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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-09-05 PC Regular Meeting Minutes PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA MINUTES Tuesday, September 5, 6:00 p.m. 2023 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 Pradetto on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at 6:01 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Nancy DeLuna John Greenwood, Lindsay Holt, Vice-Chair Gregory, and Chair Joseph Pradetto. Absent: None. Staff Present: Ryan Guiboa, City Attorney; Richard D. Cannone, Director of Development Services; Rosie Lua, Deputy Director of Development Services, Nick Melloni, Principal Planner; Carlos Flores, Senior Planner, Anna Dan, Associate Planner, and Monica O'Reilly, Executive Administrative Assistant/Recording Secretary. 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chair Pradetto led the Pledge of Allegiance. 4. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT: None. City of Palm Desert Page 1 Planning Commission Minutes September 5 2023 5. CONSENT CALENDAR: A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES RECOMMENDATION: Approve the Planning Commission Regular Meeting minutes of August 1, 2023, and August 15, 2023. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GREENWOOD, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER DE LUNA, CARRIED 5-0, to approve the Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes of August 1, 2023, and August 15, 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 REVISE THE APPROVED TENTATIVE TRACT MAP 38434 TO MODIFY THE LAYOUT TO ACCOMMODATE A 332 SINGLE-FAMILY HOME RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT ON A 93.56-ACRE PROJECT SITE SOUTH OF GERALD FORD DRIVE AND WEST OF PORTOLA ROAD WITHIN THE EXISTING REFUGE SPECIFIC PLAN AREA Commissioner DeLuna stated that the company she works for is involved in a business relationship with the City in close proximity to the project and recused herself. Vice-Chair Gregory also stated that his previous employer is involved with this project and recused himself. Senior Planner Flores narrated a PowerPoint presentation. Chair Pradetto opened the Public Hearing. Mr. David Dewegeli, the applicant, introduced his team and briefly spoke on Pulte Homes and the proposed project. He responded to questions from the Planning Commission on the space between Lots L and O, landscape, and setbacks. There being no others desiring to speak, the Public Hearing was closed. City of Palm Desert Page 2 Planning Commission Minutes September 5, 2023 MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GREENWOOD, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HOLT, CARRIED 3-0 (DE LUNA and GREGORY RECUSED), finding the project consistent with the previously adopted Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Refuge Specific Plan, adopted by the City Council via Resolution No. 2022-93, and approving a revision to Tentative Tract Map 38434 (TTM23-0002), subject to the findings and conditions of approval. Commissioners DeLuna and Gregory returned to the meeting at 6:17 p.m. B. CONSIDERATION TO ADOPT A NOTICE OF EXEMPTION PURSUANT TO THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) AND APPROVAL OF A TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP (TPM) AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (CUP) TO ALLOW THE CONVERSION OF AN EXISTING FOUR-UNIT APARTMENT DEVELOPMENT INTO FOUR RESIDENTIAL CONDOMINIUM UNITS LOCATED AT 74375 EL CAMINO Associate Planner Dan presented the staff report and responded to inquiries from the Planning Commission on Condition of Approval No. 10, the Short-term Rental Ordinance, and landscaping improvements for the proposed project. Chair Pradetto opened the Public Hearing. Mr. Armando Cardenas, a Palm Desert resident, said he provided comments via email and additional comments on the number of units and lack of landscaping on the site. Ms. Shang Shamloo, the applicant, responded to the Commission's inquiry if she was planning on converting the four units into eight units. Staff affirmed they could confirm there are only four units during the inspection. Additionally, Condition of Approval No. 6 authorizes converting four apartment units into four condominium units at 74375 El Camino. There being no others desiring to speak, the Public Hearing was closed. Vice-Chair Gregory requested to add a condition to the resolution for staff to review landscape improvements throughout the site. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER HOLT, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GREENWOOD, CARRIED 5-0, to adopt a Notice of Exemption pursuant to CEQA and approving Case Nos. TPM23-0004/CU P23-001 1 to allow the conversion of an existing four-unit apartment development into four residential condominium units, subject to findings and conditions, adding a Condition of Approval that the applicant submits a landscape application to the City for review and approval of landscape improvements throughout the site. C. CONSIDERATION TO ADOPT A NOTICE OF EXEMPTION PURSUANT TO THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA), AND APPROVAL OF A TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP (TPM), CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (CUP), AND PRECISE PLAN (PP) TO DEVELOP TWO (2) CONDOMINIUM UNITS TOTALING 2,290 SQUARE FEET EACH NEAR THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF FRED WARING DRIVE AND SAN LUIS DRIVE City of Palm Desert Page 3 Planning Commission Minutes September 5 2023 Senior Planner Flores outlined the salient points of the staff report and responded to inquiries from the Commission on the fence, the catch basin, and proposed material for the driveway. Chair Pradetto opened the Public Hearing. There being no one desiring to speak, the Public Hearing was closed. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER DE LUNA, SECOND BY VICE-CHAIR GREGORY, CARRIED 5-0, to adopt Notice of Exemption for a Class 32 Categorical Exemption in accordance with CEQA Guidelines and approving Case No. TPM/CUP/PP23-0007 to develop two (2) single-story condominium units at San Luis Drive (APN 640-122-009). 8. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & COMMENTS A. SUMMARY OF CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS Director Cannone summarized pertinent City Council actions from the meeting on August 24, 2023. B. COMMITTEE MEETING UPDATES 1. Cultural Arts Committee None. 2. Parks and Recreation Commission Vice-Chair Gregory reported the meeting was canceled. C. PLANNING COMMISSIONERS None. D. CITY STAFF Principal Planner Melloni mentioned he would attend the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting on September 12. He announced the Objective Design Standards Joint Study Session will be held on September 7. Lastly, he gave an update on the landscaping for the two roundabouts on San Pablo Avenue and responded to questions. 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 6:59 p.m. City of Palm Desert Page 4 Planning Commission Minutes September 5, 2023 Respectfully submitted, 0 l Monica O'Rei y, Executive Adnabistrative Assistant Recording Secretary ATTEST: Richard D. Cannone, AICP, Director of Development Services Secretary APPROVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION: 09/19/2023 City of Palm Desert Page 5