County commissions present FY25-26 work plans; committee agrees to forward reports to full Board

Representatives from six Santa Clara County advisory commissions presented their fiscal year 2025–26 work plans to the county's Housing, Land Use, Environment and Transportation Committee on May 29.

The presentations covered the Airport Land Use Commission, Animal Advisory Commission, Historic Heritage Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, Planning Commission and Roads Commission. Committee members voted to receive the reports and forward them to the full Board of Supervisors for consideration.

The Airport Land Use Commission, led by Chair Walter Windus, summarized its statutory role under the Public Utilities Code sections 21670 through 21679.5 and said it meets monthly to determine whether general plan and zoning amendments are consistent with adopted airport land use compatibility plans. "We generally have at least one referral a month," Windus said, and emphasized the commission's limited options: "Our primary responsibilities are to review general plan amendments and zoning amendments ... We have only two choices. The proposed project is either found to be consistent or inconsistent." Windus also said the commission charges project fees that generally cover its operating costs.

The Animal Advisory Commission highlighted plans to expand community engagement and partnerships with rescue organizations to reduce shelter surrenders, Commissioner Andrew Fostore said. "Our shelter reaches capacity most years ... we want to find more ways to support the community without them just surrendering animals directly to the shelter," Fostore said.

Historic Heritage Commissioner Terry Johnson described an initiative called the Santa Clara County Preservation Alliance and said the commission will coordinate more closely with county parks on historical structures on park lands. Parks and Recreation Chair Keith Ball reviewed capital projects and flagged an upcoming review of the department's capital improvement program and planned trail work tied to Anderson Dam improvements.

Planning Commission Vice Chair Mark Rausser noted that the seven-member commission currently has no vacancies and listed upcoming priorities that include safety, environmental justice elements and rural zoning updates. Roads Commission Chair Tim Oi pointed to the implementation of the county's Active Transportation Plan and feasibility work on expressway corridors such as Foothill, and urged the board to help recruit commissioners for vacant seats, especially from South County.

Committee members asked questions of the commissioners, including on fee structures, interagency coordination and recruitment for commission vacancies. There were no public speakers on the item.

Motion and vote: Supervisor Irene Aranas moved to receive the reports and forward them to the full Board of Supervisors; the motion was seconded and approved by roll call. Vice chairperson Arenas voted yes; Chairperson Abe Koga (recorded in the transcript as "Chairperson Abekova") voted aye. The committee carried the motion.