HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-03-22 PC Study Session MinutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS
PLANNING COMMISSION STUDY SESSION MINUTES
MARCH 22, 2017
Large Conference Room, City Hall
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, CA 92262
CALL TO ORDER:
Vice -Chair Weremiuk called the meeting to order at 11:35 am.
ROLL CALL:
Present This Meeting:
Excused This Meeting:
Staff Present:
Commissioner DonenfeId, Commissioner Hirschbein,
Commissioner Lowe, Commissioner Middleton, Vice -Chair
Weremiuk
Commissioner Hudson, Chair Calerdine
Planning Director Fagg, Deputy City Attorney Daudt,
Associate Planner Newell
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,
March 16, 2017.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.
1. DISCUSSION OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE APPROVED LANDSCAPE AND
HARDSCAPE PLANS FOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS WITHIN THE
DOWNTOWN PALM SPRINGS SPECIFIC PLAN LOCATED GENERALLY AT
THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF PALM CANYON DRIVE AND TAHQUITZ
CANYON WAY, ZONE CBD (CASE NOS. 5.1290 PD-361, 3.3605 MAJ, 3.3606
MAJ, 3.3607 MAJ, 3.3785 MAJ, 3.3908 MAJ AND 3.3948 MAJ).
Planning Director Fagg provided a brief introduction to the discussion, noting the actions
that had been taken since the amendment was denied at the Planning Commission
meeting of February 8, 2017.
Planning Commission Study Session Minutes 12
March 22, 2017
Associate Newell provided a detailed presentation on the proposed changes to the
landscape and hardscape plan.
Commissioner Donenfeld questioned if public seating was a concern of the City Council
subcommittee; it was noted that the subcommittee did discuss the importance of public
seating areas.
Commissioner Middleton verified restaurant locations on Block C of the site plan.
TOM DOCZI, representing the applicant, gave a presentation on the proposed
amendments to the plan and then discussed the proposed plant materials and street
furniture. He was joined by Octavio Fernandez and Michael Braun in responding to
questions.
Vice -Chair Weremiuk requested that a second water feature be added, and asked that
the crosswalk on Museum Way be changed back to the pattern that had previously
been approved by the subcommittee.
Commissioner Middleton also expressed concern with the crosswalk design and
pedestrian safety issues.
Commissioner Hirschbein questioned how much space would be left for the pedestrian
walkway on Museum Way with the proposed outdoor dining; the applicant responded
that 12' to 15' of clearance would remain on the sidewalk.
Commissioner Middleton noted the importance of public space and minimizing
encroachments, and expressed concern with the amount of space devoted to outdoor
dining. In addition, she expressed concern that there wasn't enough public circulation
space around the specimen tree at the corner of Museum Way and North Palm Canyon.
(The applicant noted that there would be about 28' to 30' of clearance between the
curb -line at the corner to the base of the tree.)
Commissioner Donenfeld offered support for the three additional palm trees in the
paseo area, noting that they would provide additional shade for pedestrians.
Vice -Chair Weremiuk also supported the additional palm trees in the paseo.
Vice -Chair Weremiuk requested further clarification on the planting treatment at the
corner of Tahquitz Canyon and North Palm Canyon. Mr. Doczi described the changes
between the plan originally approved in November 2015 and the current proposal.
Commissioner Donenfeld questioned if decorative lighting would be provided, and
requested additional information on the proposed lighting.
Planning Commission Study Sass -.an Minutes 3
March 22, 2017
Commissioner Hirschbein expressed concern about the spacing and maintenance of
the plant materials at the corner of Tahquitz Canyon. Mr. Doczi stated that the plants
would be spaced to so as to grow naturally.
Vice -Chair Weremiuk opened the public comment portion of the agenda, with the
following speakers addressing the commission:
TIM ERKINS, requested that misters be provided; he noted that date palm trees can be
messy, and any fencing in the sidewalk area needs to be removable. He requested that
the outdoor dining not impede the pedestrian corridors.
MICHAEL JOHNSTON, noted that the design had come a long way, but that additional
work was needed. He suggested that the plant materials should be designed to flow
over the edges of the planters, that the design needs more desert colors, and that the
outdoor dining areas need plant materials integrated into the design. He also stated
that warning flashers need to be installed at crosswalks, and that ground -level lighting
was important.
There being no further speakers public comment was closed.
Due to the time, Vice -Chair Weremiuk closed the discussion.
ADJOURNMENT: The comments the Planning Commission adjourned at 1:05 pm to
their regular meeting at 1:30 pm, Wednesday, March 22, 2017, City Hall, Council
Chamber, 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way.
Flinn Fagg, AICP
Director of Planning Services