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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-11-18 PC Regular Meeting MinutesPLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF PALM DESERT REGULAR MEETING MINUTES 1. CALL TO ORDER A Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order by Chairperson Holt on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, 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 Vice Chair Greenwood led the Pledge of Allegiance. 4. NON­AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS None. 5. CONSENT CALENDAR Motion by: Commissioner Meyerhoff Seconded by: Vice Chair Greenwood To approve the consent calendar as presented. Motion Carried (4 to 0) 5.a APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by: Commissioner Meyerhoff Seconded by: Vice Chair Greenwood Approve the Minutes of November 4, 2025. Motion Carried (4 to 0) 6. ACTION CALENDAR None. Docusign Envelope ID: 3B39AA2E-81D2-83AA-81B2-F44702CF8742 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes November 18, 2025 2 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS 7.a RECOMMEND THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE AN ADDENDUM TO THE GENERAL PLAN EIR, AN UPDATED MOBILITY ELEMENT OF THE GENERAL PLAN, AND UPDATED TRANSPORTATION STUDY GUIDELINES Carlos Flores, Deputy Director of Development Services, introduced Brian Wolfe, of Fehr & Peers, who narrated a PowerPoint presentation and responded to Commissioner inquiries. Chair Holt opened and closed the Public Hearing there being no member of the public wishing to comment. Motion by: Vice Chair Greenwood Seconded by: Commissioner Nickerson Adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2908 entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPT AN ADDENDUM TO THE GENERAL PLAN EIR, APPROVE A GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT UPDATING THE MOBILITY (CIRCULATION) ELEMENT OF THE GENERAL PLAN, AND APPROVE UPDATED TRANSPORTATION STUDY GUIDELINES” Motion Carried (4 to 0) 7.b CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE A NEW, 546 SINGLE FAMILY UNIT RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY LOCATED SOUTH OF FRANK SINATRA DRIVE AND WEST OF PORTOLA AVENUE (APN: 620170009 Commissioner Nickerson announced his recusal due to a financial conflict and left the meeting room. Carlos Flores, Deputy Director of Development Services, narrated and PowerPoint presentation and responded to Commissioner inquiries. Kim Molina, representative of Blue Fern, applicant, provided a verbal report and responded to Commissioner inquiries. Brian Gray, Palm Desert resident, spoke in opposition to the proposed project due to significant traffic safety concerns. Anthony Morris, Palm Desert resident, spoke in opposition to the proposed project, citing concerns over excessive density and incompatibility with the adjacent 55+ community. Ralph Perry, Palm Desert resident, spoke in opposition to the proposed development, citing concerns regarding noise, privacy, quality of life, impacts to senior residents, and potential decline in property values. Gaylord Flynn, Palm Desert resident, spoke in opposition to the proposed development due to concerns over security, construction impacts, and noise affecting elderly residents adjacent to the project. Docusign Envelope ID: 3B39AA2E-81D2-83AA-81B2-F44702CF8742 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes November 18, 2025 3 C.R. Craig, Palm Desert resident, spoke in opposition to the proposed project due to density, traffic, and impacts on local services, and suggested alternative uses for the site. Rob Bernheimer, counsel for the applicant, stated the project complies with the City’s General Plan and state density laws that limit reductions in residential density and responded to Commissioner inquiries. Alicia Gonzalez, the project’s traffic consultant, reported the traffic study found no significant impacts, acceptable levels of service, and adequate queuing and access with proposed mitigation measures. Motion by: Commissioner Meyerhoff Seconded by: Vice Chair Greenwood 1. Adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2904 entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING AN INITIAL STUDY MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION PURSUANT TO THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) AND APPROVING A PRECISE PLAN FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 546 SINGLE FAMILY UNIT RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY LOCATED SOUTH OF FRANK SINATRA DRIVE AND WEST OF PORTOLA AVENUE; CASE NO. PP/EA 25-0003” 2. Adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2905 entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING TENTATIVE TRACT MAP 39159 FOR MASTER INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT LOCATED SOUTH OF FRANK SINATRA DRIVE AND WEST OF PORTOLA AVENUE; CASE NO. TTM 39159 Master Infrastructure Map” 3. Adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2907 entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A TENTATIVE TRACT MAP FOR A PHASED 546 SINGLE FAMILY LOT RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY LOCATED SOUTH OF FRANK SINATRA DRIVE AND WEST OF PORTOLA AVENUE; CASE NO. TTM 39160 Subdivision Map” Motion Carried (3 to 0) 8. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & COMMENTS 8.a SUMMARY OF CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS Carlos Flores, Deputy Director of Development Services, provided an update on recent actions taken by the City Council. Docusign Envelope ID: 3B39AA2E-81D2-83AA-81B2-F44702CF8742 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes November 18, 2025 4 8.b COMMITTEE MEETING UPDATES 8.b.1 Cultural Arts Committee Michelle Nance, Acting Assistant Clerk, provided an update on recent action taken by the Cultural Arts Committee. 8.c PLANNING COMMISSIONERS None. 8.d CITY STAFF None. 8.e ATTENDANCE REPORT Report on file; no action taken on this item. 9. ADJOURNMENT The Planning Commission adjourned at 7:52 p.m. Respectfully submitted, _______________________________ Michelle Nance, Senior Deputy Clerk Recording Secretary _________________________ Rosie Lua, Director of Development Services Staff Liaison Docusign Envelope ID: 3B39AA2E-81D2-83AA-81B2-F44702CF8742