Planning Commission endorses SIP update and asks staff to add El Camino Real economic focus

At its March 4 meeting the Planning Commission reviewed staff’s updates to the 2026 Strategic Implementation Program (SIP), a five‑year implementation table that prioritizes projects, assigns lead departments and identifies budget timing.

Alexia, the staff presenter, explained the SIP ties general plan policies to implementation tasks, target years and budget needs. Commissioners concentrated their comments on items including the inclusionary housing program (and the need for in‑lieu fee frameworks), parking‑in‑lieu concepts for coastal parking, historic resource survey work, and a proposed zoning amendment for short‑term lodging during large regional events such as the 2028 Olympics.

Chair Cosgrove and several commissioners urged staff to expand the economic‑development scope in the SIP to include El Camino Real as a focus area — beyond the gateway locations already identified — to study rezoning, incentives and other mechanisms that could catalyze redevelopment on underused commercial parcels. Staff agreed to add the Planning Commission’s recommendation to the staff report that will go to City Council.

The Planning Commission then voted to recommend City Council approve the SIP update with the requested clarification to include El Camino Real economic development considerations. Staff said all commissioner comments would be included in the minutes and forwarded to council for its decision.