HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-12-12 PC MinutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
December 12, 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
This Meeting: to Date:
Year: FY 2007/2008
Excused Absences:
Chair Marantz
X
13 2
Vice Chair Hochanadel
X
15 0
Cohen
X
15 0
Ringlein
X
14 1
Caffery
X
14 1
Scott
X
15 0
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 counter by 5:00 p.m. on Friday,
December 7, 2007.
ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA:
The agenda was accepted, as presented.
1. PUBLIC COMMENTS: (Three minute time limit.)
Chair Marantz opened Public Comments. There being no comments, Public Comments
was closed.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
M/S/C (Scott/Vice Chair Hochanadel, 6-0) To approve, Items 2A, 2B and 2C, as part of
the Consent Calendar.
City of Palm Springs
Planning Commission Minutes
of December 12, 2007
2A. Draft minutes of October 24, 2007.
Approved, as part of the Consent Calendar.
2B. SP 07-025 - An application by Bank of America to replace the existing signs
located at 588 South Palm Canyon Drive. Zone C-1, Section 22, APN: 513-
280-004. (Project Planner: Christopher Ison, Planning Technician)
Approved, as part of the Consent Calendar.
2C. Case 3.2574 MAA - An application by Marshal Ininns for an approximate 498
square foot addition to an existing single-family residence located at 110
Ridge Road. Zone R-2, Section 34, APN: 513-510-014. (Project Planner:
Christopher Ison, Planning Technician)
Approved, as part of the Consent Calendar.
MISCELLANEOUS:
3. Case 3.3131 MAJ - An application by Taco Bell Corp. to construct an
approximately 2,754 square foot restaurant with drive -through located within
the Palm Springs Marketplace at 1717 East Vista Chino Road, Zone PD 227,
Section 12, APN: 507-301-016. (Project Planner: David A. Newell,
Assistant Planner)
David Newell, Assistant Planner, provided background information as outlined in the
staff report dated December 12, 2007.
Chair Marantz noted this project has been to the Architectural Advisory Committee
several times and requested staff confirm the recommendations have been completed.
Staff confirmed that the plans have been revised to reflect the changes.
M/S/C (Caffery/Cohen, 6-0) To approve, subject to Conditions of Approval.
4. Case SP 07-149 - An application by Best Signs Inc. for Palm Springs
Plumbing to amend the existing sign program to allow a monument sign
located at 3800 East Vista Chino Road, Zone M-1-P, Section 6, APN: 677-
040-004. (Project Planner: David A. Newell, Assistant Planner)
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Planning Commission Minutes
of December 12, 2007
Commissioner Hochanadel noted a business -related conflict of interest on Items 4 and
5 and would not be participating in the discussion and vote. Mr. Hochanadel left the
Council Chamber at 1:41 p.m.
David Newell, Assistant Planner, provided background information as outlined in the
staff report dated December 12, 2007. Mr. Newell provided further details on the
calculation of the sign area and noted this proposed monument sign is thirty-six square
feet per side exceeding the twenty square feet maximum requirements.
Mr. Newell clarified that staff has recommended that the applicant to reduce the sign to
less than 20 square feet which would require a re -design of the sign.
Jessie Cross, Best Signs, provided further details pertaining to the size of the sign and
the sign area.
The Commission further discussed alternate methods of re -designing the sign to meet
the 20 square foot requirement.
M/S/C (Ringlein/Cohen, 3-2/Scott/ Caffery), 1 abstained/ Vice Chair Hochanadel) To
approve, subject to Conditions. of Approval, as amended:
*No individual tenant signs located on the main Monument Sign
5. Case SI 07-157 - An application by Best Signs, Inc. for D.W. Johnston
Construction Inc., to implement a sign program consisting of two
monument signs and tenant signs for a multi -tenanted property located at
1801 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Zone P, Section 13, APN: 504-310-015.
(Project Planner: Bryan Fernandez, Assistant Planner)
Vice Chair Hochanadel did not participate in the discussion and vote on this item.
Bryan Fernandez, Assistant Planner, provided background information as outlined in the
staff report dated December 12, 2007.
Chair Marantz spoke in favor of the building and sign program.
M/S/C (Caffery/Cohen, 5-0, 1 abstained/ Vice Chair Hochanadel) To approve, subject
to Conditions of Approval.
Vice Chair Hochanadel re-entered the Council Chamber at 2:06 p.m.
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6. Case 07-043 LUP - An application by Linda Ziegler for a fortune telling
machine and associated displays located at 115 South Palm Canyon
Drive, Zone CBD, Section 15, APN: 513-143-009. (Project Planner:
Christopher Ison, Planning Technician)
Craig A. Ewing provided background information as outlined in the staff report dated
December 12, 2007. Mr. Ewing noted an e-mail was received from the applicant stating
she is unable to attend the meeting.
Commissioner Scott commented that he drove by the site and noted many cluttered
items displayed outdoors. Staff responded that only the approved items would be
authorized to be displayed outdoors.
Chair Marantz also expressed concern with too many items cluttering outdoors. Staff
noted there are several different ways to approach this if this becomes an on -going
problem.
M/S/C (Caffery/Vice Chair Hochanadel, 6-0) To approve, subject to Conditions of
Approval, as amended:
Revised Condition #8: The displays shall be maintained in a first class condition and
kept free from rust and other corrosion. If the displayed items are damaged, they shall
be immediately removed from view until such time as they are repaired.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
7. Case 3.2999 SFR / 7.1215 AMM - A request by Steven Van to consider a re-
designed single-family residence on a hillside lot located at 350 El Portal
Road, Zone R-1-B, APN: 513-380-078. (Project Planner: Christopher ison,
Planning Technician)
Edward Robertson, Principal Planner, provided background information as outlined in
the staff report dated December 12, 2007. Mr. Robertson noted two sets of plans are
displayed consisting of the original plan and the revised plan.
Chair Marantz opened the Public Hearing:
-Steven Van, applicant, provided further details on the redesign of the project; including
removal of the two balconies (addressing the privacy concerns) and reduction of the
second floor (addressing massing concerns). Mr. Van noted he has tried to
accommodate the neighbors as much as possible and addressed the gate in the rear of
the property.
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-Daniel Hogan, Palm Springs, spoke in opposition of the project, concerned with the
height and mass for the neighborhood.
-Dan Valentino, Palm Springs, spoke in opposition of the project, concerned with mass
and the hillside designation given to this property.
-Tom Warrick, Palm Springs, spoke in opposition of the project, concerned with mass
and hillside designation for this property.
-John Harrell, Palm Springs, spoke in opposition of the project, addressed rear access
road and voiced concern with the hillside designation, mass, compatibility and
preservation.
-Steve Van, addressed testimony, addressed the hillside ordinance and the right to build
on this property. Mr. Van requested approval of the project.
There being no further comments, the Public Hearing was closed.
Commissioner Caffery stated this parcel has been determined as a hillside lot and the
argument is if the project meets the intent of the hillside ordinance. Mr. Caffery felt it
should be respectful of the surrounding area and conform to the land.
Chair Marantz indicated that she drove by the property and none of the surrounding
homes are 26 feet in height.
Vice Chair Hochanadel noted if this project was built with a flat roof (18 feet) it
would only be limited to the criteria of the architectural guidelines within the Zoning
Code.
Commissioner Caffery stated he is in opposition of the project because he felt it
is inconsistent with the intent of the hillside ordinance - the additional height was not
used in conformance with the slope of the land, and the project design is not respectful
of the surroundings and of an inappropriately large scale.
M/S/C (Caffery/Scott, 5-1Nice Chair Hochanadel) To deny.
Mr. Ewing noted this is a recommendation to the City Council and would be scheduled
for a City Council hearing.
8. Case 5.1171 PD 351 / TTM 35544 - An application by Greg Jackson of
Sienna Productions, to create one lot for the purpose of converting
the existing 13 unit apartment building into 12 condominium units
with covered parking, a six foot high wall with gate along Sam Lorenzo Road
on approximately 0.73 acres located at 588 San Lorenzo Road, Zone R-3,
Section 23, APN: 508-191-013 and 031. (Project Planner Christopher
Brown, Contract Planner)
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City of Palm Springs
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Christopher Brown, Contract Planner, provided background information as outlined in
the staff report dated December 12, 2007. Mr. Brown noted an error on page 4 of the
staff report, the street side yard setback indicated 3 feet and should be 25 feet.
Chair Marantz opened the Public Hearing:
-Greg Jackson, representing the applicant, provided further details on the architecture
and indicated the gate will be used for security purposes.
-Wes Campbell, Palm Springs, stated this building has been vacant and neglected for a
quite awhile; and the conversion would be great for the area.
There being no further comments the Public Hearing was closed.
Commissioner Caffery expressed concern with apartment conversions ultimately
affecting affordable housing in the city.
Commissioner Ringlein also expressed concern with affordable housing and noted that
the tribe has initiated a work force housing group to provide affordable housing
throughout the valley.
Commissioner Caffery noted difficulty in approving this project because he does
not have adequate information on the number of apartment rentals within the city.
Commissioner Scott noted that many of the smaller apartment complexes do not qualify
for condominium conversion because they do not meet the parking requirements.
M/S/C (Scott/Cohen, 5-1/Caffery) To recommend approval to the City Council, subject
to Conditions of Approval
9. Case 5.1161 CUP -A (Gene Autry Plaza) - An application by D.R. West, LLC to
amend the existing Conditional Use Permit to allow a drive -through facility
and construct approximately 67,232 square feet of retail commercial at the
southeast comer of Gene Autry Trail (Highway 111) and Ramon Road, Zone
W-M-1, Section 20, APN: 680-170-044. (Project Planner: David A. Newell,
Assistant Planner)
Mr. Robertson stated a request was received from the applicant to continue this item to
January 9, 2008.
M/S/C (Ringlein/Cohen, 6-0) To continue, to the meeting of January 9, 2008.
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City of Palm Springs
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10. Case 5.1159 PD 340 / TTM 34729 - An application by Olivera Townhomes,
LLC, to construct five 2,413 square feet, detached two-story condominiums
and a Tentative Tract Map 34729 for a condominium lot on an approximate
28,168 square foot lot located on the southwest comer of Via Olivera and
Zanjero Road, Zone R-2, Section 3, APN: 504-270-004. (Project Planner:
Edward 0. Robertson, Principal Planner)
Nicole Criste, Contract Planner, provided background information as outlined in the staff
report dated December 12, 2007.
Chair Marantz opened the Public Hearing:
-Kent Salveson, developer, stated this project has been to the Architectural Advisory
Committee about four or five times and many revisions have been made. Mr. Salveson
provided further details on the overhangs and balconies; and addressed the
bathroom windows and the storage area for trash receptacles.
There being no further comments the Public Hearing was closed.
Commissioner Scott noted it is unusual to approve a project contingent upon further
review by the Architectural Advisory Committee. Staff responded that as a planned
development district the code requires the final development plans to return to the
Architectural Advisory Committee.
M/S/C (Ringlein/Cohen, 6-0) To recommend approval to the City Council, subject to
Conditions of Approval.
11. COMMISSION WORK PROGRAM: Work Program Priorities and
Subcommittee Assignments
Mr. Ewing reported that the City Council will meet in January to discuss the Housing
Element and a public hearing will come before the Commission in late Spring. Mr.
Ewing provided details on the upcoming amendment to the Zoning Ordinance.
12. COMMISSION/STAFF REPORTS AND REQUESTS:
Mr. Ewing bid farewell to Fred Lowndes, Associate Planner, who will be relocating to the
East Coast.
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Vice Chair Hochanadel noted a concern with a hotel/motel on South Palm Canyon
which has become a half -way house. Staff responded that a report would be given to
the Commission.
13. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further comments the meeting adjourned at 3:39 p.m.
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Dire of Plaervices
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