On March 11, the Santa Clara planning commission held a study session about the city’s current charter review project, with city attorney Glenn Googins presenting an overview of the initiative to modernize the city’s 1951 charter.
Googins urged the Commission to consider changes that will revise the charter with current practices, clarify quasi-judicial functions and ensure the commission has appropriate authority over city planning and environmental decisions.
Much of the discussion concentrated on definitions of the planning commission’s role in the charter review, particularly its input on Article 10, Sections 1006 and 1007, which govern the commission’s composition, powers and duties.
Commissioners were concerned that the current charter’s lack of clarity in distinguishing quasi-judicial from advisory roles during public hearings. Quasi-judicial activity involves acting like a judge by applying established laws or regulations — for example, zoning codes and development standards — to specific projects.
Examples of this include reviewing a conditional use permit or a variance, where the commission must evaluate whether the application meets defined standards, instead of subjective feelings about a project; i.e., “smoke shops are prohibited by the zoning code,” instead of “smoke shops don’t belong in our city.”
Another notable discussion was the definition of “qualified elector”— currently requiring voter registration and citizenship — for board appointments. The Board of Library Trustees has recommended changing this to “residency” to broaden participation, especially among immigrant communities. The commission discussed whether to adopt a similar change and how to ensure expertise and perspective in appointments without violating non-discrimination laws.
The commission will make its recommendations at the April meeting, and commissioners were asked to submit their ideas to the city attorney’s office in advance so they can be included on the agenda. The city attorney’s office will summarize the charter language, key discussion points and potential recommendations for planning commission review.
The next planning commission meeting is April 8, 2026, at 6 p.m. in the city council chambers, and via Zoom at – https://santaclaraca.zoom.us/j/91729202898.
Carolyn Schuk can be reached at carolyn@santaclaraweekly.com.
Previous Santa Clara Planning Commission Meetings:
Planning Commission: Smoke Shop Zoning Do-Se-Do
Planning Commission Green-Lights Design Standards, Historic Resources Update
Planning Commission Considers Residential Objective Design Standards
