Planning Commission

City of Sunnyvale Meeting Minutes - Final Planning Commission Monday, August 9, 2021 7:00 PM Telepresence Meeting: City Web Stream | Comcast Channel 15 | AT&T Channel 99 Special Meeting: Study Session - Canceled | Public Hearing - 7:00 PM TELECONFERENCE NOTICE STUDY SESSION CANCELED 7 P.M. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING CALL TO ORDER Pursuant to Section 3 of Executive Order N-29-20 (March 17, 2020) and Section 42 of Executive Order N-08-21 (June 11, 2021), issued by Governor Newsom, the meeting was conducted telephonically. Chair Howard called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM. ROLL CALL Present: 5 - Chair Daniel Howard Vice Chair Martin Pyne Commissioner Sue Harrison Commissioner John Howe Commissioner Ken Rheaume Absent: 2 - Commissioner David Simons Commissioner Carol Weiss Commissioner Simons' and Commissioner Weiss’ absences are excused. PRESENTATION 1. 21-0804 PRESENTATION - Introduction and Overview of Fire Prevention Fire Marshal Vincent Anderson provided the Planning Commission with an overview of his education, background, and career history. Then, he introduced the City’s Fire Prevention team and elaborated on its roles and responsibilities. These include City of Sunnyvale Page 1 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes - Final August 9, 2021 completing field inspections and annual maintenance checks, verifying that projects are compliant with the City’s requirements, and ensuring that chemical inventories are updated. Lastly, Fire Marshal Anderson thanked the Planning Commissioners for their support, resources, and efforts to ensure that each project reviewed considers such factors as quality, emergency access, and longevity. At Commissioner Harrison’s prompting, Fire Marshal Anderson defined a high-rise and explained how public and private sector entities collaborate to inspect all angles of multi-family high-rises. Commissioner Harrison and Fire Marshal Anderson also discussed concerns and issues regarding fire safety that the Planning Commissioners should be aware of. Among these, dead vegetation with the potential to combust was mentioned. Assistant Director Andrew Miner recognized the support of Fire Prevention in the process of reviewing projects and applications. Chair Howard relayed a past concern regarding the inclusion of safety equipment and additions during the planning process review. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None. CONSENT CALENDAR 2. 21-0802 Approve Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of July 26, 2021 MOTION: Commissioner Howe moved and Vice Chair Pyne seconded the motion to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 5 - Chair Howard Vice Chair Pyne Commissioner Harrison Commissioner Howe Commissioner Rheaume No: 0 Absent: 2 - Commissioner Simons Commissioner Weiss PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS City of Sunnyvale Page 2 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes - Final August 9, 2021 3. 21-0781 Proposed Project: Related applications on a 1.5-acre site: USE PERMIT to allow the construction of two new six-story hotel buildings totaling 274 hotel rooms, underground garage with mechanized parking, parking adjustment to allow valet parking, and installation of related site improvements. TENTATIVE MAP to allow a lot merger and subdivision for condominium purposes. Location: 247 and 295 Commercial St (APNs: 205-34-006 and 205-34-013) File #: 2020-7478 Zoning: Manufacturing and Services (M-S) Applicant / Owner: DOA Development (applicant) / Stepan Family Trust (property owner of 247 Commercial Street) and Huy Tu Trustee & Et Al (property owner of 295 Commercial Street) Environmental Review: The project is consistent with the Land Use and Transportation Element (LUTE) of the City’s General Plan and no additional environmental review is required pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15183 and Public Resources Code Section 21083.3. Project Planner: Cindy Hom, (408) 730-7411, Chom@sunnyvale.ca.gov Associate Planner Cindy Hom articulated that this agenda item is being continued to a date uncertain and stated that it will be renoticed and readvertised once a new date has been selected. There was no applicant presentation for this agenda item. Chair Howard opened the Public Hearing. There were no public speakers for this agenda item. Chair Howard closed the Public Hearing. MOTION: Commissioner Howe moved and Commissioner Harrison seconded the motion to continue Public Hearing Agenda Item 3 to a date uncertain to allow the applicant additional time to respond to comments related to the environmental analysis. The motion carried by the following vote: City of Sunnyvale Page 3 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes - Final August 9, 2021 Yes: 5 - Chair Howard Vice Chair Pyne Commissioner Harrison Commissioner Howe Commissioner Rheaume No: 0 Absent: 2 - Commissioner Simons Commissioner Weiss STANDING ITEM: CONSIDERATION OF POTENTIAL STUDY ISSUES INFORMATION ONLY REPORTS/ITEMS 4. 21-0803 Planning Commission Proposed Study Issues, Calendar Year: 2022 (Information Only) NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND COMMENTS -Commissioner Comments Commissioner Rheaume asked when ground will be broken where Macy’s previously was in the City’s downtown area. Assistant Director Miner and Principal Planner Shaunn Mendrin confirmed that construction will likely begin in October 2021 and assured that Administrative Aide Guia Sharma will send the Planning Commissioners a link to the City’s webpage detailing this project. -Staff Comments Assistant Director Miner reminded Chair Howard and Vice Chair Pyne of a training opportunity available to them on August 12, 2021. He then advised that on August 10, 2021, the City Council will discuss how to return to in-person City Council meetings which will influence how Planning Commission hearings will be conducted. Next, he announced that the early registration rate for the 2021 APA CA Conference ends on August 13, 2021. He stated that Administrative Aide Sharma will register those who are interested. Lastly, Assistant Director Miner provided a brief overview of agenda items pertaining to the Planning Commission hearing taking place on August 23, 2021. ADJOURNMENT Chair Howard adjourned the meeting at 7:35 PM. City of Sunnyvale Page 4