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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-01-17 PC Regular Meeting Minutes PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA MINUTES Tuesday, January 17, 6:00 p.m. 2023 Regular Meeting Pursuant to Assembly Bill 361, this meeting was conducted by teleconference, and there was 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, January 17, 2023, 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: Robert Hargreaves, City Attorney, Richard D. Cannone, AICP, Director of Development Services; Rosie Lua, Deputy Director of Development Services; Nick Melloni, Senior Planner; and Monica O'Reilly, Executive Administrative Assistant. 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Gregory 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.citvofpalmdesert.org/our- city/committees-and-commissions/commission-information. City of Palm Desert Page 1 Planninq Commission Minutes January 17 2023 A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES RECOMMENDATION: Approve the Minutes of December 6, 2022. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GREENWOOD, SECOND BY VICE-CHAIR PRADETTO, CARRIED 5-0, to approve the Planning Commission Regular Meeting minutes of December 6, 2022. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER: None. 6. ACTION CALENDAR None. 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS 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.citvofpalmdesert.org/our- city/committees-and-commissions/commission-information. A. CONSIDERATION TO ADOPT A NOTICE OF EXEMPTION PURSUANT TO THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA); AND APPROVE AN AMENDMENT TO A PRECISE PLAN AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO EXPAND AN EXISTING CARMAX AUTO SALES FACILITY BY CONSTRUCTING A BUILDING ADDITION TO AN EXISTING SALES BUILDING, A NEW PRIVATE CARWASH TUNNEL, EXPANSION OF AN EXISTING CUSTOMER PARKING LOT, AND CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW SALES STAGING AREA AT 73450 DINAH SHORE DRIVE (APN 694-060-034 AND -036) Senior Planner Melloni narrated a PowerPoint presentation on this item. Chair DeLuna opened the Public Hearing. Mr. Brian Pulsifer, the applicant, thanked the Planning Commission and City staff and mentioned that the Palm Desert CarMax is a high-performing store and the reason for their proposed expansion. Mr. Pulsifer and his team were available to answer any questions. There being no one desiring to speak, the Public Hearing was closed. At Commissioner Gregory's request, staff displayed perspectives of the landscape for CarMax. He used this project as an example to voice his concern with poor landscape maintenance and would like the City to take landscaping more seriously. MOTION BY COMMISSINER GREENWOOD, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GREGORY, CARRIED 5-0, approving Planning Commission Resolution No. 2827 to: City of Palm Desert Page 2 Planning Commission Minutes January 17, 2023 1. Adopt a Notice of Exemption for a Class 32 Categorical Exemption in accordance with CEQA. 2. Approve Precise Plan/Conditional Use Permit 17-059 Amendment No. 1 and Environmental Assessment 22-0007 to expand an existing CarMax Auto Superstore located at 73450 Dinah Shore Drive. 8. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & COMMENTS A. SUMMARY OF CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS Development Services Director Cannone summarized City Council actions from the December 15 meeting, which included the following: • Adopted 2022 Building Codes. • Adopted an emergency ordinance relating to accessory dwelling units (ADUs). • Revoked a Business License for the Sweet Spot Club for failure to comply with the Conditional Use Permit Conditions of Approval. Lastly, the City received an appeal from a resident for the multifamily project (394 units) located at Frank Sinatra Drive and Portola Avenue. The appeal would go before the City Council on January 26. He also responded to an inquiry regarding the revoked business license. B. COMMITTEE MEETING UPDATES 1. Cultural Arts Committee Commissioner Holt updated the Commission on the Haystack Road improvements, public meetings for the North Sphere park, the El Paseo sculpture exhibition, the new mural on San Pablo Avenue, and the San Pablo Avenue roundabout art installation delays. Chair DeLuna said she attended a couple of the public meetings for the North Sphere park and stated that the City and consultant did an excellent job on community outreach for the proposed park. 2. Parks and Recreation Commission None. C. PLANNING COMMISSIONERS Commissioner Greenwood referred to the appeal for the multifamily project, noting that the Architectural Review Commission denied the project and then it was brought to the Planning Commission for approval. He asked if there could be a study on other options moving forward, voicing his concern that people can take advantage of housing laws and legislation. Staff responded to Commission inquiries. Commissioner Gregory reiterated that there is poor landscape maintenance in the City and felt it is a very serious issue. He requested a response or report on this subject to make something happen. Mr. Cannone responded that the Senior Planner would work City of Palm Desert Page 3 Planninq Commission Minutes January 17 2023 with the two newly hired assistant planners to conduct landscape inspections. Additionally, staff would provide a plan or report by the end of February 2023. Staff could set up a workshop if additional questions or information is requested by the Commission. D. CITY STAFF Deputy Director Lua reported that the Commission Chair and Vice-Chair would be attending this year's Planning Commissioners Academy. Staff would budget to send two additional Commissioners in 2024 and one Commissioner in 2025. She also briefed the Commission on the ADU ordinance; the City Attorney and staff responded to inquiries from the Commission regarding ADUs. 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 the meeting at 6:42 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ILA Monica O'Reilly, Executive AdrrNistrative Assistant Recording Secretary ATTEST: Richard D. Cannone, AICP, Director of Development Services Secretary APPROVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION: 02/21/2023 City of Palm Desert Page 4