Everyone, welcome to tonight's Planning and Transportation Commission regular
meeting. It's April 20th, 2026 and um tonight
there there have been no teleconference requests per AB2449.
We have uh one commissioner who is absent and excused and my guess is
another commissioner will arrive because of the rain very shortly is my guess.
Um so go on to agenda item three. Please join me in the pledge of allegiance.
I pledge algiance 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. [clears throat]
» Item four is tonight's roll call. Hi Rush. Good. Good evening.
» Hi, good evening. >> Chair Clemens
» here. >> Commissioner Anand
» here. >> Commissioner Cany
» here. >> Commissioner Bundy is excused and
Commissioner Tapias is absent.
» Thank you. Item 5A on tonight's agenda is the approval of minutes from the
April 6th, 2026 Planning and Transportation Commission meeting. Um,
do either of my colleagues have any desired edits or comments to discuss?
No. Okay, then we need an a motion to approve.
» I move to approve the minutes. >> Thank you. In a second.
» I second that. >> Check Clemens.
» Yes. >> Commissioner Alen,
» yes. >> Commissioner Canesty,
» yes. >> Commissioner Bundy is excused and
Commissioner Tapias is absent. Thank you.
Now we are on to item six, which is public comment. Public comment is
limited to items that are not on tonight's agenda. The commission may
briefly respond to statements made or questions posed as allowed by the Brown
Act, Government Code section 54954.2. However, our general policy is to refer
items to staff for attention or to have a matter placed on a future commission
agenda for a more comprehensive action or report. Um, on the screen are
instructions for making public comment. If anyone would like to make a public
comment and they're in chambers, please go ahead and fill out a slip, a speaker
slip, and then we can hand it to staff over here. Um, and then we'll take
people in person first and then we'll go to those who are on Zoom. If you're on
Zoom or would like to join, the meeting number is 88635467439.
Thank you. And you can also just call in on your phone. The phone number is 1
1669-900-9128.
Um, and then you enter the meeting ID number. If you're in person, uh, if
you're on Zoom, sorry, you can raise your hand. You click on reactions and
then raise your hand. And if you're on the phone, you can raise your hand by
pressing star 9. So, first, is there anyone in chambers
who would like to make a comment on something not on tonight's agenda?
Okay, seeing none, I will turn it over to uh
those who are on Zoom. Uh Lynette, do we have any hands raised to make a general
public comment this evening? >> There are none. Okay,
we'll just wait a few more seconds to see if anyone changes their mind, would
like to tell us something that they believe in or something happening in the
community. You're welcome to make a public comment.
Any hands raised, Lynette? >> There are none.
» Okay, then I need a motion to close public comment.
» I move to close public comment. >> Thank you. In a second.
» I second. Chair Clemens, >> yes.
» Commissioner Alan, >> yes.
» Commissioner Canesty, >> yes.
» Vice Chair Bundy is excused and Commissioner Tapias is absent.
» Thank you. >> So, we are on item 7A on the agenda.
It's our action item tonight. It's new business. The topic is 9:30 and 940
Commercial Street. This is a request for a design review, a protected tree
removal permit, dirt hall and grading certificate, a transportation demand
management plan. There should be a management in there, I think. Adoption
of a resolution certifying a final initial study and a mitigated negative
declaration and dedication of an of an 8 footwide public pathway easement for a
new automotive repair and storage building. This is a APN number 046161
030. Um, good evening. And first we have a
staff presentation.
» No, not yet. >> Okay,
» there you go. Thank [clears throat] you. Welcome.
» Thank you. >> Um, good evening commissioners. My name
is Laura Richstone, senior planner with uh current planning and I will be
providing an overview of the proposed new uh automotive repair and storage
facility at 9:30 and 940 industri uh industrial commercial.
Tonight from the applicant side, we have Miming and Matt Kovville um with the
architects Perkins and Will and we have Harvey Coup who's representing the
owner. The agenda tonight will start with a
staff presentation followed by a few words from the applicant, questions and
comments from the commission and conclude with a formal action by the
commission.
I will not read this again. Uh the project is located on the east
side of the city along Commercial Street. The project site highlighted or
outlined um in pink is across from the recently approved Alexandria development
project um and down the street from the approved SBO project as well.
Jumping into a larger context, the project site highlighted in yellow is
within a half mile of the San Carlos Cal Train Station and about a thousand feet
uh away from the greater East Side residential neighborhood to the north.
The property is 1.69 acres in size, zoned heavy industrial, and located in
the city's east side innovation district vision plan area. The pro uh the
proposed facility would be roughly 43,000 square ft and 30 feet tall to
include one story plus a mezzanine level and robust on-site landscaping.
As an overview, the requested entitlements for the project include a
design review for the overall design of the building, a protected tree removal
for eight protected trees, a dirt hall and grading certificate to allow
approximately 19,000 cubic yards of grading to meet base flood elevation, a
transportation demand management plan to reduce trips to the project by 20%.
in the adoption of a resolution to certify a final initial study and
mitigate a negative declaration stating that the project will result in no
significant or cumulative adverse impacts.
And although not an entitlement, the project also includes the dedication of
an 8- foot wide public access easement along the eastern property line to meet
the intent of the east side innovation district vision plan, which we will
discuss on later slides. The Planning and Transportation Commission would be
the final approval approval body for this project unless appealed to city
council. The proposed 48,370
ft automotive repair and storage facility is intended to maintain and
service a fleet of corporate gasoline light duty vehicles. The vehicles uh the
facility includes four lift bays and six additional service bays intended for
repair, maintenance, cleaning, smog, certification, and detailing. Parts and
material storage would be located on the mezzanine level and vehicle storage for
up to 30 cars would be on the main level. The facility would operate during
regular business hours Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p p.m. and
would employ 6 to eight employees.
The proposed building is situated towards the rear and left side of the
parcel. A large 47 foot front yard setback is proposed to accommodate
robust landscaping and an above ground transformer, emergency generator,
uh service yard and metal security fence.
The site also features two gated driveways. The west or orange driveway
uh provides access to the transformer and generator while the main driveway
highlighted in red provides vehicle entry to the building and the larger
site as a whole. Adjacent to the main driveway and surface parking lot, the uh
an 8 foot wide public access easement highlighted here in purple is provided
along the site's eastern property line. >> [snorts]
» The property is located in the east side innovation district vision plan area of
the city. The vision plan was approved in 2021 and acts as a flexible framework
to guide development to meet the larger goals of transforming this area of the
city into a more dynamic and sustainable district.
One of the main goals of the vision vision plan is to provide and to achieve
greater multimodal access within this area. and to the Cal Train station
through the implementation of the discovery path
through using the former railspur easements within this district and
through midblock north south connections. The pathway is meant to
provide both circulation and landscaping elements to increase the walkability of
the area. Segments of the discovery path have
already been dedicated through the SBO and Alexandria development projects.
The applicant has proposed to provide an 8- foot wide easement along their
eastern right property line. This would provide connection to the old spur line
and anticipated discovery path at the rear of the property. A matching 8 foot
wide easement would be provided by the adjacent property when it undergoes
redevelopment in the future. The intent is to equitably provide a
portion of the pathway on the project site. At this time,
the resultant 16 foot wide pathway would provide adequate width for shared
pedestrian and bicycle travel and thus meet the intent of the vision plan.
Several conditions are attached to the applicant's offer of dedication. These
include that the city can only accept the dedication area after the city has
secured the necessary easements from the other properties along the discovery
path um between Industrial Road and Branson Road such that this portion
would connect to somewhere um and that the offer of dedication is
valid for 27 and a half years that if the city council does not formally
accept the easement within that time, the offer expires and the land would
revert back to the property owner unencumbered.
The other conditions uh of the easement are related to the maintenance and
construction of the pathway such that construction of the pathway would be
conducted by the owner. In addition, the easement area and pathway would remain
closed to the public until a continuous pathway is constructed from Branson to
industrial per the agreement. Prior to formal acceptance of the
easement, the property owner would be responsible for maintenance of the
easement area. Maintenance responsibility would shift to the city
after pathway construction and formal acceptance of the easement has occurred.
Shifting into the entitlements portion of the agenda, design review is required
for all new commercial structures within the city. The scope of design review
involves the review of the project's overall site, design, and architecture.
The proposed structure features a modern industrial aesthetic with clean lines, a
glazed mezzanine pop-up roof, and a mix of dark and light gray metal uh panels
with vertical fins that break up the building's massing and add visual
interest. The entry of the building pictured in
the bottom right is highlighted by a deep overhang with contrasting siding.
The proposal also includes a metal perimeter fence along the front of the
building. The fence features a staggered design and employs metal siding that
echoes the main building's material and design language to further break up the
massing and reduce the bulk of the development.
The proposed color and materials are pictured here.
And you can see the different metal panels and vertical fins.
Pictured here is the front elevation of the structure as viewed if standing on
Commercial Street. The secondary driveway to the generator and
transformer is located on the left and the main driveway to the site and the
proposed 8ft easement highlighted in pink is located along the right.
Here is the rear of the structure which is located along the old spur line.
[snorts]
This is the right side which features the entry base to the structure and the
public easement for the discovery path along the fence line.
And here is the left side of the structure.
The project complies with the heavy industrial district development
standards, the city's landscape and and the city's landscaping and parking
requirements as outlined in the table to the right and is an allowed use in the
district.
Entry to the project site has been designed in accordance to the pending
reconfiguration of Commercial Street that was approved as part of the
Alexandria development. The redesign will eliminate all on street parking on
along Commercial Street and introduce a new new turning lane into the Alexandria
site and a new bicycle lane along the south side of Commercial Street.
The effect of the reconfiguration reduces maneuvering space for large
vehicles into and out of the site. So to compensate and to ensure that vehicles
can safely enter and exit the site without taking wide turns and
encroaching into other travel lanes, the applicant has proposed a larger 66 foot
wide driveway apron to the main driveway.
Both planning and public works support the larger curb cut to maintain public
safety. Additional conditions of approval have
also been added to incorporate pedestrian level design features to
maintain or to minimize, I should say, potential pedestrian vehicle conflicts
at that driveway entrance. Regarding parking, the property falls
within the scope of AB 2097, which exempts the development from
minimum parking standards. Um, however, the applicant has voluntarily proposed
six on-site um, parking spaces within their surface lot as well as two loading
spaces at the rear.
[snorts] To accommodate the proposed development, eight protected trees are
requested for removal. These trees range from 8 to 24 in in diameter and include
a mixture of Canary Island pines, liquid amber, and tea trees.
Seven trees are on site and one tree is a street tree in the ride ofway.
The applicant has proposed to plant 26 replacement trees where seven or I
should say eight are required on site within the front yard setback and along
the main driveway. The applicant has also proposed to plant six six street
trees uh in the rideway where otherwise nine are required due to sight
constraints. The city arborist has the ability to reduce the number of desired
or required street trees and has recommended the reduced number be
permitted to accommodate a wider driveway apron and ensure safe turning
into and out of the site. Just pause for a second.
The project is located um within an area of the city that's prone to flooding to
flooding and has a FEMA designated base flood elevation of 12 ft above sea
level. All new structures are required to be
built above the base flood elevation. The grade of the existing site ranges
ranges from 9 to 11 1/2 ft and would require approximately 19,000 cubic yards
of grading to raise the building pad above the BFE.
As the proposed grading exceeds 1,000 cubic yards, approval from the planning
and transportation commission is required.
The hall routes for uh the trucks for uh moving the grading would be um highway
101 to Holly exit um and then turn onto industrial road then onto commercial and
then to the project site. Trucks would depart in the reverse.
staff is supportive of granting this uh permit as the proposed grading will not
adversely affect the drainage or lateral supports of others properties is
consistent with the municipal code and general plan and will not be detrimental
to the public health safety or welfare. [snorts]
The project also requires a TDM transportation and demand management
plan which requires 20% trip reduction by utilizing various trip reduction
measures. The applicant is proposing the measures listed here to reach the trip
reduction target for their site. The TDM plan has been reviewed by public works
and found to be compliant with city standards
to ensure trip reduction goals are achieved. TDM plans and the results are
also monitored by the applicant and submitted to the city annually for
review.
[snorts] Regarding potential environmental impacts, an initial study
and mitigated negative declaration was prepared for this project by the city's
consultant CSG. The document was posted for public review late last year and no
comments were received. Based on the ISM and D, the project
would not cause significant adverse or cumulative impacts. In addition, the
recommended mitigation measures have been incorporated into the project's
conditions of approval.
The city mailed a public notice to all property owners within a 300t radius of
the property on April 7th for this project. The same public notice was also
published in the Daily Journal on April 9th. A physical public notice was also
placed on site on April 9th, at least 10 days before this meeting.
A notice was also sent to each residents fronting the dirt route along Industrial
Road on April 7th as required by the dirt hall and grading certificate.
Should the commission decide to move forward, here is the motion before you.
Uh, thank you. This concludes my presentation and I believe the applicant
might have a few words. Thank you, Laura. [clears throat]
Um, is it Harvey for the representatives or the representative of the owner,
please?
Um, good evening, commissioners. Thank you so much for your time. My name is
Harvey Coup. I represent the owners of 9:30 and 940 Commercial. Um, we are
pleased to share our proposal of office and fleet repair at the vacant 930
commercial uh, street site here in St. Carlos. In the tradition of light
industrial use in the east side uh innovation district, we are proposing a
facility to check and maintain a smallcale corporate fleet. It will be
staffed by four to six mechanics once fully operational and the site will
feature 10 service bays, uh space for equipment, uh tools, parts, uh storage,
as well as supporting office space. We expect no more than 10 cars driving to
the site each month. Um,
I also have to say we're very grateful to the planning department for all their
support and input over the last year. Um, we really look forward to
contributing to the neighborhood um through extensive streetscape. Um,
improving bike and pedestrian safety. Um, we are going to be installing new
sidewalks. Um, we are uh adding street trees and layered landscaping. We will
also be adding street lighting and undergrounding overhead utilities. As
mentioned by Laura, we will also be dedicating a portion of our site to the
discovery path, which will hopefully increase neighborhood pedestrian and
bicycle connectivity as contemplated by the east side innovation plan. Thank you
for your consideration and for this opportunity to present our project to
you this evening. >> Thank you, Harvey.
Um well, first is there anything else that you'd like to present or No. Okay.
Thank you for all all for being here. Um with that, why don't we go to
commissioner questions and then we'll go to the public.
You go back to the order. There we go. Um yeah,
commissioner questions followed by questions from or comments from the
public and then we'll have discussion and action here. So um with that uh
Commissioner Anad, would you like to start?
» Yes. Uh thank you for the very detailed presentation. Laura, I have two
questions. Um first one was regarding um the EV charging stations when I assume
or I understood that no EV charging stations are allowed indoors because of
some fire code. Is that the case? >> Yes and no. So the applicant had
indicated that they do not have EV fleet vehicles and that they were not
installing EV charging within the vehic within the building. if they were to
install it within the building, it would trip different in other fire codes. Um,
but they are required to do EV in the required parking or the provided parking
on the surface parking lot per the building code.
» Okay. Um because we we have a citywide climate action plan which we want to
honor and going forward the EV vehicles are only going to increase not reduce.
So that said, what if 10 years or even 5 years down the line it is an all
electric carpeted fleet? Then what happens? Is there a plan to upgrade like
to undertake like a massive project? What happens then?
» I will defer to the applicant. >> Yeah, sure. As discussed to Laura, we
have no sort of plans for uh the EV um for any EV fleet. However, uh I fully
expect that should that change, we would have to go for another application cycle
because the fire codes are all different and um so that would be I think a
separate event later down the line. >> Okay, thank you. And my second question
is more for the city I think because it's right next door to our massive
Alexandria project and um also the 101 101 and Holly intersection which will be
used by both the projects I assume the building will happen
concurrently. So how do the two projects talk to each other when let's say the
trucks are they happen to be coming together and like how much nuisance how
much road blockages will be coordinated like how do the projects talk to each
other in that case? >> Um I really the applicant might have to
come up and and talk about that but I personally see this happening slightly
before Alexandria if only because this applicant seems very motivated to build.
Alexandria has a larger develop or a longer development timeline 10 15 years.
Um so when they start with phase one is is a little more uh longer. We think two
to five years. So we don't exactly know. I anticipate that this project would
happen before the re um configuration of uh commercial street in phase one of
Alexandria. I would just like to caution the city like if for whatever reason if
it just so happens that both the projects end up starting at the same
time or happening at the same time there should be some mechanisms put in place
for them to talk to each other just so the to minimize the disruption for the
neighboring community and businesses. >> Yeah through the chair if I may add um
to your point commissioner anand usually when uh development happens parallelly
there are a lot of checks and balances at the building permit stage. So we do
have um requirements of a staging plan for construction equipment and uh there
are notices that go out both from the building division and public works. So
there is a lot of coordination that happens um within uh the city and then
uh there is also information posted on site on the city's website and outside
uh at the um you know at the bulletin board about um any public um notices
that are going out. So there is a lot of coordination that happens but yes we
will keep that in mind um if if these projects go out concurrently.
» Thank you. Thank you. That'll be >> Thank you, Commissioner. Commissioner
Kennasty. >> Yes. Um, okay. So, I have three kind of
general areas of question. First is the discovery path. Um, can you clarify how
the discovery path would be realistically implemented over over time
given that it it really depends on kind of construction and development of um
other adjacent properties? >> Yeah. um discovery that's kind of um
typical of these type of pathways. They happen incrementally as projects
redevelop. So um uh it's kind of assembling a puzzle piece. So we'll get
all of the dedications and then the idea is once that has all occurred, we would
then um have it built out somewhat at the same time um and then opened
somewhat at the same time. But it's a long time horizon
» because it takes a while for these larger uh uh parcels to redevelop.
» Right. Okay. And and what probability do you think I mean you do you anticipate
any issues with that? I mean you have 27 and a half years. I don't think that's
going to be a problem but just curious on what kind of planning time time
horizon you have for this. Um I am personally I think it will uh
happen because we also concurrently not part of the agenda are uh doing the east
side um the northeast area excuse me specific plan and I think that once that
is approved hopefully later this year it will spark um potential redevelopment in
and around that area as well and we're already seeing that turnover with
Alexandria Sabrad the 777 so it's happening Um, and I think it will happen
within that time frame. >> Okay. Is there anything in the project's
design like utilities grading or layout that could limit the city's ability to
complete the uh connection in the future from what you've seen so far?
» Uh, not no. >> Okay, fair enough. And then I saw that
the applicant presented an offer of dedication. I
guess that's record that would be recorded in the county recorder. Um are
are they they ones that file that or who files that?
» So what happens is um once all of the conditions in the offer are met. Yeah.
» We have all of the um easements and some other bits and pieces. Then staff would
take the offer to city council. City council would formally say and accept
the offer and say yes we will accept it. and then it is recorded um with the
assessor's office. >> Okay. So the city records it then.
» Yes. >> Okay. Um secondary area is the trees. So
uh it looks like from what I've seen eight
are being removed and 26 replaced and then six street trees. Nine were
required but you do have an ability to reduce that. So al ultimately it looks
like there's a lot more trees going to be uh afterwards than there was in the
beginning. Correct. Okay, that's that sounds pretty good. Um
and then the third area um really is the land use itself. So the long-term vision
of the quarter, you know, how does it how does this fit into the long-term
vision of the east side innovation district? I mean, you know, it's like
biochem, you know, those types of light industrial. This um how does this fit in
to that? >> I think it well, it does fit in. It it
is an allowed use in the district. The district uh envisions
um everything from auto to biochem and in between. So, it is supposed to be
industrial and um life sciences. >> Yeah. No, I agree. I don't I don't think
there's any issue there. I just wanted to hear it. Okay. Um that's all the
questions I have. >> Thank you. I had a couple of questions
as well. Um this is in the airport land use
commission. Uh what's the priority area or um
perview? Are there any further approvals needed as long as this building is built
below the height uh minimum? Is there anything else that Alec needs to
approve? >> Uh, no. There is um, uh, a notification
that will have to be recorded on the property, letting this property owner
and those in the future um, giving them awareness that they are in this area.
Okay. But there's no specific approval from the airport land use commission.
» Okay.
Um, the packet said that there are two bike racks with four bikes at the
southeast corner. Does that mean two racks with four each or two racks of two
each? Are there four spaces for bikes or eight?
» I believe four. >> Four total.
» Okay. Being that this is very close to the train station. Did the owner not
think that there'd be anything more demanded by I guess there only do you
expect the people on site really only to be the four to six mechanics not members
of the public visiting or not picking up yeah please Harvey is there
» it is the mechanics who will be on site >> and because they're corporate owned
fleets it's not the individuals will be coming to pick up their cars being
repaired okay all right
I had a general question [clears throat]
about the the emergency uh generator.
» I saw on the packet that generators, you know, create energy uh throw off a lot
of noise and can throw off emissions as well in the air. Um, and so I saw that
the packet addressed the noise and that it would have to pass standards as we um
license or certify that they're able to um to install. Um, what about air
emissions from the generator? >> From my understanding, large generators
like this need a permit from the Bay Area Air Quality District and they that
district verifies what the emissions are. Okay. I don't know much more about
that process, but they need that permit before they can install.
» Okay. >> Um and then um I get and then I don't
know much from there. Do you have any insight?
» Well, we will need >> Yeah.
» to get the the back met approval. >> Yeah. So that the air quality management
district is really the one who takes ownership of making sure that those um
generators follow our standards, >> right? And um the placement of the
generator on the building um it looks like the small driveway is there and
parking only for repair vehicles for the generator right there. Um how close is
that to the sidewalk and could anyone walking down the sidewalk have kind of a
negative effect from the um from the generators?
» I don't remember how close it is. I It's over 15 feet away, maybe over 20 um from
the sidewalk. Um, >> I know it's screened. Is that screened
from the sidewalks view? >> Yes. The the fence goes right before it
and there'll also be landscaping as well.
» Okay. >> So, you don't anticipate people who are
like a disincentive for anyone to walk in case the generators are on?
» My understanding is the generator is for emergency purposes only. So, it will
only be running during those times. There will have to be um some annual or
monthly running to make sure that it is uh up to shape,
» but um >> uh we can
ask the applicant if they'd be willing to do that during weekends or during
certain times if that is something that the commission is open wanting to do.
» Yeah, that let's let's talk about that when we make our comments. Thank you for
that. Um the other maybe this is a comment but the other maybe it's a
question I'm not sure. So this view the south elevation um the row the small row
of is that a row of windows behind the
trees? >> Yes.
» Okay. And can you show the other elevations again?
This this elevation has no articulation, has no windows, has no features that
um that make it a you know friendly kind of neighbor to anyone walking. So this
is the rail this is facing the rail spur.
» Yes. >> Okay. Is there a reason that this facade
was is so impermeable impenetrable? [snorts] I'll ask the design team.
[laughter]
Um >> this is something we talked about in
detail with the planning >> department. So with Al and Lisa and
Laura uh multiple meetings we iterated. So this is actually something that has
evolved from what was truly plain. We've added a lot of variation of scale. What
you may not be reading is that the volume on the left has these dimensional
ribs versus the volume right there's actually a a recess in that gray panel.
» Okay. We're trying to get the fencing to relate to that as well. So the change in
scale to break that up. That was one of their original comments.
» We think that we met a good common ground through the development of the
the progress there. >> Did you consider any more recessed areas
like the gray like one or two others? >> So it relates to the program within and
so it it's basically where the car storage is kept. There are cars backed
up. not something we really want windows to highlight.
» Right. >> The recess is related to an exit door.
And so there's a programmatic reason for where that is.
» I'm just saying it provides welcome relief to the otherwise
yeah from this view unreieved facade. Um I
find this very imposing and would not really want to walk next to it. I
understand your point about the ribs on the whatever side this is to the left,
right? That the there are ribs kind of articulating out from the building and
that section, right? >> Correct.
» Okay. But staff got comfortable with this design.
» Yeah. Through uh through the chair, if I may. Uh yes we did discuss this and um
the overall idea was uh the design is compatible with the underlying land use
which is industrial and it does fit in with the industrial district design look
and feel including the materials. So this has evolved a lot uh from what we
had seen uh previously and we believe the recess given through the light gray
and the dark gray followed by the glass on the top it's a very um improved
design from the initial um design that we had seen. So staff was comfortable
with this design given the underlying zoning district which is industrial.
» And remind me of the height of the dark brown facade.
» 24 ft to >> so two stories.
» Yes. >> To the glass.
» The glass is at 30 and then the dark paneling is at 24.
» Okay. All right. Thanks. I had um I think just
one more question which is the discovery path. Um we got an easement of 8 feet on
this side and we'll have another 8ft easement for the neighboring property
for a total of 16. The vision plan had a 44 foot width
» designed um understanding that this 8 foot is compatible with another site
that we have already given permission to do uh a narrower. Yes.
» Right. Which site was that again? >> Um so the
Alexandria had a modified industri uh discovery path. Um and the whole um
point of the vision plan, it's not a specific plan, it's a vision plan. So
it's more visionary. >> So it really just provides a framework
and a and a guide of how to do things and not set standards. So the 44 ft was
the highest and best. what happens um through actual site conditions and
working with the applicant is is what we see today.
» Okay. And um just kind of for the record, what would a 22 foot easement
have done to the project feasibility
» I can uh I think >> maybe the owner comment. Yeah.
» Yes. So just for the record that was the you know that would have challenged the
programming. So you know as a result of a very long discussion that's where we
settled >> right. Okay. Thank you. Uh no other
questions. Thanks so much. So now we'll go on to comments from the
public. Um first we'll take comments here in chambers and then after we do
that we'll go to comments on Zoom. We are on item is it 7A. Uh this is 9:30
and 940 Commercial Street. If you'd like to make a public comment, if you're
here, please fill out a form. We're still taking them if you'd like. And if
you're on Zoom, the meeting number is 88635467439.
Or you can just call on the phone, call 1669-900-9128.
If you're on Zoom regular, you click you raise your hand by clicking on reactions
and then raise hand. If you're on the phone, you can press star 9 to raise
your hand virtually. Okay. So, I'm going to go through these
in the order that I received them. Um, first, Alejandro Martinez, followed by
Victor Deator and Armando Mario. Welcome. You have two minutes.
» Thank you. >> Good evening, board members and everyone
in the attendees. As mentioned, my name is Alejandro Martinez and I'm here with
the labors union. I'm here on behalf of the 4,800
hardworking Luna Local 261 members who live in the area. As a member and
advocate, I'm here to express my strong support for this project. This project
represents an equitable investment in our community by creating significant
construction opportunities that pay livable wages with benefits, health care
for our entire families, and pensions for when we retire. Thousands of members
and their families live and work in San Madel and will directly benefit from the
construction phase. The developer has been a proven partner to be advocate
hardworking class members of our community with livable wages and
benefits. This commitment is essential as such jobs and critical addressing the
challenges our members face enhancing the overall economic vitality of our
community. This project will facilitate recruitment from training for new
apprentices from all areas of walk walks of life. Through our apprentichip
program, we actively welcome individuals from underserved communities, including
single mothers, veterans returning from service, and those returning from
incarceration. This represents meaningful steps towards
building the diverse workforce rooted for equity and opportunity. We're
excited about the benefits of this project extending the far beyond
construction phase. We wholeheartedly support the project and hope as well.
Please approve this project and promises deliver invaluable opportunities for our
members and broader community. Thank you for your time. Have a good evening.
» Thank you so much. Next, Victor Delator followed by Armando
Morio and then Eduardo Palano. Victor, welcome.
My name is Victor Delator. I've been a member of uh Launa since 1994
and I'm here in full support of the project uh the 930 com commercial street
project in partnership with the XL and and the developers. A little bit about
myself, I've been a a member of Luna since um since I was 18 years old. Um I
I had to go and and and do construction. Um I I come from a single mother uh with
four kids and I we needed to to provide um I Luna has provided me with the
skills that I needed to to continue uh my career. Unfortunately, I became a um
single father of four um myself and I have to continue to uh provide and this
projects like the ones with XL um will benefit me and my families like mine
that are are um they're just trying to put food over over our kids, you know,
over our our house. Um having health care, that's very important. um this
provides that and you know one trip to the hospital can lead you to um you know
to uh being homeless. So it's it's essential for for us to have uh local
projects like this that will benefit local people and and we don't have to
travel. You know gas prices are um rising and and it's essential for us to
be able to get to work. Um, I know the the city of S. Carlos, um, the logo says
this the city of a good living and and I believe I I believe it is and uh these
projects um do matter to local people. I want to thank you for your time and um I
I mean I I I hope you um pass this approve this uh project. Thank you. I
know it's hard to stand here in public, but it's harder to come home and tell my
kids that I don't have a job. Thank you. >> Thank you.
Okay, Armando Morio followed by Eduardo Palano and Scott Rathjen.
» Good evening, Madame Chair and fellow uh commissioners and everyone here in
attendance. Again, my name is Armando Murio. I'm a field representative for
Carpenters Local 217, which covers the San Mateo County and uh we represent uh
just over 2,000 working carpenter members, brothers and sisters. And uh my
message is uh very uh clear and straightforward you know with regard to
this project. You know it's obviously um you know rooted in a industrious area
you know well suited for the type of business that the uh developer is going
to conduct. Um, you know, and once again, uh, partnering up with a
responsible contractor such as Excel Construction, uh, is going to afford
many of our working brothers and sisters the opportunity to earn a livable wage,
uh, support their families. Uh, they will also extend affordable health care
to our members so that we can continue to stay healthy and productive in
addition to supporting our state certified apprenticeship programs which
will lead to career paths in the future for our members. So once again, you
know, it's a win-win situation. Our community will also benefit from uh this
development in the future as well. So uh we strongly urge you to encourage and
move this project forward. Thank you very much.
» Thank you so much,
Eduardo Palano, followed by Scott Rathen.
» Welcome. Um, good evening planning commission
chairs and fellow board members. My name is Eduardo Polano and I'm proud member
local 60 driver and lathers. Um, proud to be a seven um per driver
apprentichip. I have eight years living in San Carlos. I I love this community.
That's why I come today to speak in favor of this project because it is will
allow apprentice like me to continue working in our city and avoid the
legendly community being stuck being stuck in traffic and away from our
families after hours. It is due respon resp responsibility companies like XL's
construction to continue to give us opportunity to make a lively wage in the
city where we live so that we can continue to drive here also. But as
supporting state certificates, apprentices programs like ours health
insurance and ours craft and careers will continue growing.
The benefits of this project are too many to mention in this short period um
of time. Give to the hardworking men's and woman's show as myself and our plus
for the community. That is why we that's why we stand here
to support this project and urgent to you to both in favor of it. Thank you
for your time. >> Thank you so much.
And we have Scott Wrathen. That's the last speaker card I have. If anyone else
would like to speak, feel free to fill out a card. Welcome.
» Good evening, council. Um um commission I am Scott Rathton from right here
Belmont. I'm a proud member of the 217 uh local um here in San County. We uh we
always enjoy work that is in our county. We always love to be working really
close to home. Um, and you guys approving this project is just um would
help a lot of our members that are local right here to stay local every day when
we go to work. So, we really appreciate you guys uh approving this project.
Thank you. >> Thank you so much.
» Please
just Well, either way. Yes. Thank you. >> I guess I [laughter]
» Thank you so much. >> To you,
» Walter. >> I am Walter Oriana.
» Oriana. Thank you. >> Yes. Good afternoon, members of the
Planning and Transportation Commission. My name is again Walter Oriana. I am a
BIS the business agent in San Francisco and San Monteo counties. I represent
plasters and cement masons local 300 with about three 3000 3100 members in
our area and about 5600 members on the Northern California
District Council. I I add my support into everything that
has been said about uh our families going to work with the opportunity to
uh get health insurance for our families. Apprentices can go to work and
learn the trades. uh in in not just with the cement finishers but also carpenters
that are present here, laborers and anybody else all the trades out there.
Um I I I support this project and on behalf of all these members that I
represent um
Excel Construction is the prime uh here and I really again I u support this
project. I I know that this is uh uh it'll it'll accommodate a future public
u pathway as it been said before and uh again I I firmly firmly uh support the
project. Thank you very much for your time.
» Thank you for being here. >> Great. Anyone else present in chambers
like to make a comment? Okay. Um so we'll turn over to Zoom.
Lynette, do we have any hands raised to comment on 930 and 940 Commercial
Street? >> Yes, we do. We have Harvey.
» Great. Harvey, welcome. Thanks for coming.
» You have two minutes. >> Good evening. My name is Harvey McCaran
and I'm a representative of the North Coast States Carpenters Union comprising
57,000 hardworking members throughout Northern California and the states of
Oregon and Washington. This also includes many members who live in or
work within the vicinity of the proposed project. I want to firstly thank the
city for tonight's presentation and all the work done to move this project for
forward. I want to comment also in strong support of this project moving
forward in its construction phase. It will create solid employment
opportunities for the local community including living wage healthcare pension
and apprenticeship requirements for the construction workforce. I trust that the
city understands the benefit this represents for the local workforce and
our union looks forward to seeing the city support these opportunities by
moving forward tonight with the realization of this project. Thank you
very much. >> Thank you. Hardy
Lynette, do we have another hand raised? >> There are no more.
» Okay, we'll give that another few seconds in case anyone changes their
mind online and would like to make a public comment. You can raise your hand
by clicking on reactions and then the raise hand icon.
Lynette, any hands raised? >> There are none.
» Okay. Thank you. Then I think we need a motion to close public comment.
» I move to close public comments. >> Thank you.
» I second that. >> Great. Chair Clemens.
» Yes. >> Commissioner Anen,
» yes. >> Commissioner Canest,
» yes. And we've just been notified that Commissioner Tapias um is unwell. So,
Commissioner Bundy and Commissioner Tapias um are excused.
» Yes. Thank you. >> Wonderful. First, I want to thank
everyone who showed up and shared um their thoughts about the project and um
it was good to learn more about the intended general contractor and and the
um and the assets that they would bring and the benefits to the to the
community. So, thank you for that input. We appreciate it.
[clears throat] Okay, on to discussion uh by the
commissioners. Um, Commissioner Kenny, would you like to start?
» Sure. Yes. So, appreciate all the information and comments. Um,
particularly from uh the construction people. I I really I believe that it
would open up a lot of jobs in the San Carlos area. Um the one the one trade
that I didn't see uh was auto mechanic and I happened to be a that was early in
my career I did that and I think it's an important uh once the job gets done
they'll you'll be employing um auto mechanics in that that building I
assume. So it's another good thing I think for the community.
You know, from what I've seen, I think the project is code compliant and it
it's generally well supported. So, I think Laura, I think you did a good job
on that. SEK was not an issue that's cleared. Uh, we didn't see any public
comments or agency comments and it as we talked about, I think it fits the zoning
for heavy industrial. The automotive repair is is definitely allowed. Um,
interesting the chair's comment about the facade, but I think it kind of looks
cool myself, so I don't have a problem with it. But, um, overall I'm approve I
I uh approve the project to move forward.
» Thank you, Commissioner Commissioner Anand. Thank you, Chair. Um, so I'll
talk about two aspects here. The first one is um this this there's this new
business that is in line with the modern design aesthetic. So, I'm always excited
to see new buildings come up that align with the modern vision. Um, it also
aligns with our east side development plan as determined by the staff and as
as proven by the report. Um, any new business makes our city of good living
um even better because it creates new jobs. It brings in more economy uh for
the city. Um the second aspect is the community
benefit obviously. Thank you for everybody who made their comments. Uh
which clearly showed that any any new business is not just a business. There's
a lot of um there's a lot of um labor that goes into making it which means
carpenters, masonry, people who work with cement, concrete, transportation,
truck drivers. There's just so much happening. And I I'm particularly
excited about um the the the project uh involving local folks, people from
Sonteo County, which is incredibly valuable and sets a good example for
future businesses who are looking to set up shop in San Carlos to encourage them
to hire local as well. Um the the two things that I would uh reiterate would
be one coordination in case because considering there's a lot of development
happening on our eastern side. So the city being u more proactive which I'm
sure it will but just putting putting it down for the record to stagger any
construction timeline or heavy or any heavy trucks coming in and out staging
areas just all that if the projects talk to each other to minimize disruption in
the local community. And I also concur with the chair's comment about the
generator noise that if if it can be managed to minimize disruption to um the
local pedestrians and the and or even the bicyclists in the area. Uh overall
um uh all the best and I'm in support of the project.
» Thank you. I'm also in support of the project. It's very clear this fits the
vision plan. Um I appreciate the easement for the public discovery path
um accommodating bikes and I think this is a good example of the fact that every
kind of business can do a transportation demand management plan and is capable of
offering things that even you know a small number of employees may take
advantage of and I really appreciate that. Um the the large number of
replacement trees far over what is required is very much appreciated. And
um I concurred with staff that the wider um driveway to avoid awkward turns into
opposing traffic completely worth it to um to limit the number of street trees
that safety's first especially when there's so many other trees on site. Um,
I also really appreciate the the street lighting additions and also
undergrounding utilities which will make this area better. Um, we appreciate the
investment in this area. And um, I wanted to say that um, despite my
questions about the facade, I actually really like the materials um, on the
building. I think they're very attractive and very in keeping with the
vision of the east side. Um, and I guess I wanted to also say I'm very heartened
to hear that we're using um a a general contractor with so many relationships um
with the trades and that offer good benefits. I think that's wonderful if
that's at all possible on projects and I'm so glad to hear that it is possible
on this project. So, um, with all of those things, I guess I echo, um, uh,
Commissioner Anan's, um, suggestion to just test the generators at times where
we would minimize the amount of people affected on the sidewalks. We would
appreciate that. And with that, um, I will take a motion to approve.
Someone like to make a motion. [clears throat]
» Yeah. >> Great. Thank you.
» All right. I move that the planning and transportation commission grant approval
for a design review, protected tree removal permit, dirt hall and grading
certificate, transportation demand management plan, and adopt a resolution
to certify the initial study and mitigated negative declaration to
construct a new automotive repair building and a dedication of a 8- foot
wide public pathway easement at 930 and 940 Commercial Street, APN046-161-
030 for the reasons incorporated in the staff report and subject to the
conditions of the attached code compliance certificate.
» Great. And I'd like to second that. >> Commissioner,
sorry. Chair Clemens. >> Yes. Thanks.
» Commissioner, >> yes.
» Commissioner Tapias and Commissioner Bundy are excused. And Commissioner
Cany, >> yes.
» Great. That passes. Congratulations. Thank you all again.
[applause] Thank you.
» Excellent. Um, we did want to note that the planning transportation commission's
action will be final unless it is appealed to the city council within 10
days of the date of this action. Therefore, the deadline to file an
appeal is 5:00 PM on Thursday, April 30th, 2026.
» Thank you all.
Thank you. Oh, thank you. Appreciate it. >> We're on to item eight, reports,
correspondence, and general information. Um item 8A, a report on recent city
council actions. I have one
uh this past city council meeting on April 13th uh the 707
M Street project which is the senior housing the second reading of that
project was approved by council. Uh the PD amendment will be effective 30 days
after which is uh on May 13th. Uh after that the applicant will be able to pull
the building permit and start uh their formal review process for the building
permit. Great. >> Thank you.
Item 8B, Planning and Transportation Commission comments or reports.
I did want to make note that um in our mail that we got notice of a session
being hosted by 21 elements and somebody else
» together on inclusionary housing, >> which looks fascinating and if I was not
at a work event that night in the North Bay, I would definitely be going. Um any
more details richer that you remember? >> Yes, I was actually going to announce
that under D but since we are on that uh that um training is scheduled for April
29th um which is on inclusionary housing specifically catered towards planning
commissioners. There will be dinner starting at 5:30 and then the uh
training will commence from 6 through 7:30 and it's in Berlingame community
center. Wonderful. Thank you. And was it just 21 elements hosting or it's
somebody else too? >> It's 21 elements but now they call
themselves community collaborative CPC community and planning.
» CPC staffs the 21 elements. Yes. Community planning collaborative. It's a
planning firm. >> Okay.
» Um that staffs the 21 elements group. >> Yeah.
» Yeah. Oh and it was um it was oh shoot I forget. It's something
like live San Monteo County or it's an initiative around helping people
understand housing issues and other development issues in Sonteo County.
» Right. They also staff that. [laughter] Thank you for that, Rich. Um item C, any
correspondence? >> None from staff.
» Okay, thanks. And um D, planning staff comments, reports, and any updates on
current projects? >> Yes, I have one. Uh this is related to
the northeast area specific plan. The final draft was published on April 15th
which is available online now. Um if anybody is interested they can go up to
the uh the website dedicated for the northeast area specific plan [snorts]
and uh review the review the plan which looks really great. Uh it was prepared
by Perkins and Will and um a lot of advanced planning staff
worked on it. So it's it's looking good at this point. Um the Northeast Asia
specific plan will be before commission soon. Uh the date is not yet decided but
it will be uh soon either in May or June. Okay.
» And that's it from staff. >> So it would behoove us to start reading
it sounds like
thank you for that. Um for the next couple of meetings, do you anticipate
items coming and the meetings being held in? do not have any particular
development projects scheduled as of now. But, uh, it's the only big item
that we are seeing is the northeast area specific plan.
» Okay. And so, um, do we anticipate both meetings being held in May?
» Yes. >> Okay. All right. Thank you.
» Great. And with that, I think we're adjourned.
Thank you for being here, Racha. Thank you, Greg.