HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-05-16 PC Regular Meeting Minutes PLANNING COMMISSION
CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA
MINUTES
Tuesday, May 16, 2023 6:00 p.m.
Regular Meeting
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, May 16, 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: Ryan Guiboa, City Attorney; Rosie Lua, Deputy Director of Development Services;
Nick Melloni, Principal Planner; Anna Dan,Assistant Planner, and Monica O'Reilly,
Executive Administrative Assistant.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Vice Chairperson Pradetto 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: https://www.palmdesert.gov/our-
city/committees-and-commissions/commission-information.
City of Palm Desert Page 1
Planning Commission Minutes May 16 2023
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
RECOMMENDATION: Approve the Minutes of April 18, 2023.
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GREENWOOD, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER
GREGORY, CARRIED 5-0, to approve the Planning Commission Regular Meeting
minutes of April 18, 2023.
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: https://www.palmdesert.gov/our-
city/committees-and-commissions/commission-information.
A. CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST TO APPROVE A ONE-YEAR TIME
EXTENSION FOR PRECISE PLAN (PP) AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (CUP)
20-0006 FOR CONVERSION OF AN EXISTING OFFICE BUILDING LOCATED AT
74330 ALESSANDRO DRIVE INTO FOUR OFFICE-USE TENANTS, INCLUDING AN
EXTERIOR REMODEL, A NEW 850-SQUARE-FOOT ADDITION TO THE SECOND
FLOOR, AND A NEW 631-SQUARE-FOOT GARAGE ADDITION
Commissioner Greenwood announced that Prest Vuksic Greenwood Architects (PVG) is
the architectural firm working on the project and recused himself from this item.
Principal Planner Melloni narrated a PowerPoint presentation on this item.
Chair DeLuna opened the Public Hearing.
Mr. John Vuksic, the applicant, noted that they are at the cusp of receiving the grading
permit, which is required to pull a building permit. He responded to questions regarding
parking spaces.
There being no others desiring to speak, the Public Hearing was closed.
MOTION BY VICE-CHAIR PRADETTO, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GREGORY,
CARRIED 4-0 (GREENWOOD RECUSED), approving Planning Commission Resolution
No. 2830 to:
1. Grant the extension of time to extend the project approval until May 20, 2024.
City of Palm Desert Page 2
Planning Commission Minutes May 16, 2023
B. CONSIDERATION TO ADOPT A NOTICE OF EXEMPTION PURSUANT TO THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA), AND APPROVAL OF A
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (CUP) TO ESTABLISH A PLACE OF WORSHIP
WITHIN AN EXISTING INDUSTRIAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 42575 MELANIE
PLACE, SUITE K
Assistant Planner Anna Dan presented the staff report and responded to the Planning
Commission inquiries regarding the previous operation, the service hours, and the
maximum number of attendees.
Chair DeLuna opened the Public Hearing.
There being no one desiring to speak, the Public Hearing was closed.
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GREENWOOD, SECOND BY VICE-CHAIR PRADETTO,
CARRIED 5-0, approving Planning Commission Resolution No. 2831 to:
1. Adopt a Notice of Exemption for a Class 1 Categorical Exemption in accordance
with CEQA Guidelines Section 15301.
2. Approve CUP23-0004 to establish a place of worship within an existing industrial
building located at 42575 Melanie Place, Suite K.
8. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & COMMENTS
A. SUMMARY OF CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS
Deputy Director Rosie Lua summarized pertinent City Council actions from the meeting of
April 27 and responded to questions regarding the Objective Design Standards.
B. COMMITTEE MEETING UPDATES
1. Cultural Arts Committee
None.
2. Parks and Recreation Commission
Mr. Melloni reported that the Parks and Recreation Commission discussed the library
located at College of the Desert and extending an existing trail to connect Hopalong
Cassidy Trail and Cahuilla Hills Park. On June 6, 2023, at 8:30 a.m., the Planning staff
will provide a presentation on development in the north sphere.
C. PLANNING COMMISSIONERS
Commissioner Holt asked for clarification on being absent from a meeting.
For an excused Absence: An "excused absence" may be granted due to illness or injury,
unexpected business, emergencies, important personal business, official City business,
or any reasonable excuse that is approved by the body.
City of Palm Desert Page 3
Planning Commission Minutes May 16 2023
Procedure: Members should notify the Recording Secretary or Staff Liaison in advance of
the meeting. During the roll call, the Recording Secretary will announce the reason for the
member's absence and request confirmation of the excused absence from the Board.
For an unexcused Absence: A member who does not meet any of the conditions for an
excused absence or fails to notify the Recording Secretary or Staff Liaison in advance of
the meeting will be marked as an unexcused absence.
D. CITY STAFF
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 6:28 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Monica O'Reilly, Executive Ad i istrative Assistant
Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
Richar �in one, A P �irector of Development Services
Secretary
APPROVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION: 06/06/2023
City of Palm Desert Page 4