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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-07-11 PC Neeting MinutesPLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES JULY 11, 2018 CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA Large Conference Room, City Hall 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262 CALL TO ORDER: Chair Weremiuk called the meeting to order at 1:31 pm. ROLL CALL: Present: Donenfeld, Hirschbein, Hudson, Moruzzi, Woods, Vice Chair Calerdine, Chair Weremiuk Staff Present: Planning Director Fagg, Attorney Priest, Planning Administrative Coordinator Hintz, Engineering Associate Minjares, 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 6:00 pm Thursday, July 5, 2018. ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: Vice Chair Calerdine, seconded by Donenfeld to accept the Agenda as presented. AYES: Donenfeld, Hirschbein, Hudson, Moruzzi, Woods, Calerdine, Weremiuk PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: None. 2. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 2A. 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 Commission Minutes July 11, 2018 City of Palm Springs Planning Director reported that staff received a letter from the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians requesting deferral of action on any items that may impact the tribe as no meetings will be held during the month of August. Chair Weremiuk opened the public hearing; and with no speakers coming forward the public hearing was closed. Calerdine, seconded by Hirschbein to continue to a date certain of September 12, 2018. AYES: Donenfeld, Hirschbein, Hudson, Moruzzi, Woods, Calerdine, Weremiuk 2B. GARNET PROPERTIES 2014, LLC FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT; ADOPTION OF A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION UNDER CEQA; AND A MAJOR ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION FOR THE CON- STRUCTION OF A 63,650-SQUARE FOOT CANNABIS CULTIVATION AND DISPENSARY FACILITY CONSISTING OF FOUR (4) SEPARATE BUILDINGS LOCATED AT GARNET ROAD AND THE INTERSTATE 10 OFF -RAMP, ZONE M-1-P, SECTION 23 (CASE 5.1434 CUP AND 3.4068 MAJ). Associate Planner Mlaker presented an overview on the proposed cannabis cultivation and dispensary facility as outlined in the staff report. NICOLE CRISTE, Terra Nova Planning & Research, provided details on the biological mitigation related to migratory birds. Ms. Criste addressed questions from the Commission. Chair Weremiuk opened public comments: JAMES CIOFFI, project architect, said this is designed to be an industrial park type project. Mr. Cioffi provided details on the metal parapets, architectural and landscape design. MICHAEL FEIN, applicant, provided detail on the type of manufacturing use that will go through permitting process. There being no further speakers the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Hirschbein thinks this site is a prominent site as it represents an entrance to the city. He said the north and east elevations lack attention as they will be seen by motorists using the 1-10 exit ramps. He'd like to see the "eye brows" strengthened or the canopy extend out with columns or posts. Member Donenfeld does not think this is a very prominent site; and noted that he's exited the ramp many times. He pointed -out that there is nothing distinctive about the surrounding architecture and thinks its fine for the use and location. 2 Planning Commission Minutes July 11, 2018 City of Palm Spnngs Vice Chair Calerdine concurred with Commissioner Donenfeld and wants to make sure the sidewalk is installed on the entire frontage. He noted that many spot projects are being approved in these areas and the Gene Autry Trail with no cohesive plan_ Commissioner Hudson thinks the architecture for the building type is very good; the more simple and minimal the better at this location. He concurred that the "eye brows" at the dispensary entrance are weak and he'd like to see the two canopies form a more welcoming entry gesture since this is the only area that invites the public. He noted that this location caters more to motorists and is a missed opportunity for more fast food restaurants. He concurred with Vice Chair Calerdine that more of these sites could be looked at in a more cohesive way and spoke in support of the project. Commissioner Moruzzi thinks this a perfect project for this area and can't see too many other commercial or industrial uses that would work. He thinks the design is appropriate for this location and likes the minimal aspect. Commissioner Woods concurred with his fellow Commissioners and thinks the trip generation would be different for manufacturing use. He suggested bike boxes be provided for each building to protect from the wind. Chair Weremiuk thinks the "eye brows" should be enhanced and the cannabis dispensary may be considered more as serving the public. She thinks the use is appropriate for the site. Calerdine, seconded by Weremiuk to approve with changes. 1. Construct eight (8) foot wide sidewalk across the entire frontage of the parcel from the 1-10 off -ramp to the western portion of the property. 2. Provide bike boxes at each of the four (4) buildings to be available for employees and visitors. 3. Revise Building 1A elevation with a more prominent "eye brow" feature over entry to public dispensary. 4. Any future use of the buildings that will increase the number of vehicle trips over 50 per hour may require a new traffic evaluation. 5. Landscape plan to utilize ground cover material including rocks, boulders, rubble and other inert material that will remain on site and not be affected by the strong winds. 6. Note to file updating trip generation to show no impact. AYES: Donenfeld, Hudson, Moruzzi, Woods, Calerdine, Weremiuk NOES: Hirschbein A recess was taken at 2:36 pm. The meeting resumed at 2:47 pm. 2C. J5 INFRASTRUCTURE ON BEHALF OF AT&T MOBILITY FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO INSTALL A WIRELESS COMMUNI- CATIONS FACILITY CONSISTING OF TWELVE 8-FOOT TALL PANEL 3 Planning Commission Minutes July 11, 2018 City of Palm Springs ANTENNAS ON THE ROOF TOP OF AN EXISTING WAREHOUSE BUILDING LOCATED AT 770 SOUTH GENE AUTRY TRAIL, ZONE M-1, SECTION 20. (CASE 5.1438 CUP). (ER) Principal Planner Robertson provided an overview on the proposed wireless facility as outlined in the staff report. Chair Weremiuk opened the public hearing: MELISSA FRANCISCO, J5 Infrastructure, applicant, explained that the antennas cannot be moved to the center of the building because the height would need to be increased significantly. GENE VOSKOBOYNIK, AT&T Mobility, RF Engineer, explained the propagation characteristics; noting that any object in front of the antenna will obstruct it. He spoke about areas lacking coverage that includes the airport and surrounding residential communities, Mr. Blanc responded that the location of the antennas could not be moved to the center of the building because they would be obstructed and the height would need to be increased. There being no further speakers the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Hudson suggested another option is to center one of the screened elements on the south facade of the building; and center the other screened element on the north end of the building. Mr. Hudson also suggested using a slightly different color on the screening so that it doesn't blend in too much and would give more order to the elements, Mr. Voskoboynik responded that the energy wave would be split and the building would be an obstruction unless the antennas are raised. Commissioner Hudson verified if the antennas split into three sections would work- (yes). Commissioner Moruzzi thinks the screening is not attractive and looks better without it. Commissioner Woods thinks the screens could be more architectural to match the building; and suggested adding more landscape enhancements along the exterior of the building both on Sunny Dunes and Gene Autry Trail. Commissioner Moruzzi would like to see simulations without the screening. Commissioner Hudson concurred with Commissioner Moruzzi and encouraged as many visual simulations as possible not just directly adjacent to the building. Commissioner Hirschbein suggested bringing the unit to the middle of the building by raising 1 112 feet and return with screened and not screened simulations. 4 Planning Commission Minutes July 11, 2018 City of Palm Springs Chair Weremiuk said the proposal before them is too bulky and would like to see different simulations. She said she would like to see them get the cell coverage they need and hopes they will bring back simulations of what will work for them. Weremiuk, seconded by Calerdine to continue to a date certain of September 12, 2018. AYES: Donenfeld, Hirschbein, Hudson, Moruzzi, Woods, Calerdine, Weremiuk 3. OTHER BUSINESS: 3A. ELECTION OF OFFICERS: 1. ELECTION OF CHAIR 2. ELECTION OF VICE CHAIR Hirschbein, seconded by Calerdine to retain Kathy Weremiuk as Chair and Lyn Calerdine as Vice Chair until their terms expire on December 31, 2018. AYES: Donenfeld, Hirschbein, Hudson, Moruzzi, Woods, Calerdine ABSTAIN: Weremiuk PLANNING COMMISSION REPORTS, REQUESTS AND COMMENTS: • Neighborhood meeting held the Golf Course Conversion. • Discussion item on moratoria on next agenda for informational purposes. • Posting of Ad Hoc Subcommittee agendas on webpage. • Update on the Cameron Development and Dream Hotel. • Planning Department's Project Submittals & Status. CITY COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT: None. PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT: None. ADJOURNMENT: The Planning Commission adjourned at 3:59 pm, to 1:30 pm, Wednesday, July 25, 2018, preceded by a Study Session at 10:00 am, Large Conference Room, City Hall, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs. Flinn Fagg, AIC Director of Planning Services 5