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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-06-04 PC Regular Meeting Minutes PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF PALM DESERT REGULAR MEETING MINUTES June 4, 2024, 6:00 p.m. Present: Commissioner Nancy DeLuna, Commissioner John Greenwood, Commissioner Lindsay Holt, Chair Joseph Pradetto Absent: Commissioner Ron Gregory Staff Present: Director of Development Services Richard Cannone, Recording Secretary Níamh Ortega, Principal Planner Nick Melloni, Principal Planner Carlos Flores, Legal Counsel Oscar Verdugo 1. CALL TO ORDER A Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order by Chairman Pradetto on Tuesday, June 4, 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 Holt led the Pledge of Allegiance. 4. NON­AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS None. 5. CONSENT CALENDAR Motion by: Commissioner DeLuna Seconded by: Commissioner Holt To approve the consent calendar as presented. Motion Carried (4 to 0) 5.a APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by: Commissioner DeLuna Seconded by: Commissioner Holt Approve the Minutes of May 21, 2024. Motion Carried (4 to 0) Docusign Envelope ID: 00F7EC6D-2C24-40FE-98E0-0482893DFC65 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes June 4, 2024 2 6. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None. 7. ACTION CALENDAR None. 8. PUBLIC HEARINGS 8.a CONSIDERATION TO ADOPT AN INITIAL STUDY / MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION (SCH NO. 2023090542) OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AND A MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM FOR THE HAYSTACK CHANNEL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT Principal Planner Melloni narrated a PowerPoint presentation and responded to Planning Commission inquiries. City Engineer Rowe and Project Manager Gayler responded to Planning Commission inquiries. Chair Pradetto opened the public hearing. Roy Shacter, Palm Desert resident, questioned if the project included the area west of Alamo. Richard Cruz, Palm Desert resident, noted he had not experienced flooding in the area in the years he lived in the neighborhood and expressed concern regarding the proposed changes. Steve Rivera, Palm Desert resident, opined that the City Council is not focused on infrastructure as a priority and urged the Planning Commission to consider its priorities. David Toltzmann, Palm Desert resident, expressed concern that the City does not have a horticulturalist on staff to assess project needs; opined that a horticulturalist should be involved with the project; and provided input on various aspects of the project. Allan G. Buller, Palm Desert resident, expressed concern regarding rip-rap preventing the growth of natural vegetation including smoke trees. CB Buller, Palm Desert resident, expressed concern regarding the potential for the project to destroy natural plant and animal life and urged the Planning Commission to return the project to the Planning department for review and proposal of alternatives. Suzy Houser, Palm Desert resident, opined that the wash has not been properly maintained over the years, and expressed dissatisfaction with the current management and maintenance of the area. John Curran, Palm Desert resident, opined the channel has not been properly maintained in the past and expressed concern that this would continue. William Bennett, Palm Desert resident, opined the project should be returned to the Planning Commission as it is not ready for consideration at this time. Docusign Envelope ID: 00F7EC6D-2C24-40FE-98E0-0482893DFC65 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes June 4, 2024 3 Jann Buller, Palm Desert resident, questioned if Coachella Valley Water District was active in the area past Portola and opined that stopping the project at Portola Would not enable project completion. Cathy Forrister, Palm Desert resident, opined that the issues in the wash were the result of a lack of maintenance, questioned the need for the access road to be 10 feet wide, and requested that maintenance issues be addressed. Chair Pradetto closed the public hearing there being no other members of the public wishing to speak. Staff responded to additional questions by the Planning Commission. Motion by: Commissioner Greenwood Seconded by: Commissioner Holt Direct staff to continue the item, schedule community meetings to solicit additional input, and return to the Planning Commission after feedback from community meetings has been gathered. Motion Carried (4 to 0) 8.b CONSIDERATION OF A RECOMMENDATION TO THE PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL OF A ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT TO SECTIONS OF TITLE 25 OF THE PALM DESERT MUNICIPAL CODE AND FINDING THE ACTION EXEMPT PER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT Principal Planner Melloni narrated a PowerPoint presentation and responded to Planning Commissioner inquiries. Chair Pradetto opened and closed the public hearing, there being no members of the public wishing to speak. Eric Wilson, Attorney representing an operator, expressed support for the amendment. Motion by: Commissioner Greenwood Seconded by: Commissioner DeLuna Adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2871 entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF A ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT TO AMEND SECTIONS 25.16.030, 25.18.040, 25.28.070, 25.34.120, 25.6 8.020, AND 25.99.020 OF PALM DESERT MUNICIPAL CODE TITLE 25 AND MAKING A FINDING THAT THE ACTION IS EXEMPT FROM FURTHER ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PURSUANT TO THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA).” Motion Carried (4 to 0) Docusign Envelope ID: 00F7EC6D-2C24-40FE-98E0-0482893DFC65 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes June 4, 2024 4 9. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & COMMENTS 9.a SUMMARY OF CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS No reportable actions. 9.b COMMITTEE MEETING UPDATES 9.b.1 Cultural Arts Committee No report. 9.b.2 Parks and Recreation Committee No report. 9.c PLANNING COMMISSIONERS Commissioner Greenwood deferred to Development Services Director Cannone who stated an appeal has been made to the City Council of the Building Board of Appeals recent decision to uphold a decision made by the Certified Building Official. Director Cannone will update the Commission on the outcome of the appeal once it is heard by the City Council. 9.d CITY STAFF 9.e ATTENDANCE REPORT A report was provided with the agenda materials; no action was taken on this item. 10. ADJOURNMENT The Planning Commission adjourned at 7:38 p.m. 11. PUBLIC NOTICES _________________________ Níamh M. Ortega, Assistant City Clerk Recording Secretary _________________________ Richard Cannone, Director of Development Services Staff Liaison Docusign Envelope ID: 00F7EC6D-2C24-40FE-98E0-0482893DFC65