HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-09-27 PC Meeting MinutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
Wednesday, September 27, 2017
City Hall, Council Chamber
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California
CALL TO ORDER:
Chair Weremiuk called the meeting to order at 1:34 pm.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Commissioner Donenfeld, Commissioner Hirschbein, Commissioner Hudson,
Vice Chair Calerdine, Chair Weremiuk
Excused: Commissioner Lowe, Commissioner Middleton
Staff Planning Director Fagg, Deputy City Attorney Daudt, Director of Engineering
Present: Garcia, Planning Administrative Coordinator Hintz, Assistant Planner Kikuchi,
Associate Planner Lyon, Associate Planner Mlaker
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 5:00 pm on Thursday, September 21, 2017.
ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: The agenda was accepted as presented.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.
1. CONSENT CALENDAR:
1A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: SEPTEMBER 13, 2017 SPECIAL MEETING
Chair Weremiuk requested a minor change to the minutes.
Motion: Vice Chair Calerdine, seconded by Commissioner Donenfeld to approve, as
amended:
AYES: Commissioner Hudson, Commissioner Hirschbein, Commissioner
Donenfeld, Vice Chair Calerdine, Chair Weremiuk
ABSENT: Commissioner Lowe, Commissioner Middleton
Planning Commission Action Summary
September 27, 2017
City of Patm Springs
2. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
2A. REQUEST BY DOUG AITKEN WORKSHOP ON BEHALF OF
PINNACLE VIEW, FOR APPROVAL OF A LAND USE PERMIT FOR A
TEMPORARY ART EXHIBIT ON LOT 22 (WINTER SUN DRIVE) OF THE
DESERT PALISADES DEVELOPMENT, ZONE ESA-SP (CASE LUP 17-
029). (FF)
Planning Director Fagg provided an update on the changes made from the Commission
comments at the Sept. 13, 2017 meeting for the proposed temporary art exhibit.
Chair Weremiuk opened the public hearing:
JENNIFER COX, said that in the last two weeks they met with the neighborhood to further
understand and address the issues at hand. Ms. Cox said they created a new proposal
that would completely remove the traffic impact and propose to use a shuttle service that
would run on Tramway Road. She clarified that the Tramway Authority has given them
the initial approval and will follow up with written correspondence when finalized. Ms. Cox
explained the trips per day and proposed signage on the roadwork.
TIM O'BAYLEY, Little Tuscany Neighborhood Organization, co-chair, said they have not
changed their position after discussing the amended proposal. He said people will do what
they want whether there is ticketing service, shuttle bus or signage; he does not think the
new proposal will address the issues.
DAVID DRY, spoke in opposition of the project; noting that a new land use permit has not
been issued and the previous one does not state the new days/times of service.
DENNIS WOODS, Little Tuscany Neighborhood Organization, co-chair, spoke in
opposition of the proposed project; noting that the publicity on the internet is so big and the
developer will not be able to control access to the site.
JENNIFER COX, applicant rebuttal, said the issue is that social media comments are
posted after the fact and they have asked the media to retract their statement.
The public hearing was closed.
TOM LANCE, representing Pinnacle View, consultant, addressed questions from the
Commission. Mr. Lance said they found the majority of people are climbing up over the
boulders from Tramview Road or the hiking trail. He explained motion sensitive cameras
have been installed to trigger a response from security.
Planning Commission Action Summary
September 27, 2017
City of Palm Springs
Commissioner Hudson said he appreciates that the developer has worked out a plausible,
sensitive solution and this has become a world famous, phenomenal project. However, he
feels that it imposes on a residential neighborhood. He thinks the ticketing will help but
feels its human nature for people to park on Racquet Club even though there is a sign at
the bottom. Mr. Hudson said in the end this art project will have to be disassembled and
potentially relocated. He said the original land use permit says there will be no extensions
and it's become very clear with all the testimony given. He has his doubts and will vote no.
Commissioner Hirschbein thinks that the shuttle idea will eliminate the problem accessing
the site. He would support a limited approval of the process with some re-examination
shortly after the approval to see what circumstances have been documented. He thinks
parking should be eliminated on Racquet Club. Mr. Hirschbein said he'd like to give the
developer an opportunity to manage this in a way that does not impact the community with
the new shuttle bus proposal and within a timeframe of one or two months.
Commissioner Donenfeld said he thinks there is no trust between the applicant and the
neighborhood because of misuse of the land use permit. He agrees with public testimony
that people are going to find a way up on Racquet Club and climb the boulders to see the
site, particularly on Modernism week. This will be one of their focal points which will be
detrimental to the neighborhood. He said the original land use permit was intended to be
for a certain length of time and should be upheld and disassembled at the end of a six
month period. He noted that the action that was previously made was subject to the
neighborhood's approval.
Vice Chair Calerdine commented that the proposal indicates the only access will be from
Tramway Road and he does not see a traffic problem with people legitimately accessing
the site. However, the issue is people illegitimately trying to access the site. He noted that
many amenities have been added within the Desert Palisades such as hiking trails and a
series of architectural houses and thinks these are on -going issues that need to be figured
out. He suggested posting a city hall complaint line for people to call if there are problems
with the public accessing the site illegitimately. He thinks 6 months more is a good trade
off for a major piece of art. He supports it.
Chair Weremiuk said the conditions the applicant has come up with are the ones she
asked for but she did not consider the nuisance it attracts. She is thinking about the
neighborhood's point of view and feels it will be a nuisance whether or not there is a
shuttle bus.
Commissioner Donenfeld made a motion to deny the application. He said the criteria for
the land use permit has not been properly met. He believes there is a negative impact of
this proposed use on the neighborhood and will be incompatible with adjacent properties in
the community due to the unlawful use of Racquet Club Road.
Motion: Commissioner Donenfeld, seconded by Commissioner Hudson to deny.
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Planning Commission Action Summary
September 27, 2017
City of Palm Springs
AYES: Commissioner Donenfeld, Commissioner Hudson, Chair Weremiuk
NOES: Commissioner Hirschbein, Vice Chair Calerdine
ABSENT: Commissioner Lowe, Commissioner Middleton
2B. ST. BARISTO HOA, FOR AN AMENDMENT TO PLANNED
DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT (PD 288) TO INSTALL ONE SET OF
ACCESS CONTROL GATES TO THE EXISTING ST. BARISTO
CONDOMINIUM COMPLEX LOCATED AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER
OF BARISTO ROAD AND LUGO ROAD WITH A MASTER ADDRESS
OF 284 WEST CAHUILLA ROAD (CASE 5.0977 PD 288). (GM)
Associate Planner Mlaker presented the proposed project to install the access gate as
outlined in the staff report.
Chair Weremiuk opened the public hearing:
STEVE HUFFMAN, St. Baristo Homeowners Association, president, spoke about issues
with parking spaces and traffic on all three sides. He said they have added security
cameras and increased nightly security patrol in an effort to control crime because of their
downtown location.
NANCY SPEAR, St. Baristo Condo Association, manager, said the demographics have
changed in the city and it should be reflected in the General Plan. She commented that
these are private streets and none of the homeowners abutting Baristo anticipated the
amount of trespassing they would have in their community. She provided an overview of
the crime reports that have occurred in the neighborhood.
STEVE HUFFMAN, said they have very few delivery trucks coming in and there are only 4
- 5 full time residents.
Vice Chair Calerdine confirmed with Public Works staff that this is not a significant safety
hazard.
Commissioner Donenfeld said he feels for the community and is opposed to gates on a
general matter but this is pretty much a driveway. He would be concerned if they were
cutting off a line of a street or isolating a neighborhood from another neighborhood but this
is a very special circumstance and he is in favor of allowing the gates.
Commissioner Hudson concurred with Commissioner Donenfeld.
Chair Weremiuk said that driving through it felt more like a driveway rather than a through
street.
M
Planning Commission Action Summary
September 27, 2017
City of Palm Springs
Vice Chair Calerdine included the finding that the gate will not affect the street grid in the
area.
Motion: Vice Chair Calerdine, seconded by Commissioner Donenfeld to approve.
AYES: Commissioner Donenfeld, Commissioner Hirschbein, Commissioner
Hudson, Vice Chair Calerdine, Chair Weremiuk
ABSENT: Commissioner Lowe, Commissioner Middleton
A recess was taken at 2.46 pm. The meeting resumed at 3:00 pm.
2C. ARMADA REAL ESTATE GROUP, LLC, OWNER, REQUESTING A
ONE-YEAR TIME EXTENSION ON THE FINAL PDD FOR "VIBE", A
GATED PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMPRISED OF 72
SINGLE FAMILY UNITS, 93 MULTI -FAMILY UNITS, PRIVATE
STREETS, AND LANDSCAPED COMMON AREAS ON A 24-ACRE
PARCEL LOCATED AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF SOUTH
FARRELL DRIVE AND EAST BARISTO ROAD, ZONE PDD 232 (CASE
5.1046 PDD 232 AMND 13.3974 MAJ ! TTM 36689). (KL)
Associate Planner Lyon provided an overview on the proposed one-year time extension.
Chair Weremiuk opened the public hearing:
LESLIE LOCKER The Rilington Group, developer and project manager, said they are in
various stages of their submittals with the engineering and landscape plans. Ms. Locken
said the owner is committed to this project and looks to developing this project and
bringing it to fruition.
JAAK KUHKENTAAL, Sundial HOA, resident and president of Board of Directors, said
they have been working cooperatively with the developer. He said Sundial HOA supports
this development and they believe it will enhance their neighborhood.
LESLIE LOCKEN, addressed questions by the Commission pertaining to financing and
grading plans.
Motion: Vice Chair Calerdine, seconded by Chair Weremiuk to approve.
AYES: Commissioner Donenfeld, Commissioner Hirschbein, Commissioner
Hudson, Vice Chair Calerdine, Chair Weremiuk
ABSENT: Commissioner Lowe, Commissioner Middleton
5
Planning Commission Action Summary
September 27, 2017
City of Palm Springs
3. NEW BUSINESS:
3A. REQUEST BY BEST SIGNS, INC., ON BEHALF OF HUNTINGTON
GARDENS, LLC., FOR AN AMENDMENT TO AN EXISTING SIGN
PROGRAM FOR THE SUNRISE CENTER, A MULTI -TENANT
SHOPPING CENTER, LOCATED AT 100-186 SOUTH SUNRISE WAY,
ZONE PD (CASE SP 17-007). (NK)
Assistant Planner Kikuchi presented the proposed sign program amendment as outlined in
the staff report.
Commissioner Hirschbein said he is opposed to putting a sign on the brise-soleil (metal
screen) - it's a very beautiful architectural feature of the building. He said all of the tenant
signs face out directly to the street and does not feel it's necessary to add more identity. If
there was a courtyard similar to Ralph's shopping center where some of the stores don't
face Sunrise Way the monument signs would solve this problem but this only adds more
signage. He said he's okay with the slightly bigger signs and likes the shape of the boxes
because they mimic the architecture (could make bigger but keep the shape).
Commissioner Hudson said the individual tenant signs that hang from the soffit respond to
the architecture whereas the new signage almost goes into a different direction. Mr.
Hudson agrees that the major monument sign is redundant. He thinks the whole complex
would be more successful with a sensitive aesthetic treatment on the signage.
Commissioner Hirschbein made a motion to deny the proposed sign program amendment
based on the project does not meet the following Findings: #1. Signage does not
complement the architecture of the building; ... #2. There are no physical characteristics
of the property that will not give adequate visibility to the signage; . . . and #3. The
proposed signage will not be compatible with the design of the property .. .
Motion: Commissioner Hirschbein, seconded by Commissioner Hudson to deny.
AYES: Commissioner Donenfeld, Commissioner Hirschbein, Commissioner
Hudson, Vice Chair Calerdine, Chair Weremiuk
ABSENT: Commissioner Lowe, Commissioner Middleton
PLANNING COMMISSION REPORTS, REQUESTS AND COMMENTS:
• Update on the Small Lot/PDD recommendations.
6
Planning Commission Action Summary
September 27, 2017
City of Palm Springs
PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
6 month review on Recovery Innovations (behavioral health center) and
suggestion to review in 6 months.
The proposed ordinance for Adult Use Cannabis land use regulations and
Miralon multi -family complex will be discussion on the study session agenda.
ADJOURNMENT: The Planning Commission adjourned at 3:62 pm to Wednesday,
October 11, 2017, City Hall, Large Conference, preceded by a Study Session at 10:30 am,
3400 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs.
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agg, A I C P
Director of Planning Services