HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-10-18 PC Regular Meeting Minutes PLANNING COMMISSION
CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA
MINUTES
Tuesday, October 18, 6:00 p.m.
2022 Regular Meeting
Pursuant to Assembly Bill 361, this meeting was conducted by teleconference, and there
was no in-person public access to the meeting location.
1. CALL TO ORDER
A Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order by Chair DeLuna on
Tuesday, October 18, 2022, at 6:00 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Commissioners John Greenwood, Ron Gregory, Lindsay Holt, Vice-Chair Joseph
Pradetto, and Chair Nancy DeLuna.
Absent: None.
Staff
Present: Craig Hayes, Assistant City Attorney, Richard D. Cannone, AICP, Director of
Development Services; Rosie Lua, Deputy Director of Development Services; Nick
Melloni, Senior Planner; Tim Jonasson, Engineering Consultant; and Monica
O'Reilly, Recording Secretary.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Greenwood led the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT:
None.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR:
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.cityofpalmdesert.org/our-
city/committees-and-commissions/commission-information.
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Planning Commission Minutes October 18 2022
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
RECOMMENDATION: Approve the Minutes of September 6, 2022.
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER PRADETTO, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER
GREENWOOD, CARRIED 4-0-1 (HOLT ABSTAINING), to approve the Planning
Commission Regular Meeting minutes of September 6, 2022.
CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER:
None.
6. ACTION CALENDAR
None.
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. CONSIDERATION TO ADOPT A NOTICE OF EXEMPTION UNDER THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA), AND APPROVAL OF A
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (CUP) AMENDMENT TO ADD A DISTRIBUTION
LICENSE WITHIN AN EXISTING 2,100-SQUARE-FOOT RETAIL CANNABIS
BUSINESS LOCATED AT 73345 HIGHWAY 111, SUITE 205
Senior Planner Melloni presented the staff report and responded to Commissioner
inquiries.
Chair DeLuna opened the Public Hearing.
Lakeavia King, Applicant, provided information regarding the filtration system and
packaging of the product.
There being no others desiring to speak, the Public Hearing was closed.
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GREENWOOD, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER
PRADETTO, CARRIED 5-0, to:
1 . Adopting a Notice of Exemption in accordance with CEOA.
2. Approving the request to amend CUP 17-0006 to allow on-site distribution for the
existing retail cannabis business located at 73345 Highway 111, Suite 205.
B. CONSIDERATION OF A RECOMMENDATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL TO ADOPT A
MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION PURSUANT TO CEQA; AND APPROVAL OF
A SPECIFIC PLAN, AND TENTATIVE TRACT MAP 38434 TO ESTABLISH OF 969
RESIDENTIAL DWELLING UNITS, AND RELATED IMPROVEMENTS ON A 106.4-
ACRE PARCEL LOCATED AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF GERALD FORD
DRIVE AND THE EXTENSION OF REMBRANDT PARKWAY
Commissioner Gregory announced his recusal, noting that he works for MSA
Engineering, which provided engineering services for the project. He left the Zoom
meeting at 6:14 p.m.
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Planninq Commission Minutes October 18, 2022
Senior Planner Melloni narrated a PowerPoint presentation and responded to
Commissioner inquiries.
Chair DeLuna opened the Public Hearing.
Mark Kleiman, Applicant, thanked City staff for the presentation and addressed
Commissioner inquiries.
City staff responded to an inquiry concerning public transit.
Dr. Timothy Steele, a Palm Desert resident, noted his concern about no public transit and
schools near the proposed project.
Eglert Gutierrez, a Palm Desert resident, noted his concern regarding the loss of privacy
and views and an increase in traffic.
Tom Jakobsen, a Palm Desert resident, voiced support for the project; however, he had
an issue with the traffic study and lack of available public transit in the area.
Mr. Kleiman made closing remarks.
There being no others desiring to speak, the public comment period was closed.
Following Commissioner comments, MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GREENWOOD,
SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HOLT, CARRIED 4-0-1 (GREGORY RECUSING),
approving Planning Commission Resolution Nos. 2820 and 2821, recommending
approval to the City Council to:
1. Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring Reporting Program.
2. Approve a Specific Plan and a Tentative Tract Map (Case Nos. EA22-0001/SP22-
001/TTM 38434).
3. Add a Condition of Approval to Resolution No. 2821 that the applicant provides an
easement for a secondary Fire Department access connecting Street "A" with Street
"B" across Lot 340 of the Tentative Tract Map.
Commissioner Gregory did not return to the meeting.
8. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & COMMENTS
A. SUMMARY OF CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS
Mr. Cannone summarized pertinent City Council actions from the meetings of September
29 and October 13, 2022.
Ms. Lua provided an update regarding the DSRT Surf project.
B. COMMITTEE MEETING UPDATES
1. Cultural Arts Committee
Commissioner Holt stated that she did not attend the meeting.
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Planning Commission Minutes October 18, 2022
Chair DeLuna commented that a new art piece was installed in the roundabout at
Magnesia Falls Drive.
2. Parks and Recreation Commission
Mr. Melloni reported that the Commission heard an update on a policy for a park
reservation system, which will proceed to the City Council for approval.
C. PLANNING COMMISSIONERS
Commissioner Greenwood inquired if there are plans to send Commissions to
conferences for continued education.
Ms. Lua replied that she would research and report back to the Commission.
D. CITY STAFF
Ms. Lua mentioned that the Planning Commission meetings would return to the Council
Chamber very soon; staff would keep the Commission posted.
E. ATTENDANCE REPORT
The attendance report was provided with the agenda materials. The Commission took no
action on this matter.
9. ADJOURNMENT
The Planning Commission adjourned at 7:09 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Monica O'Reilly, Executive Ad istrative Assistant
Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
Ri hard Cannone, AICP, Director of Development Services
Secretary
APPROVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION: 11/01/2022
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