HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-04-26 PC MinutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
April 25, 2007
Council Chamber, City Hall
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, CA 92262
CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 1:07 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Present
Present
Year: FY 2006/2007
This Meeting:
to Date:
Excused Absences:
Char Marantz
X
20
1
Vice Chair Hochanadel X
20
1
Cohen
X
17
4
Ringlein
17
4
Hutcheson
X
19
2
Caffery
16
2
Scott
17
1
REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA:
Craig A. Ewing, Director of Planning Services, reported due to a lack of quorum the
following Items will be pulled from the agenda:. Item #4, Case 5.1052 and Item #7,
Case 5.1115,
1. PUBLIC COMMENTS: (Three minute time limit.)
Chair Marantz opened Public Comments.
-Renee Robbin, representing Dillon Wind, requested clarification for the project
presentation of Item 7, Case 5.1115.
-Steve Sims, Palm Springs, spoke about the importance of bicycling and encouraged
counter -flow bike lanes incorporated throughout the City in the General Plan.
-Lee Weigel, Palm Springs, provided details on his background and commended the
Commission for their hard work.
-Ed Dietrich, Palm Springs, president of the Board of Directors for Sagewood
Condominiums, spoke in support of the the bicycle lane request; voiced concern
with the extension of Chia Road to Farrell and the heights for future development in
areas next to the Stater Bros. and Albertson's shopping centers in the General Plan.
-Wellesley Kime, Valley Village, requested clarification on future noticing for Item 7.
There being no further comments, Public Comments was closed.
City of Palm Springs
Planning Commission Minutes of
April 25, 2007
CONSENT AGENDA:
Commissioner Cohen requested a correction to the minutes of March 28, 2007, as
follows: Under Public Comments, Joy Meredith stated, "... it was discussed at the
Main Street board meeting ...."
M/S/C (Hutcheson/Cohen, 4-0, 3 absent/Ringlein/ Scott/ Caffery) To approve, Items 2A
and 2B, as part of the Consent Agenda, as amended.
2A. Draft Minutes of March 28, 2007, April 4, 2007 and April 18, 2007.
Approved, as part of the Consent Agenda; the minutes of March 28, 2007, as
amended.
2B. Case 3.3019 SFR - An application by Marlow Lafountaine to construct a
6,494 square foot single-family residence located at 3285 Corsica Court,
Zone R-1-B, Section 36, APN: 612-210-038. (Project Planner: Bryan
Fernandez, Assistant Planner) Approved, as part of the Consent Agenda.
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW:
Chair Marantz disclosed that her business has graded the majority of lots in Las Palmas
Heights; however they did not graded this lot. Based on her disclosure Chair Marantz
will be participating in the discussion and vote for this Item.
3. Case 3.3041 SFR - An application by Brian and Sheila Housely to construct a
5,205 square foot single-family residence, on a hillside lot, located at 706
Las Palmas Heights, Zone R-1-A, Section 10, APN: 505-360-003. (Project
Planner. Bryan Fernandez, Assistant Planner)
Bryan Fernandez, Assistant Planner, provided background information as outlined in the
staff report dated April 25, 2007.
Commissioner Hutcheson requested staff confirm the height and setbacks.
M/S/C (Vice Chair Hochanadel/Cohen, 4-0, 3 absent/Ringlein/ Scott/ Caffery) To
approve, subject to Conditions of Approval.
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City of Palm Springs
Planning Commission Minutes of
April 25, 2007
4. Case 5.1052 PD 313 / TTM 33334 - An application by Michael Mueller for the
Palm Springs Racquet Club Mixed -Use Development requesting approval for
the Final Development plans for a previously approved PDD 313 consisting
of a 55-unit condominium complex, restaurant, and a convenience store
located at 2743 North Indian Canyon Drive, Zone PDD 313, Section 3.
(Project Planner; Edward O. Robertson, Principal Planner)
This Item has been pulled from the agenda due to a lack of quorum.
MISCELLANEOUS:
5. SP 07-027 - An application by Stephen & Loretta Shreve requesting
approval of a sign program, one main sign for each tenant and one sign for
building identification located at 2739 North Palm Canyon Drive,. Zone C-1,
Section 3, APN: 504-060-010. (Project Planner: Scott Taschner, Planning
Technician)
Scott Taschner, Planning Technician, provided background information as outlined in
the staff report dated April 25, 2007.
M/S/C (Hutcheson/Cohen, 4-0, 3 absent/Ringlein/ Scott/ Caffery) To approve, subject
to Conditions of Approval.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
6. Case 5.1147 SNC - An application by Century Vintage Homes to change the
name of North Indian Avenue to North Indian Canyon Drive beginning from
the 1-10 corridor to the end of the city limits of the City of Palm Springs,
which is approximately 0.88 miles to the north; General Plan - Major
Thoroughfare. (Project Planner: David Newell, Assistant Planner)
David Newell, Assistant Planner, provided background information as outlined in the
staff report dated April 25, 2007. He noted a letter of opposition was received from a
business adjacent to Indian Avenue in which the applicant has resolved the issues.
Vice Chair Hochanadel commented the only concern is that more history will be lost in
the city since the street name change will affect the entire street up to Highway 62.
Chair Marantz opened the Public Hearing and there being no comments, the Public
Hearing was closed.
M/S/C (Hutcheson/Cohen, 4-0, 3 absent/Ringlein/ Scott/ Caffery) To recommend
approval to the City Council
City of Palm Springs
Planning Commission Minutes of
April 25, 2007
7. Case 6.1115 CUP 16.493 VAR - An application by Dillon Wind LLC, for a
Conditional Use Permit to allow the development of five 1-megawatt wind
energy conversion systems (WECS) in Area 5. The application also includes
a Variance application to exceed the 300 foot commercial WECS height
limit. Area 5 is located within the limits of the City of Palm Springs
approximately 6,000 feet west of Indian Avenue and 2000 feet north of 1-10.
(Project Planner: Edward Robertson, Principal Planner)
This Item has been pulled from the agenda due to a lack of quorum
8. Case 5.1152 - To consider the Draft 2007 Comprehensive Update of the
Palm Springs General Plan and related Draft Environmental Impact Report.
(Project Planner: Ken Lyon, Associate Planner)
Ken Lyon, Associate Planner, provided background information as outlined in the staff
report dated April 25, 2007. He noted "Errata Sheets" were e-mailed to the Commission
which include corrections made after the distribution of March 22nd.
Chair Marantz noted that many of the Commissioners did not receive the e-mail, with
the attachments since it was routed to their Spam folder. Staff responded next time
they would follow-up with a phone call.
Chair Marantz mentioned the Desert Riders' appreciated the opportunity to meet with
staff and comment on trail policies.
The Commission discussed areas of concern brought up by the public and requested
staff address the issues at the next meeting such as planning area #9, community
design for distinctive neighborhoods and biological sensitivity.
Chair Marantz opened the Public Hearing.
-Kay Hazen, Palm Springs Modem Homes, requested the Land Use designation
"mixed -use" be allowed to be either fully residential or commercial development.
-Paula Auburn, Palm Springs, chair of the Sunrise Vista Chino Neighborhood
Coalition, voiced concern relating to conflicting language in the General Plan and the
extension from Chia Road to Farrell; spoke in support of low density and heights
and more protection for neighborhoods.
-Arlene Battishill, Palm Springs, voiced concern with the area south of Alejo in Section
14 which has been proposed with medium to high density residential and the high
volume of traffic already present in this neighborhood.
-David Baron, voiced concern relating to a discrepancy in Planning Area #9 which
should reflect the designation in the ESA-SP.
-Emily Hemphill, counsel to Wessman Development, spoke in support of the mixed -
use development designation and requested the designation be applied to the
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City of Palm Springs
Planning Commission Minutes of
April 25, 2007
parcel John Wessman owns, east of the Rim Rock Shopping Center; a correction
on page 3-26 the chart should indicate GR-5 minimum lot size 0.5 acres and height
limits are too restrictive.
-John Wessman, Palm Springs, voiced concern for the area near the Rim Rock
shopping center which is being re -zoned from high density to medium; he requested
this area be considered for redesignation as "mixed -use".
-Jonathan Caisse, Palm Springs, voiced concern with the density and preservation of
views.
-Greg Trousdell, Palm Springs Modern Homes, re -iterated the request for mixed -use
designation to allow either residential or commercial.
There being no further comments, the Public Hearing was continued to May 2, 2007.
Chair Marantz provided a recap of the items for staff to review and provide response
and/or recommendations.
Commissioner Hutcheson noted it would be helpful for staff to reference the appropriate
pages on the draft General Plan as part of the response to public comments.
Commissioner Cohen requested staff address the traffic concems on Alejo Road at
Indian Canyon.
The Commission discussed the mixed -use classification for residential or commercial
and also discussed biologically sensitive areas.
M/S/C (CohenNice Chair Hochanadel, 4-0, 3 absent/Ringlein/ Scott/ Caffery) To
continue the public hearing to the meeting of May 2, 2007.
9. COMMISSION WORK PROGRAM:
* *Work Program Priorities and Subcommittee Assignments
10. CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS: Update.
11. COMMISSION/STAFF REPORTS AND REQUESTS:
Chair Marantz requested staff follow-up on a previous request regarding East Palm
Canyon and Camino Real
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City of Palm Springs
Planning Commission Minutes of
April 25, 2007
12. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further comments, the meeting adjourned
at 2:36 p.m.
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Director of PlaServices
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