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Home My WebLink About2005-07-13 PC MinutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES July 13, 2005 Council Chamber, City Hall 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs, CA 92262 ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners: Hutcheson, Ringlein, Roath, Hochanadel, Vice Chair Shoenberger, Chairwoman Marantz Absent: Commissioner: Leo Cohen CALL TO ORDER: Chairwoman Marantz called the meeting to order at 1: 34 p.m. REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA: Interim Director of Planning, Norm Canchola, reported that the agenda was posted by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, July 8, 2005, at City Hall exterior bulletin board and the Department of Planning and Zoning counter. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: June 9, 2004 and June 22, 2005. M/S/C (Hochanadel/Shoenberger, 3-0, 3 abstentions Roath/Ringlein/Hutcheson) to approve minutes of June 9, 2004. M/S/C (Hochanadel/Shoenberger, 5-0, 1 abstention/Hutcheson) to approve minutes of June 22, 2005. PUBLIC COMMENTS Steve Lyle, Palm Springs, voiced his concerns about the draft Downtown Urban Design Guidelines. Michael Stern, Palm Springs, in favor of Commissioner Cohen's idea to inform the public of proposed developments. Frank Tysen, Palm Springs, expressed concern about the methodology used for the draft Downtown Urban Design Guidelines. Roxanne Ploss, Palm Springs, stated the importance about the restoration, innovation and preservation of Palm Springs. Charles Sachs, Palm Springs, voiced his concern about the height of buildings. There being no further comments, Public Comments was closed CONSENT AGENDA: 2A. Case 5.0957 — An application by Rothbart Development for architectural review of the Bank of America building as part of the destination Ramon-Walmart project located at 5601 Ramon Road East, Zone W. M-11.L., Section 20. City of Palm Springs Planning Commission Minutes of July 13, 2005 Principal Planner, Alex Meyerhoff, requested this project be pulled from the calendar because the Architectural Advisory Committee had not yet approved the project. 2B. Case 5.935 PD-59 — An application by Desert Chapel for approval of final development plans for a two-story, 27' 6" tall, 27,000 sq. ft. nursery and office building located at 630 Sunrise Way South, Zone PD-59, Section 24. M/S/C (Ringlein/Roath, 6-0) to approve, subject to Conditions of Approval. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 3. Case 5.1034 — Adoption of Interim Downtown Urban Design Guidelines for the area bounded approximately by Alejo Road to the north, Ramon Road to the south, Indian Canyon Drive to the East, and Belardo Road to the west. These guidelines are subject to further refinement as part of the overall General Plan Update. Principal Planner, Jing Yeo, gave some background information on how the guidelines came into formation. She indicated that these guidelines are subject to change and will not be adopted until next year. Dick Ramella, The Planning Center, gave a detailed report on the purpose and objectives of the Interim Downtown Urban Design Guidelines. Chairwoman Marantz opened the Public Hearing. Lyn Calerdine, PSEDC, in support of the project. Roxanne Ploss, Palm Springs, stated her concern about not being given the opportunity to have input on the project. John Wessman, Palm Springs, spoke in support of the project. Frank Tysen, Palm Springs, spoke in opposition of project. There being no further comments, the Public Hearing was closed. Vice Chairman Shoenberger reminded the public that these are only interim guidelines. This is not the end of the process, but a step away, there will be numerous of opportunities for people to make comments. He emphasized that the areas where 60 feet heights are allowed are very confined areas. On the east side of Palm Canyon, areas would be restricted to 45 feet in height only if the development includes residential and/or lofts. On the west side of Palm Canyon, the height limits would be restricted to 30 feet. Commissioner Hutcheson stated that this city depends on tourism and the rejuvenation of downtown is a vital part of that. He further stated these guidelines are a positive step in moving forward. M/S/C (Shoenberger/Ringlein, 6-0, 1 absence/Cohen) to approve, with the inclusion of Alternate Map B. City of Palm Springs Planning Commission Minutes of July 13, 2005 4. Case 5.0666 PD-231 — An application by Lennar Communities for approval of design guidelines and minor amendments to the development standards for the Palm Springs Classic/Escena project located at 1000 Gene Autry Trail North, Zone WM1P, WO5 and W, Section 7 and 18, APN 677-220-015. Principal Planner, Alex Meyerhoff, gave details of the project. He indicated that the applicant has requested to withdraw the request to amend the development standards. Chairwoman Marantz opened the Public Hearing. Marvin Roos, MSA & Associates, gave additional information to the Planning Commission and was available for questions. - There being no further comments, the Public Hearing was closed. M/S/C (Hochanadel/Roath, 6-0 ) to approve the design guidelines, subject to Conditions of Approval. 5. Case TTM 33542 / 5.1038 PD-310 — An application by Via Escuela Land Partners, LLC, for a Tentative Tract Map to create a one lot condominium map and a Planned Development District for the construction of 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 project at the exhibits Chairwoman Marantz opened the Public Hearing. Patricia Lawth, Palm Springs, spoke in favor of the project. Skip Goodell, architect for the project, gave additional information to the Planning Commission. Charles Sachs, Palm Springs, spoke in favor of the project. There being no further comments, the Public Hearing was closed. M/S/C (Ringlein/Roath, 6-0) to approve, subject to Conditions of Approval. 6. Case TTM31104 and 5.1019 — An application by Nejat Kohan to subdivide approximately 1.46 acres for hotel and residential condominium use. The Conditional Use Permit to allow the conversion of hotel to condominiums and the construction of residential condominiums in the Resort Overlay, located at 640 North Indian Canyon Drive, Zone R-3, Section 11, APN 507-183-006. Associate Planner, Matthew Feske, gave details of the project at the exhibit. He indicated that this building is a historic site and has been approved by the Historic Site Preservation Board for conceptual approval and interior demolition. It will go back to the RSPB, if approved by the Planning Commission and City Council, for final architectural approval. Chairwoman Marantz opened the Public Hearing. City of Palm Springs Planning Commission Minutes of July 13, 2005 Bob Rosenhall, Palm Springs, owns property near this reviewing this project. Randall Erickson, Palm Springs, lives behind the Spanish Neget Kohen, applicant, gave additional information. Graham Young, Palm Springs, voiced his concerns: project, requested the importance of Inn, spoke in favor of the project. about mixed use of a hotel and condominiums. Catherine McMillan, Palm Springs, lives behind project, voiced concerns regarding mixed use and requested to keep it as a hotel. Joe Luisi, Palm Springs, historic preservationist for the project, spoke in support of the project and stated their plan to restore the tile and gave additional information. Skip Goodell, architect for the project, expressed his willingness to accommodate the neighbors and drafted a computer view analysis of the project. Tony Gonzales, Amir Engineering, thanked staff for being very helpful and expressed willingness to help project move forward. There being no further comments, the Public Hearing was closed. Commissioner Roath objected to the widening of the street at Indian Canyon. M/S/C (Shoenberger/Hutcheson, 6-0) to approve, subject to conditions of approval; including revision of the timeline schedule indicating more details and approval by the Planning Department for scheduled deadlines, at the discretion of the Planning Director. 7. Case 5.0842 PD 77 - An application by Christopher Mills Architecture, for Maurice Refoua, for an amendment to the Planned Development District 77 for an 8,785 sq. ft. addition to an existing retail center, expansion of the parking lot and the remodel of existing parking lot located at 611 South Palm Canyon Drive, Zone PD-77 (C-1), Section 22, APN 513-290-005. Associate Planner, Matthew Feske, gave details of the project at the exhibits. Chairwoman Marantz opened the Public Hearing. Chris Mills, architect for the project, gave additional information to the Planning Commission. He indicated that it does not meet the 50% minimum shading requirement, because parking spaces would be lost. , There being no further comments, the Public Hearing was closed. Matthew Feske requested revised engineering condition #4 to be included. M/S/C (Roath/Hutcheson, 6-0) to approve, subject to Conditions of Approval, and revised engineering condition #4 to be incorporated. 8. 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. M City of Palm Springs Planning Commission Minutes of July 13, 2005 Chairwoman Marantz stated that a request of continuance has been filed by applicant until August 10, 2005. 9. Case 5.1061 ZTA — An application by the City of Palm Springs for a zone text amendment adding paragraph 12, "Relocation of off -site advertising displays", to subsection "C" of Section 93.20.05 of the Municipal Code, in order to implement the Highway 111 Beautification Agreement with Lamar Central Advertising for the relocation of 10 outdoor advertising displays from Highway 111 to Interstate 10. Director of Planning, Norm Canchola, gave details of the project. Chairwoman Marantz opened the Public Hearing. Jim Ferguson, Palm Desert, attorney representing Fairway Outdoor Advertising and Lamar Advertising, reported that ten (10) signs from Windy Point area on Highway 111 would be removed and twenty (20) billboards would be constructed on 1-10. There being no further comments, the Public Hearing was closed. M/S/C (Hochanadel/Hutcheson, 6-0) to approve, subject to Conditions of Approval. 10. ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW: None. MISCELLANEOUS: 11. Case 05-92 — A request by Wessman Development for approval of a sign program for the Desert Fashion Plaza located at 101 North Palm Canyon Drive, Zone C-B-D, Section 15. Principal Planner, Alex Meyerhoff, gave details of the project. M/S/C (Hutcheson/Roath, 6-0) to approve, subject to Conditions of Approval, to include the deletion of section 'A' under Main Signs in the Interim/Temporary Sign Program. 12. Case 5.0856 CUP — A request by Palm Springs Freeway Development, LLC, for a time extension to August 13, 2006, for a Conditional Use Permit to allow a 65 room hotel with amenities, a 60 foot tall freeway sign and 2 fast food restaurants located at 610 W. Garnet Road, Zone M-1-P/HC, Section 15. Principal Planner, Alex Meyerhoff, gave a review of the project. He stated the applicant is requesting a one (1) year time extension. F M/S/C (Shoenberger/Ringlein, 6-0) to approve, subject to Conditions of Approval. 5 City of Palm Springs Planning Commission Minutes of July 13, 2005 13. Adoption of Planning Commission Procedures The Commissioners concurred to postpone the adoption of Planning Commission Procedures until the permanent position of Director of Planning is filled. Commissioner Hutcheson recommended highlighting the changes on the draft when it comes back to the Planning Commission. M/S/C (Hochanadel/Roath, 15-0) to postpone, until the permanent Planning Director position is filled. 14. COMMISSION WORK PROGRAM • General Plan Update - None. • Work Program Priorities and Subcommittee Assignments — None. 15. CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS: Update. 16. COMMISSION/STAFF REPORTS AND REQUESTS — None. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Chairwoman Marantz, declared the meeting adjourned at 5:20 p.m. Norm Canchola Interim Director of Planning