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Home My WebLink About2024-09-03 PC Regular Meeting MinutesPLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF PALM DESERT REGULAR MEETING MINUTES -Chair Lindsay Holt, Commissioner Joseph Pradetto, Chair Principal Planner Carlos Flores, Recording 1. CALL TO ORDER A Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order by Chairman Gregory on Tuesday, September 3, 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 Greenwood led the Pledge of Allegiance. 4. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS Melody Thornton, Palm Desert resident, addressed the need for a stop sign at Corsican Villas on Portola and called for improved traffic control during special events at the Living Desert. Linda Simmons, Palm Desert resident, supported the call for enhanced traffic control during special events at the Living Desert. 5. CONSENT CALENDAR Motion by: Commissioner DeLuna Seconded by: Commissioner Pradetto To approve the consent calendar as presented. Motion Carried (4 to 0) 5.a APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the Minutes of December 19, 2023, and August 20, 2024. Motion Carried (4 to 0) Docusign Envelope ID: 9E433E42-E3D7-45EC-8CED-57A00E581120 Planning Commission Minutes September 3, 2024 2 6. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None. 7. ACTION CALENDAR 7.a CONSIDERATION TO GRANT A SIX-MONTH EXTENSION OF TIME FOR TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP 37234 Principal Planner Flores narrated a PowerPoint presentation and responded to Commissioner inquiries. Motion by: Commissioner Greenwood Seconded by: Vice-Chair Holt Adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2880 entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A SIX-MONTH TIME EXTENSION FOR TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP 37234 UNTIL MARCH 12, 2025.” Motion Carried (5 to 0) 8. PUBLIC HEARINGS 8.a CONSIDERATION TO ADOPT A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION AND APPROVE A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AND PRECISE PLAN FOR THE LIVING DESERT ZOO AND GARDENS EXPANSION PROJECT City staff announced conflicts of three Commissioners; Vice-Chair Holt and Commissioner Pradetto due to financial interest in real property, each owning property within 500 feet of subject property, and Commissioner Greenwood due to a financial interest in both a source of income and business entity as his firm is the Applicant for the project. Since Commissioners Holt, Pradetto, and Greenwood recused themselves from further discussion and voting, a quorum was no longer present to hear the item. The Political Reform Act provides a process to requalify commissioners in cases of disqualifying conflicts. City Attorney Verdugo noted pursuant to California Code of Regulations Section 18705(b)(3), the requalification process applies when no alternative decision- making body is available. On August 15, 2024, the California Secretary of State conducted a randomized alphabet draw for election ballot order, which staff used to determine the order for Commissioners to draw straws. The Commissioner drawing the short straw would serve as the third member for this item. Commissioner Holt drew first, followed by Commissioner Greenwood, then Commissioner Pradetto. Commissioner Greenwood drew the short straw and took a seat on the dais. Vice-Chair Holt and Commissioner Pradetto left the Council Chamber. Docusign Envelope ID: 9E433E42-E3D7-45EC-8CED-57A00E581120 Planning Commission Minutes September 3, 2024 3 Principal Planner Flores presented a PowerPoint and addressed questions from the Commissioners. The applicant’s representative, Allen Monroe from the Living Desert, also responded to Commissioner inquiries. Chair Gregory then opened the public hearing. Linda Simmons, Palm Desert resident, reiterated the need for traffic control during special events at the Living Desert. Melody Thornton, Palm Desert resident, advocated for a stop sign at Corsican Villas on Portola and emphasized the need for traffic control during special events at the Living Desert. Ken, Palm Desert resident, raised concerns about excessive noise and signage during special events at the Living Desert, as well as potential noise from the lion habitat at night. Ferdinand Rose, Palm Desert resident, called for a traffic study to be conducted during special events at the Living Desert. Chair Gregory closed the public hearing, there being no additional members of the public wishing to speak. In response to public comments, Director of Development Services Cannone proposed organizing a Community Meeting with residents from Corsican Villas, the Living Desert, and traffic staff within the next 30 to 45 days. Commissioner DeLuna sought clarification that the Commission’s action this evening does not pertain to the issues raised during the public comment period. Motion by: Commissioner DeLuna Seconded by: Chair Gregory Adopt Resolution No. 2877 entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION (CEQA) PURSUANT TO THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT AND APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AND PRECISE PLAN FOR THE LIVING DESERT ZOO AND GARDENS EXPANSION PROJECT LOCATED AT 47900 PORTOLA AVENUE (ASSESSOR’S PARCEL NUMBER 630-250-045 & 625-300-052).” Motion Carried (3 to 0) Following the vote, Commissioner Holt and Chair Gregory returned to the Council Chamber. Docusign Envelope ID: 9E433E42-E3D7-45EC-8CED-57A00E581120 Planning Commission Minutes September 3, 2024 4 8.b CONSIDER ADOPTING A NOTICE OF EXEMPTION AND APPROVING REVISED PAD ELEVATION AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARD FOR THE STAYBRIDGE HOTEL PROJECT Commissioner DeLuna announced her recusal due to potential financial interest and left the Council Chamber. Commissioner Greenwood announced his recusal due to a source of income and a business entity as his firm is the Applicant and left the Council Chamber. Principal Planner Flores delivered a PowerPoint presentation and responded to questions from the Commissioners. The applicant, John Vuksic of Prest Vuksic Greenwood Architects, also addressed questions from the Commissioners. Chair Gregory opened and closed the public hearing, there being no one from the public wishing to speak. Motion by: Commissioner Pradetto Seconded by: Vice-Chair Holt Adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2881 entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, TO ADOPT A NOTICE OF EXEMPTION AND APPROVE A REVISION TO AN APPROVED PAD ELEVATION AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARD FOR AN APPROVED STAYBRIDGE HOTEL PROJECT AT 74-755 TECHNOLOGY DRIVE WITHIN THE MILLENIUM SPECIFIC PLAN (APN: 694- 190-096).” Motion Carried (3 to 0) Following the vote, Commissioners DeLuna and Greenwood returned to the Council Chamber. 9. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & COMMENTS 9.a SUMMARY OF CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS Director of Development Services Cannone provided an update on the City Council's approval of the Final Tract Map for the Pulte project. 9.b COMMITTEE MEETING UPDATES 9.b.1 Cultural Arts Committee None. Docusign Envelope ID: 9E433E42-E3D7-45EC-8CED-57A00E581120 Planning Commission Minutes September 3, 2024 5 9.b.2 Parks and Recreation Committee None. 9.c PLANNING COMMISSIONERS None. 9.d CITY STAFF None. 9.e ATTENDANCE REPORT Report provided in packet; no formal action taken on this item. 10. ADJOURNMENT The Planning Commission adjourned at 7:14 p.m. Respectfully submitted, _________________________ Michelle Nance, Deputy Clerk II Recording Secretary _________________________ Richard Cannone, Director of Development Services Staff Liaison Docusign Envelope ID: 9E433E42-E3D7-45EC-8CED-57A00E581120