Planning commission recommends Scott Stephenson as chair, Mike Hartwick as alternate and sets up developer pre‑submission meeting

At the Dec. 11 meeting the Sunset Planning Commission recommended leadership changes and discussed a developer interest in the northern end of Sunset near Sunset Square.

Chair and alternate: following brief discussion about timing and duties, the commission voted unanimously to recommend Scott Stephenson as chair to the city council; commissioners also recommended Mike Hartwick as alternate chair. Stephenson said he did not "have an issue being chair," but noted scheduling challenges for some meetings.

Reappointments: the commission recommended reappointment of Judy Justice and Scott Stephenson to the planning commission for four‑year terms; both recommendations were approved by voice vote and recorded as unanimous.

Developer interest and pre‑submission meeting: staff reported a developer had expressed interest in several parcels near Sunset Square, including a former autism‑school site and other adjacent lots, and requested a pre‑submission meeting to review form‑based code options. Staff proposed a Dec. 18 pre‑submission meeting at 11 a.m.; because the project may require city‑owned parcels, staff said the mayor and public works director should be available and that only one commissioner may participate as a paid member at the pre‑submission meeting (others may attend as unpaid volunteers to avoid a quorum/meeting violation). Staff said the developer and mayor were not yet fully confirmed.

Next steps: staff will follow up with the developer and send calendar invites for the pre‑submission meeting if confirmed; the chair and council will receive the commission's recommendations for appointment and reappointment.