HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-05-02 PC Minutes_CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
May 02, 2007
Council Chambers, City Hall
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, CA 92262
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 1:34 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Present
Present
Year: FY 2006/2007
This Meeting:
to Date:
Excused Absences:
Chair Marantz X
21
1
Vice Chair Hochanadel X
21
1
Cohen X
18
4
Ringlein X
18
4
Hutcheson X
20
2
Caffery X
17
2
Scott
17
2
REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA: The agenda available for public access at the
City Hall exterior bulletin board (west side of Council Chamber) and the Planning
Services counter by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 27, 2007.
1. PUBLIC COMMENTS: (Three minute time limit.)
Chair Marantz opened Public Comments:
-J.R. Roberts, Palm Springs, Palm Springs, addressed the protection of historic
resources in the draft EIR and General Plan Update.
-Cody Stoughton, Palm Springs, spoke regarding the General Plan Update impacts to
the Visitor's Center.
-David Wall, Palm Springs, spoke regarding the preservation of the mountains and
hillsides and in support of alternates to the General Plan.
-Ed Dietrich, Palm Springs, spoke in favor of a culde-sac for the future development of
Chia Road and the early notification process.
-April Hildner, Palm Springs, addressed the Land Use Element regarding mountains
and hillsides, the preservation of Chino Canyon and the process of the General Plan
Update.
-Paula Auburn, Palm Springs, spoke in favor of the early notification process.
There being no further comments Public Comments was closed.
City of Palm Springs
Planning Commission Minutes of
May 2, 2007
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. 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) (Continued from the April
25, 2007 Planning Commission meeting)
Ken Lyon, Associate Planner, provided a background summary and overview of the
General Plan. He stated a correction in the staff report dated April 25, 2007 has been
noted on Errata Sheet #10.
Chair Marantz re -opened the Public Hearing:
-Lewis Porter, Palm Springs, requested an overall review of speed limits and
electric vehicles on city streets.
-Jono Hildner, Palm Springs, requested greater restriction use of Planned Development
Districts.
-Fred Noble, Palm Springs, spoke in favor of electric vehicles in bike paths and
roadways. Mr. Noble provided a history of the annexed area north of Interstate 10
and the benefits the wind energy in combination with industrial/commercial uses could
provide to the city.
- John Wessman, Palm Springs, requested clarification on the continuance of the public
hearing.
-Marvin Roos, MSA Consulting, Inc., submitted language for modification of the
Recreation Trails and parcel designation for land fronting Interstate 10.
There being no further comments, the Public Hearing was continued to the meeting of
May 9, 2007.
Chair Marantz requested staff address the concept of Planned Development Districts.
Commissioner Hutcheson recommended proposing renewable energy as a specific goal
with respect to promoting business in Palm Springs and incorporating existing
neighborhood styles in any future gateway features to the City. He suggested a more
in depth review for planned developments and parking, as well as the preservation of
mobile home parks.
Commissioner Ringlein noted she was not in attendance at the previous meeting but
had the opportunity to review the meeting dvd including public comments and staff
notes and will be participating in the discussion and vote. Mrs. Ringlein addressed
review of the Chino Cone area relating to development and preservation, the inclusion
of Friends of the Mountains in the General Plan alternatives, better code enforcement to
improve curb appeal throughout the community, enforcement of maintenance for
existing residential homes, downtown public restroom facilities and the enhancement of
Avenida Caballeros near Racquet Club Road.
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City of Palm Springs
Planning Commission Minutes of
May 2, 2007
Craig A. Ewing explained the City Council's action on the ESA-SP ordinance as it
relates to Chino Cone.
Chair Marantz requested desert landscaping for the Tahquitz Corridor, additional
environmental language throughout the General Plan and voiced her concern with
street widths and the enforcement of better maintenance for downtown.
Commissioner Hutcheson concurred with the inclusion of Friends of the Mountains
alternatives.
Commissioner Cohen recommended the use of neighborhood monument signs and
encouraged the use of golf carts. He noted a concern with inadequate parking in new
developments, and concurred with the idea of the conversion of the Tahquitz corridor to
desert landscape.
Commissioner Caffery reiterated the use of green technology and encouraged desert
landscaping, a requirement of adequate guest parking and a citywide improvement of
landscaping maintenance.
Commission Ringlein requested the word "security" deleted from the verbiage regarding
walls and fences.
Commissioner Caffery encouraged staff to obtain a copy of Palm Springs Economic
Development Corporation's extensive study on downtown parking.
The General Plan Hearing was continued to the meeting of May 9, 2007.
2. COMMISSION WORK PROGRAM:
*Work Program Priorities and Subcommittee Assignments
3. CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS: Update.
4. COMMISSION/STAFF REPORTS AND REQUESTS:
Commissioner Caffery requested staff provide research on vehicle signage.
5. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further comments, the meeting adjourned
at 3:33 p.m.
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