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CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
April 26, 2006
Council Chambers, City Hall
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, CA 92262
Present: Cohen, Hutcheson, Ringlein, Roath, Vice Chair Hochanadel
and Chair Marantz.
Absent: Shoenberger
REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA: The April 26, 2006, agenda was available for
public access at the City Hall exterior bulletin board and the Department of Planning
Services counter by 5:00 P.M. on Friday, April 21, 2006.
1. PUBLIC COMMENTS: (Three minute time limit.)
Chair Marantz opened the Public Comments portion of the meeting.
Vic Gainer, Palm Springs, co-chair of Palm Springs Chino Canyon Coalition, spoke in
opposition of Item 4.
Gladys Krenek, Palm Springs, read a letter from the Chino Canyon Coalition in
opposition of Item 4.
James Hayton, Palm Springs, spoke in opposition of Item 4.
Roxanne Ploss, Palm Springs, spoke in opposition of Item 4.
Jeffrey Welshans, Palm Springs, spoke in opposition of Item 4.
There being no further comments, the Public Comments was closed
CONSENT AGENDA:
Commissioner Cohen requested Item 213 be pulled from the Consent Agenda for further
discussion.
2A. Approval of Minutes: April 12, 2006
M/S/C (Ringlein/Cohen, 6-0, 1 absent/Shoenberger) To approve, minutes of April 12,
2006
City of Palm Springs
Planning Commission Minutes of
April 26, 2006
2B. Adoption of Resolution of Denial for Case 5.1050 PD 312 - An application by
Donahue Schriber Realty Group, agent for the Smoke Tree Commons, to amend
the General Plan Text to allow a second grocery store within the Smoke Tree Area
Plan; to amend the General Plan Circulation Map to re-classify a section of East
Palm Canyon Drive, adjacent to the project site, as a "major thoroughfare" in order
to facilitate the elimination of the frontage; a Planned Development involving
170,265 square feet of retail and associated Architectural Review, located on the
corner of East Palm Canon Drive and Barona Road, Zone R-1-A, Section 25, APN
510-020-034, 510-020-039 through 510-020-048.
Commissioner Cohen requested clarification on the abandonment of the frontage road
and the distance of the proposed traffic signal to the existing traffic signal.
Marcus Fuller, Assistant Director of Public Works, gave further clarification regarding the
General Plan pertaining to East Palm Canyon as a 202 foot major thoroughfare with
frontage roads along either side, the projects proposal to abandon the existing frontage
road that runs from Barona Road to Smoke Tree/Cerritos Way and the traffic analysis
which was completed warranting a traffic signal based on the volume of traffic.
Craig A. Ewing, reported that the 1993 General Plan identified the abandonment of the
frontage road as a policy, at that time. It has been a part of the City's expectation over
the long term since 1993.
M/S/C (Roath/Vice Chair Hochanadel, 4-1/Hutcheson, 1 abstention/Ringlein, 1
absent/Shoenberger) To approve, the adoption of Resolution of Denial for Case 5.1050
PD 312 (Smoke Tree Commons).
2C. Case 3.2840 - SFR - An application by Kevin Blessing for a 4,225 square foot
single-family residence located at 755 Coronado Avenue, Zone R-1-A, Section 10,
APN 505-360-004.
M/S/C (Ringlein/Cohen, 6-0, 1 absent/Shoenberger) To approve, subject to Conditions
of Approval. e
2D. Case 3.2855 - MAJ - An application by Desiree Thomas to add a third unit to an
existing duplex located at 753 Cottonwood Road, Zone R2, Section 11, APN 507-
042-004.
M/S/C (Ringlein/Cohen, 6-0, 1 absent/Shoenberger) To approve, subject to Conditions
of Approval.
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City of Palm Springs
Planning Commission Minutes of
April 26, 2006
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
3. Case 6.487-VAR - An application by Robert Seale to allow a garage within the
front yard setback located at 280 Camino Sur, Zone R-1-A, Section 10, APN 505-
222-008.
Commissioner Hutcheson stated he has a business related conflict of interest and would
not participate in the discussion and vote. He left the Council Chamber at 1:57 p.m.
Assistant Planner, Michael Blumson, gave background information as outlined in the
staff report dated April 26, 2006.
Craig A. Ewing, Director of Planning Services, gave further clarification on compliance
for Variances.
Chair Marantz opened the Public Hearing.
Bob Seale, Palm Springs, owner, gave a history of his home, a sub -standard lot, and
requested approval of this project.
Ed Smith, Palm Springs, lives in surrounding neighborhood, spoke in favor of the
request.
There being no further comments, the Public Hearing was closed.
Craig A. Ewing, confirmed that there is a bike way along the front and side yards of this
project which may be taken into consideration as a special circumstance.
M/S/C (Roath/Cohen, 3-2/Ringlein and Vice Chair Hochanadel, 2
absent/Hutcheson/Shoenberger) To approve, subject to Conditions of Approval.
Commissioner Hutcheson re-entered the Council Chamber at 2:28 p.m.
4. Case 5.0609 PD 224 / TTM 28587 - An application by Shadowrock Development
to extend the Development Agreement for 10 years, to allow a Planned
Development District for a destination resort including an 18-hole championship
golf course and clubhouse, future residential lots, hotel/resort and reservoir site on
a 340 acre site located within the Chino Cone Area Plan along Tramway Road and
North Palm Canyon Drive, Sections 5 and 8, APN's: 505-020-005, 013, 015, 027,
029, 030, 031.
Commissioner Hochanadel stated he has a business related conflict of interest and
would not participate in the discussion and vote. He left the Council Chamber at 2:30
p.m.
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City of Palm Springs ;
Planning Commission Minutes of
April 26, 2006
Craig A. Ewing, Director of Planning Services, gave background information as outlined
in the staff report dated April 26, 2006. He stated upon review under the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) it has been determined an Addendum could be
prepared and applied to the Certified Final Environmental Impact Report and such an
addendum has been prepared. He indicated this project would be forwarded to the City
Council which has final action.
Chair Marantz opened the Public Hearing.
Joan Taylor, representing the Sierra Club, spoke in opposition of the project.
Dana Stewart, Palm Springs, spoke in opposition of the project.
Nickie McLaughlin, Palm Springs, representing Friends of the Palm Springs Mountains,
spoke in opposition of the project.
Greg Day, Palm Springs, co-chair of the Chino Canyon Neighborhod Organization &
GPSC member, spoke in opposition of the project.
Jeffrey Morgan, spoke in opposition of the project.
Charles Sachs, Palm Springs, spoke in opposition of the project.
Jono Hildner, Palm Springs, chair for Save Our Mountains, spoke in opposition of the
project.
Mark Bragg, developer, applicant, spoke in favor of the request and made himself
available for questions.
There being no further comments, the Public Hearing was closed.
Commissioner Ringlein noted that growth and development is inevitable, and that with
only 5% of developable land remaining in Palm Springs, what we develop is really vital.
Development of the Cone is controversial but so are heights in the downtown corridor.
The best trade-off is to preserve the Cone and put higher density downtown.
Commissioner Ringlein indicated that she was prepared to move for denial.
Commissioner Hutcheson stated this project was originally approved many years and he
thinks that the community's values have changed. If this project was started anew it
would be developed, if at all, in a very different way. He is in favor of Ms. Ringlein's
motion for denial.
Chair Marantz concurred with Ms. Ringlein and stated we need to put our strengths in
the downtown area.
Craig A. Ewing, requested further clarification for the basis of making the finding for the
recommendation of denial to City Council. He referred to the 3rd finding or Item C in the
draft resolution and read the following: The extension of the development agreement
would adversely affect the orderly development of property, of preservation property
values, because community values about development in the Chino Cone have changed
sine 1993 and that density in the community should be concentrated in the downtown
area. Commissioner Ringlein concurred.
M/S/C (Ringlein/Roath, 5-0, 2 absent Vice Chair Hochanadel/Shoenberger) To
recommend denial of Case 5.0609 PD 224 / TTM 28587 to City Council
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City of Palm Springs
Planning Commission Minutes of
April 26, 2006
Vice Chair Hochanadel re-entered the Council Chamber at 3:10 p.m.
5. Case 5.1038 PD 310 / TTM 33542 - An application by Via Escuela Land Partners
LLC, for final development plans to construct 12 condominiums (Tangerine)
located on 1.57 acres at the southwest corner of Via Escuela and North Palm
Canyon Drive, Zone C-1/13-3, Section 3, APN 504-310-035.
Commissioner Hutcheson stated he has a conflict and would not participate in the
discussion and vote. He left the Council Chamber at 3:11 p.m.
Associate Planner, Diane Bullock, gave background information as outlined in the staff
report dated April 26, 2006.
Marcus Fuller, Assistant Director of Public Works, gave details regarding the the bus
turn -out.
Jeff Jurasky, interior designer, thanked staff and gave further details and was available
for questions.
M/S/C (Roath/Cohen, 5-0, 2 absent/Hutcheson, and Shoenberger) To approve, subject
to Conditions of Approval.
Commissioner Hutcheson re-entered the Council Chamber at 3:26.
MISCELLANEOUS:
6. Case 5.0929 B - An application by the City of Palm Springs to widen Gene Autry
Trail from two (2) to six (6) lanes between Salvia Road/Micro Place across the
existing Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) bridge, transitioning to four (4) lanes
immediately south of the UPRR bridge.
Marcus Fuller, Assistant Director of Public Works, gave background information as
outlined in the staff report dated April 26, 2006.
M/S/C (Ringlein/Vice Chair Hochanadel, 6-0, 1 absent/Shoenberger) To recommend
adoption of the draft Mitigated Negative Declaration and approval of Case 5.0929 B to
City Council
7. Case SP 06-007 -An application by Censource for a Sign Program to the Tahquitz
Plaza Shopping Center located at 101 North Sunrise Way, Zone RA, Section 14,
APN 513-082-042.
Assistant Planner, Michael Blumson, gave background information as outlined in the
staff report dated April 26, 2006.
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City of Palm''Springs
Planning Commission Minutes of
April 26, 2006
Joel Ravina, Censource, gave further details regarding the actual color and the
illumination of the signs.
Further discussion was made regarding distance and size of the signs.
M/S/C (Roath/Ringlein, 6-0, 1 absent/Shoenberger) To continue, for a re -study on size
and placement of signs.
8. Cases 5.1037 PD 309 / TTM 33161 - A request by Sherman Associates for a one
(1) year time extension of the previously approved Planned Development District
PD-309 (Vista San Jacinto) located between Radio Road and Las Vegas Road,
PD 309, Section 34, APN 669- 441-013.
Chair Marantz stated she has a business related conflict of interest and would not
participate in the discussion and vote. She left the Council Chamber at 3:48 p.m.
Associate Planner, Diane Bullock, gave background information as outlined in the staff
report dated April 26, 2006.
WS/C (Hutcheson/Cohen, 5-0, 2 absent/Shoenberger, and Chair Marantz) To approve,
subject to Conditions of Approval.
Chair Marantz re-entered the Council Chamber at 3:51 p.m.
9. Case 10.454 - A Determination request by George Kessinger of Azul/Georgie's
Alibi, to continue expired non -conforming parking status for the restaurant located
at 369 North Palm Canyon Drive, Zone CBD, Section 15, APN 513-082-035.
Commissioner Hochanadel stated he has a business related conflict of interest and
would not participate in the discussion and vote. He left the Council Chamber at 3:52
p.m.
Assistant Planner, David Newell, gave background information and outlined in the staff
report dated April 26, 2006.
M/S/C (Cohen/Hutcheson, 5-0, 2 absent/Shoenberger, and Vice Chair Hochanadel) To
approve, subject to Conditions of Approval.
Commissioner Hochanadel re-entered the Council Chamber at 3:56 p.m.
10. COMMISSION WORK PROGRAM:
"General Plan Update - Associate Planner Ken Lyon gave an update.
**Work Program Priorities and Subcommittee Assignments - None
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City of Palm Springs
Planning Commission Minutes of
April 26, 2006
Craig A. Ewing, gave further details regarding the upcoming joint meeting with the
Architectural Advisory Committee for the May 3` Planning Commission Study Session.
11. CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS: Update.
Craig A. Ewing noted that the City Council will conduct a Study Session at 6:00 p.m. and
begin work on the City's draft budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2006 through
June 30, 2007.
12. COMMISSION/STAFF REPORTS AND REQUESTS -
Commissioner Ringlein gave details regarding a full -day tour she attended of the canal
lining project through the Coachella Valley Water District.
Commissioner Roath commented he attended the Orchid Tree Inn neighborhood
meeting.
Commissioner Cohen gave details regarding the Downtown Urban Design Guidelines
IES-APA 2006 award program scheduled for tonight at the Mission Inn in Riverside.
Dianne Marantz requested the color samples that were approved for the storage
facility on Gene Autry and Dinah Shore. She also requested the original conditions of
approval for Knott's Soak City. Craig A. Ewing reported a memo had been submitted to
City Council regarding the history of this project and would submit a copy with the
Commission.
Commissioner Hochanadel thanked staff for their great work and commended Craig A.
Ewing for his expertise and knowledge of projects within the City.
13. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Chair Marantz, declared the
meeting adjourned at 4:14 p.m.
of FilanniOq Services
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