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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007/02/07 - MINUTES CITY OF PALM SPRINGS PLANNING COMMISSION STUDY SESSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 7, 2007 Large Conference Room — City Hall 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs, California 2:30 p.m. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was to order at 1:35 p.m. ROLL CALL: Present: Chair Marantz, Vice Chair Hochanadel, Cohen, Ringlein, Hutcheson, Caffery and Scott REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA — 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, February 2, 2007. 1. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Chair Marantz opened Public Comments: Jon Caffery stated the following: "Regarding the last Planning Commission meeting on January 24, 2007, he participated and made the motion for approval on case number 5.1110 / PD 327. On the previous, hearing date of November 8, 2006, he recused himself from the hearing. That caused confusion with some of the opponents of the project so he would like to clear that up now. He used the services of Cioffi Architects during a time when he was not on the Planning Commission. He has not used their services for over a year, at the time of the November hearing, but was not sure when he had made the final payment. He rightly recused himself from the hearing in an abundance of caution. For the record, his last payment for services to Cioffi Architects was January 18, 2006. It was over a year when he participated in the hearing on January 24, 2007, therefore he is qualified to participate in the hearing. He hopes this clears up any confusion and this concludes his comments on that matter." There being no further comments, Public Comments was closed. 2. DISCUSSION — Orientation on Code Enforcement Program. Craig A. Ewing reported that the Code Enforcement Department would be making a presentation. He introduced Don Duckworth, Director of Building & Safety. He introduced two new code enforcement officers, Patti Lee and Kimberly Bowman. He provided an overview of the citation program which began in March 2006. He gave details on the downtown and the vacant building ordinance. He indicated that a code enforcement officer is assigned to a certain area as follows: Becky Clark, who is assigned from Tahquitz Canyon Way South to Sunrise Way to the west; Kimberly Bowman is assigned City of Palm Springs Planning Commission Study Session Minutes of February 7, 2007 north of Tahquitz Canyon to east of Sunrise Way; Patti Lee is assigned south of Tahquitz Canyon Way to east of Sunrise Way; Nadine Fieger, is assigned north of Tahquitz Canyon Way to west of Sunrise Way; and Denise Bystrzcki, who is the code compliance secretary. The Commission requested staff address several code enforcement concerns they had. Vice Chair Hochanadel requested code enforcement staff address carports - temporary versus permanent. Commissioner Hutcheson requested clarification about extending code enforcement hours during the weekend. Craig reported the 24 hour noise problem is to be reported to the police department. Further discussion was made on code enforcement concerns such as downtown maintenance, construction fencing and BIA property. Nadine commented the person to contact for downtown maintenance is Ted Molhoek at 323-8282. 3. DISCUSSION — Minor changes to Planned Developments. Craig A. Ewing provided background information as provided in the staff report dated February 7, 2007. He requested staff come back to the Commission with a draft resolution that falls below the level of minor changes especially for single family homes within planned developments. Patrick Chene, Outback Patio and Sunrooms, Inc., commented that he deals with all the permits for his company from Long Beach to Barstow to Coachella. He provided an overview of his situation and indicated the process had changed because the home is a planned development. He commented that the fees are high and it becomes a loss to his company. He requested consideration for minor changes within a pdd to be processed through the planning counter. The Commission and staff discussed set backs within planned developments, Commissioner Hutcheson stated that he agrees with the planning process for minor changes to pdd's be flexible and inexpensive however he would like consistency on what can be approved over the counter and what can't be approved. Commissioner Caffery suggested that patio covers be limited to the rear yards only within PDD's and no 2nd story patio covers to be allowed. Patrick Chenne described the different types of patio coverings and the enclosures. Craig stated that planning staff could bring case by case to the commission or guidelines can be established so that staff can approve the minor changes over the 2 City of Palm Springs Planning Commission Study Session Minutes of February 7, 2007 counter and bring the larger changes such as patio enclosures before Commission. The Commission was in agreement and further discussion was made. A draft resolution would follow. 4. DISCUSSION - Street widths in new subdivisions. Craig provided background information as outlined in the memorandum dated February 7, 2007. Scott Ventura, Fire Marshall, stated some of the complaints within the fire department have been the narrow streets which are an on-going challenge for access to projects; he provided on overview on the fire departments view toward 24' wide streets. He indicated that he is not comfortable with the 24' wide streets. (He distributed a packet of photos displaying a property with 24' wide streets with vehicles parked incorrectly and large fire vehicles.) The Commission and staff discussed the concerns with 24' wide streets and their preference for 32' wide streets. Dave Barakian, Director of Engineering, gave an overview of the required street widths. Further discussion was made; the main concern was that the streets have full width making sure that there is enough space for the large emergency vehicles to drive through especially on the main streets. Craig reported a resolution would be drafted and brought back to the Commission with a recommendation to City Council. 5. CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS: Update. 6. COMMISSION/STAFF REPORTS AND REQUESTS — Chair Marantz requested staff clarify the projects listed on the Development Project Update. Commissioner Cohen requested the status of the expansion for the for the Camelot theater. Commissioner Ringlein commented that she will not be in attendance for the 2/14/07 Planning Commission meeting. Commissioner Caffery requested staff address monitoring conflicts of interests for each Commissioner. Craig gave further details pertaining to recusing themselves in the abundance of caution and business relationships; he indicated that it would very difficult for staff to try to monitor their abstentions. 7. ADJOURNMENT — There being no further comments the meeting adjourned at 4:32 p.m. 3