>> It's Tuesday August 11th 2026 at 702 com I now call this
meeting to order if you're able, please stand for the Pledge
of Allegiance.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
>> Right a staff can you please call the roll?
[Reading names] Before I move on to this ability statement
some of you see that we have a couple of new members
of this distinguished body.
So, if you guys want to take a moment just
introduce yourselves to the public.
And say a little bit about your background
comment again we thank you for joining us.
>> Of course that happened.
Sorry everybody.
My name is Sarah Torraco I've been a resident of Martinez
for three years, and I'm an architect.
I have been licensed for ten years in California
and I specialize now in housing developments.
>> My name is Bill would, and I'm also an architect,
I've been living in Martinez since 1985.
And, I was on the Planning Commission from 1988 to 2001.
I left 25 years ago this month to raise my kids.
I figured I'd come back and have a couple more years
of whatever you want to call it.
Trying to help the city to get back on track after COVID.
And I'm glad to meet everybody that's here.
This is great.
>> Well thank you.
We are glad to have you back for your second tour of duty
here at.
We appreciate both of you.
We have a lot of people that come and go
from this commission.
So it's great to have two architects on board.
One of the benefits is that we do
see a different varieties and different backgrounds that
come on board.
So I definitely want to see what you guys have to say about some
of the things that come before us.
They can get a little heated.
So I definitely love to have you guys aboard.
So thank you.
We will move on to the civility statement.
As your appointed governing board
we will treat each other As your appointed Governing Board,
we will treat each other and the with patience, civility,
and courtesy as a model of the same behavior
we wish to reflect in for the conduct of all City business
and community participation.
This includes respect everyone's First Amendment Right
to voice their opinion on matters within the City's
subject jurisdiction, even if that opinion
is different from our own.
The decisions made tonight will be
the benefit of the Martinez community and not
for personal gain.
So.
We will now move on to public comment for items not listed
on the agenda this evening.
Again these are items that are within the jurisdiction
of this commission but not on tonight's agenda.
I don't see anybody present, but if there is,
there will be an opportunity to comment on agenda items
later this evening.
So since we don't have anyone present com
is there anyone online?
That has any comments not on the agenda?
>> There are no hands raised.
>> Okay.
Since we don't have any public comments
we will close public comment for items not on tonight's agenda.
We will move on to approve action minutes from June 23rd
2026 are there any changes questions or concerns with those
action meeting minutes?
Can I get a motion to >> A motion
to approve the minutes as submitted.
>> Second.
>> Please record the vote.
>> Quickly before we do a roll call vote I just want to advise
the new commissioners, you are able to vote on this item.
[Members voting]
>> I wasn't here last time.
>> You can still vote.
Okay.
[Members voting]
>> Motion passes.
>> Fantastic we are moving right along.
So we will now move on to our regular agenda items.
The first of which is to conduct a public hearing to adopt
resolution number 26-08 forwarding a recommendation
to the City Council to adopt an ordinance approving
the amendment to the Martinez Municipal Code regarding group
homes and residential care facilities.
By amending chapter 22-04, chapter 22.1222.14 chapter
22.16, chapter 22.23.
And staff will present us with their briefing.
Thank you.
>> Thank you chair Evans.
Good evening Planning Commission and members
of the public and the online general public.
My name is Emma Tovar, I'm the assistant planner here
at the City of Martinez, and I'm going
to be giving a presentation on group homes and residential care
facilities.
>> Today we are going to be talking about the purpose
of residential care facilities and group homes,
what a group home is, was a residential care facility is,
talk about existing legislation and regulations.
Their proposed amendments and I would be answering any questions
afterwards.
So the reason we are here is because in Martinez's housing
element, specifically program 11,
it requires the city to consider adopting regulations
to fully address small and large residential care facilities
consistent with state law.
In that program, the city also commits
to consider amending the zoning ordinance
to allow group homes for seven or more persons
with a conditional use permit in conditional use zones.
It's also in our 2025 and 2026 Planning Division
work plan as well.
So, what is a group home?
So a group home, we have it split into small group
home and large group home.
Small group home will be six or fewer unrelated persons
with disabilities.
They would be residents sharing cooking, dining common living
areas.
They would provide peer support and may participate
in cooking and housekeeping, and other communal
living activities.
Group homes will be the same, however,
large group homes would be the same
however it will be seven or more unrelated persons
with disabilities.
Residential care facility.
Small residential care facility will be six or fewer persons.
This will be services for individuals
in need of assistance with daily living
activities such as bathing com dressing, eating, and mobility.
And is state licensed.
A large residential care facility will be the same.
But this will be for seven or more persons.
So, use is not proposed to change
at this time include transitional and supportive
housing.
Emergency shelters, boarding houses,
dormitories, recovery residences,
or sober living homes, and other alcohol or drug facilities.
The ones we are talking about today are because of the housing
program companies are not in housing program 11.
So, a city council study session was held on February 4th,
to receive direction on group home and residential care
facility uses the City Council provided feedback that supported
the proposed definitions, and they did not support permitting
large residential care facilities with conditional use
permit and other residential use districts besides multifamily
and commercial.
So now, we will move on to existing legislation
and regulations.
So state law does require small group homes
to be allowed by all residential districts.
And state law also requires small residential care
facilities to be allowed by all residential districts.
So for large group homes come to the California Department
of Housing and Community Development HCD
asserts that local jurisdictions are also
required to permit large group homes by right and single family
residential zoning districts.
Now the city is unable to locate a statutory requirement
or support, however the state has granted purview over housing
matters to HCD which is why we are
all including that in our definitions as well and uses.
So, here are the existing city regulations,
as you can see in the middle column,
a lot of the uses listed here are not permitted by right,
and the definitions these are the current definitions that we
have in our zoning ordinance.
So, proposed regulations, as mentioned
before the middle column where it says permitted by right
is going to be consistent with state law allowing small group
homes, a large group homes and residential care
facilities, small residential care facilities,
and all residential districts.
So, I just wanted to show a visual
of what the proposed group home is going to look like.
So highlighted in blue is going to be state law where
it's allowed in all residential districts
and you have highlighted in orange where a small group
homes is going to be allowed conditionally.
And small group homes again, this
is going to be six persons or fewer.
Similarly here, this is going to be for large group homes,
so seven persons or more.
And this is going to be for small residential care
facilities, six persons or fewer.
And large residential care facilities, seven persons
or more.
And come with that, I will make the recommendation to conduct
a public hearing and adopt resolution 26-08 forwarding
the recommendation to the City Council to adopt an ordinance
approving amendments to the Martinez Municipal Code
regarding group homes and residential care facilities
by amending chapter 22.04 chapter 22.12, chapter 22.14,
chapter 22.16, and chapter 22 .23.
And with that, I can answer any questions.
>> Thank you.
We really appreciate that.
That was very brief.
And thorough, and I know staff has made or put
a lot of work into the last couple years bringing
in our ordinances and code in line
with the state and other municipalities
that are within our area.
So then we're all aligned with one another.
So I know it was a heavy lift, and I definitely appreciate it.
Before I open it up to the rest of the group,
I just have one question.
Are there any proposed residential care facilities
or group homes that are currently
in planning or under consideration at this time?
>> Not that I'm aware of.
At the moment.
>> So this is really just to bring it in line with the state?
Like it's not going to affect anyone at this time?
>> Correct.
>> I will open it up to the group,
I know we all have personal experiences with this topic.
So, I am anxious to hear everyone's thoughts.
If there are any.
>> I'm just curious, how many residential facilities do we
currently have?
Or do we have any?
We don't know?
>> We don't have that information readily >> Okay.
Thank you.
>> No one has any questions for staff?
>> I appreciate your it seems like it's mostly a formality.
There's nothing planning there.
Doesn't sound like this is going to have much of an impact
other than bringing us into compliance.
Is that assumption accurate?
>> Yes.
>> I want to clarify that comment.
So I think yes it does bring us into compliance,
yes there are not any pending applications related
to this use, but, it absolutely could have an impact if we
saw an increase in this type of use in other places in the city
where they currently are not permitted.
>> I have some clarification questions.
One, is it something that all jurisdictions in California
are obligated to afford with under obligation number 11?
>> Project 11 is our housing element,
but each city in California should be consistent with
the definitions in what they allow.
For example the small and large group homes
should be allowed at all residential districts
and it's something that each city should have in place.
>> And are we going to see more of these definition corrections
as we move forward this year?
>> Over time, little by little it will depend on looking back
at the planning Division's work plan and the housing element
and seeing what we are going to tackle.
And if there are any updates coming from the state.
>> To add to that, I think it was two years ago we did
a comprehensive update to all of our uses in our commercial
and industrial districts and we did corresponding definitions
with our existing and proposed uses.
So not foreseeing in the near future
any substantial changes in this space,
but there will be some additional changes
in the future.
>> I think this is personally a great idea.
I had a family member come it was pre-COVID.
But grandmother lived in a facility like this,
down in Arpita's I think it was.
And she lived with a group of I think maybe 4 or 5 ladies
in a house.
And they kind of watched over each other,
and it created a great environment
where she wasn't alone but she had
her own freedom I guess because she didn't
want to live with family.
So come I think it's a great idea.
If we didn't have this in place that we
would make it available in case something like that
is necessary for us.
I mean personally, it worked out great for our family.
And I hope it works out great for other people too.
And I'm just curious.
It just occurred to me.
When we have residential housing accommodations,
does that help with our housing numbers?
>> It helps when there's new residential construction
and building permits are issued.
So it could result in an improvement
if this results in additional units.
However, in most cases, it's an existing residential unit
that's converted to this use, which would not
have a direct benefit in terms of our regional housing needs
allocation, however, if that were to occur,
it is something that we could talk about as a way
to provide housing opportunities for additional people.
In the qualitative narrative that we submit
as part of our annual report.
>> Good questions.
>> I appreciate the conversation.
If there turns out to be any public comment of course
we can come back for additional discussion.
But since we have no one in the audience,
do we have anyone online for public comment?
>> We do not.
>> Okay then I will close that public comment.
I don't think there is a need for any additional discussion.
So I will ask if there's a motion.
>> Motion.
>> I will second.
>> Just to clarify the motion is as moved by staff correct?
>> Is no one going to read >> I don't have to.
>> Yeah, motion as directed by staff.
Okay.
Please record our votes.
[Members voting]
>> Motion passes.
>> Thank you all.
We will now move on to our next item on the regular agenda
comments to conduct a public hearing and consider adoption
of resolution number 26-09A recommendation to City Council
to adopt an ordinance amending the Municipal Code by appealing
chapter 2.24, City Planning Commission in its entirety
and replacing it with Martinez Municipal Code chapter 2.24
Planning Commission.
And staff will proceed with that.
>> Good evening Chair Evans and members of the Planning
Commission, Michael, the academic director.
Was indicated before the Commission this evening
is the consideration of updated regulations related
to the Planning Commission, which is contained in chapter
2.24 of our municipal code.
As the Commission is aware, the Commission
serves in both an advisory and a decision
making authority for the city, and a variety of issues.
But mainly having to do with planning
and zoning, and development.
The commission is responsible for adhering to state law
as well as what is outlined within our code.
Our existing chapter 2.24 has remained largely unchanged since
it was originally established, as quite frankly pretty
antiquated, and further it's not consistent with our current
practices, our bylaws, etc..
So, the proposed ordinance is intended
to comprehensively update chapter 2.24 to improve clarity,
reflect current organizational structure, namely adding
an information on our alternate commissioner,
and establish consistent procedures for appointment
and operation of the Planning Commission.
So, the proposed amendments I'm going
to outline them before you.
So first, they are to clarify that the Planning Commission
consists of seven regular members, and one
alternate member that are appointed by the mayor with City
Council approval.
Regarding this matter our code currently just speaks
to the seven regular members, it does not
speak to the alternate member which
has been a practice for a number of years.
Additionally, the proposed amendments
allow up to one regular or one alternate member
to reside within the city's adopted sphere of influence.
Which is intended to expand opportunities
for individuals that are members of our community
but maybe are not directly within Martinez.
I do not believe we currently have someone
on the commission that satisfies that role,
but in the last few years, we have had somebody
that has filled that purpose.
Third, the proposed amendments Establish two four year term
limits for regular planning commissioners.
Which is a current practice that has not
been codified in our code, but it is in our bylaws.
It also is intended to clarify that term limits are
for consecutive terms.
And, excludes service of alternate members
of the Planning Commission, and excludes partial terms
from the term limit calculation when it's less than half
of a regular term.
So let me give an example for that.
Commissioner Sönnichsen was an alternate commissioner.
Now he's a regular commissioner.
When he was an alternate commissioner
that would not count towards one of his two terms.
I forget which Commissioner one of the new commissioners
is actually satisfying a term that
was vacated by Commissioner Klopp when he moved out
of the country.
So that's a partial term so if it's
less than two years it would not count towards that required
term.
In an effort to really allow some stability
of the commission, but also allow new voices.
Next, the proposed amendments allow planning commissioners
to hold office upon the exploration of the terms,
until their successor has been nominated and confirmed
to ensure continuity of government.
This is come as you know, the council breaks during the summer
months, and this would allow, if we needed
to do so it would allow commissioners to stay on
past their term if there hadn't been
the opportunity for new appointment.
Ideally that will not be used, it's
a placeholder to protect us in case we ran into an issue.
The regulations are clarify the role and participation
of the alternate member where the alternate member would
participate, and actually vote on a meeting
if one of the regular commissioners is not present to.
As Commissioner Wood is doing this evening.
Sorry.
The regulations also update the officer selection process
and meeting provisions to reflect current practice
and applicable law.
They update staff liaison language
to reflect the city's current organizational structure.
They clarify quorum requirements and voting procedures
at a very high level.
A modernize and consolidate the Commission's power and duties
in state law and our code, and then
finally, they remove obsolete and duplicative procedures
while improving the overall organization of the chapter.
So come with the recommendation before the commission this
evening is to conduct a public hearing,
adopt resolution number 26-09 forwarding the recommendation
to the City Council to adopt an ordinance approving amendments
to the Martinez Municipal Code by repealing chapter 2.24 City
Planning Commission in its entirety,
and replacing it with chapter 2.24 Planning Commission.
The final couple of comments that I want to make
is as has previously been represented,
this is the second of a three part process
the staff is undertaking.
First was the onboarding guide, second is updating our code,
and the third effort will be to update our bylaws
to ensure consistency.
I am available for any other questions that you may have.
>> Thank you.
And the onboarding guide was fantastic.
>> I know I didn't get that one I jumped on board but I know
if I had it would have been a much easier battle.
You mentioned one alternate?
Once upon a time I thought we had two?
>> There are a couple of other commissions that have more than
one alternate, but for Planning Commission,
as long as I'm aware they've only had one alternate.
>> Okay.
And the four year terms, is that capped
so you get two four year terms period?
Or can you do four year terms a break,
>> So our current practice just says two terms.
But the updated language is two consecutive terms
which would allow for an opportunity for a break
and then if selected by the council and by the mayor
and confirmed by the City Council
a commissioner could come back.
>> Is that a break of at least one term?
>> I'm glad that's in there.
Because once you've been on this body for eight years,
I would hate to think that with all that experience
you couldn't come back at another time
and still volunteer and contribute to the city.
My next question it could be in the bylaws,
is there going to be any language about term
lengths for the chair?
I know we had recently discussed rotating it every year.
>> There is language that codifies that the chair and vice
chair are selected annually.
There is not language that would prohibit
a chair from being reselected as previously happened.
But there will be a vote annually on who
should serve in that role.
>> Thank you.
Anybody else?
By all means.
Well we are going to have different opportunities
to discuss these come as Michael mentioned
this is the second of three.
I know I look forward to the bylaws, that's
going to be a good discussion when that comes aboard.
>> Do you anticipate when you'll be bringing the bylaws forward?
>> I don't have a date for that yet,
I would anticipate that we are going to pivot for a little bit
and prioritize some other items.
So I would anticipate that is probably in early 2027 task.
>> Thank you.
>> Want to express appreciation for the onboarding guide.
That was great.
I think that makes a lot of sense.
>> Are these in line with other municipalities?
Did you guys look into that?
Okay.
>> The only other thing that I think would be important to add
that I didn't because I'm actually working in partnership
with our assistant city manager and recreation manager.
They are updating the regulations concurrently
for the cemetery commission.
Where there will be a fair amount of alignment
with the changes that we are working on with the one
distinction that they actually do not have an alternate as part
of their commission.
>> For providing consistency both between the commissions
and with other municipalities.
I think that's great.
We don't have anyone in public comment
do we have anyone online?
>> We do not.
>> Okay then I will close public comment on that.
Can I get a motion?
From one of our new commissioners?
>> I moved to adopt the finding funding commission as reviewed
by the staff.
>> Second.
>> Thank you.
Please record the vote.
[Members voting]
>> Motion passes.
>> Fantastic.
So we will move on to our last regular item on the agenda.
It is to review the draft community planning proclamation
in order to provide feedback to City Council
and barring any concerns recommend
adoption of the proclamation in October 2026.
Thank you again Chair Evans and members of the Planning
Commission, before you as consideration of the Community
Planning Month proclamation.
So, each October communities throughout the United States
celebrate national Community Planning month
to recognize the important role that planning
plays in communities.
Since 2023 the City Council has adopted Community Planning Month
proclamation annually.
Celebrating this holiday in Martinez specifically.
The draft proclamation before you has been prepared for City
Council's consideration at its October 7th meeting.
And staff is requesting any feedback
from the Commission on any potential suggested revisions
prior to the City Council's consideration.
So come the recommendation before the Planning Commission
is to review the draft proclamation,
and provide feedback, and recommend the City Council adopt
the proclamation in October of 2026.
And then finally, assuming it is adopted
would encourage commissioners to attend to receive
a copy of the proclamation.
I am available for any questions.
>> Thank you.
Does anyone have any questions about the proclamation?
>> I do not.
>> Okay.
That was pretty easy. (laughs) it's
because the staff gave such a fantastic briefing
all of our questions were already answered.
(laughs) anyone online that has a comment?
>> There's no one online.
>> Okay we will close public comment.
All right, then can I get a motion?
>> I will make a motion that we move forward with recommendation
-- recommending the draft community planning month
proclamation with the provided feedback and recommend that
the City Council adopt the proclamation in October of 2026.
>> I second that motion.
>> Please record the vote.
[Members voting]
>> Motion passes.
>> Fantastic we are moving right along.
So we will move on to any commission items?
>> I have one.
It's more of a question.
It's something that I would like for us to consider,
or I'd like to receive advisement
if it's already in place.
Does the city have a designation of public works professionals
identifies as as first responders?
>> I don't know that off the top of my head,
but we can follow up with you.
>> I would love that.
That's a good one do you want to tell us some background
or some context for that?
>> No I want to be cloaked in mystery. (laughs) no.
One of the things that we recognize
is that in the event of an emergency, often
the people who make way for medical and fire personnel
are people who or staff who work in public works.
They clear the roads, they free pathways for medical personnel.
But oftentimes they do not have that distinction.
Which comes with a fair deal of respect.
And I think that municipalities can make that distinction
and identify public works professionals
with first responders, police and fire.
And they can hold that space for them
and acknowledge them during first responder acknowledgments.
>> Thank you.
I appreciate you bringing that to our attention
and mentioning that.
It's very true depending upon the nature of the emergency.
Sometimes that work is required.
>> Agreed.
>> Thank you.
Please look into it.
Thank you.
>> Are there any acting director updates?
>> As usual, I have a few.
So a couple of items first the second meeting in August
will be canceled.
Your evening will be free.
But we will have a meeting a regular first meeting
in September.
At that meeting there will actually
be development application.
So change of pace from what we have been seeing from a policy
standpoint lately.
A couple of items recently went before the department
the city Commission to be aware of city Council introduced
regulations to establish entertainment zone regulations,
and specifically to designate the downtown as an entertainment
zone.
For background entertainment zones are --
they have been permitted by the state
for a couple of years at this point starting in San Francisco.
And then, a year and a half ago it
was expanded to municipalities throughout California.
These are areas where local businesses are
able to sell alcoholic beverages to go
where they can be consumed by the general public
in defined areas.
So the regulations that the City Council has introduced
would again establish the downtown as an entertainment
zone, and it would allow the entertainment zone
to be activated by the city in downtown Martinez and Co
in the chamber, only during special events
where a special event permit has been activated.
It is intended as an economic development tool,
and one of the main reasons why this is being done,
is that it is to streamline the permitting processes
for these organizations with dealing with a, b, C.
But also to create an opportunity that when
there is a big event that's in the downtown,
that it's our established brick and mortar businesses that
receive the economic benefit of the increased traffic
rather than an emphasis on outside vendors being brought
in.
Be one of the first dozen or so in the state
to establish these recommendations.
And the second in the East Bay.
Secondly, during July and when a period opened where cities could
nominate certain census tracts that our census tracts
where there are disadvantaged communities, as Opportunity
zones.
An Opportunity Zone is a federal program
this is the second iteration of that program.
And as part of that program, it opens up
opportunities where individuals can take their capital
gains from other properties, invest them into an opportunity
zone fund, and they can be used to establish businesses, build
housing, a whole series of economic development.
Efforts.
Within Martinez, there are four census tracts
that are eligible for the designation.
However, the caveat is that each governor is only
allowed to select up to 25% of the nominated census tracts.
Planning staff nominated all four of our census tracts,
they predominantly occupy, two of them occupy our downtown,
one is our downtown waterfront, one
is our main industrial corridor, and then the final one
goes down our avenue corridor close to the freeway.
So these are areas that we have deemed appropriate
for additional development.
I am excited to share that one of our census tracts
is on the shortlist, and it likely will hopefully
get selected by the governor.
We are doing our due diligence to see
if we are able to get two, three, or four.
That is probably not likely.
We are happy that it's looking like we may get one.
And really, we see this as a very significant
economic development tool that could
be hugely impactful to the city and a portion of our downtown
and our waterfront.
Next, related to the waterfront, I
would like to share that we are continuing,
emphasis is mainly focused on building relationships
with outside agencies to help with the regulatory
and permitting process, but also from a physical standpoint.
Myself and the city manager met with Libby Shaft, who's
the director of the Bay Area Council
and gave her a tour of our downtown and waterfront
and had lunch with her and spoke about the project,
and we are continuing those efforts
to get some attention on Martinez.
I did send some information a few days ago, but as a reminder
the Centennial on behalf of Eve Kearney who's
doing the extensive planning efforts plug,
hope to see all their.
And those of you who can, you do have the ability
to do so as well if you're able.
Brandon has been promoted from associate to senior planner
as well.
So, we have some well-deserved recognition.
>> Congratulations!
>> Those are my updates for this evening.
>> Are you able to share with us which census track is being
considered?
Or is that confidential?
>> No it's public information, I don't know the census track
information off the top of my head,
but it is the one that occupies our waterfront in the northern
part of our downtown.
>> Thank you.
That was a good amount of updates.
I appreciate that.
Any communications?
All right.
Well if there are no further discussions or communications,
we will adjourn to our next regularly scheduled Planning
Commission meeting which will be the first meeting in September.
>> Correct except we are adjourning to the next meeting
even though it will get canceled.
>> Okay then I will say that we are turning to the August 25th
2026 meeting which will be canceled.
The current time is 744 August 11th 2026.
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