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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-11-13 PC Meeting MinutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Council Chamber, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262 Minutes of November 13, 2013 CALL TO ORDER: Chair Donenfeld called the meeting to order at 1:30 pm. ROLL CALL: Committee Members Present: Commissioner Calerdine, Commissioner Klatchko, Commissioner Lowe, Commissioner Roberts, Commissioner Weremiuk, Vice -Chair Hudson and Chair Donenfeld Committee Members Absent: Also Present: Director of Planning Services Wheeler, Planner Robertson, Planning Administrative Coordinator DeGarmo REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA: Agenda available for public access at the City Hall exterior bulletin board (west side of Council Chamber) and the Planning Services counter by 4:00 pm on Thursday, November 7, 2013. ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: ACTION: The agenda was unanimously accepted as presented. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. 1. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: OCTOBER 9, 2013 AND OCTOBER 23, 2013 STUDY SESSION MINUTES ACTION: Approve, as presented. Motion Commissioner Weremiuk, seconded by Vice -Chair Hudson and unanimously carried 7-0. 2. PUBLIC HEARINGS: A 5 minute ease was given for the Board members to review new documentation received for Item 2A. Distributed: 1) Revised Addendum to CEQA document 2) Revised Resolution 3) Center Court Club HOA PowerPoint presentation 4) Letter from Steve Harris, Center Court Club resident Planning Commission Minutes November 13, 2013 2A. PRAETOR INVESTMENT LLC, FOR AN AMENDMENT TO A PREVIOUSLY APPROVED PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT 333 AND TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP 35236 FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A 200-ROOM HOTE, 50 RESIDENTIAL UNITS AND A PARKING STRUCTURE LOCATED AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF AVENIDA CABALLEROS AND AMADO ROAD, ZONE PD 333, SECTION 14. (CASE NO. 5.1132-PD 333AMND). Applicant Laurie Kibby summarized the changes made in a discussion with the neighbors of the project. David Powell, Palm Springs, requested that the applicant lessen the impacts of construction and operation. He is still awaiting comments from Staff. Aamer Mumtaz, Palm Springs, HOA President for Center Court Club, discussed massing options. He also commented on his frustration at not being involved in the project early on. Steve Harris, Palm Springs, commented that a project of this magnitude that is adjacent to a residential neighborhood is astonishing. He also commented on the effect the project would have on the neighborhood's views. He is a resident of Center Court Club which is adjacent to the project. Richard Clifford, Palm Springs, has been a visitor to Palm Springs since 1938, and a resident since 2002. He supports the project design and feels that it will help to bring more business to the Convention Center and Palm Springs. Jeff Pickles, Palm Springs, has lived here for 10 years and commented that the project will tie in downtown Palm Springs to the Convention Center. He thinks that it is a great project. Kristin Bloomer, Palm Springs, commented that the project brings more hotel rooms next to the Convention Center which will bring more business to Palm Springs. She stated that it is a great project. Robert Moon, Vista Las Palmas, commented that he is impressed with the project. He stated that the revised plan is half of the height allowed, has underground parking, condos and hotel. He also stated that it is a real mixed -use project, an advantage to the vast majority of citizens. The location of the project is appropriate, near the Convention Center. Bob Helbling, Palm Springs, commented that the hotel has been planned for 8 years on this site and should be no surprise to anybody. He stated that he is surprised and pleased that the developer is still behind the project with financing available even with the recession that has delayed the project. He is ready for the project to begin. 2 Planning Commission Minutes November 13, 2013 Jim Boehner, Palm Springs, a resident of the Deauville which is just West of the project, supports the change in the project. He stated that it sends the message that Palm Springs is moving forward. Approval of this project sends the message to other developers that Palm Springs is ready to work with developers. Joy Brown Meredith, Palm Springs, is a business owner in downtown Palm Springs. She commented that she supports the project and stated that lots of changes and concessions have been made. She also stated that the project is architecturally unusual and is glad that the developer is still interested in Palm Springs. Michael Steward, Palm Springs, Vice President of the Palomino homeowners' association. He had information since 2007 regarding the project and he believes it will be an asset to his condominium project and Center Court Club also. It is a much better project that originally presented and much better than other options. Roman Whittaker, Palm Desert, attorney and former President of the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce, commented that his wife owned a couple of businesses downtown until 2003. He stated that Palm Springs missed the boat on increasing growth and vitality of its marketplace in the past and that Palm Springs should take advantage of this opportunity. Ms. Kibby thanked all for their comments. She stated that going forward she intends to be a good neighbor. She commented that within the scope of the approved project they have complied or reduced the impact. Commissioner Calerdine stated that the change in the curve is impressive, a positive change. He is still uncomfortable with the condos on Avenida Caballeros and Amado. He questioned the location of the parking structure. Ms. Kibby explained that the parking structure is at grade and not elevated at all and that the building is 90 feet back from neighboring property line. J.R. Raymond, Director of Community and Economic Development for the City of Palm Springs spoke on replacing the existing parking lot for the Convention Center. He stated that the City owns 9.6 acres on the other side of Avenida Caballeros and that it is part of an Indian lease which incorporates the Convention Center and the Renaissance Hotel. In September 2007 the City purchased the sublease from a private developer who had proposed a 10 story project, which was never built. This area can be used for a parking lot for the Convention Center. Commissioner Klatchko asked a question regarding the sale and lease of the parking area. The developer is to put aside funds to be used for additional Convention Center parking as a part of the approved project. 3 Planning Commission Minutes November 13, 2013 Director Raymond confirmed that it is the intent of the City to use those funds to create parking for the Convention Center. Commissioner Weremiuk asked how the shadow study changed due to the changes in the project. Ms. Kibby explained that there is very little impact except in the dead of winter. After 3:00 PM there is more shadow, but only for a short while as the sun soon goes behind the mountains and everything is dark. Commissioner Roberts stated that the shadow study looks better, and appreciates the changes. He asked Ms. Kibby if she has reviewed the documents handed out in today's meeting. Ms. Kibby stated that she reviewed comments of the homeowners' association but removing rooms from the hotel building and moving them is cost prohibitive. She stated that the changes made to the project have helped the impact on the courtyard at Center Court Club condominiums. Commissioner Roberts questioned lessening the back of house sounds from air conditioning and kitchen venting. Mark Philps, co -applicant, commented that the main dock has been moved to the corner providing less impact. Many of the operations have been moved underground and that all vehicular traffic is off grade. The entrance on Caballeros is for emergencies only and will have a gate. The air conditioning cooling towers and boilers are stacked on the second floor roof and have sound -deafening walls around them. The kitchen venting is also released through the roof and away from the neighbors. Commissioner Klatchko asked staff if they were satisfied that the new "S" configuration is consistent with the submitted plan and that no further study is needed. Planner Robertson confirmed that everything is in order and is satisfied that no further study is needed on this project. Commissioner Klatchko is sympathetic to those at Center Court Club that indicated that they have been surprised but for 7 years there has been an approved project. They need to be thankful that they did not build the previously approved project. ACTION: Approve the amendment to the PDD and parcel map and the amended addendum. Motion Commissioner Calerdine, seconded by Commissioner Weremiuk and unanimously carried on a roll call vote. Also, a comment was made to continue to work on the northerly condos. M Planning Commission Minutes November 13, 2013 5-minute recess allowed to clear the Council Chamber of those leaving after the vote on Item 2A. 2B. APPLICATION BY THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS FOR A ZONE TEXT AMENDMENT FOR LAND USE PERMIT NOTIFICATION AND CONCURRENT CASE PROCESSING. (CASE 5.1312 ZTA) Margo Wheeler, AICP, Director of Planning Services, addressed questions from Commissioner Calerdine regarding discretionary versus non -discretionary projects and the separation of projects and Commissioner Klatchko regarding the timing of notices regarding a project are sent out and the limit as to when comments can be made by the public. Chair Donenfeld opened the floor to public comment. As there was none, he closed public comment and moved on to the motion. ACTION: Approves the Zone Text Amendment (CASE 5.1312 ZTA) as presented. Motion Commissioner Roberts, seconded by Commissioner Weremiuk and unanimously carried on a roll call vote. 3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: NONE 4. NEW BUSINESS: 4A. MICHAEL KING, OWNER FOR A MAJOR ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW OF A NEW 4,537-SQUARE FOOT CUSTOM HOUSE ON A HILLSIDE LOT TO INLCUDE AN ADMINISTRATIVE MINOR MODIFICATION REQUESTING AN INCREASE IN BUILDING HEIGHT AT 2355 MILO DRIVE. (CASE NO. 3.2938 MAJ, & 7.1402 AMM) Planner Robertson described the project processing and recommended the approval of the project. Commissioner Roberts had questions regarding a noticing concern to the residence behind the project. Planner Robertson confirmed that notice had been given and that there was no response from the neighbor. Commissioner Calerdine had questions regarding the sewer connection to the City line Engineering Assistant for the City of Palm Springs Felipe Primera responded that there is a cost prohibitive cap on the installation of a sewer line and that the previous home discussed at a prior meeting may have met that cap. 5 Planning Commission Minutes November 13, 2013 Applicant Michael King discussed his project. He stated that all neighbors have been sent notices and that he has one estimate for the sewer but is waiting to get another estimate. ACTION: Approve the project as presented. MOTION Commissioner Roberts and seconded by Commissioner Lowe and carried 7-0 on a roll call vote. A neighboring property owner asked about whether or not a sewer will be installed as no sewer line is on the plan. Engineering Assistant Primera explained that either a sewer or septic tank must be installed as part of the conditions of approval. One or the other will be installed depending on the cost of the sewer line. ACTION: Re -instating the motion as above. MOTION Commissioner Calerdine and seconded by Commissioner Lower and carried 7-0 on a roll call vote. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORTS, REQUESTS AND COMMENTS: Commissioner Klatchko questioned whether or not the notice the gentleman had was an error in the language of the letter. Director Wheeler confirmed that it was an error and will be corrected for any future mailings. PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT: There will be no meeting on November 27, 2013 and that the next workshop will not be until next year. ADJOURNMENT: At 3:25 PM the Planning Commission adjourned to 1:30 pm, Wednesday, December 11, 2013, City Hall, Council Chamber, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way. M. argo Wheeler, AICP Director of Planning Services L"