HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-01-04 PC Study Session MinutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS
PLANNING COMMISSION STUDY SESSION
MINUTES
January 4, 2006
Large Conference Room, City Hall
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, CA 92262
ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners: Hochanadel, Conrad, Cohen,
Roath, Ringlein, Vice Chair Shoenberger and
Chairwoman Marantz
Absent:
CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Marantz called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m.
REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA: Director of Planning Services, Craig A. Ewing, reported
the agenda was available for public access at the City Hall exterior bulletin board (west side of
Council Chamber) and the Planning Services Department counter by 5:00 p.m. on Friday,
December 30, 2005.
1. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Chairwoman Marantz declared the Public Comment portion of
the meeting open.
Roxanne Ploss, Palm Springs, spoke about water and energy conservation.
There being no further comments, Chairwoman Marantz declared the Public Comments closed.
Craig reported he would call the water agency to possibly set up Study Session in February
2006.
2. DISCUSSION – “The New Suburbanism” - Craig A. Ewing gave a summary on the
booklet that was distributed to the Commission on the latest research.
Discussion was made regarding the developments in other cities, growth and small businesses
in the city, redevelopment in Pasadena and further detail regarding growth in the City of Palm
Springs.
3. DISCUSSION – General Plan Basics – Director of Planning Services, Craig A. Ewing
reported that he provided the Commission chapter 1 of the State of California General Plan
Guidelines adopted by the State for Local Governments to use in preparing the General Plan.
He suggested it might be a helpful orientation to read the guidelines.
City of Palm Springs
Planning Commission Minutes of
January 4, 2006
Discussion was made regarding the length of the update. Craig Ewing reported several study
sessions will be held on General Plan to review before the Public Hearing.
Further discussion was made regarding the General Plan.
4. CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS: Update. Craig Ewing reported that the City Council would
be taking a second look at the conversion for Desert Flower Apartments into condominiums.
5. COMMISSION/STAFF REPORTS AND REQUESTS – Additional Planning Commission
meetings were discussed. Discussion was made on block wall heights. Craig reported a memo
would be provided covering the current rules for: 1. Wall heights 2. Interpreting the code 3.
Posting on the worksite. Chair Marantz requested more specific information from her fellow
Commissioners for the Council Cabinet Meetings. Commissioner Hutcheson inquired about the
AAC minutes covering more detail. Craig Ewing reported the AAC meetings are an advisory to
the Planning Commission therefore no minutes are taken. The planners take notes of their
projects and those notes are incorporated in the staff report. Cohen reported that Jim Cioffi
takes very thorough notes. Discussion was made regarding the AAC’s recommendations.
Craig reported the AAC recommends and does approve projects and final authority over design
is the Planning Commission. Craig reported that it is a matter of planners taking more specific
notes.
Ringlein requested a follow-up from Engineering that there are sandbags on Vista Chino and
Sunrise. She felt it was a danger. She further stated that there is always lots of water in front of
Albertson’s from the sprinklers. She commented the speeding on Francis is very bad and
recommended traffic control.
6. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Chairwoman Marantz, declared
the meeting adjourned at 3:40 p.m.
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