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.