[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6184139,"mediaKeyId","5092901-983d5222c5754ad78447e71b07a953dc","parentId",5092901,"title","Pleasanton Planning Commission debates roles, long-range planning and streamlining; may form small working group","audioSeconds",4893,"startMs",3270000,"endMs",8163000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5092901-983d5222c5754ad78447e71b07a953dc&start=3270&end=8163","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5092901-983d5222c5754ad78447e71b07a953dc/thumbnail_3270000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6184139/Pleasanton/Alameda-County/California/Pleasanton-Planning-Commission-debates-roles-long-range-planning-and-streamlining-may-form-small-working-group","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184139-83feb2f7a39370599760a4fd81154f8e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771012241&Signature=m9dX~pG3rgtOyytsRQkYryPa2dCFfSR55nMA5Cma8YAw3VqNc4AKQb66sZwnuFDUTNX9qvA8VrkwpN0MXURKWvbIMMOMW4O7i5fdlN~1CX8rVkTnZh7c2lvJ53W5pryCTbN9lY0YV96Vn8m2yFTYHz04YLKZ4oDswcxeTSl3pl0lBDRORV-do5dwCHFKmaZA75heDBUd60mKs1N-Q0KiqINR2hDWWzxpd-Tv-MePdBfLn-S7XsRY7EB5djlu~5RXHhmAQoRzqJN1Sy5p50ydp-PV0fc5VDAzbFnNjCGjUuC-qWOqbx0hRygMx0hXYZa-0pFkblEFbxG68eQBzpandw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pleasanton, CA","date","2025-06-28T02:46:58.133Z","article","The Pleasanton Planning Commission spent the bulk of its June 25 meeting reviewing its duties, pressing staff on how to balance routine project review with long-range planning, and discussing ways to speed permit turnaround for routine projects.

Commissioners said the commission’s workload has been dominated by project-by-project reviews and asked staff how to free capacity for policy work such as a general-plan update, updates to objective design standards and the East Pleasanton policy framework. \"With so many responsibilities, it's important for every planning commission to think about how it will divide its time between day-to-day approvals and long-range planning,\" Commissioner Jago said, citing materials provided to commissioners. Ellen Clark, Community Development Director, confirmed the municipal code (chapter 2.3, revised in 2024) defines the commission’s duties and that some duties are advisory while others entail approval authority.

A core topic was streamlining predictable, low‑controversy items so staff and applicants do not face long waits. Melinda (incoming Economic and Business Development Manager) and other staff described hundreds of administrative design reviews (ADRs) and routine conditional-use permits that typically draw little or no public comment but consume staff time and produce long staff reports. Staff gave examples — single-story rear-yard additions, trellises, small accessory improvements — that could move more quickly through the building permit process if notice and review requirements were narrowed for low‑impact work.

Commissioners and staff discussed options: shorter staff reports for consent-calendar items, clearer thresholds for when a project requires a public hearing, and evaluating whether some routine ADRs can bypass planning review unless neighbors request an elevated review. Clark suggested staff will prepare a focused streamlining proposal after the City Council sets its priorities at a July 15 work session. Several commissioners proposed a subcommittee to work with staff on process ideas; staff cautioned that formal direction and staff resources are needed and suggested bringing a proposal back once City Council priorities are set.

The commission asked staff to provide a longer-range “look-ahead” calendar — a three-month-plus view of upcoming policy items (the Innovation-Based Business ordinance, objective design standards, Hacienda design guidelines and East Pleasanton topics were all mentioned) — to help commissioners balance near-term agendas with strategic review. Commissioners also asked staff to circulate the updated municipal code language defining the commission’s responsibilities.

No formal policy changes or decisions were made. Commissioners and staff agreed to continue the conversation: staff will pursue an initial set of streamlining ideas and return with proposals timed to align with the council work program.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","6/25/25 - Planning Commission Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Pleasanton Planning Commission on June 25 debated where its time should go — routine project approvals or long-range planning — and discussed streamlining routine review steps to speed permitting.","taxTitle","Pleasanton , Alameda County, California","taxId",2911,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6184145,"City outlines East Pleasanton policy framework, Stoneridge Mall owners plan land-use steps",401,1767000,2168000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5092901-983d5222c5754ad78447e71b07a953dc&start=1767&end=2168","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5092901-983d5222c5754ad78447e71b07a953dc/thumbnail_1767000.jpg","/articles/6184145/Pleasanton/Alameda-County/California/City-outlines-East-Pleasanton-policy-framework-Stoneridge-Mall-owners-plan-land-use-steps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184145-cc45fdc820316b40435a39933eb3e662/orig.mp4?Expires=1771012241&Signature=lip3h~ge488~zDyMV~JtQwpAvX5mggnosOctpoMdpODPi5ZCDbmwrOH8kuKwKnP-6eDKoxcaEGH-HJddpYCAr2xivX7~FYZnQLaXVX85utlzLG17NemXJhMgXnmaQJNLFHtdjJcIcn8C7W4zdiaiE7s4NAFb0XCcv9YSxQfuGXO-vZ1kVAPpr9nAc8TnfdPGBs5z7GGZ841x8zAOcof61jP3H--BG8akxL~1NKSK99FguKsjfkMdvS0J8EMKTFOtFI2C9t4zmCqWKxAsF3c9T8kAvdbmBSH8uKu5NxZWUtF96pkT90BJgkDB00LwsgU9S8N3R26kmuIb9JFze1A6wQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City planners told the Planning Commission on June 25 they are developing a policy framework for East Pleasanton to provide guidance for multiple large projects now in process, and they described progress on attempts to coordinate redevelopment at Stoneridge Mall.

The policy framework will produce general-plan policy amendments (not land-use changes) to articulate a vision for East Pleasanton and inform future entitlement decisions, Ellen Clark, Community Development Director, said. Staff is conducting stakeholder meetings with landowners and agencies, and plans to present an issues analysis to the Planning Commission and City Council in August or September and pursue final adoption in early 2026. Clark said the city will not delay projects already in process while the policy work continues.

Staff identified two major residential applications under consideration that together total roughly 800–900 housing units, and several industrial projects including a proposed Amazon warehouse of about 640,000 square feet and another industrial annexation of roughly 300,000 square feet to the north of East Pleasanton. Clark said these industrial and residential reviews are advancing on their separate tracks while the policy framework is developed.

On Stoneridge Mall, staff said the ownership group — comprised of multiple owners across six parcels — is working to renegotiate a reciprocal easement agreement (REA) between the owners. Clark said reaching an REA draft and internal owner alignment is a key step before owners produce a conceptual land-use plan. She said owners expect to complete conceptual planning work within about six months starting this summer and then may submit a master-plan-style application for the site.

Staff said the East Pleasanton policy framework will not include CEQA-level land-use reassignments because of time constraints but will provide a set of policies to inform subsequent entitlements. The Planning Commission recommended that staff return with policy options after stakeholder outreach. Commissioners asked about connectivity, public amenities and how adopted framework policies would interact with projects already approved or under review.

No formal land-use actions were taken at the June 25 meeting on these topics; staff labeled the East Pleasanton work as a policy/vision process and said project-specific CEQA and entitlement reviews will continue on their existing timetables.","Staff told the Planning Commission that two large residential annexation proposals and several industrial applications in East Pleasanton are moving forward and that mall owners are working toward a coordinated redevelopment plan; staff will pursue a non-land-use policy framework for East Pleasanton to guide future decisions.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6184149,"Pleasanton combines community and economic development; staff previews strategic plan work",1883,537000,2420000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5092901-983d5222c5754ad78447e71b07a953dc&start=537&end=2420","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5092901-983d5222c5754ad78447e71b07a953dc/thumbnail_537000.jpg","/articles/6184149/Pleasanton/Alameda-County/California/Pleasanton-combines-community-and-economic-development-staff-previews-strategic-plan-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184149-ea5756f0b4be46b13f83889c515833e8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771012241&Signature=MWoKVgI8b8SvTOvGqwdbSjyCmh1oOnJLUT9spvXbscnhFBOG6eR1Q4jOv~Wrm3-q-l4sCBzNtkHTWRd3shsZe2r-K~YsddL3dr3CZ8BTlmyiznoxi5rpiAxh8uwWEbygwLQQZ7LUAlHIGFW-lq2vjz9BR92k6w57bVjFgXw2usNAtWly1GmmYc1wNsv~haDSducPl-wD27lwDkfi3y3AC9u8uH6sf6Viifs4qr3wuWgreObqeQ9Gh7V~woBLTnVlGy970VuJEnJ5SGUJe0YWNbbnYsZllS18GtJC4FgdnL19nd03swwAC1It10EuBwDp7TWKOINK6md2u4QNNo0UYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pleasanton’s Community Development Department will be renamed and restructured to include economic development functions starting July 1, staff told the Planning Commission on June 25. The change follows the city council’s budget action on June 17 and is intended to coordinate land-use review, permitting and business outreach.

The move matters because city staff said the merged department will pair planning expertise with dedicated business-facing capacity to reduce uncertainty for prospective projects and align zoning and processes with the Economic Development Strategic Plan adopted by the council in August 2023. “This item tonight … is really to give some additional information to the planning commission,” Ellen Clark, Community Development Director, told commissioners.

City staff said the reorganization will keep Lisa Adamos in her current role as Economic Development Manager and create a new Economic and Business Development Manager role that will be filled by Melinda (last name not provided), who will work with planning while a new planning manager is recruited. Clark said the goal is to improve “process changes and improvements” such as a concierge-style permitting approach, expedited pathways for target projects, and better marketing materials for brokers and property owners.

The presentation highlighted several implemented and planned programs tied to the strategic plan’s five priorities: capacity building, business retention/attraction, local revenue growth, entrepreneurship and a major-projects accelerator. Staff showed new business-attraction brochures, a “Why Pleasanton” web page and a proposed retail-development program that could include market-targeting and expedited permitting for specific tenant improvements. Clark said staff is also working with the Pleasanton Downtown Association on a business improvement district renewal and continuing partnerships with Visit Tri-Valley and regional startup supports such as EyeGate and the Daybreak Labs incubator in Livermore.

Commissioners asked about who will handle planning work and when the changes will take effect. Clark said Melinda will transition into the new economic/business development role while the city hires a new planning manager, and that staff expects the restructuring to phase in over several months rather than as an immediate “flip the switch.”

Commissioners and staff discussed closer coordination between the Planning Commission and the Economic Vitality Committee (EVC). Clark said the EVC is a council-appointed body that meets bimonthly and advises the council on economic programs; she and Melinda suggested future joint briefings or targeted meetings to reduce overlap and align recommendations. Commissioner comments at the meeting emphasized streamlining interdepartmental work, improving turnaround for applicants and preserving the city’s planning standards while making processes more predictable for businesses.

Staff emphasized this presentation was informational; Clark said the department will bring specific policy items and process proposals back to the Planning Commission as work items are scheduled. The commission and staff expect additional follow-up after the city council’s July 15 work session, when council will review a longer list of proposed initiatives and priorities.

A consent-item motion to approve the June 25 consent calendar passed unanimously earlier in the meeting.

What’s next: Clark and Melinda said the department will return to the commission with targeted proposals — including a streamlined staff-report format for routine items — and that recruitment for the vacant planning-manager role is under way.","City staff told the Planning Commission the Finance-approved reorganization that merges economic development with community development will take effect July 1 and aims to speed business attraction, streamline permitting and align planning with economic strategy.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Pleasanton Planning Commission debates roles, long-range planning and streamlining; may form small working group

City outlines East Pleasanton policy framework, Stoneridge Mall owners plan land-use steps

Pleasanton combines community and economic development; staff previews strategic plan work