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Home My WebLink About2005-12-28 PC MinutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES December 28, 2005 Council Chambers City Hall 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs, CA 92262 ROLL CALL: Present: Hutcheson, Ringlein, Roath, Cohen, Shoenberger and Hochanadel Absent: Marantz CALL TO ORDER: Chair Hochanadel called the meeting to order at 1:34 p.m. REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA: Director of Planning Services, Craig A. Ewing, reported that the agenda was posted by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 23, 2005, at City Hall exterior bulletin board and the Department of Planning and Zoning counter. 1. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Chairman Hochanadel opened Public Comments. There being no comments, Public Comments was closed. 2. CONSENT AGENDA: Approval of Minutes: December 14, 2005 and August 25, 2004 M/S/C (Ringlein/Cohen, 5-0, 2 absent/Marantz/Shoenberger) to approve, minutes of December 14, 2005 and August 25, 2004. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 3. Case 5,1078 CUP An application by Young Ja Yoo for an accessory use spa within the Howard Johnson Hotel located at 2000 North Palm Canyon Drive, Zone C-1/R-3, Section 3, APN 504-3207028. Director of Planning Services, Craig Ewing, requested this project be continued to the meeting of January 11, 2006. M/S/C (Ringlein/Hutcheson, 5-0, 2 absent/Marantz/Shoenberger) to continue, to Planning Commission meeting of January 11, 2006. City of Palm Springs Planning Commission Minutes December 28, 2005 4. Case 5.1083 CUP - An application by Richard Meaney for a single family residence and guest house over 1/50 of the lot area located at 525 Camino Calidad, Zone R-1-A, Section 22, APN 513-260-027. Commissioner Shoenberger entered the council chamber at 1:41 p.m. Director of Planning Services, Craig Ewing, requested this project be continued to meeting of January 11, 2006. M/S/C (Roath/Cohen, 6-0, 1 absent/Marantz) to continue, to Planning Commission meeting of January 11, 2006, 5. Case TTM 33933 An application by PS Avenida Caballeros/San Rafael, LLC, for Tentative Tract Map 33933 to subdivide an approximately 19.95 acre parcel into 57 single family residential lots ranging from 10,400 to 16,400 square feet in size located at East of Avenida Caballeros between San Rafael and Francis Drive, Zone R-1-C, Section 2, APN 501-020-016. Commissioner Shoenberger abstained due to a business conflict. Principal Planner, Edward Robertson, gave a summary of the staff report dated December 28, 2005. Discussion was made regarding vehicular access to Caballeros and San Rafael. Vice Chair Hochanadel opened the Public Hearing, James Cioffi, architect for the project, addressed the access road concerns and gave additional information. There being no further comments, the Public Hearing was closed. M/S/C (Roath/Cohen, 5-0, 2 absent/Marantz/Shoenberger) to recommend adoption of the draft Mitigated Negative Declaration and approval of TTM 33933 to City Council; subject to Conditions of Approval. 6. Case 5.1021 PD 303 / TTM 32826 - An application by Matthew Drive Place, LLC — Tahiti Partners, for a proposed Planned Development District 303 and the development of a 58 unit condominium complex located at 4455 Matthew Place, Zone WR2, Section 30, APN 681-170-065 and 681-170-066. Contract Planner, Bernard Chase, gave a summary of the staff report dated December 28, 2005. He requested Environment Assessment Condition #8 MM 1V-1 to be deleted. Senior Engineer Marcus Fuller, gave detailed information regarding the Flood Control District letter that was submitted. 2 City of Palm Springs Planning Commission Minutes December 28, 2005 Chairman Hochanadel opened the Public Hearing. Geoffry Payne, Tahiti Partners, gave additional information and addressed concerns. There being no further comments, the Public Hearing was closed. Discussion was made regarding the tandem parking, driveway approaches and the width of streets. Commissioner Ringlein commented that she was pleased to hear about the 4 acres dedication of the nature conservancy and the park which will be open to the public. M/S/C (Hutcheson/Ringlein, 6-0, 1 absent/Marantz) to recommend adoption of the draft Mitigated Negative Declaration and approval of Case 5.1021 PD 303 and TTM 32826 to City Council; subject to Conditions of Approval; and delete Environmental Assessment Condition #8, MM IV-1. 7. Case 5.1052 PD 313 / TTM 33334 - An application by Palm Springs Racquet Club Properties, LLC, for a proposed Planned Development District 313, Tentative Tract Map 33334, and a mixed -use development within an existing facility to include the expansion and remodeling of the historic Racquet Club of Palm Springs located at 2743 North Indian Canyon Drive, Zone R-2, Section 3, APN 504-040-038, 504-133-001, 504-133- 002, and 504-361-002. Commissioner Hutcheson abstained due to living within 500 feet of proposed property. Principal Planner, Edward Robertson, gave a summary of the staff report dated December 28, 2005. He indicated many letters were received in support of the project. Discussion was made regarding setbacks, landscaping and elevations. Chairman Hochanadel opened the Public Hearing. Mike Mueller, architect and owner, answered concerns regarding set -backs and indicated his biggest intent is to preserve the structure. Cathrine Carmody and Bill Snyder, neighbors, concerned about set -backs and loss of privacy otherwise in favor of project. Mike Mueller, applicant rebuttal. Rick Hutcheson, Palm Springs, spoke regarding building heights and set -back requirements. Mark Dezbawba, Banker's Realty in the Coachella Valley, represented the developer with the sale; spoke in favor of the project. Jean Gabriel, president of HOA for the Garden Villas at the Racquet Club, spoke in favor of the project. Bill Snyder, Palm Springs, spoke in support of the project. Robert Kincaid, Palm Springs, spoke in support of the project but concerned that the project be 5 built responsibly with consideration to the million dollar homes abutting the property. Mike Mueller, applicant rebuttal. 3 City of Palm Springs Planning Commission Minutes December 28, 2005 There being no further comments, the Public Hearing was closed. A break was taken at 2:55 p.m. Meeting resumed at 3:03 p.m. Further discussion was made regarding setbacks, zoning and the re -configuration of one story buildings. M/S/C (Roath/Cohen, 5-0, 1 absent/Marantz, 1 abstention/Hutcheson) to adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration and recommend approval of Case 5.1052 PD 313 and TTM 33334 to City Council; subject to lots #49 - #53 to be no greater than 15 feet in height, one story buildings. ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW: 8. Case 3.2348 An application by Palm Canyon Townhomes, LLC, for revisions to the approved grading and architectural plans for the Palm Canyon Townhomes located at 2801 South Palm Canyon Drive, Zone R-2, Section 25. Principal Planner, Jing Yeo, gave a summary of the staff report dated December 28, 2005. She reviewed the approved grading and architectural plans and showed a comparison to the revised plans. - Discussion Was made regarding building height and retaining walls. Ted Snyder, with the development group, gave further clarification regarding grading plans and details on the project. Jay Reynolds; architect, gave additional information at the exhibits. M/S/C (Ringlein/Roath, 6-0) to approve, with the following amendment: to include: Exhibit "A" showing unit D-1 and Exhibit "B" showing unit D-2; planning staff to work with applicant limited to no increase in visible walls along South Palm Canyon and landscaping to along height of the walls. 9. Public Art Placement of a Whirlwind VI spiraling stainless steel sculpture, 8' high with a 4'x4'x4' pad, located at Ruth Hardy Park in the Rose Garden, on the Northeast corner of Avenida Caballeros and Tamarisk. Cathy VanHorn, Economic Development Administrator, gave a summary of the staff report dated December 28, 2005. Discussion was made regarding safety and liability issues. M/S/C (Roath/Hutcheson, 6-0, 1 absent/Marantz) to approve. 4 City of Palm Springs Planning Commission Minutes December 28, 2005 MISCELLANEOUS: 10. Sign 05-114 - An application by Ralph, Thompson on behalf of DISC Corporation for approval of an 87 square foot main sign and a double-faced monument sign located at 810 N. Farrell Drive, Zone M-1-P, Section 12. Assistant Planner, Michael Blumson, gave a summary of the staff report dated December 28, 2005. Commissioner Roath felt this was a super graphic sign. Ralph; Thompson, Chief Executive Officer, gave additional information. Commissioner Shoenberger was concerned about the size of the sign. Staff indicated that it is within the Zoning Code. M/S/C (Hutcheson/Ringlein, 4-2/Shoenberger/Hochanadel, 1 absent/Marantz) to approve. 11. COMMISSION WORK PROGRAM: • *General Plan Update - Jing Yeo, reported the 10 neighborhood meetings were held regarding the draft Land Use Plan which drew about 500 people. A summary of the comments received will be forthcoming. • `Work Program Priorities and Subcommittee Assignments —None. 12. CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS: Update. Craig Ewing reported that Mountain Meadows will be going to City Council in January. In addition, the Citizen's Task Force for Mountain and Foothill Preservation has concluded their work and staff will be reporting back to City Council, in January, to seek direction in proceeding to develop specific regulations and limitations for the development of Chino Cone. 13. COMMISSION/STAFF REPORTS AND REQUESTS — Commissioner Hutcheson requested an update on pending projects. Commissioner Ringlein requested a follow up on Ramon and Sunrise regarding the landscaping and an art piece. Craig reported that he would get an update from Cathy Van Horn. Craig further reported that Norm Canchola will be ending his term at the end of this year. 14. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Chairwoman Marantz declared, the meeting adjourned at 4:23 p.m. Craig : Ew g, AI Direc Planning rvices 5