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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-04-24 PC Meeting MinutesPLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA APRIL 24, 2019 Council Chamber, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs, California CALL TO ORDER: Chair Woods called the meeting to order at 1:40 pm. ROLL CALL: Present: Donenfeld, Garner, Hirschbein, Song, Vice Chair Moruzzi, Chair Woods Absent: Doug Hudson Staff Present: Planning Director Fagg, Attorney Priest, Administrative Secretary Bruggemans, Engineering Assistant Director Montalvo, Engineering Associate Primera, Associate Planner Mlaker. 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 5:00 pm on Thursday, April 18, 2019. ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: Song, seconded by Moruzzi to accept the Agenda, as presented. AYES: Donenfeld, Garner, Hirschbein, Hudson, Song, Moruzzi, Woods ABSENT: Hudson PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. 1. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 10, 2019 1B. DAVID COOPER, TRUSTEE, FOR A REQUEST TO VACATE A PORTION OF THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY ON THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2086 BARONA ROAD, SECTION 25, TOWNSHIP 4 SOUTH, RANGE 4 EAST, (ENG. FILE R 19-01-2086). 1C. PCG-SP VENTURE I, LLC, FOR A REQUEST TO VACATE THE RIGHT-OF- WAY FOR A PORTION OF WEST PALM CANYON DRIVE, SECTION 26, TOWNSHIP 4 SOUTH, RANGE 4 EAST, S.B.M., 333 EAST PALM CANYON DRIVE (ENG FILE R 18-13). Planning Commission Minutes April 24, 2019 City of Palm Springs Song, seconded by Moruzzi to approve the Consent Calendar as presented. AYES: Donenfeld, Garner, Hirschbein, Song, Moruzzi, Woods ABSENT: Hudson 2. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 2A. GROCERY OUTLET REQUESTING A SIGN VARIANCE TO ALLOW TWO (2) MAIN SIGNS TO EXCEED THE PERMITTED LETTER HEIGHT ALLOWED IN THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT (CBD) LOCATED AT 350 SOUTH PALM CANYON DRIVE, ZONE CBD (CASE 8.262). Associate Planner Mlaker provided an overview of the Variance request as provided in the staff report. The Planning Commissioners asked the following questions relative to the Variance application: • Whether the backing panel was included in the calculation of sign area; • If the backing panel was necessary for the installation, or if channel letters could be applied directly to the building fagade; • How the proposed signage compares to other signage in the area relative to letter height, overall size, and method of construction. MITCH CHUMMERS, applicant, described the sign variance request. There being no further speakers, the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Donenfeld stated that the variance was warranted on the Palm Canyon frontage and that traffic speed warrants a larger sign on the Indian Canyon frontage; he suggested moving the Indian Canyon sign closer to driveway entrance, and noted that branding is important to applicants. Commissioner Hirschbein stated that the Commission's duty is to retain the integrity of community, and that the red backing panel degrades the aesthetics of the building and is inconsistent with other signage in area. However, he noted that the requested size of letters is appropriate. Mr. Hirschbein stated that the City has required modifications to signage in the past to conform to architectural standards; he offered support for additional signage such as a small monument sign at the driveway on the Indian Canyon frontage. Commissioner Song agreed that placement of the sign on the Indian Canyon frontage needed to be revised, and does not support the use of the red backing panel. She noted that she would support greater letter height instead of the backing panel, and that the logo for the chain does not include a background. 2 Planning Commission Minutes April 24, 2019 City of Palm Springs Vice Chair Moruzzi stated the he doesn't feel it's appropriate to require the business to change their logo. Chair Woods agreed with the comments about moving the sign location on the Indian Canyon frontage, and that he supports the use of channel letters without a backing panel. He stated that the signage should fit with the architecture, and suggested that the applicant could add a pedestrian sign on the Indian Canyon frontage of the building. Commissioner Garner offered support for the addition of a pedestrian sign on the Indian Canyon frontage, and did not have a position on red backing panel. The commissioners discussed various options for modifications without the backing panel. The applicant responded that the letter height was chosen to be no bigger than necessary, that removing red backing panel would be harmful to their brand identity, and that they were open to additional signage suggested by commissioners but need to look at it carefully. Director Fagg clarified the regulations regarding monument signage and pedestrian signs. Commissioner Donenfeld stated that the color of the backing panel is for national recognition, and does not diminish Palm Springs' architectural standards. Vice Chair Moruzzi verified with staff that applicant could do the red background panel without a variance (staff confirmed that no variance would be needed for the panel). Commissioner Garner stated that the red background should be allowed, and that the size of the signage is consistent with the signage of other businesses in the area. Commissioner Donenfeld supported the two signs as proposed, and suggested that a pedestrian blade sign would be appropriate. He also recommended an alternate placement for Indian Canyon sign. Donenfeld, seconded by Moruzzi, to approve subject to conditions. AYES: Donenfeld, Garner, Moruzzi, Woods NAYS: Hirschbein, Song ABSENT: Hudson 2113. JOHNSTON FAMILY TRUST, (DBA COLONY 29) FOR A GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT TO CHANGE THE LAND USE DESIGNATION FROM ESTATE RESIDENTIAL (ER) TO MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL FOR A PORTION OF THE PROPERTY; NEGATIVE DECLARATION UNDER CEQA; AND A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW THE SITE TO OPERATE AS A SEVEN (7) UNIT HOTEL LOCATED AT 137 SOUTH TAHQUITZ DRIVE, ZONE R-2 (CASE 5.1426 GPA & CUP). 3 Planning Commission Minutes April 24, 2019 City of Palm Springs Commissioner Garner recused herself from the deliberations due to a professional conflict and left the chambers. Associate Planner Mlaker provided a report on the proposed applications. Nicole Vann, CEQA consultant, discussed the Negative Declaration relative to air quality, traffic and noise, and stated there were less than significant impacts. The commissioners verified the following relative to the application: • Verified that the traffic analysis relative to vacation rental and special event venue uses does not meet the threshold for dealing as an impact; • The conversion from vacation rental to hotel is the basis for the general plan amendment and CUP applications (staff member Mlaker noted that this also corrects a conflict between the general plan and zoning); • Verified the existing property lines and if units are rented separately; • Questioned the limitations on the event hours and if the limitations are consistent with how events are being operated currently, • Verified that Event House permits would no longer be required if operated as a hotel; • Verified the parking requirement for the hotel use and the provision of overflow parking; • Questioned the use of shuttles for special events and impact on the neighborhood; • Verified the hotel density is consistent with the General Plan; and • Requested additional information as to how the applicant will reduce noise impacts from special events. DAVE JOHNSTON, property owner, described the purpose for converting to a hotel use and the operation of the property. KELLY MCLEAN, applicant, explained the transition from vacation rental to hotel based on changes to the vacation rental ordinance, how shuttles work for special events, and the measures taken to address noise complaints. SHANN DORNHECKER, stated that the events start at noon and go until 10:30 pm on Saturdays, that tear down is now on Monday, that the use of an outdoor PA system violates code requirements, that there are traffic issues with Uber/Lyft and associated crime, and that the hotel noise will increase the impacts and will ruin peaceful enjoyment of the neighborhood. KELLY MCLEAN offered rebuttal regarding the concerns that were raised and how they have responded to complaints. There being no further speakers, the public hearing was closed. Chair Woods verified if applicant was willing to follow same restrictions under the vacation rental/event house regulations with the change to a hotel use. He also questioned if 4 Planning Commission Minutes April 24, 2019 City of Palm Springs conditions of approval could be added under the CUP application (staff indicated that conditions could be added). Vice Chair Moruzzi asked if there were any complaints relative to the vacation rental use, and if the public concerns are valid; he also asked how code enforcement is conducted by the City (Director Fagg noted that complaints are addressed by staff and conditions modified to address complaints). DAVE JOHNSTON responded to questions from the commissioners relative to measures to monitor and control sound issues. Commissioner Hirschbein verified changes to the vacation rental regulations and impacts to operation of the property; he asked if the conditions from the Infusion Beach project relative to noise control could be applied to this case. Mr. Hirschbein stated that only one member of the public offered comment on the application, that the property will operate substantially the same, and that additional conditions could be added to the CUP to address complaints. Commissioner Song stated that the zoning is already R-2, and that the proposed application would clean up a conflict with the General Plan, and that they should proceed according to the staff recommendation. Commissioner Donenfeld noted that he is in agreement with Commissioner Song, and is supportive of moving forward with approval of the applications with conditions. Vice Chair Moruzzi asked for clarification regarding permissible sound levels for hotels versus vacation rentals (staff member Mlaker noted that the noise ordinance does not distinguish between hotel or vacation rental). Chair Woods noted that the applicant had agreed to a number of conditions to reduce impacts relative to music and event tear -down. The commissioners discussed a number of general limitations that would assist in reducing noise impacts. Commissioner Hirschbein requested that staff come back with the same noise limitation conditions that were applied to the Infusion Beach project and impose them on these applications; Chair Woods supported the recommendation. Director Fagg suggested that staff would come back in two weeks with updated conditions, and to have the applicant review the added conditions. Donenfeld, seconded by Moruzzi to continue to May 8, 2019. AYES: Donenfeld, Hirschbein, Song, Moruzzi, Woods ABSENT: Hudson RECUSE: Garner 5 Planning Commission Minutes April 24, 2019 City of Palm Springs 3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None. 4. NEW BUSINESS: None. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORTS, REQUESTS AND COMMENTS: • Vice Chair Moruzzi requested information on the General Plan update. • Commissioner Donenfeld requested an update on the golf course conversion ordinance. CITY COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT: • Councilmember Middleton discussed the budget process and asked for input from Planning Commission members. PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT: Reviewed possible meeting dates for the Planning Commission subcommittee to discuss submittal requirements. ADJOURNMENT: The Planning Commission adjourned at 3:40 pm to 1:30 pm, Wednesday, May 8, 2019 City Hall, Council Chamber, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way. F inn Fagg, MCP Director of Planning Services A