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Home My WebLink About2018-02-28 PC Meeting MinutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Wednesday, February 28, 2018 City Hall, Large Conference Room 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California CALL TO ORDER: Chair Weremiuk called the meeting to order at 1:30 pm. ROLL CALL: Present: Donenfeld, Hirschbein, Hudson, Moruzzi, Woods, Vice Chair Calerdine, Chair Weremiuk Absent: None. Staff Planning Director Fagg, Deputy City Attorney Daudt, Planning Administrative Present: Coordinator Hintz, Associate Planner Lyon, Associate 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 12:00 pm on Thursday, February 22, 2018. ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: Donenfeld, seconded by Calerdine to approve to add a discussion item at the end of the Agenda (Subcommittee Report). AYES: Donenfeld, Hirschbein, Hudson, Moruzzi, Woods, Calerdine, Weremiuk PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. 1. CONSENT CALENDAR: None. 2. PUBLIC HEARING: 2A. AT&T MOBILITY ON BEHALF OF SHARON DEAN FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO CONSTRUCT A WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY CONSISTING OF A FORTY-EIGHT FOOT TALL MONOPOLE DISGUISED AS A PALM TREE AND A VARIANCE TO EXCEED THE MAXIMUM ANTENNA HEIGHT PERMITTED FROM 15' TO 48' LOCATED AT 4185 EAST PALM CANYON, ZONE C-2, SECTION 30 (CASE 5.1432 CLIP/ 6.552 VAR). (GM) Planning Commission Minutes February 28, 2018 City of Palm springs Associate Planner Mlaker presented the proposed wireless monopole antenna as outlined in the staff report. Chair Weremiuk opened the public hearing: JOHN PAPPAS, Yukon Group, representing AT & T, introduced himself and was available for questions. JACKIE KRAMER, resides at Canyon Sands Complex, she noted concern that the future homeowners for the new housing project would not like buying a home adjacent to the antenna and thinks it could be lowered to 48 feet. JOHN PAPPAS, applicant, addressed questions regarding coverage, antenna height and co -location. Commissioner Donenfeld commented that cell tower antennas have always been difficult and thinks the carriers should understand that these issues are very important for the residents because it not only affects the quality of life but also provides good cellular transmission. He thinks AT&T should attend the hearing to address whether they looked into co -location at this site. Mr. Donenfeld said he is not prepared to vote on this item and made a motion to continue the project. Commissioner Hudson concurred with Commissioner Donenfeld; he thinks it would be a good starting point to require AT&T representatives to attend the hearing and also address their concern of who is providing the coverage maps. Commissioner Hirschbein agreed with Commissioner Hudson that an independent analysis of the proposed site and co -location should be provided. Commission Donenfeld said he does not agree adding an independent analysis to his motion because it puts a heavy burden on staff and the city. He said it will be costly and time consuming if an independent study is to be provided for every cell tower. Donenfeld, seconded by Hudson to continue to a date uncertain with direction to the applicant to: • Provide the applicant a copy of the letter dated 2/19/18 from the residents on Linden Way. • Independent analysis of the maps or a letter from AT&T verifying the maps are correct. • The Engineer who prepared the coverage map shall attend the meeting and provide testimony pertaining to the coverage map at the project site. • Provide a map with an antenna height of 38 and 44 feet; • Discuss co -location at the project site. • Staff to verify the residents on Linden Way received notification of the meeting. K Planning Commission Minutes February 28, 2018 City of Palm Springs • Provide multiple designs that include a monopole, monopalm and explore other types of poles that are available. AYES: Donenfeld, Hirschbein, Hudson, Moruzzi, Woods, Calerdine, Weremiuk A recess was taken at 2:34 pm. The meeting resumed at 2:44 pm. 3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 3A. 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, AN 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-31 RESORT COMBINING ZONE). (KL) (CONTINUED FROM THE JAN. 24, 2018 MEETING) Commissioner Woods noted his abstention on this Item because he did not attend the prior hearings on this project. He would not be participating in the discussion and vote on this Item and left the Large Conference Room at 2:46 pm. Associate Planner Lyon provided background information, summarized the subcommittee recommendations and reported the changes made to the plan. Architecture & Landsca e: The Commission requested clarification on noise levels, valet parking and associated uses. Chair Weremiuk noted concern with the City's noise ordinance and prefers having off -site monitoring. She would like to ensure the outside ambient music (sound system) does not allow the use of subwoofers. Commissioner Hudson summarized the subcommittee's discussion and overall thinks the applicant came through with a good presentation and documentation. Public Benefit: The Commission reviewed the public benefit proposed by the applicant, intensification of use and deviation of the PDD. Associate Planner Lyon explained that the City analyzed the intensification of the use to determine whether it would cause any significant adverse impacts in the community. It was found that certain things had the potential to cause adverse impacts such as traffic Planning Commission Minutes February 28, 2018 City of Palm Springs and noise; he noted that mitigation measures were proposed to reduce the potentially significant impacts to less than significant. Chair Weremiuk commented that the project itself is not a public benefit because it is not in a blighted area. She suggested these items that could be considered as a public benefit: 1. $50,000 contribution to the Friends of the Palm Springs Mountains (adjacent city park); 2. $50,000 fund to be established for affordable housing; 3. ADA improvements on and adjacent to the site. Vice Chair Calerdine prefers to exclude the low-income housing until the new policy is implemented. He's in favor of contributions for ADA improvements and Friends of Palm Springs Mountains. Commissioner Donenfeld prefers to see the funds go to pedestrian safety (sidewalk gap program) where the city has a real need and priority. Calerdine, seconded by Weremiuk to recommend approval of the PDD to City Council subject to: • Direct the City Attorney to develop language to establish hours of operation for the accessory use relative to valet parking. • Revise PLN 15(i) - valet parking service shall be provided at no charge. • Revise PLN 16(e) - additional sound monitoring stations to remain in effect. • Public Benefit - The applicant shall provide a $50,000 payment prior to issuance of the building permit to be applied toward the "sidewalk gap infill" in the vicinity north of Tachevah Drive- with priority given to infill of sidewalk gaps along major thoroughfare of North Indian Canyon Drive, North Palm Canyon Drive, Vista Chino and other major secondary thoroughfares in the general vicinity of the project site. AYES: Donenfeld, Hirschbein, Hudson, Moruzzi, Calerdine, Weremiuk ABSTAIN: Woods Hudson, seconded by Donenfeld to approve Case 3.864 MAA as presented. AYES: Donenfeld, Hirschbein, Hudson, Moruzzi, Calerdine, Weremiuk ABSTAIN: Woods Commissioner Woods re-entered the Large Conference Room at 4:08 pm. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORTS, REQUESTS AND COMMENTS: None. CITY COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT: Council Member Middleton provided details about her role as the new liaison to the Planning Commission. 4 Planning Commission Minutes February 28, 2018 City of Palm Springs PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT: Review Planning Commission Rules of Procedure Update on parking spaces at La Quinta Brewing Company Update on application submittals ADJOURNMENT: The Planning Commission adjourned at 4:47 pm to 1:30 pm, Wednesday, March 14, 2018, City Hall, Council Chamber, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way. FI nn Fagg, AICP Director of Planning Services