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Home My WebLink About2008-02-13 PC MinutesCITY 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. ROLL CALL: Present This Meeting Chair Marantz X Vice Chair Hochanadel X Cohen X Ringlein X Caffery X Scott X Conrad X REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA: Present Year: FY 2007/2008 to Date: Excused Absences: 17 2 19 0 19 0 17 2 18 1 19 0 2 0 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 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 25, APN: 510-130-008 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: 505-030-007. (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 Modern 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. 2 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: 604-310-015 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. M/S/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. ( J 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. 5. 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) 91 City of Palm Springs Planning Commission Minutes of February 13, 2008 Bryan Fernandez, Assistant Planner, provided background information as outlined in the staff report dated February 13, 200& -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 adjacent boulders. Mr. Smoot requested alli available for questions from the Commission. pertaining to the water feature and the >wance of planters/pots in this area and was 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. Is City of Palm Springs Planning Commission Minutes of February 13, 2008 PUBLIC HEARINGS: 6. Case 3.3157 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 5.0749 CUP AMND - An application by Victoria Randall on behalf of Mixie's Boy Bartoamend 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: 613-144-002. (Project Planner: Bryan Fernandez, Assistant Planner) City of Palm Springs Planning Commission Minutes of February 13, 2008 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. R 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. r . Ewing, P P Director of Pla n' g Services 7