_Minutes_December 9, 2020 - Laserfiche WebLink

City had the best set of tools for regulation because the discretionary tools that used to be available were being taken away. Commissioner O'Connor stated the Commission started streamlining the process and the design standards should assist in the process. Chair Ritter stated it added more clarity and kept people from reaching the end of the permitting process and then realizing they could not develop what they originally intended. MATTERS FOR COMMISSION'S REVIEW/ACTION/INFORMATION 7. Reports from Meetings Attended (e.g., Committee, Task Force, etc.) Chair Ritter discussed his attendance at the 2025 Forum, at which the President of Las Positas College discussed declining enrollment. 8. Future Planning Calendar Planning and Permit Center Manager Melinda Denis gave a brief overview of future items for the Commission's review. Chair Ritter inquired about the Permit Center operations and whether the building department was still using third-party reviewers. Ms. Denis confirmed that contract plan checks were ongoing, but efforts were being made to retain plan checks internally. She then discussed the retirement and efforts to fill a plan checker position. She also discussed the challenges created as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, appointments and use of Zoom for meetings. Lastly, she explained the application process review and upgrades to the Accela software. 9. Adoption of Planning Commission Schedule of Meeting Dates for 2021 Ms. Denis gave a brief overview of the outlined schedule of meeting dates for 2021 . There were no changes or adjustments recommended to the schedule of meeting dates for 2021 and the schedule was accepted, as proposed. 10.Selection of Planning Commission Chair and Vice Chair for 2021 Commissioner O'Connor moved to elect Commissioner Brown as the Planning Commission Chair and Commissioner Allen as Vice Chair for 2021. Commissioner Ritter seconded the motion. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Commissioners Allen, Brown, O'Connor, Pace, and Ritter NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Balch ABSTAIN: None Planning Commission Minutes Page 6 of 7 December 9, 2020 ted examples from other communities and examples of what not to do, specifically related to building materials. Commissioner O'Connor asked the highest density in Hacienda Business Park. Ms. Clark stated that there were a few 40 unit per acre projects. Commissioner Allen stated that there might be one but it was not a good example. Commissioner Pace expressed concern about the challenges of considering higher density projects. He stated examples from other cities with similar aesthetics to Pleasanton would be helpful as the Commissioners were constrained by their own experiences. Commissioner Brown stated he was looking forward to the tour. Chair Ritter stated he was not in favor of additional regulations but understood the need to comply with standards and remove subjectivity. He expressed his desire to establish effective and smooth processes. He stated he was an advocate of streamlining the zoning code and hoped the design standards would complement the code. Ms. Clark stated the City wanted to remove laborious, uncertain design review and the purpose of the exercise was to ensure the Planning Commission Minutes Page 5 of 7 December 9, 2020 te quality development that fit the style and feel of Pleasanton. Commissioner Pace inquired if the standards being provided were real life examples relative to the standards that Mr. Williams had judged as successful or not, and whether the Commissioners were to review to see if they were aligned with the designation. Mr. Williams Planning Commission Minutes Page 4 of 7 December 9, 2020