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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2.D - Public CommentFrom:Brian Hurd To:City Clerk Subject:Appeal by New Church II, LLC of the Planning Commission denial of an extension of entitlements for the project known as the Orchid Tree Inn/Community Church Hotel Project located at 222 S. Cahuilla Rd./Case No 5.1345 Date:Wednesday, August 24, 2022 5:04:46 PM NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the appeal by New Church II, LLC of the Planning Commission denial of an extension of entitlements for the project known as the Orchid Tree Inn/Community Church Hotel Project located at 222 S. Cahuilla Rd. I live on Baristo Road approximately 1/2 block from the project, and believe my views align with many other residents of the Tennis Club neighborhood. My comments are as follows. First, obviously, everyone is disappointed with the length of time it has taken to complete the project. We would like the project to be completed within the most recently approved development schedule. Part of our frustration with the project is that there has been no communication from the developer or the city explaining the reasons why the project is taking so long to complete. Unlike what happened at the July 13th meeting of the Planning Commission, the Council should at least give the developer all the time he needs to explain his reasons for the delays. The neighborhood might be more tolerant of the delays if the property was not a magnet for homeless people. Homeless people are attracted to the property and end up wandering the rest of the neighborhood engaging in disgusting and illegal behavior (including trespassing, theft and leaving garbage everywhere). The developer and the city share responsibility for this. While there appears to be a security guard who observes the property from the street at night, one guard is insufficient to keep homeless people away from the property or from leaving garbage in and around the area. We are told that the guards, who are unarmed, are reluctant to enter the property at night to check for intruders. Many incidents involving homeless people in the neighborhood go unreported, and when they are the police do not always respond on a timely basis. Regardless of the Council’s decision on the developer’s appeal, security at the site and the adjacent blocks to the west and south should be enhanced at night with the deployment of additional security guards and a meaningful police presence, particularly during the hours of 12:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m., when most unlawful homeless activity seems to occur. With the deployment of additional security guards, there should be no concern about the performance of night time inspections inside the property. We also think that the developer or the city should be giving periodic progress reports on the project to neighborhood residents. Once again, thank you for the opportunity to comment on this matter. Brian Hurd 09/01/2022 Public Comment Item 2D From:Ron Kasper To:City Clerk Subject:New Church II LLC meeting 9/1/2022 Date:Wednesday, August 24, 2022 3:20:41 PM NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Once again I write opposing any extensions for this project. This ongoing eyesore has been our view for close to 12 years along with the ever increasing homeless population squatting on this property. And the church was set on fire once again this year. Force him to fix this Historic building or tear it down, so at least we don't have to look at the burnt roof and surrounding facilities. Make him stick to his last schedule. He has plenty of resources to finish this project . Please take the local neighborhood’s concerns in to your over consideration when not approving an extension in time. Thank you Ron Kasper 285 S Cahuilla Palm Springs 09/01/2022 Public Comment Item 2D From:Robert Brugeman To:Christy Holstege; Lisa Middleton; Geoff Kors; Dennis Woods; Grace Garner Cc:City Clerk Subject:9/1/22 Item 2D: deny the appeal by New Church II LLC Date:Wednesday, August 31, 2022 3:15:34 PM NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Dear Mayor Middleton, Mayor Pro Tem Garner and Council Members Kors, Holstege and Woods I'm writing today to urge you to uphold the Planning Commission denial of time extension/conditional use permit and major architectural application for New Church LLC regarding the Orchid Inn/Community Church project due to the ongoing failure of the applicant to meet the deadlines council imposed the last time this project was extended as well as failure to secure financing, failure to secure the property and the outrageous attempt to add two story additions to both the historic church structure and the proposed new building on the corner of Arenas and Cahuiila as part of the time extension request. Planning Commission was completely justified in their findings regarding all the above issues particularly since the city engineer contradicted the applicant and his attorney by testifying the construction documents submitted were incomplete and the accompanying fees for the review had not been paid. Commissioners were also surprised to learn that the two story additions were not only submitted as part of the time extension but had not been vetted by the Historic Preservation Board or the Architectural Review Board. In addition, when asked by the Chairperson the applicant himself admitted that financing was not in place. As a someone who worked directly across the street from this blighted eyesore for many years I can tell you business owners, residents, colleagues and visitors to our city have grown weary of the endless excuses, missed deadlines and lack of security on this very visible site. It is unconscionable that yet another fire occurred that has damaged the historic church. Another time extension means that the risk to nearby businesses, residents and visitors will be ongoing. You only have to look at the progress made at other hotels and projects in our city (Fleur Noire Hotel, Black Haus, Trixie Motel, Bode Hotel, Elan, Lumen, Cody Place) to find the applicant's claim that the COVID pandemic prevents the start of construction is also not accurate. If all these other developers can submit plans, secure permits, financing, staff and materials why is Mr. Weintraub unable to do so? At this point I believe the applicant has lost all credibility and simply cannot be trusted to complete the project. I respectfully urge the council to heed Mayor Middleton's words when the last time extension was granted. As I recall she said "This is the last time extension I will support. Please do not ask again. Do you understand Mr. Weintraub?" He replied in the affirmative. I urge you to reject this request and uphold the Planning Commission denial. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely Robert Brugeman 9/1/2022 Public Comment Item 2D