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Home My WebLink About2020-12-17 PC Meeting MinutesPLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA December 17, 2020 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California CALL TO ORDER: Chair Weremiuk called the meeting to order 5:30 pm. ROLL CALL: Ervin, Hirschbein, Lewin, Song, Vice Chair Moruzzi, Chair Weremiuk STAFF PRESENT: Assistant Planning Director Newell, Attorney Leishman, Administrative Secretary Bruggemans, 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) by 6:00 PM Thursday, December 10, 2020 and posted on the City's website as required by established policies and procedures. ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: Lewin, seconded by Moruzzi to accept the agenda as presented, noting item 2C would be continued. AYES: ERVIN, HIRSCHBEIN, LEWIN, SONG, MORUZZI, WEREMIUK PUBLIC COMMENTS: None CONSENT CALENDAR: None PUBLIC COMMENTS: None 2. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 2A. KOAR PALM SPRINGS, LLC, (DBA: LIVING OUT) FOR AN AMENDMENT TO AN APPROVED PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT (CASE 5.1449 PDD 389) TO CONVERT CONDOMINIUMS TO 122-UNIT APARTMENTS AND A REVISION TO TENTATIVE TRACT MAP 37602 LOCATED AT 1122 EAST TAHQUITZ CANYON WAY, ZONE REO, SECTION 14. (GM Planner Mlaker provided an update on the review and recommendation by the Architectural Advisory Committee (AAC) with proposed changes to the site plan. Planning Commission Minutes December 17, 2020 City of Palm Springs Chair Weremiuk opened the public hearing: LOREN OSTROW, applicant, provided a presentation describing the overall changes to the site plan, building elevations, site amenities and landscaping. Mr. Ostrow was available for questions from the Commission. There being no further speakers the public hearing was closed. PAUL ALANIS & JERRY SHERMAN, project architects, responded to questions from the Commission pertaining to the parking area, landscaping and carports. Chair Weremiuk made a motion to approve with added conditions. Commissioner Song compared to the first application consisting of 1/3 of the parking and a landscape buffer. She thinks the parking is problematic and is not appropriate along Tahquitz Canyon. She made a substitute motion for denial of the project. Vice Chair Moruzzi said comparing the approved vs. proposed project he does not see that much difference on northeast corner of Tahquitz Canyon and is not sufficient to deny the project. Chair Weremiuk said she would prefer to see parking on both sides of the eastern wing of the building but because this project is coming to them as an approved project parking requirements cannot be imposed. Commissioner Lewin thinks the substantial tree coverage, dog park and retail aspect of the project provide plenty of screening in comparison to neighboring hotels. He spoke in support of the motion to approve with added conditions. Commissioner Ervin thinks the trees on the Tahquitz Canyon frontage will provide adequate screening and spoke in favor of the project. Weremiuk, seconded by Moruzzi to approve amendments to Tract Map 37602 and to Planned Development District 389 for the conversion of 105 condominiums to 122 apartments with added conditions: 1. Accept recommendations of the Architectural Advisory Committee as follows: • Carport design to be reduced in height — supported the overall design. • Add trees between Tahquitz Canyon Way and the south-west building end. • Re-evaluate the building ends adding elements from the proposed building such as Corten steel ribbing, balcony extensions, or bump -outs. 2. Applicant shall add trees to shade walkway from building to pool. 3. Walking paths throughout the development shall contain benches for seating, a water fountain, and dog stations. 4. Provide concierge service for residents from 7:00 am until 9:00 pm. 2 Planning Commission Minutes December 17, 2020 City of Palm Springs 5. Design parking lot area to provide balance between carports and larger island areas for trees. 6. Building ends to have a six (6") inch off -set of the Corten material from the stucco main walls. 7. At Final PD review provide a complete material board with actual component samples including the proposed stone veneer, which shall be precisely shown and depicted on the elevations. AYES: ERVIN, HIRSCHBEIN, LEWIN, MORUZZI, WEREMIUK NOES: SONG 2B. ANZA PS, LLC, REQUESTING A ONE (1) YEAR EXTENSION OF TIME OF A MAJOR ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION TO CONSTRUCT A TWO- STORY, 10,504-SQUARE FOOT INDUSTRIAL WAREHOUSE BUILDING LOCATED AT 3573 NORTH ANZA ROAD, ZONE M-1, SECTION 34 (CASE 3.4073). (GM) Planner Mlaker presented the proposed project. Jay Takas, odor consultant, and Veronica Goedhart, special program compliance director, addressed questions from the Commission. Chair Weremiuk opened the public hearing: TAZINA CHAKMA, project team, clarified that there will be no cultivation of cannabis on the property and requested approval of the Major Architectural Application for a one-year time extension. DAVID WELCH, applicant, provided background history of the project. DONNA ADAMS, design team, said they are working to meet all the requirements to incorporate minor facade changes to the project. There being no further speakers the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Lewin spoke in favor of the project; noting that the applicant has encountered numerous unfortunate circumstances with the moratorium, change of use and change of architect. Chair Weremiuk spoke in opposition of the project and does not think Finding #6 is has been met. She said financial difficulties and change of architect are not extenuating circumstances. Commissioner Song spoke in support noting that the pandemic has had an impact on the project. 3 Planning Commission Minutes December 17, 2020 City of Palm Springs Lewin, seconded by Song to approve a one-year extension of time. AYES: HIRSCHBEIN, LEWIN, SONG, MORUZZI NOES: ERVIN, WEREMIUK 2C. WEST HOLLYWOOD COMMUNITY HOUSING CORPORATION (WHCHC) FOR A PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT APPLICATION TO CONSTRUCT A 71-UNIT MULTIPLE -FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT ON AN 1.76-ACRE SITE LOCATED AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF WEST STEVENS ROAD AND NORTH PALM CANYON DRIVE, ZONE C-1 AND R-2 (CASE NO. 5.1520 PD-390) (DN). Chair Weremiuk said the project encountered issues that need to be resolved and will go for City Council review on January 14th. In order to expedite the project, she appointed a subcommittee to review: parking access, parking ratios and ground -floor uses. Subcommittee to consist of: Weremiuk and Hirschbein with City Council subcommittee. An additional neighborhood meeting will be held via zoom. Weremiuk, seconded by Song to continue the hearing to a date certain of January 13, 2021. AYES: ERVIN, HIRSCHBEIN, LEWIN, SONG, MORUZZI, WEREMIUK 3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: NONE 4. NEW BUSINESS: NONE PLANNING COMMISSION REPORTS, REQUESTS AND COMMENTS: • Cellular towers and co -location • Status of previously approved projects CITY COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT: None PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT: • Upcoming Planning Commission agenda ADJOURNMENT: The Planning Commission adjourned at 8:25 pm to the meeting scheduled at 5:30 pm on Wednesday, January 13, 2021. 1 David Newell, AICP Assistant Director of Planning 4