HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-07-22 PC MinutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
July 22, 2009
Council Chamber, City Hall
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, CA 92262
CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 1:35 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Present
Present
Year: FY 2009/2010
This Meeting:
to Date:
Excused Absences:
Larry Hochanadel, Chair X
2
0
Leo Cohen, Vice Chair X
2
0
Jon Caffery X
1
1
Bill Scott X
2
0
Tracy Conrad X
1
1
Doug Donenfeld X
2
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 4:30 p.m. on Thursday,
July 16, 2009.
ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA:
Chair Hochanadel announced Item 3A and Item 3C would be continued to a later date.
Commissioners Caffery and Conrad noted their abstentions on the minutes of July 8,
2009, due to their absence.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Chair Hochanadel opened public comments:
-Stefanie Frith, reporter with The Desert Sun, explained that this would be her last
Planning Commission meeting and expressed her gratitude in working with the
Commission.
Planning Commission Minutes of
July 22, 2009
-Monica Moretta, on behalf of Omni Communications servicing T-Mobile, provided an
update on their project at the Smoketree Village location.
There being no further appearances public comments was closed.
1. CONSENT CALENDAR:
M/S/C (Scott/Donenfeld, 6-0) To approve Items 1A, 1 B, 1 C and 1 D, as part of the
Consent Calendar.
1A. Minutes of June 24, 2009 and July 8, 2009.
Approved, as part of the Consent Calendar. (Noting Commissioner Caffery's and
Conrad's abstention on the minutes of July 8, 2009.)
1B. Case 5.0856 CUP - A request by Palm Springs Freeway Development LLC,
for a one-year time extension for a previously approved Conditional Use
Permit for a 65-unit hotel with two drive-thru restaurants located at 610
Garnet Avenue, Zone M-1-P, Section 15. (Project Planner: Glenn Mlaker,
Assistant Planner)
Approved, as part of the Consent Calendar.
1C. Case 5.1164 PD 343 - A request by Crossley Partners, LLC, for a one-year
time extension for a previously approved Planned Development District for a
mixed use project consisting of a 54,122 square feet retail and office center
on an approximate 3.8-acre parcel located at the northwest corner of
Crossley Road and East Sunny Dunes Road, Zone M-1, Section 2. (Project
Planner: Glenn Mlaker, Assistant Planner)
Approved, as part of the Consent Calendar.
1D. Case 5.1070 PD 317 / TTM 30047 (Eagle Canyon) - A request by Newport
Federal/CT - Eagle Member LLC, for a time extension for a previously
approved Planned Development District and Tentative Tract Map on an
approximate 80-acre parcel located on the west side of South Palm Canyon
Drive at Bogert Trail, Zone PD 317, Section,34 (Canyon South Specific Plan).
(Ken Lyon, Associate Planner)
Approved, as part of the Consent Calendar.
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Planning Commission Minutes of
July 22. 20010
2. OTHER BUSINESS:
2A. Case SP 09-004 - An application by Best Signs to implement a Sign
Program for the building located at 979 South Gene Autry Trail, Zone Mal,
Section 19. (Project Planner: Scott Taschner, Assistant Planner)
Scott Taschner, Assistant Planner, provided background information as outlined in the
staff report dated July 22, 2009.
-Jim Cross, Best Signs, (responding to questions from the Commission) provided details
on the type of material that will be used for the cube and addressed the size and color
of the tiles.
M/S/C (Conrad/Vice Chair Cohen, 5-1/Caffery) To approve, subject to Conditions of
Approval, as amended:
-The main sign (on the east side of the building) shall be reduced to a maximum of 116
square feet.
-The main sign shall be constructed of high quality, durable materials.
-The tile materials shall be approved by the Director of Planning prior to installation.
-The tiles shall be eighteen (18) inches by eighteen (18) inches in size.
-The cornice feature shall be removed from the design of the second (smaller)
monument sign located next to the Gene Autry Trial parking lot entrance.
2B. Case 10.469 DET. An application by Cynthia Kaye of CK Dance for a request
that the Planning Commission determine that a dance studio is similar to the
uses allowed in the M-1-P Zone, Section 12. (Project Planner: Scott
Taschner, Assistant Planner).
Scott Taschner, Assistant Planner, provided background information as outlined in the
staff report dated July 22, 2009.
M/S/C (Scott/Caffery, 6-0) To determine that a dance studio use is a similar use to
other permitted uses allowed within the M-1-P zone.
3. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
3A. Case 5.1203 CUP / 6.507 VAR - A request by T-Mobile USA, Inc. for a
Conditional Use Permit to construct a 60-foot tall commercial
communication antenna within a slim -line monopole and a Variance to
reduce the side yard setback and exceed the maximum antenna height
permitted at 1900 East Palm Canyon Drive (Club Trinidad), Zone R-3, Section
24. (Project Planner: David A. Newell, Associate Planner) (Continued from
the July 8, 2009 meeting)
Planning Commission Minutes of
July 22, 2009
Commissioner Conrad recused herself from this Item due to a property -related conflict
of interest.
MIS/C (Caffery/Vice Chair Cohen, 5-0) To continue to an indefinite date.
3B. Case 6.1217 PD 355 (Villa Las Palmas) - A request by Robert H. Gray on
behalf of Las Palmas Associates, LLC, for a Planned Development District to
allow construction of an 11-unit, two-story hotel building on an approximate
16,140 square foot parcel located at 1490 North Palm Canyon Drive, Zone C-
1, Section 10. (Project Planner: David A. Newell, Associate Planner)
David A. Newell, Associate Planner, provided background information as outlined in the
staff report dated July 22, 2009.
Commissioner Donenfeld disclosed that he owns property in this vicinity; however, it is
more than 500 feet from the project and he would participate in the item.
Chair Hochanadel opened the public hearing:
-Robert Gray, applicant, (responded to questions from the Commission) stated that the
owner has no problem incorporating solar features and stated that this project was not
economically feasible as a condo project and provided further details.
There being no further appearances the public hearing was closed.
M/S/C (Caffery/Conrad, 6-0) To continue to an undetermined date and direct staff to
reseed the project back to the Architectural Advisory Committee for further review to
accommodate more than 12 parking spaces and incorporate solar and sustainability
features into the project.
3C. Case 3.3333 MAJ / TTM 36185 / 7.1320 AMM - A request by Community
Dynamics for architectural approval of a 51-unit moderate income for -sale
townhouse complex and a condominium map on an approximate 3.6-acre
parcel located at 3130 North Indian Canyon Drive, -Zone R-2, Section 2.
(Project Planner: Ken Lyon, Associate Planner)
M/S/C (Scott/Vice Chair Cohen, 6-0) To continue to a date certain of September 9,
2009.
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Planning Commission Minutes of
JuIv 22,2009
PLANNING COMMISSION COMMENTS:
Commissioner Caffery questioned the qualifications of a public benefit. Director Ewing
addressed the policy for public benefits and explained that it is the Commission's
judgment call in defining a public benefit for each project.
Chair Hochanadel questioned the status of a sign program for the Sun Center.
Staff confirmed that a sign program would be coming forward for this site in the near
future.
PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
Director Ewing provided an updated on the upcoming planning items scheduled for the
City Council meeting.
ADJOURNMENT:
The Planning Commission adjourned at 2:45 p.m. to Wednesday, September 9, 2009,
at 1:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber, City Hall, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm
Springs, California.
g . wing CID
Director of Pia ng Services
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