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Home My WebLink About2014-06-17 PC Regular Meeting Agenda Packet CITY OF PALM DESERT PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION PRELIMINARY MINUTES TUESDAY, MAY 20, 2014 – 6:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBER 73-510 FRED WARING DRIVE, PALM DESERT, CA 92260 ______________________________________________________________________ I. CALL TO ORDER Vice Chair Ken Stendell called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Commissioner Nancy DeLuna Chair Roger Dash Commissioner John Greenwood Commissioner Sonia Campbell Vice Chair Ken Stendell Staff Present: Jill Tremblay, City Attorney Lauri Aylaian, Director of Community Development Eric Ceja, Associate Planner Monica O’Reilly, Administrative Secretary III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Sonia Campbell led the Pledge of Allegiance. IV. SUMMARY OF COUNCIL ACTION Ms. Lauri Aylaian, Director of Community Development, indicated that at the meeting of May 8, 2014, the City Council approved the Fairfield Inn & Suites Marriott at Technology Drive. V. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None PRELIMINARY MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MAY 20, 2014 2 G:\Planning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2014\Minutes\5-20-14 min.docx VI. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Planning Commission meeting of May 6, 2014. Rec: By Minute Motion, approve as presented. B. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION of a lot line adjustment to adjust the parcel boundaries of two parcels at 77-530 Enfield Lane (APNs 626-320-038 & 626-320-043). Case No. PMW 14-136 (DGK Heritage, Inc., c/o Dennis French, 77-564 Country Club Drive, Palm Desert, California 92211, Applicant). Rec: By Minute Motion, approve a lot line adjustment, Case No. PMW 14- 136. C. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION of a lot line adjustment for three parcels at Monterey Avenue (APNs 694-090-018, 694-090-019, & 694-090-020). Case No. PMW 14-156 (RJ Ventures, LLC, c/o Stanley Rothbart, 10990 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1000, Los Angeles, California 90024, Applicant). Rec: By Minute Motion, approve a lot line adjustment, Case No. PMW 14- 156. Upon a motion by Commissioner Campbell, second by Commissioner DeLuna, and a 4-0-1 vote of the Planning Commission (AYES: Campbell, DeLuna, Greenwood, and Stendell; NOES: None; ABSENT: Dash), the Consent Calendar was approved as presented. VII. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VIII. NEW BUSINESS None IX. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION of a Tentative Parcel Map to subdivide a 6.68-acre parcel into two parcels at the St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church. Case No. TPM 36700/HTE 14-084 (St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 47-536 Highway 74, Palm Desert, California 92260, Applicant). Mr. Eric Ceja, Associate Planner, reported that the property is located on the west side of Highway 74. He stated that the parcel is 6.68 acres, and the applicant proposes to divide the parcel into two parcels. Parcel 1 will include the PRELIMINARY MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MAY 20, 2014 3 G:\Planning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2014\Minutes\5-20-14 min.docx church, administrative offices, a nursery, and a pre-school. Parcel 2 will include an elementary and middle school. He noted that the church has a lease agreement for a third party to operate the school on Parcel 2, with potentially the option to buy. Mr. Ceja stated that the current improvements at the site comply with all the City standards. He mentioned that a 10-day notice of the hearing was sent to properties within 300 feet. Staff heard from one person asking about the proposal; they did not voice an opinion either in favor or opposition. Staff recommended approval subject to conditions. He offered to answer any questions. Commissioner Nancy DeLuna asked if the parcels will potentially have two separate owners. Mr. Ceja responded that the applicant may potentially sell the parcel to the operator of the school. Commissioner DeLuna asked if there are two separate owners, will there be a shared parking lot. Mr. Ceja replied that is correct. He explained that there will be a reciprocal access and parking agreement that will allow multiple owners to use the existing parking lot for both parcels. Vice Chair Stendell inquired if the agreement will be recorded and continue in perpetuity through the life of the property. Mr. Ceja replied that is correct. Commissioner DeLuna asked if it would be an easement. Mr. Ceja responded that it would only be an agreement between the two property owners. Commissioner Campbell asked if the school is currently operating. Mr. Ceja replied yes. Vice Chair Stendell inquired how a dispute would be settled between owners, if there is a dispute. Mr. Ceja responded that it would be a civil matter between the property owners. Commissioner DeLuna asked if there is any precedent for Vice Chair Stendell’s concern. PRELIMINARY MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MAY 20, 2014 4 G:\Planning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2014\Minutes\5-20-14 min.docx Ms. Aylaian explained that it is very common for there to be reciprocal parking agreements between neighboring property owners. She said it would be a private matter between the two entities, and the City would not get involved. Commissioner DeLuna inquired if the current parking is adequate for both facilities. Mr. Ceja responded that staff looked at the existing parking, and it was determined that there is adequate parking for both parcels. Vice Chair Stendell declared the public hearing open and asked for any public testimony IN FAVOR or OPPOSITION. MR. WALLY GRIMM, St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 47-536 Highway 74, Palm Desert, California 92260, stated that the church has a parking agreement with Hope Academy. He said there will be cross use of parking for both parcels. He also stated that there is an egress and ingress off of Highway 74 that is still viable, and there is room in the back if more parking is needed Commissioner DeLuna asked Mr. Grimm if the school uses the parking lot primarily during weekdays, and the church uses the parking lot primarily on the weekends. MR. GRIMM replied yes. He noted that there are some groups that use the church after hours. He also noted that most kids are dropped off and picked up. Parking is primarily for the teachers. Commissioner John Greenwood asked Mr. Grimm, in terms of kid drop off and pick up, foresee any issues or congestion with two separate entities. MR. GRIMM replied that he did not. He mentioned that the building has been a school for the past 15 years. He indicated that there is some congestion during drop off and pick up; however, the circulation of traffic does not back up onto Highway 74. Commissioner Greenwood inquired what the current use for Parcel 1 is. MR. GRIMM responded that Parcel 1 consists of the administration for the church and the church itself. He mentioned that the building farthest to the south is a school building and adjacent is the administration building. Commissioner Greenwood asked if there is a daycare or pre-school or educational program on Parcel 1. MR. GRIMM replied that there are classrooms behind the administration building that is in a big courtyard. PRELIMINARY MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MAY 20, 2014 5 G:\Planning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2014\Minutes\5-20-14 min.docx Commissioner Greenwood asked if Parcel 2 is projected for educational use. MR. GRIMM replied yes. He stated that the school is functioning, and they have been there since the church opened. Commissioner Greenwood commented that the concentration of parking and circulation is at the lot line. He said that people at Parcel 2 may have to go farther north for parking. MR. GRIMM responded that there will be no changes to the streets. He stated that the existing pattern has been in place for 15 years. With no further testimony offered, Vice Chair Stendell declared the public hearing closed. Commissioner Campbell moved, by Minute Motion, to approve a Tentative Parcel Map to subdivide a 6.68-acre parcel into two parcels at the St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Greenwood and carried by a 4-0-1 vote (AYES: Campbell, DeLuna, Greenwood, and Stendell; NOES: None; ABSENT: Dash). Commissioner Campbell moved, by Minute Motion, to waive further reading and adopt Resolution No. 2629, subject to conditions. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Greenwood and carried by a 4-0-1 vote (AYES: Campbell, DeLuna, Greenwood, and Stendell; NOES: None; ABSENT: Dash). X. MISCELLANEOUS A. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION of the appointment of two Planning Commissioners to the General Plan Update Technical Working Group. Commissioner Campbell moved, by Minute Motion, to nominate Commissioners DeLuna and Greenwood to the General Plan Update Technical Working Group. Motion was seconded by Vice Chair Stendell and carried by a 4-0-1 vote (AYES: Campbell, DeLuna, Greenwood, and Stendell; NOES: None; ABSENT: Dash). Ms. Aylaian mentioned that there is a tentative schedule with the consultant that will take approximately two years. Meetings are expected to be once a month, maybe once every two months at different times. She said meetings should be no more than two hours in duration. Ms. Aylaian noted that the first meeting will likely be in July. XI. COMMITTEE MEETING UPDATES A. ART IN PUBLIC PLACES None PRELIMINARY MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MAY 20, 2014 6 G:\Planning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2014\Minutes\5-20-14 min.docx PARKS & RECREATION None XII. COMMENTS Ms. Aylaian commented that there will not be a Planning Commission meeting June 3. XIII. ADJOURNMENT Upon a motion by Commissioner Greenwood, second by Commissioner Campbell, and a 4-0-1 vote of the Planning Commission (AYES: Campbell, DeLuna, Greenwood, and Stendell; NOES: None; ABSENT: Dash), Vice Chair Stendell adjourned the meeting at 6:20 p.m. ROGER DASH, CHAIR ATTEST: LAURI AYLAIAN, SECRETARY PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MONICA O’REILLY, RECORDING SECRETARY