General Plan Advisory Committee Meetings - Minutes February 18th, 25th and March 4, 2009
Approved Action Minutes
General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) Meetings #19-21 Environmental Management Meetings
See attached GPAC Draft Environmental Management Element to view GPAC edits.
General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) Meeting #19
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
San Carlos City Hall Library 2nd Floor Rooms A & B
6:45 – 9:45 p.m.
I. Meeting Called to Order
Chair Klein called the meeting to order at 6:45 p.m.
II. Roll Call
GPAC members present: Andrew Klein (Chair), Kaveh Badiei, Pat Bell, Donald Cook, Suzanne Henderson Emerson, Cecily Harris, Mary Jo Hoffman, Jo Ann Iwasa, Thomas Knudsen, Alex Kumamoto (YAC alternate), Jason Mansfield, Michelle Margiotta, Scot Marsters, Martin Miller
GPAC members Absent:Chris Burton
STAFF: Al Savay, Community Development Director; Deborah Nelson, Planning Director; Brian Moura, Assistant City Manager; Chris Valley, Building Official; LaurenMattern, Consulting Planner
CONSULTANTS: Michael McCormick, PMC
PUBLIC: Approximately 5 members of the public.
III. Public Comment
Public comment on the Climate Action Plan (CAP)
One member asks staff if there are any Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) accredited individuals on staff.
Bernard Gupta comments that the CAP presentation did not get into specifics of what the City is going to do. He also asks if there was consideration of factory dislocation if CAP is implemented.
Committee Members also had questions about CAP, primarily about assumptions going into the calculations.
Public Comment on Environmental Management Section:
Margaret Desmond commented that the item on the tree planting program is fairly weak and suggested it be more supportive.
Public comment will also be considered at the beginning of each individual goal.
IV. Reports & Correspondence
There were no reports or correspondences.
V. Approval of Minutes
Environmental Management minutes are held until March 11, 2009, to be approved at the same time. Land Use Minutes will be up for approval on next week’s agenda.
VI. Old Business
There were no reports on items under this section.
VII. New Business
CAP Presentation:
Consultant Michael McCormick gave a presentation on climate change and the work of the Climate Action Plan (CAP) Subcommittee, composed of a few GPAC Members.
GPAC starts with consideration of Goals that related most to the CAP, in order to utilize the consultant’s presence.
Goal 1:
The public had no comment on Goal 1.
Member Cook moves to approve the goals, policies, and actions under Goal 1 as edited by GPAC. Member C. Harris seconds. 14-0. Motion passes unanimously.
Break 8:40-8:50
Alternate Member Kumamoto left at 8:40pm. 13 Members are now present.
Goal 2:
The public had no comment on Goal 2.
Member Cook moves to approve the goals, policies, and actions under Goal 2 as edited by GPAC. Member Marsters seconds. 13-0. Motion passes unanimously.
Goal 7:
Public Comment:
Bonnie McClure suggests adding an item encouraging existing multifamily buildings to recycle.
Member Cook moves to extend the meeting to finish Goal 7. Member Marsters seconds. 13-0. Motion passes unanimously.
Member Bell left at 9:50pm. 12 Members are now present.
Member Margiotta moves to approve the goals, policies, and actions under Goal 7 as edited by GPAC. Member Cook seconds. 12-0. Motion passes unanimously.
Member Cook moves a motion to start next week’s meeting an hour early, at 5:45. Member Iwasa seconds. 9-3. Motion passes.
VIII. Adjournment
The Meeting was adjourned at 10:08pm.
General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) Meeting #20
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
San Carlos City Hall Library 2nd Floor Rooms A & B
5:45 – 9:45 p.m.
I. Meeting Called to Order
Chair Klein called the meeting to order at 5:45 p.m.
II. Roll Call
GPAC members present: Andrew Klein (Chair), Kaveh Badiei (late), Donald Cook, Suzanne Henderson Emerson, Mary Jo Hoffman, Jo Ann Iwasa, Thomas Knudsen, Jason Mansfield, Michelle Margiotta (late), Scot Marsters, Martin Miller
GPAC members Absent:Pat Bell, Chris Burton, Cecily Harris, Kevin Harris
STAFF: Al Savay, Community Development Director; Deborah Nelson, Planning Director; Brian Moura, Assistant City Manager; Chris Valley, Building Official; Lauren Mattern, Consulting Planner
PUBLIC: Approximately 3 members of the public.
III. Public Comment
There was no public comment on items not on the agenda.
IV. Reports & Correspondence
Community Director Savay reported he is making a newsletter on GPAC progress and is also releasing a City Council Memo.
Consulting Planner Lauren Mattern reports GPAC packets will now be released on the Thursday before the next week’s meeting. Previously the packets were released on the Wednesday before; the change is in response to the now weekly meetings and will allow staff to incorporate any changes to schedule or process voted on by GPAC at the prior meeting.
V. Approval of Minutes
Members had minor edits to the minutes from the Land Use Element meetings. Staff will correct.
Member Cook moves to approve the minutes from the Land Use Element meetings (GPAC Meetings #13-18). Member Marsters seconds the motion. 9-0. Motion passes unanimously.
VI. Old Business
There were no reports on items under this section.
VII. New Business
Goal 8:
The public had no comment on Goal 8.
(Member Margiotta enters at 6:23. 10 Members are now present)
Member Cook Moves to approve the goals, policies, and actions under Goal 8 as edited by GPAC. Member Marsters seconds. 9-1-0. 9 in favor, 1 abstains.
Goal 5:
The public had no comment on Goal 5.
(Member Badiei enters at 6:40pm. 11 Members are now present).
Break: 7:10-7:15 (giving staff time to address technical difficulty)
Member Cook moves to approve the goals, policies, and actions under Goal 5 as edited by GPAC. 11-0.Motion passes unanimously.
Goal 6:
The public had no comment on Goal 6.
Member Margiotta moves to approve the goals, policies, and actions under Goal 6 as edited by GPAC. Member Badiei seconds. 11-0. Motion passes unanimously.
Goal 10:
Public Comment:
Bonnie McClure recommends encouraging trees as much as possible throughout the document.
Member Cook moves to approve the goals, policies, and actions under Goal 10 as edited by GPAC. Member Emerson seconds. 11-1. Motion passes.
Goal 12:
The public had no comment on Goal 12.
Member Cook moves to approve the goals, policies, and actions under Goal 12 as edited by GPAC. Member Badiei seconds. 11-0. Motion passes unanimously.
Goal 13:
The public had no comment on Goal 13.
Member Cook moves to approve the goals, policies, and actions under Goal 13 as edited by GPAC. Member Mansfield seconds. 11-0. Motion passes unanimously.
Goal 3:
Public Comment:
In regards to specifying native species, Bonnie suggests there are some instances in which non-native species are preferable.
Member Margiotta moves to extend the meeting to 10pm at which point the body will determine whether or not to continue tonight. Member Cook seconds. 11-0. Motion passes unanimously.
Member Emerson moves to approve the goals, policies, and actions under Goal 3 as edited by GPAC. Member Mansfield seconds. 11-0. Motion passes unanimously.
Goal 4:
Public Comment:
Bonnie McClure suggested adding a provision to Policy 4.6, “approved by a city arborist”.
Member Cook moves to approve the goals, policies, and actions under Goal 4 as edited by GPAC. Member Marsters seconds. 11-0. Motion passes unanimously.
Goal 9:
Public Comment:
Bonnie McClure inquires about the best ways to preserve open space.
Member Cook moves to finish Goal 9 and then reevaluate what the group will finish tonight. Member Margiotta seconds. 11-0. Motion passes unanimously.
Member Cook moves that GPAC end the evening’s meeting at the end of the policies for Goal 9 and meet next week. Member Marsters seconds. 10-1. Motion passes; one vote against motion.
VIII. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 10:35pm.
General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) Meeting #21
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
San Carlos City Hall Library 2nd Floor Rooms A & B
6:45 – 9:45 p.m.
I. Meeting Called to Order
Chair Klein called the meeting to order at 6:45 p.m.
II. Roll Call
GPAC members present: Andrew Klein (Chair), Pat Bell, Donald Cook, Suzanne Henderson Emerson, Kevin Harris (late), Mary Jo Hoffman, Jo Ann Iwasa, Thomas Knudsen, Jason Mansfield, Michelle Margiotta, Scot Marsters, Martin Miller
GPAC members Absent:Kaveh Badiei, Chris Burton, Cecily Harris
STAFF: Al Savay, Community Development Director; Lauren Mattern, Consulting Planner
PUBLIC: Approximately 3 members of the public.
III. Public Comment
David Scouffas, 153 Fairbanks Ave commented:
He would like to see a more significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (more than 15%) from a green building ordinance.
He is concerned that there are not more metrics associated with goals and policies. What are the mechanisms to achieve the goals- how will the City determine whether a goal has been achieved? (GPAC responds that it was an intentional decision, since the Climate Action Plan will be regularly updated during the life of the General Plan.)
Lisane Drouin, 312 Torino Drive, #4, commented:
Commends GPAC for their work so far. Remarks it would be nice to keep in mind the ‘vision’ so GPAC and the public do not lose sight of the big picture.
Urged stronger Green Building Ordinance language (Goal 18 from previous week)
Green building can be as economical, if not more, as other standard building practices. Urges not to worry about scaring off developers in that regard. Mentions remodels as major area for big improvements.
Green building is accelerating key local technologies/businesses.
The Home Builders Association of Northern California endorsed required green building standards for residential development.
Green building saves people money and improves people’s health.
Public comment will also be considered at the beginning of each individual goal.
IV.Reports & Correspondence
Community Development Director Savay reports that a GPAC newsletter recently went out electronically. He also recently presented a progress update to City Council.
Member Bell remarks that the public comments have been insightful and very helpful.
V. Approval of Minutes
Land Use minutes were held until March 11, 2009 to be approved at the same time.
VI. Old Business
There were no reports on items under this section.
VII. New Business
Goal 9:
GPAC started with Actions under Goal 9. No public comment was received.
Member K. Harris enters at 7:25- 12 Members are now present.
Member Cook moves to approve the goals, policies and actions within Goal 9 as modified by GPAC. Member Mansfield seconds. 12-0. Motion passes unanimously.
Goal 11:
Public Comment:
Lisane Drouin, 312 Torino Drive #4, suggests edits:
Add the word “edible” to Policy 11.2 and Action 11.1 in order to reflect these are aimed at food production.
For Action 11.2, consider specifically mention school property when considering utilizing undeveloped city property for urban agricultural uses.
Member Cook moves to approve the goals, policies and actions within Goal 11 as modified by GPAC. Member Emerson seconds. 12-0. Motion passes unanimously.
New additions:
Member Emerson has several suggested additions, falling under a new suggested goal, “Establish the City as a leading model of good conservation and resources management policies”. After discussion, GPAC voted to add a version of that text as a new guiding principle.
After discussion of new suggested items from GPAC members, some were included.
Member Margiotta moves to approve the Environmental Management Element as modified by GPAC. Member Cook seconds. 12-0. Motion passes unanimously.
