HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-09-23 PC MinutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
September 23, 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
This Meeting: to Date:
Absences:
FY 2009/2010
Tracy Conrad
X
3
1
Doug Donenfeld
X
4
0
Doug Hudson
X
2
0
Leslie Munger
X
1
1
Bill Scott
X
4
0
,Jon Caffery, Vice Chair't
X
3
1
Leo Cohen, Chair
X
4
0
"Vice Chair Caffery arrived at 1:40 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 17, 2009. .
ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA:
The agenda was accepted, as presented.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Chair Cohen opened public comments:
The following persons spoke in favor of Item 2B (Well in the Desert):
-Thomas Van Etten, expressed support for this Commercial zoned location and for the
services offered by Well in the Desert.
Planning Commission Minutes of
September 23, 2009
Public Comments (cont'd):
The following persons spoke in favor of Item 2B (Well in the Desert):
-Andy Linsky, Palm Springs, commented on the increasing number of low income and
homeless people due to the disastrous economy and on their need for Well of the
Desert.
-Melinda Tremaalio, vice president, Well in the Desert, expressed concern with
interruption of services for the needy.
-Stuart Lynn, stated that the clientele consists of homeless, working poor, children and
seniors who are struggling very hard to make it work in today's society and urged the
Commission for more time to work on these issues with the neighborhood.
-Pastor David Pelletier, stated that as a community the needs of the poor in the city
should be taken cars of.
-Le McClellan, client services director, Well in the Desert, clarified that the county facility
at the 1-10 is not open and the Well in the Desert's primary objective is to provide food
and social service assistance.
-Veronica Rubinsky, spoke about events and activities she has attended sponsored by
Well in the Desert and feeling completely safe with homeless people.
-Bob Hunt, vice president, Well in the Desert, noted that the current location is closer to
residential than the proposed one and clarified that the site at the 1-10 will only feed
homeless people and not the working poor.
-Andrew Green, stated that the use of the facility consists of social services and feeding
the poor; and noted that there is nothing harmful about this facility.
-Maureen Ferriter, spoke about an existing homeless shelter, Nightingale Manor; noting
that they can work in neighborhoods especially those providing social services to the
community.
-Gayle Hodges, spoke about the extreme financial and emotional hardships she and her
family have been through and expressed support for Well in the Desert.
-Vic Gainer, Palm Springs, former board member, Well in the Desert, stated that more
working poor have lost their homes and are not necessarily homeless and Well in the
Desert is a resource and an alternative to downtown.
-Dr. McKinney, founder, Well in the Desert, stated that 9 different sites were taken to the
City before they were approved for the current location and spoke about the irrational
hated towards homeless people.
The following persons spoke in opposition to Item 2B (Well in the Desert):
-Ellen Kelley, owner of adjacent commercial property, expressed concern with the
common driveway they share with the subject property and the impact to the
established businesses and neighborhood.
-Shirley Hoffman, expressed opposition to the location and not the services provided by
Well in the Desert.
-Mark Sykora, spoke in opposition to the location and expressed concern with the
economic impact to his home.
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Planning Commission Minutes of
September 23, 2009
Public Comments (cont'd):
The following persons spoke in opposition to Item 2B (Well in the Desert):
-Vincent Williams, chair, Sunmor Neighborhood Organization, stated that the board of
directors unanimously voted in opposition of the location on Commercial Road
and pointed out the adverse impact to the neighbors.
-Penny Wiese, addressed the protection of safety and quality of life, lighting
improvement and patrolling of the neighborhood.
-Renee Foster, spoke about a family member who was a homeless person with
substance abuse and mental disorder problems; she emphasized that not all homeless
people are safe.
-Collin Blant, spoke about his experience working with homeless people in Los Angeles
and questioned if there is a better location for this facility.
-Gary Wagner, noted that the economy will improve in the future and this facility will
affect the home sales in the neighborhood.
-Douglas Gilbert, read a statement from John Garrett, stating that many of the existing
businesses such as the storage facility, UPS building and car rental yard attract heavy
traffic to this area.
-Michael Tabor, is not minimizing the services provided by Well in the Desert but thinks
this is the wrong location.
-Phillip Reavis, Palm Springs, expressed concern that this facility will affect property
values.
-Robert Carlson, Palm Springs, expressed concern with lack of noticing to the
neighborhood.
-Antoine Roidan, stated that this is not the right location because there are children and
seniors living in this neighborhood.
-Gary Pepper stated that properly values will go down in their neighborhood and the I-
10 location is a better place to receive social services.
-Peggy Mel, stated that she has lived 35 years in her house and this is not the
appropriate location for this facility.
-Michele Martin, express concern with homeless people walking around in her
neighborhood.
-Roy Hutchins, spoke about several incidents that have occurred at the current location
and the signs of drug addicts in this area.
-Kevin Hunt, Palm Springs, spoke in opposition to the project.
There being no further appearances public comments was closed.
1. CONSENT CALENDAR:
1A. Case 3.2743. - A request by Allen Yadgari of Hotel Moderne Redevelopment
for a one-year time extension for a previously approved renovation of a 29-
unit hotel located at 1910 South Camino Real, Zone R-2, Section 26. (Project
Planner: Glenn Mlaker, Assistant Planner)
Planning Commission Minutes of
September 23, 2009
M/S/C (Bill Scott/Doug Donenfeld, 7-0) To approve, a one-year time extension from
August 8, 2009 to August 7, 2010.
2. OTHER BUSINESS:
2A Case 3.3374 MAJ - A request by Paul Mahoney and Chris Hermann of Aunt
Effie's Gardens to construct a retail garden store with outdoor display located at
2393 North Palm Canyon Drive, Zone C-1, Section 3. (Project Planner: David A.
Newell, Associate Planner)
David A. Newell, Associate Planner, provided background information as outlined in the
staff report.
-Paul Mahoney, applicant, (responded to questions from the Commission) provided
details on the modular building, the vacant site and their plans to beautify the lot as a
temporary use.
M/S/C (Doug Donenfeld/Bill Scott, 7-0) To approve, subject to Conditions of Approval,
as amended:
-The project shall be reviewed by the Planning Commission if any one of the following
things occurs:
a. The use has changed.
b. The property has been abandoned.
c Three (3) years after the approval date.
213. Case 10.470 DET - An application by Well in the Desert requesting that the
Planning Commission determine that an emergency food box distribution,
meal service and social services center for poor and homeless people be
considered similar to uses permitted in the M-1-P Zone, specifically for the
property located at 555 Commercial Road, Section 12. (Project Planner:
David A. Newell, Associate Planner)
David A. Newell, Associate Planner, provided background information as outlined in the
staff report dated September 23, 2009.
-Arlene Rosenthal, president, Well in the Desert, provided background information on
the food distribution on Indian Canyon Way noting that they serve over 2500 people a
month. Ms. Rosenthal agreed that the present site is not the appropriate location and
provided details of their search for a new site. Ms. Rosenthal addressed loitering,
facility rules, traffic, hours of operation and security measures. Ms. Rosenthal
addressed questions from the Commission.
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Planning Commission Minutes of
September 23, 2009
Vice Chair Caffery expressed concern with traffic safety issues in this neighborhood.
MIS/C (Vice Chair Caffery/Leslie Munger, 6-1/Bill Scott) To deny without prejudice.
Director Ewing reported that this decision may be appealed to the City Council within 10
days of this action.
3. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None.
4. PLANNING COMMISSION COMMENTS:
Commissioner Scott requested information on how staff communicates with the ONI on
issues that may have an effect on their neighborhood. Director Ewing replied that
routine administrative procedures are in place to notify the ONI and a separate and
specific outreach was conducted for the Sunmor neighborhood.
Commissioner Conrad requested staff look into the flood light on the top of the Sun
Center building. Mr. Robertson responded that no permit is on file and it has been
forwarded to Code Enforcement.
Chair Cohen requested staff look into a traffic safety issue (trees covering the stop
sign) at Via Norte and Vista Chino. Chair Cohen requested a study session discussion
on the sign ordinance.
4A. Annual Schedule for Planning Commission Representation to the Architectural
Advisory Committee Meetings - The Commission signed up for representation to
the AAC meetings for the upcoming fiscal year.
PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
Director Ewing reported that the City Council will meet next week and provided an
update on planning items scheduled for that meeting.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further comments the Planning Commission adjourned at 4:27 p.m. to a
Study Session on Wednesday, October 7, 2009, at 2:00 p.m., City Hall, Large
Conference Room, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way.
of Planp6nd Services
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