HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes No 2891PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 2891
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF PALM
DESERT, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPT A
NOTICE OF EXEMPTION PURSUANT TO THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) AND APPROVE A GENERAL
PLAN AMENDMENT FROM SMALL TOWN NEIGHBORHOOD TO
NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER AND CHANGE OF ZONE FROM PLANNED
RESIDENTIAL TO OFFICE PROFESSIONAL FOR A 2.21 ACRE PROPERTY
ON THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF FRED WARING DRIVE AND
FAIRHAVEN AVENUE. (ASSESSOR’S PARCEL NUMBER 640-040-016)
CASE NOS. GPA24-0001/CZ24-0002
WHEREAS, Dignity Investment Group (“Applicant”), submitted a request to change
the general plan land use designation and zoning designation of a 2.21-acre parcel located
at the northwest corner of Fred Waring Drive and Fairhaven Avenue from Small Town
Neighborhood to Neighborhood Center and Planned Residential – 7 units per acre to Office
Professional, respectively; and
WHEREAS, the Project site has a land use designation of Small Town Neighborhood
in the Palm Desert General Plan adopted on November 10, 2016, and a zoning designation
of Planned Residential – 7 units per acre (PR-7); and
WHEREAS, the Project Site has been developed with existing improvements which
generally consist of a single unoccupied building previously occupied by a church, related
parking lot and landscaping, and is adequately served by existing public utilities and services;
and
WHEREAS, the proposed General Plan Amendment would not create any
nonconforming uses or structures on site; and
WHEREAS, the proposed General Plan Amendment and Change of Zone would allow
the site to remain suitable for residential uses at a maximum density of 15 units per acre; and
WHEREAS, the proposed General Plan Amendment and Change of Zone would make
the land use consistent with the adjacent property to the west and allow the site to continue
existing vehicular connectivity to said project site; and
WHEREAS, under Section 21067 of the Public Resources Code, Section 15367 of the
State California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, §
15000 et seq.) and the City of Palm Desert’s (“City’s”) Local CEQA Guidelines, the City is the
lead agency for the Project; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the requirements of the CEQA, the State Guidelines for
Implementation of CEQA (State CEQA Guidelines), and the City of Palm Desert CEQA
Implementation Requirements, the City of Palm Desert Development Services Department
has determined that the Project will not have a significant impact on the environment and that
the Project is categorically exempt under Article 19, Section 15301 Existing Facilities (Class
1) of the CEQA Guidelines; therefore, no further environmental review is necessary; and
Docusign Envelope ID: B3F81872-72B2-4832-AF2E-868D4B066FEF
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 2891
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WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Palm Desert, California, did on
the 20th day of May 2025, hold a duly noticed public hearing to consider the request by the
Applicant for approval of the above-noted Project request; and
WHEREAS, at the said public hearing, upon hearing and considering all testimony and
arguments, if any, of all interested persons desiring to be heard, the Planning Commission
did find the following facts and reasons, which are outlined in the staff report, exist to justify
approval of said request:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Planning Commission of the City of
Palm Desert, California, as follows:
SECTION 1. Recitals. The Planning Commission hereby finds that the foregoing
recitals are true and correct and are incorporated herein as substantive findings of this
Resolution.
SECTION 2. General Plan Amendment. As required by Palm Desert Municipal Code
“PDMC” Section 25.78.070, the following findings to approve a General Plan Amendment:
There is a substantial public benefit to be derived from such amendment and the proposed
amendment furthers the goals of the General Plan.
The General Plan Amendment (GPA) is in the public’s interest as it will maintain the character
of Fred Waring Drive by creating consistency in General Plan land use designation on the
north side of Fred Waring, west of Fairhaven Drive. The project site has existed for decades
as the site of a church with a parking lot that connects to an existing medical office park
directly to the west. The existing General Plan land use allows for residential uses. The
proposed General Plan Land use designation allows the site to establish non-residential uses
that serve the needs of the neighborhood, meanwhile retaining its ability to have residential
uses. The intent of Neighborhood Center is to provide a concentration of commercial
businesses and civic amenities within walking and biking distances of neighborhoods, and
the location off Fred Waring where this project site is located is ideal for this designation and
uses based off its proximity to surrounding residential and a major thoroughfare (Fred
Waring).
SECTION 3. CEQA Determination. The Planning Commission finds that the Project is
exempt from CEQA per Section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines as the Project is a Class 1
Exemption for “Existing Facilities” development. Class 1 applies to projects involving the
operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing
public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features
involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. The proposed project change
of land use would impact existing facilities and allow for their operation with additional uses.
Additionally, the Project does not qualify for any of the exceptions pursuant to Article 19 of
the CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 for “Exceptions.”
SECTION 4. Project Recommendations. The Planning Commission hereby
recommends the City Council approve the Change of Zone and General Plan Amendment
presented, as depicted in Exhibit “A.”
Docusign Envelope ID: B3F81872-72B2-4832-AF2E-868D4B066FEF
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 2891
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SECTION 5. Custodian of Records. The documents and materials that constitute the
record of proceedings on which these findings are based are located at the City’s office at
73510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, CA 92260. Rosie Lua, the Secretary to the Palm
Desert Planning Commission, is the custodian of the record of proceedings.
SECTION 6. Execution of Resolution. The Chairperson of the Planning Commission
signs this Resolution, and the Secretary to the Commission shall attest and certify to the
passage and adoption thereof.
SECTION 7. Recitals. The Planning Commission hereby finds that the foregoing
recitals are true and correct and are incorporated herein as substantive findings of this
Resolution.
ADOPTED ON May 20, 2025.
LINDSAY HOLT
CHAIRPERSON
ATTEST:
ROSIE LUA
SECRETARY
I, Rosie Lua, Secretary of the City of Palm Desert Planning Commission, hereby certify
that Resolution No. 2891 is a full, true, and correct copy, and was duly adopted at a regular
meeting of the Planning Commission of the City of Palm Desert on May 20, 2025, by the
following vote:
AYES: DELUNA, HOLT, MEYERHOFF
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: GREENWOOD, GREGORY
ABSTAIN: NONE
RECUSED: NONE
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City
of Palm Desert, California, on June 10 , 2025.
ROSIE LUA
SECRETARY
Docusign Envelope ID: B3F81872-72B2-4832-AF2E-868D4B066FEF
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Docusign Envelope ID: B3F81872-72B2-4832-AF2E-868D4B066FEF
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From Planned Residential 7 Units per acre to Office Professional
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Docusign Envelope ID: B3F81872-72B2-4832-AF2E-868D4B066FEF