The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2021-01-13 PC Meeting MinutesPLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA January 13, 2021 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California (Via Zoom) CALL TO ORDER: Chair Weremiuk called the meeting to order 6:00 pm. ROLL CALL: Present: Hirschbein, Lewin, Song, Moruzzi, Weremiuk Absent: Erwin Staff Present: Development Services Director Fagg, Assistant Director of Planning Newell, Attorney Priest, Principal Planner Robertson, Administrative Secretary Bruggemans 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 on January 7, 2021 and posted on the City's website as required by established policies and procedures ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: Song, seconded by Lewin to approve the agenda as presented. AYES: HIRSCHBEIN, LEWIN, SONG, MORUZZI, WEREMIUK ABSENT: ERWIN PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. 1. CONSENT CALENDAR: None 2. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 2A REQUEST BY FREEHOLD COMMUNITIES, LLC, FOR AN EXTENSION OF TIME FOR A PREVIOUSLY APPROVED PRELIMINARY PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT AND MAJOR ARCHITECTURAL Planning Commission Minutes January 13, 2021 City of Palm Springs APPROVAL FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 153-UNIT CONDOMINIUM COMPLEX ON AN UNDEVELOPED 16.1-ACRE PARCEL IN PLANNING AREA 5 OF PHASE 1 WITHIN THE MIRALON DEVELOPMENT LOCATED AT 801 SUNRISE PARKWAY, ZONE PDD 290 (CASE NOS. 5.0982-PD 290 & 3.4075-MAJ) (ER). Planner Robertson provided an overview on the proposed one-year extension of time. Chair Weremiuk opened the public hearing. - BRAD SCHUKHART, Freehold Communities, applicant, provided details about completion of the amenity center, third builder, re -marketing of the multi -family parcels and new buyer. EDWARD ACKERMAN, wants to ensure all the requirements will be met particularly mitigation measures of blowing sand and dust. BRAD SCHUKHART, applicant rebuttal, stated they will continue comply with dust control and will use best practices to maintain the site. There being no further speakers the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Song made a motion to approve the project for a two-year extension of time given that the applicant has shown tremendous changes/construction on the site. Chair Weremiuk said she's in support of the motion because the applicant is involved in the sale and negotiation of the purchase of the site- which can be a long process. Commissioner Hirschbein said the applicant has demonstrated his credibility by deed. He pointed -out the approval process for entitlement of construction permits is a lengthy process. Commissioner Lewin agrees the developer has invested heavily into the project and is moving things along. He said the pandemic has slowed things down and this is a time to be a little more lenient given their dedication to improvement of the project. Song, seconded by Hirschbein to approve a two-year extension. AYES: HIRSCHBEIN, LEWIN, SONG, MORUZZI, WEREMIUK ABSENT: ERWIN 2 Planning Commission Minutes January 13, 2021 City of Palm Springs 2B. WEST HOLLYWOOD COMMUNITY HOUSING CORPORATION (WHCHC) FOR A PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT APPLICATION TO CONSTRUCT A 71-UNIT MULTIPLE -FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT ON A 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). Assistant Director Newell summarized the proposed project and the subcommittee recommendations to the developer. He reported a neighborhood meeting was held on 1/7/21 to discuss the project including the alternative site plan and traffic impacts caused by the project. He also discussed the alternative site plan with vehicular access to Palm Canyon, noting several reasons staff is not in support of the alternative proposal. Chair Weremiuk opened the public hearing: JESSE SLANSKY, WHCHC, president, is pleased to present Agave @ Palm Canyon, exclusively 100% affordable rental apartment for seniors age 62 and older. They are a community based non-profit organization and have been creating affordable housing for 34 years. MATT MASON, WHCHC, Director, Real Estate Development, provided an overview on the project. He described the architectural design, layout, entry/exit and setbacks. WIL CARSON, architect, described the architectural design, building layout, material palette, site plan, traffic concerns, parking and landscaping. DR. DAVID SILVER, nearby resident, said proposed Agave development is beautiful; however, he expressed concerns with the emergency gate and pedestrian entry on Camino Norte and left -turn on North Palm Canyon. LAUREN DAVEE, nearby resident, expressed concern with the mass and density, emergency access and traffic impacts caused by the project. GREG RODRIGUEZ, nearby resident, spoke about the need for senior housing in the community and expressed support of the project. STEVE MOSES, spoke in support of the project. NIKKI PASHAL, nearby resident, thinks the housing senior need is appropriate for the site. She noted that the developer has met with the neighborhood to address their concerns. 3 Planning Commission Minutes January 13, 2021 City of Palm Springs WIL CARSON, architect, applicant rebuttal, addressed the pedestrian gate, occupancy rate and trip count. There being no further speakers the public hearing was closed. Chair Weremiuk recommended the developer consider an upgrade of the bus stop in the future. Vice Chair Moruzzi agreed the residents should have "in and out" access to Camino Norte and thinks this community will be a good neighbor for everyone. He noted that the architectural design is excellent and spoke in full support of the project. Commissioner Song encouraged the development team to have more shade trees along Palm Canyon. Chair Weremiuk said it's a terrific project and is confident, in her years of experience in affordable housing, that they will not have traffic problems with this project. Weremiuk, seconded by Hirschbein to approve with changes: 1. Parking Area. The 12 parking spaces adjacent to the southerly building wing on the south side of the parking may be used for outdoor useable space by residents, if it can be demonstrated by the developer that these parking spaces are not being used and on -site parking is not dispersed onto adjacent streets, as determined by the Director of Planning. 2. Palm Canyon Drive Access Easement. The developer shall dedicate an easement allowing public access to the front paseo for a dog park or similar amenity. 3. Flexible Use Space at Street Corner. If financially viable, the developer is encouraged to provide a commercial space at the corner of Stevens Rd and Palm Canyon Drive consistent with the uses permitted in the C-1 zone. 4. Pedestrian gate on Camino Norte shall be keyed for resident use only. AYES: HIRSCHBEIN, LEWIN, SONG, MORUZZI, WEREMIUK ABSENT: ERVIN 3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: NONE 4. NEW BUSINESS: NONE 4 Planning Commission Minutes January 13, 2021 City of Palm Springs PLANNING COMMISSION REPORTS, REQUESTS AND COMMENTS: • City Council interviews for Boards & Commission • Update on Tova Hotel, Orchid Tree and Serena Park • Separate parking requirement for senior housing PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT: • Upcoming City Council items ADJOURNMENT: The Planning Commission adjourned at 7:55 PM to the meeting scheduled at 5:30 pm on Wednesday, January 27, 2021. David Newell, AICP Assistant Director of Planning 5