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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-08-16 PC Regular Meeting Minutes CITY OF PALM DESERT REGULAR PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2022 — 6:00 P.M. ZOOM VIRTUAL MEETING I. CALL TO ORDER Chair DeLuna 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 Nick Melloni, Senior Planner Monica O'Reilly, Management Specialist II III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Greenwood led the Pledge of Allegiance. IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Mr. Dorian Whitney, a Cathedral City resident, asked the Planning Commission to suggest to the City Council to allow electric scooter companies to operate in Palm Desert. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES AUGUST 16, 2022 V. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular Planning Commission meeting of July 5, 2022. Rec: Approve as presented. Upon a motion by Commissioner Gregory, seconded by Commissioner Greenwood 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). VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VII. NEW BUSINESS None Vill. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION to adopt a Notice of Exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and approval of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to establish a professional real estate office use within an existing ground floor commercial building space located at 73111 El Paseo, Suite 101. Case No. CUP22-0004 (EQTY Real Estate, Newport Beach, California Applicant). Rec: Waive further reading and adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2816, adopting a Notice of Exemption, and approve Case No. CUP22- 0004. 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. Commissioner Greenwood announced that he is a principal with PVG Architects, and the firm is in a business relationship with the applicant. He recused himself and left the meeting at 6:06 p.m. Senior Planner Melloni narrated a PowerPoint presentation and responded to Commissioner's inquiries. Chair DeLuna opened the public hearing. Ms. Karen Weinberg, the applicant and Palm Desert resident, spoke briefly of the proposed project, thanked staff, and offered to answer any questions. There being no others desiring to speak, Chair DeLuna closed the public hearing. 2 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES AUGUST 16, 2022 Commissioner Pradetto moved to waive further reading and adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2816, adopting a Notice of Exemption and approving Case No. CUP22-004. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Gregory and carried by a 4-0 vote (AYES: DeLuna, Gregory, Holt, and Pradetto; NOES: None; ABSENT: Greenwood). Commissioner Greenwood returned to the meeting at 6:23 p.m. B. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION of a recommendation to the City Council to adopt a resolution under CEQA and approve a Tentative Parcel Map (TPM) and a Precise Plan (PP) for the development of a 241-unit multi-family (affordable housing) development, a housing density bonus, and related improvements on a 10.49-acre parcel located at the northwest corner of Gerald Ford Drive and the extension of Technology Drive. Case Nos. PP22-0003/TPM 38366 (Palm Communities, Irvine, California, Applicant). Rec: Waive further reading and adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2817, approving Case Nos. PP22-0003/TPM 38366. Chair DeLuna announced that she is employed by the applicant. She recused herself and left the meeting at 6:23 p.m. Senior Planner Melloni gave a PowerPoint presentation reviewing the staff report and responded to Commissioner's inquiries. Vice-Chair Pradetto opened the public hearing. Ms. Lauren Horn, asset manager for Palm Communities, Irvine, California, thanked staff and the Planning Commission. She briefly spoke about their company and introduced their team. Mr. Bill Atkins, project's architect, Irvine, California, addressed the following items: • Fire access road • Noise mitigation and materials for the upper floor balconies • Transit facility for bus line • Proposed future park and how it interacts with the proposed project • Water Quality Management Plan and the retention basin • Shade for the tot pad and lack of a water feature, such as a swimming pool or splash pad • Solar panels • Architecture Mr. Whitney voiced his concern about the wide streets in the University Park area, which make them unsafe, and no public transportation near the project. 3 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES AUGUST 16, 2022 During the course of deliberations, the Planning Commission was in unanimous agreement on the following points: • It is a nice project • Lacks amenities such as a pool/splash pad and shading elements • Incorporating access to the retention basin • Assess the potential for future transit facilities at the site • Incorporating a water feature into the project accessible to the residents Commissioner Holt moved to waive further reading and adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2817, approving a recommendation to the City Council to approve Case Nos. PP22-0003/TPM 38366 contingent upon that City Staff communicate to the City Council with the following Planning Commission's concerns: 1) The applicant to incorporate access to the retention basin for recreational use; 2) the City of Palm Desert to consult with SunLine Transit Agency to assess future transit needs at this project location; and 3) the inclusion of a water feature that is accessible to all residents of the Palm Villas community. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Gregory and carried by a 4-0 vote (AYES: Greenwood, Gregory, Holt, and Pradetto; NOES: None; ABSENT: DeLuna). Chair DeLuna returned to the meeting at 7:36 p.m. IX. MISCELLANEOUS None X. SUMMARY OF CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS None XI. COMMITTEE MEETING UPDATES A. Cultural Arts Committee None B. Parks and Recreation Commission Senior Planner Melloni reported that the Commission selected a consultant to recommend to the City Council for the north sphere park. XII. REPORTS AND REMARKS None XIII. INFORMATION ITEMS A. Attendance Record 4 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES AUGUST 16, 2022 XIV. ADJOURNMENT With the Planning Commission concurrence, Chair DeLuna adjourned the meeting at 7:39 p.m. NANCY DE UNA, CHAR ATTEST: Cl-b4&-rSCOlNEDO, 8ttRETARY CD �. MONICA O'REILLY, RECORDING SECRETARY 5