HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-01-27 PC Meeting MinutesPLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
January 27, 2021
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California
(Via Zoom)
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: Planning Director Fagg, Assistant Planning Director Newell,
Attorney Priest, Administrative Secretary Bruggemans,
Associate Planner Ken Lyon, Associate Planner Mlaker,
Engineering Associate Minjares
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, January 21, 2021 and posted on the City's
website as required by established policies and procedures.
ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA:
Chair Weremiuk requested moving Item 4B to the Consent Calendar.
Moruzzi, seconded by Song to accept the agenda, as amended:
AYES: ERVIN, HIRSCHBEIN, LEWIN, SONG, MORUZZI, WEREMIUK
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
TRAE DANIEL, spoke in support of the Vibrante project (Item 4A). He noted the original
plan included a walled gated community- plan was modified to incorporate their development
into the neighborhood.
DAN LEIGH, applicant, Vibrante project (Item 4A), provided background details and spoke
about the factors involved in creating the project financially infeasible.
ETHAN KAMINSKY, spoke in reference to Item 4C, sign program, provided background
details and requested approval.
JIM CROSS, Best Signs, spoke in reference to Item 4C, was available for questions from
the Commission.
1. CONSENT CALENDAR:
Planning Commission Minutes
January 27, 2021
City of Palm Springs
4B. KEVIN BURKE FOR A MAJOR ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION TO
CONSTRUCT AN 8,643-SQUARE FOOT SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE ON
A 1.48-ACRE HILLSIDE LOT LOCATED AT 260 RIDGE MOUNTAIN DRIVE,
CASE 3.4195 MAJ / 7.1616 AMM, ZONE 0-20, (KL).
Lewin, seconded by Moruzzi to approve Case 3.4195 MAJ and 7.1616 AMM, as part of
Consent Calendar.
AYES: ERVIN, HIRSCHBEIN, LEWIN, SONG, MORUZZI, WEREMIUK
2. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None
4. NEW BUSINESS:
4A. PALM SPRINGS LA34, LLC, OWNER FOR A MAJOR ARCHITECTURE
APPLICATION (CASE 3.3745 MAJ) FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 41-
UNIT CONDOMINIUM COMPLEX KNOWN AS VIBRANTE, LOCATED AT
6500 34T" AVENUE, ZONE R-G-A(6), SECTION 30. (GM)
Planner Mlaker provided background details and presented the project as outlined in the
staff report.
Engineering Associate Minjares stated that the tract map for the project has been completed
and was available for questions.
Chair Weremiuk suggested postponing project to a date uncertain to allow for a biological
update on the protected species potentially found on the site. During this period, a
subcommittee could work with the applicant and staff to review building and solar codes,
colors and massing on the two-story.
Director Fagg said upon reviewing CEQA analysis and questions that have been raised, a
condition could be added to address environmental review of the CVMSHCP relative to the
protected specifies potentially found on the site. The subcommittee can work with the
applicant and staff to address design concerns.
Commissioner Hirschbein thinks a subcommittee is appropriate to review issues relating to
colors and design; as well as, adding a condition for environmental review. He is not in
support of having the project coming back for Commission review.
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Planning Commission Minutes
January 27, 2021
City of Palm Springs
Commissioner Lewin concurred with Commissioner Hirschbein. He is in support of staff
adding a condition to address potentially endangered species and subcommittee review for
design concerns.
Weremiuk, seconded by Song to approve subject to conditions of approval with changes:
1. The applicant shall submit a revised site plan to the Planning Division,
demonstrating that the driveway length for each residence is adequate to prevent
parked cars from encroaching into the internal circulation street. Generally,
driveways shall be eighteen (18) feet or greater in length, or less than eight (8)
feet in length.
2. The project is subject to the regulations of the CVMSHCP and any required
mitigation for protected species found on site. A Biological assessment shall be
conducted prior to issuance of grading permit. The City shall hire a 3rd-party
consultant to perform the study to be paid for by the applicant.
3. The applicant shall review and re -submit updated colors schemes for numbers
four (4) through eight (8) to be reviewed by a sub -committee consisting of a
Planning Commissioner and two representatives from the Architectural Advisory
Committee (AAC).
4. The applicant to revise the building elevations of the second -story fagade on
Plan "2" to break the continuous plane to be reviewed by a sub -committee
consisting of a Planning Commissioner and two representatives from the
Architectural Advisory Committee (AAC).
AYES: ERVIN, HIRSCHBEIN, LEWIN, MORUZZI, SONG, WEREMIUK
The subcommittee shall consist of: AAC Members- Jakway, Rotman (AAC) and
Commissioner Song.
The Commission took a recess at 7:06 pm. The meeting resumed at 7:16 pm.
4C. DTPS A14, LLC, OWNER, PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE SIGN
PROGRAM FOR "THE BLOCK "A" BUILDING" LOCATED AT 201
NORTH PALM CANYON DRIVE, ZONE: CBD, DOWNTOWN PALM
SPRINGS SPECIFIC PLAN (CASE SP 16-002 AMND). (KL)
Commissioner Lewin noted a business -related conflict of interest. He will not be participating
in the discussion and vote. Mr. Lewin left for the remainder of the meeting.
Planner Lyon provided an overview of the proposed sign program amendment as outlined
in the staff report.
Planning Commission Minutes
January 27, 2021
City of Palm Springs
Commissioner Hirschbein prefers limiting the signs to halo -lit only on the north and south
elevations.
JIM CROSS, Best Signs, representing the applicant, said reverse -letter signage for the
balcony is perfectly acceptable. He noted the tenants on the third level will be the single
largest tenants in the city.
Hirschbein, seconded by Song to approve amendment to sign program with additional
condition:
1. Limit signs on north and south elevation to halo -lit only.
AYES: ERVIN, HIRSCHBEIN, MORUZZI, SONG, WEREMIUK
ABSTAIN: LEWIN
PLANNING COMMISSION REPORTS, REQUESTS AND COMMENTS:
• Project analysis in staff report of Virgin Hotel condominium project.
• Request for updates on Tova Hotel and Living out projects.
PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT: None
ADJOURNMENT:
The Planning Commission adjourned at 8:00 pm to the meeting scheduled at 5:30 pm on
Wednesday, February 10, 2021.
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David Newell, AICP
Assistant Director of Planning
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