HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-01-09 PC Meeting MinutesPLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
January 9, 2019
Council Chamber, City Hall
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California
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, Assistant City Attorney King, Administrative
Coordinator Hintz, Engineering Associate Minjares, Associate Planner
Kikuchi, Associate Planner Newell, 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 on Thursday, January 3, 2019.
ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA:
Donenfeld, seconded by Calerdine to accept the agenda, as presented.
AYES: Donenfeld, Hirschbein, Hudson, Moruzzi, Woods, Calerdine, Weremiuk
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Woods, seconded by Moruzzi to approve the Consent Calendar, as presented.
1A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: NOVEMBER 7, 2018, NOVEMBER 14, 2018
(Noting Calerdine's abstention on the minutes of November 14, 2018.)
AYES: Hirschbein, Hudson, Moruzzi, Woods, Calerdine, Weremiuk
ABSTAIN: Donenfeld
2. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
2A. LAS PALMAS BREWING, LLC ON BEHALF OF LARRY AND CONNIE
BRAMOWETH FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (CUP) TO ALLOW A
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COCKTAILIBEER LOUNGE AND ACCESSORY BREWERY AT 461
NORTH PALM CANYON DRIVE, ZONE CBD, SECTION 15 (CASE 5.1457
CUP). (DN) (CONTINUED FROM DECEMBER 12, 2018 MEETING.)
Associate Planner Newell provided an overview on the changes made to the project as
requested by the Planning Commission at their December 12th regular meeting.
Chair Weremiuk opened the public hearing:
SAM GILL, applicant, said they took the feedback from the Commission and have done
their best to address the concerns.
There being no further speakers the public hearing was closed.
Commissioner Hirschbein thanked the applicant for the changes made to the project. He
thinks it will be a great addition to the city and that part of the block, and it will be a
success with the hotel opening across the street.
Commissioner Woods thanked the applicant for responding to the comments line -by-line
and working on it to make it a better product.
Weremiuk, seconded by Calerdine to approve subject to:
• The applicant shall improve the storefront fagade per the description
provided on December 20, 2018, to the satisfaction of the Planning Director.
The improvements shall also include:
• Resurfacing of the storefront glazing channels.
• Enclosure of the mechanical equipment.
• Trash receptacles at the rear of the building.
AYES: Donenfeld, Hirschbein, Hudson, Moruzzi, Woods, Calerdine, Weremiuk
2B. AUSTIN TODD ON BEHALF OF CALIFORNIA ORGANICS FOR A
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (CUP) TO OPERATE A 5,044-SQUARE
FOOT CANNABIS CULTIVATION FACILITY WITHIN AN EXISTING
INDUSTRIAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 696 SOUTH WILLIAMS ROAD,
ZONE M-1, SECTION 33 (CASE 5.1"0 CUP). (ER) (CONTINUED FROM
DECEMBER 12, 2018 MEETING.)
Calerdine, seconded by Donenfeld to continue to date certain of January 23, 2019.
AYES: Donenfeld, Hirschbein, Hudson, Moruzzi, Woods, Calerdine, Weremiuk
2C. REQUEST BY COACHELLA FLATS, LLC, FOR A CONDITIONAL USE
PERMIT (CUP) AND A VARIANCE APPLICATION TO DECOMMISSION
AND REMOVE 363 EXISTING WIND TURBINE GENERATORS AND
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REPLACE THEM WITH TWENTY (20) NEW WIND TURBINES WITH A
MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF 499 FEET AND TWO (2) 315 FEET TALL
METEOROLOGICAL (MET) TOWERS ON APPROXIMATELY 858 ACRES
LOCATED WEST OF NORTH INDIAN CANYON DRIVE, NORTH OF
HIGHWAY 111, AND SOUTH OF INTERSTATE-10 FREEWAY; ZONE W,
SECTION 23 (CASE 5.1429-CUP & 6.551-VAR) (ER). (CONTINUED FROM
DECEMBER 12, 2018 MEETING.)
Vice Chair Calerdine disclosed that this past week he had a brief discussion with the one
of the consultants on the project.
Principal Planner Robertson presented background information and details on the existing
wind turbines and new turbines as outlined in the staff report.
FRED NOBLE, Wintec Energy, said he has no economic interest in this project. He
explained that worldwide less than 10% the blades come off and when they do, they fall
straight down. He said the old wind mills require a lot of maintenance whereas the new
ones require very little upkeep.
MICHELLE WITHERSPOON, MSA Consulting, environmental consultant, stated that the
nearest structures are 3200 feet away; and the closest use is a metal scrap yard. She
clarified that there are currently eight (8) turbines that have lighting; and the lighting style
will be reduced with the new turbines. Ms. Witherspoon addressed questions from the
Commission pertaining to the Bird & Bat Conservation Strategy Report.
KEVIN MARTIN, director of environmental permitting and senior ecologists, Terra -Gen,
was available for questions from the Commission.
Chair Weremiuk suggested a study session be held to discuss the environmental concerns
prior to their next meeting.
A recess was taken at 3:00 pm. The meeting resumed at 3:08 pm_
Chair Weremiuk opened the public hearing:
ARMAND ANSELMO, development manager, Terra -Gen, provided an overview on the
renewable energy company (Terra -Gen) based in San Diego. He described the project
using a PowerPoint presentation regarding the location, timelines, visual simulations,
project comparison (existing and proposed new turbines) and project benefits.
FRED NOBLE, clarified that there has never seen an eagle killed by a windmill in the Palm
Springs area. He said eagles live in the trees up on the hills; and spoke about an eagle
found on Dillon Road that had hit a power line. He indicated that migratory birds tend to fly
above a thousand feet.
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There being no further speakers the public hearing was closed.
Calerdine, seconded by Moruzzi to continue to date certain of January 23, 2019.
AYES: Donenfeld, Hirschbein, Hudson, Moruzzi, Woods, Calerdine, Weremiuk
2D. CITY OF PALM SPRINGS FOR A ZONE TEXT AMENDMENT TO
SECTIONS 91.00.10, 92.01.01, AND 93.23.14 OF THE PALM SPRINGS
ZONING CODE (PSZC) RELATING TO ACCESSORY SECOND UNITS IN
RESIDENTIAL ZONES (CASE 5.1447 ZTA). (NK)
Associate Planner Kikuchi provided an overview on the proposed zone text amendment
relating to accessory second units in residential zones as outlined in the staff report.
Chair Weremiuk opened the public hearing and with no speakers coming forward the
public hearing was closed.
Commissioner Woods made a motion to approve subject to striking the minimum rental
period. He thinks vacation rentals are very well regulated_ Motion died due to a lack of
second.
Calerdine, seconded by Donenfeld to recommend approval to City Council, as presented.
AYES: Donenfeld, Hirschbein, Hudson, Moruzzi, Calerdine, Weremiuk
NOES: Woods
PLANNING COMMISSION REPORTS, REQUESTS AND COMMENTS:
• Kathy Weremiuk and Lyn Calerdine were thanked for their time served on the
Planning Commission.
CITY COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT: None.
PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT: None_
ADJOURNMENT: The Planning Commission adjourned at 3:57 pm to 1:30 pm,
Wednesday, January 23, 2019, City Hall, Council Chamber, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon
Way preceded by a Study Session at 11:00 am, Large Conference Room.
Onn agg, AIC
Director of Planning Services