HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008/02/13 - MINUTES CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
February 13, 2008
Council Chamber, City Hall
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, CA 92262
CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 1:32 p.m.
Year: FY 200712008
Present
ROLL CALL: Present Absences:
This Meeting: to Date: Excused2
Chair Marantz X 17
19 0
Vice Chair Hochanadel X 19 0
Cohen X 2
Ringlein X 17
Caffery X 19 1 0
Scott 2 0
Conrad X
REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA:
The agenda was posted and 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, February 8, 2008.
ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA:
Commissioner Conrad noted her abstention on Item 4.
1. PUBLIC COMMENTS: (Three minute time limit.)
Chair Marantz opened Public Comments:
-Michael Green, Palm Springs, spoke in reference to Item 7; requested approval of the
outdoor music.
-Joy Meredith, business owner & president of Main Street Merchants Association, spoke in
support of Item 7 and requested approval of the outdoor music.
-Ricardo Gomez, Palm Springs, spoke in support of Item 7; requested approval of the
outdoor music and would like to see more activity at night.
-Ed Torres, president, Palm Springs Economic Development Corporation, stated the board
of directors met yesterday to discuss Item 2E and recommend approval of the time
• extension.
There being no further comments, the Public Comments was closed.
City of Palm Springs
Planning Commission Minutes
of February 13, 2008
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CONSENT CALENDAR:
M/S/C (Ringlein/Scott, 7-0) To approve, items 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D and 2E, as part of the
Consent Calendar.
2A. Draft minutes of January 23, 2008.
Approved, as part of the Consent Calendar.
2B. Case TTM AMND 31422 - A request for an amendment to the Conditions of
Approval for Tentative Tract Map 31422 to remove the requirement for street
improvements on Anza Trail at 2630 Anza Trail, Zone R-1-13, Section 26, APN:
610-130-008 and 025. (Project Planner: Christopher Brown, Contract Planner)
Approved, as part of the Consent Calendar.
• 2C. Case 5.1021 PD 303 / TTM 32826 - A request by Victor Villeneuve of MDS
Consulting, Inc. for a one-year time extension to commence construction of a
58-unit condominium complex located at 4455 Matthew Drive, Zone W-R-2,
Section 30, APN: 681-170-066. (Project Planner: Bryan Fernandez, Assistant
Planner).
Approved, as part of the Consent Calendar.
2D. Case TTM 28668 - A request by Marvin Roos of MSA Consulting Inc., for a one-
year time extension for a six-lot tract map located at Rose Avenue and
Coronado Avenue, Zone R-1-A, Section 10, APN: 506-030-007. (Project
Planner: Bryan Fernandez, Assistant Planner).
Approved, as part of the Consent Calendar.
2E. Case 5.1046 PD 232 / TTM 33341 (156 @ Tahquitz) - A request by Dennis
Cunningham of Palm Springs Modem Homes for a one-year time extension for
a 156-unit gated residential project on 24 acres located at 2705 East Tahquitz
Canyon Way, Zone PD 71A, Section 13, APN: 502-530- 001. (Project Planner:
Bryan Fernandez, Assistant Planner).
• Approved, as part of the Consent Calendar.
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City of Palm Springs
Planning Commission Minutes
of February 13, 2008
MISCELLANEOUS
3. Case SP 07-164 - An application by Mark Spohn on behalf of Spohn
Commercial Inc. to implement a sign program consisting of tenant main
signs for two multi-tenanted commercial buildings located at 1701 and 1733
North Palm Canyon Drive, Zone C-1, Section 3, APN: 504-310-015 and 016.
(Project Planner: Bryan Fernandez, Assistant Planner)
Bryan Fernandez, Assistant Planner, provided background information as outlined in the
staff report dated February 13, 2008.
Commissioner Conrad requested inclusion of a condition to restore the exterior sign area.
MIS/C (Scott/Cohen, 7-0) To approve, subject to Conditions of Approval, as amended:
-Restoration of the exterior sign area.
Mr. Ewing noted that a condition to address the restoration of exterior surfaces will be
made standard on all future sign programs.
• 4. Case SP 07-175 (Smoke Tree Village) - An application by Best Signs for
Donahue Schriber requesting to implement a sign program for the multi-
tenanted commercial shopping center located at 1733 East Palm Canyon Drive,
Zone CSC, Section 25, APN: 510-020-003, 010, 012 & 023. (Project
Planner: David A. Newell, Associate Planner)
Commissioner Conrad noted her abstention and would not be participating in the
discussion and vote. She left the Council Chamber at 1:50 p.m.
David A. Newell, Associate Planner, provided background information as outlined in the
staff report dated February 13, 2008.
The Commission discussed the maximum size for window signs.
M/S/C (Caffery/Cohen, 6-0, 1 abstained/ Conrad) To approve, subject to Conditions of
Approval.
Commissioner Conrad re-entered the Council Chamber at 1:57 p.m.
S. Case 3.0829 MAJ - An application by the Palm Springs International Airport to
expand the lobby area, the main exterior courtyard, add three new concession
• buildings and install new landscape located at 3400 East Tahquitz Canyon
Way, Zone A, Section 18. (Project Planner: Bryan Fernandez, Assistant
Planner)
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City of Palm Springs
Planning Commission Minutes
of February 13, 2008
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Bryan Fernandez, Assistant Planner, provided background information as outlined in the
staff report dated February 13, 2008.
-Al Smoot, Owner's Representative, Palm Springs International Airport, provided
information pertaining to the security check point and hold room, the landscaping, the front
entry doors, and the two new concession buildings.
-Tim Sullivan, Gensler, provided further details using the site and elevation plans and the
architectural drawings.
-Al Smoot, provided additional details pertaining to the water feature and the
adjacent boulders. Mr. Smoot requested allowance of planters/pots in this area and was
available for questions from the Commission.
Commissioner Caffery stated that he liked the design and the oasis-
-Michael Buccino, landscape architect for the project, provided further details on the desert
and oasis landscape.
Commissioner Conrad stated that there is a significant difference between the
organic design proposed and the underlying design of the existing facility. Ms.
• Conrad noted that the terrazzo is beautiful except that it is highly neglected. Ms. Conrad
emphasized the need for this project to return to the Architectural Advisory Committee for
further changes. Commissioner Scott concurred in returning this project back to the
Architectural Advisory Committee.
Chair Marantz noted that she felt that one meeting is not sufficient for the Architectural
Advisory Committee or the Planning Commission and is in favor of a restudy.
Commissioner Hochanadel commented that many of the Architectural Advisory
Committee's concerns are design issues and not structural.
M/S/C (Conrad/Cohen, 7-0) To continue, and return to the Architectural Advisory
Committee with the following design directions:
1. Consider a modern aesthetic design rather than an organic approach as shown in the
proposal.
2. Use plain or stained concrete and aggregate outdoors.
3. Use bollards as an alternate to boulders.
4. Reconsider the Architectural Advisory Committee recommendations.
5. Reconsider the water feature with a modern aesthetic design.
6. Maintain the terrazzo.
7. Refurbish the deteriorated surfaces in the Wexler building.
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City of Palm Springs
Planning Commission Minutes
of February 13, 2008
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
6. Case 3.3167 MAJ / 7.1285 AMM (Rosa Gardens) - An application by Desert
Highland Associates, LP for construction of a 2-story, 59-unit
affordable housing apartment complex on approximately 4.54 acres located at
the northwest comer of Mc Carthy Road and Radio Road, Zone R-2, Section 34,
APN: 669-420-009. (Project Planner: Christopher Brown, Contract Planner)
Edward Robertson, Principal Planner, provided background information as outlined in the
staff report dated February 13, 2008.
Chair Marantz opened the Public Hearing:
-Brian Peulicke, Coachella Valley Housing Coalition, provided further details
and addressed the LEED certification, playground safety, the bicycle storage facility
and solar implemention for the common areas
-Gwen Pugh, architect for the project, provided details on the building, ventilation and
mechanical equipment.
-Brian Peulicke, applicant, stated condition #90 regarding the drainage on this property
• would be a burden and requested this condition remain open for discussion.
-Gwen Pugh, architect, requested a change in the bedroom count (a reduction in the two-
bedroom units by one (from 23 to 22 units) and an increase in the three-bedroom units by
one (from 23 to 24 units) and emphasized that the parking is more than adequate.
There being no further appearances, the Public Hearing was closed.
Mr. Robertson requested deletion of condition #2 since the applicant has met the
condition. Mr. Ewing noted that staff does not have a problem with the request to change
the bedroom count since staff will be following-up on the required parking during plan
check process.
M/S/C (Ringlein/Cohen, 7-0) To adopt Mitigated Negative Declaration and approve Case
3.3157 MAJ and Case 7.1285 AMM, subject to Conditions of Approval, as amended:
-Delete condition #2.
-Change in bedroom count to 22 two-bedrooms and 24 three-bedrooms.
7. Case 6.0749 CUP AMND - An application by Victoria Randall on behalf of
Mixie's Boy Bar to amend an existing Conditional Use Permit to change club
music format, extend operating hours and allow broadcast music on speakers
. in the patio located at 120 South Palm Canyon Drive, Zone CBD, Section 15,
APN: 513-144-002. (Project Planner: Bryan Fernandez, Assistant Planner)
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City of Palm Springs
Planning Commission Minutes
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Bryan Fernandez, Assistant Planner, provided background information as outlined in the
staff report dated February 13, 2008.
Chair Marantz noted that she can hear the music from the street when driving by.
Commissioner Conrad provided a background history on the conditions placed on the
previous business.
Commissioner Ringlein noted her concern with second level amplified music and
requested further review of the noise ordinance.
Chair Marantz opened the Public Hearing:
-Victoria Rendall, applicant, provided further details on the music format, volume control,
the outdoor speakers, and the expense to maintain the doors open.
There being no further appearances, the Public Hearing was closed.
Commissioner Caffery noted that he served on the Planning Commission when the original
• Conditional Use Permit came before them and an acoustic study was conducted which
identified the bass tone from the second level source as a distraction for the
neighbors. Mr. Caffery stated that he is not opposed to the project as long as the volume
is controlled during the late hours of operation, a maximum of one year term is imposed on
the Conditional Use Permit and that proper noticing to the neighborhood is provided.
M/S/C (Conrad/Cohen, 7-0) To approve, subject to Conditions of Approval, as amended:
-One (1) year review and reconsideration or revocation of the Conditional Use Permit.
-The Conditional Use Permit to go before the Planning Commission if three (3) or more
noise complaints are received or at Commission request.
8. COMMISSION WORK PROGRAM: Work Program Priorities and
Subcommittee Assignments
Mr. Ewing provided details on a future study session consisting of an orientation to discuss
the zoning ordinance.
9. COMMISSION/STAFF REPORTS AND REQUESTS:
None were reported.
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City of Palm Springs
Planning Commission Minutes
of February 13, 2008
10. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further comments the meeting adjourned at 4:03 p.m.
4r . Ewing, P
Director of Pla n� g Services
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