HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-03-19 PC Regular Meeting Minutes1
PLANNING COMMISSION
CITY OF PALM DESERT
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
March 19, 2024, 6:00 p.m.
Present: Commissioner Nancy DeLuna, Commissioner John Greenwood,
Commissioner Ron Gregory, Commissioner Lindsay Holt, Chair
Joseph Pradetto
Staff Present: Director of Development Services Richard Cannone, Recording
Secretary Monique Lomeli, Principal Planner Nick Melloni,
Principal Planner Carlos Flores, Associate Planner Kenneth
Taylor
1.CALL TO ORDER
A Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order by Chairman
Pradetto on Tuesday, March 19, 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
Chair Pradetto led the Pledge of Allegiance.
4.NONAGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS
None.
5.CONSENT CALENDAR
To approve the consent calendar as presented.
5.a APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by: Commissioner Greenwood Seconded by:
Commissioner DeLuna
Approve the Minutes of March 5, 2024.
Motion Carried (4 to 0 Commissioner Holt abstained)
6.CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER
7.ACTION CALENDAR
7.a ADOPT A NOTICE OF EXEMPTION AND FIND THAT A PROPOSED STREET
VACATION OF AN 8,582 SQUARE FOOT PORTION OF SHADOW LAKE
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DRIVE IS CONSISTENT WITH THE PALM DESERT GENERAL PLAN
(RESOLUTION NO. 2860)
Principal Planner Carlos Flores narrated a PowerPoint presentation and
responded to Commissioner inquiries.
Motion by: Commissioner Gregory
Seconded by: Commissioner Holt
Adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2860 entitled, "A RESOLUTION OF
THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT,
CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING A NOTICE OF EXEMPTION AND FINDING THAT A
PROPOSED STREET VACATION OF AN 8,852 SQUARE FOOT PORTION OF
SHADOW LAKE DRIVE IN FAVOR OF A PROPERTY AT 73745 SHADOW LAKE
DRIVE IS CONSISTENT WITH THE CITY OF PALM DESERT GENERAL PLAN
(APNS: 627-342-001) CASE NOS. ST23-0008".
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
8.PUBLIC HEARINGS
8.a CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST TO APPROVE A 12MONTH TIME
EXTENSION FOR PRECISE PLAN/CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 16394, TO
CONSTRUCT A 388UNIT APARTMENT DEVELOPMENT ON THE SOUTH
SIDE OF HOLEY LANE EAST, FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE SANDS
APARTMENTS
Associate Planner Kenneth Taylor narrated a PowerPoint presentation.
Chair Pradetto opened the public hearing.
June Engblom, Palm Desert resident, voiced support for the development;
requested clarification regarding entitlements to developers, elevation, and
insurance; cautioned the City against rapid growth.
Edward Zakanych, Palm Desert resident, spoke in support of the project and
requested clarification regarding an insurance policy protecting neighboring
properties from damage during construction.
Principal Planner Flores responded to Commissioner inquiries.
There being no others present and desiring to speak, Chair Pradetto closed the
public hearing.
Motion by: Commissioner DeLuna
Seconded by: Commissioner Gregory
1.Conduct a public hearing and receive public testimony.
2.Adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2861 entitled, “A
RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING AN 12-MONTH TIME
Planning Commission Minutes March 19, 2024
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EXTENSION FOR PRECISE PLAN/ CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT/
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 16-394 UNTIL MARCH 19, 2025.”
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
8.b CONSIDERATION TO ADOPT A NOTICE OF EXEMPTION AND APPROVE A
PRECISE PLAN TO CONSTRUCT A 384UNIT APARTMENT DEVELOPMENT
AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF DICK KELLY DRIVE AND GATEWAY
DRIVE (ASSESSORS PARCEL NUMBER 694130016 AND 021)
Principal Planner Carlos Flores narrated a PowerPoint presentation and
responded to Commissioner inquiries.
Chair Pradetto opened the public hearing.
Steve Vliss, applicant, expressed appreciation to staff and responded to
Commissioner inquiries concerning window recess measurements, color
schemes, and landscaping selections.
There being no others present and desiring to speak Chair Pradetto closed the
public hearing.
Motion by: Commissioner Gregory
Seconded by: Commissioner Holt
Adopt Resolution No. 2862 entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING A
NOTICE OF EXEMPTION PURSUANT TO THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT AND APPROVING A PRECISE PLAN TO
CONSTRUCT A 384 UNIT MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT AT
THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF GATEWAY DRIVE AND DICK KELLY DRIVE
(ASSESSOR’S PARCEL NUMBER 694-130-016 AND 694-130-021) CASE NOS.
EA23-0005/PP23-0005
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
8.c CONSIDER THE REVOCATION OF CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 170030
FOR A CANNABIS FACILITY LOCATED AT 77700 ENFIELD LANE
Director of Development Services Richard Cannone reported that the applicant
voluntarily surrendered their license and conditional use permit, negating the
need to conduct a public hearing. The Commission received and filed a written
update that was provided in the agenda materials.
9.INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & COMMENTS
9.a SUMMARY OF CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS
Planning Commission Minutes March 19, 2024
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9.b COMMITTEE MEETING UPDATES
9.b.1 Cultural Arts Committee
Commissioner Holt reported the Cultural Arts Committee selected
sculptures for the El Paseo Sculpture Exhibition.
9.b.2 Parks and Recreation Committee
None.
9.c PLANNING COMMISSIONERS
The Commission requested an update on the landscaping and potential for
irrigation at the roundabout on Magnesia Falls and San Pablo Avenue.
Commissioner Greenwood reported a positive experience at the Planning
Commission academy and expressed appreciation to staff for providing the
sponsorship.
9.d CITY STAFF
Principal Planner Nick Melloni provided information regarding an upcoming
community engagement workshop concerning an update to the University
Neighborhood Specific Plan and planning of the vacant 170 acres located on the
northeast corner of Portola Avenue and Frank Sinatra Drive.
9.e ATTENDANCE REPORT
10.ADJOURNMENT
The Planning Commission adjourned at 6:48 p.m.
11.PUBLIC NOTICES
________________________________
Monique Lomeli, Senior Deputy Clerk
Recording Secretary
___________________________________________
Richard Cannone, Director of Development Services
Secretary to the Planning Commission
APPROVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION: 04/02/2024
Planning Commission Minutes March 19, 2024
DocuSign Envelope ID: D866FAA2-7659-4128-B1EE-D3579FE79498