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HomeMy WebLinkAbout0812 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING August 12, 1974 MIDDLE SCHOOL - 7:00 P.M. I. CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Palm Desert Planning Commission was called to order by the Chairman at 7:00 P.M. on August 12, 1974, at the Palm Desert Middle School. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE erne III. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners: CHUCK ASTON, JEAN BENSON, NOEL BRUSH, JIM McPHERSON, HENRY CLARK Absent: Commissioners: NONE Others Present: City Attorney - Dave Erwin Director of Environmental Services - Paul A. Williams Planning Assistant - Samuel G. Freed IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. The minutes of the Planning Commission meeting of August 12, 1974, were approved as submitted. Commissioner McPherson inquired of the City Attorney whether the minutes should be verbatum. The City Attorney indicated that the minutes as prepared were acceptable. V. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS - None VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS Chairman Clark explained the public hearing procedure. A. Case No. GPA - 02-74-PD - H. F. AHMANSON & COMPANY - Public hearing on the request for a change of the land-use designa- tion on the Cove Communities General Plan from medium density residential (5-10 units per acre) to commercial for property located at the northwest corner of the intersection of State Highway 111 and Monterey Avenue. Public hearing also on the environmental impact report (EIR) prepared by the applicant for this project. Chairman Clark indicated that this item should be in two parts because there is an EIR study involved. He declared the public hearing open on the Environmental Impact Report only. Mr. Williams stated that with regard to the EIR report, the appli- cation for the General Plan amendment was submitted in April, 1974. The County did declare the matter to have significant impact on the environ- ment and required the publication of a draft EIR. As a result of that finding, the applicant requested a report to be presented by Harry H. Schmitz and Associates. Mr. Schmitz submitted the report in May, 1974. ` .. The report was reviewed by City Staff and found to be sufficient. It was circulated to other various agencies and Mr. Williams read the responses from the Riverside County Department of Building & Safety, Riverside County Water Quality Control Board #7, Southern California Gas Company, County Parks Department and the Fire Protection Agency. He responded to each of the areas which these agencies indicated were not adequately addressed in the draft EIR. Chairman Clark asked if a representative of H. F. Ahmanson Company was present. Planning Commission Meeting -2- August 12, 1974 Mr. Harry H. Schmitz, who prepared the draft EIR report, asked if there were any questions regarding his report. There were none. Chairman Clark asked if there was anyone present who wished to op- pose the draft EIR. He asked if the Commission or Staff had any questions. The Commission and Staff had no questions, but Chairman Clark said he had some questions. He stated that on page 97 of the report, it indicates in- creased traffic as being unavoidable and on page 98, it speaks of mitiga- tion measures. He asked Staff if the City would be receiving a traffic gin.. study in addition to this report. Mr. Williams stated that the matter of the traffic study would have to be considered as a part of the city approval of the actual development. In his opinion he stated the report addressed this area of this project in terms of its impact upon the total community. Chairman Clark asked if the traffic study would be necessary when the City got into the actual study of the development. The Chairman in- dicated that as a part of the previous study of the K-Mart, the applicant stated that there would be approximately 7,000 right and left turns a day on to Highway 111. Commissioner Benson asked if Ahmanson's request for a change means it can be a K-Mart store. Mr. Williams stated that the EIR addresses impacts that should not be limited to a single use. Morris Resnick, representative of Desert Mart, questioned Chairman Clark's remark about 7,000 right and left turns a day. Chairman Clark said he remembered it from the previous K-Mart, and he would be glad to show the report to Mr. Resnick. too Chairman Clark closed the public hearing on the EIR report. Commissioner Brush moved that the Planning Commission recommend to the City Council that the final EIR Report be certified to include the draft EIR, the Staff Report, the comments from other agencies and the comments received in this public hearing for the reasons stated in the Staff Report. Commissioner Aston seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously carried. Chairman Clark opened the hearing regarding approval of the General Plan amendment. Mr. Williams indicated that this property is located at Monterey Avenue and Highway 111, and the applicant wishes to change the land use designation from medium density to commercial. Staff feels this site more appropriately shown as a community shopping center commercial. Therefore, Staff recommends a land use amendment to the General Plan be created to change from medium density to community shopping center commercial. Mr. Harry Schmitz, representing the applicant in this matter, in- dicated that, only for the record, that he had read the report and concurs with all aspects of it including the change to community shopping center as indicated by Staff. w. There was some discussion by Mr. Ricciardi regarding the definition of a shopping center. He stated the planner is saying "community shopping center" that is a little different from CPS. He said he would like the audience to have a clear definition of what a community shopping center is. Mr. Dave Erwin, City Attorney, stated that the Cove Communities General Plan shows this as medium density residential. The proposed change is to a community shopping center commercial. We are not concerned with specific zoning, only changing the land use designation which is well defined in Cove Communities General Plan. Planning Commission Meeting -3- August 12, 1974 Mr. Ricciardi asked if it does allow for a full-sized department store. Mr. Williams replied, yes. Commissioner Benson asked if we're committed to any type of de- velopment by approving this ammendment. Mr. Williams answered, no. He stated that the matter before us now r.w is the General Plan amendment, and if this site is appropriate for a com- munity shopping center commercial. He stated that yet to be considered is zoning, then the consideration of the actual project. That is the time when the actual Desert Mart project will be analyzed. Being no other questions, Chairman Clark closed the public hearing on the approval of the amendment. Commissioner Brush moved and Commissioner Aston seconded the motion to recommend to the City Council a General Plan amendment from medium den- sity residential to community shopping center commercial be approved sub- ject to the reasons stated in the Staff Report. The motion was unanimously carried. VII. OLD BUSINESS A. Continued Case No. P.P. 1C - R. RICCIARDI, for MARKET BASKET, INC. - Request for Plot Plan Approval for Market Basket ex- pansion - C-P-S. (continued from July 29, 1974) Mr. Williams read the eleven conditions of approval. He indicated that the conditions were discussed in depth at the last Planning Commission meeting. to, Chairman Clark asked if anyone wished to speak. Mr. Ricciardi, representing the owner of the center, said that the City has a right to demand certain things of developers, but these eleven conditions were out of line and that a compromise is very important and one should be worked out with the developer. He specifically thought that the underground electrical condition was too much to ask. Chairman Clark asked if the applicant was here. Mr. Thomas A. Killeen, 407 Hillcrest Avenue, Placentia, real es- tate man representing the applicant spoke. He reviewed the conditions of approval. He stated that frankly they just could not do the underground utility items, the regrading and resurfacing of the parking lot. Commissioner Benson asked that since Market Basket is a tenant, shouldn't conditions 3, 6 and 11 go to the owner and not the City. Chairman Clark asked if the tenant could afford not to do these things. Mr. Killeen said it is a point where you can't, and then you have to quit. Commissioner Benson said it is not a problem for us to decide, rr the landlord and tenant should get together. Mr. Killeen said the conditions were unreasonable. Chairman Clark asked how long has the owner had these suggested conditions. Mr. Williams stated that the owner had just received them today. Planning Commission Meeting -4- August 12, 1974 Commissioner Brush asked if there were any objections to carrying this matter over until the September 3 meeting. Mr. Williams stated that in order to carry the matter over to the September 3 meeting, it would carry past the thirty-day limitation and it would take consent from the applicant to continue it to September 3. Mr. Ricciardi said that Market Basket is not a very attractive complex. It needs in-depth study. The key to solving the problem may Ono be in just the landscaping. Planting trees sometimes hides ugliness and produces a lot of shade. Mr. Williams stated he would call in the owner and negotiate on what he will and won't do. Chairman Clark asked if the applicant could stand still for another three weeks. Apparently we had not directly reached the owner of the pro- perty, and hoped we could postpone it. Dave Erwin asked Mr. Killeen if he would consent to postponing to the September 3 meeting. Mr. Killeen said he would. Commissioner Brush moved and Commissioner McPherson seconded the motion that the case be continued to the September 3 meeting pending nego- tiations with the landlord. The motion was unanimously carried. B. Continued Case No. P.P. 11MF - DURCO CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. - Request for Plot Plan approval for two four-unit apartment buildings on Shadow Mountain Road, approximately 500 feet east of San Luis Rey, R-3-4000. (continued from July 29, 1974) Mr. Williams read the Staff Report and the six conditions of ap- proval. Mr. Williams explained why the matter had been continued and that too the applicant had redesigned the development to place the carports to the rear of the lot. Mr. Williams indicated in response to a question why all the spaces were not being covered, that Staff had consistently permitted guest spaces to be uncovered. Mr. Ray Durham, 73-350 Shadow Mountain, stated that he had read the Staff Report and was in agreement with the recommended conditions. Mr. Williams explained that there was merit in terms of noise, and the trash storage is far away from the unit, and in his opinion it seemed to be an appropriate location for the building. Commissioner McPherson moved, Commissioner Brush seconded the mo- tion for approval subject to staff conditions. Motion was unanimously carried. C. Continued discussion of preliminary draft of proposed Indus- trial Service Zone. (continued from July 29, 1974) Chairman Clark asked if Staff was ready to speak on this Industrial Service Zone. Mr. Williams indicated that due to the large amount of work con- nected with getting the budget ready, Staff was unable to finish research and analysis regarding this zoning. On that basis, he requested this matter rr.. be continued to the September 3 meeting. Chairman Clark recommended Commission approve this matter being continued to September 3, and the Commission agreed. Planning Commission Meeting -5- August 12, 1974 VIII. NEW BUSINESS A. Case No. P.P. 1OMF - HAL CHAPLIN - Request for Plot Plan ap- proval to construct a duplex on the south side of Avenue 44, just east of Monterey - R-2. Applicant requests continuance until September 3 meeting. Mr. Williams stated that Mr. Chaplin has requested a continuance to the September 3 meeting. Commissioner McPherson moved, Commissioner Brush seconded the mo- tion that the matter be continued to the September 3 meeting. The motion was unanimously carried. B. Case No. P.P. 1035 - CITY NATIONAL BANK -Request for Plot Plan approval of parking layout which has been redesigned to conform to the Specific Plan parking concept. Property located on the northwest corner of the intersection of El Paseo and Portola Avenue - C-P-S. Mr. Williams read the Staff Report and the conditions of approval. Chairman Clark asked if the applicant accepted all the conditions. Mr. Bill Laird, Alex Robertson Company, 1923 South East Main Street, Irvine, stated he had read the conditions and agrees with them. Chairman Clark remarked that the building was a most attractive addition to the City. Commissioner Brush agreed. Commissioner McPherson moved and Commissioner Brush seconded plot plan approval subject to Staff recommendations as amended. Motion was unaimously carried. too C. Case No. P.P. 12MF - KING'S POINT AT PALM DESERT - Request for Plot Plan approval to construct 18 condominium units, which would complete Lot 1 of Tract 4380, which would then have a total of 36 units. Project is located west of Highway 74 and south of Shadow Mountain Drive - R-2-6000. Mr. Williams recommended that this matter be approved subject to some six conditions and justifications as are outlined in Staff Report. Commissioner Aston moved, Commissioner Brush seconded the motion to approve plot plan subject to Staff's conditions. The motion was unani- mously carried. D. Case No. P.P. 2MF - KAVANAUGH PROPERTIES - Request for Plot Plan approval for the previously approved second phase of 50 condominium units in the Corsican Villas development, a total of 130 units. Project is located west of Portola and south of Silver Spur Trail - R-2-8000. Mr. Williams explained that the applicant has developed a way to eliminate the two-story units in the second phase of this development. There was some discussion on whether the size of the buildings would be changed. It was noted they would not be changed, the only change would be in the interior design. Chairman Clark asked if the applicant was in the audience. Mr. Frank Goodman, Kavanaugh Construction, 77-900 Avenue of the States, said he agreed to all the conditions set forth by the Staff. Commissioner McPherson moved, Commissioner Brush seconded the motion subject to staff recommendations and the conditions stated in previous proposal. Motion was unanimously carried. Planning Commission Meeting -6- August 12, 1974 IX. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - None X. COMMENTS A. City Staff - Mr. Williams stated he would like to bring the Commission up to date on the proposal of the City to apply for monies under the 1974 Bond Act Program, as a result of State legislation in June. The City was apportioned $46,809, if we make certain applications by certain deadlines. It is our proposal to apply for those monies. They will be used for the Palm Desert Community Park. Palm Desert would be requesting a 25- year lease with school district to utilize the property as a park site. The Park Foundation had put $20,000 into the project and with the additional $46,809 we would be able to develop the park and get a road to it for the community. It is up to the City to apply for these funds. Chairman Clark asked if there were any comments. Commissioner Benson asked, when does the money come in? Mr. Williams stated in the 1975-76 year. Chairman Clark stated that the money can be used only for capital improvement. Commissioner Brush stated that, also included in this year's bud- get was $7,000 more. Would then bring the total to $53,000. Chairman Clark stated it must be approved by the County Staff be- fore it is actually paid out. There is always the question that someone else's application is more worthy than ours. Chairman Clark asked Mr. Williams if this can be approved. Mr. Williams replied, yes. .r The Commission generally indicated a favorable response to the proposal. B. City Attorney - None C. Planning Commission - Commissioner McPherson stated that the new commissioners will be sworn in on September 3, and that this was the present planning commission's last official meeting. He stated there would be a tour for the new commissioners on Saturday. Mr. Williams gave the particulars about the tour. Chairman Clark reminded those in attendance, that the Chamber of Commerce is planning a meeting on Wednesday, August 21, 1974, 7:30 A.M. at the College of the Desert cafeteria at which time Mr. Williams and a number of council members will try to answer questions regarding the Specific Plan for the commercial area. He expressed a desire for a large turnout so that our communication will increase with the public. Cost of $1.00 per person for coffee and sweet rolls. Chairman Clark also mentioned the meeting with Jim Hill, at the Living Desert Reserve, at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, August 19, 1974. This meeting will be on how the building department is interpreting the rules and regulations of building. This meeting will be for better communica- tion with construction people and real estate people, so they will under- stand what the City is trying to accomplish for the protection of the citizens. Commissioner McPherson moved, Commissioner Aston seconded that the final meeting of the Planning Commission be adjourned. Planning Commission Meeting -7- August 12, 1974 XI. ADJOURNMENT Meeting was adjourned at 8:50 P.M. Kathleen C. Widmar, Secretary ATTEST: HENRY B. CL , MAYOR ow �rnr