The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2018-10-03 PC Meeting MinutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES October 3, 2018 City Hall, Council Chamber 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California CALL TO ORDER: Chair Weremiuk called the meeting to order at 12:12 pm. ROLL CALL: Present: Hirschbein, Moruzzi, Woods, Vice Chair Calerdine, Chair Weremiuk Excused: Donenfeld, Hudson Staff Present: Planning Director Fagg, Attorney Priest, Planning Administrative Coordinator Hintz, 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 6:00 pm, Thursday, September 27, 2018. ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: Calerdine, seconded by Hirschbein to move Item 2B to the beginning of the agenda and accept the agenda as amended. AYES: Hirschbein, Moruzzi, Woods, Calerdine, Weremiuk NOES: None ABSENT: Donenfeld, Hudson PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. 1. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: JULY 25, 2018 STUDY SESSION Calerdine, seconded by Weremiuk to approve minutes as part of the Consent Calendar. AYES: Hirschbein, Moruzzi, Woods, Calerdine, Weremiuk NOES: None ABSENT: Donenfeld, Hudson Planning Commission Minutes October 3, 2018 Page 2 of 6 2. PUBLIC HEARINGS: (This Item was heard out of order.) 2B. CITY OF PALM SPRINGS FOR A ZONE TEXT AMENDMENT TO ESTABLISH A CITYWIDE ORDINANCE FOR THE TRANSFER OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS (CASE NO. 5.1450 ZTA). (DN) Associate Planner Newell provided details on the proposed zone text amendment for transfer of development rights as outlined in the staff report. Chair Weremiuk opened the public hearing: TANYA PETROVNA, noted that not all species (animal and plant life) thrive in mountain areas. MICHELE JOHNSON, does not think it's fair to take open space from one area and put it out in the boonies- the mountains are not accessible to most people. She thinks the traffic and noise will add to the existing neighborhood. DAN BARBER, Los Compadres Neighborhood Organization, said he's appalled with the lack of communication and information. He gets calls from angry residents and expressed concern that this will affect all the community. RUSS UTHE, Sonora Sunrise Neighborhood Organization, (about 1800 homes) spoke about the inordinate amount of calls he gets- there is a lot of confusion about Indian land and lessee ownership of Bel Air Greens; and expressed concern about becoming another version of Orange County. DARRELL THOMAS, questioned why tribal leaders aren't involved in these meetings and stressed that once open space in the city is gone- it's gone. RUTH SINGUEGO, sees the city moving in the direction of less space with taller buildings and basically eliminating the beauty of Palm Springs. A trade out of open space was not the intention of the 2007 General Plan. There being no further speakers the public hearing was closed. Vice Chair Calerdine said there's been a discussion about what the appropriate ratio is. He said this is a very complicated process and will be recommending a continuance because more research is needed. Chair Weremiuk concurred with a continuance and get comments from Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy relating to what type of mechanisms would guarantee both the fairness of the transfer and upkeep of the area being preserved. Moruzzi, seconded by Calerdine to continue to a date uncertain. AYES: Hirschbein, Moruzzi, NOES: None ABSENT: Donenfeld, Hudson Woods, Calerdine, Weremiuk Planning Commission Minutes October 3, 2018 Page 3 of 6 2A. CITY OF PALM SPRINGS FOR A ZONE TEXT AMENDMENT TO ESTABLISH A CITYWIDE ORDINANCE FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT OF GOLF COURSES (CASE NO. 5.1444 ZTA). (DN) (CONTINUED FROM THE SEPTEMBER 12, 2018 MEETING) Associate Planner Newell provided an overview on the proposed changes to the draft ordinance for golf course conversions as outlined in the staff report. Chair Weremiuk opened the public hearing: MICHAEL JOHNSON, Demuth Park resident, thinks there a great deal of confusion at the city level. He thinks the concept of moving open space into the mountains defeats the purpose of having access to park space. DAVID FREEDMAN, echoed comments from other speakers whether the ordinance would apply to allottee land and it needs be clarified in discussions with the tribal council. He referenced the potential role of neighborhood organizations; and suggested a cross- reference of the water efficient landscaping ordinance in the development standards if there is no conversion. DAN BARBER, Los Compadres Neighborhood Organization, commented that 50% will remain open -space; however, questioned how much of the remaining 50% could be transferred. WAYNE GURALNICK, Guralnick, Gilliland & Knighten, (representing Mesquite Country Club HOA and about 60 HOA's), said the ordinance creates a roadmap and it provides protection to the homeowners and HOAs in relationship to potential golf courses where none exist now. MICELLE JOHNSON, Demuth Park resident, said the mountains have a huge amount of open space and the city has almost none- plus when you transfer land to the mountains it is not buildable. She does not think transferring 35 acres for piecemeal pockets here and there does not equal open space. TANYA PETROVNA, commented that the 2007 General Plan allocates a certain amount of acreage per person for open space and it's not being met now. She questioned how it will be met by reducing the golf course open space to 50%. There being no further speakers the public hearing was closed. Planning Commission Minutes October 3, 201 B Page 4 of 6 The Commission reviewed the proposed ordinance for golf course conversions and recommended changes. Weremiuk, seconded by Calerdine to recommend approval to City Council with the following changes: 1. Add definition of golf courses that includes non -operational courses (except Serena Park and Miralon). 2. Include reference in "Section F. Development Standards" that golf course redevelopment complies with Water Efficient Landscape provisions of Municipal Code Chapter 8.60. Define maintenance responsibilities of open space. 3. Modify paragraph (C)(2)(a)(ii) to include city -recognized Neighborhood Organizations as a consideration for joint control in the event of no conversion. 4. Modify paragraph (D)(3)(a) to require a minimum of one city-wide neighborhood outreach meeting in a form and format approved by the City. 5. Development agreement shall define public access to open space trails to the extent permitted by law. 6. Ordinance applies to all golf courses in the City, including those on tribal land to the maximum extent provided by law. 7. Modify 50% open space development standard to include accessible and naturalized waterways, but not concrete waterway channels. 8. Paragraph B.1.b.ii. to include: Development agreement to have date certain timeframes for payments and land transfers. 9. Corrections: a. Remove references to Conditional Use Permit requirements in relation to TDR ordinance (found in B.1.b.iii and D.1.b) b. Correct cross-reference errors in paragraph D.1.a. and D.1.b. as it relates to 92.12.17.B.1. The Commission requested a joint session with the City Council to discuss this ordinance and others currently in process AYES: Hirschbein, Moruzzi, Woods, Calerdine, Weremiuk NOES: None ABSENT: Donenfeld, Hudson (Final action by City Council.) A recess was taken at 2:04 pm. The meeting resumed at 2:17 pm. 2C. CITY OF PALM SPRINGS FOR A ZONE TEXT AMENDMENT TO THE PALM SPRINGS ZONING CODE (PSZC) RELATING TO MODIFICATIONS TO THE PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT (PDD) ORDINANCE (CASE 5.1439 ZTA). (FF) Planning Commission Minutes October 3, 2018 Page 5 of 6 Attorney Priest provided details on the amendments to the proposed Planned Development District Ordinance. Planning Director Fagg reported that with the proposed changes to the PDD Ordinance there will be a significant limit from development standards which reduces the request for public benefit. Chair Weremiuk opened the public hearing: MICHELLE JOHNSON, said that generally the public does not see the public benefits; and spoke in favor of limiting the PDD's because there are too many. JULIE SALAZAR, questioned if there is a minimum requirement for public benefits and for the landowner to call it a park. There being no further speakers the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Woods spoke in favor of the proposed PDD Ordinance and made a motion of approval. Woods, seconded by Calerdine to recommend approval to City Council with the following changes: 1. Public Benefit: A. 3(c) "The public benefit shall proportionally offset the additional impacts created by the rp oiect's waivers ..." B. Add language "Staffs confirmation of the public benefit". C. D(3) (4) add public art on -site or offsite. D. 3(a) " .. . to offset impacts of the project, including those additional impacts specifically created by the waivers ...". 2. Controlled Access: D. Move the sentence "Controlled access is discouraged ." at the beginning of the paragraph. AYES: Hirschbein, Moruzzi, Woods, Calerdine, Weremiuk NOES: None ABSENT: Donenfeid, Hudson 3. DISCUSSION: 3A. DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED SMALL -LOT RESIDENTIAL ZONE (R-1-E) DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS (CASE 5.1398 ZTA). (FF) Planning Director Fagg provided an overview on the proposed small lot ordinance as outlined in the staff report. Planning Commission Minutes October 12018 Page 6 of 6 The Commission discussed the proposed small lot ordinance and provided feedback pertaining to varied setbacks (15 feet), parking in the rear or alleyways, maximum lot coverage and R-21R-3 standards. Planning Director Fagg stated that this item would be scheduled for a public hearing and come back with the suggested revisions. For discussion only- no action was taken. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORTS, REQUESTS AND COMMENTS: • Request for a study session (depending on scope of changes) for the Rock Garden project. CITY COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT: None. PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT: Announcement of Doug Donenfeld's resignation on the Planning Commission. ADJOURNMENT: The Planning Commission adjourned at 3:49 pm to 1:30 pm, Wednesday, October 10, 2018, City Hall, Council Chamber, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way. Finn Fagg, AI P Director of Planning Services