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Home My WebLink AboutPC Resolution _5000RESOLUTION NO. 5000 OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING TO THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF THE SECTION 14 MASTER PLAN/SPECIFIC PLAN, AND ZONING MAP AMENDMENTS TO REMOVE ALL EXISTING ZONING WITHIN SECTION 14 AND ESTABLISH NINE NEW LAND USE DESIGNATIONS, ALL FOR 640 ACRES BOUND BYALEJO ROAD TO THE NORTH, SUNRISE WAY TO THE EAST, RAMON ROAD TO THE SOUTH, AND INDIAN CANYON DRIVE TO THE WEST, ZONE C-1, C-1-AA, C-2, R-G-A(8), R-2, R-4, R-4-VP, PD-101, PD-180, AND PD-164, SECTION 14. WHEREAS, the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and the City of Palm Springs have initiated an application for the Section 14 Master Development Plan/Specific Plan and zoning map amendments to remove all existing zoning within Section 14 and establish nine new land use designations for 640 acres bound by Alejo Road, Sunrise Way, Ramon Road, and Indian Canyon Drive, Zone C-1, C-1-AA, C-2, R-G A(8), R-2, R-4, R-4-VP, PDA 01, PD-180, AND PD-164, Section 14; and WHEREAS, the proposed Specific Plan and amendments to the zoning map are consistent with the General Plan; and WHEREAS, notice of a public hearing of the Planning Commission of the City of Palm Springs to consider the application for the Section 14 Master Development Plan/Specific Plan and zoning map amendments to remove all existing zoning within Section 14 and establish nine new land use designations for 640 acres bound by Alejo Road, Sunrise Way, Ramon Road, and Indian Canyon Drive was issued in accordance with applicable law; and WHEREAS, on November 26, 2003 a public hearing on the application for the Section 14 Master Development Plan/Specific Plan and zoning map amendments to remove all existing zoning within Section 14 and establish nine new land use designations for 640 acres bound by Alejo Road, Sunrise Way, Ramon Road, and Indian Cayon Drive was held by the Planning Commission in accordance with applicable law; and WHEREAS, on January 28, 2004 a public hearing on the application for the Section 14 Master Development Plan/Specific Plan and zoning map amendments to remove all existing zoning within Section 14 and establish nine new land use designations for 640 acres bound by Alejo Road, Sunrise Way, Ramon Road, and Indian Cayon Drive was held by the Planning Commission in accordance with applicable law, and WHEREAS, in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Protection Act, an Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement was prepared and it was found that even with the incorporation of proposed mitigation measures, the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment with respect to Air Quality; and WHEREAS, a Statement of Facts and Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations has been prepared for the proposed project; and t— WHEREAS, the Planning Commission has carefully reviewed and considered all of the evidence presented in connection with the hearing on the project, including but not limited to the staff report, all written and oral testimony presented. THE PLANNING COMMISSION HEREBY FINDS AS FOLLOWS: Section 1: Section 2: Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Planning Commission finds that the Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement has been completed for the Section 14 Master Development Plan/Specific Plan and is in compliance with CEQA, NEPA, the State CEQA Guidelines, and the City's CEQA Guidelines. The EIRIEIS for Case No. 5.4728 adequately addresses the general environmental setting of the proposed Project, its significant environmental impacts, and the alternatives and mitigation measures related to each significant environmental effect for the proposed project. The Planning Commission has independently reviewed and considered the Specific Plan and determined that it is in conformance with the information contained in the Environmental Impact Repo rtlEnvironmental Impact Statement. The Planning Commission further finds that with the incorporation of proposed mitigation measures and the adoption of the Statement of Overriding Considerations and Statement of Facts and Findings, potentially significant environmental impacts resulting from this project will be either be reduced to a level of insignificance or the project benefits justify overriding the unavoidable significant adverse impact associated with project and therefore recommends certification of the EIRIEIS for this project. The proposed Specific Plan is consistent with the goals, policies, and objectives of the General Plan. The Specific Plan will produce a cohesive and coordinated framework to guide future development of Section 14. The intent of the Section 14 Specific Plan is to: • Achieve the highest and best use of Indian Trust land • Maximize and coordinate the development potential of the Indian Trust and fee lands in Section 14 • Ensure compatibility with existing, proposed, and planned development in the downtown area • Achieve a comprehensive and flexible master plan of development that is high quality, marketable and implementable in a timely manner • Revitalize existing uses • Plan for infrastructure (streets and utilities) to support the proposed land uses • Provide a Specific Plan that ensures that quality development occurs independent of ownership These goals will be guided by a comprehensive vision that recognizes Section 14's key role in energizing downtown Palm Springs. A Master Plan Vision was developed with an emphasis on high -quality, integrated resort development, acknowledging the desert/oasis environment and Indian heritage and culture, and key assets such as mountain views, existing hotels, casino, and convention center. Central to the vision being realized is the development of "catalyst" projects located in specific locations, as shown in Figure 4-1, attached to this report. Catalyst project locations include the northeast and southeast corners of Tahquitz Canyon Way and Avenida Caballeros, Indian Canyon Drive north of Amado Road along Calle Encilia, and the northwest corner of Tahquitz Canyon Way and Sunrise Way. Catalyst projects may include a destination retail/entertainment complex that offers public open space, restaurants, theatres, ice skating, and specialty retail; family recreation complex; or a mixed -use retail/food/residential/entertainment complex set in an indoor -outdoor marketplace. Section 3: The Specific Plan proposes to promote the highest and best use of land, which will contribute to economic self-sufficiency for the Tribe and support development of tribal government and infrastructure. The plan should also create a streamlined and less fractured land use plan for Section 14 by reducing split zoning and consolidating land use designations while focusing specific types of development to certain areas. The resort/entertainment/office land use has been expanded primarily along Tahquitz Canyon Way and north towards Amado Road to facilitate future connections between Section 14 and the downtown area. The proposed Specific Plan is fairly consistent with the City's policies and development standards with the exception of some land uses and some street sections that have been proposed to be modified. City staff have already been implementing the street sections of the Specific Plan, in consultation with Tribal Planning staff, and have been reviewing street sections on a case by case basis. Section 4: The Specific Plan is necessary and property at this time, is not likely to be detrimental to to adjacent property or residents and will be consistent with the General Plan designations for the project area. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that, based upon the foregoing, the Planning Commission hereby recommends that the City Council adopt the Statement of Facts and Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations as shown in Exhibits A and B, certify the Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement for the Section 14 Master Development Plan/Specific Plan, and approve the Section 14 Master Development Plan/Specific Plan on the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation. ADOPTED this 281" day of January, 2004. AYES: Conrad, Marantz, Matthews, Grence NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: Wright, Shoenberger, Hochanadel ATTEST: IL D• AJAI "_ Ch man of Planning CInmission CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA S.oxc' Secretary of Ae Planning Commission