HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-01-23 PC MinutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
January 23, 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
15
2
Vice Chair Hochanadel X
17
0
Cohen X
17
0
Ringlein X
16
1
Caffery X
16
1
Scott X
17
0
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,
January 18, 2008.
ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA:
Commissioner Ringlein requested Item 213 pulled from the Consent Agenda for separate
discussion.
1. PUBLIC COMMENTS: (Three minute time limit.)
Chair Marantz open public comments and there being none, public comments was
closed.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
M/S/C (Cohen/Ringlein, 6-0) To approve, Items 2A, 2C and 2D as part of the Consent
Calendar.
City of Palm Springs
Planning Commission Minutes
of January 23, 2008
2A. Draft minutes of January 9, 2008.
Approved, as part of the Consent Calendar.
2B. Case 5.1162 PD 342 (Palm Mountain Resort and Spa) - A draft resolution for
a General Plan Amendment and Planned Development District to renovate
an existing 120 room hotel to a 188 room hotel on an
approximately 2.77-acre site located at 155 South Belardo Road, Zone R3,
Section 15, APN 513-142-001. (Project Planner: Lyn Calerdine, Contract
Planner)
Commissioner Ringlein requested staff revise the conditions to reflect the correct
calculation of fifteen (15) in -lieu parking spaces. Staff reported that the in -lieu parking
fee is $12,000. per parking space.
Commissioner Scott noted that he is not in favor of the project because he felt this is a
misuse of the zoning code.
M/S/C (Ringlein/Vice Chair Hochanadel, 5-1/Scott) To approve, subject to Conditions of
Approval, as amended:
-In-lieu parking fee for 15 parking spaces.
2C. Case 6.497 VAR - A draft resolution to allow an existing single-family
dwelling addition constructed without permits within the required 15 foot
setback located at 1590 Paseo El Mirador, Zone R-1-C, Section 11, APN: 507-
122-004. (Project Planner: David A. Newell, Assistant Planner)
Approved, as part of the Consent Calendar.
2D. Case 3.2879 MAJ - An application by Roger Evans to construct an
approximately 8,000 square foot warehouse building located at 4589 East
Sunny Dunes Road, Zone M1, Section 19, APN: 680-160-036. (Project
Planner: David A. Newell, Assistant Planner)
Approved, as part of the Consent Calendar.
2
City of Palm Springs
Planning Commission Minutes
of January 23, 2008
MISCELLANEOUS
3. Case 5.1188 - A conformity report for the proposal by the Agua Caliente
Band of Cahuilla Indians Cultural Indian's Cultural Museum project located
at the southeast corner of East Tahquitz Canyon Way
and Hermosa Drive, Zone RA, Section 14, APN: 508-100-038 and 040.
(Project Planner: Diane A. Bullock, Associate Planner)
Diane Bullock, Associate Planner provided background information as outlined in the
staff report dated January 23, 2008. Ms. Bullock reported that staff is recommending
several traffic improvement measures, including installation of a traffic signal at the
intersection of Tahquitz Canyon Way and Hermosa Drive.
Commissioner Ringlein noted that she attended the Architectural Advisory Committee
meeting, when this project was presented, and the consensus was that this is an
excellent design.
-Tom Davis, Chief Planning & Development Officer, Ague Caliente Band of Cahuilla
Indians, stated their development team is available for questions and provided further
details on the tribe's review process.
M/SIC (Ringlein/Cohen, 6-0) To recommend approval to the City Council, as amended:
-Inclusion of the revised suggested engineering conditions.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
4. Case 5.1080 CUP / 6.492 VAR - An application by Sprint Nextel for a
Conditional Use Permit to install a forty-four foot high communication
antenna designed as a slim -line monopole with equipment cabinets and a
Variance to exceed the fifteen foot antenna height maximum located at 505
East Industrial Place, Zone C-M, Section 23, APN: 508-162-009. (Project
Planner: David A. Newell, Assistant Planner)
David A. Newell, Assistant Planner, provided background information as outlined in the
staff report dated January 23, 2008. Mr. Newell noted on page 3 of the staff report that
it should reflect condition #1 regarding re -paving and re -striping of the parking lot.
3
City of Palm Springs
Planning Commission Minutes
of January 23, 2008
Chair Marantz opened the Public Hearing:
-Larry Cornell, Palm Springs, managing partner, Five Star Property Development,
requested consideration be taken for the surrounding redevelopment of the
neighborhood; and noted their preference for a monopalm with palm trees to camflouge
the antenna.
-Michael Rice, Palm Springs, owner of the property, stated he has upgraded the
property and felt that the antenna would not be an eye -sore to the new development
across the street.
There being no further appearances, the Public Hearing was closed.
Commissioner Ringlein stated she felt that utility poles are more offensive than cell
towers and agreed that a monopalm with surrounding palm trees would look better in
this area.
Commissioner Scott stated he felt a monopalm and surrounding palm trees would
cluster the area and preferred a monopole.
Commissioner Caffery noted this is exactly what the Commission has requested.
Vice Chair Hochanadel noted his preference for a monopalm at this location noting that
a monopole would look out of character with the surrounding environment.
M/S/C (Caffery/Scott, 5-1/Vice Chair Hochanadel) To recommend approval to the City
Council, subject to Conditions of Approval.
S. Case 5.1182 CUP - An application by Kum Ja Chung, dba North End Market
and Liquor, for a Conditional Use Permit to allow the use of a convenience /
liquor store at 19345 North Indian Canyon Drive, Zone HC, Section 15, APN:
(Project Planner: David A. Newell, Assistant Planner)
David Newell, Assistant Planner, provided background information as outlined in the
staff report dated January 23, 2008.
Chair Marantz opened the Public Hearing. There being no appearances, the Public
Hearing was closed.
M/S/C (Ringlein/Cohen, 6-0) To approve, subject to Conditions of Approval.
0
City of Palm Springs
Planning Commission Minutes
of January 23, 2008
6. Case 3.3157 MAJ (Rosa Gardens) - An application by Desert Highland
Associates, LP, to construct a two-story, 59-unit affordable apartment
complex on approximately 4.54 acres at the northwest corner
of McCarthy Road and Radio Road, Zone R-2, APN: 669-420-009. (Project
Planner: Christopher Brown, Contract Planner)
Staff requested this item be continued to an indefinite date.
Chair Marantz opened the Public Hearing. There being no appearances the Public
Hearing was continued to an indefinite date.
M/S/C (Vice Chair Hochanadel/Cohen, 6-0) To continue, to an indefinite date.
7. Case 6.1172 - An application by the City of Palm Springs to amend the
Zoning Ordinance to add Section 93.15.10 and amend Section 91.00.10 of
the Palm Springs Municipal Code, relating to the establishment of land use
regulations for condominium hotel projects. (Project Planner: Craig A.
Ewing, Director of Planning Services)
Mr. Ewing provided background information as outlined in the staff report dated January
23, 2008. Mr. Ewing reported that the City Attorney has concluded that specific controls
are needed and has prepared a draft zoning text amendment.
The Commission discussed the assessment of Transient Occupancy Taxes and the 28
consecutive day stay by the Condominium Hotel owner.
Chair Marantz opened the Public Hearing. There being no appearances, the Public
Hearing was closed.
M/S/C (Ringlein/Caffery, 6-0) To recommend approval to the City Council, subject to
Conditions of Approval.
8. COMMISSION WORK PROGRAM: Work Program Priorities and
Subcommittee Assignments
Mr. Ewing provided an update on the ordinance for office uses on the first floor in the
downtown area. Staff reported that the City Council will be meeting tonight to conduct
interviews for the Planning Commissioner vacancy.
9
City of Palm Springs
Planning Commission Minutes
of January 23, 2008
9. COMMISSION/STAFF REPORTS AND REQUESTS:
Vice Chair Hochanadel offered to attend the Architectural Advisory Committee meeting
for the month of May 2008. Chair Marantz noted that attending the Architectural
Advisory Committee meetings can be very insightful for upcoming projects.
Commissioner Ringlein announced the Palm Springs Food & Wine Festival to be held
on April 11th and 12th and invited everyone.
Mr. Ewing announced David Newell's promotion from Assistant Planner to Associate
Planner.
Staff noted that the engineering department would be providing an update on the street
improvement and private development on East Palm Canyon Drive.
10. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further comments the meeting was adjourned at 2:38 p.m.
rai ....wing, P
Director of Planla Services
6