To: Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council
From: Tiffany Carranza, City Clerk
Prepared By: Tiffany Carranza, City Clerk
TITLE:
Title
Planning Commission Membership
LABEL
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Recommendation
Interview applicants and appoint one individual to the Planning Commission to fill either the unexpired remaining term of Mr. Massaro’s ending December 31, 2024; or, fill the unexpired remaining term plus an additional full term ending December 31, 2026.
Body
DISCUSSION:
COMPOSITION AND PURPOSE OF THE COMMISSION
The Planning Commission is governed by Chapter 2.68 of the City of Napa Municipal Code. The Planning Commission consists of five members. Two members shall be design professionals. The Planning Commission provides recommendations to the City Council on matters related to land use and planning, particularly related to amendments to the City's General Plan policies and Zoning Ordinance; and is the "decision-making body" for specified actions, especially those pertaining to buildings and construction, subdivision, and zoning within the City of Napa.
As defined by Napa Municipal Code Section 2.68.020, a “design professional” is a person who demonstrates, to the satisfaction of the City Council, that he or she has professional experience (in the fields of architectural design, landscape architecture, urban planning, building, sustainability, or a related field) that is sufficient to assist the member in the effective evaluation of applications for development projects. In determining whether a particular person is a “design professional,” the City Council may consider as relevant experience the candidate’s membership on this Commission, or a commission responsible for reviewing applications for development projects.
NUMBER AND TIMING OF VACANCIES INCLUDING SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS
There is one vacancy to be filled due to the passing of Commissioner Bob Massaro whose term was set to expire on December 31, 2024.
Each member of the Planning Commission serves a two-year term per section 4.6.1 of Policy Resolution 10. However, for a position on the Planning Commission with an unexpired term, such as the case with the seat formerly held by Mr. Massaro, under section 4.6.3 of Policy Resolution 10, the City Council has the authority to:
a) Appoint a Commission member for the unexpired remaining term; or
b) Appoint a Commission member for the unexpired remaining term plus an additional two-year term.
RECRUITMENT PROCESS
The City Clerk accepted applications for the Commission from July 2, 2024 through July 19, 2024. Recruitment announcements were shared on the City’s website and social media platforms, published in the City’s electronic newsletter “Napa News Weekly”, posted at various locations at City Hall, Human Resources, and the Community Services building, and sent to the Napa County Library, Napa Valley College, Napa Chamber of Commerce, Napa Valley Unified School District, Napa County Board of Supervisors, Napa County Administration, Napa County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Napa Valley Community Housing, Puertas Abiertas Community Resource Center, and Leadership Napa Valley.
APPLICATIONS RECEIVED
A total of six (6) applications were received from Andrew L. MacLaggan, Alan “Chuck” C. Dell’Ario, Richard H. Tippitt, Eryn E. Ebach, Lindsay Owen, and Alonso Corona.
SPECIAL NOTES
Andrew L. MacLaggan, Eryn E. Ebach, and Lindsay Owen have applied as “Design Professionals.”
Current Commissioners Paul W. Kelley and Gordon A. Huether are serving as the designated “Design Professionals.”
FINANCIAL IMPACTS:
None
CEQA:
The City Clerk has determined that the recommended action described in this agenda report is not subject to CEQA, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15060(c).
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
ATCH 1 - Redacted Applications
NOTIFICATION:
Applicants