HomeMy WebLinkAboutITEM 1A - 07-08-2025 PC Meeting Minutes - DRAFTPLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
July 8. 2025
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California
CALL TO ORDER: 5:30 pm
ROLL CALL:
Present: Chair Weremiuk, Vice Chair Aylaian, Baker, Miller, Murphy, Morrill, Rotman, Alernate
Hernandez
Excused: None.
Staff Present: Planning Director Christopher Hadwin, Associate Planner Noriko Kikuchi, City
Attorney Tari Williams, Administrative Specialist Anita Fields, 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 6:00 pm on Thursday,
July 3, 2025.
ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: The Planning Commission will discuss the order of the agenda,
may amend the order, note abstentions and request Consent Calendar items be removed from the consent
calendar for discussion.
Commissioner Miller moved, seconded by Commissioner Baker, to accept the Agenda.
AYES: WEREMIUK, AYLAIAN, BAKER, MILLER, MORRILL, MURPHY, ROTMAN
EXCUSED: None.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
ELECTION OF OFFICERS: Election of Chair and Vice Chair, pursuant to PSMC 2.06.020.
[Officer terms will be from this election through June 30, 2026.]
Vice Chair Aylaian moved, seconded by Commissioner Miller, to elect Kathy Weremiuk as Chair.
AYES: WEREMIUK, AYLAIAN, BAKER, MILLER, MORRILL, MURPHY, ROTMAN
EXCUSED: None.
Commissioner Murphy moved, seconded by Commissioner Baker, to elect Lauri Aylaian as Vice Chair.
AYES: WEREMIUK, AYLAIAN, BAKER, MILLER, MORRILL, MURPHY, ROTMAN
EXCUSED: None.
1. CONSENT CALENDAR:
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
July 8, 2025
City of Palm Springs
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: JUNE 10, 2025
RECOMMENDATION: Approve
Commissioner Murphy moved, seconded by Commissioner Baker, to approve the minutes.
AYES: WEREMIUK, AYLAIAN, BAKER, MILLER, MORRILL, MURPHY, ROTMAN
EXCUSED: None.
EXCLUDED CONSENT CALENDAR: Items removed from the Consent Calendar for separate
discussion are considered at this time.
2. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None.
3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None.
4. 4. NEW BUSINESS:
5.
A. A REQUEST BY IN-N-OUT BURGER FOR A MAJOR DEVELOPMENT
PERMIT TO CONSTRUCT A NEW 3,886-SF RESTAURANT AND AN
AUXILIARY DRIVE-THRU FACILITY AT A 2.35-ACRE SITE LOCATED AT
1801 EAST PALM CANYON DRIVE, ZONE C-S-C, SECTION 25 (CASE DP-
2025-0006). (NK)
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt a 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.
Peter Kulmaticki, Development Manager, In-N-Out, applicant, spoke and answered questions of the
commission.
Tracy Conrad, Chief Operating Officer, Smoke Tree Ranch, spoke and answered questions of the
committee.
Public comments expressed both support for the project and concerns regarding traffic circulation and
public safety.
Commissioner Miller moved, seconded by Commissioner Vice Chair Aylaian to approve the application,
subject to conditions:
1. That the project be studied at a joint subcommittee of the Planning Commission and Architectural
Review Committee prior to consideration of the Major Architectural Application for the following
items:
a. Complete redesign of building architecture to comply with the Community Design and Land
Use Elements of the General Plan and provide architecture that is representative of the
surrounding area and the unique character of Palm Springs.
b. Review of drive-thru aisle screening/landscaping to consider a combination of landscaping,
berming, and walls, with an emphasis on the north-east corner, to ensure appropriate light and
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
July 8, 2025
City of Palm Springs
noise mitigation to nearby residential uses.
c. Provision of additional shading in the parking lot, with consideration of additional
landscape islands and trees where appropriate and where they do not conflict with underground
utilities.
d. Review of all landscaping, including consideration of providing 36” box for all shade trees, and
ensuring that tree wells are of an appropriate size to ensure tree health and survival.
e. Provision of additional shading for the west outdoor dining area through architectural elements
or landscaping.
f. Provision of an additional east-west sidewalk along the north or south side of the shopping center
drive aisle to provide a pedestrian connection from Smoke Tree Lane to the shopping center. If
located on the south side, provide crosswalk or safe crossing measures for pedestrians to reach
the subject site. The rebuilding of the private drive at the south end.
g. Provision of any necessary traffic calming measures, including additional signage or pavement
striping, to direct pedestrians and cyclists into the site from the pedestrian path, and minimize
conflicts with vehicles exiting the drive-thru aisle and at Smoke Tree Lane.
h. Review of location and number of bike racks closer to the entrance to ensure
convenience, accessibility and safety.
2. That the applicant agrees to work cooperatively with current and future adjacent property owners to
ensure pedestrian and cyclist connectivity as appropriate, including along the new frontage road pathway
and the east-west connection along the shopping center drive aisle.
3. That a landscape maintenance plan be provided prior to Certificate of Occupancy and to the satisfaction
of the Planning Director to ensure appropriate irrigation and health of landscaping.
4. Strike Engineering condition No. 42.
5. Revise Admin No. 7 and Planning No. 8 to accommodate the use of speakers at a low volume level for
drive thru pick up order.
6. Engineering to look at redesigning the “pork chop” to make it more prominent and able to turn in and
turn out, and to block headlight glare.
AYES: WEREMIUK, AYLAIAN, MILLER, MORRILL, MURPHY, BAKER, ROTMAN
NOES: None.
PLANNING COMMISSION REPORTS, REQUESTS AND COMMENTS: None.
PLANNING DIRECTOR’S REPORT: Director Hadwin noted that the July 22, 2025 meeting will have a full
agenda.
ADJOURNMENT: The Planning Commission adjourned at 8:43 pm to 5:30 pm, Tuesday, July 22,
2025, 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California.