HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-26-2025 PC Meeting Minutes - FINALPLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
February 26, 2025
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California
CALL TO ORDER:
Chair Weremiuk called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Chair Weremiuk, Aylaian, Baker, Miller, Murphy, Morrill, Rotman
Excused: None.
Staff Present: Planning Director Christopher Hadwin, Attorney Jim Priest, Assistant Planning Director
Tony Riederer, Administrative Specialist Anita Fields, Associate Planner Noriko
Kikuchi, Engineering Associate Rick Minjares, Engineering Assistant Jonathan
Samaniego
REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA: Agenda available for public access at the City Hall exterior
bulletin board (west side of Council Chamber) and the Planning Services counter by 9:00 pm on Thursday,
February 20, 2025.
ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA:
Commissioner Baker moved, seconded by Commissioner Miller, to accept the Agenda.
AYES: WEREMIUK, AYLAIAN, BAKER, MILLER, MORRILL, MURPHY, ROTMAN
EXCUSED: None.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
1. CONSENT CALENDAR:
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: JANUARY 22, 2025
RECOMMENDATION: Approve
Vice Chair Aylaian moved, seconded by Commissioner Miller, to approve Consent items #1A with minor
revisions.
AYES: WEREMIUK, AYLAIAN, ROTMAN, BAKER, MILLER, MORRILL, MURPHY
EXCUSED: None.
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
February 26, 2025
City of Palm Springs
Page 2 B. ACCEPTANCE OF THE RESIGNATION OF JIM HARLAN FROM
THE ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE.
Recommendation: Approve
Commissioner Miller moved, seconded by Commissioner Baker, to approve Consent items #1B.
AYES: WEREMIUK, AYLAIAN, ROTMAN, BAKER, MILLER, MORRILL, MURPHY
EXCUSED: None.
2. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A. A REQUEST BY CHRIS PARDO DESIGN ELEMENTAL ARCHITECTURE, ON
BEHALF OF ONTABLE MEDIA, LLC, FOR APPROVAL OF A CONDITIONAL
USE PERMIT (CUP) TO OPERATE A NEW BAR/COCKTAIL LOUNGE
WITHIN A MULTI-USE COMMERCIAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 2481
NORTH PALM CANYON DRIVE, ZONE C-1, SECTION 3 (CASE CUP-2024-
0012). (NK).
Recommendation: Adopt resolution determining that the project is exempt from CEQA
review and approve the project subject to conditions.
Noriko Kikuchi, Associate Planner, presented the staff report and answered questions of the commission.
Adelaide and Adnan LaPamuk, owners and applicants, On Table Media, spoke and answered questions of the
commission.
Robert Oceguera, Project Manager, Chris Pardo Design, for the applicant, spoke and answered questions of the
commission.
Wayne Gottlieb, owner of the property, spoke in favor of the project.
Michael Alexander, resident who owns the property behind the property, complained of unshielded flood lights
that shine into his bedrooms, and the existing condition of the lot.
Chair Weremiuk moved, seconded by Commissioner Baker, to approve Item #2A with additional conditions.
1. Revise the language of the findings to include language that the proposed use will reactivate
a long-vacated building and serve as a deterrent to blighting conditions.
2. A recommendation that the applicant revisit the shielding of flood lights in the rear of the
structure.
3. A recommendation that the applicant explore designating a safe spot for rideshare drop offs
and pickups.
4. A recommendation that the utility door for trash room swing outward.
5. That the project should return to the commission in one year for review.
6. If agreed to by the applicant, add trees for shade in the parking area in the back and a hedge
shielding the property on the south side.
AYES: WEREMIUK, AYLAIAN, ROTMAN, BAKER, MILLER, MORRILL, MURPHY
EXCUSED: None.
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
February 26, 2025
City of Palm Springs
Page 3 3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None.
4. NEW BUSINESS:
A. A REQUEST BY MCWHIRTER REALTY PARTNERS FOR APPROVAL
OF A MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PERMIT (DP) TO CONSTRUCT A NEW
4,012-SQUARE-FOOT COMMERCIAL BUILDING FOR A SHERWIN-WILLIAMS
PAINT STORE AT A 0.38-ACRE UNDEVELOPED PARCEL LOCATED NEAR
THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF NORTH PALM CANYON DRIVE AND EAST
STEVENS ROAD, ZONE C-1, SECTION 10 (CASE DP-2024-0009). (NK)
Recommendation: Adopt resolution determining that the project is exempt from CEQA
review and approve the project subject to conditions.
Noriko Kikuchi, Associate Planner, presented the staff report and answered questions of the commission.
Matt McWhirter, applicant, McWhirter Realty Partners, spoke and answered questions of the commission.
Commissioner Rotman moved, seconded by Chair Weremiuk, to continue Item #4A with a recommendation
that the applicant return with a reconfigured interior plan that accommodates both a more substantial front
entrance with more glass, on Palm Canyon and in the back for the customers entering the east side of the
building; and, to revisit the landscaping along Palm Canyon to provide more layering and interest.
AYES: WEREMIUK, AYLAIAN, ROTMAN, BAKER, MILLER, MORRILL, MURPHY
EXCUSED: None.
PLANNING COMMISSION REPORTS, REQUESTS AND COMMENTS:
Commissioner Baker and Director Hadwin noted recent discussions regarding the addition of requiring
developers of large projects to include accommodations for utilities as a condition of approval.
PLANNING DIRECTOR’S REPORT:
The new Assistant Director of Planning, Anthony “Tony” Riederer was introduced.
Holiday party updates.
City Council denied the appeal of the Fulfillment Center project approved by the Planning Commission and the project
is moving forward. There will be a 5-year check in to evaluate operational environmental impacts.
Summary of recent Blue Zones discussions regarding middle housing, safe connections, parking, bike lanes.
The City Council will have a retreat and will be setting priorities.
A proposed planned development district east of Smoke Tree is in its early stages.
The City Council will review its Occupancy Tax (TOT) agreement with Orchid Tree and there are preliminary plans for
revisions to that project.
Beginning in March 2025, the Planning Commission will be meeting on Tuesdays, not Wednesdays.
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
February 26, 2025
City of Palm Springs
Page 4
ADJOURNMENT: The Planning Commission meeting adjourned at 7:16 p.m. to the next regular meeting at
5:30 pm, Tuesday, March 11, 2025.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ Christopher Hadwin
Christopher Hadwin
Director of Planning Services