HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-03-14 PC Study Session MinutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS
PLANNING COMMISSION STUDY SESSION MINUTES
March 14, 2016
Council Chamber, City Hall
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, CA 92262
CALL TO ORDER:
Chair Klatchko called the meeting to order at 4:02 pm.
ROLL CALL:
Present This Meeting: Commissioner Donenfeld, Commissioner Lowe,
Commissioner Middleton, Commissioner Weremiuk, Vice -Chair
Calerdine, Chair Klatchko
Absent This Meeting: Commissioner Hirschbein
Staff Present: Flinn Fagg, Michael Daudt, David Newell
REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA:
The agenda was posted at the City Hall exterior bulletin board (west side of Council
Chamber) and the Planning Services counter by 4:00 pm on Thursday, March 10, 2016.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Chair Klatchko opened public comments:
KEN MAU, chairman, Gene Autry Neighborhood Organization, stated they do not want an
entrance into their neighborhood because there are many existing traffic problems and
prefer other alternatives be considered.
JERRY COLLAMER, resides adjacent to the 18th fairway of the former golf course. He
urged that the General Plan not be amended.
RENEE SAUNDERS, resides on Verona Road, urged that the General Plan not be
amended because it will take away the recreational space.
BOB SAUNDERS, resides on Verona Road, requested that the General Plan not be
amended because it will open the floodgates to other developers.
ALAN BOWLEY, Gene Autry Neighborhood Organization, secretary, commented that
traffic is an issue and the proposed development will reduce the value of the homes.
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Planning Commission Study Session Minutes
March 14, 2016
DIANA BRACE, Four Seasons, board member, said the residents support the project and
recommend approval; noting that the proposed development will increase home values,
reduce blowing sand and eliminate nuisances associated with the defunct golf course.
JIM RUSH, Four Seasons, manager, spoke about the San Raphael extension into the
project; and noted the private road should be taken by the city for public use.
TERI MC COPPIN, PS Country Club resident, spoke in opposition of amending the
General Plan and commented that the open -space should remain and the project is too
dense.
DENISE JANSSEN EAGER, PS Country Club resident, questioned the proposed open -
space and commented that the soil could contain toxic chemicals that need remediation.
ANTHONY BARTON, spoke in opposition of the General Plan amendment and reiterated
that traffic and open -space should be mitigated.
CHARLES DRAPIN, Desert Park Estates Neighborhood Organization, secretary,
requested the Commission consider the neighborhood and commented the traffic lights,
speed bumps and sidewalks could be provided to increase safety.
JIM O'KEEFE, commented that the General Plan should not be updated on a piecemeal
basis and alternatives need to be considered further.
There being no further appearances public comments was closed.
DISCUSSION ITEM:
1. SERENA PARK — PALM SPRINGS COUNTRY CLUB, LLC, FOR A
GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT, PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT IN
LIEU OF ZONE CHANGE, MAJOR ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION AND
TENTATIVE TRACT MAP FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT OF
APPROXIMATELY 125-ACRES OF PREVIOUSLY DISTURBED VACANT
LAND FOR 137 ATTACHED RESIDENCES, 292 DETACHED
RESIDENCES, STREETS, PRIVATE OPEN SPACE AND PUBLIC PARK
LOCATED NORTH OF VERONA ROAD, EAST OF FARRELL DRIVE,
NORTH OF JOYCE DRIVE, EAST OF SUNRISE WAY AND SOUTHWEST
OF THE WHITEWATER RIVER WASH, SECTION 36 1 TOWNSHIP 3 1
RANGE 4, AND SECTION 1 1 TOWNSHIP 4 1 RANGE 4 (CASE NOS.
5.1327 PD-366, ZC, MAJ AND TTM 36691).
ERIC TAYLOR, Somis Investments, provided background history on the site. He said
they've held 22 neighborhood outreach meetings with the community and have worked
with the city to find a way of offsetting the loss of open -space. Mr. Taylor discussed issues
associated with the property such as: dust and blowing sand, blight and nuisance
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Planning Commission Study session Minutes
March 14, 2016
violations. He provided details on the design, open -space, traffic study and construction
phasing plans.
The Planning Commission had the following comments and concerns about the proposed
project:
• The need to create an access at Farrell Drive, Whitewater Club and Racquet Club.
• The CV link could be a potential amenity for the project and neighborhood.
• Clarification if the 47% of open -space includes the wash parcel. The developer
responded yes.
• The need to look at open -space for the developable area only.
• Questioned the Radburn-style concept - this example is in a lush, green
environment.
• Requested standards for this type of change (buffers, lot coverage, etc.) and
recommends a zero lot line or shared use yards for greater open space.
• CouId staff seek cooperation from the land owner to allow access from the project to
Gene Autry Trail?
• There are some positive aspects of the proposed development.
• Clarification on the project phasing and are energy conservation methods being
proposed. The developer responded that energy conservation will be an integral
part including reflective roofing, insulated ducting, etc.
• Clarification on the proposed General Plan amendment and how it relates to the
build -out.
Providing access through the site and opening up the streets.
• Concern about the use of monies for Chino Cone vs. utilizing funds for park space
within the proposed project.
• Concern with the density in certain parts of the project.
Director Fagg discussed the development agreement and the 5-key points remaining for
staff to work through with the applicant. He reviewed items needing consensus for the
developer (gates, buffers, development standards, etc.)
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Planning Commission Study Session Minutes
March 14. 2016
MARK ALLEN, legal representation for the applicant, discussed brief points on the
development agreement.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further comments the Planning Commission adjourned at 6:52 pm to their
regular meeting at 1:30 pm, Wednesday, March 23, 2016, City Hall, Council Chamber,
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way.
Fli n Fagg, AICP
Director of Planning Services