Planning Commission
The Planning Commission is a City Council-appointed Commission whose members are charged with reviewing land use and development permits (Conditional Use Permits, Coastal Development Permits, Design Permits, subdivisions, etc.) for consistency with the Capitola General Plan, and the Capitola Municipal Code. Planning Commission decisions may be appealed to the City Council. The Planning Commission provides recommendations to the City Council on General Plan amendments and rezoning requests, and provides direction to the Community and Economic Development Department regarding the interpretation of city planning policies and codes.
The Planning Commission meets the first Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.
Current Planning Commissioners
| Name | Date Appointed | Term Expires |
| Welch, TJ | 7/24/2025 | 12/2026 |
| Christiansen, Courtney | 12/12/2024 | 12/2026 |
| Howard, Matthew | 12/12/2024 | 12/2026 |
| Estey, Paul | 12/12/2024 | 12/2026 |
| Kieu, Nathan | 12/12/2024 | 12/2026 |
Email the entire Planning Commission: planningcommission@ci.capitola.ca.us
Staff Representatives:
Katie Herlihy
Community and Economic Development Director
kherlihy@ci.capitola.ca.us
831-475-7300 ext. 216
Sean Sesanto
Associate Planner
ssesanto@ci.capitola.ca.us
831-475-7300 ext. 256