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Home My WebLink About2015-01-28 PC Meeting MinutesCALL TO ORDER: CITY OF PALM SPRINGS PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES January 28, 2015 Council Chamber, City Hall 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs, CA 92262 Chair Hudson called the meeting to order at 1 :31 pm. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: ABSENT: Commissioner Calerdine, Commissioner Lowe, Commissioner Middleton, Commissioner Roberts, Commissioner Weremiuk, Vice- Chair Klatchko and Chair Hudson None STAFF PRESENT: Flinn Fagg, Terri Hintz, Glenn Mlaker and Edward Robertson 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 4:00 pm on Thursday, January 23, 2015. ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: The agenda was unanimously accepted, as presented. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Chair Hudson opened public comments: TRAE DANIEL, resides on Maguerite Street, requested the Commission recommend a street name change for 34th Street to Shorebridge Lane; the neighborhood supports the name change. There being no further appearances public comments was closed. 1. CONSENT CALENDAR: City of Palm Springs Planning Commission Minutes 12 January 28, 2015 1A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: DECEMBER 10,2014 ACTION: Approve, as amended. Motion: Commissioner Calerdine, seconded by Commissioner Middleton and unanimously carried on a roll call vote. AYES: Commissioner Calerdine, Commissioner Lowe, Commissioner Middleton, Commissioner Roberts, Commissioner Weremiuk, Vice-Chair Klatchko, Chair Hudson 2. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 2A. SAGE COURTYARD LP, A VARIANCE REQUEST TO REDUCE THE SIDE YARD SETBACK ON THE STREET SIDE FACING EAST ANDREAS ROAD TO FIVE (5) FEET FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW CARPORTS AT THE SAGE COURTYARD APARTMENT COMPLEX LOCATED AT 2300 EAST TAHQUITZ CANYON WAY, ZONE R-3 (CASE NO. 6.540 VAR ). (GM) Assistant Planner Mlaker presented the proposed project as outlined in the staff report. Technical Questions: Commissioner Roberts questioned if there is any way to allow the carports since the parking spaces are existing. Director Fagg responded that in order to allow carports in the setbacks a change in the code would be required. Commissioner Lowe asked for staff clarification on why the existing parking was allowed but not the carports. Chair Hudson opened public comments: GEORGE MOBAYED, representing Sage Courtyard, L.P., said they recently purchased this apartment building and noted a shortage of covered parking for the tenants especially during the summer months. GABRIELA GRIGGS, Community Manager at Sage Apartments, submitted a petition of residents in support of additional covered parking spaces. City of Palm Springs Planning Commission Minutes 13 January 28, 2015 GRAHAME MAGNESS, resides at Sage Apartments, spoke in support of the addition of carports to the existing parking spaces. JASON PRESS, Sunmore resident, agrees that there is a lack of parking; however, commented about issues of littering and car alarms going off on Andreas Road. GEORGE MOBAYED, addressed public testimony, responded that as new owners they will pass on the issues of concern to the resident manager. There being no further appearances the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Calerdine asked if the height of the carport structure could be reduced. Assistant Planner Mlaker responded that the height could be reduced if requested. Commissioner Roberts said he is struggling with this because the need is clear and the impact is minimal to none. He questioned if findings could be made to allow for the carports because of the existing wall and extreme heat during the summer. Commissioner Middleton noted that covered parking is not a luxury in this city and the carports will be for existing parking spaces. She would like to see a change in the setback requirements for multi-family structures to deal with these situations. Chair Hudson noted this apartment is an older building and parking is insufficient by current standards. He believes the visual impact to the neighbors will be significant and would like to see an increase in landscape and aesthetics (possibly solar panels) to improve the appearance. Commissioner Lowe said he agrees with enhancing the appearance and is in support of covered parking in the city. Vice-Chair Klatchko recapped the Commission's concerns and asked staff if they could come up with the findings consistent to grant a Variance or with an amendment to the code. Director Fagg suggested tabling this matter to allow staff to research similar properties for a potential code change and come back in 60 days. He noted that there is nothing unique about this property to make a finding for a Variance. ACTION: Table to a date uncertain; and direct staff to research similar properties and review for a potential zone text amendment. City of Palm Springs Planning Commission Minutes 14 January 28, 2015 Motion: Commissioner Roberts seconded by Commissioner Weremiuk and unanimously carried on a roll call vote. AYES: Commissioner Calerdine, Commissioner Lowe, Commissioner Middleton, Commissioner Roberts, Commissioner Weremiuk, Vice-Chair Klatchko, Chair Hudson Commissioner Calerdine recommended to the applicant and staff to look into methods of reducing the visual impact of the carport structures through landscaping or reduction in height. 2B. MOJAVE BLUE LP, A VARIANCE REQUEST TO REDUCE THE SIDE YARD SETBACK ON THE STREET SIDE FACING EAST ANDREAS ROAD TO FIVE (5) FEET FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW CARPORTS AT THE MOJAVE BLUE APARTMENT COMPLEX LOCATED AT 2720 EAST TAHQUITZ CANYON WAY, ZONE R-3 (CASE NO. 6.541 VAR). (GM) Assistant Planner Mlaker provided an overview of the proposed project. Chair Hudson opened the public hearing and with no appearances coming the public hearing was closed. ACTION: Table to a date uncertain; and direct staff to research similar properties, reduce the visual impact of the carport structures (through landscaping or reduction in height) and review for a potential zone text amendment. Motion: Vice-Chair Klatchko, seconded by Commissioner Weremiuk and unanimously carried on a roll call vote. A YES: Commissioner Calerdine, Commissioner Lowe, Commissioner Middleton, Commissioner Roberts, Commissioner Weremiuk, Vice-Chair Klatchko, Chair Hudson Commissioner Middleton strongly encouraged the applicant to reach out to Sunmore neighborhood to improve the relationship with them. 3. NEW BUSINESS: 3A. SUMMIT LAND PARTNERS, LLC, REQUEST FOR A ONE-YEAR TIME EXTENSION FOR THE RAINBOW VISION MIXED-USE PROJECT LOCATED AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF EAST PALM CANYON DRIVE AND MATTHEW DRIVE (CASE NO. 5.1135-PDD 334). (ER) City of Palm Springs Planning Commission Minutes Is January 28, 2015 Principal Planner Robertson provided an overview of the proposed one-year time extension. He noted that new ownership has acquired the property within the past 90 days. Commissioner Roberts expressed concern with projects going stale and said it would be helpful to receive elevations from the original approval. Staff provided clarification noting that the original project was approved as preliminary planned development and the final planned development would return to the AAC and Planning Commission for review. Commissioner Weremiuk questioned if the applicant has entitlements to come back and build a larger project. Principal Planner Robertson responded that the project could not be built larger than what was originally approved. RHONDA NEELY, Summit Land Partners, appreciates the Commission's comments and noted that they paid cash for the property and own it. She stated that it is better to have entitlements on the property than none and provided details on the project they are currently working on for submittal. Commissioner Weremiuk stated that she is going to vote against the time extension because it has come to the Commission too many times and the original entitlement is stale. Commissioner Middleton explained that said she sees value in granting this extension to the new owner. ' Chair Hudson said that although he is hesitant to keep approving extensions for these types of projects this is a very important site and believes the new owner is studying the market and will come back with a new project. Commissioner Roberts does not think it is fair to punish the new owner for the others who have not built the project. He requested this project come back to the Commission for review in a study session. The applicant agreed to come back to the Commission for review at a study session. ACTION: Approve a one-year time extension. Motion: Commissioner Roberts, seconded by Commissioner Lowe and carried 6-1-0 on a roll call vote. City of Palm Springs Planning Commission Minutes 16 January 28, 2015 AYES: Commissioner Calerdine, Commissioner Lowe, Commissioner Middleton, Commissioner Roberts, Vice-Chair Klatchko, Chair Hudson NOES: Commissioner Weremiuk Commissioner Calerdine recommended to the applicant that the project integrate better with the existing neighborhood. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORTS, REQUESTS AND COMMENTS: The Commission commented and/or requested clarification on the following items: • Street name change for the 34th Avenue. • Notice requirements for surrounding cities-the City is exceeding responsibility. • Rael project subcommittee update. • Request for staff to look into construction sign at the Rael site. • The City Attorney's instructions given to the AAC members. • PDD -Small Lot subcommittee update. • Request for staff to review the process to allow consideration of buildings by significant architects. PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT: Director Fagg commented on the following items: • A meeting for the PDD I Small Lot Subcommittee would be forthcoming. • Invite to the Urban Visions and Public Space Symposium. • The City Attorney's counsel given to the AAC. • The City-wide historic survey. • Update on the 911 Intervention appeal. ADJOURNMENT: The Planning Commission adjourned at 3:06 pm to Wednesday, February 11, 2015, at 1:30 pm, City Hall, Council Chamber, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way. -\ t ~ \ Sc Flinn Fagg, AICP Director of Planning Services