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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-05-03 PC Study Session MinutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS PALM SPRINGS PLANNING COMMISSION STUDY SESSION MINUTES April 5, 2006 Large Conference Room – City Hall 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs, California CALL TO ORDER – Chair Marantz called the meeting to order at 2:05 p.m. REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA – Craig A. Ewing, Director of Planning Services, reported the agenda was posted by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 31, 2006, at City Hall exterior bulletin board and the Department of Planning Services counter. Chair Marantz opened the Public Comments portion of the meeting. PUBLIC COMMENTS: (Three minute time limit.) Chair Marantz opened the Public Comments portion of the meeting. Frank Tyson, Palm Springs, voiced his concern regarding approval of red signs throughout the City and gave several suggestions on ways to minimize the brightness. There being no further comments, Public Comments was closed. 1. DISCUSSION – Southern California Edison – Lin Juniper, Region Manager for Public Affairs Lin Juniper introduced herself and her staff. She used the Power Point presentation indicating a centering on demand and supply. She indicated in the past 5 years more than $3 billion dollars have been invested and an additional $11 billion will be invested. The challenge is the updating of the power lines: transmission lines, current lines and increasing energy import. She indicated locally Edison has experienced a growth of 2.8% which is slightly ahead of schedule. John Valdez, District Manager, Palm Springs District, spoke regarding new development within the City. He indicated the summer loads are much heavier due to the demand. He reported another problem Edison has is that a lot of people do not report when they install new air conditioning units thus increasing the electrical load to the home. He stated that they usually find out after the fact when the home cannot handle the electricity. He further indicated that some of the demands that were originally established for homes are not the same as the current needs. Many new residential homes are much larger homes. The transformer needs to be upgraded for it to handle the new load. John commented that it is very simple to report an upgrade by simply calling the Edison Planner, for your area and notify them of your upgrade. He further added if you are not experiencing any kinds of problems then it should be ok. There is absolutely no charge for the transformer upgrade indicating that is Edison’s job. He answered additional questions from the Commission. Discussion was made regarding at what process the developer notifies Edison of the electrical wiring needed. Craig A. Ewing commend that it is primarily done with Building Permits through the Building Department. City of Palm Springs Planning Commission Study Session Minutes of April 5, 2006 Lin Juniper commented that they would like to get involved with the General Plan Update indicating there would be some opportunities to work together on. Lin Juniper indicated she is the major representative for City Government. She also indicated that consumers should take advantage of a certain amount of dollars available in the beginning of the year mostly for energy efficiency measures. Discussion was made on trimming of trees near utility poles and the efficiency of windmills. Edison has purchased about 98% of the windmills. She indicated windmills are not an efficient way to produce energy because during the peak summer months, the wind is not blowing and the energy from the windmills cannot be stored. It must be used as it is produced. The winds do blow in the summer but it does not meet the needs during the summer months. 3. DISCUSSION – The Gas Company – Patrick Swarthout, Public Affairs for the Gas Company - Patrick Swarthout, Public Affairs Manager, Palm Springs District, indicated there are 3 major pipelines are in the Coachella Valley. He indicated that when supply and demand starts going around the impact is felt. Plenty of supply in the ground, He indicated 23 new business projects are currently underway in the city; and spoke regarding larger projects, as well. He gave further information regarding the lines being installed underground. He gave information regarding a major catastrophe hitting the City indicating the system is controlled by a couple of several stations. These pipes have been under ground since the 40’s and have held up well to previous earthquakes. He advised not to shut off the gas valve unless you smell a gas odor or hear a hissing sound. Discussion was made on the increase of gas during the last few years; the average residential monthly costs and the time frame for new residential applications. He indicated to be on the look-out for dead landscaping and flies near an area because flies are attracted to natural gas. 4. DISCUSSION – Zoning Code and General Plan research on: A. Casitas Limited to 1/50th of the lot B. Measurement of fence height C. Provisions requiring Community ‘give-backs’ for approving PD’s D. Sign Programs Craig A. Ewing, Director of Planning Services, gave an update on the research for the above topics. He indicated the provisions requiring community ‘give-back’s is not covered in depth. He would like the General Plan to have a general policy instead of staff trying to sort it out. He stated that there is no direction one way or another. 2 City of Palm Springs Planning Commission Study Session Minutes of April 5, 2006 Hutcheson requested the next Study Session to include parking and street width requirements and a joint meeting with the AAC. Craig A. Ewing reported the next study session would include a joint meeting with the AAC. Ringlein requested the fence height requirements get further direction and clarification. 5. CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS: Update. Craig A. Ewing, gave an update on City Council actions. 6. COMMISSION/STAFF REPORTS AND REQUESTS - Ringlein reported that she will be able to attend the next meeting because she will be at a Coachella Valley Water seminar. Hutcheson commented that the low income housing projects seems to close to the street. Jon Shoenberger commented that there is a development on South Palm Canyon that is too tall too and too close to the street. He takes walks by these units and does not like them. He believes there seems to be a problem with staff not helping them visualize what this project would look like. He did not visualize it when staff presented to them. He stated that they rely on staff to help them visualize a project before it gets approved. He requested staff put more emphasis on the schematics they receive. He felt embarrassed on the approval of this project. Craig reported that the AAC looks at the density and mass of a project. When it’s a SFR we know what the standards are. When it comes to a P.D. then there is an opportunity to do whatever. For Planned Developments we can require more power point presentations. He further added that the Commissioner not feel obligated to make a motion. They can always continue a project and give staff further direction if they don’t like something. Vice Chair Hochanadel requested staff looked into the Pavilion Theatre, there is silver duct tubing for the air-conditioning. He suggested this could have been installed on the inside because the wind was moving it around. 7. ADJOURNMENT – There being no further discussion, Chair Marantz declared the Study Session adjourned at 4:30 p.m. 3