Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-03-12 PC Meeting MinutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES March 12, 2014 Council Chamber, City Hall 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs, CA 92262 CALL TO ORDER: Chair Donenfeld called the meeting to order at 1:34 pm. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Commissioner Calerdine, Commissioner Klatchko, Commissioner Roberts, Commissioner Weremiuk and Chair Donenfeld EXCUSED: Vice -Chair Hudson ABSENT: Commissioner Lowe STAFF PRESENT: Planning Director Wheeler, Associate Planner Newell and Planning Admin. 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 4:00 pm on Thursday, March 6, 2014. ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: The agenda was accepted, as presented. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Chair Donenfeld opened public comments: JEROME CARLSON, thanked staff for taking up the issue of beekeeping in the city. EUGENE PRIETO, 2nd Vice Commander, American Legion Post 519, requested consideration be given to honor the 16 young men who lost their lives in World War II by having local streets re -named after them. There being no further appearances public comment was closed. Planning Commission Minutes 2 March 12, 2014 1. CONSENT CALENDAR: ACTION: Approve, Items 1A and 1 B as part of the Consent Calendar. Motion: Commissioner Weremiuk, seconded by Commissioner Calerdine and unanimously carried 5-0-2 on a roll call vote. AYES: Commissioner Calerdine, Commissioner Klatchko, Commissioner Roberts, Commissioner Weremiuk, Chair Donenfeld ABSENT: Vice Chair Hudson, Commissioner Lowe 1A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: FEBRUARY 26, 2014 Approve, as amended. 1B. HANWHA Q CELLS USA FOR ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW OF NEW ENTRY GATE AND LANDSCAPING AT FUTURE SOLAR ENERGY GENERATION STATION LOCATED AT 5400 NORTH INDIAN CANYON DRIVE, ZONE W AND W-M-1-P, SECTION 23 (CASE 5.1252 MAA). (DN) Approve, as submitted. 2. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 2A. SPECTRUM SERVICES (VERIZON WIRELESS) FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO CONSTRUCT A SIXTY FOOT TALL MONOPOLE STRUCTURE (DESIGNED AS A PALM TREE) WITH ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT SHELTER AND A VARIANCE REQUEST TO EXCEED THE MAXIMUM ANTENNA HEIGHT PERMITTED AT A DESERT WATER AGENCY SITE ON SAN JOAQUIN DRIVE, ZONE M-1-P (CASE NOS. 5.1315 CUP & 6.531 VAR). (GM) Associate Planner Newell presented the proposed project and provided an overview of the AAC's recommendations. Commissioner Calerdine requested more information on how the coverage works. Commissioner Roberts expressed concern with not having sufficient data from the carriers and said that he does not feel comfortable with structures 60 and 70 feet in height. He would like staff to bring back additional information from an expert in this field. Planning Commission Minutes 3 March 12, 2014 Commissioner Weremiuk said she not comfortable with the location of the cell tower within a neighborhood. Commissioner Roberts clarified that the Commission is not against cell towers and monopoles but wants to allow them in a responsible manner. Chair Donenfeld opened the public hearing: MIKE HAYES, Spectrum Services, authorized agent for Verizon Wireless, said they have a total of four cell towers surrounding the airport that tie into each other. He explained that the terrain has a lot to do with the height. He said they do their best not to be intrusive and the location is determined where the gaps are in coverage. There being no further appearances the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Klatchko noted that the expert opinion sought is general in nature and not based on these two locations. Commissioner Weremiuk said she prefers to evaluate all four locations at the same time, if possible. She reiterated her concern with the cell tower location within a residential neighborhood and would like to see tree groves in this area as well. She prefers the applicant consider an alternate location. Commissioner Roberts requested a continuance to allow staff to gather more information from a neutral consultant relating to coverage area, smaller monopalms versus larger ones and the latest EMF reports. ACTION: Table. Motion: Commissioner Roberts, seconded by Chair Donenfeld and unanimously carried 5-0-2 on a roll call vote. AYES: Commissioner Calerdine, Commissioner Klatchko, Commissioner Roberts, Commissioner Weremiuk, Chair Donenfeld ABSENT: Vice Chair Hudson, Commissioner Lowe 2B. SPECTRUM SERVICES (VERIZON WIRELESS) FOR CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO CONSTRUCT A SEVENTY FOOT TALL MONOPOLE STRUCTURE (DESIGNED AS A PALM TREE) WITH ASSOCIATED EXISTING EQUIPMENT SHELTER AND A VARIANCE REQUEST TO EXCEED THE MAXIMUM ANTENNA HEIGHT PERMITTED AT THE RIMROCK SHOPPING CENTER AT 4721 EAST PALM CANYON DRIVE, ZONE CDN (CASE NOS. 5.1324 CUP & 6.534 VAR). (GM) Associate Planner Newell presented the proposed project as outlined in the staff report. Planning Commission Minutes 4 March 12, 2014 Chair Donenfeld opened the public hearing MIKE HAYES, Spectrum Services, authorized agent for Verizon Wireless, said that co - locations are their first option and spoke about the need for more height on this site because the mountain abuts the property. There being no further appearances the public hearing was closed. (The Commission applied the same concerns/comments from the preceding cell monopole discussion.) Commissioner Klatchko noted that the expert opinion sought is general in nature and not based on these two locations. Commissioner Weremiuk said she prefers to evaluate all four locations at the same time, if possible. She reiterated her concern with the cell tower location within a residential neighborhood and would like to see tree groves in this area as well. She prefers the applicant consider an alternate location. Commissioner Roberts requested a continuance to allow staff to gather more information from a neutral consultant relating to coverage area, smaller monopoles versus larger ones and the latest EMF reports. ACTION: Table. Motion: Commissioner Roberts, seconded by Commissioner Weremiuk and unanimously carried 5-0-2 on a roll call vote. AYES: Commissioner Calerdine, Commissioner Klatchko, Commissioner Roberts, Commissioner Weremiuk, Chair Donenfeld ABSENT: Vice -Chair Hudson, Commissioner Lowe PLANNING COMMISSION REPORTS, REQUESTS AND COMMENTS: No comments were made. PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT: No comments were made. Planning Commission Minutes s March 12, 2014 ADJOURNMENT: There being no further comments the Planning Commission adjourned at 2:14 pm to 1:30 pm, Wednesday, March 26, 2014, City Hall, Council Chamber, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way. of Planning Services