HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-09-09 PC MinutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
September 09, 2009
Council Chamber, City Hall
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, CA 92262
CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order 1:32 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Present Present
This Meeting: to Date (FY: 2009-10)
Absences:
(FY: 2009-10)
Tracy Conrad
X
2
1
Doug Donehfeld
X
3
0
Doug Hudson
X
1
0
Leslie Munger
0
1
Bill Scott
X
3
0
Jon Caffery, Vice Chair"
X
2
1
Leo Cohen, Chair
X
3
0
'Commissioner Caffery arrived at 1:35 p.m.
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, September 3, 2009.
ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA:
The agenda was accepted, as presented.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Vice Chair Cohen opened public comments:
-Russell Coward, Palm Springs, spoke in reference to Item 5B, expressed concern
with additional cell towers clustered on this site; otherwise, with additional landscaping
is not opposed to the project.
There being no further appearances public comments was closed.
Planning Commission Minutes of
September 9, 2009
1. SPECIAL PRESENTATION:
1A. Resolution of Appreciation - A resolution recognizing Larry Hochanadel for
his service to the City of Palm Springs, as a member of the Planning
Commission.
Former Planning Commission Chair Dianne Marantz presented "A Certificate of
Commendation" to Larry Hochanadel recognizing him for his service to the City of Palm
Springs as a Member of the Palm Springs Planning Commission.
M/S/C (Caffery/Scott, 6-0, 1 absent/Munger) To adopt the; Resolution of Appreciation
recognizing Larry Hochanadel for his years of service to the City of Palm Springs.
2. ELECTION OF OFFICERS:
2A. Election of Chair
Commissioner Donenfeld nominated Leo Cohen. No other nominations were made.
By acclamation the Commission unanimously recognized Leo Cohen as Chair.
2B. Election of Vice -Chair
Commissioner Bill Scott nominated Jon Caffery as Vice Chair. No other nominations
were made.
By acclamation the Commission unanimously recognized Jon Caffery as Vice Chair.
3. CONSENT CALENDAR:
M/S/C (Scott/Donenfeld, 6-0, 1 absent/Munger) To approve, Items 3A and 3B as part of
the Consent Calendar. (Noting Commissioner Hudson's abstention on the minutes of
July 22, 2009.)
3A. Minutes of July 22, 2009.
Approved, as part of the Consent Calendar. (Noting Commissioner Hudson's
abstention on the minutes of July 22, 2009)
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Planning Commission Minutes of
September 9, 2009
3B. Case 3.1389 MAJ - A request by Desert Water Agency for architectural
approval for a 3,600 square foot warehouse/ storage building located at 1200
South Gene Autry Trail, Zone M-1, Section 20. (Project Planner: Glenn
Miaker, Assistant Planner)
Approved, as part of the Consent Calendar.
4. OTHER BUSINESS:
4A. Appointment of two (2) Architectural Advisory Committee Members.
Commissioner Scott reported that the ad hoc subcommittee interviewed six candidates
for the vacant positions on the Architectural Advisory Committee and their
recommendation is to appoint Patrick McGrew and Will Kleindienst as regular members;
and Ana Marie Escalante, as an alternate member.
M/S/C (Conrad/Donenfeld, 6-0, 1 absent/Munger) To appoint Patrick McGrew and
William Kleindienst; as Members of the Architectural Advisory Committee and Ana
Marie Escalante, as an Alternate Member.
4B. Case SP 09-002 - A request by Best Signs, Inc. to implement a new sign
program for the Rimrock Plaza shopping center located the southeast
corner of East Palm Canyon Drive and Matthew Drive, Zone W-C-D-N,
Section 30. (Project Planner: David A. Newell, Associate Planner)
David A. Newell, Associate Planner, provided background information as outlined in the
staff report dated September 9, 2009.
Staff agreed to modify condition PSP 1 to include "drip irrigation installed within 5 feet of
the monument sign".
-Jim Cross, Best Signs, (responding to questions from the Commission) was in
agreement with moving the sprinklers further away from the monument sign. Mr. Cross
expressed frustration on the time they have spent on the original design, as well as the
M/S/C (Scott/Caffery, 2-4, Conrad/Chair Cohen/Donenfeld/ Hudson, 1 absent/Munger)
To approve with the exception of the main monument sign, subject to Conditions of
Approval. MOTION FAILED.
-To return the main monument sign to the Arch itecturalAdvisory Committee with
direction to:
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Planning Commission Minutes of
September 9, 2009
a. Incorporate elements of the original shopping center in the design of the
main monument sign.
M/S/C (Conrad/Caffery, 5-1, Donenfeld,
program with the exception of the main
Approval, with direction to staff:
1 absent/Munger) To approve the sign
monument sign, subject to Conditions of
-To simplify the design of the main monument sign based on Commissioners'
comments.
-To create an ad hoc subcommittee consisting of: Doug Hudson and Jon Caffery to
provide final review on the main monument sign and approval by the Planning Director.
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
5A. 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/Caffery, 6-0, 1 absent/Munger) To continue the hearing to a date to be
determined.
5B. Case 6.1226 CUP 16.513 VAR - A request by Royal Street Communications
for a Conditional Use Permit to install a new fifty-five foot tall commercial
communication antenna and a Variance to .exceed the maximum height
permitted from fifteen feet to fifty-five feet located at 2101 Sahara Road,
Zone P, Section 1. (Project Planner: David A. Newell, Associate Planner)
David Newell, Associate Planner, provided background information as outlined in the
staff report dated September 9, 2009.
Chair Cohen opened the public hearing:
-Veronica Arvizu, representing Royal Street Communications, provided details on
-Bill Ferra, Palm Springs, noted his preference to have a view of a lot with palm fronds
instead of a two-story commercial building and spoke in support of the project.
-David Hacker, Hacker Engineering, spoke of parking lot expansion for the Kingdom
Hall and is looking forward to landscaping improvements to this site.
There being no further comments the public hearing was closed.
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Planning Commission Minutes of
September 9, 2009
The Commission discussed maintenance of the palm fronds (monopalms), co -
locations for additional antennas and slim line poles versus monopalms.
Commissioners Hudson and Caffery noted their preference for slim -line monopoles.
M/S/C (Scott/Donenfeld, 4-2, Caffery/ Hudson, 1 absent/Munger) To recommend
approval to the City Council, subject to Conditions of Approval, as amended:
-Install desert landscape including three live palms trees adjacent to the monopalm.
-Revise condition PLN 13 to include, ". . . the applicant shall provide a
monopalm structure capable of allowing co -location for another wireless communication
provider."
5C. Case 5.1227 CUP 16.517 VAR - A request by Royal Street Communications
for a Conditional Use Permit to install a fifty-five foot tali commercial
communication antenna and a Variance to exceed the maximum antenna
height permitted from fifteen feet to fifty-five feet located at 4733 East Palm
Canyon Drive, Zone W-C-D-N, Section 30. (Project Planner: David A. Newell,
Associate Planner)
David Newell, Associate Planner, provided background information as outlined in the
staff report dated September 9, 2009.
The public hearing was opened:
-Veronica Arizu, representing Royal Street Communications, responded to questions
from the Commission and provided details on the height and location of the monopalm.
There being no further appearances the public hearing was closed.
M/S/C (Caffery/Conrad, 6-0, 1 absent/Munger) To recommend approval to the City
Council, subject to Conditions of Approval, as amended:
-The maximum height of the slim -line monopole antenna structure shall be forty-five
-The slim -line monopole shall be light -to -medium brown in color.
-The slim -line monopole shall be structurally engineered to allow one additional co -
locator.
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Planning Commission Minutes of
September 9, 2009
PLANNING COMMISSION COMMENTS:
Commissioner Caffery welcomed Doug Hudson and Leslie Munger to the Planning
Commission.
PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
Director Ewing reported that that the City Council will be meeting next week and
provided an update on the upcoming Planning items.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further comments the Planning Commission adjourned at 3:46 p.m. to a
regular meeting on Wednesday, September 23, 2009, at 1:30 p.m., City Hall, Council
Chamber, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way.
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