HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-01-07 PC Regulary Meeting Minutes1
PLANNING COMMISSION
CITY OF PALM DESERT
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
January 7, 2025, 6:00 p.m.
Present: Commissioner Nancy DeLuna, Commissioner John Greenwood
Vice-Chair Lindsay Holt, Chair Ron Gregory,
Staff Present: Director of Development Services Richard Cannone, Principal
Planner Nick Melloni, Principal Planner Carlos Flores, Deputy
City Attorney Daniel Trevino, Recording Secretary Michelle Nance
1.CALL TO ORDER
A Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order by Chairperson
Gregory on Tuesday, January 7, 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 Holt led the Pledge of Allegiance.
4.NONAGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS
None.
5.CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion by: Commissioner Greenwood
Seconded by: Commissioner DeLuna
To approve the consent calendar as presented.
Motion Carried (4 to 0)
5.a APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by: Commissioner Greenwood
Seconded by: Commissioner DeLuna
Approve the Minutes of December 17, 2024.
Motion Carried (4 to 0)
6.ACTION CALENDAR
None.
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January 7, 2025
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7.PUBLIC HEARINGS
7.a CONSIDERATION A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION (SCH NO.
2023090542) AND A MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING
PROGRAM FOR THE HAYSTACK CHANNEL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
Principal Planner Melloni and Senior Project Manager Lamb narrated a
PowerPoint presentation and responded to Commissioner inquiries.
Chair Gregory opened the public hearing.
Allan Buller, Palm Desert resident, spoke in favor of maintaining the channel in its
natural state.
CB Buller, Palm Desert resident, echoed the support for preserving the channel's
natural condition.
There being no other speakers, Chair Gregory closed the public hearing.
During the course of discussion, the Commission stressed the importance of
balancing safety and aesthetics, noting that the final project recommendations
presented to the City Council should include a landscaping budget to allow
planting of additional landscape within the right-of-way along Haystack Road
while native plants regrow within the section of the channel east of Heliotrope
Drive.
Motion by: Commissioner DeLuna
Seconded by: Commissioner Greenwood
1. Adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2864 entitled “A RESOLUTION
OF THE PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDING THAT
THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE ADOPTION OF A MITIGATED NEGATIVE
DECLARATION (SCH NO. 2023090542) AND A MITIGATION MONITORING
AND REPORTING PROGRAM FOR THE HAYSTACK CHANNEL
IMPROVEMENT PROJECT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT"
2. Recommend that the City Council’s final approval of the channel include plans
for landscaping. as amended to include a landscaping plan.
Motion Carried (4 to 0)
7.b CONSIDERATION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2888 APPROVING A
PRECISE PLAN TO CONSTRUCT A DUPLEX DEVELOPMENT ON SAN
JACINTO AND A NOTICE OF EXEMPTION PURSUANT TO THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT.
Principal Planner Flores narrated a PowerPoint presentation and responded to
Commissioner inquiries.
Chair Gregory opened the public hearing.
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Shawna Schmidt, Palm Desert resident, expressed concerns about overcrowding
and traffic impacts from the proposed duplex, accessory dwelling unit (ADU), and
amenities.
There being no other speakers, Chair Gregory closed the public hearing.
In response to inquiry, staff clarified the current project proposal does not include
consideration of accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
During the course of deliberation, individual Commissioners offered commentary
as follows. The below points do not necessarily reflect Planning Commission
consensus:
•Concern regarding the project’s industrial design, minimal setbacks, and
lack of landscaping.
•The proposed project, and future plans for ADUs, may be incompatible
with the neighborhood.
•Suggested that the project should be moved further back to improve
landscaping opportunities and the living environment.
•The project may encourage other homeowners to demolish existing
homes and rebuild with the intent to adding ADUs.
City staff clarified that the project complies with all setback standards for the R-2
zone, including the 12-foot setback adopted as part of the 2016 Comprehensive
Plan update. The area was rezoned from R-1 to R-2 in July 2017 during a zoning
consistency update. Staff explained that projects meeting the minimum
development standards are permitted by right and cannot be required to have
greater setbacks under the current ordinance, regardless of the inclusion of an
ADU.
Motion by: Commissioner Greenwood
Seconded by: Commissioner DeLuna
Adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2888 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 (CEQA) AND APPROVING A
PRECISE PLAN TO DEVELOP A DUPLEX NEAR THE NORTHWEST CORNER
OF ALESSANDRO DRIVE AND SAN JACINTO (ASSESSOR’S PARCEL
NUMBER 627-182-010)”
Motion Carried (3 to 1)
8.INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & COMMENTS
8.a SUMMARY OF CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS
None.
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8.b COMMITTEE MEETING UPDATES
8.b.1 Cultural Arts Committee
None.
8.b.2 Parks and Recreation Committee
Principal Planner Melloni provided an update on recent action taken by the
Parks and Recreation Committee.
8.c PLANNING COMMISSIONERS
None.
8.d CITY STAFF
Acting Assistant City Clerk Nance provided updates on the AB 1234 training
taking place January 30, 2025, and use of digital agendas for future meetings.
8.e ATTENDANCE REPORT
Report provided; no action taken on this item.
9.ADJOURNMENT
The Planning Commission adjourned at 7:26 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_________________________
Michelle Nance, Acting Assistant City Clerk
Recording Secretary
_________________________
Richard Cannone, Director of Development Services
Staff Liaison
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