HomeMy WebLinkAboutITEM 1A - 07-24-2024 PC Meeting Minutes_DRAFT
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
July 24, 2024
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California
CALL TO ORDER:
Vice Chair Aylaian called the meeting to order at 5:37 pm.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Vice Chair Aylaian, Baker, Murphy, Miller, Morrill
Excused: Chair Weremiuk, Rotman
Staff Present: Planning Director Christopher Hadwin, Associate Planner Glenn Mlaker,
Principal Planner, Edward Robertson, Associate Planner Sarah Yoon,
Assistant Planner Alex Rubalcava, Attorney Jim Priest, Administrative
Specialist Anita Fields, City Engineer Joel Montalvo, Engineering
Assistant Jonathan Samaniego
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 Thursday, July
18, 2024, and posted on the City’s website as required by established policies and procedures.
ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA:
The Agenda was amended to move Item #4C to the first item of business.
Commissioner Baker moved, seconded by Commissioner Murphy, to accept the agenda as
amended.
AYES: BAKER, MURPHY, AYLAIAN, MILLER, MORRILL
EXCUSED: ROTMAN, WEREMIUK
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
The Commission received comments from the public regarding Item #4C, the Oswit Land Trust
Amendment.
1. CONSENT CALENDAR:
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: JULY 10, 2024
Commissioner Murphy moved, seconded by Commissioner Miller, to approve Consent item
#1A.
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AYES: BAKER, MURPHY, AYLAIAN, MILLER, MORRILL
EXCUSED: ROTMAN, WEREMIUK
4. NEW BUSINESS:
C. A REQUEST BY THE OSWIT LAND TRUST, FOR A MINOR
AMENDMENT TO PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT (PDD
153) TO ALLOW THE RESTORATION OF APPROXIMATELY 90
ACRES OF THE 120-ACRE FORMER GOLF COURSE AND
COUNTRY CLUB SITE INTO A NATIVE DESERT HABITAT AND
NATURE PRESERVE; THE SITE IS LOCATED BETWEEN
SUNRISE WAY; AND EL CIELO ROAD; NORTH OF MESQUITE
AVENUE; ZONE PDD 153/W, SECTION 24 (CASE 5.0303-PD 153)
(ER).
RECOMMENDATION: ADOPT A RESOLUTION DETERMINING
THE PROJECT IS CATEGORICAL EXEMPT PER CEQA GUIDELINES
AND APPROVE THE PROPOSED MINOR AMENDMENT TO
PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT 153, SUBJECT TO
CONDITIONS.
Edward Robertson, Principal Planner, presented the staff report and answered questions of the
commission.
Jim Priest, City Attorney, answered questions of the commission.
Joel Montalvo, City Engineer, answered questions of the commission.
Jane Garrison and Aaron Leider, Founder and Treasurer of the applicant Oswit Land Trust,
spoke and answered questions of the commission.
Commissioner Miller moved, seconded by Commissioner Baker, to approve Item #4C with
revised conditions that addressed concerns regarding restoration, wildlife, and security.
1. Restoration: The project shall be limited to the restoration of the former golf course to
suit a native desert habitat and nature preserve by restoring native, non-invasive
vegetation species to include water efficient plants and water-adjacent plants such as
desert willows and California Fan Palm (Washingtonian filifera).
2. Wildlife Species: The restoration project shall be developed to support the wide range of
native desert flora and fauna, including migratory and non-migratory species.
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Original: The restoration project shall be developed to support the many kinds of native
desert wildlife including migratory species and migratory bird species.
3. Security: The applicant shall be required to prepare a Security Plan, subject to approval
by the Director of Planning Services. Such Security Plan shall require that the applicant
provide regular patrol of the Preserve to prevent loitering, illegal dumping, and
encampments of the unhoused citizens on the property, and may also identify what hours
the preserve is closed to the public where necessary for public health and safety or for
maintenance purposes.
4. Access to Public Trails: Public (including on-leash pets) access to the on-site trails, as
required by recorded easements in favor of the City, shall be maintained throughout the
site, which shall remain Open Space per Council Resolution No. 15648.
5. Equestrian Access: The applicant shall ensure that existing public equestrian access, as
contemplated by the General Plan’s Open Space and Circulation Element, is maintained
through the property. Such trail(s) shall be kept free of debris and maintained in a safe
and accessible condition.
6. Predatory Animals: The applicant shall collaborate with the California Department of
Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to educate residents regarding best practices on how to protect
themselves, their pets, and their properties from predatory animals such as Coyotes and
Bobcats, which are known to be present on the Preserve. Such information shall be
disseminated in a manner determined in an Education Plan to be approved by the Director
of Planning Services.
7. Coyote Dens: The applicant shall coordinate with the California Department of Fish and
Wildlife (CDFW) to determine best management practices to minimize conflicts between
the public and coyotes. Such information shall be dis
8. Project Timeline: The applicant shall commence the planned restoration work within 6
months of this approval and demonstrate on-going progress toward implementation of the
entire restoration and landscape plan. Such information shall be disseminated in a manner
determined in an Education Plan to be approved by the Director of Planning Services.
9. Review of Progress: The Planning Commission shall receive an annual update from the
Applicant on their progress and may, at such time that update is considered, amend the
Conditions of Approval as necessary to ensure that the site is being maintained and
managed so as to protect public health and safety. This requirement shall remain in effect
until such time that all restoration work is complete unless extended by the Planning
Commission.
10. Property Maintenance: The applicant shall resolve any maintenance and/or security
issues raised by the City’s Police, Fire, or Code Enforcement Departments within 30-days
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of receiving notification of such violation or complaint and to the satisfaction of the
notifying-Department. If complete resolution is not feasible within 30 days, the applicant
shall submit a detailed plan and schedule for resolution within 30 days of being notified
of the issue
13. (ENG) Riverside County Flood Control to confirm that the channel clear and has not
been impacted prior to the city issuing a grading permit.
FID10: Vegetation: Excessive weeds, grass, vines, or other growth that, in the opinion of
the Fire Department, is capable of being ignited and endangering property, shall be cut
down and removed by the owner or occupant of the premises.
To be removed:
ADM9 – Quimby fees are not required
AYES: BAKER, MURPHY, AYLAIAN, MILLER, MORRILL
EXCUSED: ROTMAN, WEREMIUK
2. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A. A REQUEST BY PSSC LLC, OWNER, FOR A TENTATIVE PARCEL
MAP (TPM) 38815 REQUESTING TO SPLIT ONE (1) LARGER LOT
FORMING A SECOND LOT EQUALING THREE (3) ACRES FOR THE
PURPOSE OF FUTURE DEVELOPMENT CONSISTENT WITH THE
LISTED USES IN THE M-1 (LIGHT INDUSTRIAL) ZONE LOCATED AT
APN 680-180-029, 1500 SOUTH GENE AUTRY TRAIL, ZONE M-1, (CASE
NO. STM 2024-0004) (GM).
RECOMMENDATION: ADOPT A RESOLUTION DETERMINING THAT
THE PROJECT IS CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT PER CEQA GUIDELINES
AND APPROVE PROJECT, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS.
Associate Planner Glenn Mlaker presented the staff report and answered questions of the
commission.
Tom Brown, for the applicant Palm Springs Surf Club, spoke and answered questions of the
commission.
Commissioner Miller moved, seconded by Commissioner Baker, to approve Item #4A with
added condition that maintenance of required parking for access to the Surf Club is in place prior
to the final approval of the map.
AYES: BAKER, MURPHY, AYLAIAN, MILLER, MORRILL
EXCUSED: ROTMAN, WEREMIUK
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B. A REQUEST BY THE UNITED PARCEL SERVICE (UPS),
REPRESENTED BY RED ARCHITECTURAL GROUP, FOR THE
ESTABLISHMENT OF A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR THE
EXISTING UPS TRANSPORTATION TERMINAL AND THE
COMPLETION OF RELATED SITE IMPROVEMENTS TO PARKING
AND LANDSCAPE AREAS LOCATED AT 650 NORTH COMMERCIAL
ROAD, ZONE M-1-P, (CUP 2024-0003) (SY).
RECOMMENDATION: ADOPT A RESOLUTION DETERMINING THAT
THE PROJET IS CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT PER CEQA GUIDELINES
AND APPROVE THE CUP REQUEST SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS.
Associate Planner Sarah Yoon presented the staff report and answered questions of the
commission.
Harris Shapiro, Red Architectural Group, and James Bailey, UPS Engineering Manager, for the
applicant, spoke and answered questions of the commissioners.
Commissioner Murphy moved, seconded by Commissioner Miller, to approve Public Hearing
Item #2B.
AYES: BAKER, MURPHY, MILLER, AYLAIAN, MORRILL
EXCUSED: WEREMIUK, ROTMAN
3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None.
4. NEW BUSINESS:
A. A REQUEST BY HERITAGE GROUP, ON BEHALF OF THE
PROPERTY OWNER, MEZRAHI FAMILY TRUST, FOR A MAJOR
DEVELOPMENT PERMIT APPLICATION TO CONSTRUCT A 15-
UNIT MULTIPLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT ON A
1.37-ACRE SITE LOCATED AT 211 NORTH SUNRISE WAY, (APN:
508-070-016) ZONE MDR (CASE NO. DP-2023-0019) (AR)
RECOMMENDATION: ADOPT A RESOLUTION
DETERMINING THAT THE PROJECT IS CATEGORICALLY
EXEMPT PER CEQA GUIDELINES AND APPROVE PROJECT
SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS.
Assistant Planner Alex Rubalcaba presented the staff report and answered questions of the
commissioners.
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Vicky Barbieri and Manual Escalante-Rascon, Heritage Group, for the applicant, spoke and
answered questions of the commission.
Commissioner Miller moved, seconded by Vice Chair Aylaian, to approve Item #4A.
AYES: BAKER, MURPHY, MILLER, AYLAIAN, MORRILL
EXCUSED: WEREMIUK, ROTMAN
B. A REQUEST BY PLC COMMUNITIES, LLC, FOR THE APPROVAL
OF FINAL DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR 71 SINGLE-FAMILY
RESIDENCES ON 60-FOOT-WIDE LOTS WITHIN THE PHASE 2
SECTION OF THE MIRALON DEVELOPMENT LOCATED AT 801
SUNRISE WAY, ZONE PDD 290, SECTION 35 (CASE PDD-2024-
0001/5.0982-PD 290 (ER).
RECOMMENDATION: APPROVE THE PROPOSED FINAL
DEVELOPMENT PLANS AS BEING SUBSTANTIALLY IN
CONFORMANCE WITH THE PRELIMINARY PLANNED
DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT PLAN SUBJECT TO FINAL REVIEW AND
APPROVAL BY THE ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE.
Edward Robertson, Principal Planner, presented the staff report and answered questions of the
commission.
Patrick McCabe, PLC Communities, for the applicant, spoke and answered questions of the
commissioners.
Commissioner Baker moved, seconded by Commissioner Miller, to approve Item #4B.
AYES: BAKER, MURPHY, MILLER, AYLAIAN, MORRILL
EXCUSED: WEREMIUK, ROTMAN
PLANNING COMMISSION REPORTS, REQUESTS AND COMMENTS: None.
PLANNING DIRECTOR’S REPORT:
A. General Plan Update – Draft Circulation, Land Use and Safety Elements
for Commission review (information item only).
B. Vice Chair Aylaian will be taking a sabbatical to assist with Parks &
Recreation Department until they find a replacement for their Director.
ADJOURNMENT: The Planning Commission adjourned at 8:47 pm to 5:30 pm, Wednesday,
September 11, 2024, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California.