Summary

Planning Commission meeting summary

Foster CitySep 19, 20253 min read

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The Planning Commission approved a home addition at 658 Harvester Drive and reviewed draft citywide design standards meant to streamline permits for single- and two-family homes.

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What this means

The commission unanimously approved an architectural review permit for a two-story addition to a single-family house at 658 Harvester Drive, including a finding that the project was exempt from CEQA under the existing-structures rule. It also reviewed draft rules for single- and two-family homes, including design, landscaping, lighting, fences, solar impacts, roofs, garages, and paint colors. Several changes were discussed, such as requiring solar studies for second-story additions and not allowing mechanical equipment in the front yard except EV chargers. The study session was for feedback only, so the broader design ordinance was not finalized at this meeting.

Key decisions

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Approved the July 17, 2025 and August 14, 2025 minutes by a 5-0 vote.
Adopted Resolution No. P-10-25 approving AR2025-0030 for an approximately 226-square-foot first-floor addition and 2,186-square-foot second-floor addition at 658 Harvester Drive by a 5-0 vote.
Found the Harvester Drive project exempt from CEQA under Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Structures).
Reviewed draft single- and two-family objective design and development standards and provided comments for staff to revise the proposed ordinance.

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Meeting information

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Planning Commission Regular Meeting

Sep 19, 2025, 2:00 AMREGULAR MEETING OF THE, FOSTER CITY PLANNING COMMISSION, 7:00 PM, Thursday, September 18, 2025completed

Agenda

JULY 17, 2025 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
4.1.
Decision: 4 CONSENT CALENDAR All matters listed under this item are considered to be routine by the Planning Commission and will be enacted by one motion in the form listed below. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a citizen or a member of the Planning Commission so requests. If discussion is required, that item will be removed from the Consent Calendar and will be considered separately at the conclusion of the Consent Calendar. Vote may be by roll call.
AUGUST 14, 2025 SPECIAL MEETING AND PLANNING COMMISSION & PARKS AND RECREATION JOINT SPECIAL STUDY SESSION MINUTES
4.2.
Decision: 4 CONSENT CALENDAR All matters listed under this item are considered to be routine by the Planning Commission and will be enacted by one motion in the form listed below. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a citizen or a member of the Planning Commission so requests. If discussion is required, that item will be removed from the Consent Calendar and will be considered separately at the conclusion of the Consent Calendar. Vote may be by roll call.
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION APPROVING AN ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW PERMIT REQUEST TO ALLOW THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN APPROXIMATELY 226-SQUARE-FOOT FIRST FLOOR ADDITION AND AN APPROXIMATELY 2,186-SQUARE-FOOT SECOND FLOOR ADDITION (FOR A TOTAL OF 2,412 SQUARE FEET) TO AN EXISTING APPROXIMATELY 2,200-SQUARE-FOOT SINGLE-STORY SINGLE-FAMILY HOUSE LOCATED AT 658 HARVESTER DRIVE IN NEIGHBORHOOD 1 AND FINDING THAT THE PROJECT IS EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) UNDER CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15301 (EXISTING STRUCTURES) – APN: 094-041-110 1. Open Public Hearing 2. Staff Report 3. Public Testimony 4. Close Public Hearing 5. Adopt Resolution No. P- -25 Approving AR2025-0030 Project Planner: Maira Blanco, 650-286-3241 or [email protected]
6.1.
Decision: 6 NEW PUBLIC HEARING
SINGLE- AND TWO-FAMILY OBJECTIVE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS IS A CITYWIDE INITIATIVE TO MODERNIZE THE CITY’S DESIGN GUIDELINES, POLICIES, AND APPLICABLE ZONING CODE REGULATIONS INTO ONE COMPREHENSIVE ORDINANCE, AS WELL AS STREAMLINE THE PERMITTING PROCESS FOR THE HOMEOWNERS. THE PURPOSE OF THIS STUDY SESSION IS TO PROVIDE THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND THE PUBLIC AN OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW AND PROVIDE INPUT ON THE ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW PROCESS AND DRAFT REGULATIONS, INCLUDING BUILDING DESIGN, SITE DESIGN, AND ACCESSORY STRUCTURES, YARDS, WINDSCREENS, LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING, AND FENCES. 1. Open Public Hearing 2. Staff Report 3. Discussion Project Planner: Sofia Mangalam, Community Development Director, 650-286-3239 or [email protected]
9.1.
Decision: 9 STUDY SESSION