HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-01-24 PC Meeting Minutes
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
January 24, 2024
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California
CALL TO ORDER:
Chair Weremiuk called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Baker, Murphy, Calerdine, Miller, Rotman, Vice Chair Aylaian,
Chair Weremiuk
Staff Present: Assistant Planning Director Newell, Principal City Planner
Robertson, Administrative Specialist Fields
INTRODUCTION OF NEW COMMISSIONER:
Newly appointed Planning Commissioner Lyn Calerdine was introduced.
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 9:00 pm on
Thursday, January 18, 2024, and posted on the City’s website as required by
established policies and procedures.
ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA:
Commissioner Miller moved, Commissioner Baker seconded, the acceptance of the
Agenda, as presented.
AYES: BAKER, MILLER, MURPHY, ROTMAN, AYLAIAN, WEREMIUK,
CALERDINE
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Tim Mathis and Audrey Jospeh, residents of Escena, spoke regarding Item #4B, Toll
Brothers, coordination of landscape maintenance with SunCal, and space for dog parks.
Nancy Ferguson, resident, spoke to her appreciation of the appointment of
Commissioner Calerdine. Jeff Griffin, resident of Cody Place, spoke to his support of
Item #4A, the Olsen Trust, Cody Place, project.
1. CONSENT CALENDAR:
1A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: DECEMBER 13, 2023
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Commissioner Baker moved, Commissioner Murphy seconded the approval of the
Minutes of the December 13, 2023 meeting, as presented.
AYES: BAKER, MILLER, MURPHY, ROTMAN, WEREMIUK
ABSTAIN: AYLAIAN, CALERDINE
2. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None.
3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: (None)
4. NEW BUSINESS:
4A. A REQUEST BY THE OLSON TRUST TO AMEND A PREVIOUSLY
APPROVED FINAL PLANNED DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR THE
RETAIL/COMMERCIAL COMPONENT OF THE CODY PLACE MIXED-
USE DEVELOPMENT LOCATED AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF
SOUTH PALM CANYON DRIVE AND EAST MESQUITE AVENUE,
ZONE PDD-314, (PDD-2023-0001/5.1056-PD-314) (ER)
Edward Robinson, Principal City Planner, presented the staff report to the Commission.
Rob Eres, for Applicant Olson Trust, and Tim Bundy, Architect for the Applicant, spoke
and answered questions of the Commission.
Commissioner Rotman moved, seconded by Vice Chair Aylaian, to approve the site
plan changes with added conditions.
1) Provide street elevation of all three buildings for ARC review.
2) Remove the wrought iron fence along both the Palm Canyon and Mesquite
perimeters to provide additional access points for pedestrians, a minimum of
two pedestrian access points shall be provided with one near the street
corner.
3) Wrap hedge screening parking spaces so that it extends to the North side of
Building 2.
4) Make the 9 compact parking spaces fronting Palm Canyon Drive a flex-plaza
space usable for other accessory operations, such as an Art Plaza, outdoor
dining, etc. with the ability to convert it back into parking spaces, if required
for future uses by zoning code.
5) Demonstrate access of the retail spaces to CV Link.
6) Provide the planning commission with a copy of the revised site plan prior to
submission to the Architectural Review Committee.
7) Revised plans to be reviewed by the Architectural Review Committee.
with the following recommendations.
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a) Review the tree and plant species selected (especially the Heritage Palo
Verde trees) to ensure their viability in desert conditions and provide
some variety and consider variety of tree species along Cameron Center
(interior street).
b) Provide a shade study for buildings 1, 2 and 3 to review the needed size
of the canopy. Eliminate excess glass if deemed appropriate. Reconsider
louver system with permanent solution to reduce sun exposure if canopy
is inadequate.
c) The western elevation of Building 3 to be upgraded to look more like the
front of a building to create four-sided architecture.
d) The design and ground plane materials of the outdoor flex-plaza shall be
reviewed by the ARC.
AYES: BAKER, MILLER, MURPHY, ROTMAN, AYLAIAN, WEREMIUK,
CALERDINE
4B. A REQUEST BY TOLL BROTHERS, INC., FOR THE APPROVAL
OF FINAL DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR FORTY (40) NEW
SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL UNITS IN PLANNING AREA 1A,
TRACT 37706 OF PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT 231 OF
THE ESCENA DEVELOPMENT LOCATED AT 1000 NORTH
GENE AUTRY TRAIL, ZONE PDD 231 (CASE PDD-0001-
2023/5.0666-PD231 (ER)
Edward Robinson, Principal City Planner, presented the staff report to the Commission.
David Ernst, for the Applicant, spoke and answered questions of the Commission.
In discussion with the applicant the applicant agreed to the following:
1) The large grassy area in lot D will be a fenced in dog park.
2) They will bring back to the Planning Commission a consolidated landscape plan for
the frontage on Artisan Way that includes both their land and land owned by the
declarant. This plan will include landscape, irrigation, and lighting detail.
3) They will consider revising their site plan to include a shared use easement or zero
lot line layout for the proposed houses.
Chair Weremiuk moved, seconded by Rotman, to continue this item to indefinite date
and ask the Architectural Review Committee to participate in a subcommittee of 5 (3
ARC members and 2 Planning Commission members Rotman and Aylaian) for further
review of the following:
1) Conformance with the Escena Design Guidelines
2) Building placement creating alternating setbacks, etc.
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3) Façade architecture – review for conformance with midcentury, international
style, and modern architectural styles
4) Four-sided architecture
5) Consider use of “shared use easements” zero lot line to create more attractive
open space.
6) Varied street trees
7) Revised landscape plan to include a dog park in lot D.
8) Revised consolidated landscape plan per above.
AYES: BAKER, MILLER, MURPHY, ROTMAN, AYLAIAN, WEREMIUK,
CALERDINE
PLANNING COMMISSION REPORTS, REQUESTS AND COMMENTS:
• Request that a briefing be provided to the Commission regarding the master plan
to the Palm Springs International Airport.
• That the Commissioners schedule a study session to discuss plans to update the
Zoning Code.
• A review of the City Council’s current goals and strategic plan.
PLANNING DIRECTOR’S REPOR, by Assistant Planning Director Newell
• The California Department of Housing and Community Development (“HCD”) has
approved the City of Palm Springs Housing Element, required as part of the
general plan for city development.
• A proposed contract for a Zoning Code vendor will be reviewed by the City
Council in February. A copy of the proposed contract will be shared with the
Commissioners.
ADJOURNMENT: The Planning Commission adjourned at 8:15 pm to 5:30 pm,
Wednesday, February 14, 2024, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way.