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CIiY PLANNIP7G COMMISSION ADJOURNED MEETING
JANUARY 8 , 1974
The meeting of ehe Palm Desert City Planning Commission
was called to order at � : 00 P .r1. on January 8 , 1974 at the
Palm Desert Middle School by Mayor Clark, followed by the
�; Pledge of Allegiance .
ROLL CALL
PRESENT : Commissioners CHUCK ASTON; JEAN BENSON ; JAMES
McPHERSON and Chairman HENRY CLARK
ABSENT : Commissioner NOEL BRUSH
Others Present :
E . R. Asmus - City Manager
David Erwin - City Attorney
Jerry Dupree - Senior Planner , Indio
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the Planning Commission meeting of
December 26 , 1973 were approved as submitted .
Councilman Brush entered the meeting at 7 : 05 P .M.
� IV . WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
A. Letter from Concerned Citizens re ; Appeal ri.ghts
�"w` of citizens on plot plan and other approvals .
Commissioner Aston moved , seconded by Commissioner
Benson that this be referred to staff and City Attorney for
study . Motion unanimously r.arried .
B. Letter from J . E . Simpson re : Opposition to
Destination Resort Corp . Co.nditional Use Case
��03-73-PD and Variance Case �61-73-PD
City Manager Asmus recommended this letter be read
into the record as written testimony when the matter comes
up under Public Hearing.
C . Letter from E . W. Wright re : Conditional Use
Case ��02-73-PD
City Manager recommended this letter be r.ead into
the record as written testimony when the matter comes
up under Public Hearing.
VI . PUBLIC HEARINGS
1 . Chairman Clark opened the Public Hearing on CUP
�,,,, ��O1-73-PD - M. B . Johnson Development Co . (lgg unit planned
development , SE corner of Deep Canyon & 44th Ave . )
City Manager Asmus stated this was an application
for a Conditional Use Permit . Under Ordinance ��12 , a plot
plan is also required which will be in more detail . He
explained that a CUP could be approved subject to a specific
plot plan and subject to a tentative subdivision map approval .
Senior Planner Dupree presented slides and exhibits
concerning the proposed project .
Daniel Salerno , architect , briefly described the
project . Mervin Johnson , applicant , introduced himself and
said he was available to answer any questions .
E
� Richard R. Stewart , 8I0 Sandpiper , stated he was
authorized by the Sandpiper Association to represent them.
He complimented the developer for a very fine project and
recommended approval.
Robert Ricciardi, 73-70� Highway 111 , stated he thought
there was a problem in setbacks from the street . He also
thought the widths of the streets should be coflsidered care-
fully .
Mel Craig ,. Planning Director, City of Indian Wells ,
suggested a complete roadway be required on the east side
of the property adjoining Indian Wells .
In response to Mr . P.icciardi ' s comments, Mr . Salerno
said they did nofi want the plan to appear monotonous but to
create a variety. Therefore , some of the garages are set
back 20' and some 10 ' . Al1 private streets are 25 ' wide .
Anyplace where guest parking is provided for the street is
32 ' wide.
Chairman Clark closed the hearing .
Commissioner Aston moved , Commissioned Brush seconded
that the CUP be approved subject to final approval by the
�"'" Commission of a s ecific
p plot p.lan and approval by the Com-
nission and City Council of a tentative subdivision map and
further subject to the letter conditions of January 7 , 1974 .
�iotion carried by the following vote :.
AYES : Aston, Brush, McPherson, Clark
NOES : Benson
2 . Chairman Clark opened the hearing on CUP ��OZ-72-pD -
Emblem Construction (334 unit planned development , 20 tennis
courts & club house - Fast of Highway 74 between Carriage Trail
& Homestead)
Planner Dupree explained that this project is naw
known as "Mercury Enterprise" but the application was
originally filed under the name of "F.mblem Construction
Company" . He advised that the project now consists of 327
units located on the East side of Highway 74 between Carriage
Trail and Homestead Rd .
Mr. Dupree advised the Planning Commission that due
to recent re-zoning action of the City of Palm Desert , part
of the subject property proposed for deveZopment as sho�an on
�,rr Exhibit "A" exceeded the allowable density. He further stated
that the entire land area involved in this application would
permit the 327 units as proposed by shifting some units from
the "overbuilt" area to other areas where the density as
proposed was beloG� the allowable .
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Mr . Dupree recommended that the CUP be approved subject
to staff conditions , as modified , and subject to subsequent
plot plan approval wherein said development conforms to the zoning
requirements of the City .
Ed Wright , 71471 Halgon Rd . , Rancho Mirage , representing
riercury Enterprises, described the proposed project and sai�
they were requesting permission to Uuild a club house and 3
� model units after tentative map approval .
Commissioner Benson said she thought the Commission
should take into consideration that a Citizens " Advisory
Committee was being appointed for the purpose of seeing what
type of development is wanted in Palm Desert .
Chairman Clark closed the hearing .
Commissioner McPherson moved , Commissioned Aston
seconded that the Commission , having considered the environ-
mental impact report application and other matters presented
to the Commission including the staff report , agree with the
findings of the staff and on that basis approve the project
with the conditions as recommended by the staff except that
the conditions be changed as followse Condition ��2 prior to
the issuance of a building permit for any structure , a
tentative tract shall be approved and not more than four
building permits shall be issued prior to recordation of a.
final map ; that this condition be subject to the further
review of the City Attorney as to its validity; and that
condition ��12 be deleted . Motion carried by the following
vote :
� AYES : Aston ; Brush; McPherson; Clark
NOES : Benson
Aearings were recessed at 8 : 40 P .M. , and the meeting
was called to order at 8 : 50 P .M.
3 . (a) Chairman Clark opened the hearing on CUP
��03-73-PD, Destination Resort Corp . (121 unit planned
development , 13 tennis courts - South of Shadow Lake Dr ,
& East of San Luis Rey) and (b) Variance ��01-73-PD (for
deletion of a cul-de-sac) .
Planner Dupree displayed slides of the project and
stated that applicant is asking for . a variance for deletion
of 3 cul-de-sacs, and recommended approval .
There was considerable discussion on length of time
a CUP should be valid after approval with construction com-
mencing . The first two projects were approved for a 3 1/2 y� � t`
period and the Commission agreed a shorter period of 2 years
would be more effective . Attorney Erwin advised he did not
believe the Commission should change this condition on the
, previous cases since the hearings had been closed .
'�' Jerry Leibers , applicant , stated the real estate
office is temporary; that walls would be built across the
parking lot and a fire gate access made of iron with chains
would be provided . He was requesting permission to build
model units prior to final map recordation . He explained
there would be no rubbish problem as that had been worked out .
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City Manager read a letter in full from J . E . Simpson ,
Attorney at Law, Los Angeles , stating he was opposed to the
granting of these applications and favored a moratorium on
new residential construction of multiple units until a study
has been made as to whether such construction in Palm Desert
involving high density places an undue burden upon the com-
�"' munity, its sanitation facilities , its water supply and its
energy supply.
Helen Huntington, Fairway Lane, wanted to be sure
the real estate office is not permanent and was assured by
the applicant that it was not .
Planner Dupree recommended changing staff condition
��14 to read : "A real estate office shown on Exhibit A shall
be limited to the rental , sale and lease of the subject
property only" m
Chairman Clark closed the hearing .
Commissioner Brush moved , Commissioner Aston seconded
that the CUP be approved subject to staff recommendations as
modified under date of 3anuary 7 , 1974 with condition ��2
modified to allow four (4) units to be constructed upon tenta-
tive tract map approval , subject to City Attorney opinion on
legality and condition ��14 added which provides "A real estate
office shown on Exhibit 1tA" shall be limited to the rental ,
sale and leasing of the subject property only" . Motion
carried by the foll.owing vote :
� AYES : Aston, Benson, Brush, McPherson , Clark
NOES : None
4 . The Chairman opened the hearing on CIJP ��04-73-PD
Durco Construction Co .
City Manager advised that applicant had requested
continuance until January Zl , 1974 on all four CUP applications .
Commissioner Aston moved and Commissioner Brush
seconded that this matter be continued until January 2I , I974 .
Motion unanimously carried .
The Chairman opened the hearing on CIIP 4�05-73-PD
Durco Construction Co .
City Manager advised that applicant had requested
continuance until January 21 , 1974 on a11 four CUP applications .
Commissioner McPherson moved , Commissioner Benson
seconded that this matter be continued until January 21 , 1974 .
Motion unanimously carried .
The Chairman opened the hearing on CUP ��06-73-PD
� Durco Construction Co .
Commissioner Benson moved , Commissioner Brush
seconded that this matter be continued until .7anuary 21 , I974 .
Motion unanimously carried .
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The Chairman opened the meeting on CUP ��07-73-PD
Durco Construction Co .
Commissioner Brush moved , Commissioner McPherson
seconded that this matter be continued until January 21 ,
1974 . Motion unanimously carried .
VI . NEW BUSINESS
�rrrr
1 . 1830-CPS-P .P . 1035 P .D .
Plot Plan Approval - City National Bank (2 story
bank building located on NW corner of Portola &
El Paseo )
Planned Dupree gave staff report and recommended
plot plan approval .
Commissioner McPherson moved , Commissioner Brush
seconded the plot plan be approved subject to staff condi-
tions as modified by deleting the condition of City Manager
approval. Motion carried by the following vote :
AYES : Aston, Benson, Brush, McPherson , Clark
NOES : None
2 . 1830-CPS Plot Plan Approval - Stotter & Kaplow
K-Mart & other retail stores (Highway 111 &
El Paseo)
Planner Dupree read a proposed letter of condi-
� tional approval prepared by his office and recommended that
the plot plan be approved and that he be authorized to sign
the letter .
Elliott Kaplow, 4404 Van Alden, Tarzana , developer ,
described the project. John Sanborn, Webb Engineering , spoke
regarding highway entrances . Herbert Hunt , Ahmanson Co . ,
was also a proponent .
Ed Peck, Concerned Citizens , said they had passed a
resolution approving this development , and that he had a
letter from Sandpiper Association endorsing the development .
City Manager read a letter in full from C . Robert
Hubbard, Sandpiper , endorsing the project .
Ed Benson, 1106 Sandpiper , asked that written evidence
of Sandpipers Presidents be presented . Ed Peck introduced a
letter which was read by Mr . Asmus . Ed Benson read a letter
which he had prepared to the Commission as an opponent of the
project . .
Mr . Beatty, Palm Desert Property Owners Association ,
read a letter urging the County to give the Architectural
� Committee of the Palm Desert Property Owners Association
the opportunity to review more complete drawings . They
questioned the practicability and long-range wisdom of another
major market in this area ; and requested developers to consider
the type of community they are hoping to become a part of more
than the type of business they are introducing .
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Charles Martin, 73-612 Highway lll , architect , voiced
the opinion that this project might represent an overbuilding
of the area .
Lyman Martin, restauranteer , did not think this type
of structure would add to the city .
George Ritter, architect , thought the architecture
could be scaled to make the building look smaller than it is .
�r
Robert Ricciardi , architect , stated it was a one-sided
building. He asked that it be tabled until the architect can
come back with better plans .
Cyrus Potts , 73-300 �dillow, asked if the city wanted
this type of activity at the gateway to Palm Desert .
Elliott Kaplow and Herbert Hunt gave short rebuttals .
Commissioner Benson stated that she wished to wait
until the general plan is developed before putting something
like this project at the gateway to Palm Desert and to see if
this type of development is desired . Commissioner Brush was
concerned about ingress and egress and other traffic problems .
Commissioner Brush moved , Commissioner Aston seconded
that the matter be continued until January 21 , 1974 so that
more information may be submitted as to ingress and egress ;
roof line ; treatment of wouth waii ; and treatment of automotive
center in the front . Motion carried by the following vote :
AYES : Aston, Brush , McPherson , Clark
� NOES : Benson
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VII . ORAL COMMi3NICATIONS
Robin Barrett urged that something be done about the
north side flooding.
Anne Foster aslced for continuance of the Kopstein appeal
scheduled to be heard by the City Council on January 10, 1974 .
The City Attorney advised that this could not be decided by
the Planning Commission but would have to be a decision of the
City Council .
Ed Peck requested agendas be issued earlier . Chairman
Clark said efforts would be made to do so .
Lyman Martin inquired as to how long the City Council
and Planning Commission would be made up of the same persons .
Chairman Clark said there will be a Citizens Advisory Committee
of not more than 15 people who will be responsible for
developing a Master Plan which will consist of a Sphere of
Influence study , zoning study, land use studies involving
where parks , commercial areas and industrial development should
be located . This committee will be given specific direction to
come up with answers to these problems , with a deadline . When
�,,, that is done , then is the time to turn the Planning Commission
over to new people .
Planner Dupree requested permission to bring on the
agenda Plot Plan ��1642 - George Former , commercial building
on E1 Paseo , which had not been listed on the agenda. Per-
mission was granted . Mr . Dupree explained the project .
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Moved by Commissioner McPherson , seconded by
Commissioner Brush that this plot plan be approved . Motion
carried by the following vote :
AYES : Aston, Brush, ricPherson , Clark
� NOES : Benson
Commissioner McPherson moved that the meeting be
continued until 6 : 00 P .M. , Thursday, January 10, 1974 .
Seconded by Commissioner Brush and unanimously carried .
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Ma y�Pai er - Deputy City Clerk
ATT ST:
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Henry B . lark, Mayor
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