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Home My WebLink About2022-06-07 PC Regular Meeting Minutes CITY OF PALM DESERT T REGULAR PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2022 — 6:00 P.M. ZOOM VIRTUAL MEETING I. CALL TO ORDER Chair John Greenwood called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Chair John Greenwood Commissioner Joseph Pradetto Vice-Chair Nancy DeLuna (Left at 6:05 p.m.) Commissioner Ron Gregory Commissioner Lindsay Holt Also Present: Craig Hayes, Assistant City Attorney Richard Cannone, Deputy Director of Development Services Rosie Lua, Planning Manager Kevin Swartz, Associate Planner Nick Melloni, Associate Planner Melinda Gonzalez, Management Specialist II III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Ron Gregory led the Pledge of Allegiance. IV. SUMMARY OF CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS Deputy Director of Development Services Richard Cannone provided an oral summary of the City Council study session held on May 12, 2022, regarding cannabis lounges. He also summarized pertinent City Council actions from the meetings held on May 12, 2022, and May 25, 2022. He noted outdoor dining decks is an agenda item for the City Council meeting scheduled on June 9, 2022. MINUTES REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING JUNE 7, 2022 V. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None VI. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular Planning Commission meeting of May 3, 2022. Rec: Approve as presented. Upon a motion by Vice-Chair DeLuna, seconded by Commissioner Gregory 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. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION to adopt a resolution under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and approval of a Precise Plan (PP) for a 150- unit multi-family (affordable housing) project adjacent to the Spanish Walk community along the east side of Gerald Ford Drive, north of Frank Sinatra Drive, and south of the 1-10/Railroad. Case No. PP22-0004 (Western National Group, Irvine, 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. Vice-Chair Nancy DeLuna advised the Commission of the need to recuse herself from this item due to a conflict of interest. Vice-Chair DeLuna left at 6:05 p.m. for the remainder of the meeting. Associate Planner Kevin Swartz provided a presentation on the item and responded to questions from the Planning Commission. For the record, Planning Manager Rosie Lua stated that staff received two public comments for this item and were provided to the Planning Commission for review before the meeting. 2 MINUTES REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING JUNE 7, 2022 Chair Greenwood declared the public hearing open and invited public testimony FAVORING or OPPOSING this matter. Mr. Brian Gilchrist, Managing Director of Development for Western National Group, the applicant, and his collective team spoke about the project and its operation. Mr. Mike Whittle, Paseo Bravo (Spanish Walk), Palm Desert, expressed his concern with the landscape design and noted that in his experience when trees are planted close to the buildings, it allows rats access to jump onto the residential building. Additionally, he asserted his concern that the entry off Gerald Ford Drive is a blind left turn, creating a dangerous road condition. Mr. Whittle requested that the applicant paint the left-turn lane at this time to mitigate this condition and not wait until the future fire station is built to address it. James, Spanish Walk resident, Palm Desert, addressed the Commission and asked for clarification on the purpose of the public hearing, to which Chair Greenwood and Ms. Lua responded. James declared he was opposed to this project and did not offer further explanation as to why. With no further testimony offered, Chair Greenwood declared the public hearing closed. Discussion on the item ensued with Commissioners providing comments in support for the proposed project. Commissioner Gregory moved to waive further reading and adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2813, approving Case No. PP22-0004. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Holt and was carried by a 3-0 vote (AYES: Greenwood, Gregory, and Holt; NOES: None; ABSENT: DeLuna and Pradetto). X. MISCELLANEOUS None XI. COMMITTEE MEETING UPDATES A. Cultural Arts Committee Commissioner Lindsay Holt reported that the Cultural Arts Committee's budget for 2022-2023 will be $909,000, which includes maintenance work, capital improvements projects, San Pablo roundabout sculpture (Phase Two), El Paseo Exhibition, El Paseo art pad and lighting replacement, stolen sculpture replacement at Freedom Park, and more. She also shared a picture of the winning art sculpture, "Sunburst,"which will be placed in the San Pablo roundabout (Phase One). 3 MINUTES REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING JUNE 7, 2022 B. Parks and Recreation Commission Chair Greenwood stated he was unable to attend the last Parks & Recreation Commission meeting. In reply to the inquiry from Chair Greenwood, Ms. Lua said there was no update for the Parks and Recreation Commission. XII. REPORTS AND REMARKS Mr. Cannone asked Commissioners about their availability for the July 5, 2022, Planning Commission meeting, which immediately follows the 41h of July holiday, to determine if there will be a quorum. Commissioners in attendance responded they would be available to attend the meeting. XIII. INFORMATION ITEMS Ms. Lua advised the Commission of the new attendance record policy for commissions and committees implemented at the direction of the City Council, and she noted this would be a recurring informational item on the agenda. XIV. ADJOURNMENT With the Planning Commission concurrence, Chair Greenwood adjourned the meeting at 7:00 p.m. JOHN GRE OOD, I ATTEST: MA TIN ALVAREZ, SEC ETARY MONICA O'REILLY, RECORDINV SECRETARY 4