 348 of the DEIR should be revised so that they read “significant and  
unavoidable impacts.”  
Chair Pyne confirmed with Principal Planner King that the Planning Commission  
will review the proposed project again in March 2023 to provide a recommendation  
to City Council before the City Council reviews the item in April 2023.  
Chair Pyne acknowledged limitations to increasing connectivity for vehicles,  
pedestrians, and bicyclists from the MPSP area to the rest of the City due to the  
existing freeways.  
Chair Pyne opened the Public Hearing.  
Osma Thompson recalled comments made by Commissioner Serrone regarding  
the diagonal that encroaches onto private properties, shared her curiosity about  
protocol regarding this, and stated that the MPSP is an exciting one.  
Chair Pyne closed the Public Hearing.  
Commissioner Howe confirmed with Principal Planner King that Twin Creeks and  
Baylands Park are both within City limits. Commissioner Howe requested that the  
Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) specify that while the county owns  
Baylands Park, the City leases it.  
Chair Pyne advised there no action is to be taken on this agenda item.  
STANDING ITEM: CONSIDERATION OF POTENTIAL STUDY ISSUES  
None.  
NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND COMMENTS  
-Commissioner Comments  
Commissioner Serrone commended staff for the work and effort they have invested  
into the MPSP. He considered the project a huge undertaking that will both  
transform and reinvent a large part of City.  
-Staff Comments  
Planning Officer Shaunn Mendrin announced that a virtual workshop on the  
northern Village Centers will be held on January 25, 2023. He added that a virtual  
workshop on the southern Village Centers was conducted on January 18, 2023 and  
that approximately 120 participants attended.  
Planning Officer Mendrin confirmed that a special Planning Commission meeting  
will take place at 7 p.m. on February 6, 2023.  
Planning Officer Mendrin stated that the study session of the City Council meeting  
on March 14, 2023 will focus on the Housing Element.  
ADJOURNMENT  
Chair Pyne adjourned the meeting at 8:43 PM.