HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-02-06 PC Regular Meeting MinutesPLANNING COMMISSION
CITY OF PALM DESERT
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
February 6, 2024, 6:00 p.m.
Present: Commissioner Nancy De Luna*, Commissioner John Greenwood,
Commissioner Ron Gregory, Commissioner Lindsay Holt,
Chairman Joseph Pradetto
*Commissioner De Luna left the meeting at 7:19 p.m.
Staff Present: Director of Development Services Richard Cannone, Principal
Planner Nick Melloni, Principal Planner Carlos Flores, Recording
Secretary Monique Lomeli
1. CALL TO ORDER
A Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order by Chairman
Pradetto on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, City Hall,
located at 73-510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, California.
2. ROLL CALL
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner DeLuna led the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. NONAGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS
Matthew Cain, Palm Desert resident, provided comments regarding the preservation
and use of rainwater and encouraged the City to implement curb cut bioswales under
the City's General Plan policy concerning rainwater harvesting.
The Commission requested that staff add an update regarding the City's efforts toward
rainwater capture projects to a future agenda.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion by: Commissioner Gregory
Seconded by: Commissioner De Luna
To approve the consent calendar as presented.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
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5.a APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by: Commissioner Gregory
Seconded by: Commissioner De Luna
Approve the Minutes of January 4, 2024.
Motion Carried
6. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER
7. ACTION CALENDAR
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
8.a ADOPT A NOTICE OF EXEMPTION PURSUANT TO THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT AND APPROVE A TENTATIVE PARCEL
MAP TO SUBDIVIDE AN EXISTING PARCEL INTO TWO PARCELS AND A
LETTERED LOT AT 49425 JFK TRAIL (ASSESSORS PARCEL NUMBERS
655300030 AND 031)
Commissioner Gregory announced his recusal on Item 8a due to his residential
proximity to the subject address and left the meeting room.
Principal Planner Flores narrated a PowerPoint presentation and responded to
Commissioner inquiries.
Chair Pradetto opened the public hearing.
Lindsey Ross, applicant's spouse, provided comments regarding the applicant's
efforts to address complaints and concerns regarding the proposed subdivision;
requested that the Commission approve the application; and responded to
Commission inquiries.
Lynn Haus, Ironwood IX Homeowners Association (HOA) Board President, spoke
in opposition of the proposed subdivision and stated the HOA's Conditions,
Covenants, and Restrictions grant the HOA the authority to deny requests to
subdivide parcels.
Glenn Johnson, Ironwood IX HOA Board Member, spoke in opposition of the
proposed subdivision and requested that the Commission deny the application
due to concerns regarding negative impacts on emergency vehicle access to JFK
Trail.
Lindsey Ross, applicant's spouse, stated the Fire Department has approved the
existing plans with respect to street width and encouraged the Commission to
approve the application, allowing the applicant to manage the HOA's concerns
through the appropriate process.
There being no others desiring to speak, Chair Pradetto closed the Public
Hearing.
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During the course of deliberations, Commissioner Holt requested to see
hydrology calculations with future tentative tract map applications.
Motion by: Commissioner Greenwood
Seconded by: Commissioner De Luna
Adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2847 to:
1. Adopt a Notice of Exemption for a Class 15 Categorical Exemption in
accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15315 Minor Land Divisions.
2. Approve Case No. TPM/EA23-0001 to approve Tentative Parcel Map
(TPM) 38491 to subdivide an existing parcel and retention lot into two (2)
0.46-acre parcels and a 0.05-acre retention lot, subject to findings and
conditions.
RECUSED (1): Commissioner Gregory
Motion Carried (4 to 0)
8.b ADOPT A NOTICE OF EXEMPTION PURSUANT TO THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT AND APPROVE A CONDITIONAL USE
PERMIT AND PRECISE PLAN FOR A 11,380 SQUARE FOOT FIRE STATION
ON A 2.66 ACRE SITE AT 75665 GERALD FORD DR (ASSESSOR’S PARCEL
NUMBER 694160015)
Vice Chair Gregory returned to the dais.
*Commissioner De Luna announced her recusal on Items 8b and 8c, noting that
her employer is engaged in a business relationship within close proximity and left
the meeting room.
Principal Planner Flores narrated a PowerPoint presentation and responded to
Commission inquiries.
Chair Pradetto opened the public hearing.
Bernhard Wassink, PBK Architects, was present (via Zoom) and declined to
provide additional testimony.
There being no others desiring to speak, Chair Pradetto closed the public
hearing.
Project Manager Lucero Leyva responded to Commission inquiries regarding the
project timeline.
Motion by: Commissioner Greenwood
Seconded by: Commissioner Gregory
Adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2851 to:
1. Conduct the public hearing and receive public testimony.
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2. Adopt a Notice of Exemption for a Class 32 Categorical Exemption in
accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15332 as an Infill
development.
3. Approve Conditional Use Permit (CUP) 23-0011 and Precise Plan (PP)
23-0011 for an 11,380-square-foot (SF) fire station building located at
75665 Gerald Ford Drive (Assessor’s Parcel Number 694-160-015).
RECUSED (1): Commissioner De Luna
Motion Carried (4 to 0)
8.c RECOMMEND THAT THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPT A ZONING ORDINANCE
AMENDMENT TO IMPLEMENT RESIDENTIAL AND MIXEDUSE OBJECTIVE
DESIGN STANDARDS, AND FIND THE PROJECT IS EXEMPT FROM THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA)
Principal Planner Melloni and John Kaliski, John Kaliski Architects, Inc., narrated
a PowerPoint presentation and responded to Commission inquiries.
Individual Commissioners offered commentary on the proposed Objective Design
Standards (ODS), noting that there are safety concerns with Section 3.9 Passive
and Active Amenities. The Commission suggested modifying the language to
require one interactive water amenity.
Chair Pradetto opened the public hearing.
Stephen Nelson, Palm Desert resident, spoke in support of the proposed ODS
and recommended that the City develop clear and concise enforcement
procedures to ensure developers adhere to the standards.
There being no others desiring to speak, Chair Pradetto closed the public
hearing.
Motion by: Commissioner Gregory
Seconded by: Commissioner Greenwood
Adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2852 to:
1. Recommend the City Council approve a Zoning Ordinance Amendment
amending Title 25 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code (PDMC) by adding
Chapter 25.42 – Objective Design Standards and amending other
sections of Title 25 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code, to enact the
Residential and Mixed-Use Residential Objective Design Standards
document.
2. Find the project is exempt from further California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA) review pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21065,
CEQA Guidelines Sections 15060(c)(2), 15378, and/or 15061(b)(3).
RECUSED (1): Commissioner De Luna
Motion Carried (4 to 0)
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9. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & COMMENTS
9.a SUMMARY OF CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS
Director of Development Services Richard Cannone reported that the City
Council recently approved a development agreement with the Marriott Hotel and
authorized staff to move forward with a code amendment to prohibit cannabis
manufacturing and adjust fees for permissible cannabis activity.
9.b COMMITTEE MEETING UPDATES
9.b.1 Cultural Arts Committee
None.
9.b.2 Parks and Recreation Committee
Principal Planner Melloni reported the Parks and Recreation Committee
recently adopted a 2024 Work Plan and provided information regarding
the newly established goals.
9.c PLANNING COMMISSIONERS
None.
9.d CITY STAFF
Director of Development Services Richard Cannone reported that all five
members of the Commission could be included in the 2024/2025 training budget;
announced the promotion of Carlos Flores to Principal Planner; and expressed
appreciation to Principal Planner Melloni and John Kaliski for their work on the
ODS.
9.e ATTENDANCE REPORT
10. ADJOURNMENT
The Planning Commission adjourned at 8:53 p.m.
11. PUBLIC NOTICES
_________________________
Monique Lomeli, Senior Deputy Clerk
Recording Secretary
_________________________
Richard Cannone, Director of Development Services
Staff Liaison
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