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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-06-27 PC Meeting MinutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Wednesday, June 27, 2018 Palm Springs Convention Center, 277 N. Avenida Caballeros, Primrose C 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 Staff Present: Planning Director Fagg, Attorney Priest, Administrative Secretary Bruggemans, Engineering Associate Minjares, 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 7:00 pm Thursday, June 21, 2018. ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: Donenfeld, seconded by Calerdine to accept the agenda as presented. AYES: Donenfeld, Hirschbein, Hudson, Moruzzi, Woods, Calerdine, Weremiuk PUBLIC COMMENTS: (All public comments were in reference to Item 2B and have been incorporated into the Public Hearing record.) 1. CONSENT CALENDAR: Vice Chair Calerdine noted his abstention on the minutes. Chair Weremiuk pulled Item 1 B for discussion. Woods, seconded by Hudson to approve minutes. AYES: Donenfeld, Hirschbein, Hudson, Moruzzi, Woods, Weremiuk ABSTAIN: Calerdine Planning Commission Minutes June 27, 2018 Page 2 of 7 1A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: JUNE 13, 2018 Approved, as presented. 1 B. PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION OF APPROVAL TO DEFER MAKING APPOINTMENTS TO THE ARCHITECTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE WHERE TERMS WERE SET TO EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2018. Chair Weremiuk summarized the Planning Commission's intent to defer the two Architectural Advisory Committee member terms. Calerdine, seconded by Hudson to approve the resolution as presented. AYES: Donenfeld, Hirschbein, Hudson, Moruzzi, Woods, Calerdine, Weremiuk 2. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 2A. 1466 HOLDINGS, LLC FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT, MINOR ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION AND LAND USE PERMIT TO REMODEL THE SKYLARK HOTEL WITH A NEW CAFE AND RESTAURANT SPACE AT 1466 NORTH PALM CANYON DRIVE, ZONE C-1 AND R-3 (CASE NOS. 5.1433 CUP, 3.0945 MAA & LUP 18-025). (DN) Associate Planner Newell presented the proposed remodel as outlined in the staff report. Chair Weremiuk opened the public hearing: AMITESH DAMUDAR, applicant, addressed questions from the Commission pertaining to bicycle parking, striping, and sidewalks (cost issue but will look into it); existing windows and ficus, pre -cast concrete. HUGH GASPAR, provided details on the fencing material and landscape design. He addressed the screening for mechanical equipment and noted that the sign program will come for review in the future. Commissioner Moruzzi thinks it's an excellent and beautiful project. He's glad they are investing the money into it. Commissioner Donenfeld, as a neighbor Camino Monte Vista, said this is a vacant street and thinks the additional parking along that street for purposes of the hotel is perfectly reasonable and would not cause any sort of security or health risk. Mr. Donenfeld spoke in favor of the land use permit to allow additional parking on the side to meet the parking requirements and thinks it a very good design. Vice Chair Calerdine said he's still concerned about pedestrian use on the side street but know there's not much they can do about it with this site plan. He also noted concerned Planning Commission Minutes June 27, 2018 Page 3 of 7 that there's not enough landscaping and but realizes that by adding more it would sacrifice additional parking. Commissioner Hirschbein supports the project 100% and is okay with deferral of engineering conditions and with the proposed landscaping. Commissioner Hudson said that he too lives in this neighborhood and does not think the sidewalk along Camino Monte Vista is necessary or even desirable because the additional proposed landscaping is much more successful and will be a greater addition to that street. Mr. Hudson said that he is not worried about safety issues pertaining to the sidewalk and favors more leniencies on the parking requirement to allow the cafe more flexibility in the hours of operation. Commissioner Moruzzi thinks the mid-century flavor of the building is consistent with the history in the city and completely endorses the staffs recommendation. Commissioner Woods concurred with Commissioner Hudson and thinks activating Indian Canyon and Palm Canyon is very important and extending the hours of operation will not be a detriment to the neighborhood. He requested bicycle parking (due to the parking reduction), street striping and a sidewalk. Chair Weremiuk thinks striping both sides of the street would work. She noticed that people are randomly parking on both sides of the street. Woods, seconded by Calerdine to approve subject to conditions with changes: 1. Revise PLN 10- cafe hours from 7:00 am until 11:00 pm. 2. Bicycle parking racks/facilities shall be provided on the Palm Canyon and Indian Canyon side. 3. Stripe parallel parking stalls on both sides of the Camino Monte Vista between Palm Canyon Drive and Indian Canyon Drive. 4. To provide compacted DG (decomposed granite) path adjacent to the street curb on the north side of Camino Monte Vista. AYES: Donenfeld, Hirschbein, Hudson, Moruzzi, Woods, Calerdine, Weremiuk A recess was taken at 3:45 pm. The meeting resumed at 4:00 pm. 213. CITY OF PALM SPRINGS FOR A ZONE TEXT AMENDMENT TO ESTABLISH A CITYWIDE ORDINANCE FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT OF GOLF COURSES (CASE NO. 5.1344 ZTA). (DN) The Members of the Planning Commission Ad Hoc Subcommittee (Calerdine, Weremiuk and Moruzzi) provided comments. Planning Commission Minutes June 27, 2018 Page 4 of 7 Associate Planner Newell presented the proposed golf course conversion ordinance as outlined in the staff report. Chair Weremiuk opened the public hearing: TANYA MALCH PETROVNA, spoke in favor of not changing the General Plan and keeping the open -space as is. PENNIE FEEHAN, Tahquitz Creek Neighborhood Organization, spoke in opposition to the proposed changes and stated that they purchased their houses on golf courses. RUSS UTHE, urged the Commission to keep the open space; noting that golf courses will not go on forever. WAYNE GURALNICK, corporate counsel for Mesquite Country Club Condominium Homeowners Association and surrounding condominium associations, has attended many of the subcommittee meetings and thinks the ordinance balances the concerns of the homeowners as well as any potential developer on the property. BILL WHITE, Mesquite Country Club HOA, board member, stated that they support this ordinance as the board that represents 600 condos around the golf course. He clarified that this ordinance is not to close the golf course but a procedure to follow. RICH MALACOFF, The Altum Group, representing Albert Howell of Bel Air Greens, stated they would like to see reasonable standards for the conversion of private open space for other uses and redeveloped for something positive for the city. ARTHUR MAC MILLAN, Mesquite Country Club, 29 year resident, spoke in favor of the proposed ordinance so that the small amount of open space they have can be preserved. MARGARET SIROLLY, Mesquite Country Club resident, requested more open space be preserved because it provides habitat for the wildlife birds and small mammals. MICHELE JOHNSON, agreed with the previous speaker and added that issues with traffic are another concern. She spoke in favor of preserving the open -space that's left. JEFF TUNGIS, questioned if the proposed ordinance would be applicable to Indian Canyons Golf Course land. NICKI MCLAUGHLIN, Friends of the Palm Springs Mountains, chair, said the board directed to comment on golf courses and open space. She suggested a public forum to allow people to give their creative in -put in how they'd like to see this land developed. DICK BURKETT, requested that there would be more generous set -back for those residential properties that border the golf course. He suggested 60 - 70% open space rather than 50%; and questioned if consideration was given for the horse trail on this site. Planning Commission Minutes June 27, 201B Page 5 of 7 MARVIN ROOS, retired but representing Mr. Howell on Bel Air Greens, provided history on the R-1-C zoning on this property. He pointed out that there has been no density transfer on this property; and noted if a golf course is built no credit will be given for parks and recreation and open space- all the fees must still be paid. DARRELL THOMAS, said he's sensitive to the needs of development but also to the surrounding homeowners who were expecting open space when they purchased their property. He noted concern with the traffic that will result from residential or hotel use in this area. JAN ALDEN, questioned if the water channels include the wash in the proposed ordinance; and noted concern that the wash will be considered as open space. JULIE SALAZAR, said that trees are being plowed down and questioned if they have been allowed to be cut down. She questioned if the environmental report took into consideration the water consumption for 300 condos. There being no further speakers the public hearing was closed. The Commission discussed changes to the language of the proposed ordinance. Chair Weremiuk said they would also want to go forward with a zoning that identifies how the transfer would occur in the density transfer. Vice Chair Calerdine said the ordinance needs to state their intent because there are lots of ways to interpret the general intent but the public needs to know where they're heading towards. Commissioner Hirschbein would like to see a proactive measure to ensure that renters are noticed as well as the owners. Commissioner Woods said his position is what they've heard from the public (70% or more) open space would be achieved or closely achieved with the way the ordinance is currently written. Commissioner Hirschbein said it's more important to him if the open space is accessible to the public rather than the 50-55 percentages. Commissioner Moruzzi clarified that they had to consider in many cases it is private property and there has to be an incentive for the owner to invest funds in creating open space and allowing less than 112 of the land to be developed based on the fact that the private yards and pools cannot be considered open space. He said as the subcommittee their goal was to have as much open space as possible; but given all other restrictions they felt this was the most reasonable approach. Planning Commission Minutes June 27, 2018 Page 6 of 7 Chair Weremiuk requested one more ad hoc subcommittee meeting to go over technical changes from the Commission prior to the next public hearing for this item. Chair Weremiuk recapped the Commission comments and requests: • Identify density transfer mechanisms; • Add language in the Purpose and Intent section to identify the importance of maintaining some landscape buffers on the fairways, public access and view preservation; • Broaden notice requirements in Neighbor Outreach Meetings portion of the ordinance and add additional requirements for on -site signage; • Consider including one citywide meeting that utilizes various forms of noticing and includes outreach to renters; • Intent is to preserve views for the public as well as open space; Hirschbein, seconded by Calerdine to continue the public hearing to a date certain of July 25, 2018. AYES: Donenfeld, Hirschbein, Hudson, Moruzzi, Woods, Calerdine, Weremiuk 2C. CITY OF PALM SPRINGS FOR A ZONE TEXT AMENDMENT TO SECTIONS 91.00.10, 93.05.00 AND 94.03.00 OF THE PALM SPRINGS ZONING CODE (PSZC) RELATING TO DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS (PDD) AND THE REQUIREMENTS FOR PROCESSING PDD APPLICATIONS. Planning Director Fagg reported that additional revisions are necessary and recommended to continue the public hearing to the meeting of July 11, 2018. Chair Weremiuk opened the public hearing and there being no speakers the public hearing was closed. Planning Director Fagg noted that an affordable housing fund will be started through the Community and Economic Department and requirements to contribute to such a fund would be in place to address it. Calerdine, seconded by Hirschbein to continue to a date certain to July 11, 2018. AYES: Donenfeld, Hirschbein, Hudson, Moruzzi, Woods, Calerdine, Weremiuk PLANNING COMMISSION REPORTS, REQUESTS AND COMMENTS: • Follow-up comments from earlier discussion with the Architectural Advisory Committee relating to the Downtown Park design. • GIS map for projects. • Update on General Plan Planning Commission Minutes June 27, 2018 Page 7 of 7 CITY COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT: None. PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT: • Tentative Study Session on July 25th. ADJOURNMENT: The Planning Commission adjoumed at 5:21 pm to 1:30 pm, Wednesday, July 11, 2018, City Hall, Large Conference Room, 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California. Fnnagg,AICP Director of Planning Services