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Home My WebLink About2013-09-25 PC Meeting MinutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES September 25, 2013 Council Chamber, City Hall 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs, CA 92262 uiiau vonenfeld called the meeting to order at 1:30 pm. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Commissioner Calerdine, Commissioner Klatchko, Commissioner Lowe, Commissioner Roberts, Commissioner Weremiuk, Vice - Chair Hudson and Chair Donenfeld ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: Director Wheeler, Principal Planner Robertson and Administrative Coordinator Hintz 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 5:00 pm on Thursday, September 19, 2013. ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: The agenda was approved, as presented. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Chair Donenfeld opened public comments: DAVID POWELL, spoke in reference to the Dolce Hotel that is going before the City Council on October 2nd. He stated that he is requesting a postponement of the project until further studies can be conducted and questioned proper notification to the neighbors. Planning Commission Minutes 1 2 September 25, 2013 FRANK TYSEN, commented about notification problems with the Dakota project. He requested a proper neighborhood meeting be held and the Architectural Advisory Committee and Planning Commission meeting be rescheduled. There being no further appearances public comments was closed. 1. CONSENT CALENDAR: Commissioner Calerdine requested Item 1C pulled from the Consent Calendar for separate discussion. ACTION: Approve, Items 1A and 1 B as part of the Consent Calendar. Motion Commissioner Weremiuk seconded by Commissioner Calerdine and unanimously carried on a roll call vote. AYES: Commissioner Calerdine, Commissioner Klatchko, Commissioner Lowe, Commissioner Roberts, Commissioner Weremiuk, Vice -Chair Hudson, Chair Donenfeld 1A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: JOINT AND REGULAR MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 11, 2013. Approved with a minor correction to the regular Minutes of September 11, 2013. 1B. CROSSLEY PARTNERS, LLC, REQUEST FOR A ONE-YEAR TIME EXTENSION FOR A PREVIOUSLY APPROVED PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT 343, ON AN APPROXIMATELY 3.8-ACRE SITE LOCATED AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF CROSSLEY ROAD AND EAST SUNNY DUNES, ZONE PD 343, SECTION 20, (CASE 5.1164 PDD 343). (ER) Approved 1C. COACHELLA VALLEY WATER DISTRICT, REQUEST FOR A FINDING OF CONFORMITY WITH THE GENERAL PLAN FOR A CVWD CAPITAL INMPROVEMENT PROJECT WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS (CASE 1250C-GPCR). (ER) Principal Planner Robertson provided an overview on the conformity review as described in the staff report. The Commission concurred on continuing the project to receive a more detailed project description and map. _21Page Planning Commission Minutes 3 September 25, 2013 ACTION: To continue to a date certain of October 9, 2013, and direct staff to provide a more accurate description of the scope of work and a better quality map. Motion Commissioner Weremiuk seconded by Commissioner Roberts and unanimously carried on a roll call vote. AYES: Commissioner Calerdine, Commissioner Klatchko, Commissioner Lowe, Commissioner Roberts, Commissioner Weremiuk, Vice -Chair Hudson, Chair Donenfeld, 2. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 2A. BARISTO GROUP, LLC, FOR A REQUEST TO AMEND THE THIRD AND FINAL PHASE OF A PREVIOUSLY APPROVED PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT (PDD 288) AND A CONDOMINIUM MAP FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE REMAINING 11 NEW HOMES IN THE PARTIALLY BUILT DISTRICT LOCATED AT LUGO ROAD, ZONE PDD 288 (CASE 5.0977 PD 288 / TTM 31887 AMND). (ER) ACTION: To continue to a date certain of October 9, 2013. Motion Commissioner Roberts seconded by Vice Chair Hudson and unanimously carried on a roll call vote. AYES: Commissioner Calerdine, Commissioner Klatchko, Commissioner Lowe Commissioner Roberts, Commissioner Weremiuk, Vice -Chair Hudson, Chair Donenfeld 2B. GERARD & JANET BIEGEL FOR A MAJOR ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION FOR A NINE -UNIT CONDOMINIUM ON A ROUGHLY 35,766 SQUARE -FOOT PARCEL WITH OFF-STREET PARKING AND LANDSCAPING PARCEL AND A GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT BY THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS PROPOSING TO CHANGE THE "O" (OFFICE) LAND USE DESIGNATION TO "MDR" (MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL) FOR ZONING CONSISTENCY LOCATED AT NORTHEAST CORNER OF NORTH CERRITOS DRIVE AND TAHQUITZ CANYON WAY, ZONE R-2 (CASE 3.3625 MAJ / 5.1299 GPA). (KL) Principal Planner Robertson presented the proposed project at outlined in the staff report. Chair Donenfeld opened the public hearing: JIM CIOFFI, project architect, provided an overview of the project regarding the setbacks on Cerritos Road and spoke about the project that was originally designed in conformance with the Zoning Map only to find out that it was not in conformance with the General Plan. 3 1 P a g e Planning Commission Minutes 4 September 25, 2013 TED LUCIANI, lives behind the proposed project, requested a 30-day minimum for rentals and height restriction for plantings not to exceed the current wall height. RALPH HITCHCOCK, utility consultant, provided an overview of the utility field conditions, relevant construction and compliance with the utility underground ordinance. Mr. Hitchcock requested a waiver of the underground utility conversion due to the costs. JIM CIOFFI, responded to questions from the Commission in relation to property gates and the utility undergrounding. There being no further appearances the public hearing was closed. Vice -Chair Hudson commended the applicant on the design and site plan; noting that it's nice to see another type of housing type (condominium units with a shared pool and courtyard) instead of a 2 bedroom house. The Commission commented on their hesitancy to eliminate the condition to waive the undergrounding of utility lines and discussed the different options. Commissioner Roberts complimented the applicant on the design of project. Commissioner Klatchko commented that he is happy to see this particular development on this site and likes where the access is located. However, he is hesitant to eliminate the requirement to underground the utilities and would feel comfortable doing so if approved and signed off by the City Engineer. And if there is an alternate method then it should return to the Planning Commission. ACTION: Recommend approval, subject to Conditions of Approval and recommend approval of the General Plan Amendment by City Council, as amended: Add to Engineering Condition 47: "The condition may be removed by City Engineer, if evidence is submitted with which he concurs to remove." Motion Commissioner Weremiuk seconded by Vice Chair Hudson and unanimously carried on a roll call vote. AYES: Commissioner Calerdine, Commissioner Klatchko, Commissioner Lowe Commissioner Roberts, Commissioner Weremiuk, Vice -Chair Hudson, Chair Donenfeld 3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 3A. TAREEF TALALA, OWNER OF VILLAGE PUB APPEALING THE PLANNING DIRECTOR'S DECISION TO DENY A REQUEST TO EXPAND AN OUTDOOR PATIO 4 1 P a g e Planning Commission Minutes 5 September 25, 2013 ONTO THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY LOCATED AT 266 SOUTH PALM CANYON DRIVE, ZONE CBD, SECTION 15 (CASE 13-053 LUP). (GM) Director Wheeler provided background information on the appeal by Village Pub to expand the existing restaurant patio onto the public right-of-way. Commissioner Roberts commented on Zin's approval of the patio expansion that diminishes the pedestrian traffic flow. He noted that the guidelines for the 10' sidewalks are good ones because this city gets a lot of foot traffic. The applicant brings a good argument but Zin's approval was a mistake. Vice -Chair Hudson commented that Zin's patio expansion was reviewed by the Architectural Advisory Committee and they pointed -out that sidewalk was becoming too impinged by the expansion. Director Wheeler reported that the AAC reviewed the project and recommended approval for the front facade of the building and the outdoor seating in 2011. The 10, sidewalks are simply guidelines and not zoning requirements. Commissioner Lowe spoke in opposition of the patio expansion because foot traffic is impeded on the narrow sidewalk. ACTION: To deny appeal and uphold the Planning Director's decision. Motion Commissioner Weremiuk seconded by Commissioner Calerdine and unanimously carried on a roll call vote. AYES: Commissioner Calerdine, Commissioner Klatchko, Commissioner Lowe Commissioner Roberts, Commissioner Weremiuk, Vice Chair Hudson, Chair Donenfeld 4. NEW BUSINESS: 4A. INITIATE AN AMENDMENT TO THE PALM SPRINGS ZONING CODE REGARDING GUEST HOUSES, LED LIGHTING AND INITIATION OF AMENDMENTS. Director Wheeler presented the request to initiate zone text amendments and change provisions for guest houses and LED lighting. Commissioner Roberts noted that LED lighting is great new technology but can be some of the worst lighting you've ever seen. He requested that anything associated with LED lighting be reviewed by the Planning Commission. 5 1 P a g e Planning Commission Minutes 6 September 25, 2013 Commissioner Weremiuk reiterated the importance of allowing the Planning Director to initiate zone text amendments. ACTION: To authorize the Planning Director to initiate a Zone Text Amendment regarding guest houses, LED lighting and initiation of amendments. Motion Commissioner Klatchko seconded by Commissioner Weremiuk and unanimously carried on a roll call vote. AYES: Commissioner Calerdine, Commissioner Klatchko, Commissioner Roberts, Commissioner Weremiuk, Vice -Chair Hudson, Chair Donenfeld 413. REPORT ON GATED COMMUNITY OPTIONS Director Wheeler provided an overview on the Commission's discussion on gated communities and would bring it back for the Commission's review. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORTS, REQUESTS AND COMMENTS: Commissioner Klatchko spoke about the sidewalk limitation in front of Zin Restaurant and questioned if corrective action can be made at this point. The Commission would like to see this topic explored. Commissioner Weremiuk asked about the status of definitions for recovery homes. Commissioner Roberts commented on the importance of referencing the Downtown Urban Design Guidelines (DUDG). Chair Donenfeld commented on reporting code enforcement issues within the city. PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT: Director Wheeler reminded the Commission on Wednesday, October 2nd, the City Council will be presenting a proclamation for National Planning Month and will recognize the Planning Commission for their hard work. She encouraged the Commissioners to attend. Also, as a part of National Planning Month the Planning Department will be holding an "Open House" on Oct. 30th from 3:00 - 6:00 pm. in the Large Conference Room. 6 1 P a g e Planning Commission Minutes 7 September 25, 2013 A study session will be held on Wednesday, October 23rd, that will consist of a follow- up from the joint meeting with the AAC and an APA webinar training session on Decision Making. There will be no Planning Commission meetings on Wednesday, November 27th and December 25th. If the Commission is interested in holding a joint meeting with the HSPB, a tentative date is November 13th. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further comments the Planning Commission adjourned at 3:02 pm Wednesday, October 9, 2013, at 1:30 pm, City Hall, Council Chamber, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way. M.-Margo Wheeler, AICP Director of Planning Services 7 1 P a g e