HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-05-11 PC MinutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
May 11, 2005
Council Chambers, City Hall
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, CA 92262
1:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners: Roath, Cohen, Hochanadel,
Conrad, Vice Chair Shoenberger, Chairwoman
Marantz
Absent: Toni Ringlein
CALL TO ORDER: Chairwoman Marantz called the meeting to order at 1:37 p.m. on May 11,
2005.
REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA: Interim Director of Planning, Gary Wayne, reported that
the agenda was posted by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 6, 2005, at City Hall exterior bulletin board
and the Department of Planning and Zoning counter.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: None.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Vic Gainer, Palm Springs, spoke in opposition Item 7 and in favor of Item 6.
Frank Tysen, Palm Springs, spoke in support of Item 4 and in opposition of Item 7.
Kent Chamberlin, Palm Springs, in support of Item 4.
Dana Stewart, Palm Springs, spoke in opposition of Item 7; in favor of Item 4 and Item 6;
concerned about high rising rooflines.
CONSENT AGENDA: See Items #8, #9 and #10.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
3. Case 5.1022 PD 305 / TTM 32732 — Application by 111/Camino Real LLC, for a one lot
condominium map to construct 25 town homes, 9 attached patio homes and a 5,000 s.f.
coffee shop/bistro located at the SE corner of East Palm Canyon Drive and Camino
Real, Zone R-2/R-3, Section 26, APNs 511-042-012 and 511-042-011. (Continued from
April 27, 2005)
Associate Planner, Matthew Feske, gave details of project at exhibits. He reported that the
Planned Development District includes a Conditional Use Permit for the Resort Overlay and a
J Conditional Use Permit to allow the restaurant use in the R-3 zone.
City of Palm Springs
Planning Commission Minutes of
May 11, 2005
Chairwoman Marantz declared the Public Hearing portion of the meeting open:
The following persons spoke:
Geoffrey Payne, Developer for the project, Rancho Mirage
Harold Whitson, Palm Springs, happy with proposed project
James Cioffi, architect for project, requested fire conditions for Item #49; condition #56 needs to
be changed to an 8' wide sidewalk; condition #67 to remain a 24' wide driveway; condition #53
regarding dedicating and widening frontage on East Palm Canyon, feels a waste of money and
could create a real hazardous condition at the Ocotillo Lodge — would like defer that condition.
Tom Little, Palm Springs, requested consideration on certain conditions
John Heard, Palm Springs, concerned about 2 story homes
Chairwoman Marantz declared the Public Hearing portion closed.
Marcus Fuller, Senior Engineer, recommends that the developer post the engineers cost
estimate to widen the frontage and that it be held in trust by the City of Palm Springs because it
would be the City that would be responsible for widening the street since if it's not required by
the developer at this time. The developer, Geoffrey Payne, was in agreement and will add a
provision in the CC & R's.
M/S/C (Shoenberger/Roath, 6-0) to approve, subject to condition #53 — postponing the street
i widening but requiring the developer to put up cost in a trust fund to the City — in the event that
the General Plan is amended stating that street widening is not required then the monies would
be refunded to the developer; condition #49 — to comply with fire conditions; and condition #67 —
to change the driveway from 26' to a 24'; condition #61- change from 8' to 5' sidewalk.
4. Case 5.0909 CUP - An application by The KOR Group to review the required street
improvements along Cahuilla Road, as stated in the approved Conditional Use Permit
for the Viceroy (former Estrella Inn) located at 415 S. Belardo Road, Zone R-3, Section
15, APN 513-202-005, ET. SEQ. (Continued from April 27, 2005 Meeting.)
Principal Planner, Alex Meyerhoff, gave details project at exhibits.
Chairwoman Marantz declared the Public Hearing portion of the meeting open:
The following persons spoke:
Charlene Aspray, representative of the KOR Group, management and owner of Viceroy
Phil Kaplan, ADA Coordinator
Marcus Fuller, Senior Engineer, reported that based on their findings they could not give a
recommendation.
There being no further appearances, Chairwoman Marantz, declared the Public Hearing portion
of the meeting closed.
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M/S/C (Roath/Cohen) to approve, as submitted. Second Motion Withdrawn.
M/S/C' (Roath/Conrad, 5-1/Shoenberger) to approve, subject to not include curbs on the sides
but as a buffer only; and another design element to be added to delineate the difference
between parking and plantar space.
Commissioner Conrad stated her concern that the applicant should work with the neighborhood
and come up with a solution that is acceptable to staff and the neighborhood. She does not feel
it should be done at the Planning Commission.
5. Case 5.1039 - CUP - Application by The Horizon Hotel for a poolside bar, mini -bars
within guest rooms, spa and retail in lobby of the hotel located at 1050 East Palm
Canyon Drive, Zone R-3, Section 23.
Associate Planner, Matthew Feske, gave details of project at the exhibits.
Chairwoman Marantz declared the Public Hearing portion of the meeting open. -
The following persons spoke in favor of the proposed project:
Rich Campbell, Manager of Horizen Hotel
Dave Scharf, owner of Horizen Hotel
The following persons spoke in opposition of the proposed project:
Charles Chentril, Palm Springs
Joe Schienholz, Palm Springs
Claudette Hinrichs, Palm Springs
Richard Sandberg, Palm Springs
Ethel Lock, Palm Springs
There being no further appearances, Chairwoman Marantz, declared the Public Hearing portion
of the meeting closed.
M/S/C (Shoenberger/Hochanandel, 4-2/Conrad/Marantz) to approve, subject to a period of 12
months commencing upon receipt of Occupancy Permit, and outside bar service to end at 10
p.m. including Friday and Saturday evenings.
6. Case 5.1024 PD 306 / TTM 32675 — Application by Contempo Homes for approval of The
"Alexander Country Club Estates, to subdivide a 6.06 gross acre site into twenty-five (25)
residential lots and fora Preliminary Planned Development district for the construction of
twenty-five (25) detached single family residences at The Palm Springs Country Club, and
vacation of the northerly 115' of right of way of Whitewater Club Drive located at 2800
Whitewater Club Drive, Zone RGA (8), Section 1, T4S, R4E, APN 501-191-012
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Vice Chair Shoenberger recused himself due to business conflict (law firm he is associated with
does legal work for the developer).
Chairwoman Marantz abstained due to a business conflict.
The meeting was turned over to Commissioner Conrad.
Principal Planner, Alex Meyerhoff, gave details of proposed project at the exhibits.
Commissioner Conrad declared the Public Hearing portion of the meeting open:
The following persons spoke in favor of the proposed project with the following concerns:
Jack Krekniery, Palm Springs, likes project but is concerned about windy area where trees were
removed.
Michael Vufer, Palm Springs, concerned about wind blowing due to removal of trees, and
shrubs, lots of blowing sand.
Teri McCoppin, Palm Springs, likes project but is concerned about not having anything in writing
from developer that includes maintenance fees to cover costs of streets, etc.
Leslie Pricer, Palm Springs, concerned about safety of traffic safety.
Max Schneck, Palm Springs, requesting from the builders of the property, what arrangement
has been made regarding the egress and ingress, maintenance and use of the roadways that
are currently within the PSCC.
The following persons spoke in favor of the proposed project:
Lance O'Donnell, O'Donnell & Escalante Architecture, would be happy to work with staff on the
wall issue.
Ed Torres, representing Contempo Homes, stated that they do have a signed agreement with
the,commitment of street maintenance. Every home will be certified to be solar efficient.
There being no further appearances, Commissioner Conrad, declared the Public Hearing
portion of the meeting closed.
Marcus Fuller, Senior Engineer, gave additional details.
M/S/C (Roath/Hochanadel, 4-0) to approve, as submitted, and direct staff to work with applicant
regarding the block wall.
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW:
7. Case 5.0830 AA PD 260 — Application by Fairfield Resorts, Inc. for final development
plans for the Star Canyon Resort located at 961 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Zones W-C-1
and W-R-3, Sections 22 and 23.
0 Chairwoman Marantz recused herself due to living within 500 ft. of proposed project.
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Principal Planner, Jing Yeo, gave details of the proposed project at the exhibits
Vice Chairman Shoenberger asked for a review of the history of the project.
Jing Yeo, stated that in May 2000 this project was originally approved as a mixed -use hotel and
timeshare project. On May 17, 2000, it was approved as a PDD and TTM by City Council. On
July 17, 2002, the City Council approved an amendment to PDD to change this project from a
hotel/timeshare project to an all timeshare project. The original PDD project consisted of 374
hotel/timeshare units. The amended PDD consists of 254 timeshare units. This is an approved
project in terms of building height, mass and land use has already been approved by the City
Council. The issue today is looking at the final development plans for substantial conformance
with the preliminary plan district. Whether or not the use or the height is appropriate is not the
issue today. It is taking a look at the preliminary plans and the final plans and whether or not
they are in conformance with each other.
Fernando Villa, representing Fairfield Resorts, gave additional information.
Jerald Coy, architect for Star Canyon, gave details on the changes that have been done. They
are happy with the architecture and feels it is appropriate.
Vice Chairman Shoenberger made it clear to everyone that this is a project that has been
approved by the City Council and the Planning Commission. We are not here to
decide whether it's an appropriate use or height all those things have already been decided.
Our job here today is to decide if the plans are in substantial conformance with the plans that
were originally approved.
Vice Chairman Shoenberger declared the public hearing portion of the meeting open:
The following persons spoke in opposition of the project:
Roxanne Ploss, Palm Springs
Jono Hildner, Palm Springs
Dana Stewart, Palm Springs
There being no further comments, Vice Chairman Shoenberger, declared the public hearing
portion of the meeting closed.
Commissioner Conrad stated she did not see articulated the exact number in the window sizes,
the fenestration patterns and balcony sizes.
Commissioner Conrad reported that the project is not in substantial conformance because many
of the items have been diminished such as the pool amenities, fenestration and balcony sizes,
the underground parking to surface parking and the buildings have been pushed together.
Gerald Coy, architect for Star Canyon, responded the Commissioner Conrad's concerns, and
stated that the previous site plan had the same perimeter parking all the way around it, they've
added some parking to where the restaurant was previously at but he felt they had meet all the
conditions and are in substantial conformance.
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M/S/C (Conrad/Roath 4-1/Shoenberger, 1 abstention/Marantz) to find that the final
development plans are not in substantial conformance with the Preliminary Planned
Development District 260 for the Star Canyon Resort.
Gary Wayne, Interim Director of Planning, reported that Items #8, #9 and #10 are Architectural
Approval and are not accompanied by any other discretionary actions. They are all right of zone
applications and the zone code calls for the Commission to grant approval through the Consent
Calendar. You can always pull an item off of the Consent Calendar. However, procedure calls
for you to act on these with one single motion for the items not pulled off consent.
8. Case 3.0829-B - Application by Michael Buccino Associates on behalf of the City of
Palm Springs, for architectural approval of landscape plans for the employee parking
area at the Palm Springs International Airport located at 3400 East Tahquitz Canyon
Way, Zone A, Section 18, APN 677-270-019.
M/S/C (Cohen/Shoenberger, 3-2 Roath/Conrad, 1 abstention/Marantz) to approve, subject to
Conditions of Approval.
9. Case 3.2402 AA - Application by Donald Martin to construct eight (8) residential
apartments in two (2) buildings of approximately 3,971 sq. ft. and 4,093 sq. ft. located at
1900 Via Olivera, Zone R-2, Section 3, APN 504-270-004.
M/S/C (Cohen/Shoenberger, 4-2 Roath/Conrad) to approve, subject to Conditions of Approval.
10. Case 3.1068 — Application by Garry Kief for Fitzgerald Bouvier Family Trust to construct
driveway, garage pad, garage/storage and landscape improvements located at 197
Camino Encanto, Zone R1 B, Section 27, APN 513-420-016, 017 and 022.
M/S/C (Cohen/Shoenberger, 4-2 Roath/Conrad) to approve, subject to Conditions of Approval.
MISCELLANEOUS:
11. Case 5.0813 CUP - Time extension for a Conditional Use Permit for Palm Springs
Windsurfing, to construct a windsurf park on 5.1 acres located north of the southern
border of Section 19, T35, R4E, SBBM, to facilitate windsurfing on CVWD spreading
ponds nos. four (4), five (5) and six (6), Zone W, APN 669-030-033.
Principal Planner, Alex Meyerhoff, gave details of project. No public is present at this time.
M/S/C (Shoenberger/Hochanadel, 6-0) to approve, as submitted.
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Planning Commission Minutes of
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COMMISSION WORK PROGRAM:
*General Plan Update — Welcoming everyone to the General Plan Community Festival to
be held on Thursday, May 19, 2005, during Village Fest, open to the general public to
come and participate, share ideas and make comments.
*Work Program Priorities and Subcommittee Assignments
CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS: None.
COMMISSION/STAFF REPORTS AND REQUESTS — None.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Chairwoman Marantz, declared the
meeting adjourned at 5:13 p.m.
ry Wa ne, Interim Director of Planning
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