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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-05-03 PC Regular Meeting Minutes CITY OF PALM DESERT PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES • TUESDAY, MAY 3, 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: Chair John Greenwood Vice-Chair Nancy DeLuna Commissioner Ron Gregory (Left at 6:17 p.m.) Commissioner Lindsay Holt Commissioner Joseph Pradetto Also Present: Craig Hayes, Assistant City Attorney Martin Alvarez, Director of Development Services Richard Cannone, Deputy Director of Development Services Rosie Lua, Planning Manager Kevin Swartz, Associate Planner Monica O'Reilly, Management Specialist II III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Joseph Pradetto 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 April 28 and introduced the new Deputy Director of Development Services. V. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MAY 3, 2022 VI. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular Planning Commission meeting of April 19, 2022. Rec: Approve as presented. Upon a motion by Vice-Chair DeLuna, seconded by Commissioner Pradetto and a 4- 1 vote of the Planning Commission, the Consent Calendar was approved as presented (AYES: DeLuna, Greenwood, Holt, and Pradetto; NOES: None; ABSENT: None; ABSTAINED: Gregory). VII. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VIII. NEW BUSINESS None IX. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION to adopt a Notice of Exemption per the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and approval of a Precise Plan to construct five (5) new residential units (1,600 square feet each) and a 1,935-square-foot addition to the existing residential home to accommodate up to 38 residents for transitional and supportive housing located at 44525 Santa Margarita Avenue. Case No. PP21-0010 (Heartbeat at 22, Palm Desert, California, Applicant). 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.planninq-commission- information-center. Associate Planner Kevin Swartz presented the staff report and responded to questions from the Planning Commission. Commissioner Ron Gregory recused himself from this item after learning that MSA Consulting provided engineering services for this project and left the meeting. Before leaving the meeting, he noted that he works for MSA Consulting. Commissioner Pradetto disclosed that he met with the applicant and City staff, and the presentation by staff was consistent with the information presented in the meeting. Commissioner Lindsay Holt also disclosed that she met with the applicant and staff. She also noted that Holt Architecture and The Holt Group are not related financially. Therefore, she sees no benefit from this project moving forward and would not be recusing herself. Chair Greenwood declared the public hearing open and invited public testimony FAVORING or OPPOSING this matter. 2 MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MAY 3, 2022 Mrs. Jan Lupia, the applicant, spoke about the project and its operation. The residents below opposed this item due to concerns with density, traffic, parking structure, noise, lighting, inadequate infrastructure and water, fire safety, parking issues, and apartments or short-term rentals if Heartbeat at 22 shuts down. Ms. Helga Moriarty, Grand Canyon Lane, Palm Desert Ms. Mike Robilio, Santa Margarita Avenue, Palm Desert Mr. Paul Golden, Grand Canyon Lane, Palm Desert Ms. Penelope Ray and Mr. John Garcia, De Anza Way, Palm Desert Ms. Heather Darling, Silver Canyon Lane, Palm Desert Mr. Loran Chick, Santa Margarita Avenue, Palm Desert Ms. Nanette Boileau, Santa Margarita, Palm Desert Ms. Christine Aleman, Santa Margarita, Palm Desert Mr. John Flavio, Mama's House Board Member, Collegiate Circle, Rancho Mirage, said that the program helps women be self-sufficient to care for their babies. Mr. Floyd Rhoades, Mama's House Board Member, Santa Fe Cove, Indian Wells, said assisted living would be the best alternative to the Mama's House Program. With no further testimony offered, Chair Greenwood declared the public hearing closed. The Commission explained their support for the proposed project. Commissioner Pradetto moved to waive further reading and adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2812, adopting a Notice of Exemption and approving Case No. PP21-0010. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Holt and was carried by a 4-0 vote (AYES: DeLuna, Greenwood, Holt, and Pradetto; NOES: None; ABSENT: Gregory). XI. MISCELLANEOUS None XII. COMMITTEE MEETING UPDATES A. CULTURAL ARTS COMMITTEE None B. PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION None XIII. REPORTS AND REMARKS None 3 MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MAY 3, 2022 XIV. ADJOURNMENT With the Planning Commission concurrence, Chair Greenwood adjourned the meeting at 7:10 p.m. JOHN RE OOD,CHAIIR \J ATTEST: MARTIN ALVAREZ, SECRETARY MONICA O'REILLY, RECORONG SECRETARY 4