HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-05-07 PC Study Session MinutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
May 07, 2008
Large Conference Room, City Hall
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, CA 92262
CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 2:04 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Present
Present
Year: FY 2007/2008
This Meeting:
to Date:
Excused Absences:
Chair Marantz X
24
3
Vice Chair Hochanadel X
27
0
Cohen X
27
0
Ringlein X
23
4
Caffery X
24
3
Scott X
26
1
Conrad X
10
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 Department counter by 5:00 p.m.
on Friday, May 2, 2008.
1. PUBLIC COMMENTS: (Three minute time limit.)
Chair Marantz opened Public Comments; there being none Public Comments was
closed.
2. DISCUSSION - LEED CERTIFICATION - Architects: - Reuel Young
- Lance O'Donnell
- Douglas Hudson
Diane Bullock, Associate Planner, introduced the three architects who have been invited
to provide further information on Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
(LEED) Certification.
City of Palm Springs
Planning Commission Study Session
Minutes of May 7, 2008
Doug Hudson, Architect and member of the Architectural Advisory Committee,
distributed a hand-out and provided details on the inception of LEED Certification. Mr.
Hudson explained that LEED is divided into six major categories and each area has a
maximum number of points achievable.
The six categories of LEED are:
• Sustainable Sites (SS)
• Water Efficiency (WE)
• Energy and Atmosphere (AE)
• Materials and Resources (MR)
• Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)
• Innovation and Design Process
Mr. Hudson provided details on the four levels LEED certification (Certified, Silver, Gold
and Platinum) and the submittal process. Mr. Hudson pointed out that projects are
encouraged to fit into a community that utilize public transportation and encourage
pedestrian activity.
Mr. Hudson provided further details on Sustainable Sites and on the Neighborhood
Development rating system. Mr. Hudson addressed questions from the Commission.
Reuel Young, Architect and Principle of Interactive Design Corp., provided an overview
on the inception of LEED. Mr. Young emphasized that LEED has not been adopted as
a policy standard in the United States and only individual owners select to abide with
these guidelines.
Mr. Young provided further details the economic benefit and costs of LEED Certification.
Mr. Young addressed questions from the Commission.
Lance O'Donnell, Architect and member of the Architectural Advisory Committee,
provided details regarding an affordable housing project (Tierra Verde) and the process
an architectural firm goes through to achieve LEED Platinum. Mr. O'Donnell spoke of
his childhood experience of growing up in a ranch and his memory of crops yielding to
the cycles of the land and weather. Mr. O'Donnell discussed implementing
conservation features into a project by incorporating an environmental analysis, site
location, existing context, site features, recreation areas, courtyard types, natural
ventilation and landscaping. Further discussion occurred on solar orientation, shading
and cross ventilation. Mr. O'Donnell addressed questions from the Commission.
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City of Palm Springs
Planning Commission Study Session
Minutes of May 7, 2008
3. DISCUSSION - GENERAL PLAN ORIENTATION - The Environmental Impact
Report
Ken Lyon provided an outline on the General Plan Environmental Impact Report (EIR)
as follows:
• Documents
• Program EIR: How it differs from a Project EIR
• Key benefits of a Program EIR
• Alternatives
• The Environmental Review (CEQA) process (simplified)
• Identified major areas of concern/controversy
• Unavoidable impacts and mitigation
• Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Consideration
The Commission discussed the requirement for environmental assessments on projects
and the status of approved projects prior to the General Plan Update.
4. COMMISSION/STAFF REPORTS AND REQUESTS -
The Commission discussed time extensions reviews and construction fencing.
Mr. Robertson provided an update on tonight's City Council meeting.
Ms. Conrad requested Code Enforcement follow-up on a large monument sign
advertising massage between Sunrise Way and Cerritos (north side of the street).
Chair Marantz noted the inconvenience of street improvements performed during the
busiest time of day. Staff responded that the city engineer has authority to impose
conditions pertaining to days/hours of street improvements.
5. ADJOURNMENT -
There being no further comments the meeting adjourned at 4:16 p.m.
of PAnniho Services
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