HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008/03/26 - MINUTES CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
March 26, 2008
Council Chamber, City Hall
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, CA 92262
CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 1:33 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Present Present Year: FY 2007/2008
This Meeting: to Date: Excused Absences:
Chair Marantz X 21 2
Vice Chair Hochanadel X 23 0
Cohen X 23 0
Ringlein X 21 2
Caffery 21 2
Scott X 22 1
• Conrad X 6 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,
March 21, 2008.
ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA:
Chair Marantz announced that the applicant has requested to withdraw Item 5, Case
5.1050 PD 312. Mr. Ewing noted an error on Item 7 and requested it pulled from the
agenda and rescheduled. Chair Marantz noted her abstention on Item 2B and
2C. Commissioner Scott noted his abstention on the minutes of March 12, 2008.
1. PUBLIC COMMENTS: (Three minute time limit.)
Chair Marantz opened Public Comments. There being none, Public Comments was
closed.
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City of Palm Springs
Planning Commission Minutes
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CONSENT CALENDAR:
Commissioner Ringlein noted her abstention on the minutes of February 6, 2008,
Commissioner Conrad requested two changes on the minutes of March 5, 2008.
M/SIC (Cohen/Conrad, 7-0) To approve, as a part of the Consent Calendar.
2A. Draft minutes of February 6, 2008, February 27, 2008, March 5, 2008 and
March 12, 2008.
Approved, as part of the Consent Calendar; the minutes of March 5, 2008, as
amended. (Noting Commissioner Ringlein's abstention on the minutes of February 6,
2008 and Commissioner Scott's abstention on the minutes of March 12, 2008.)
2B. Case TTM 30350 (Alexander Vista Estates) - A request by Michael Hutchison
of Contempo Homes for a one-year time extension for TTM 30350,
a previously approved subdivision of an 11.42-acre parcel for 39 single-
family residential lots located south of Verona Road and east of
• Whitewater Club Drive, Zone R-1-D, Section 6, APN: 677-030-001. (Project
Planner: Bryan Fernandez, Assistant Planner).
Approved, as part of the Consent Calendar. (Noting Chair Marantz' abstention)
2C. Case TTM 33623 (Alexander Village) - A request by Michael Hutchison of
Contempo Homes for a one-year time extension for TTM 33623, a previously
approved subdivision of a 3.42-acre parcel for 10 single-family residential
lots located north of Via Escuela and west of Gene Autry Trail, Zone R-1-D,
Section 6, APN: 677-030-019. (Project Planner: Bryan Fernandez, Assistant
Planner).
Approved as a part of the Consent Calendar. (Noting Chair Marantz' abstention.)
MISCELLANEOUS:
3. Case LUP 08-003 - An application by Luciano Ramirez requesting that the
Planning Commission determine that an outdoor display of books is
similar to other uses permitted by Land Use Permit within the Central
Business District (C-B-D) zone. The outdoor display would be located at 180
• East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Section 15, APN: 513-092-004. (Project Planner:
David A. Newell, Associate Planner)
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Planning Commission Minutes
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Craig A. Ewing, Director of Planning Services, provided background information as
outlined in the staff report dated March 26, 2008.
Staff noted that vending carts for food beverage, crafts, and floral items are permissible
in the C-B-D zone, subject to a Land Use Permit.
The Commission expressed their concerns with plastic portable tables and other
undesirable display items.
Commissioner Scott noted that he did not have any concerns with the display of books
however he felt that other items could easily get out of hand.
Further discussion was made regarding outdoor displays and regulating other types of
uses. Staff suggested a future meeting to discuss regulating outdoor display items to
develop standards within a Land Use Permit.
Vice Chair Hochanadel suggested a proper window display so that the sidewalk would
not be cluttered.
• Commissioner Conrad noted that she does not have a concern with the display of
books.
M/S/C (Scott/Cohen, 4-2/Vice Chair Hochanadel/ Chair Marantz), 1 absent/Caffery) To
approve, and direct staff to schedule a session to review design standards for outdoor
displays in the C-B-D zone.
4. Case 3.3187 MAJ - An application by Andrew Zobler of 701 East Palm
Canyon Lessee, LLC tip Affiliates for the renovation of the former
Howard Johnson Hotel by reducing the existing 210-room vacant hotel to
190 renovated guest rooms, adding approximately 4,000 square feet of event
space and remodeling the reception and restaurant located at 701 East Palm
Canyon, Zone R3, Section 26, APN: 511-041-002. (Project Planner: David
A. Newell, Associate Planner)
Mr. Ewing provided background information as outlined in the staff report dated March
26, 2008.
-Lance O'Donnell, architect for the project, provided further details on removal of the
central parking area, the event building, the swimming pools and the small
retail building. Mr. O'Donnell provided additional information pertaining to
• the restaurant, the existing parking and gated entry and landscaping.
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Commissioner Ringlein requested information on the types of conservation methods
implemented into the project. Mr. O'Donnell responded that the main one is the
elimination of the black asphalt, additional solar control, a green roof and retention of
the boiler system.
-Jonathon Heath, General Manager the Viceroy Hotel, provided further details on the
total number of employees and spoke about their efforts to encourage
public transportation and ride-sharing.
-Jack Baron, hotel partner, provided further details on the proposed project.
-William Kopelk, landscape designer, provided details on the landscape plans. Mr.
Kopelk noted that each ground floor room will include a patio and provided further
details on the landscape.
M/SIC (Ringlein/Cohen, 6-0, 1 absent/Caffery) To approve, subject to Conditions of
Approval.
5. Case 5.1050 PD 312 (Smoke Tree Commons) - A request by Donahue
Schriber to amend previously approved Condition of Approval No. 6 for
• the shopping cart retrieval system located on the southwest comer of East
Palm Canyon Drive and Farrell Drive / Barona Drive, Zone C-S-C, Section
25. (Project Planner: Craig A. Ewing, Director of Planning Services.)
The item was withdrawn by the applicant and pulled from the agenda.
6. Case 3.2894 MAA - A request to modify the requirements of the City of Palm
Springs Zoning Ordinance for outdoor lighting for the Signature
Flight facility located within the Palm Springs International Airport at 250
North El Cielo Road, Zone A, Section 18, APN; 677-270-022. (Project
Planner: Ken Lyon, Associate Planner)
Ken Lyon, Associate Planner, provided background information as outlined in the staff
dated March 26, 2008.
Commissioner Conrad expressed concern over the lighting in the automobile parking
area and requested enforcement of compliance with the light requirements in the future
to maintain the beauty of the night sky.
M/S/C (Conrad/Scott, 6-0, 1 absent/Caffery) To approve, subject to Conditions of
Approval.
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7. Appointment of Rob Perkins as a Licensed Landscape Architect Member to
the Architectural Advisory Committee.
Mr. Ewing noted an error on the agenda and requested this item be rescheduled for the
next meeting.
Chair Marantz suggested reconstituting the previous subcommittee consisting of Vice
Chair Hochanadel, Commissioner Conrad and herself, and requested staff provide
the set of standards to interview the Architectural Advisory Committee candidates.
Commissioner Conrad noted her interest in serving in the subcommittee.
M/S/C (Conrad/Scott, 6-0, 1 absent/Caffery) To continue to an indefinite date, and
reconstitute the previous subcommittee consisting of Dianne Marantz, Lary
Hochanadel and Tracy Conrad, until such a time that the subcommittee reports back to
the Commission on the status of the candidacy.
• 8. COMMISSION WORK PROGRAM: Work Program Priorities and
Subcommittee Assignments
Mr. Ewing reported that the next study session will consist of a continuation of the
General Plan orientation and outdoor display items in the downtown area. Mr.
Ewing provided an update on the newly formed utility undergrounding subcommittee
and noted that a meeting would be scheduled within a few weeks.
Commissioner Ringlein noted that she will not be in attendance at next week's study
session and requested staff extend the utility undergrounding meeting to the middle of
April.
9. COMMISSION/STAFF REPORTS AND REQUESTS:
Vice Chair Hochanadel requested that the lighting level be adjusted on a lamp pole that
is extremely brightly lit in the parking lot adjacent to the Well's Fargo Bank building.
Commissioner Conrad thanked staff for the article on green LEED certification.
Commissioner Cohen commented on the newly painted rocks at the Pedregal project.
• Chair Marantz commented that she attended the Uptown Merchants meeting and was
impressed with the growth and vitality in this part of town.
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10. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further comments the meeting adjourned 3:00 p.m.
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