The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2014-04-09 PC Meeting MinutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES April 09, 2014 Council Chamber, City Hall 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs, CA 92262 CALL TO ORDER: Vice -Chair Hudson called the meeting to order at 1:30 pm. ROLL CALL: Commissioner Calerdine, Commissioner Klatchko, Commissioner Lowe, Commissioner Weremiuk and Vice -Chair Hudson EXCUSED: Commissioner Roberts and Chair Donenfeld STAFF PRESENT: Planning Director Wheeler, Associate Planner Newell and Planning Admin. Coordinator Hintz REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA: The agenda was posted for public access at the City Hall exterior bulletin board (west side of Council Chamber) and the Planning Services counter by 6:00 pm on Thursday, April 3, 2014. ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: The agenda was accepted, as presented. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Vice -Chair Hudson opened the public comments portion of the meeting TORY CHRISTENSEN, representing the applicant, (Martec Investments, Item 3A), introduced himself and was available for questions from the Commission. RON SIEGAL, representing El Mirador neighborhood, Item 2A, spoke in opposition to the proposed apartment that could be used as a vacation rental. BARRY NICHOLAS, local realtor, representing the applicant, Item 2A, spoke about the owner's plans to renovate the property which will result in an increase in property value. Planning Commission Minutes 12 April 9, 2014 JANELL HERMAN, spoke in reference to Item 2A, (read a letter from Cynthia Schomberg) in opposition to commercializing residential property that will be used for short term rentals. There being no further appearances public comments was closed. 1. CONSENT CALENDAR: Commission Calerdine requested Item 1 B pulled from the Consent Calender for separate discussion. 1A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: MARCH 26, 2014 ACTION: Approve the Planning Commission Minutes of March 26, 2013. Motion: Commissioner Weremiuk, seconded by Commissioner Lowe and unanimously carried 5-0-2 on a roll call vote. AYES: Commissioner Calerdine, Commissioner Klatchko, Commissioner Lowe, Commissioner Weremiuk and Vice -Chair Hudson ABSENT: Commissioner Roberts and Chair Donenfeld 1B. SCHECHTMAN CONSTRUCTION FOR ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW OF A PROPOSED INDOOR ROCK CLIMBING GYMNASIUM APPROXIMATELY 6,190- SQUARE FEET IN SIZE ON A VACANT 20,038-SQUARE FOOT LOT LOCATED AT 19160 MCLANE STREET, ZONE M-2 (CASE 3.3711 MAJ). (DN). STEVE SCHECHTMAN, applicant, addressed the colors of the building. ACTION: Approve, subject to conditions. Motion: Commissioner Klatchko, seconded by Commissioner Lowe and unanimously carried 5-0-2 on a roll call vote. AYES: Commissioner Calerdine, Commissioner Klatchko, Commissioner Lowe, Commissioner Weremiuk and Vice -Chair Hudson ABSENT: Commissioner Roberts and Chair Donenfeld 2. PUBLIC HEARINGS: Planning Commission Minutes 13 April 9, 2014 2A. AMERICAN COASTAL PROPERTIES, LLC, FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO CONSTRUCT A 370-SQUARE FOOT ACCESSORY APARTMENT WITH KITCHEN FACILITIES LOCATED AT 941 EAST CHIA ROAD (CASE NO. 5.1329 CUP). (GM) Director Wheeler presented the proposed project as outlined in the staff report. Commissioner Weremiuk commented that she would like to see a 30 day rental limitation on the entire property. Vice -Chair Hudson opened the public hearing: BARRY NICHOLAS, representing the owner, clarified the owner's intent is to build for himself and not commercial use. There being no further appearances the public hearing was closed Commissioner Weremiuk commented that the architecture looks very boxy. She would like to send back to allow the applicant to make changes to the architecture to be more in keeping with the neighborhood. She wants staff to provide feedback from the City Attorney to see if a 30 day limit is allowed on the entire property Commissioner Klatchko expressed concern with the lack of enforcement available for violation of renting out the casita on short term rentals. Commissioner Klatchko concurred with the request to approach the City Attorney to inquire about limiting the rental period for entire property and consider the issues of enforcement. He encouraged staff to speak to the applicant during the interim to see if they are in favor of a limitation on the entire property or the alternative could be subject to the normal restrictions without a kitchen. ACTION: Table. Motion: Commissioner Weremiuk, seconded by Commissioner Klatchko and unanimously carried 5-0-2 on a roll call vote. AYES: Commissioner Calerdine, Commissioner Klatchko, Commissioner Lowe, Commissioner Weremiuk and Vice -Chair Hudson ABSENT: Commissioner Roberts and Chair Donenfeld 2B. THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS TO AMEND THE PALM SPRING ZONING CODE (PSZC) 92.04.01 (D)(16) TO ALLOW RESTAURANTS IN HOTELS HAVING 20 Planning Commission Minutes 14 April 9, 2014 ROOMS OR MORE IN THE R-3 ZONE WITH A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (CASE 5.1334 ZTA). (MW) Director Wheeler presented the proposed zone text amendment as outlined in the staff report. Vice -Chair Hudson opened public comments and with no appearances coming forward public comments was closed. ACTION: To recommend approval to the City Council. Motion: Commissioner Lowe, seconded by Commissioner Weremiuk and unanimously carried 5-0-2 on a roll call vote. AYES: Commissioner Calerdine, Commissioner Klatchko, Commissioner Lowe, Commissioner Weremiuk and Vice -Chair Hudson ABSENT: Commissioner Roberts and Chair Donenfeld 3. NEW BUSINESS: 3A. MARTEC INVESTMENTS, L.P., REQUESTING A ONE-YEAR TIME EXTENSION FOR A PREVIOUSLY APPROVED 184-UNIT CONDOMINIUM PROJECT LOCATED AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF EAST PALM CANYON DRIVE AND MATTHEW DRIVE, (CASE 5.11351 PD 334) (GM) Director Wheeler presented the proposed project as outlined in the staff report. The applicant confirmed that they are the new owners of the property and would like to have the opportunity to continue to develop the property. Commissioner Weremiuk noted that this project has been delayed for a long time and would like to see it move forward. ACTION: Approve with conditions. Motion: Commissioner Weremiuk, seconded by Commissioner Calerdine and unanimously carried 5-0-2 on a roll call vote. AYES: Commissioner Calerdine, Commissioner Klatchko, Commissioner Lowe, Commissioner Weremiuk and Vice -Chair Hudson ABSENT: Commissioner Roberts and Chair Donenfeld Planning Commission Minutes 15 April 9, 2014 3B. FAMILY DEVELOPMENT, LLC, FOR CONSTRUCTION OF AN ACCESSORY STRUCTURE OF APPROXIMATELY 203 SQUARE FEET WITHIN THE DOG PARK AREA OF SOL DEVELOPMENT AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF NORTH AVENIDA CABALLEROS AND AMADO ROAD (CASE 5.1296 MAA PDD 363). (KL) Associate Planner Newell provided an overview of the proposed project. ACTION: Approve with conditions as amended: • Add Planning Condition #12. Window mullions match that of the previously approved residential units in the SOL PS development. Motion: Commissioner Calerdine, seconded by Commissioner Lowe and unanimously carried 5-0-2 on a roll call vote. AYES: Commissioner Calerdine, Commissioner Klatchko, Commissioner Lowe, Commissioner Weremiuk and Vice -Chair Hudson ABSENT: Commissioner Roberts and Chair Donenfeld 3C. PINNACLE VIEW LLC, FOR ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW OF THE LANDSCAPE PLAN AND RELATED FEATURES FOR THE COMMON AREAS OF THE DESERT PALISADES SPECIFIC PLAN, A DEVELOPMENT OF 110 HOMESITES ON 117 ACRES IN PLANNING AREA 4 OF THE ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREA - SPECIFIC PLAN (ESA-SP) ZONE (CASE 5.1154 SP / TTM 36640). (KL) Associate Planner Newell presented the proposed landscape plan and related features for the common areas of the Desert Palisades Specific Plan. ROB PARKER, RGA Architects, described the grading and landscape plan. He stated that their primary intent is to keep the site as natural as possible and provided details on the integration of hiking and pedestrian trails in the Chino Cone Alluvial Fan area. Commissioner Weremiuk requested clarification relating to the irrigation and decorative plants. Rob Parker addressed her concerns noting that smart controllers and drought tolerant plants would be used. Commissioner Klatchko questioned if there are bikeways and equestrian trails open for use. Mr. Parker addressed his questions. Vice -Chair Hudson commented that although he has the utmost respect for RGA and the work they've done he has voted in opposition of this project in the past and would be voting against the project. Planning Commission Minutes 16 April 9, 2014 ACTION: Approve subject to conditions. Motion: Commissioner Calerdine, seconded by Commissioner Lowe and carried 3-1-2 on a roll call vote. AYES: Commissioner Calerdine, Commissioner Klatchko, Commissioner Lowe NOES: Vice -Chair Hudson ABSENT: Commissioner Roberts and Chair Donenfeld ABSTAIN: Commissioner Weremiuk PLANNING COMMISSION REPORTS, REQUESTS AND COMMENTS: Commissioner Weremiuk requested a better map to show the directions to the sites instead of the vicinity map. PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT: ADJOURNMENT: The Planning Commission adjourned at 2:33 pm to Wednesday, April 23, 2014, at 1:30 pm, City Hall, Council Chamber, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way. Director of Planning Services