[0:08] >> It's Tuesday August 11th 2026 at 702 com I now call this

[0:10] meeting to order if you're able, please stand for the Pledge

[0:13] of Allegiance.

[0:18] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America

[0:21] and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God,

[0:21] indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

[0:29] >> Right a staff can you please call the roll?

[0:36] [Reading names] Before I move on to this ability statement

[1:03] some of you see that we have a couple of new members

[1:06] of this distinguished body.

[1:07] So, if you guys want to take a moment just

[1:10] introduce yourselves to the public.

[1:12] And say a little bit about your background

[1:15] comment again we thank you for joining us.

[1:23] >> Of course that happened.

[1:24] Sorry everybody.

[1:25] My name is Sarah Torraco I've been a resident of Martinez

[1:29] for three years, and I'm an architect.

[1:32] I have been licensed for ten years in California

[1:34] and I specialize now in housing developments.

[1:39] >> My name is Bill would, and I'm also an architect,

[1:42] I've been living in Martinez since 1985.

[1:44] And, I was on the Planning Commission from 1988 to 2001.

[1:50] I left 25 years ago this month to raise my kids.

[1:58] I figured I'd come back and have a couple more years

[2:02] of whatever you want to call it.

[2:04] Trying to help the city to get back on track after COVID.

[2:11] And I'm glad to meet everybody that's here.

[2:14] This is great.

[2:17] >> Well thank you.

[2:18] We are glad to have you back for your second tour of duty

[2:21] here at.

[2:21] We appreciate both of you.

[2:25] We have a lot of people that come and go

[2:27] from this commission.

[2:28] So it's great to have two architects on board.

[2:32] One of the benefits is that we do

[2:34] see a different varieties and different backgrounds that

[2:36] come on board.

[2:37] So I definitely want to see what you guys have to say about some

[2:40] of the things that come before us.

[2:42] They can get a little heated.

[2:44] So I definitely love to have you guys aboard.

[2:47] So thank you.

[2:48] We will move on to the civility statement.

[2:52] As your appointed governing board

[2:55] we will treat each other As your appointed Governing Board,

[2:59] we will treat each other and the with patience, civility,

[3:02] and courtesy as a model of the same behavior

[3:02] we wish to reflect in for the conduct of all City business

[3:02] and community participation.

[3:02] This includes respect everyone's First Amendment Right

[3:02] to voice their opinion on matters within the City's

[3:02] subject jurisdiction, even if that opinion

[3:02] is different from our own.

[3:02] The decisions made tonight will be

[3:02] the benefit of the Martinez community and not

[3:04] for personal gain.

[3:18] So.

[3:18] We will now move on to public comment for items not listed

[3:27] on the agenda this evening.

[3:28] Again these are items that are within the jurisdiction

[3:30] of this commission but not on tonight's agenda.

[3:33] I don't see anybody present, but if there is,

[3:35] there will be an opportunity to comment on agenda items

[3:38] later this evening.

[3:38] So since we don't have anyone present com

[3:41] is there anyone online?

[3:43] That has any comments not on the agenda?

[3:47] >> There are no hands raised.

[3:51] >> Okay.

[3:51] Since we don't have any public comments

[3:53] we will close public comment for items not on tonight's agenda.

[4:02] We will move on to approve action minutes from June 23rd

[4:07] 2026 are there any changes questions or concerns with those

[4:09] action meeting minutes?

[4:16] Can I get a motion to >> A motion

[4:21] to approve the minutes as submitted.

[4:23] >> Second.

[4:24] >> Please record the vote.

[4:27] >> Quickly before we do a roll call vote I just want to advise

[4:30] the new commissioners, you are able to vote on this item.

[4:38] [Members voting]

[4:48] >> I wasn't here last time.

[4:49] >> You can still vote.

[4:50] Okay.

[4:53] [Members voting]

[5:09] >> Motion passes.

[5:09] >> Fantastic we are moving right along.

[5:11] So we will now move on to our regular agenda items.

[5:13] The first of which is to conduct a public hearing to adopt

[5:17] resolution number 26-08 forwarding a recommendation

[5:20] to the City Council to adopt an ordinance approving

[5:23] the amendment to the Martinez Municipal Code regarding group

[5:26] homes and residential care facilities.

[5:28] By amending chapter 22-04, chapter 22.1222.14 chapter

[5:35] 22.16, chapter 22.23.

[5:38] And staff will present us with their briefing.

[5:42] Thank you.

[5:44] >> Thank you chair Evans.

[5:46] Good evening Planning Commission and members

[5:48] of the public and the online general public.

[5:51] My name is Emma Tovar, I'm the assistant planner here

[5:53] at the City of Martinez, and I'm going

[5:56] to be giving a presentation on group homes and residential care

[6:00] facilities.

[6:05] >> Today we are going to be talking about the purpose

[6:07] of residential care facilities and group homes,

[6:09] what a group home is, was a residential care facility is,

[6:12] talk about existing legislation and regulations.

[6:15] Their proposed amendments and I would be answering any questions

[6:19] afterwards.

[6:20] So the reason we are here is because in Martinez's housing

[6:25] element, specifically program 11,

[6:28] it requires the city to consider adopting regulations

[6:31] to fully address small and large residential care facilities

[6:34] consistent with state law.

[6:36] In that program, the city also commits

[6:39] to consider amending the zoning ordinance

[6:43] to allow group homes for seven or more persons

[6:47] with a conditional use permit in conditional use zones.

[6:52] It's also in our 2025 and 2026 Planning Division

[6:55] work plan as well.

[7:01] So, what is a group home?

[7:03] So a group home, we have it split into small group

[7:08] home and large group home.

[7:09] Small group home will be six or fewer unrelated persons

[7:12] with disabilities.

[7:13] They would be residents sharing cooking, dining common living

[7:18] areas.

[7:18] They would provide peer support and may participate

[7:21] in cooking and housekeeping, and other communal

[7:23] living activities.

[7:24] Group homes will be the same, however,

[7:28] large group homes would be the same

[7:30] however it will be seven or more unrelated persons

[7:33] with disabilities.

[7:37] Residential care facility.

[7:39] Small residential care facility will be six or fewer persons.

[7:43] This will be services for individuals

[7:46] in need of assistance with daily living

[7:48] activities such as bathing com dressing, eating, and mobility.

[7:53] And is state licensed.

[7:55] A large residential care facility will be the same.

[7:58] But this will be for seven or more persons.

[8:03] So, use is not proposed to change

[8:07] at this time include transitional and supportive

[8:09] housing.

[8:10] Emergency shelters, boarding houses,

[8:13] dormitories, recovery residences,

[8:15] or sober living homes, and other alcohol or drug facilities.

[8:20] The ones we are talking about today are because of the housing

[8:25] program companies are not in housing program 11.

[8:30] So, a city council study session was held on February 4th,

[8:35] to receive direction on group home and residential care

[8:38] facility uses the City Council provided feedback that supported

[8:44] the proposed definitions, and they did not support permitting

[8:49] large residential care facilities with conditional use

[8:52] permit and other residential use districts besides multifamily

[8:56] and commercial.

[8:59] So now, we will move on to existing legislation

[9:04] and regulations.

[9:05] So state law does require small group homes

[9:09] to be allowed by all residential districts.

[9:12] And state law also requires small residential care

[9:16] facilities to be allowed by all residential districts.

[9:20] So for large group homes come to the California Department

[9:23] of Housing and Community Development HCD

[9:29] asserts that local jurisdictions are also

[9:32] required to permit large group homes by right and single family

[9:36] residential zoning districts.

[9:37] Now the city is unable to locate a statutory requirement

[9:41] or support, however the state has granted purview over housing

[9:45] matters to HCD which is why we are

[9:48] all including that in our definitions as well and uses.

[9:53] So, here are the existing city regulations,

[9:58] as you can see in the middle column,

[10:02] a lot of the uses listed here are not permitted by right,

[10:08] and the definitions these are the current definitions that we

[10:13] have in our zoning ordinance.

[10:16] So, proposed regulations, as mentioned

[10:22] before the middle column where it says permitted by right

[10:24] is going to be consistent with state law allowing small group

[10:29] homes, a large group homes and residential care

[10:31] facilities, small residential care facilities,

[10:33] and all residential districts.

[10:39] So, I just wanted to show a visual

[10:44] of what the proposed group home is going to look like.

[10:48] So highlighted in blue is going to be state law where

[10:53] it's allowed in all residential districts

[10:55] and you have highlighted in orange where a small group

[10:59] homes is going to be allowed conditionally.

[11:01] And small group homes again, this

[11:04] is going to be six persons or fewer.

[11:09] Similarly here, this is going to be for large group homes,

[11:14] so seven persons or more.

[11:20] And this is going to be for small residential care

[11:24] facilities, six persons or fewer.

[11:29] And large residential care facilities, seven persons

[11:34] or more.

[11:39] And come with that, I will make the recommendation to conduct

[11:44] a public hearing and adopt resolution 26-08 forwarding

[11:48] the recommendation to the City Council to adopt an ordinance

[11:52] approving amendments to the Martinez Municipal Code

[11:55] regarding group homes and residential care facilities

[11:57] by amending chapter 22.04 chapter 22.12, chapter 22.14,

[12:04] chapter 22.16, and chapter 22 .23.

[12:10] And with that, I can answer any questions.

[12:15] >> Thank you.

[12:15] We really appreciate that.

[12:17] That was very brief.

[12:19] And thorough, and I know staff has made or put

[12:23] a lot of work into the last couple years bringing

[12:25] in our ordinances and code in line

[12:28] with the state and other municipalities

[12:30] that are within our area.

[12:32] So then we're all aligned with one another.

[12:34] So I know it was a heavy lift, and I definitely appreciate it.

[12:38] Before I open it up to the rest of the group,

[12:41] I just have one question.

[12:42] Are there any proposed residential care facilities

[12:45] or group homes that are currently

[12:47] in planning or under consideration at this time?

[12:56] >> Not that I'm aware of.

[12:57] At the moment.

[12:58] >> So this is really just to bring it in line with the state?

[13:01] Like it's not going to affect anyone at this time?

[13:06] >> Correct.

[13:07] >> I will open it up to the group,

[13:09] I know we all have personal experiences with this topic.

[13:12] So, I am anxious to hear everyone's thoughts.

[13:16] If there are any.

[13:25] >> I'm just curious, how many residential facilities do we

[13:27] currently have?

[13:30] Or do we have any?

[13:34] We don't know?

[13:37] >> We don't have that information readily >> Okay.

[13:43] Thank you.

[13:51] >> No one has any questions for staff?

[13:54] >> I appreciate your it seems like it's mostly a formality.

[13:56] There's nothing planning there.

[13:59] Doesn't sound like this is going to have much of an impact

[14:02] other than bringing us into compliance.

[14:04] Is that assumption accurate?

[14:07] >> Yes.

[14:09] >> I want to clarify that comment.

[14:10] So I think yes it does bring us into compliance,

[14:15] yes there are not any pending applications related

[14:19] to this use, but, it absolutely could have an impact if we

[14:23] saw an increase in this type of use in other places in the city

[14:26] where they currently are not permitted.

[14:35] >> I have some clarification questions.

[14:36] One, is it something that all jurisdictions in California

[14:39] are obligated to afford with under obligation number 11?

[14:46] >> Project 11 is our housing element,

[14:48] but each city in California should be consistent with

[14:52] the definitions in what they allow.

[14:54] For example the small and large group homes

[14:56] should be allowed at all residential districts

[14:59] and it's something that each city should have in place.

[15:04] >> And are we going to see more of these definition corrections

[15:06] as we move forward this year?

[15:10] >> Over time, little by little it will depend on looking back

[15:16] at the planning Division's work plan and the housing element

[15:19] and seeing what we are going to tackle.

[15:21] And if there are any updates coming from the state.

[15:25] >> To add to that, I think it was two years ago we did

[15:30] a comprehensive update to all of our uses in our commercial

[15:35] and industrial districts and we did corresponding definitions

[15:42] with our existing and proposed uses.

[15:45] So not foreseeing in the near future

[15:49] any substantial changes in this space,

[15:52] but there will be some additional changes

[15:54] in the future.

[16:02] >> I think this is personally a great idea.

[16:04] I had a family member come it was pre-COVID.

[16:06] But grandmother lived in a facility like this,

[16:10] down in Arpita's I think it was.

[16:13] And she lived with a group of I think maybe 4 or 5 ladies

[16:16] in a house.

[16:21] And they kind of watched over each other,

[16:22] and it created a great environment

[16:24] where she wasn't alone but she had

[16:28] her own freedom I guess because she didn't

[16:30] want to live with family.

[16:31] So come I think it's a great idea.

[16:35] If we didn't have this in place that we

[16:37] would make it available in case something like that

[16:40] is necessary for us.

[16:41] I mean personally, it worked out great for our family.

[16:45] And I hope it works out great for other people too.

[16:51] And I'm just curious.

[16:54] It just occurred to me.

[16:56] When we have residential housing accommodations,

[17:00] does that help with our housing numbers?

[17:17] >> It helps when there's new residential construction

[17:19] and building permits are issued.

[17:21] So it could result in an improvement

[17:23] if this results in additional units.

[17:25] However, in most cases, it's an existing residential unit

[17:29] that's converted to this use, which would not

[17:32] have a direct benefit in terms of our regional housing needs

[17:36] allocation, however, if that were to occur,

[17:39] it is something that we could talk about as a way

[17:42] to provide housing opportunities for additional people.

[17:45] In the qualitative narrative that we submit

[17:48] as part of our annual report.

[17:58] >> Good questions.

[17:59] >> I appreciate the conversation.

[18:00] If there turns out to be any public comment of course

[18:03] we can come back for additional discussion.

[18:05] But since we have no one in the audience,

[18:07] do we have anyone online for public comment?

[18:11] >> We do not.

[18:13] >> Okay then I will close that public comment.

[18:16] I don't think there is a need for any additional discussion.

[18:21] So I will ask if there's a motion.

[18:30] >> Motion.

[18:30] >> I will second.

[18:31] >> Just to clarify the motion is as moved by staff correct?

[18:39] >> Is no one going to read >> I don't have to.

[18:41] >> Yeah, motion as directed by staff.

[18:43] Okay.

[18:44] Please record our votes.

[18:53] [Members voting]

[19:10] >> Motion passes.

[19:11] >> Thank you all.

[19:11] We will now move on to our next item on the regular agenda

[19:14] comments to conduct a public hearing and consider adoption

[19:16] of resolution number 26-09A recommendation to City Council

[19:23] to adopt an ordinance amending the Municipal Code by appealing

[19:27] chapter 2.24, City Planning Commission in its entirety

[19:31] and replacing it with Martinez Municipal Code chapter 2.24

[19:35] Planning Commission.

[19:36] And staff will proceed with that.

[19:39] >> Good evening Chair Evans and members of the Planning

[19:42] Commission, Michael, the academic director.

[19:47] Was indicated before the Commission this evening

[19:50] is the consideration of updated regulations related

[19:53] to the Planning Commission, which is contained in chapter

[19:58] 2.24 of our municipal code.

[20:01] As the Commission is aware, the Commission

[20:05] serves in both an advisory and a decision

[20:07] making authority for the city, and a variety of issues.

[20:11] But mainly having to do with planning

[20:13] and zoning, and development.

[20:15] The commission is responsible for adhering to state law

[20:18] as well as what is outlined within our code.

[20:21] Our existing chapter 2.24 has remained largely unchanged since

[20:29] it was originally established, as quite frankly pretty

[20:34] antiquated, and further it's not consistent with our current

[20:38] practices, our bylaws, etc..

[20:40] So, the proposed ordinance is intended

[20:44] to comprehensively update chapter 2.24 to improve clarity,

[20:49] reflect current organizational structure, namely adding

[20:52] an information on our alternate commissioner,

[20:55] and establish consistent procedures for appointment

[20:58] and operation of the Planning Commission.

[21:05] So, the proposed amendments I'm going

[21:08] to outline them before you.

[21:09] So first, they are to clarify that the Planning Commission

[21:12] consists of seven regular members, and one

[21:15] alternate member that are appointed by the mayor with City

[21:18] Council approval.

[21:19] Regarding this matter our code currently just speaks

[21:23] to the seven regular members, it does not

[21:25] speak to the alternate member which

[21:27] has been a practice for a number of years.

[21:29] Additionally, the proposed amendments

[21:33] allow up to one regular or one alternate member

[21:37] to reside within the city's adopted sphere of influence.

[21:41] Which is intended to expand opportunities

[21:44] for individuals that are members of our community

[21:46] but maybe are not directly within Martinez.

[21:49] I do not believe we currently have someone

[21:51] on the commission that satisfies that role,

[21:53] but in the last few years, we have had somebody

[21:57] that has filled that purpose.

[22:01] Third, the proposed amendments Establish two four year term

[22:08] limits for regular planning commissioners.

[22:10] Which is a current practice that has not

[22:13] been codified in our code, but it is in our bylaws.

[22:16] It also is intended to clarify that term limits are

[22:20] for consecutive terms.

[22:22] And, excludes service of alternate members

[22:25] of the Planning Commission, and excludes partial terms

[22:29] from the term limit calculation when it's less than half

[22:32] of a regular term.

[22:33] So let me give an example for that.

[22:37] Commissioner Sönnichsen was an alternate commissioner.

[22:39] Now he's a regular commissioner.

[22:41] When he was an alternate commissioner

[22:43] that would not count towards one of his two terms.

[22:47] I forget which Commissioner one of the new commissioners

[22:52] is actually satisfying a term that

[22:55] was vacated by Commissioner Klopp when he moved out

[22:59] of the country.

[23:01] So that's a partial term so if it's

[23:03] less than two years it would not count towards that required

[23:05] term.

[23:05] In an effort to really allow some stability

[23:08] of the commission, but also allow new voices.

[23:13] Next, the proposed amendments allow planning commissioners

[23:17] to hold office upon the exploration of the terms,

[23:20] until their successor has been nominated and confirmed

[23:23] to ensure continuity of government.

[23:26] This is come as you know, the council breaks during the summer

[23:30] months, and this would allow, if we needed

[23:32] to do so it would allow commissioners to stay on

[23:34] past their term if there hadn't been

[23:36] the opportunity for new appointment.

[23:38] Ideally that will not be used, it's

[23:42] a placeholder to protect us in case we ran into an issue.

[23:48] The regulations are clarify the role and participation

[23:51] of the alternate member where the alternate member would

[23:54] participate, and actually vote on a meeting

[23:57] if one of the regular commissioners is not present to.

[24:00] As Commissioner Wood is doing this evening.

[24:07] Sorry.

[24:19] The regulations also update the officer selection process

[24:23] and meeting provisions to reflect current practice

[24:26] and applicable law.

[24:28] They update staff liaison language

[24:30] to reflect the city's current organizational structure.

[24:35] They clarify quorum requirements and voting procedures

[24:39] at a very high level.

[24:43] A modernize and consolidate the Commission's power and duties

[24:47] in state law and our code, and then

[24:49] finally, they remove obsolete and duplicative procedures

[24:53] while improving the overall organization of the chapter.

[24:58] So come with the recommendation before the commission this

[25:02] evening is to conduct a public hearing,

[25:05] adopt resolution number 26-09 forwarding the recommendation

[25:10] to the City Council to adopt an ordinance approving amendments

[25:13] to the Martinez Municipal Code by repealing chapter 2.24 City

[25:17] Planning Commission in its entirety,

[25:20] and replacing it with chapter 2.24 Planning Commission.

[25:24] The final couple of comments that I want to make

[25:27] is as has previously been represented,

[25:29] this is the second of a three part process

[25:33] the staff is undertaking.

[25:35] First was the onboarding guide, second is updating our code,

[25:39] and the third effort will be to update our bylaws

[25:41] to ensure consistency.

[25:42] I am available for any other questions that you may have.

[25:47] >> Thank you.

[25:48] And the onboarding guide was fantastic.

[25:52] >> I know I didn't get that one I jumped on board but I know

[25:55] if I had it would have been a much easier battle.

[26:00] You mentioned one alternate?

[26:02] Once upon a time I thought we had two?

[26:08] >> There are a couple of other commissions that have more than

[26:11] one alternate, but for Planning Commission,

[26:13] as long as I'm aware they've only had one alternate.

[26:17] >> Okay.

[26:19] And the four year terms, is that capped

[26:23] so you get two four year terms period?

[26:25] Or can you do four year terms a break,

[26:31] >> So our current practice just says two terms.

[26:35] But the updated language is two consecutive terms

[26:39] which would allow for an opportunity for a break

[26:42] and then if selected by the council and by the mayor

[26:45] and confirmed by the City Council

[26:47] a commissioner could come back.

[26:58] >> Is that a break of at least one term?

[27:02] >> I'm glad that's in there.

[27:03] Because once you've been on this body for eight years,

[27:05] I would hate to think that with all that experience

[27:07] you couldn't come back at another time

[27:09] and still volunteer and contribute to the city.

[27:13] My next question it could be in the bylaws,

[27:15] is there going to be any language about term

[27:19] lengths for the chair?

[27:20] I know we had recently discussed rotating it every year.

[27:26] >> There is language that codifies that the chair and vice

[27:29] chair are selected annually.

[27:31] There is not language that would prohibit

[27:34] a chair from being reselected as previously happened.

[27:38] But there will be a vote annually on who

[27:41] should serve in that role.

[27:44] >> Thank you.

[27:46] Anybody else?

[27:48] By all means.

[27:52] Well we are going to have different opportunities

[27:54] to discuss these come as Michael mentioned

[27:57] this is the second of three.

[27:58] I know I look forward to the bylaws, that's

[28:01] going to be a good discussion when that comes aboard.

[28:07] >> Do you anticipate when you'll be bringing the bylaws forward?

[28:16] >> I don't have a date for that yet,

[28:18] I would anticipate that we are going to pivot for a little bit

[28:20] and prioritize some other items.

[28:21] So I would anticipate that is probably in early 2027 task.

[28:27] >> Thank you.

[28:30] >> Want to express appreciation for the onboarding guide.

[28:32] That was great.

[28:35] I think that makes a lot of sense.

[28:42] >> Are these in line with other municipalities?

[28:44] Did you guys look into that?

[28:46] Okay.

[28:48] >> The only other thing that I think would be important to add

[28:51] that I didn't because I'm actually working in partnership

[28:53] with our assistant city manager and recreation manager.

[28:56] They are updating the regulations concurrently

[28:59] for the cemetery commission.

[29:02] Where there will be a fair amount of alignment

[29:04] with the changes that we are working on with the one

[29:06] distinction that they actually do not have an alternate as part

[29:09] of their commission.

[29:14] >> For providing consistency both between the commissions

[29:16] and with other municipalities.

[29:18] I think that's great.

[29:20] We don't have anyone in public comment

[29:22] do we have anyone online?

[29:24] >> We do not.

[29:26] >> Okay then I will close public comment on that.

[29:29] Can I get a motion?

[29:31] From one of our new commissioners?

[29:41] >> I moved to adopt the finding funding commission as reviewed

[29:44] by the staff.

[29:52] >> Second.

[29:52] >> Thank you.

[29:53] Please record the vote.

[29:57] [Members voting]

[30:10] >> Motion passes.

[30:11] >> Fantastic.

[30:12] So we will move on to our last regular item on the agenda.

[30:17] It is to review the draft community planning proclamation

[30:20] in order to provide feedback to City Council

[30:22] and barring any concerns recommend

[30:25] adoption of the proclamation in October 2026.

[30:30] Thank you again Chair Evans and members of the Planning

[30:34] Commission, before you as consideration of the Community

[30:38] Planning Month proclamation.

[30:40] So, each October communities throughout the United States

[30:46] celebrate national Community Planning month

[30:50] to recognize the important role that planning

[30:52] plays in communities.

[30:54] Since 2023 the City Council has adopted Community Planning Month

[30:59] proclamation annually.

[31:01] Celebrating this holiday in Martinez specifically.

[31:05] The draft proclamation before you has been prepared for City

[31:10] Council's consideration at its October 7th meeting.

[31:14] And staff is requesting any feedback

[31:18] from the Commission on any potential suggested revisions

[31:22] prior to the City Council's consideration.

[31:25] So come the recommendation before the Planning Commission

[31:29] is to review the draft proclamation,

[31:32] and provide feedback, and recommend the City Council adopt

[31:35] the proclamation in October of 2026.

[31:37] And then finally, assuming it is adopted

[31:40] would encourage commissioners to attend to receive

[31:44] a copy of the proclamation.

[31:46] I am available for any questions.

[31:54] >> Thank you.

[31:55] Does anyone have any questions about the proclamation?

[32:02] >> I do not.

[32:02] >> Okay.

[32:03] That was pretty easy. (laughs) it's

[32:07] because the staff gave such a fantastic briefing

[32:09] all of our questions were already answered.

[32:15] (laughs) anyone online that has a comment?

[32:19] >> There's no one online.

[32:21] >> Okay we will close public comment.

[32:23] All right, then can I get a motion?

[32:27] >> I will make a motion that we move forward with recommendation

[32:33] -- recommending the draft community planning month

[32:38] proclamation with the provided feedback and recommend that

[32:42] the City Council adopt the proclamation in October of 2026.

[32:50] >> I second that motion.

[32:52] >> Please record the vote.

[32:57] [Members voting]

[33:12] >> Motion passes.

[33:13] >> Fantastic we are moving right along.

[33:15] So we will move on to any commission items?

[33:26] >> I have one.

[33:27] It's more of a question.

[33:27] It's something that I would like for us to consider,

[33:28] or I'd like to receive advisement

[33:30] if it's already in place.

[33:32] Does the city have a designation of public works professionals

[33:37] identifies as as first responders?

[33:44] >> I don't know that off the top of my head,

[33:46] but we can follow up with you.

[33:47] >> I would love that.

[33:50] That's a good one do you want to tell us some background

[33:54] or some context for that?

[33:56] >> No I want to be cloaked in mystery. (laughs) no.

[33:59] One of the things that we recognize

[34:02] is that in the event of an emergency, often

[34:05] the people who make way for medical and fire personnel

[34:10] are people who or staff who work in public works.

[34:13] They clear the roads, they free pathways for medical personnel.

[34:20] But oftentimes they do not have that distinction.

[34:24] Which comes with a fair deal of respect.

[34:27] And I think that municipalities can make that distinction

[34:31] and identify public works professionals

[34:34] with first responders, police and fire.

[34:37] And they can hold that space for them

[34:40] and acknowledge them during first responder acknowledgments.

[34:52] >> Thank you.

[34:52] I appreciate you bringing that to our attention

[34:52] and mentioning that.

[34:52] It's very true depending upon the nature of the emergency.

[34:55] Sometimes that work is required.

[34:58] >> Agreed.

[35:00] >> Thank you.

[35:01] Please look into it.

[35:02] Thank you.

[35:04] >> Are there any acting director updates?

[35:09] >> As usual, I have a few.

[35:10] So a couple of items first the second meeting in August

[35:15] will be canceled.

[35:16] Your evening will be free.

[35:18] But we will have a meeting a regular first meeting

[35:21] in September.

[35:22] At that meeting there will actually

[35:24] be development application.

[35:27] So change of pace from what we have been seeing from a policy

[35:31] standpoint lately.

[35:32] A couple of items recently went before the department

[35:40] the city Commission to be aware of city Council introduced

[35:48] regulations to establish entertainment zone regulations,

[35:51] and specifically to designate the downtown as an entertainment

[35:55] zone.

[35:56] For background entertainment zones are --

[35:59] they have been permitted by the state

[36:02] for a couple of years at this point starting in San Francisco.

[36:05] And then, a year and a half ago it

[36:07] was expanded to municipalities throughout California.

[36:10] These are areas where local businesses are

[36:14] able to sell alcoholic beverages to go

[36:18] where they can be consumed by the general public

[36:23] in defined areas.

[36:25] So the regulations that the City Council has introduced

[36:29] would again establish the downtown as an entertainment

[36:32] zone, and it would allow the entertainment zone

[36:35] to be activated by the city in downtown Martinez and Co

[36:39] in the chamber, only during special events

[36:42] where a special event permit has been activated.

[36:45] It is intended as an economic development tool,

[36:49] and one of the main reasons why this is being done,

[36:52] is that it is to streamline the permitting processes

[36:54] for these organizations with dealing with a, b, C.

[36:57] But also to create an opportunity that when

[37:00] there is a big event that's in the downtown,

[37:02] that it's our established brick and mortar businesses that

[37:05] receive the economic benefit of the increased traffic

[37:09] rather than an emphasis on outside vendors being brought

[37:12] in.

[37:16] Be one of the first dozen or so in the state

[37:19] to establish these recommendations.

[37:21] And the second in the East Bay.

[37:24] Secondly, during July and when a period opened where cities could

[37:33] nominate certain census tracts that our census tracts

[37:37] where there are disadvantaged communities, as Opportunity

[37:42] zones.

[37:43] An Opportunity Zone is a federal program

[37:46] this is the second iteration of that program.

[37:49] And as part of that program, it opens up

[37:52] opportunities where individuals can take their capital

[37:56] gains from other properties, invest them into an opportunity

[38:01] zone fund, and they can be used to establish businesses, build

[38:08] housing, a whole series of economic development.

[38:11] Efforts.

[38:12] Within Martinez, there are four census tracts

[38:17] that are eligible for the designation.

[38:21] However, the caveat is that each governor is only

[38:23] allowed to select up to 25% of the nominated census tracts.

[38:28] Planning staff nominated all four of our census tracts,

[38:33] they predominantly occupy, two of them occupy our downtown,

[38:38] one is our downtown waterfront, one

[38:40] is our main industrial corridor, and then the final one

[38:45] goes down our avenue corridor close to the freeway.

[38:48] So these are areas that we have deemed appropriate

[38:51] for additional development.

[38:53] I am excited to share that one of our census tracts

[38:59] is on the shortlist, and it likely will hopefully

[39:03] get selected by the governor.

[39:05] We are doing our due diligence to see

[39:07] if we are able to get two, three, or four.

[39:11] That is probably not likely.

[39:14] We are happy that it's looking like we may get one.

[39:17] And really, we see this as a very significant

[39:20] economic development tool that could

[39:22] be hugely impactful to the city and a portion of our downtown

[39:26] and our waterfront.

[39:28] Next, related to the waterfront, I

[39:32] would like to share that we are continuing,

[39:37] emphasis is mainly focused on building relationships

[39:41] with outside agencies to help with the regulatory

[39:46] and permitting process, but also from a physical standpoint.

[39:51] Myself and the city manager met with Libby Shaft, who's

[40:00] the director of the Bay Area Council

[40:03] and gave her a tour of our downtown and waterfront

[40:05] and had lunch with her and spoke about the project,

[40:08] and we are continuing those efforts

[40:09] to get some attention on Martinez.

[40:19] I did send some information a few days ago, but as a reminder

[40:23] the Centennial on behalf of Eve Kearney who's

[40:30] doing the extensive planning efforts plug,

[40:32] hope to see all their.

[40:34] And those of you who can, you do have the ability

[40:40] to do so as well if you're able.

[40:56] Brandon has been promoted from associate to senior planner

[41:00] as well.

[41:01] So, we have some well-deserved recognition.

[41:06] >> Congratulations!

[41:12] >> Those are my updates for this evening.

[41:14] >> Are you able to share with us which census track is being

[41:16] considered?

[41:17] Or is that confidential?

[41:19] >> No it's public information, I don't know the census track

[41:22] information off the top of my head,

[41:24] but it is the one that occupies our waterfront in the northern

[41:28] part of our downtown.

[41:38] >> Thank you.

[41:39] That was a good amount of updates.

[41:39] I appreciate that.

[41:39] Any communications?

[41:40] All right.

[41:43] Well if there are no further discussions or communications,

[41:48] we will adjourn to our next regularly scheduled Planning

[41:51] Commission meeting which will be the first meeting in September.

[41:57] >> Correct except we are adjourning to the next meeting

[42:00] even though it will get canceled.

[42:02] >> Okay then I will say that we are turning to the August 25th

[42:05] 2026 meeting which will be canceled.

[42:07] The current time is 744 August 11th 2026.

[42:18] [Background Conversation]

Planning Commission

Agenda

Transcript