The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2021-10-05 PC Regular Meeting Minutes CITY OF PALM DESERT PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2021 — 6:00 P.M. ZOOM VIRTUAL MEETING I. CALL TO ORDER Chair John Greenwood called the meeting to order at 6:13 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Chair John Greenwood Commissioner Ron Gregory Vice-Chair Nancy DeLuna Commissioner Lindsay Holt Commissioner Joseph Pradetto Also Present: Craig Hayes, Assistant City Attorney Martin Alvarez, Director of Development Services Rosie Lua, Principal Planner Nick Melloni, Associate Planner Monica O'Reilly, Management Specialist II III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Vice-Chair Nancy DeLuna led the Pledge of Allegiance. IV. SUMMARY OF COUNCIL ACTIONS None V. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION OCTOBER 5, 2021 VI. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular Planning Commission meeting of September 21, 2021. Rec: Approve as presented. Upon a motion by Vice-Chair DeLuna, seconded by Commissioner Holt, and a 4-0 vote of the Planning Commission, the Consent Calendar was approved as presented (AYES: DeLuna, Greenwood, Holt, and Pradetto; NOES: None; ABSENT: Gregory). VII. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VIII. NEW BUSINESS None IX. CONTINUED BUSINESS None X. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION to adopt a Notice of Exemption in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and approval of a Precise Plan (PP) to construct a two-story, four-unit apartment building, with an exception for a parking reduction to allow six (6) on-site covered spaces on a property located at 74425 Abronia Trail. Case No. PP 20-0005 (Lindquist Development, Portland, Oregon, Applicant). Associate Planner Nick Melloni presented the staff report (staff report(s) and the Zoom meeting video are available at https://www.cityofpalmdesert.org/our-city/committees-and- commissions/planning-commission-information-center). Staff answered the Commission's questions about zoning, parking, landscape plan, sidewalks, trash bins, and accessible configuration. Chair Greenwood declared the public hearing open and invited public testimony FAVORING or OPPOSING this matter. Mr. Stu Lindquist, the applicant, Portland, Oregon, stated that the staff have been very helpful and offered to answer any questions. He noted that the architect is also available to answer questions. Ms. Lauri Simpson, the architect, Portland, Oregon, said that they did talk to Burrtec regarding trash enclosures and the Building and Safety Department reviewed their plan. 2 MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION OCTOBER 5, 2021 Ms. Santa ladevaia, Palm Desert, California, voiced her concern with the high density of the proposed project, traffic, and parking. With no further testimony offered, Chair Greenwood declared the public hearing closed. The Commission felt that there is enough parking, the building has a clean modern design, and the project meets the zoning requirements. The only concern would be congestion in the alley. The Commission appreciated the Architectural Review Commission and the applicant's design team for doing their best to find a compromise over multiple meetings. Chair Greenwood moved to waive further reading and adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2798, adopting a Notice of Exemption and approving Case No. PP 20-0005, subject to the conditions of approval. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Pradetto and carried by a 4- 0 vote (AYES: DeLuna, Greenwood, Holt, and Pradetto; NOES: None; ABSENT: Gregory). B. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION to amend approved Vesting Tentative Tract Map 37506 to revise building pad elevations and adjust lot lines within Project Area 3 of the University Park subdivision, a 46.3-acre portion of a 174+ acre residential subdivision generally located south of Gerald Drive, east of Portola Avenue, and west of Cook Street. Case No. VTTM 37506 Amendment No. 2 (University Park Investor, LLC, Danville, California, Applicant). Mr. Melloni presented the staff report. Chair Greenwood declared the public hearing open and invited public testimony FAVORING or OPPOSING this matter. Mr. Ravi Nandwana, the applicant, Danville, California, thanked Planning staff for their help and briefly explained the reason for their request to revise the pad elevations. He offered to answer any questions. With no further testimony offered, Chair Greenwood declared the public hearing closed. Commissioner Pradetto moved to waive further reading and adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2799, approving Case No. VTTM 37506 Amendment No. 2, subject to the conditions of approval. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Holt and carried by a 4-0 vote (AYES: DeLuna, Greenwood, Holt, and Pradetto; NOES: None; ABSENT: Gregory). XI. MISCELLANEOUS None XII. COMMITTEE MEETING UPDATES A. ART IN PUBLIC PLACES Commissioner Lindsay Holt mentioned that she shared the El Paseo exhibition information with the Planning Commission. She said they would discuss murals at their next meeting. 3 MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION OCTOBER 5, 2021 B. PARKS & RECREATION None XIII. REPORTS AND REMARKS Director of Development Services Martin Alvarez apologized for the technical difficulties with Zoom and took full responsibility. He reported that the City Council approved a contract with MIG, Inc. to provide professional services for the design of Lupine Plaza. Chair Greenwood asked what the Presidents' Plaza schedule is. Mr. Alvarez responded that the anticipated completion of the project is at the end of December. XIV. ADJOURNMENT With the Planning Commission concurrence, Chair Greenwood adjourned the meeting at 7:10 p.m. OHN RE OD, CH IR ATTEST: MARTIN ALVAREZ, SECRETARY MONICA O'REILLY, RECORDI SECRETARY 4