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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-09-15 PC Regular Meeting MinutesCITY OF PALM DESERT PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2020 — 6:00 P.M. ZOOM VIRTUAL MEETING CALL TO ORDER Chair Lindsay Holt called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioner Joseph Pradetto Commissioner Ron Gregory Commissioner Nancy DeLuna Vice -Chair John Greenwood Chair Lindsay Holt Also Present: Craig Hayes, Assistant City Attorney Andy Firestine, Assistant City Manager Ryan Stendell, Director of Community Development Eric Ceja, Principal Planner Nick Melloni, Assistant Planner Christina Canales, Engineering Assistant Monica O'Reilly, Management Specialist II III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Vice -Chair John Greenwood led the Pledge of Allegiance. IV. SUMMARY OF COUNCIL ACTIONS Director of Community Development Ryan Stendell summarized pertinent City Council actions from the meeting of September 10, 2020, and introduced Assistant City Manager Andy Firestine. Assistant City Manager Andy Firestine provided a PowerPoint presentation on City operations during the pandemic, City Hall reopening plans, budget implications ($8.3 million projected gap), and an update on projects. MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 15, 2020 V. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None VI. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular Planning Commission meeting of August 18, 2020. Rec: Approve as presented. B. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION to approve a Parcel Map Waiver application to merge lots at Merle Drive (APNs 624-071-029 & 031). Case No. PMW 20-0003 (Travis Cook, Dallas, Texas, Applicant). Rec: By Minute Motion, approve Case No. PMW 20-0003. Commissioners Gregory and Pradetto abstained on Item A, the Minutes of August 18, 2020. Upon a motion by Vice -Chair Greenwood, seconded by Commissioner DeLuna, and a 5-0 vote of the Planning Commission, the remainder of the Consent Calendar was approved as presented (AYES: DeLuna, Greenwood, Gregory, Holt and Pradetto; NOES: None). VII. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VIII. NEW BUSINESS None IX. CONTINUED BUSINESS None X. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION for approval of Precise Plan (PP) 19-0010 to allow the construction of a new two-story, 18,434-square-foot light industrial building at 73725 Dinah Shore Drive, and adoption of a Notice of Exemption in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Case No. PP 19-0010 (DMA, Wildomar, California, Applicant). Assistant Planner Nick Melloni presented the staff report (staff report(s) are available at www.citvofpalmdesert.org). He recommended approval of the project as presented and offered to answer any questions. 2 MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 15, 2020 Vice -Chair Greenwood asked Mr. Melloni to elaborate on the conditions recommended by the Architectural Review Commission (ARC), and how they were integrated into the exhibits that staff presented to the Planning Commission. Mr. Melloni responded that the ARC directed the applicant to create pop -outs or further recess of some of the windows to create more interest with the shadow lines. He said the applicant provided updated elevations; however, the package was not complete, so he did not include them in the presentation. He stated that the comments would be addressed when the project goes back to the ARC for final approval of the construction drawings. Vice -Chair Greenwood asked if staff reviewed the design changes based on the ARC comments. Mr. Melloni replied, yes. Vice -Chair Greenwood asked if staff was satisfied with the changes. Mr. Melloni replied, yes. He reiterated that the changes were not included in the Planning Commission presentation, but would be taken back to the ARC for final review and approval. Vice -Chair Greenwood thought that Dinah Shore Drive has good examples of tilt -up architecture. He struggled with the proposed project, which does not commensurate with that level of architectural design. He asked what the City is using as a gauge to review industrial projects. Mr. Melloni responded that the City is using the existing architecture along the corridor as a reference point. For this project, staff referenced the Barkingham Pet Hotel. Mr. Stendell interposed that the gauge is working with the ARC, and staff leans on the ARC's recommendation. MR. DAVE MADDEN, the architect for the project, stated that he worked with staff and ready to move forward with the construction documents. He commented that they reviewed the conditions of approval, and they do not have any objections. Commissioner Ron Gregory voiced his concern with landscape for the retention basin. MR. MADDEN commented that it was logical to add an ingress and egress from the driveways to continue the natural flow for stormwater quality. Commissioner Gregory stated that there is not a lot of landscape, and it is going to be mostly rock, which is typical for the area. He said the plant material would not do much due to the small amount of land over the sight line, and the plant material selected would not be there in a few years because they are not sustainable. He hoped the landscape architect could address his concerns. MR. MADDEN responded that they could make adjustments. 3 MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 15, 2020 Commissioner Gregory asked staff if the City should not care about the landscape because it is in an industrial area. Before moving forward, Mr. Stendell asked Chair Holt to open the public hearing. Chair Holt declared the public hearing open and invited public testimony FAVORING or OPPOSING this matter. Mr. Stendell continued that they care and do not forget about the industrial areas. There are certain realities as far as the way lots are sloping. However, it does not mean that they cannot come up with unique design solutions. If the Planning Commission feels that the landscaping needs extra work, the Commission could make comments and requirements as the conditions of approval. Vice -Chair Greenwood inquired if the City has any examples along Dinah Shore Drive with a retention basin front -loading the street. Mr. Stendell responded that he could not answer without taking a drive through the area. He stated that the general rule of thumb is how aggressive and deep is the basin. A shallow retention basin could look like a natural landscape area. Commissioner Gregory commented that he does not know how deep is the proposed retention basin. However, if there is sufficient room, it would be great to make the retention basin look like it is part of the landscape. MR. MADDEN stated that Commissioner Gregory's comments are acceptable. With no further testimony offered, Chair Holt declared the public hearing closed. Vice -Chair Greenwood noted that there is a discrepancy between the precise grading plan and the landscape plan. The precise grading plan shows a narrow strip of riprap, and the landscape plan provides undulation. He felt there needs to be careful consideration and coordination between the two disciplines to show the front end is executed well aesthetically and have a good planting. He understood that the ARC reviewed the project, and he does not want to overstep his bounds as a Planning Commissioner. However, he felt the building has flat planes, and there is not a lot of proportion. He mentioned that there many good examples on Dinah Shore Drive of tilted architecture in industrial buildings. He struggled with the project not being commensurate with that level of architecture, which is a big building facing Dinah Shore Drive. Commissioner Joseph Pradetto supported Vice -Chair Greenwood's comments. Although he is not an architect, he was not impressed with the design. He did think of granting some leniency, being that the building is located in an industrial zone. However, he wished he did not have to take for granted that the City would get a mediocre design in the north part of the City, which is a gateway for a lot of commerce. He did not have a solution, but shared his concern that the ARC did not give the Planning Commission the best design possible. 4 MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 15, 2020 Mr. Stendell suggested the Planning Commission could approve the project entitlement so it could move forward, subject to sending the preliminary architecture back to the ARC before to the final construction documents. If not, the Planning Commission could send the project back to the ARC for a second look without approving the entitlement. Chair Holt asked if it is correct that the approval could be contingent on the applicant working on the landscape items as well. Mr. Stendell replied that is correct. He noted that the landscape design is within the purview of the ARC. Vice -Chair Greenwood moved to waive further reading and adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2780, approving Case No. PP 19-0010 contingent upon the proposed project returning the ARC for review of their previous comments, address landscaping and plant species within the retention basin, and subject the conditions o1 approval; and adopted a Notice of Exemption in accordance with CEQA. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Pradetto and carried by a 5-0 vote (AYES: DeLuna, Greenwood, Gregory, Holt, and Pradetto; NOES: None). Chair Holt inquired if the City's General Plan has guidelines in general or otherwise for landscaping of retention basins. Mr. Stendell responded that the General Plan does not get into that level of detail. There might be some design standards, but they could be outdated. He looked to Engineering Assistant Christina Canales; however, he did not think the City has specific details for landscaping and retention basins. Chair Holt asked if it could be beneficial to have design standards to handout to developers or landscape designers. Mr. Stendell responded that he did not know. He had mixed opinions on having standard drawings. He felt if there are standard drawings, you get standard designs. He said if the Planning Commission has any opinions to let him know and he would be happy to look at it from a staff perspective. Assistant Engineer Christina Canales added that the City does not have design standards in regard to landscaping, only for the basin for safety reasons. Commissioner Gregory commented that the City does not need to have design standards, but maybe some verbiage. The verbiage could state, if the parkway is to be used as a retention basin, then the landscaping has to make sense and integrate with the retention basin, so it looks attractive. XI. MISCELLANEOUS None 19 MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 15, 2020 XII. COMMITTEE MEETING UPDATES A. ART IN PUBLIC PLACES Mr. Stendell reported that the Art in Public Places Commission discussed art for San Pablo Avenue and traffic signal cabinets. B. PARKS & RECREATION Mr. Stendell also reported that the construction of pickleball courts was completed at Freedom Park. Additionally, a pedestrian bridge at Civic Center Park was named after John Marmon. Vice -Chair Greenwood inquired if there was any discussion when the skate park would reopen. Mr. Stendell believed that the skate park was going to open this week from Thursday to Sunday in the evening. He noted that the Desert Recreation District was short-staffed due to the pandemic, but they are getting back up to speed. They are going to start with four days a week. XIII. REPORTS AND REMARKS None XIV. ADJOURNMENT With the Planning Commission concurrence, Chair Holt adjourned the meeting at 6:43 p.m. ATTEST: RYAN STENDELL, SECRETARY k4l k Khm I fla& LIN AY HOLT, CH R MONICA O'REILLY, RECO ING SECRETARY 1 0