HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-10-17 PC Regular Meeting Minutes PLANNING COMMISSION
CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA
MINUTES
Tuesday, October 17, 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, October 17, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Commissioners Nancy DeLuna, John Greenwood, Lindsay Holt (via Zoom), and
Chair Pradetto.
Absent: Vice-Chair Ron Gregory.
Staff
Present: Oscar Verdugo, City Attorney; Richard D. Cannone, AICP, Director of
Development Services; Nick Meiloni, AICP, Principal Planner; Carlos Flores,
Senior 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:
Matthew Cain, a Palm Desert resident, suggested the City of Palm Desert consider curb cut
bioswales and briefly provided the benefits of bioswales.
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Planninq Commission Minutes October 17 2023
5. CONSENT CALENDAR:
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
RECOMMENDATION: Approve the Planning Commission Regular Meeting minutes of
October 3, 2023.
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER DE LUNA, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER
GREENWOOD, CARRIED 4-0 (GREGORY ABSENT), to approve the Planning
Commission Regular Meeting Minutes of October 3, 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 AMEND APPROVED VESTING TENTATIVE
TRACT MAP 37506 TO REVISE PAD ELEVATIONS AND ADJUST LOT LINES WITHIN
AREA 2 OF THE UNIVERSITY PARK SUBDIVISION, A 40.4-ACRE AREA OF A 174+
ACRE RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISION GENERALLY LOCATED SOUTH OF GERALD
FORD DRIVE, EAST OF PORTOLA AVENUE AND WEST OF COOK STREET
(CASE NO. TTM23-0004NTTM 37506 AMENDMENT NO. 3)
Commissioner DeLuna noted that her employer is in a business relationshipwith the City
Y
and a property near the proposed project and recused herself.
Principal Planner Melloni narrated a PowerPoint presentation, noting the applicant is
available via Zoom to answer any questions. He also responded to Chair Pradetto's
question regarding the code requirement to seek approval for pad elevation changes.
Chair Pradetto opened the Public Hearing.
Rav Nandwana the applicant explained tha
t changes to the tract map occur as they
develop in phases and lay out the housing product after the original map is approved, such
as adjusting lot lines to accommodate walls. He offered to answer any questions.
There being no others desiring to speak, the Public Hearing was closed.
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Planning Commission Minutes October 17, 2023
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GREENWOOD, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HOLT,
CARRIED 3-0 (DE LUNA RECUSED and GREGORY ABSENT), adopting Planning
Commission Resolution No. 2846, approving Case No. TTM23-0004/VTTM 37506
Amendment No. 3 and finding the project is consistent with the previously approved
Environmental Impact Report for the General Plan.
Commissioner DeLuna returned to the meeting at 6:24 p.m.
8. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & COMMENTS
A. SUMMARY OF CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS
Director Cannone reported that the City Council proclaimed October 2023 Community
Planning Month at its meeting on October 12, 2023.
B. COMMITTEE MEETING UPDATES
1. Cultural Arts Committee
None.
2. Parks and Recreation Commission
None.
C. PLANNING COMMISSIONERS
Commissioner Greenwood referred to the public hearing this evening, and inquired if the
process could be an administrative approval.
Principal Planner Melloni responded it would require amending sections of the Palm
Desert Municipal Code (PDMC). He noted that the staff could examine the subject further
to ensure compliance with state laws.
Director Cannone added that there were some specific plans that staff had the ability to
approve; however, there were some additional changes that needed to happen. He said
that many of the regulations were written in the 1970s, and it is time to freshen up.
With a consensus from the Planning Commission, they requested City staff examine
changes to the PDMC for a potential recommendation to the City Council.
D. CITY STAFF
None.
E. ATTENDANCE REPORT
The attendance report was provided with the agenda materials. The Commission took no
action on this matter.
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Planning Commission Minutes October 17 2023
9. ADJ
OURNMENT
The Planning Commission adjourned the meeting at 6:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
11
Monica O'Reilly, Executive A* istrative Assistant
Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
Richard D. Cannone, AICP, Director of Development Services
Secretary
APPROVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION: 12/05/2023
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