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CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
June 22, 2005
Council Chambers, City Hall
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, CA 92262
ROLL CALL: Present: Ringlein, Roath, Cohen, Hochanadel, Vice Chairman
Shoenberger, Chairwoman Marantz
Absent: Tracy Conrad
CALL TO ORDER: Chairwoman Marantz called the meeting to order at 1:43 p.m.
REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA: Acting Interim Director of Planning, Norm Canchola,
reported that the agenda was posted by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, June 17, 2005, at City Hall exterior
bulletin board and the Department of Planning and Zoning counter.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes of May 25, 2005 and June 8, 2005.
M/S/C (Cohen/Hochanadel, 5-0, 1 abstention/Marantz) to approve minutes of May 25, 2005.
M/S/C (Cohen/Hochanadel, 5-0, 1 abstention/Ringlein) to approve minutes of June 8, 2005.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Chairwoman Marantz opened the Public Comments, there being none, the Public Comments
portion of the meeting was closed.
CONSENT AGENDA:
2A. Case 3.514 - An application by Harley Swartz, owner, for interior improvements and to
construct a roof top deck with stairway, decorative wall, side windows, gate, garage door
and courtyard landscape located at M2321 Araby Drive, Zone R-1-B, Section 25, APN
510-242-005.
M/S/C (Hochanadel/Ringlein, 6-0) to approve, subject to Conditions of Approval:
2B. Case 3.2659 — SFR - An application by James and Maurine Lenny to construct a single-
family residence located at 2485 Janis Drive, Zone R-1-13, Section 3, APN 504-162-020.
MIS/C (Hochanadel/Ringlein, 6-0) to approve, subject to Conditions of Approval.
City of Palm Springs
Planning Commission Minutes
of June 22, 2005
2C. Case 5.1020 PD 304 / TTM 31940 — An application by Palm Springs Modern Homes IV,
LLC, for final development plans for forty-three (43) detached single family residences
on 4.97 acres and associated off -site improvements located at the northwest corner of
Racquet Club and Zanjero Road, Zone R-2, Section 3.
Chairwoman Dianne Marantz abstained due to a business conflict.
M/S/C (Hochanadel/Ringlei n, 5-0, 1 abstention/Marantz) to approve, subject to Conditions of
Approval.
PUBLIC HEARINGS: -,
3. Case 6.480 - VAR — An application by George Moore to allow a five and one half (5'/2)
foot variance to provide for a nine and one half (9'/2) foot rear yard setback for 120
square feet of an existing non permitted rear portion expansion of a single-family
residence at located 1590 E. Paseo El Mirador, Zone R-1-C, Section 11, APN 507-122-
004. (Continued from May 25, 2005 meeting.)
Chairwoman Marantz reported that the case was withdrawn by applicant.
4. Case TTM 33035 — An application by Mountain Meadows Associates for a Tentative
Tract Map to create a one lot, condominium map for the conversion of the 129 existing
apartment units to 129 condominium units located at 2500-East Palm Canyon Drive,
Zone R-3, Section 24, APN 502-310-054 and 502-310-055.
Associate Planner, Matthew Feske, gave details of the proposed project at the exhibits.
Chairwoman Marantz opened the Public Hearing:
Joe Gerry, civil engineer and land surveyor for the project, available for questions from the
Planning Commission.
Ether Rocco, stated her concern regarding the small size of the apartment units and the
underground water pipes decaying.
Melissa Nelson, submitted in a letter from a resident who could not attend the meeting.
Matthew Feske, read the letter requesting denial of project.
There being no further comments, the Public Hearing was closed.
Carol Fox stated that relocation assistance will be provided for the resident and that all residents
will have the first option to purchase. The price range will be between $217,000 and $235,000.
Matthew Feske reported that all field codes would have to be met for the condominium
conversion.
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City of Palm Springs
Planning Commission Minutes
of June 22, 2005
M/S/C (Shoenberger/Roath, 1-4/Ringlien/Roath/Hochanadel/Marantz, 1 abstention/Cohen) to
approve, subject to Conditions of Approval. MOTION FAILED.
Note: No other motion was made.
5. Case TPM 32280 — An application by KFI, LLC and RFC Properties, LLC for a Tentative
Parcel Map to subdivide one (1) lot of approximately 6.28 acres into two (2) lots of
approximately 2.00 acres and 4.28 acres for future development located at the northeast
corner of Avenida Caballeros and Amado Road, Zone R-4, Section 14, APN 508-582-
038 and 508-582-070.
Vice Chairman Shoenberger abstained due to a business conflict.
Associate Planner, Matthew Feske, gave details of the proposed project at the exhibits.
Chairwoman Marantz opened the Public Hearing, there being no comments, the Public Hearing
was closed.
M/S/C (Hochanadel/Ringlei n, 4-1/Roath) to approve, subject to Conditions of Approval.
6. Case TTM 33542 / 5.1038 PD 310 - An Application by Via Escuela Partners Land
Partners, LLC for a Tentative Tract Map 33542 to create a one (1) lot condominium map
and a Planned Development District to construct twelve (12) residential condominiums
located at the southwest corner of Via Escuela and North Palm Canyon Drive, Zone C-1
and R-3, Section 3, APN 504-310-035.
Associate Planner, Matthew Feske, gave details of the proposed project at the exhibits. He
further stated the distance between the buildings is 10 '/ feet to 13 '/2 feet and the required
building distance is 15 feet. The Architectural Advisory Committee recommended the applicant
consider removing one of the units to increase building separation, which the applicant took into
consideration and deemed infeasible.
Dianne Marantz stated her concern about the 10' set -backs.
Chairwoman Marantz opened the Public Hearing:
Skip Goodell, architect on project, gave an overview and concept of the project.
Mark DuPont, applicant, stated the project originally had 13 units, which have been reduced to
12 units.
Bob Teaford, Palm Springs, gave additional information
Robert Philippsen, Palm Springs, expressed his concern regarding the energy efficiency for the
proposed development.
Skip Goodell, responded to previous speaker regarding his client's interest in providing energy
efficient systems.
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City of Palm Springs
Planning Commission Minutes
of June 22, 2005
There being no further comments, the Public Hearing was closed.
Vice Chairman Shoenberger indicated he liked the architecture; there are issues of density; but
overall there are many excellent features about this project. Commissioner Roath felt that the
buildings are too close together and it would be a better project if condominiums were
constructed as duplexes, creating more space in between the buildings.
Marcus Fuller, Senior Engineer, reported the Municipal Code requires the utility lines need `to go
underground unless waived. The applicant, Robert Teaford, agreed to under ground the utility
lines.
M/S/C (Ringlein/Cohen, 3-3 Roath/Hochanadel/Marantz) to approve, subject to Conditions of
Approval. MOTION FAILED.
Chairwoman Marantz was not opposed to the project but concerned about the density.
Commissioner Roath commented the first thing that should be done at the start of a project is go
through the planning code and write down all the requirements of the code and then see how
you can make your project fit the code rather than making the code fit your project. He
concurred that the buildings are too close together.
M/S/C (Roath/Hochanadel, 4-2/Ringlein/Shoenberger) to resend to the Architectural Advisory
Committee for restudy on density and building distance of the project.
7. Case TPM 33283 - An application by Sanborn A/E for a Tentative Parcel Map to
subdivide two (2) lots of approximately 36,154 sq. ft. into three (3) lots of approximately
13,350 sq. ft., 11,220 sq. ft. and 11,530 sq. ft. to allow the subdivision of an existing
single family lot and for future development of two single family residences located at
850 Avenida Caballeros, Zone R-1-C, Section 11, APN 507-233-012 and 507-233-028.
Chairwoman Marantz abstained due to a conflict.
Associate Planner, Matthew Feske, gave details of the proposed project at the exhibits. -
Vice Chairman Shoenberger opened the Public Hearing:
Ali lorli, voiced his concern regarding the heavy traffic area.
Marco Aidas, stated he is not opposed to this project but had some concerns.
Maxine Lapiduss, owner of property, answered some of the concerns about the project.
John Sanborn, A/E, Palm Springs, stated he had 3 conditions to review, condition #21 —
regarding the improved driveway into the property — would like to add "or an approved equal not
specifically asphalt; condition #24 driveway approach — would like to add "an approved equal';
and condition #38 would like to defer to covenant.
There being no further comments, Vice Chairman Shoenberger, closed the Public Hearing.
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City of Palm Springs
Planning Commission Minutes
of June 22, 2005
M/S/C (Shoenberger/Hochanadel, 5-0) to approve, subject to Conditions of Approval, with the
following modifications: Condition #21 "to provide asphalt concrete pavement or its' equivalent
subject to approval by the engineering department; Condition #24 on Arquilla Road to provide
asphalt concrete pavement or its' equivalent subject to approval by the engineering department;
and Condition #38 — defer to covenant the power lines, those which are not required to be under
grounded for new construction.
8. ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW: None.
MISCELLANEOUS:
9. Case 5.0934 PD-281 — An application by McCormack Baron Salazar for a time
extension of final development plans for PD-281 and minor site plan changes for the
Vista Sunrise apartments located at the southwest corner of Vista Chino and Sunrise
Way, Zone R-2 and P, Section 11.
Principal Planner Jing Yeo, gave a review and details of the requested minor changes for the
project at exhibits. She stated the time extension is for 6 months for the final development
r� plans.
Reuel Young, Interactive Design Corp., architect on the project, stated that project has not been
diminished but has been brought into tighter control for budget purposes.
Commissioner Roath commented that this project has improved.
M/S/C (Shoenberger/Hochanadel, 6-0) to approve, subject to Conditions of Approval.
COMMISSION WORK PROGRAM:
General Plan Update — Jing Yeo reported a General Plan Steering Committee
meeting will be held next Thursday at 3 p.m. in the Large Conference Room. Prior to
this meeting, at 1.00 p.m., there will be the presentation . of the final draft of the
Downtown Urban Design Plan.
• Work Program Priorities and Subcommittee Assignments - None.
CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS: Update.
COMMISSION/STAFF REPORTS AND REQUESTS - Commissioner Cohen suggested City's
Public Relations Department could publish a newsletter in The Desert Sun, on a regular basis,
to keep the public informed on new developments.
Chairwoman Marantz stated she would like to personally see the city's Building Department,
Code Enforcement, etc. start getting out into the community more. She requested Code
Enforcement follow-up on street cleaning and other issues at the Biltmore site.
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City of Palm Springs
Planning Commission Minutes
of June 22, 2005
Alex Meyerhoff invited the public to attend a neighborhood meeting conducted by the Planning
Department and the Office of Neighborhood Involvement on Thursday, June 23, 2005 at 4:00
p.m. in the Large Conference Room regarding "The Palm Canyon" project.
Norm Canchola reported a meeting will be held regarding the re -design at the Racket Club on
Thursday, June 30, 2005, at 6:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Chairwoman Marantz, declared the
meeting adjourned at 3:50 p.m.
Nc Canchola
Acting Interim Director of Planning
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