The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2022-07-05 PC Regular Meeting Minutes CITY OF PALM DESERT T REGULAR PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, JULY 5, 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: Chair John Greenwood Vice-Chair Nancy DeLuna Commissioner Ron Gregory Commissioner Lindsay Holt Commissioner Joseph Pradetto 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 Joseph Pradetto led the Pledge of Allegiance. IV. SUMMARY OF CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS Deputy Director of Development Services Richard Cannone summarized pertinent City Council actions from the meetings of June 9 and June 23, 2022. V. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None MINUTES REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING JULY 5, 2022 VI. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular Planning Commission meeting of June 7, 2022. Rec: Approve as presented. Upon a motion by Commissioner Gregory, seconded by Vice-Chair DeLuna and a 5-0 vote of the Planning Commission, 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 With Planning Commission concurrence, Chair Greenwood moved the New Business agenda items to after Public Hearings. A. SELECTION of a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson. Rec: By Minute Motion, nominate and appoint positions. Commissioner Pradetto moved to nominate Vice-Chair DeLuna to Chairperson. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Greenwood and was carried by a 5-0 vote (AYES: DeLuna, Greenwood, Gregory, Holt, and Pradetto; NOES: None). Commissioner Greenwood moved to nominate Commissioner Pradetto to Vice- Chairperson. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Gregory and was carried by a 5-0 vote (AYES: DeLuna, Greenwood, Gregory, Holt, and Pradetto; NOES: None). The Commission thanked Commissioner Greenwood for his excellent service as Chairperson. B. SELECTION of Commission liaisons for the Cultural Arts Committee and Parks and Recreation Commission. Rec: By Minute Motion, nominate and appoint positions. Vice-Chair Pradetto moved to reappoint Commissioner Holt to the Cultural Arts Committee, and Commissioner Greenwood to the Parks and Recreation Commission. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Gregory and was carried by a 5-0 vote (AYES: DeLuna, Greenwood, Gregory, Holt, and Pradetto; NOES: None). 2 MINUTES REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING JULY 5, 2022 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. PP22-0002 (Western National Group, Irvine, California, Applicant). Rec: Waive further reading and adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2814, adopting a Mitigated Negative Declaration and approving Case No. PP22-0002. 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 noted that her employer is involved in a business relationship with the City on property nearby and recused herself from this item due to a conflict of interest. She left the meeting at this point. Associate Planner Kevin Swartz provided a presentation on the item. Chair Greenwood declared the public hearing open and invited public testimony FAVORING or OPPOSING this matter. Mr. Mark Bigley, the Applicant, Santa Ana, California, introduced his team and provided a presentation giving a brief overview of the project. The team responded to questions from the Planning Commission. With no further testimony offered, Chair Greenwood declared the public hearing closed. The Planning Commission provided comments in support of the proposed project. Commissioner Pradetto moved to waive further reading and adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2814, adopting a Mitigated Negative Declaration and approving Case No. PP22-0002. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Gregory and was carried by a 4-0 vote (AYES: Greenwood, Gregory, Holt, and Pradetto; NOES: None; ABSENT: DeLuna). Commissioner DeLuna rejoined the meeting. 3 MINUTES REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING JULY 5, 2022 B. REQUEST FOR COSIDERATION to adopt a Notice of Exemption under CEQA and approval of a Precise Plan for modifications to The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, including expanding the existing on-site parking, construction of a single- story facilities building, two (2) single-story storage buildings, a private drive aisle for staff, and modifications of the existing median on Portola Avenue for a new driveway entry at 47900 Portola Avenue. Case No. PP22-0001 (PVG Architects, Palm Desert, California, Applicant). Rec: Waive further reading and adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2815, adopting a Notice of Exemption and approving Case No. PP22-0001. Chair Greenwood stated he is a principal with PVG Architects and recused himself. Commissioner Lindsay Holt disclosed that she lives within 500 to 1,000 feet of the project and recused herself. Commissioner Ron Gregory also disclosed that he works for MSA Engineering, which provided engineering and landscape architectural services for the project and recused himself. Vice-Chair DeLuna stated that PVG Architects recently hired a family member and recused herself from this item out of an abundance of caution. With four Commissioners recusing themselves from this item, Assistant City Attorney Craig Hayes explained the Rule of Necessity and the Random Means of Selection. To randomly select two Commissioners, City staff used a Wheel of Names and randomly selected Commissioners Greenwood and Holt for a quorum. Associate Planner Nick Melloni provided a PowerPoint presentation overviewing the proposed project. Chair Greenwood declared the public hearing open and invited public testimony FAVORING or OPPOSING this matter. Mr. Chris Mills, the Applicant, Palm Desert, California, spoke on parking and offered to answer any questions. Mr. Alex DeLaCruz, Cathedral City, California, voiced his concern with the parking lot expansion, which would add to the heat island effect. Mr. Allen Monroe, The Living Desert President/CEO, briefly spoke about the project and addressed the parking concern. The Applicant answered questions by the Planning Commission. With no further testimony offered, Chair Greenwood declared the public hearing closed. 4 MINUTES REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING JULY 5, 2022 The Planning Commission noted that they heard Mr. DeLaCruz's concern and provided comments supporting the proposed project. Commissioner Pradetto moved to waive further reading and adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2815, adopting a Notice of Exemption and approving Case No. PP22-0001. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Holt and was carried by a 3-0 vote (AYES: Greenwood, Holt, and Pradetto; NOES: None; ABSENT: DeLuna and Gregory). X. MISCELLANEOUS None XI. COMMITTEE MEETING UPDATES A. Cultural Arts Committee Commissioner Holt reported that there was a request to City Council to approve additional funds for the San Pablo Phase I roundabout sculpture. B. Parks and Recreation Commission None XII. REPORTS AND REMARKS Chair Greenwood moved back to New Business on the agenda. Commissioner Gregory asked if there are plans for the Planning Commission to return to in-person meetings. Staff responded that after the completion of the Council Chamber remodel, the City Council and Planning Commission should return to in-person meetings in September or October. XIII. INFORMATION ITEMS A. Attendance Record 5 MINUTES REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING JULY 5, 2022 XIV. ADJOURNMENT With the Planning Commission concurrence, Chair DeLuna adjourned the meeting at 7:20 p.m. NANCY DE LUNA, CHAIR ATTEST: 2-777 MARTIN ALVAREZ, SECRETARY MONICA O'REILLY, RECORDI SECRETARY 6