HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007/03/07 - MINUTES . CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
PLANNING COMMISSION STUDY SESSION MINUTES
March 07, 2007
Large Conference Room, City Hall
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, CA 92262
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 2:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL: Present Absent
This Meeting: This Meeting:
Chair Marantz X
Vice Chair Hochanadel X
Cohen
Ringlein X
Hutcheson X
Caffery X
Scott X
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, March 2, 2007.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: (Three minute time limit.)
Chair Marantz opened Public Comments, there being no comments, Public
Comments was closed.
2. DISCUSSION - Planned Development Districts
Craig A. Ewing, AICP, Director of Planning Services, indicated this Study Session
would consist of opening up the entire Planned Development District concept and
regulations in preparation for next week's Joint City Council Study Session. He
reported this would be an opportunity for questions and a consensus on concerns to
take to the meeting of March 14th. He stated that there are about 340 Planned
City of Palm Springs
Planning Commission Study Session Minutes
of March 7, 2007
• Development applications that have been filed. He reviewed the application process
and indicated this is a two step process consisting of:
1. The Preliminary Site Plan Approval; and
2. The Final Development Plan Approval.
Craig provided an overview of this process noting that at the preliminary plan approval
is where most of the work is done; and if both the Planning Commission and City
Council approve the project then the applicant has the entitlement to go forward. The
2nd stage, the final planned development approval, is to confirm the details. This two-
step process is similar to tentative maps and final maps (where the second stage is
mostly a checklist).
The Commission discussed the Architectural Advisory Committee's responsibilities, the
length of the meetings and management of the number of items on the agenda.
The Commission discussed the submittal process, architecture, site plans and project
presentation.
Chair Marantz requested staff address the status of requested topics for future study
sessions including pre-applications. Craig provided an update on the pre-application
. process and indicated a draft memorandum from the City Attorney's office will be
forwarded to the City Council which will require an amendment to the ordinance. He
further indicated that pre-applications are taken in presently at staff level to discuss with
the other City departments such as planning, engineering, public works, fire, building
and ADA. At that point, comments are made from other department's standpoint. He
further indicated that this has been expanded and pre-applications are taken to the
Architectural Advisory Committee meetings as they do not have the authority to make
decisions, only recommendations.
The Commission discussed the controversies perceived for Planned Development
Districts such as set backs, height, density and street width.
Chair Marantz requested a study session to be held with Tom Davis to discuss Section
14. Craig concurred and indicated this would be a good review for the Commission.
The Commission discussed areas within Section 14 and land use.
Craig reviewed the overall concerns, as follows:
1. New Planned Development findings versus Conditional Use Permit findings.
(Do they give you the appropriate tests to review projects?)
2. Establish a minimum lot size for Planned Developments.
3. Extensions for previously pre-approved projects.
• 4. Street widths, driveway lengths and public benefits.
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City of Palm Springs
Planning Commission Study Session Minutes
of March 7, 2007
3. CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS: Update.
4. COMMISSION/STAFF REPORTS AND REQUESTS -
Commissioner Ringlein requested the following items of discussion for upcoming study
sessions.
1. A reminder of a map presentation indicating cell tower locations within the city.
2. Under grounding of utilities.
5. ADJOURNMENT - There being no further comments, the meeting was
adjourned at 3:53 p.m.
C i ing, P
Director of Pla in Services
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