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Home My WebLink About2005-10-12 PC MinutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES October 12, 2005 Council Chambers, City Hall 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs, CA 92262 ROLL CALL: Present: Hutcheson, Ringlein, Roath, Cohen, Shoenberger, Vice Chairman Hochanadel and Chairwoman Marantz Absent: None CALL TO ORDER: Chairwoman Marantz called the meeting to order at 1:36 p.m. REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA: Director of Planning Services, Craig Ewing, reported that the agenda was posted by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 7, 2005, at City Hall exterior bulletin board and the Department of Planning and Zoning counter. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Chairwoman Marantz opened Public _Comments. There being no comments, Public Comments was closed. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: September 14, 2005 and September 28, 2005 M/S/C (Hochanadel/Cohen, 7-0) to approve, minutes of September 14, 2005. M/S/C (Hochanadel/Cohen, 7-0) to approve, minutes of September 28, 2005. CONSENT AGENDA: Craig Ewing, Director of Planning Services, indicated the 3 resolutions are currently under review by the City Attorney. He requested the 3 resolutions be pulled from the agenda. 2A. Resolution denying Case 5.0979 CUP, an application by Verizon Wireless for the installation of one sixty foot (60') tall commercial communication antenna designed as a monopaim pole and one equipment cabinet shelter located at 1800 South Sunrise Way, Zone RGA(6), Section 25. 2B. Resolution denying Case 5.0980 CUP, an application by Sprint PCS for the installation of one sixty foot (60') tall commercial communication antenna designed as a monolpalm and one equipment cabinet shelter located at 1800 South Sunrise Way, ( Zone RGA(6), Section 25. City of Palm Springs Planning Commission Minutes of October 12, 2005 2C. Resolution denying Case 5.0985 CUP, an application by Cingular Wireless for the installation of one sixty (60') foot tall commercial communication antenna designed as a monopalm pole and one equipment cabinet shelter located at 1800 South Sunrise Way, Zone RGA(6), Section 25. A recess was taken at 1:53 p.m. The meeting resumed at 2:00 p.m. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 3. Case 5.1075 CUP -An application by Judith E. Deming Gerbershagen, owner, for a Conditional Use Permit for the operation of a professional law office engaged in civil litigation located at 1381 North Indian Canyon Drive, Zone 3, Section 10, APN 505- 184-016. Assistant Planner, Diane Bullock, summarized the proposed project at the exhibits. She indicated property has been in disrepair for many years and the applicant has already initiated substantial improvements. She reported no comments or inquires have been made on this project. Chairwoman Marantz commented she drove by the project and the building appears attractive. „) Chairwoman Marantz opened the Public Hearing. There being no comments, the Public Hearing was closed. M/S/C (Roath/Cohen, 7-0) to approve, subject to Conditions of Approval. 4. Case 5.1056 PD 314 / TTM 33575 - An application by Palm Canyon 102,L.P., for Planned Development District 314 and Tentative Tract Map 33575 for the Palm Canyon 102 L.P., a mixed -use development consisting of 26 live -work units, 80 two-story attached town homes and 15,000 square feet of retail space located at 850 and 990 South Palm Canyon Drive, Zone C1, Section 23. Chairwoman Marantz abstained due to her office located within 500 feet of the proposed project. Commissioner Hutcheson abstained due to his office located within 500 feet of proposed project. Vice Chairman Hochanadel took over the meeting. Contract Planner, Norm Canchola, reported on the proposed project at the exhibits. He indicated the AAC reviewed the project and recommended approval. Discussion was made regarding the emergency fire exit gate on Random Road; guest parking; entry gates and street parking. 2 City of Palm Springs Planning Commission Minutes of October 12, 2005 Commissioner Ringlein stated her concern about the sidewalk adjacent to the curb on Palm Canyon Drive in relation to safety issues. Discussion was made regarding the work/live units. Vice Chairman Hochanadel opened the Public Hearing. David Hilliard, applicant, gave further background details of the project. He addressed concerns regarding sidewalks, landscaping, work/live units, signage restrictions in the CC&R's and street improvement requirements. Ed Boffett, spoke in opposition to project, concerned with adequate parking. Jono Hildner, representing Tahquitz River Estates Neighborhood Association, reported they are pleased with the cooperation from the developer; addressed concerns with the sidewalks, building heights from existing pad elevations and construction traffic. Everett Martin, addressed concerns with the work/live units, the patio areas and parking and sidewalk issues. Jay Reynolds, architect for the project, gave additional information regarding parking spaces, heights and landscaping at the exhibits. John Sanborn, A E Sanborn Engineers, spoke regarding construction traffic on Palm Canyon. Ted Snyder, one of the developers for the project, addressed the sidewalk, the internal gates, liquor licensing and landscaping. Vice Chairman Hochanadel closed the Public Hearing. Break taken at 2:55 p.m. Resumed at 3:00 p.m. Discussion was made regarding the emergency access on Random Road. Vice Chair Hochanadel re -opened the Public Hearing. Jono Hildner, addressed the ingress/egress on Random Road. Discussion was made regarding the required amount of parking spaces. Marcus Fuller clarified the sidewalk widths for Random Road and Mesquite Road. Vice Chair Hochanadel closed the Public Hearing. M/S/C (Roath/Cohen, 5-0, 2 absent/Marantz/Hutcheson) to approve, with the following amendments to the conditions of approval: Planning Conditions#7 and #10 deleted • Planning Condition#16 should refer to Engineering Condition #18 (not Condition #53) • Planning Condition #24 should refer to the TTM and PD (not CUP) • Engineering Condition #10 should indicate the entry of 36 feet wide (not 35 feet wide) • Condition #25 to allow an 8 foot sidewalk from Palm Canyon to the driveway and a 5 foot sidewalk east of the driveway • To provide additional parking for the units at the north end of the project by removal of a unit or other re -arrangement of site plan. City of Palm Springs Planning Commission Minutes of October 12, 2005 5. Case 3.2735 / 6.484 VAR - An application by Arthur & Rita Kahn, owners, to construct a 1,447 sq. ft. single family residence with a request for a reduction of the setback requirements located at 2235 Rim Road, Zone R1 B, Section 25. Contract Planner, Joe Prutch, gave details of the proposed project. He indicated the lot is small and narrow and there is a concern with the pool wall, the pool is shown 3 '/z feet from the property line. Chairwoman Marantz opened the Public Hearing. Lance O'Donnell, with O'Donnell & Escalante, one of the architects for the project, addressed questions regarding pool issues and the street corner cut-off for safety issues. Ana Escalante, one of the architects for the project, spoke of the architecture and size of proposed project. She displayed a model of the proposed home. Linda Ragin, Palm Springs, read a letter her husband has submitted regarding Rim Road on a substandard road, the egress and the run-off. John Sanborn, Sanborn A & E, addressed the driveway and the drainage. Arthur Kahn, applicant rebuttal, reported their main concern has been to be ecologically and environmentally correct. He stated they held a neighborhood meeting and no suggestions were made. There being no further comments the Public Hearing was closed. Craig Ewing reported that the corner fence height could not be reduced because the issue for standard fences has been raised, it is not a part of the request and it was not noticed. He added that staff would not expect to support such a request because of safety issues and testimony from neighbors about driving hazards. He noted that location of the swimming pool would not be considered a justification for granting a variance. He requested the Commission remove this issue from consideration. The Commission agreed. Marcus Fuller stated the swimming pool could easily be moved to the east, and the natural drainage occurs east of the proposed building. M/S/C (Roath/Hutcheson, 7-0) to approve, subject to revised conditions of approval, including and condition #12, which shall be valid for one (1) year; and engineering condition #33 which should be: "recommends deferral of off -site improvement items 35 and 38" (not items 3 and 6). 6. ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW: None. 7. MISCELLANEOUS: None 8. COMMISSION WORK PROGRAM: *General Plan Update: Craig Ewing reported the General Plan Committee met last week and the draft land use plan will be submitted to the Committee by the consultant in late October or November. *Work Program Priorities and Subcommittee Assignments — None reported. 4 City of Palm Springs 1 Planning Commission Minutes of October 12, 2005 9. CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS: Craig Ewing reported the City Council approved exclusive negotiations with Hard Rock Hotel COMMISSION/STAFF REPORTS AND REQUESTS — Chairwoman Marantz reported there will be a Planning Commission meeting next week, Wednesday, October 19th at 2:00 p.m. Vice Chairman Hochanadel inquired if the time set for public hearings is mandatory or it can be changed. Discussion was made regarding Commissioner Ringlein's inquiry regarding the landscaping at Ramon Road and Sunrise Way. Vice Chairman Hochanadel inquired if the Biltmore project had a sign program in effect. Craig Ewing responded he would research the issue and get back to the Commission. Commissioner Cohen complimented the removal of a bunker on the corner of Mesquite and Gene Autry. Marcus Fuller, Senior Engineer, gave information regarding a transportation enhancement grant from the Riverside County Transportation Commission. He gave further details about the two applications the City submitted; and indicated the application for funding of the Gene Autry landscaping project was approved. Commissioner Roath and Commissioner Ringlein agreed they would like for the City to consider drought tolerant landscaping. Chairwoman Marantz commented that two applications for temporary banners had been filed for locations on Palm Canyon Drive; she requested review of the cases since a permanent sign is in place at both locations: ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Chairwoman Marantz, declared the meeting adjourned at 4:10 p.m. 5