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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 1A - 03-25-2025 PC Meeting Minutes - Draft PLANNING COMMISSION STUDY SESSION AND MEETING MINUTES March 25, 2025 CITY OF PALM SPRINGS 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California 5:30 PM STUDY SESSION (Council Chamber) CALL TO ORDER: Chair Weremiuk called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. ROLL CALL: Present: Chair Weremiuk, Vice Chair Aylaian, Baker, Miller, Murphy, Morrill, Rotman Excused: None. Staff Present: Planning Director Christopher Hadwin, Assistant Planning Director Anthony Riederer, Associate Planner Noriko Kikuchi, Associate Planner Glenn Mlaker, City Attorney Jeff Ballinger, Engineering Assistant Jonathan Samaniego, Administrative Specialist Anita Fields DISCUSSION ITEM: NEXUS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION FOR A PRE-APPLICATION TO CONSTRUCT A 62-UNIT RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT CONSISTING OF 40 DETACHED SINGLE- FAMILY RESIDENCES AND 22 DUPLEXES ON AN UNDEVELOPED 8.8-ACRE PARCEL LOCATED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF EAST PALM CANYON DRIVE BETWEEN WILLIAM KRISEL WAY AND SOUTH SUNRISE WAY, ZONE R-3, SECTION 26 (CASE PAR-2024-0012). (NK) Recommendation: There is no formal action required at the study session; the Planning Commission is to provide comments. Feedback was provided regarding: • Need for additional density to better meet the City’s housing policy and the requirements of the General Plan land use designation; • A development that is better aligned with the uses and development standards of current R-3 zoning, and which includes additional multifamily housing as required by the Zoning Code; • A site plan that avoids hammerhead or dead-end streets, lacks the appearance of a gated community, and orients perimeter buildings outwards and is integrated with surrounding streets and development; • Need for a more active and pedestrian-focused development that is integrated into the surrounding neighborhoods; • Consideration of a community pool or common spaces to allow better site planning and additional density; • Appropriate landscaping that transitions to adjacent development and is reflective of surrounding Planning Commission Study Session and Meeting Minutes March 25, 2025 City of Palm Springs P 2 character and provides shade; • Additional vehicular access from E Palm Canyon if feasible as determined by the City Engineer; • Thoughtful architecture that contributes to place-making and reflects the architectural significance of the Twin Palms neighborhood; • While use of a Planned Development District was discouraged, if one is pursued a clear public benefit must be identified and acceptable to the City. Several members of the public spoke about the project, highlighting concerns related to density, building form, architecture/design, traffic, and the closed-off nature of the site plan, and impacts to surrounding neighborhoods. ADJOURNMENT: The Planning Commission adjourned at 6:37 pm to their regular meeting at 6:37 pm, Tuesday, March 25, 2025, City Hall, Council Chamber, 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California. 6:37 PM REGULAR MEETING (Council Chamber) CALL TO ORDER: 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, BAKER, MILLER, MORRILL, MURPHY, ROTMAN EXCUSED: None. PUBLIC COMMENT: 1. CONSENT CALENDAR: A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: FEBRUARY 26, 2025 Commissioner Baker moved, seconded by Commissioner Murphy, to approve the minutes. AYES: WEREMIUK, AYLAIAN, BAKER, MILLER, MORRILL, MURPHY, ROTMAN EXCUSED: None. EXCLUDED CONSENT CALENDAR: None. Planning Commission Study Session and Meeting Minutes March 25, 2025 City of Palm Springs P 3 2. PUBLIC HEARINGS: A. A REQUEST BY LILAC 19, LLC, FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT OF BUILDING “I” AT THE SPRINGS SHOPPING CENTER FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A QUICK SERVICE RESTAURANT WITH A DRIVE-THROUGH LOCATED AT 5200 EAST RAMON ROAD, ZONE M-1-P (PDD 291) (CASE NO CUP 2024-0001)(GM). RECOMMENDATION: 1. Open The Public Hearing And Receive Testimony 2. Close The Public Hearing and adopt the CEQA determination as outlined in the staff report and approve the project subject to conditions. Glenn Mlaker, Associate Planner, presented the staff report and answered questions of the commission. Jonathan Samaniego, City Engineering Assistant, spoke and answered questions of the commission. Jerimiah Cover, 4G Development and Consulting for applicants, spoke and answered questions of the commission. Mark Gabay, Lilac 19, LP, for the applicant, spoke and answered questions of the commission. Eric Baker and David Pack, Chick-fil-A, for the applicant, spoke and answered questions of the commission. Keil Mayberry, Engineer, LLG, for the applicant, spoke and answered questions of the commission. Sarah Withers, Property Manager, Springs Shopping Center, for the applicant, spoke and answered questions of the commission. Chair Weremiuk moved, seconded by Commissioner Morrill, to adopt the CEQA determination outlined in the staff report and approve the project, with additional conditions. 1. Shopping Center ownership to provide an arborist report on all existing trees within the center and devise a management plan for the maintenance, planting, and irrigation of trees prior to issuing a building permit. 2. Provide an internal wayfinding signage plan, incorporated into the approved sign program, to direct vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians to tenants, prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy. 3. A plan identifying measures to ensure the safety of pedestrians and cyclists entering and exiting the tenant leased area, approved by the Director of Planning, prior to issuance of certificate of occupancy. Such plan shall focus on safe circulation from E. Ramon Road through the drive-through lanes to the store entrance. 4. Revised the landscape plan to provide a mix of Mexican and California palm trees, with shade trees along E. Ramon Road, to be reviewed by Architectural Review Committee. Planning Commission Study Session and Meeting Minutes March 25, 2025 City of Palm Springs P 4 5. Conditional Use Permit restricts the use to two (2) drive-through lanes. The lanes shall be reconfigured for an increase in landscaping along the east internal driveway, adjacent to the outdoor patio area. 6. The Planning Department to report back to the Planning Commission twelve months after the tenant is fully operational to discuss implementation of the conditions. AYES: WEREMIUK, AYLAIAN, MILLER, MORRILL, MURPHY NOES: BAKER, ROTMAN EXCUSED: None. A. A REQUEST BY EGAN CIVIL, INC., ON BEHALF OF CANYON PALM SPRINGS HOTEL, LLC, FOR A TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP TO CREATE SEVEN (7) COMMERCIAL CONDOMINIUMS AT THOMPSON PALM SPRINGS LOCATED AT 414 NORTH PALM CANYON DRIVE, ZONE CBD, SECTION 15 (CASE STM- 2024-0008). (NK) RECOMMENDATION: 3. Open The Public Hearing And Receive Testimony 4. Close The Public Hearing and adopt the CEQA determination as outlined in the staff report and approve the project subject to conditions. Noriko Kikuchi, Associate Planner, presented the staff report and answered questions of the commission. Rob Bernheimer, counsel for the Hall Group, applicant, spoke to and answered questions of the commission. Commissioner Miller moved, seconded by Commissioner Baker, to adopt the CEQA determination outlined in the staff report and approve the project subject to conditions. AYES: WEREMIUK, AYLAIAN, BAKER, MILLER, MORRILL, MURPHY, ROTMAN EXCUSED: None. 3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None. 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 PAINT STORE ON 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 to and answered questions of the commission. Planning Commission Study Session and Meeting Minutes March 25, 2025 City of Palm Springs P 5 Vice Chair Aylaian moved, seconded by Chair Weremiuk, to deny the resolution based on Finding # 1 that the project is inconsistent with the General Plan. AYES: WEREMIUK, AYLAIAN, ROTMAN, MORRILL NOES: MURPHY, MILLER, BAKER EXCUSED: None. 4. NEW BUSINESS: None. PLANNING DIRECTOR’S REPORT: Architectural Review Committee Alternate Danny Castro was appointed as a full voting member of the Committee. Commissioner Rotman moved, seconded by Vice Chair Aylaian, to approve the appointment. AYES: WEREMIUK, AYLAIAN, BAKER, MILLER, MORRILL, MURPHY, ROTMAN EXCUSED: None. Recruitment for new board and commission members has begun. The City Council will discuss he possible expansion of the commission to eight members. The Boards and Commission Joint Meeting Dinner has been scheduled for June 17, 2025. ADJOURNMENT: The Planning Commission adjourned at 9:23 am to 5:30 pm, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California.