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Home My WebLink About2023-09-19 PC Regular Meeting Minutes PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA MINUTES Tuesday, September 6:00 p.m. 19, 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 Vice-Chair Gregory on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at 6:01 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Nancy DeLuna, John Greenwood, Lindsay Holt, and Vice-Chair Gregory. Absent: Chair Joseph Pradetto. Staff Present: Oscar Verdugo, City Attorney; Richard D. Cannone, Director of Development Services; Nick Melloni, Principal Planner; and Monica O'Reilly, Executive Administrative Assistant/Recording Secretary. 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner DeLuna led the Pledge of Allegiance. 4. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT: None. 5. CONSENT CALENDAR: A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES RECOMMENDATION: Approve the Planning Commission Regular Meeting minutes of September 5, 2023. City of Palm Desert Page 1 Planninq Commission Minutes September 19 2023 MOTION BY COMMISSIONER DE LUNA, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GREENWOOD, CARRIED 4-0 (PRADETTO ABSENT), to approve the Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes of September 5, 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 RECOMMENDATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL TO ADOPT A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION PURSUANT TO THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA); AND APPROVAL OF A SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT, PRECISE PLAN, AND TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP TO DEVELOP A PHASED 114,700-SQUARE-FOOT MEDICAL OFFICE PARK WITH RELATED ON- SITE AND OFF-SITE IMPROVEMENTS, AND SUBDIVIDE A 10.47-ACRE PROPERTY LOCATED AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF GERALD FORD DRIVE AND TECHNOLOGY DRIVE (ASSESSOR'S PARCEL NUMBERS 694-580-026 AND -027) Commissioner Greenwood stated that Prest Vuksic Greenwood Architects (PVG) is the applicant and architectural firm working on this project and recused himself from this item. He left the meeting at 6:06 p.m. Principal Planner Melloni narrated a PowerPoint presentation. He noted that the City received a comment letter, which was provided to the Planning Commission before the meeting. Vice-Chair Gregory opened the Public Hearing. John Vuksic, the applicant/architect, mentioned that Linda Evans with Desert Care Network and Justin Henry with Tenet Healthcare are also available via Zoom to answer any questions. Pastor Zach said it is important to engage the community on this project and address concerns from labor groups. Kelilah Federman, on behalf of the Californians Allied for a Responsible Economy (CARE CA), stated that City staff has failed to adequately respond to comments regarding California Environmental Quality Act(CEQA) impacts. She urged the Commission to direct staff to prepare an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) before the project is approved. City of Palm Desert Page 2 Planning Commission Minutes September 19 2023 Louie Lopez, the representative for Ironworkers Local 433, asked the Commission to deny approval of this project to allow the applicant to be a true community benefit partner. John Sisley, representative for the plumbers, pipefitters, and refrigeration in San Bernardino County and Riverside County, commented they have pushed for community benefits and agreements to ensure they hire local people at a sustainable wage. He asked that they not approve this project until the developer signs a community benefit agreement. Godfrey Washira (17654099036), with CARE CA, voiced that the Mitigated Negative Declaration is flawed and fails to analyze and mitigate significant impacts on the environment and community. He hoped the Commission would recommend the applicant prepare an EIR. Stephen Nelson, a Palm Desert resident, commented that the Commission has approved several housing projects that border Gerald Ford Drive. He is concerned with the area becoming dense and the environmental impacts. He also felt that union workers should be considered. Linda Evans, Desert Care Network, spoke on healthcare facilities in the Coachella Valley and how their network recruits physicians, provides medical education training programs, they work with nursing and residency programs and high school health academies. They have contributed nearly one million dollars annually to nonprofit organizations that serve the needs of people with access and health issues throughout the community. She is pleased with the work they have done on the proposed project. John Vuksic added that their environmental consultant addressed environmental challenges raised and submitted responses to all comments to City staff. There being no others desiring to speak, the Public Hearing was closed. The Planning Commission commented that they have a good understanding of the project, noting that the site was previously disturbed, there are mitigation measures, the project would eliminate some of the blowing sand in the area, the use is compatible with surrounding uses, and they agree with the staff that the project meets all the requirements. They would like to see labor agreements; however, it is not within the purview of the Planning Commission. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER DE LUNA, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HOLT, CARRIED 3-0 (PRADETTO ABSENT and GREENWOOD RECUSED), recommending that the City Council adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring Reporting Program for the project, and recommending that the City Council approve Specific Plan Amendment (SP) 22-0002, Precise Plan (PP) 22-0009, and Tentative Parcel Map (TPM) 38728 to develop a phased 114,700-square-foot medical office park and related on-site and off-site improvements and subdivide a 10.47-acre property located at the southwest corner of Gerald Ford Drive and Technology Drive (Assessor's Parcel Numbers 694-580-026, and -027). Commissioner Greenwood returned to the meeting at 6:49 p.m. City of Palm Desert Page 3 Planning Commission Minutes September 19 2023 8. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & COMMENTS A. SUMMARY OF CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS None. B. COMMITTEE MEETING UPDATES 1. Cultural Arts Committee Commissioner Holt provided an update on art and landscape installation for the roundabouts on San Pablo Avenue and answered questions from the Planning Commission. She mentioned that the Committee asked if there was a schedule for the art installation at the Desert Recreation Center. Lastly, the Artist Council are looking for new members. Principal Planner Melloni responded that staff will follow-up on the art for the recreation center. 2. Parks and Recreation Commission Principal Planner Melloni reported the Commission formed a subcommittee to name the parks at the University Park Neighborhood. C. PLANNING COMMISSIONERS None. D. CITY STAFF None. 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 6:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Monica O' eilly, ExecutivQ dministrative Assistant Recording Secretary City of Palm Desert Page 4 I Planning Commission Minutes September 19, 2023 ATTEST: Ile Richard D. Cannone, AICP, Director of Development Services Secretary APPROVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION: 10/03/2023 City of Palm Desert Page 5