HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-02-01 PC Regular Meeting Minutes CITY OF PALM DESERT
�`•�� PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2022 — 6:00 P.M.
ZOOM VIRTUAL MEETING
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chair John Greenwood called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Present: Absent:
Chair John Greenwood Commissioner Joseph Pradetto
Vice-Chair Nancy DeLuna left at 6:35 p.m.
Commissioner Ron Gregory
Commissioner Lindsay Holt
Also Present:
Robert W. Hargreaves, City Attorney
Craig Hayes, Assistant City Attorney
Martin Alvarez, Director of Development Services
Eric Ceja, Deputy Director of Development Services/Economic Development
Rosie Lua, Principal Planner
Nick Melloni, Associate Planner
Kevin Swartz, Associate Planner
Jessica Gonzales, Senior Management Analyst
Monica O'Reilly, Management Specialist II
III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Ron Gregory led the Pledge of Allegiance.
IV. SUMMARY OF COUNCIL ACTIONS
Director of Development Services Martin Alvarez summarized pertinent City Council
actions from the meeting of January 27, 2022.
V. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None
MINUTES
PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION FEBRUARY 1, 2022
VI. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. MINUTES of the Regular Planning Commission meeting of January 18, 2022.
Rec: Approve as presented.
B. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION to approve a Parcel Map Waiver application to
adjust two parcels at 865 and 867 Rock River Road (APNs 652-360-008 & 652-360-
009). Case No. PMW 22-0002 (Egan Civil, Inc, Indio, California).
Rec: By Minute Motion, approve Case No. PMW 22-0002.
Upon a motion by Commissioner Gregory, seconded by Vice-Chair DeLuna, and a
4-0 vote of the Planning Commission, the Consent Calendar was approved as presented
(AYES: DeLuna, Greenwood, Gregory, and Holt; NOES: None; ABSENT: Pradetto).
VII. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER
None
Vill. NEW BUSINESS
None
IX. CONTINUED BUSINESS
None
X. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION of a recommendation to the City Council for the
adoption of a Notice of Exemption in accordance with the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA), and approval of a summary vacation of an unused portion of
San Pablo Avenue right-of-way at the southeast corner of Fred Waring Drive and
San Pablo Avenue to be in conformance with the City's General Plan. (City of Palm
Desert, California, Applicant).
Note, the staff report(s) and Zoom video of the meeting are available on the City's
website. Click on the following link to access: www.plan ning-commission-
information-center.
Associate Planner Kevin Swartz presented the staff report and offered to answer any
questions.
Chair Greenwood declared the public hearing open and invited public testimony FAVORING
or OPPOSING this matter.
With no testimony offered, Chair Greenwood declared the public hearing closed.
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PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION FEBRUARY 1, 2022
Commissioner Gregory moved to waive further reading and adopt Planning Commission
Resolution No. 2806, approving a recommendation to the City Council to adopt a Notice of
Exemption and approving a summary vacation. The motion was seconded by Vice-Chair
DeLuna and was carried by a 4-0 vote (AYES: DeLuna, Greenwood, Gregory, and Holt;
NOES: None; ABSENT: Pradetto).
B. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION of a recommendation to the City Council for the
adoption of a Mitigated Negative Declaration in accordance with CEQA, and
approval of a Change of Zone to establish a higher residential density (eight (8) units
per acre), Tentative Parcel Map 38033, and a Precise Plan to construct 32 single-
story condominium units, clubhouse, and pool/spa on 3.91 acres at the southwest
corner of Gerald Ford Drive and Shepherd Lane. Case Nos. CZ 21-0001, TPM
38033, and PP 21-0008 (Desert Luxury Apartments, Las Vegas, Nevada, Applicant).
Mr. Swartz reviewed the staff report and offered to answer any questions.
Commissioner Gregory disclosed that he works for a firm that provided engineering
services for this project and recused himself.
Chair Greenwood declared the public hearing open and invited public testimony FAVORING
or OPPOSING this matter.
Mr. John Danielian, the applicant, stated that they made modifications to the project to
accommodate concerns from the adjacent neighbors and received 38 signatures
supporting this project. The applicant answered questions from the Planning
Commission.
With no further testimony offered, Chair Greenwood declared the public hearing closed.
The Planning Commission appreciated the applicant's flexibility and thanked the
applicant for providing a very nice project.
Vice-Chair DeLuna moved to waive further reading and adopt Planning Commission
Resolution No. 2807, approving a recommendation to the City Council to adopt a Mitigated
Negative Declaration and approving Case Nos. CZ 21-0001, TPM 38033, and PP 21-0008.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Holt and was carried by a 3-0 vote (AYES:
DeLuna, Greenwood, and Holt; NOES: None; ABSENT: Gregory and Pradetto).
C. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION of a recommendation to the City Council to
adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration in accordance with CEQA, and approval
of General Plan Amendment 21-0002 to amend the City's Housing Element and
Safety Element of the General Plan. Case No. GPA 21-0002 (City of Palm Desert,
California, Applicant).
Vice-Chair DeLuna disclosed that she works for a company that is involved with a property
in the Housing Element and recused herself.
Deputy Director of Development Services Eric Ceja gave a PowerPoint presentation
reviewing the staff report in detail.
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PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION FEBRUARY 1, 2022
Chair Greenwood noted that the public hearing was left open from the meeting on January
18 and invited public testimony FAVORING or OPPOSING this matter.
With no testimony offered, Chair Greenwood declared the public hearing closed.
Commissioner Gregory moved to waive further reading and adopt Planning Commission
Resolution No. 2804, approving a recommendation to the City Council to adopt a Mitigated
Negative Declaration and approval of Case No. GPA 21-0002. The motion was seconded
by Commissioner Holt and was carried by a 3-0 vote (AYES: Gregory, Greenwood, and
Holt; NOES: None; ABSENT: DeLuna and Pradetto).
XI. MISCELLANEOUS
None
XII. COMMITTEE MEETING UPDATES
A. CULTURAL ARTS COMMITTEE
Commissioner Holt mentioned that she shared the latest San Pablo Corridor Art Plan
and sample art pieces.
B. PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
Mr. Alvarez stated that the Commission and Planning and Public Works staff are
working together to recommend to the City Council moving forward with a Request for
Proposals to design a regional park in the northern part of the City.
XIII. REPORTS AND REMARKS
None
XIV. ADJOURNMENT
With the Planning Commission concurrence, Chair Greenwood adjourned the meeting
at 6:41 p.m.
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ATTEST:
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MARTIN ALVAREZ, SECRETARY
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MONICA O'REILLY, REC ING SECRETARY
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