HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-10-01 PC Regular Meeting Agenda Packet
CITY OF PALM DESERT
PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION
PRELIMINARY MINUTES
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2013 – 6:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBER
73-510 FRED WARING DRIVE, PALM DESERT, CA 92260
______________________________________________________________________
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Nancy DeLuna called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Present:
Commissioner Ken Stendell
Commissioner John Greenwood
Commissioner Sonia Campbell
Vice Chair Roger Dash
Chair Nancy DeLuna
Staff Present:
Jill Tremblay, City Attorney
Lauri Aylaian, Director of Community Development
Tony Bagato, Principal Planner
Kevin Swartz, Assistant Planner
Monica O’Reilly, Administrative Secretary
III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner John Greenwood led the Pledge of Allegiance.
IV. SUMMARY OF COUNCIL ACTION
Ms. Aylaian reported that at the meeting of September 12, the City Council
approved the second reading of the comprehensive update of the Zoning
Ordinance, and they approved the Housing Element for the period of 2013-2021.
The City Council had a study session regarding the potential annexation of areas
of the city’s sphere of influence, and in areas of Cathedral City’s sphere of
influence. She stated that the Council continued the consideration of a potential
annexation to a date uncertain. Last, she said that the Council also approved the
second reading of the city’s water efficient landscape ordinance.
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Chair DeLuna asked if the City Council wants to conduct more studies and
research concerning the potential annexation.
Ms. Aylaian responded that the City Council reviewed the initial studies, and they
determined that there is an adverse financial impact. She stated that the Council
is not interested in pursuing an annexation at this time, and noted that they have
no requests for additional studies.
V. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None
VI. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. MINUTES of the Planning Commission meeting of August 20, 2013.
Rec: By Minute Motion, approve as presented.
Upon a motion by Commissioner Campbell, second by Commissioner Stendell,
and a 5-0 vote of the Planning Commission, the Consent Calendar was approved as
presented.
VII. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER
None
VIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION of a Conditional Use Permit to allow an
office and art/gift store within the Venture Commerce Center located at 73-
700 Dinah Shore Drive, Suites 201 and 202, in the Service Industrial zone.
Case No. CUP 13-189 (William & Nadine Delany, 69768 Camino Pacifico,
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270, Applicant).
Mr. Kevin Swartz, Assistant Planner, reported that the site is currently zoned
Service Industrial. He said that to the south, east, and west is also Service
Industrial. To the north is the County of Riverside. Mr. Swartz presented photos
of the site and parking plan. He explained that the applicant is requesting to sell
artwork and gifts by appointment only. The business would have two full-time
employees with the hours of operation from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday
through Sunday. He stated that the aspect of sales would not generate noise for
the adjacent businesses. He also stated that parking would be sufficient during
the hours of operation. Mr. Swartz said that staff recommends to waiver further
reading and adopt Resolution No. 2611, approving Conditional Use Permit No.
13-189. He offered to answer any questions.
Chair DeLuna asked if in the future when all locations are leased, would there be
enough parking for other businesses.
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Mr. Swartz replied yes.
Commissioner Ken Stendell inquired if the total square footage of the build out
area includes the second floor.
Mr. Swartz replied yes.
Chair DeLuna declared the public hearing open and asked for any public testimony IN
FAVOR or OPPOSITION.
Mr. Swartz noted that staff did not receive comments in favor or opposition to the
proposed use.
MR. WILLIAM DELANY, 69768 Camino Pacifico, Rancho Mirage, California,
stated that he would appreciate approval of this Conditional Use Permit, and
offered to answer any questions.
Chair DeLuna asked how many customers they anticipate coming to the store.
MR. DELANY responded that it is hard to know due to the location. He
mentioned that they used to be located on El Paseo, and he decided to move
because he could no longer afford the rent.
Chair DeLuna asked Mr. Delany if he will expect two or four customers a week.
MR. DELANY replied that he hopes to have more than two or four customers in a
day. He said he prefers to have 10 to 15 customers a day.
Chair DeLuna asked if the 10 to 15 customers will be staggered throughout the
day during business hours.
MR. DELANY responded that some customers will be by appointment only;
however, he will like the option to have someone come in if a customer cancels
or is late to an appointment.
Commissioner Sonia Campbell asked Mr. Delany where he was located on El
Paseo.
MR. DELANY replied that he was located between Lupine Lane and Sage Lane.
Commissioner Campbell asked if he was facing El Paseo or on the backside.
MR. DELANY said he was on El Paseo.
Commissioner Campbell asked what kind of gifts will be sold.
MR. DELANY responded that they sell Fabergé, Irish crystal, and antiques.
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Commissioner Campbell inquired if the customers that visited the El Paseo store
will go to the new location.
MR. DELANY replied that he would hope so.
Commissioner Stendell asked if construction has started.
MR. DELANY responded that he does not need to do anything to the building.
Commissioner Stendell asked that applicant if he has reviewed the conditions of
approval as set forth by the Department of Community Development, and does
he agree with the conditions.
MR. DELANY replied yes.
With no testimony offered, Chair DeLuna declared the public hearing closed.
Commissioner Greenwood moved, by Minute Motion, to approve a Condition Use
Permit to allow an office and art/gift store within the Venture Commerce Center located
at 73-700 Dinah Shore Drive, Suites 201 and 202. Motion was seconded by
Commissioner Stendell and carried by a 5-0 vote.
Commissioner Greenwood moved, by Minute Motion, to waive further reading
and adopt Resolution No. 2611. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Stendell and
carried by a 5-0 vote.
Chair DeLuna thanked the applicant for choosing to do business in Palm Desert,
and for staying in Palm Desert. She wished the applicant well with their business.
IX. MISCELLANEOUS
None
X. COMMITTEE MEETING UPDATES
A. ART IN PUBLIC PLACES
None
B. PARKS & RECREATION
Vice Chair Dash reported that there were two items discussed by the Parks and
Recreation Commission. First, there was a request for a basketball hoop at
Cahuilla Hills Park. He stated that there was opposition to the request from the
tennis and pickleball players. As a result, no action was taken until a study is
conducted. He reported that the second item had to do with the University Park
dog park. There were complaints of inadequate parking at the dog park from the
community. He said there is limited parking due to the bicycle path. Vice Chair
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Dash stated that no action was taken, and that staff was directed to conduct a
study.
Chair DeLuna asked how many parking spaces are currently available.
Mr. Bagato responded that there are nine parking spaces. He explained that the
park was built as a neighborhood park, and part of the infrastructure for the
homes that were supposed to be built in the area. However, the dog park has
become popular.
Chair DeLuna inquired how many parking spaces are needed.
Mr. Bagato responded that he does not know, and that Mr. Ryan Stendell is
looking into the matter.
Chair DeLuna asked how many parking spaces could be added at the park, if
possible.
Mr. Bagato responded that additional parking could be added by removing the
bike lane for street parking. He stated that the area was designed to be
pedestrian-friendly to serve the college and the community so people that live
there could commute by bike, golf carts, or walking. Unfortunately, the dog park
was not intended for the greater community.
Chair DeLuna asked how large the park areas are.
Mr. Bagato replied that they are very small, and guessed that they are no more
than five to six acres.
Chair DeLuna inquired if there is a solution to the problem.
Ms. Aylaian responded that staff is looking at a couple of potential solutions. One
solution is increasing the dog park facilities at Freedom Park, which is a regional
park. Staff is also looking at a parcel of open space land in the north sphere for
another dog park.
Vice Chair Dash mentioned that there was a letter in the newspaper in which the
complainant said that the amount of bicycles being ridden in University Park area
is practically none.
XI. COMMENTS
Commissioner Greenwood asked when the next University Committee will meet.
Ms. Aylaian responded that it is an ad hoc committee, and meet once or twice a
year. She stated that the next meeting has not been scheduled.
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XII. ADJOURNMENT
Upon a motion by Commissioner Campbell, second by Commissioner
Greenwood, and a 5-0 vote of the Planning Commission, Chair DeLuna adjourned the
meeting at 6:21 p.m.
NANCY DE LUNA, CHAIR
ATTEST:
LAURI AYLAIAN, SECRETARY
PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION