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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-05-11 PC Study Session MinutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS PLANNING COMMISSION STUDY SESSION MINUTES May 11, 2016 City Hall, Large Conference Room 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs, CA 92262 CALL TO ORDER: Chair Klatchko called the meeting to order at 11:05 am. ROLL CALL: Present This Meeting: Commissioner Donenfeld, Commissioner Hirschbein, Commissioner Lowe, Commissioner Middleton, Commissioner Weremiuk, Chair Klatchko Absent This Meeting: Vice -Chair Calerdine Staff Present: Flinn Fagg, Michael Daudt, Edward Robertson, 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 6:00 pm on Thursday, May 5, 2016. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Chair Klatchko opened public comments: ELLEN LOCKHART, spoke about the need to cut greenhouse gas emissions and encouraged the commission to reevaluate the project based on the 2016 conditions. JUDY DEERTRACK, questioned the validity of the tentative map and extensions of time for the Planned Development District, and also asked about the application for the specific plan standards. JANE GARRISON, voiced concerns about impacts to scenic views, the water shortage, intrusion into the Bighorn Sheep habitat, and flood control issues. Planning Commission Study Session Minutes City of Palm Springs May 11, 2016 KATHLEEN ADAMS, spoke regarding the grading of the Skye development, and that the story poles installed on the site misrepresented the proposed height. TIM ERKINS, spoke regarding the proposed project at 777 S. Palm Canyon, noting issues with grading, boulders on the site and the absence of public benefits. AL JACKSON, commented on the impacts of the Eagle Canyon development and how it will damage the quality of life in Palm Springs. ANDY GIBBS, spoke regarding the approval process for extensions of the planned development district for Eagle Canyon, and requested that the Planning Commission deny the extension and stop the project. MARK MCCLURE, suggested that the City should purchase the land, as the proposed development will take away from the image of Palm Springs as a tourist destination. MARTIN CREW, commented that the proposed development will damage the quality of life of Palm Springs. JANET CASS, spoke regarding the Lykken Trail, and the associated issues of parking and traffic. TONYA PETROVNA, voiced concerns about the preservation of open space. DISCUSSION ITEMS: 1. REQUEST BY EAGLE CANYON DEVELOPMENT FOR A PRE -APPLICATION MEETING TO REVIEW AN AMENDMENT TO AN APPROVED PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT AND SUBDIVISION OF 64 OUT OF 117 ACRES INTO 160 SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL LOTS ON A VACANT PROPERTY LOCATED AT THE WEST SIDE OF SOUTH PALM CANYON DRIVE AT BOGERT TRAIL, ZONE PDD 317, SECTION 34 (CASE NO. 5.1379-PD 3801TTM 36870). (ER) Principal Planner Robertson provided the following items to the Commission: 1. Copy of the Canyon Park Specific Plan and associated Environmental Impact Report. 2. The Addendum to the Canyon Park Specific Plan Environmental Impact Report (SCH #91012026). 3. PDD 317 Standards. 4. Tentative Tract Map 30047. Planning Commission Study Session Minutes City of Palm Springs May 11, 2016 5. Approval documents (plans, minutes and staff reports) from the 2006 approval. 6. PC minutes from the last four (4) time extensions. Principal Planner Robertson presented the proposed revisions to the approved planned development. Commissioner Weremiuk stated that the Planning Commission did not have enough information on the proposal and cannot move forward with the request. SAM FAHEED, representing the property owner, gave a presentation regarding the proposed changes to the plan. Commissioner Hirschbein questioned how much open space is being provided above and beyond what is required or limited by the specific plan. He also requested additional information on the trail easement for the South Lykken Trail. Mr. Hirschbein asked if the line on the map demarcates the limit of development, and how much of the site will remain undisturbed. Mr. Hirschbein asked if the property was within the boundaries of the any environmentally -sensitive area, and also asked for clarification in which City documents should be used to evaluate the project. He expressed concern that the development would have a visual impact on the adjacent trail. Chair Klatchko asked if any of the area proposed for conservation was actually eligible for development. He also asked if the property owner would be developing all of the proposed houses or if they will be developed by a production builder or sold individually. Chair Klatchko noted that the project will require intensive study by the Planning Commission, and requested that the commission be given adequate time to review the background documentation. Commissioner Weremiuk asked questions about the adopted EIR, and if the last 10 years of drought would have an impact on the alluvial fan on the site. She questioned if the EIR needs to be updated to address current conditions, and to address the habitat of the Bighorn Sheep. She also asked questions as to the open -space provided on the site, whether a PDD was required, and if the development would be gated. In addition, she asked if the City had received grants for construction of the detention basin, and whether the applicant should be building on an alluvial fan_ Ms. Weremiuk asked if rock crushing operations would be conducted on site, and if that would be addressed by the environmental study. She also questioned if the specific plan meets today's standards. Commissioner Donenfeld commented on the addendum to the EIR, and questioned if the EIR had become "stale" due to the time that had passed since it was approved. Commissioner Middleton asked staff to identify what projects have been built under the Canyon South Specific Plan (if any), and questioned if the unbuildable open -space 3 Planning Commission Study Session Minutes City of Palm Springs May 11. 2016 should be included in the calculation of density. She also expressed concern about the status of the EIR and asked if it has become invalid. Commissioner Lowe noted that the density of the project was a concern, and questioned how development standards may be impacted when considering a hillside project versus a project constructed on flat terrain. He also expressed a concern about drainage through the site and the impacts of storm water management. The Commission requested that a site visit be scheduled, and requested that any additional study sessions be held in the evening so additional residents could attend. 2. REVIEW AND DISCUSSION OF GRADING REQUIREMENTS. (FF) Director Fagg gave a PowerPoint presentation relative to the City's adopted standards for grading, the grading plans for the approved Skye development, conditions of approval related to hillside conditions, and recommendations for improvement to the process. The Commission discussed the review process of the Skye development, and questioned how the process might be improved relative to the review of grading plans for new subdivision projects. They discussed the grading standards in place for the ESA-SP zoning district, and suggested that standards might be appropriate for all hillside areas. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further comments the Planning Commission adjourned at 1:05 pm to their regular meeting at 1:30 pm, Wednesday, May 11, 2016, City Hall, Council Chamber, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way. F Inn Fagg, AICP Director of Planning Services 4