UPDATED FURTHER: Councilmembers Neal AND Schipske WILL Attend, Councilman Johnson Will Be Absent, For Tonite's Council Vote On Proposed Rezoning/Entitlements For Proposed 2nd/PCH Development

At tonight's meeting, the Council is also scheduled to vote on whether to approve (certify) an Environmental Impact Report enabling the proposed development (with a "statement of overriding considerations" indicating Council support for the project despite some significant impacts).

(Dec. 13, 2011)-- As previously reported by LBReport.com, Mayor Bob Foster indicated during colloquy at last night's (Dec. 13) Council meeting that he thinks "there may be three Councilmembers next week gone" for the Dec. 20 City Council meeting. LBReport.com pursued this inasmuch as the Dec. 20 meeting is when city staff has scheduled the proposed 2nd/PCH development for a hearing on appeals of Planning Commission recommended [split votes] zoning amendments and entitlements sought by the developer.

As of Dec. 14 at 3:20 p.m.:

• Councilman James Johnson's office says that in a pre-planned absence, the Councilman won't be present at the Dec. 20 meeting. Chief of Staff Michael Clements says the Councilman's office provided the City Manager's office with the Councilman's schedule several weeks ago (roughly 4-6 weeks in advance).

• Councilman Steve Neal's Chief of Staff Rex Richardson indicates he may not be present at Dec. 20 meeting although this isn't confirmed yet.

• Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske says her plans for the meeting aren't settled at this point.

Councilmembers whose offices have indicated to us that they plan to be present are Vice Mayor Suja Lowenthal, Robert Garcia, Rae Gabelich, Gary DeLong, Patrick O'Donnell and Dee Andrews.

The Mayor made his remark about the possible Council absences in an offhand manner after Vice Mayor Lowenthal volunteered that "all of us won't be here" for the Dec. 20 meeting...which prompted LBReport.com to pursue the story.

Further as we learn it on LBReport.com.