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Home My WebLink About2018-03-14 PC Meeting MinutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Wednesday, March 14, 2018 City Hall, Council Chamber 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California CALL TO ORDER: Chair Weremiuk called the meeting to order at 1:39 pm. ROLL CALL: Present: Absent: Donenfeld, Hirschbein, Hudson, Moruzzi, Woods, Vice Chair Calerdine, Chair Weremiuk None. Staff Present: Planning Director Fagg, Deputy City Attorney Daudt, Planning Administrative Coordinator Hintz, Associate Planner Mlaker, Principal Planner 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 5:00 pm on Thursday, March 8, 2018. ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: Calerdine, seconded by Donenfeld to accept agenda as amended (Item 3A moved to end of Agenda). AYES: Donenfeld, Hirschbein, Hudson, Moruzzi, Woods, Calerdine, Weremiuk PUBLIC COMMENTS: CHRIS HECTOR, representing Indigo Auto Group (Porsche Dealership), introduced the design team and was available to answer questions from the Commission. 1. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: JANUARY 10, 2018 AND JANUARY 24, 2018 Calerdine, seconded by Hirschbein to approve minutes as presented. AYES: Donenfeld, Hirschbein, Hudson, Moruzzi, Woods, Calerdine, Weremiuk Planning Commission Minutes March 14, 2018 City of Palm Springs 2 2. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 2A. MCGI, INC (D/B/A 18|8 FINE MEN’S SALON) SEEKING APPROVAL OF A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (CUP) FOR A FULL SERVICE HAIR SALON WITHIN KAPTUR PLAZA AT 750 EAST TAHQUITZ CANYON WAY, SUITE 3, A CLASS 1 HISTORIC SITE, ZONE REO, SECTION 14 (CASE 5.1436). Associate Planner Mlaker presented the proposed full service hair salon as outlined in the staff report. Chair Weremiuk opened the public hearing: GEORGE MC BRIDE, applicant, described the business model and type of services that will be offered. There being no further speakers the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Woods spoke in favor of the use and credited the applicants for their business model. Commissioner Moruzzi commented that he is very pleased to see these types of businesses go into the Kaptur Plaza because strong economic support is needed for preservation of buildings. Commissioner Hirschbein concurred with the comments and would like to see the CUP contain the same personal service uses in Section 14. He does not think any of the other uses would be detrimental and it would save the applicant the cost and the Commission the time in reviewing these projects. Commissioner Donenfeld commented that Conditional Use Permits are an important entitlement and the other personal services in Section 14 would probably be acceptable but thinks they need to look at them on a case-by-case basis to get a better handle on the types of uses. Mr. Donenfeld thanked the applicant for a spectacular proposal and noted that this is a great use of the Kaptur Plaza. Vice Chair Calerdine concurred with Commissioner Donenfeld and does not want to expand the CUP without detailed staff analysis. Chair Weremiuk agreed with Commissioner Donenfeld and would like to ensure that the uses that go into this spectacular building will actually work. She thinks it's a good idea to keep the uses limited. Calerdine, seconded by Donenfeld to approve as presented. Planning Commission Minutes March 14, 2018 City of Palm Springs 3 AYES: Donenfeld, Hirschbein, Hudson, Moruzzi, Woods, Calerdine, Weremiuk (Final action by the Planning Commission.) (Item moved out of order) 4. NEW BUSINESS: 4A. INDIGO PROPERTIES PALM SPRINGS, LLC, FOR A MAJOR ARCHITECTURAL APPROVAL TO CONSTRUCT A 44,845-SQUARE FOOT PORSCHE DEALERSHIP BUILDING ON AN UNDEVELOPED 2.69- ACRE PAD SITE LOCATED AT 3737 EAST PALM CANYON DRIVE, ZONE C-2, SECTION 2 (CASE 3.4074 MAJ). (ER) Vice Chair Calerdine disclosed that eight years ago when the BMW dealership was approved his firm worked under the direction of the City on the environmental and entitlement process. He was the project manager on this development and has confirmed with the City Attorney that there is no indication of any conflict of interest. Principal Planner Robertson presented the proposed construction of a Porsche Dealership building as outlined in the staff report. Commissioner Hudson said he attended the Architectural Advisory Committee meeting when they reviewed this project and summarized their comments. Director of Engineering Garcia reported that the City's bridge widening project will include a sidewalk in front of the mobile home park that will connect to the existing sidewalk. Mr. Garcia clarified that the City does have a bicycle plan; however, this segment is not in the bicycle corridor because the traffic and speed limit is high. CHRIS HECTOR, representing Indigo Auto Group (Porsche Dealership), said he was involved with the previous owners back in 2006 in the design of the BMW building and the remodel of the Mercedes dealership. Mr. Hector addressed the AAC concerns and recommendations regarding the sidewalk, continuing the wall on their property line, and setbacks. He pointed-out the LED lighting on the exhibits and clarified that it will be on a timer and dimmable switch. GARY W HITFIELD, Whitfield & Associates, provided details on the LED lighting and indicated that the lighting has been minimized. He was available for questions from the Commission. Commissioner Hudson verified that the roof-mounted equipment will be properly screened. He commented that he would like to see the sidewalk connect on the northwest corner of the site to the internal sidewalk along the vacated frontage road. Planning Commission Minutes March 14, 2018 City of Palm Springs 4 Weremiuk, seconded by Calerdine to approve subject to conditions of approval and changes as follows: 1. The applicant shall install a minimum 48" wide sidewalk at the northwest corner of the site to connect from the future sidewalk on the south side of East Palm Canyon to the internal sidewalk along the vacated frontage road (shall be reviewed and approved by the AAC as part of the final landscape review). 2. The applicant shall provide bicycle parking on site. 3. Amend Condition PLN 11 to include decorative LED strip lighting shall be on a dimmable control; staff shall inspect the lighting after six months of operation to assess any impacts to adjacent properties and for general conformance to the City's outdoor lighting ordinance. 4. Screening for the roof-mounted equipment is hereby approved by the Planning Commission; no further review by the AAC is required. 5. The AAC shall review and approve the internal pedestrian connections from the sidewalk along the vacated frontage road to the entrance of the building. 6. Additional landscaping shall be added along and adjacent to the East Palm Canyon right-of-way; this landscaping shall be reviewed and approved by the AAC as part of the final landscape review required by Condition PLN 8. AYES: Donenfeld, Hirschbein, Hudson, Moruzzi, Woods, Calerdine, Weremiuk (Final action by the Planning Commission.) 3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 3A. AMENDMENT OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION RULES OF PROCEDURE. (FF) Planning Director Fagg provided details on amending the Planning Commission Rules of Procedure pertaining to going dark during the month of August, gender neutral language and establishing procedures for subcommittees. Chair Weremiuk said the Planning Commission prefers to go dark during the month of August unless the City Council requests otherwise. The Commission discussed the three (3) different types of subcommittees: 1. Confirm conformance to Conditions; 2. Project in process to work on design details and bring the project in compliance; present it to the Commission. 3. Work on policy issues for consideration by the Planning Commission. Donenfeld, seconded by Calerdine to continue to date certain of March 28, 2018. AYES: Donenfeld, Hirschbein, Hudson, Moruzzi, Woods, Calerdine, Weremiuk Planning Commission Minutes March 14, 2018 City of Palm Springs 5 PLANNING COMMISSION REPORTS, REQUESTS AND COMMENTS: • Code Enforcement issues CITY COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT: None. PLANNING DIRECTOR’S REPORT: None. ADJOURNMENT: The Planning Commission adjourned at 4:23 pm to 1:30 pm, Wednesday, March 28, 2018, City Hall, Council Chamber, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way. __________________________________ Flinn Fagg, AICP Director of Planning Services