HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-02-27 PC Meeting MinutesPLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
February 27, 2019
Council Chamber, City Hall
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California
CALL TO ORDER:
Chair Woods called the meeting to order at 1:31 pm.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Donenfeld, Garner, Hirschbein, Hudson, Song, Vice Chair Moruzzi,
Chair Woods
Staff Present: Planning Director Fagg, Attorney Priest, Administrative Coordinator
Hintz, Engineering Associate Minjares, Associate Planner Mlaker,
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 4:00 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2019.
ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA:
Woods, seconded by Donenfeld to accept the agenda, as presented.
AYES: Donenfeld, Garner, Hirschbein, Hudson, Song, Moruzzi, Woods
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.
1. CONSENT CALENDAR:
1A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: JANUARY 9, 2019
Donenfeld, seconded by Moruzzi to approve the minutes, as presented.
AYES: Donenfeld, Hirschbein, Hudson, Moruzzi, Woods
ABSTAIN: Garner, Song
Planning Commission Minutes
February 27, 2019
Page 2 of 4
2. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
2A. SONS OF ITALY ON BEHALF OF DOLLY SINATRA LODGE NO. 2400 TO
RE-ESTABLISH A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO OPERATE A MEETING
HALL WITHIN THE EXISTING BUILDING LOCATED AT 1700 NORTH
SAHARA ROAD, ZONE P, SECTION 1 (CASE 5.0707 CUP). (DN)
(CONTINUED FROM FEBRUARY 13, 2019 MEETING.)
Associate Planner Newell presented the request to re -institute a Conditional Use Permit for
the existing meeting hall as outlined in the staff report.
Chair Woods opened the public hearing:
JOSEPH LAPORTA, Dolly Sinatra Lodge, Sons of Italy, president, said they've been at this
location for 20 years; noting that this organization was founded in 1906. He explained that
they are non-profit charitable organization and provided further details.
DOUG JONES, said that he owns a parcel about 170 ft. from the subject property. He has
never encountered any problems nor has he heard of any parking complaints from the
neighborhood.
There being no further speakers the public hearing was closed.
Donenfeld, seconded by Hudson to approve with the added condition:
• Staff will review the landscape plan to ensure conformance to Zoning Code
requirements as it relates to landscape improvements necessary to adjust the use of
the neighborhood.
AYES: Donenfeld, Garner, Hirschbein, Hudson, Song, Moruzzi, Woods
2B. MICHAEL HOFFMAN, OWNER OF THE SHELL SERVICE STATION
REQUESTING APPROVAL OF A SIGN VARIANCE FOR THE
ILLUMINATION OF A RED BAND ON ALL SIDES OF AN EXISTING FUEL
ISLAND CANOPY EXCEEDING THE ALLOWABLE SIGN AREA FOR AN
AUTOMOBILE SERVICE STATION LOCATED AT 4875 EAST RAMON
ROAD, ZONE M-1 (CASE 8.261 SIGN VAR). (GM)
Associate Planner Mlaker presented the proposed Sign Variance to allow an illuminated red
band on all sides of the existing fuel island canopy as outlined in the staff report.
Chair Woods opened the public hearing:
Planning Commission Minutes
February 27, 2019
Page 3 of 4
MARVIN ROOS, retired planner, on behalf of applicant, believes this is one of the finest gas
stations in the city. He explained that the street configuration was identified and the addition
of the median islands that limit visibility of the gas station.
NINA BRENTHOM, Sign Development Inc., said that the red band light is not dimmable but
they could add it if needed. She was available for questions from the Commission.
There being no further speakers the public hearing was closed.
Commissioner Song said she was at the AAC when this was package was reviewed. She
thinks this design packet is much more informative and understands in a comprehensive way
as to why the request is being made. It doesn't pull the Shell Station to the front but brings
crispness to what they are trying to do.
Commissioner Garner said she drove by early this morning and thinks this area is very dark
at night. She spoke in favor of more illumination in this area.
Commissioner Donenfeld said this is a very heavily traveled intersection and given the
topography it is difficult to figure out how to enter it. He spoke in favor of the sign variance.
Song, seconded by Garner to approve with added condition:
1. The red band lighting shall be dimmable to reduce glare should light be deemed a
nuisance.
AYES: Donenfeld, Garner, Hirschbein, Hudson, Song, Moruzzi, Woods
3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None.
4. NEW BUSINESS:
4A. CITY OF PALM SPRINGS FOR AN INITIATION OF A CHANGE OF ZONE AT
FOUR LOCATIONS: (1) CITY -OWNED PROPERTY ZONED "CU" AT 190
WEST SUNNY DUNES ROAD, (2) CITY -OWNED PROPERTY ZONED "CU"
LOCATED SOUTHWEST OF THE INTERSECTION OF NORTH INDIAN
CANYON DRIVE AND STEVENS ROAD, (3) PRIVATELY -OWNED
PROPERTY ZONED "CU" AT 342 NORTH PALM CANYON DRIVE, AND (4)
PRIVATELY -OWNED PROPERTY ZONED "P" LOCATED NORTHWEST OF
CERRITOS ROAD AND SAHARA ROAD (CASE 5.1467 COZ). (DN)
Associate Planner Newell presented the proposed initiation of a change of zone for four (4)
locations within the City as outlined in the staff report.
Planning Commission Minutes
February 27, 2019
Page 4 of 4
Planning Director Fagg reported that he discovered another location at the intersection of N.
Palm Canyon and W. Via Lola where there are inconsistencies with the General Plan and the
current uses of the property. He distributed a map of the subject property and provided
details.
Song, seconded by Hirschbein to direct staff to initiate change of zone proceedings for the
five (5) locations.
AYES: Donenfeld, Garner, Hirschbein, Hudson, Song, Moruzzi, Woods
PLANNING COMMISSION REPORTS, REQUESTS AND COMMENTS:
• Vibe Development approval for distance of wall and sidewalk plant -able area.
• Status of Bel Air Greens property.
CITY COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT:
• Council Member Middleton was available for questions from the Commission.
PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
• Status of Downtown Park.
ADJOURNMENT: The Planning Commission adjourned at 2:54 pm to 1:30 pm,
Wednesday, March 13, 2019, City Hall, Council Chamber, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way.
Fli n Fagg, AIC
Director of Planning Services