3-11-25 PC meeting minutes - signed
PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, March 11, 2025 I 7:00pm
City Hall Council Chamber
CALL TO ORDER
The Regular Planning Commission meeting of March 11, 2025, was called to order at 7:00 pm by
Chair Kamkar, and the following proceedings were followed
ROLL CALL
Staff Present:
Rob Eastwood, Director
Victoria Thompson, City Attorney
Nishant Seoni, Contract Assistant Planner
Ken Ramirez, Administrative Analyst
COMMUNICATIONS
None
AGENDA MODIFICATIONS OR POSTPONEMENTS
None.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
This portion of the meeting is reserved for individuals wishing to address the Planning
Commission on matters of community concern that are not listed on the agenda. In the interest
of time, the Chair may limit speakers to five minutes. Please be aware that State law prohibits the
Commission from acting on non-agendized items, however, the Chair may refer matters to staff
for follow-up.
Planning Commissioners Present:
Matt Kamkar, Chair
Davis Fields, Vice Chair
Adam Buchbinder
Michael Krey
Maggie Ostrowski
Alan Zisser
Cori Majewski
Planning Commissioners Absent:
Campbell Planning Commission Meeting Minutes – March 11, 2025 Page 2 of 5
No members of the public came forward to speak
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Approval of Minutes of February 25, 2025 (Roll Call Vote)
Recommended Action: That the Planning Commission approve the regular meeting
minutes of February 25, 2025.
Motion: Upon motion by Commissioner Zisser, seconded by Commissioner Majewski, the
Planning Commission motioned to approve the regular meeting minutes of
February 25, 2025 by the following roll call
AYES: Kamkar, Zisser, Krey, Buchbinder, Ostrowski, Fields, Majewski
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
COMMUNICATIONS
AGENDA MODIFICATIONS OR POSTPONEMENTS
Chair Kamkar noted the addition of a standing item titled "Planning Commissioner /
Subcommittee Reports."
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
This portion of the meeting is reserved for individuals wishing to address the Planning
Commission on matters of community concern that are not listed on the agenda. In the interest
of time, the Chair may limit speakers to five minutes. Please be aware that State law prohibits the
Commission from acting on non-agendized items, however, the Chair may refer matters to staff
for follow-up.
PUBLIC HEARING
Disclosures: Commissioners visited the site.
2. 10 E. Hamilton Avenue, #100 – Conditional Use Permit Modification (Resolution/Roll Call
Vote) – Reso 4733
Public Hearing to consider the application of Sandra Escobar to permit full service onsite
alcohol sales in association with an existing restaurant tenant space with approved outdoor
seating (d.b.a. La Jaiba Mexi Grill) on property located at 10 E. Hamilton Avenue, #100. The
application under consideration is a Conditional Use Permit Modification. File No.: PLN-
2024-170. Staff is recommending that this item be deemed Categorically Exempt from
CEQA. Planning Commission action is final unless appealed in writing to the City Clerk within
10 calendar days. Project Planner: Nishant Seoni, Contract Associate Planner.
Campbell Planning Commission Meeting Minutes – March 11, 2025 Page 3 of 5
Recommended Action: Adopt a Resolution approving a Conditional Use Permit
Modification.
Staff Presentation: Contract Associate Planner Nishant Seoni gave the staff presentation.
Commissioner Discussion:
• Commissioners discussed nuances around CUP applicability and expiration, particularly
whether hours or alcohol changes require full modifications.
• Interest was expressed in developing clearer guidelines for minor changes to operating
hours.
• The methodology used to define the "East Hamilton Commercial Corridor" for alcohol
concentration analysis was questioned. Some commissioners suggested that a radius-
based approach might provide more contextually accurate assessments in future.
• Commissioners expressed strong support for the new restaurant, especially its
revitalization of a long-vacant space. They noted its visibility, menu variety, and
outdoor seating as positives.
• Some indicated the application could serve as a model for future streamlined alcohol
permit considerations due to its conformance with planning goals and lack of conflicts.
Public Comments: The applicant's representative and the business owners spoke. They
emphasized their operational experience, adherence to alcohol service training, and
enthusiasm for expanding from their successful smaller restaurant. They also addressed
delays due to complex lease negotiations with the property manager, noting city processes
were not a factor. Several commissioners shared praise for the existing location and
expressed excitement about the new restaurant’s offerings.
Motion: Upon motion by Commissioner Fields, seconded by Commissioner Majewski, the
Planning Commission motioned to approve a Conditional Use Permit modification
to allow full service onsite alcohol sales and amend hours of operation in
association with a proposed restaurant with approved outdoor seating on
property located at 10 E. Hamilton Avenue, #100. File No.: PLN-2024-170, by the
following roll call
AYES: Kamkar, Zisser, Krey, Buchbinder, Ostrowski, Fields, Majewski
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
OLD BUSINESS
3. Proposed FY2026 Planning Commission Work Plan (Roll Call Vote)
Campbell Planning Commission Meeting Minutes – March 11, 2025 Page 4 of 5
Continued Planning Commission discussion on the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Work Plan
(July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026).
Recommended Action: Make a motion recommending that the City Council consider the
proposed Planning Commission Work Plan for Fiscal Year 2026.
Director Eastwood presented the revised draft Work Plan incorporating Commission input
from the February meeting. Changes included:
Consideration of modifications to the Site and Architectural Review Committee
Inclusion of the Economic Development Plan for periodic review
Clarification of the scope of the "Missing Middle Housing" subcommittee
Proposed change to Planning Commissioner training attendance (from two consecutive
years to once per commissioner per term)
Highlights of previous year’s accomplishments
Commissioner Discussion:
• Commissioners provided feedback on participation in the League of California Cities
Planning Commissioners Academy. Some raised concerns about advocacy positions
inconsistent with state housing goals and expressed discomfort with public funds
supporting the League’s lobbying.
• Other commissioners emphasized the value of networking, training, and learning from
peers across the state.
• The Commission agreed that future workplans should continue evaluating training
program quality and neutrality.
• A request was made to include review of fencing regulations as a potential
subcommittee topic, to be incorporated under the "Missing Middle" subcommittee
due to its relation to residential land use and privacy.
Action:
By consensus, the Commission directed staff to finalize the FY2026 Work Plan with
revisions discussed and submit it to City Council for consideration.
NEW BUSINESS
4. Planning Commissioner / Subcommittee Reports
• Commissioners provided reflections on the recent Planning Commissioners Academy.
• Concerns were raised over a closing session presenter’s commentary critical of state
housing laws.
Campbell Planning Commission Meeting Minutes – March 11, 2025 Page 5 of 5
• Despite this, most found the sessions on chairing, public process, and planning
techniques valuable.
• Commissioners reiterated the importance of maintaining an objective training
environment and expressed interest in influencing future content, particularly given
Campbell’s staff involvement in next year’s Academy.
5. Report of the Community Development Director
Director Eastwood shared the following updates:
• Home Depot Storage Modification: Approved by City Council with an added condition
for proactive site monitoring, including a code enforcement deposit and weekly
inspections.
• Annual Progress Report (APR) on Housing: Submitted to the State. The City is currently
underperforming on RHNA goals. Factors contributing to challenges include high
construction costs, labor shortages, and economic conditions.
o Staff is preparing a policy discussion for May to explore tools that may help
stimulate development.
o Commissioners requested a formal presentation on the APR at a future meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned at 8:05 PM to the Planning Commission meeting of March 25, 2025, at 7:00 PM, in the
City Hall Council Chambers, 70 North First Street, Campbell, California and via telecommunication
PREPARED BY: _______________________________
Ken Ramirez, Administrative Analyst
APPROVED: ______________________________
Matt Kamkar, Chair
ATTEST: ________________________________
Rob Eastwood, Secretary
Matt Kamkar (May 28, 2025 22:37 PDT)
3-11-25 PC meeting minutes
Final Audit Report 2025-05-29
Created:2025-05-28
By:Ken Ramirez (kenr@campbellca.gov)
Status:Signed
Transaction ID:CBJCHBCAABAAqe5cSw4lHlYQ8NUcEcrYm__hmV8_Y0K6
"3-11-25 PC meeting minutes" History
Document created by Ken Ramirez (kenr@campbellca.gov)
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Agreement completed.
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