HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-02-24 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTESPLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
February 24, 2021
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California
(Meeting held via Zoom)
CALL TO ORDER:
Chair Weremiuk called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Ervin, Hirschbein, Lewin, Song, Moruzzi, Weremiuk
Staff Present: Planning Director Fagg, Assistant Planning Director Newell, Attorney
Priest, Administrative Secretary Bruggemans, Principal Planner
Robertson
REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA:
The Agenda was available for public access at the City Hall exterior bulletin board (west side
of Council Chamber) on Thursday by 6:00 p.m. on February 18, 2021, and posted on the
City's website as required by established policies and procedures.
ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA:
Song, seconded by Lewin, to approve the agenda, as presented.
AYES: ERVIN, HIRSCHBEIN, LEWIN, SONG, MORUZZI, WEREMIUK
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
CONSENT CALENDAR: None
2. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
2A. REQUEST BY EVOLVED ENGINEERING, LLC, ON BEHALF OF THE
MORGUE, LLC, FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (CUP) TO OPERATE
A TYPE 6 (NON-VOLATILE) CANNABIS FACILITY TO INCLUDE
MANUFACTURING, CULTIVATION, DISPENSARY, DISTRIBUTION AND A
LOUNGE IN A VACANT INDUSTRIAL BUILDING WITHIN AN EXISTING
BUSINESS PARK LOCATED AT 1241 SOUTH GENE AUTRY TRAIL, ZONE
M-1, SECTION 33 (CASE 5.1492 CUP). (ER)
Director Fagg requested a continuance to a date certain of March 10, 2021.
Lewin, seconded by Song to continue to a date certain of March 10, 2021.
Planning Commission Minutes
February 24, 2021
City of Palm Springs
AYES: ERVIN, HIRSCHBEIN, LEWIN, SONG, MORUZZI, WEREMIUK
2B. REQUEST BY THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS FOR APPROVAL OF THE
ANNUAL UPDATE OF THE PALM SPRINGS ZONING CODE (CASE 5.1466
ZTA). (FF)
Director Fagg provided a report to the Planning Commission and reviewed two issues
identified from the public hearing on February 10, 2021: Restaurants in professional zones
via a Land Use Permit, and removal of the CUP requirement for housing in the Resort
Corridor Overlay.
Chair Weremiuk opened the public hearing.
SCOTT TIMBERLAKE, commercial property owner, supported the change to allow
restaurants in office zones by Land Use Permit as this provides commercial uses near
apartments and within walking distance of residential areas, and creates a sense of
neighborhood.
There being no additional speakers, the public hearing was closed.
Commissioner Song verified the zoning requirements for multifamily development in the
Resort Corridor Overlay; she offered support of removing the CUP requirement for
restaurants in office zones as there is a need for more flexibility of use in those areas.
Commissioner Lewin asked about the percentage of housing in the Resort Corridor Overlay
that would contribute to meeting housing goals. He noted concerns with allowing restaurants
in professional zones by Land Use Permit due to the impacts to nearby residential areas; a
public hearing is necessary to allow residents to comment on proposed impacts, and a
Conditional Use Permit process makes sense.
Commissioner Hirschbein supports allowing residential in the Resort Corridor Overlay but
agrees that restaurants should require a Conditional Use Permit in professional zones to
provide oversight and to provide fairness for nearby residents.
Commissioner Moruzzi asked about the cost and timing for approval of a Land Use Permit
versus a Conditional Use Permit for restaurant uses.
Chair Weremiuk made a motion to recommend approval of the ordinance as drafted; the
motion was seconded by Commissioner Song.
Commissioner Lewin verified that restaurants could not occupy a majority of the square
footage in an office complex based upon the restrictions in the zoning code.
Planning Commission Minutes
February 24, 2021
City of Palm Springs
Commissioner Hirschbein questioned if restrictions could be adopted as part of the
ordinance relative to operating standards for restaurants.
Weremiuk, seconded by Song to recommend approval of the Zone Text Amendment to the
City Council, as proposed.
AYES: ERVIN, SONG, MORUZZI, WEREMIUK
NOES: HIRSCHBEIN, LEWIN
3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None
4. NEW BUSINESS: None
5. DISCUSSION:
5A. DISCUSSION ON CHANGES TO THE ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW
PROCESS (CASE 5.1526 ZTA) (FF).
Director Fagg commented on the need to amend the Downtown specific plan as a separate
process to change the approval process for development within the specific plan.
Chair Weremiuk confirmed the Specific Plans processes that would need to be updated:
• Downtown Specific Plan would require a joint pre -application meeting with AAC and
PC, followed by the remainder of the revised process.
• All others — including Section 14, Desert Palisades, College Park and Canyon South
— use the same process as proposed by the ordinance.
Discussion followed regarding the review process for Desert Palisades, the Section 14
specific plan, the process for the Downtown specific plan and the need for consistent
processes.
(No action taken; discussion only.)
PLANNING COMMISSION REPORTS, REQUESTS AND COMMENTS:
• Commissioner Lewin stated downtown parking in -lieu fees can be a barrier for new
restaurants; and suggested the Commission explore options to remove this
requirement since the City acquired the downtown parking garage.
• Commissioner Lewin recommended the formation of a subcommittee to review
housing opportunity sites in the city.
• Vice Chair Moruzzi requested a regular update regarding approved projects in the
City.
• Commissioner Song agreed with Commissioner Lewin's comments; and thinks
housing projects and parking requirements need to be evaluated.
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Planning Commission Minutes
February 24, 2021
City of Palm Springs
Lewin, seconded by Song to agendize a discussion on housing opportunities on the next
agenda.
AYES: ERVIN, HIRSCHBEIN, LEWIN, SONG, MORUZZI, WEREMIUK
CITY COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT: None
PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT: None
ADJOURNMENT:
The Planning Commission adjourned at 7:05 p.m. to the next regularly scheduled meeting
at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 10, 2021.
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David N well, AICP
Assistant Director of Planning
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