HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-12-13 PC Meeting MinutesI 311NOI ` u ` - ► CP
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
Wednesday, December 13, 2017
City Hall, Council Chamber
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California
CALL TO ORDER:
Chair Weremiuk called the meeting to order at 1:46 pm.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Commissioner Donenfeld; Commissioner Hirschbein, Commissioner Hudson,
Vice Chair Calerdine; Chair Weremiuk
Absent: None.
Staff Planning Director Fagg, Deputy City Attorney Daudt, Director of Engineering
Present: Garcia, Planning Administrative Coordinator Hintz, Administrative Assistant
Bruggemans, Associate Planner Mlaker, Associate Planner Newell, Associate
Planner Lyon
REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA:
The Agenda was available for public access
side of Council Chamber) and the Planning
December 7, 2017.
ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA:
at the City Hall exterior bulletin board (west
Services counter by 2:00 pm on Thursday,
Chair Weremiuk requested Item 5A moved to the Consent Calendar; Item 2C Avalon SNC
moved to the first public hearing; Item 413 moved to the first item under New Business and
the presentation moved before public comments.
The agenda was accepted, as amended.
PRESENTATION: A proclamation was given in honor of Randy Lowe.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Chair Weremiuk opened public comments:
Planning Commission Minutes
December 13, 2017
City of Palm Springs
ROLAND LEWIS, shares the north property line with the 1610 Hillview Cove homeowners,
pending landscape and solar issues. He cautioned of issuing a land use or permitting
trees or shrubs that are not in compliance with the State Laws.
JOHN DESCHUYMERE, spoke in reference to Item 1C, confirmed that the El Rancho
Vista Estates HOA agrees with the conditions recommended by the AAC.
DON LAWSON, spoke in reference to Item 4A (resides across the street from proposed
hillside house) expressed concern with the front yard setback reduction; the two-story
dwelling (there are no two-story dwellings in the neighborhood) and building height of more
than 12 feet.
PAUL LEVITAN, spoke in reference to Item 4A (resides adjacent to the proposed hillside
house) expressed concern about the infill to the site and excessive height. He requested
house be consistent with the other one-story homes in the neighborhood.
JIM SCHMIDT, owner, Item 4A, spoke of the challenges for the existing property and was
available for questions from the Commission.
There being no further speakers public comments was closed.
1. CONSENT CALENDAR:
MOTION: Donenfeld, seconded by Calerdine to approve Items 1A, 113, 1 C and 5A as part
of the Consent Calendar.
AYES: Donenfeld, Hirschbein, Hudson, Calerdine, Weremiuk
1A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: NOVEMBER 8, 2017
Approved as presented.
1B. CANTINA WAY INC., FOR A MAJOR ARCHITECTURAL
APPLICATION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 3,758-SQUARE FOOT
HOUSE; AND AN ADMINISTRATIVE MINOR MODIFICATION FOR THE
REDUCTION OF A FRONT YARD SETBACK ON A HILLSIDE LOT
LOCATED AT 2301 WEST CANTINA WAY, ZONE R-1-A (CASE 3.4048
MAJ, AND 7.1530 AMM). (GM)
Approved as presented.
1C. EL RANCHO VISTA ESTATES HOA REQUESTING A SIGN PROGRAM
FOR THREE (3) NEIGHBORHOOD ENTRY SIGNS LOCATED AT TWO
COMMUNITY ENTRY POINTS AT EAST VISTA CHINO ROAD, AND CHIA
ROAD, ZONE R-1-C (CASE SP 17-011). (GM)
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Planning Commission Minutes
December 13, 2017
City of Palm Springs
Approved as presented,
5A. DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL REGARDING
THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING SCHEDULE AS SPECIFIED IN
CHAPTER 2.29 OF THE PALM SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE.
Approved as presented,
EXCLUDED CONSENT CALENDAR: None.
2. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
(Item was moved out of order.)
2C. AVALON 1150, LLC, REQUEST TO CONSIDER A STREET NAME
CHANGE FROM AVALON WAY TO MIRALON WAY AT THE MIRALON
DEVELOPMENT LOCATED AT 801 EAST SUNRISE PARKWAY, ZONE
PDD 290, SECTION 35 (CASE 5.0982 - TTM 31848—SNC). (ER)
Principal Planner Robertson provided a brief overview of the proposed street name
change.
Chair Weremiuk opened the public hearing and with no appearances coming forward the
public hearing was closed.
MOTION: Hirschbein, seconded by Calerdine to recommend approval to the City Council.
AYES: Donenfeld, Hirschbein, Hudson, Calerdine, Weremiuk
2A. ROSIAN V, LLC, FOR A PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT (PDD), A
MINOR ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION (MAA), A CONDITIONAL USE
PERMIT (CUP) AND A VARIANCE APPLICATION (VAR), PROPOSING
RENOVATION AND ADDITIONS TO AN EXISTING 62-ROOM HOTEL TO
ADD AN OUTDOOR MUSIC VENUE, AN OUTDOOR RESTAURANT USE,
AND OUTDOOR COCKTAIL LOUNGE USE AND SUPPORT SPACES AT
THE MONROE HOTEL (AKA INFUSION BEACH HOTEL) LOCATED AT
1900 NORTH PALM CANYON DRIVE (CASE 5.1409 CUP 1 PDD 387 1
3.864 MAA 1 6.550 VAR, (APN 504-320-026, ZONE C-11 R-3 1 RESORT
COMBINING ZONE). (KL)
Associate Planner Lyon provided an overview on the proposed renovations and additions
to the existing hotel as outlined in the staff report,
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December 13, 2017
City of Palm Springs
Chair Weremiuk noted that since the Commission has an exhaustive number of questions,
number of issues with the project and the lengthy request letter from the neighborhood the
entire Commission would like to defer this project to a study session.
Chair Weremiuk opened the public hearing:
CHRIS ROSAS, applicant team, will defer his comments to the study session.
JIM HOLLENBECK, neighbor, said they are looking forward to this development because
this area has been blighted by a lot of empty businesses. He requested this project move
forward.
There being no further speakers the public hearing was closed.
MOTION: Weremiuk, seconded by Hudson, to continue to a Study Session to date certain
of January 10, 2018, at 10:30 am and a Regular Meeting at 1:30 pm.
AYES: Donenfeld, Hirschbein, Hudson, Calerdine, Weremiuk
A recess was taken at 2:44 pm. The meeting resume at 2:54 pm.
2B. JR HAVENDALE, LLC FOR TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP 37376 TO
SUBDIVIDE 2.67-ACRES OF LAND INTO FOUR PARCELS FOR THE
EXISTING COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT LOCATED AT 450, 462, 490
SOUTH PALM CANYON DRIVE AND 471 SOUTH INDIAN CANYON
DRIVE, ZONE CBD (CASE TPM 37376). (DN)
MOTION: Donenfeld, seconded by Hudson to continue to a date certain of January 10,
2018.
AYES: Donenfeld, Hirschbein, Hudson, Calerdine, Weremiuk
3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
3A. LEGACY PALM SPRINGS, LLC, OWNER, FOR A MAJOR
ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION PROPOSING A DEVELOPMENT OF A
114-BED ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY WITH ACCESSORY
COMMERCIAL USES ON A 1.43-ACRE LOT LOCATED AT 1000 NORTH
PALM CANYON DRIVE, ZONE PDD 357 (CASE 5.1237 MAJ). (KL)
MOTION: Calerdine, seconded by Hirschbein to continue to a date certain of January 10,
2018.
AYES: Donenfeld, Hirschbein, Hudson, Calerdine, Weremiuk
Planning Commission Minutes
December 13, 2017
City of Palm Springs
4. NEW BUSINESS:
(Item was moved out of order.)
4B. GASTADORA, LLC FOR A MAJOR ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION TO
CONSTRUCT A PLANNED INDUSTRIAL BUSINESS PARK CONSISTING
OF FOUR BUILDINGS TOTALING 35,496 SQUARE FEET ON 1.77-
ACRES OF VACANT LAND LOCATED ON THE EAST SIDE OF RUPPERT
STREET BETWEEN 19TH AND 20 AVENUES, ZONE M-2 (CASE 3.4051
MAJ). (DN)
Associate Planner Newell presented the proposed industrial business park as outlined in
the staff report.
ALAN LEVINE, project engineer, and GABRIEL LUJAN, architect, responded to
Commission questions pertaining to the driveways extending (reciprocal access) and 25'
radius for fire trucks in the back of the building.
Commissioner Hudson noted concern that the back of the building needs fire truck access.
He requested a condition be implemented to require parapets for the roof mechanical
equipment.
MOTION: Calerdine, seconded by Weremiuk to approve with conditions:
• Revise PLN 7: Prior to issuance of building permit, the applicant shall demonstrate
the parapets fully screen the rooftop equipment.
• The applicant shall work with staff to ensure access driveway a the rear of the
properties comply with the specifications and design standards necessary by the
Fire Department for access and turning radii.
• The applicant shall provide on -site solar energy generation to accommodate a
minimum of 50% of the estimated electrical needs for each building, excluding
cannabis cultivation uses should be permitted at the properties.
AYES: Donenfeld, Hirschbein, Hudson, Calerdine, Weremiuk
4A. JAMES SCHMIDT, OWNER, FOR A MAJOR ARCHITECTURAL
APPLICATION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 1,952-SQUARE FOOT
HOUSE; AND A REQUEST FOR AN ADMINISTRATIVE MINOR
MODIFICATION FOR ALTERATION TO SETBACKS, BUILDING HEIGHT,
AND BUILDING SEPARATION ON A HILLSIDE LOT LOCATED AT 775
CABRILLO ROAD, ZONE R-1-C. (CASE 3.4063 MAJ & 7.1336 AMM).
(GM)
Planning Commission Minutes
December 13, 2017
City of Palm Springs
Associate Planner Maker provided an overview of the proposed hillside house as outlined
in the staff report.
Vice Chair Calerdine requested clarification on the condition to require widening of the
street.
Commissioner Donenfeld commented that he understands where the neighbors are
coming from because the slope is not significant and the 20 foot house sticks out on the
lot. He noted that it does not fit the typical hillside where you are comfortable allowing a
height increase of that significance. He questioned if the height increase is appropriate for
this site.
Commission Comments:
Commissioner Hudson said the neighbor is interesting and very eclectic with some of the
lots having trapezoid shapes. Commissioner Hudson referenced Sheet 6 where it shows
the horizontal quality of the house and there are no view implications to the uphill
neighbors to the west. He thinks aesthetically the Corten Steel has a very minimal quality
and it floats on top of concrete bases and is a wonderful way to treat a hillside house. He
noted that the 20 foot height basically occurs at the garage and agrees with the applicant
that by tucking the garage underneath the casita you are eliminating another use on the
site plan. He is very comfortable with the 20 foot height and thinks with the boulders and
landscaping this area will appear softer and more sheltered. He said one of the charms of
this neighborhood is the fairly narrow streets that wind around the hill and is opposed to
requiring street improvements to widen the two streets.
Commissioner Hirschbein concurred with Commissioner Hudson.
Commissioner Donenfeld said given the nature of the site and the fact that it is not too high
and the garage is tucked into the hill he can support the project because overall it has such
merit.
Vice Chair Calerdine said he is opposed to the project because he thinks it is inconsistent
with the neighborhood.
Chair Weremiuk concurred with Commissioner Hudson. She said what was really
important to her was looking at the neighbor to the south and the retaining wall that mirrors
the garage and casita above it. She thinks it is a very creative solution and recommends
waiving the street widening because it's the charm of the neighborhood.
Planning Director Fagg requested deferral of the requirement to widen the streets.
Chair Weremiuk commented that there are a number of newer modern houses and does
not think it'll take way from the charm of the neighborhood because it is eclectic and will
just add one more element.
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Planning Commission Minutes
December 13, 2017
City of Palm Springs
MOTION: Hudson, seconded by Hirschbein, to approve with conditions subject to:
• Deferral of the requirement to widen the streets.
AYES: Donenfeld, Hirschbein, Hudson, Weremiuk
NOES: Calerdine
PLANNING COMMISSION REPORTS, REQUESTS AND COMMENTS:
• Update on the status of Planning Commission subcommittee meetings.
• Create a subcommittee to work with staff on golf course conversions - (Chair
Weremiuk, Vice Chair Calerdine and one member of the AAC).
PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
• Invitation to the celebration of the Downtown businesses on Museum Way.
ADJOURNMENT: The Planning Commission adjourned at 3:53 pm to 1:30 pm,
Wednesday, January 10, 2018, preceded by a Study Session at 10:30 am, City Hall,
Council Chamber, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way.
Flinn Fagg, AICP
Director of Planning Services
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