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APPOINTMENT TO FILL A VACANCY ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION AD HOC COMMITTEE FOR THE REVIEW OF THE PENDING DRAFT DEVELOPMENT CODE ORDINANCE
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Planning Commission vote to appoint a Commissioner to fill a vacancy on the three-member ad hoc committee, to review the pending draft Development Code Ordinance (Stockton Municipal Code Title 16) for the purpose of streamlining and facilitating future discussion before the full Commission.
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Summary
In 2021, a comprehensive update of the Development Code was initiated to create greater clarity of the permitting processes and application of the zoning development standards. Staff has performed significant public outreach including numerous workshops, interviews with stakeholders, research and analysis to formulate a public draft that will soon be available for review.
Since the Planning Commission will need to consider and make a recommendation on the draft Development Code ordinance to City Council, staff recommended that the Planning Commission establish an ad-hoc committee to review and advise on the draft Development Code ordinance in advance of being placed on a future Planning Commission meeting agenda for decision.
On March 13, 2025 the ad hoc committee was established via Planning Commission unanimous vote to appoint Jeff Sanguinetti, Terry Hull, and William Muetzenberg as committee members. The ad hoc committee and staff met on two occasions in April to review the first phase of the comprehensive code update and provide staff direction. The entire Planning Commission ultimately considered the first phase on May 8, 2025, and approved a recommendation to City Council.
Staff anticipates bringing the next phase of the comprehensive code update forward to the Planning Commission in the near future and would like to again rely on the ad hoc committee to receive preliminary feedback. William Muetzenberg resigned from the Planning Commission effective December 12, 2025, creating a vacancy on the committee. Staff is now recommending that the Commission fill the vacancy by appointing one Commissioner to serve with Commissioners Hull and Sanguinetti on the ad hoc committee.
DISCUSSION
Present Situation
Staff supports the continuation of the three-member ad hoc committee to review the pending public draft Development Code. Filling the vacancy left by former Commissioner Muetzenberg will help streamline and facilitate discussion of issues before the full Commission. In order to appoint a Commissioner to the ad hoc committee, a majority vote to approve is required.
This report was prepared by Scott Speer, Planning Manager, (209) 937-8195; scott.speer@stocktonca.gov