HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-03-25 PC Meeting MinutesPLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
March 25, 2020
Council Chamber, City Hall
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California
CALL TO ORDER:
Chair Weremiuk called the meeting to order at 5:31 pm.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Donenfeld, Hirschbein, Lewin, Song, Vice Chair Moruzzi, Chair
Weremiuk
Excused Absence: Ervin
Staff Present: Planning Director Fagg, Attorney Priest, Administrative Coordinator
Hintz, Engineering Associate Minjares, Associate Planner Mlaker,
Principal Planner Newell, Assistant Planner Perez
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,
March 19, 2020.
ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA:
Song, seconded by Donenfeld to continue Item 2E to April 8, 2020 and accept Agenda,
as amended.
AYES: DONENFELD, HIRSCHBEIN, LEWIN, SONG, MORUZZI, WEREMIUK
ABSENT: ERVIN
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Chair Weremiuk opened and there being no speakers, public comments was closed.
1. CONSENT CALENDAR:
Donenfeld, seconded by Song to approve minutes, as amended.
AYES: DONENFELD, HIRSCHBEIN, SONG, MORUZZI, WEREMIUK
ABSENT: ERVIN
Planning Commission Minutes
March 25, 2020
City of Palm Springs
ABSTAIN: LEWIN
1A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: FEBRUARY 26, 2020
Approved, as amended.
2. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
2A. NEW CHURCH II, LLC FOR THE ORCHID TREE PROJECT INVOLVING
A GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT, VARIANCE, MAJOR
ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION, AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
TO (1) RE-CLASSIFY A PORTION OF ARENAS ROAD IN THE
CIRCULATION ELEMENT OF THE 2007 GENERAL PLAN; (2)
RENOVATE TWO HISTORIC PROPERTIES (COMMUNITY CHURCH &
ORCHID TREE BUNGALOWS) FOR ADAPTIVE RE -USE; AND (3)
DEMOLISH AND RECONSTRUCT ONE- AND TWO-STORY
STRUCTURES ON A 3.65-ACRE SITE FOR THE OPERATION OF A
HOTEL WITH ACCESSORY SPA, RESTAURANT AND MEETING
SPACE LOCATED AT 222 S. CAHUILLA ROAD, ZONE R-3, SECTION
15 (CASE 5.1345 CUP, GPA, HSPB 23, HSPB 72, 3.0678 MAJ & 6.656
VAR). (DN)
Principal Planner Newell noted that additional materials were submitted by the applicant
and are available on-line for public view. Planner Newell provided an overview on the
proposed project as outlined in the staff report.
Engineering Associate Minjares responded to questions from the Commission pertaining
to the encroachment agreement process.
Chair Weremiuk opened the public hearing:
RICHARD WEINTRAUB, applicant, thanked the Commission for continuance of hearing.
He explained that given the global pandemic it's been very difficult to get the renderings
and traffic report done to address the Commission's concerns. He provided details on
the architectural design, layout, reduced setbacks, circulation, frontage along Belardo,
parking and landscape design. He is happy to add any conditions and addressed
questions from the Commission.
Chair Weremiuk closed the public hearing.
Planning Commission Comments:
Commissioner Hirschbein likes the idea of the project; but is not certain it's the appropriate
time given the worldwide pandemic and only partial renderings have been submitted. He
thinks this should be tabled until further information is received. He would like to see
more specific information on: parking overflow, 2/3 of the site is not a historic designation
2
Planning Commission Minutes
March 25, 2020
City of Palm Springs
(consideration proportionate to the site) and taller building should be placed in the interior
of the site to lessen the impact.
Commissioner Song said that she is in general agreement with Commission Hirschbein;
but she thinks if the project is open on all sides the cabana building setback should be 18
feet. She thinks they can work on all sides of the project design except for the parking.
There needs to be a parking plan and submitted to the City for all big events held.
Commissioner Donenfeld said that they need to adhere to the law and he does not see a
legal basis for granting the Variance. He noted that he might be convinced if they had an
existing historic building that couldn't be moved; but these are brand new buildings. He
thinks the parking will be problematic in this neighborhood and cannot support this project.
Vice Chair Moruzzi concurred with Commissioner Song as it relates to the cabanas. He
said in reference to the parking, he thinks it would benefit the applicant to conclude
negotiations to secure the off -site parking lots.
Chair Weremiuk said she can support the General Plan Amendment for the street. In
regards to the Major Architectural, she has some issues with the cabana and thinks
moving it back 3 — 5 feet would take them back to the required setbacks and would
supportit. In reference to the Variance for the parking, she does not want to add a burden
to the streets and cannot support it. In regards to the parking spaces, she would like to
see 94 spaces; and for the CUP, she would like to see an off -site parking lot within 500
feet of the property upon submittal of building permit.
Commissioner Lewin concurs that the project is under -parked for its intended use. He
spoke about approved projects that were required to provide onsite parking and public
parking because of the amount of traffic these projects can produce. He sees this as the
front yard to the Tennis Club neighborhood and is a core piece of connection to the
downtown pedestrian environment. He thinks this project turns its back on Belardo,
there's too much massing on Baristo and Belardo and not enough parking.
Chair Weremiuk, second by Commissioner Song, to recommend approval of General
Plan Amendment to the City Council and recommend denial of Variance, Major
Architectural Application and Conditional Use Permit applications as presented, finding
the following:
• General Plan Amendment Application - The Commission was supportive of the
General Plan Amendment Application and recommends approval by City
Council.
• Variance Application - Per the analysis in the staff report, the Commission was
unable to justify findings to reduce the setbacks (unable to make Finding #1
and #2 of Section 94.06.00(B) of the Zoning Code). The Commission
recommends finalizing cabana structure design, if applicant wishes to purse
Planning Commission Minutes
March 25, 2020
City of Palm Springs
reduced setback along Baristo Road, and seeking an Administrative Minor
Modification for setback relief along Belardo Road.
• Major Architectural Application - The architecture of Building "N" is not
harmoniously integrated with the Belardo Road frontage, as the building
appears to "turn its back" towards the street. In addition, there is inadequate
information, including renderings of project design along Cahuilla Road and
Arenas Road, to determine the development is integrated/designed in a
harmonious manner (unable to find Criteria #2 and #5 of Section 94.04.00(D)
of the Zoning Code). The Commission recommends additional information be
provided by the Applicant, and that Condition #PLN 3.b.7 be modified to state
that the third -party consultant shall be City -hired and paid for by the developer.
• Conditional Use Permit Application - There isn't evidence to suggest the
accessory commercial components (restaurant, banquet/meeting rooms, event
lawns) will be adequately served by the proposed parking, either on- or off -site,
at this time without resulting in detrimental impacts to existing uses in the
neighborhood (unable to find Criterion "b" of Section 94.02.00(B)(6) of the
Zoning Code). The Commission recommends increasing on -site parking to 94
spaces and a parking management plan that includes the use of 25 - 30 off -
site spaces under a long-term lease for overflow parking.
AYES: DONENFELD, HIRSCHBEIN, LEWIN, SONG, MORUZZI, WEREMIUK
ABSENT: ERVIN
A recess was taken at 8:21 pm. The meeting resumed at 8:31 pm.
2B. NEW CHURCH II, LLC FOR A TIME EXTENSION OF THE
ENTITLEMENTS TO RENOVATE THE EXISTING HISTORIC
COMMUNITY CHURCH AND ORCHID TREE INN FOR ADAPTIVE RE-
USE, AND DEMOLISH PORTIONS OF THE SITE FOR THE
CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF A HOTEL WITH ACCESSORY
SPA, RESTAURANT AND MEETING SPACE ON A 3.1-ACRE SITE
LOCATED AT 222 SOUTH CAHUILLA ROAD, ZONE R-3, SECTION 15
(CASE 5.1345 CUP, HSPB 23, HSPB 72 & 3.0678 MAJ). (DN)
Principal Planner Newell provided background information on the proposed time exten-
sion as outlined in the staff report.
Chair Weremiuk opened the public hearing.
RICHARD WEINTRAUB, applicant, stated that this project is currently approved and
strongly requested to approve the extension of time.
There being no further speakers the public hearing was closed.
4
Planning Commission Minutes
March 25, 2020
City of Palm Springs
The Commission discussed the vacant building ordinance, construction timelines and 60
day continuance on the time extension.
Commissioner Donenfeld said that they are normally very reluctant to grant a second one-
year time extension where they see no progress has been done on the site. However,
given the Commission's concerns with the previous proposed project he spoke in favor
of the one-year time extension.
Donenfeld, seconded by Song to approve one-year time extension.
Chair Weremiuk proposed a substitute motion. Commissioner Donenfeld and Song
withdrew their motion.
Weremiuk, seconded by Lewin to continue to date certain of May 27, 2020.
AYES: DONENFELD, HIRSCHBEIN, LEWIN, SONG, MORUZZI, WEREMIUK
ABSENT: ERVIN
2C. ROOSEVELT LP, FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AND A MAJOR
ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A
3,452-SQUARE FOOT DRIVE-THRU RESTAURANT AND RETAIL
STORE ON A VACANT PAD SITE AT THE SUNRISE SQUARE SHOP-
PING CENTER LOCATED AT 1755 NORTH SUNRISE WAY, ZONE CDN,
SECTION 1 (CASE 5.1502 CUP & 3.4153 MAJ). (GM)
Associate Planner Mlaker gave a presentation of the proposed drive-thru restaurant and
retail store as outlined in the staff report.
Chair Weremiuk opened the public hearing:
KEN MCKENTLY, applicant, said the key tenant will be Starbucks with the drive-thru win-
dow. He said they kept the color palette consistent with the surrounding buildings. He
was available for questions from the Commission.
There being no further speakers the public hearing was closed.
Commissioner Hirschbein suggested the AAC review adding a permanent shade struc-
ture over the seating area.
Commissioner Song suggested the applicant consider taking an additional parking space
by the patio and trash enclosure to provide ample space for the landscape. She thinks
the curve around the building is very tight and the landscape will not grow.
Chair Weremiuk would like to see the AAC review the landscape and building plan.
Donenfeld, seconded by Weremiuk to approve subject to Conditions, with changes:
Planning Commission Minutes
March 25, 2020
City of Palm Springs
Bike rack to be added on site to be used by patrons of both retail spaces.
Recommend for AAC review:
2. Shade structure as part of the building architecture to be added over out-
door patio area.
3. Parking space adjacent to patio area to be eliminated and become part of
outdoor dining space.
4. Parking space on south side of trash enclosure to be eliminated resulting in
the widening of landscape island.
5. Architectural Advisory Committee to review details of landscape plan and
building architecture.
AYES: DONENFELD, HIRSCHBEIN, LEWIN, SONG, MORUZZI, WEREMIUK
ABSENT: ERVIN
2D. AT&T WIRELESS MOBILITY, FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AND
VARIANCE, TO CONSTRUCT A FIFTY-FOUR FOOT ALL WIRELESS
COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY DESIGNED AS A FAN PALM AT 1097
EAST MURRAY CANOY DRIVE (CASE NOS. 5.1486 & VAR 6.557). (AP)
Assistant Planner Perez presented the proposed wireless communications facility as out-
lined in the staff report.
Chair Weremiuk opened the public hearing:
MIKE BLACKWELL, applicant, responded to questions from the Commission pertaining
to the location on a golf course, fan palm design and safety issues related to golf balls.
There being no further speakers the public hearing was closed.
Song, seconded by Moruzzi to approve subject to conditions of approval.
AYES: DONENFELD, HIRSCHBEIN, LEWIN, SONG, MORUZZI, WEREMIUK
ABSENT: ERVIN
2E. THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS TO AMEND PALM SPRINGS ZONING
CODE SECTIONS 91.00.10, 93.13.00, AND 93.23.14 RELATIVE TO THE
DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS
AND JUNIOR ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS (CASE 5.1447 ZTA).
Song, seconded by Donenfeld to continue to date certain of April 8, 2020.
AYES: DONENFELD, HIRSCHBEIN, LEWIN, SONG, MORUZZI, WEREMIUK
ABSENT: ERVIN
9
Planning Commission Minutes
March 25, 2020
City of Palm Springs
3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: NONE.
4. NEW BUSINESS: NONE.
5. OTHER BUSINESS:
5A. GENERAL PLAN UPDATE:
• Project has been delayed for 60 days.
PLANNING COMMISSION REPORTS, REQUESTS AND COMMENTS:
• Commissioner Donenfeld thanked staff for a well -planned meeting.
• Status of Serena Park project.
• City Council Study Session on the Noise Ordinance has been postponed.
CITY COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT: None.
PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
• Planning Commission will hold one meeting per month on April 8th and May
13th
• Architectural Advisory Committee will one meeting per month on April 20th
and May 181n
ADJOURNMENT: The Planning Commission adjourned at 9:46 pm to 5:30 pm,
Wednesday, April 8, 2020, City Hall, Council Chamber, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way.
FI nn Fagg, AICP
Director of Planning Services