HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-09-13 PC MinutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
September 13, 2006
Council Chambers, City Hall
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, CA 92262
ROLL CALL:
Present Present
Year: FY 2006/2007
This Meeting: to Date:
Excused Absences:
Chair Marantz
X 5
1
Vice Chair Hochanadel X 6
0
Cohen
X 4
2
Hutcheson
X 5
1
Ringlein
X 5
1
Caffery
X 3
0
Scott
X 3
0
REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA:
The September 13, 2006 agenda was available for public access at the City Hall
' 1 exterior bulletin board (west side of Council Chamber) and the Planning Services
' counter by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 8, 2006.
1. PUBLIC COMMENTS: (Three minute time limit.)
Chair Marantz opened the Public Comments.
Roxanne Ploss, Palm Springs, spoke in support of Item 6.
John Williams, Palm Springs, voiced his support of Item 6.
Joy Meredith, Palm Springs, spoke in support of Item 6.
Vic Gainer, Palm Springs, spoke in support of Item 6.
Rebecca Terrill, Palm Springs, spoke in support of Item 6.
Patrick Mundt, Palm Springs, spoke in support of Item 6.
Tamara Stevens, Palm Springs, read a letter on behalf of Ed Torres, PSEDC, stating
their support of Item 6.
Paula Walters, Palm Springs, spoke in support of Item 6.
Frank Tyson, Palm Springs, voiced his concerns relating Item 6 pertaining to
architecture and the need for a simulation of the project from various angles.
There being no further appearances, the Public Comments was closed.
City of Palm Springs
Planning Commission Minutes
of September 13, 2006
CONSENT AGENDA:
2A. Case 3.2923 MAA - An application by Robert L Wood to construct a 606 square
foot addition to an existing 1,880 square foot single-family residence located at
2359 Leonard Road, Zone R1 B, Section 3, APN 504-181-011.
M/S/C (Ring lei n/Cohen, 7-0) To approve, subject to Conditions of Approval.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
3. Case 5.1109 CUP - An application by Sprint / Nextel for a Conditional Use Permit
to install a forty-five foot commercial communication antenna designed as a
monopalm located at 3500 East Tachevah Drive, Zone M-1-P, APN 677-452-007.
(Project Planner: David Newell, Assistant Planner)
M/S/C (Ringlein/Vice Chair Hochanadel, 7-0) To continue, to the meeting of
September 27, 2006.
4. Case 5.1121 CUP - An application by Omnipoint Communications Inc., a
subsidiary of T-Mobile for a Conditional Use Permit to install a sixty foot
commercial communication antenna designed as a monopalm and four equipment
cabinets within a 540 square foot lease area located at 3455 North Indian Canyon
Drive, Zone M1, Section 34, APN 669-452-054. (Project Planner:; David Newell,
Assistant Planner)
Assistant Planner, David Newell, gave background information as outlined in the staff
report dated September 13, 2006.
David Newell reported an error on page 5 of the staff report which should read, " ... to
approve Conditional Use Permit 5.1121 ... "
Chair Marantz opened the Public Hearing portion of the meeting.
Kris Sanders, representing T-Mobile, answered questions from the Commission.
Marcie Brown, representing T-Mobile, gave additional information and indicated they
are in compliance with the conditions.
There being no further appearances, the Public Hearing was closed.
Commissioner Caffery stated his concern with the over abundance of cell towers
in manufacturing zones and the unwillingness of companies to share with other carriers.
2
City of Palm Springs
Planning Commission Minutes
of September 13, 2006
Vice Chair Hochanadel requested staff to provide a map indicating locations of existing
cell towers. Commissioner Cohen concurred.
M/S/C (Hutcheson/Cohen, 5-2/Hochanadel/Caffery) To recommend approval to City
Council, subject to Conditions of Approval.
5. Case 5.1035 / TTM 33283 - An application by Casa Verona, LLC, for a Change
of Zone from the existing 0-5 (Open Space - 5 Acre Minimum Lot Size) to R-1-D
(Single Family Residential - 7,500 S. F. Minimum Lot Size) and Tentative Tract
Map to subdivide approximately 6.01 acres into 25 single family residential lots,
located on the north side of Verona Road and West of Whitewater River, Zone 0-
5, Section 6, APN 677-020-028. (Project Planner, Edward Robertson, Principal
Planner)
Principal Planner, Edward Robertson, gave background information as outlined in the
staff report dated September 13, 2006.
Chair Marantz requested clarification on the type of application.
Director of Public Works, Dave Barakian, reported a correction on Engineering
Condition #6, page 7, should read, " ... additional right-of-way of 18 feet across ...".
Vice Chair Hochanadel requested further clarification on the lot size compatibility and
the Open Space zoning.
Chair Marantz opened the Public Hearing.
John Sanborn, Sanborn A & E, stated they are in concurrence with the conditions and
gave additional information relating to the Open Space.
There being no further appearances, the Public Hearing was closed.
M/S/C (Vice Chair Hochanadel/Cohen, 7-0) To recommend adoption the Draft
Mitigated Negative Declaration and approval of Case 5.1035 and TTM 33282 to City
Council, subject to Conditions of Approval.
1113
City of Palm Springs
Planning Commission Minutes
of September 13, 2006
6. Case 5.1091 PD 324 / 3.2933 MAJ / TTM 34190 - An application by Palm
Springs LLC, Lawrence Rae[, for a proposed Planned Development District 324,
Major Architectural Approval and Tentative Tract Map 34190. The Planned
Development and Major Architectural Approval would allow the construction of
118 condominiums and 25,000 square feet of commercial space on a 4.1 acre site
bounded by Alejo Road on the south, between North Palm Canyon Drive and
North Indian Canyon, APN's 513-081-002 through 006 and 513-081-023. (Project
Planner: Edward Robertson, Principal Planner)
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 2:14 p.m.
Nicole Criste, Contract Planner with Terra Nova, gave background information as
outlined in the staff report dated September 13, 2006.
She indicated that the General Plan requires Planned Developments include a
public benefit which has not been clearly defined and therefore a condition of
approval has been added requiring that the City Council will decide what the benefit will
be prior to the initiation of construction.
Commissioner Scott requested clarification on the determination of the live/work units.
Scott Ventura, Fire Marshall, addressed concerns with the aerial access and indicated
that he is currently working with the developer to resolve these issues.
Commissioner Scott requested clarification on page 51 of the Mitigated
Negative Declaration, the addition of a left turn lane and the elimination of the parking
on the west side.
Nicole Criste addressed Commissioner Cohen and Ringlein's concern pertaining to
Condition #29 relating to the tandem parking and the operating hours.
Commissioner Hutcheson commented that live/work could be permissive rather than
restrictive.
The Commission discussed the parking in detail.
Vice Chair Hochanadel opened the Public Hearing.
Lawrence Rae], president, Rae] Development Corp., gave a history of the project and
additional information.
4
City of Palm Springs
Planning Commission. Minutes
of September 13, 2006
Doug Hudson, architect, gave a visual presentation of the proposed project which
included the location, site plan, project highlights, design evolution and architecture
simulation.
The following persons spoke in favor of the project:
Jade Nelson, Palm Springs
Murray Specktor, Palm Springs
Dr. Jim Harris, Palm Springs
Jono Hildner, Palm Springs
Ken Levin, Palm Springs
There being no further appearances, the Public Hearing was closed.
Commissioner Scott requested clarification on the landscape design and the proposed
architectural materials.
David Snyder, landscape architect, gave additional information relating to the courtyards
and landscaping.
Commissioner Hutcheson complimented the development team on these 4 specific
items: project simulation; the openness of the project with various access points, the
use of solar panels and the public walkways.
Commissioner Ringlein requested further clarification on the pedestrian walkway on
Indian Canyon Way.
Commissioner Cohen spoke in favor of the project.
Vice Chair Hochanadel requested clarification for trash pick-up and traffic congestion at
the intersection of Indian Canyon Way and Alejo Road.
The Commission discussed the parking concern relating to tandem and valet.
M/S/C (Ringlein/Scott, 6-0, 1 abstained/ Chair Marantz) To recommend adoption of the
Draft Mitigated Negative Declaration and approval of Case 5.1091 PD 324, Case
3.2933 and TTM 34190 to City Council, subject to Conditions of Approval; including the
following revisions:
`Condition #28, requiring that the tandem parking be eliminated in the
commercial portion of the parking garage unless restaurant space in excess of
25% of the commercial space is proposed.
*Condition #137, requiring approval of a rescue operation plan.
5
City of Palm Springs
Planning Commission Minutes
of September 13, 2006
Chair Marantz re-entered the Council Chamber at 3:53 p.m.
A recess was taken at 3:53 p.m.
The meeting resumed at 4:03 p.m.
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW:
7. Case 3.2899 MAJ / SP 06-042 - An application by Paul C. Taylor, owner, to
construct an approximately 7,925 square foot commercial / industrial building for
warehouse / office use located at 19486 Newhall Street, Lot 61, Zone M-2,
Section 15, APN 666-423-004. (Project Planner: Diane Bullock, Associate
Planner)
Associate Planner, Diane Bullock, gave background information as outlined in the staff
report dated September 13, 2006. She gave an overview of the proposed sign
program.
% Commissioner Ringlein requested clarification on the sale of the land and the
Reciprocal Access Agreement.
0
M/S/C (Vice Chair Hochanadel/Cohen, 7-0) To approve Case No. 3.2899 and SP 06-
042, subject to Conditions of Approval.
MISCELLANEOUS:
8. SP-06-034 - An application by Southwest Sign Company for a Master Sign
Program for a commercial building located at 383 South Palm Canyon Drive, Zone
CBD, Section 15, APN 513-203-006. (Project Planner: David Newell, Assistant
Planner)
Assistant Planner, David Newell, gave background information as outlined in the staff
report dated September 13, 2006.
Commissioner Scott commented that this building was listed on the historic resource
survey and the materials look appropriate with the original design.
M/S/C (Caffery/Ringlein, 7-0) To approve, subject to Conditions of Approval; final
approval of signs to be determined by Planning Director.
1.1
City of Palm Springs
Planning Commission Minutes
of September 13, 2006
9. COMMISSION WORK PROGRAM:
**General Plan Update
**Work Program Priorities and Subcommittee Assignments:
Craig A. Ewing gave a review on the General Plan update.
10. CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS: Update.
Craig A. Ewing gave an update on the upcoming City Council meeting.
11. COMMISSION/STAFF REPORTS AND REQUESTS -
Discussion was made relating to maintenance on Palm Canyon Drive.
Discussion and suggestions were made relating to the Architectural Advisory
Committee's lack of quorum for their meetings.
Chair Marantz reported a Code Enforcement issue on Calle Encilia & Ramon Road.
The Commission discussed the traffic congestion at the intersection of Alejo Road and
Palm Canyon Drive.
12. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further comments, the meeting adjourned at
4:40 p.m.
Y A. E " g, AICP
Director of Plan nin ervices
7