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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1116 MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING WEDNESDAY - NOVEMBER 16 , 1977 1 : 00 PM - CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS I . CALL TO ORDER The regularly scheduled meeting of the Palm Desert Planning Commission was called to order by Chairman Berkey at 1 : 00 p.m. in the Council Chambers in the Palm Desert City Hall . II . PLEDGE - Commissioner Kryder .r III . ROLL CALL Present : Commissioner KELLY Commissioner KRYDER Chairman BERKEY Absent : Commissioner READING (excused) Commissioner SNYDER (excused) Others Present : Paul A. Williams - Director of Environmental Services Ralph Cipriani - Associate Planner Clyde Beebe Assistant City Engineer Sam Freed - Assistant Planner Kathy Shorey - Planning Secretary IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. MINUTES of the regular meeting of the Planning Commission November 1, 1977. Chairman Berkey asked that the following corrections be made : Page two, last paragraph, revise the first sentence to read after: "stated that for economic reasons he felt the change of zone was necessary" . Replace the second sentence with : "Noting that he wanted a 20 foot yard area between the parking and the two story buildings in the hotel area and he felt that relocating the building as suggested by the proposed condition would destroy this concept . " Page five, first paraaraph, first sentence , delete "tax" . Page seven , last paragraph, "sulay" should be "Soule" . Commissioner Kelly asked that the following corrections be made : Page three, next to the last paragraph, first sentence should read as follows : "Commissioner Kelly stated that the staff report and the applicants proposal did not con- vince her of the need for an increase in density as it would increase the traffic on Deep Canyon and the frontage road. Page seven, recess line , time reconvened should be "9 : 10" . On a motion by Commissioner Kelly, seconded by Commissioner Kryder, the minutes of November 1 , 1977, as amended, were approved by a unanimous vote (3-0) . V. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS - None VI . PUBLIC HEARINGS - None Palm Desert Planning Commission November 16, 1977 Page Two VII . OLD BUSINESS - None VIII . NEW BUSINESS A. Presentation by Mr. William Northrup, Director of Planning and Building - City of Indio. Mr. Northrup spoke about the eight page report that took one and a half years to prepare by a consultant hired by the City of Indio. It is related to the state energy saving law which came out two years ago and to the nation- wide conservation campaign . He noted that the report has been approved by the state. The purpose of the report is two-fold : to develop an energy conservation code for new residential buildings based on specific area climate in- formation and; to develop policies and standards for energy conservation in the planning of land use. Mr . Northrup stated that the state code does not consider climatic areas such as this desert region and is mainly pointed toward coastal cities, he also added that the Indio building code is more stringent than the state mandates. The code for commercial buildings will be issued by the state in January. Mr. Northrup spoke about their ideas on window shading, glazing, and insulation, indicating that if properly done the average homeowner can save on energy costs. Further he noted that if cite State had taken the desert regions in consideration the building code would be more complete Chairman Berkey stated that this is a very timely subject and one of great interest to the Commission. Some discussion followed with regard to shake and tile roofs , shade screening and using desert coolers more effectively. Commissioner Kelly asked if workshops would be held to advise people in the Valley of the new code and ways that it can help them. Mr. Northrup stated that workshops had been held and he hoped more would be planned. Mr. Williams asked if the State had to approve amendments to the Code. Mr. Northrup stated that the State has to be notified 90 days in advance and that they had received no comments from the State. The Commission thanked Mr. Northrup for his comments and his fine presentation. B. Special Planning Commission Meeting of December 6, 1977 to consider the Final Environmental Impact Report for the COD Area Specific Plan and an amendment to the General Plan to adopt the COD Site Specific Plan On a Minute Motion by Commissioner Kelly, seconded by Commis- sioner Kryder, the Commission directed Staff to initiate the public hearing process ; carried unanimously ( 3-0) . err IX. DESIGN REVIEW BOARD ITEMS A. Review of Design Review Board Case No . 59C approved by the DRB on September 20, 1977 and continued from the October 19, 1977 Planning Commission Meeting. Mr. Charles Martin, applicant , displayed a model of the project for the Commission and pointed out some of its features . Commissioner Kryder noted his concern for the skylight and if it could be seen from Highway 111 . Mr. Martin noted that it would not be that visible as the street is lower than the building. Minutes Palm Desert Planning Commission November 16, 1977 Page Three IX. DESIGN REVIEW BOARD ITEMS (Cont . ) Some discussion followed with regard to the landscaping and the Commission noted that the project looked much more acceptable at this time. A motion was made by Commissioner Kryder and seconded by Com- missioner Kelly to approve the Design Review Board action of September 20, 1977 by Planning Commission Resolution No. 300; carried unanimously (3-0) . B. Review of cases acted on by the Design Review Board at their meeting of November 8, 1977. Mr. Cipriani reviewed the cases and with regard to Case No . 127SA the applicant wanted the second floor signs to be different . JOHN HOOTEN, applicant , stated that the tenants of the building requested that they have a choice of either painted signs or sandblasted signs. Some discussion followed as to whether the Sign Ordinance would allow two signs and the two types . Mr. Hooten asked if the square footage of the signs could be divided and used for two signs, one visible from the street and one for the pedestrian traffic. He also stated that the signs would have a dark brown background. Commissioner Kelly stated that the type of sign is the question . + .. Commissioner Kryder stated that the Sign Ordinance has too tight a con- trol on the signs that are allowed and possibly it should be reviewed as to its restrictions. RALPH BODEN, Ralphs Sewing Center, stated that the sandblasted signs are far too expensive and asked if painted signs could be considered. Mr. Williams suggested that the following Special Conditions be applied to the Case : 1 . Tenant shall have the option of accepting either a facia mounted sign as depicted in the exhibit or a wall mount sign equivalent in size, not to exceed ll .sq. ft . ; 2 . Facia mo;te signs may have raised painted letters. Any and all wall mountedimust be sandblasted. Background colors are approved as shown onexhibit , but colors for other elements of the signs must have thpproval of the Dept . of Environmental Services. ' Mr . Cipriani reviewed Case No. 62C, covering the concerns pJ# the DRB. Chairman Berkey noted that ajdacent property owners had stated their concern with regard to the parking and this should be taken into consideration. BARBARA FULLER, applicant , addressed herself to Condition No. 14, noting that the lots aren ' t deep enough for 10 ft . between residences and commercial . JOHN OUTCAULT, architect for applicant , presented some revised drawing to the Commission and stated that he is proposing 7 ft . and indicated that it will do just as well as 10 ft . with the proposed trees. He then asked if Condition No. 14 could be deleted and asked for Condition No. 2 to be discussed. Mr . Williams stated that if there is a utility line existing on the property, the propertyowner is responsibile for its undergrounding. Minutes Palm Desert Planning Commission November 16, 1977 Page Four IX. DESIGN REVIEW BOARD ITEMS (Cont . ) Mr . Outcault objected to the fact that the property owner is obligated to handle the cost . Chairman Berkey stated that this could be appealed to the City Council . .. Mr. Williams indicated that a new case would have to be sub- mitted to cover the various issues. Mr. Outcault pointed out that the adjacent property- owners had requested a pedestrian entrance and exit on Tumbleweed. Mrs. Fuller asked that the Case be continued to allow time for her to check into the undergrounding issue . The Case was continued to the November 29 , 1977 meeting. Case Nos. 64C, 65C, 66C, 74MF, 93MF 96MF and 97MF were reviewed and accepted by the Commission. On a motion by Commissioner Kryder, seconded by Commissioner Kelly the Design Review Board actions of November 8, 1977 were approved with the addition of two special conditions to Case No. 127SA and the continuance of Case No. 62C to November 29, 1977 by Planning Commission Resolution No. 301; carried unanimously (3-0) . X. DISCUSSION ITEMS r A. Draft Urban Development Strategy for California by the State of California Office of Planning and Research. Mr. Williams reviewed the reasons for the report and stated that the California builders have approved the report . Chairman Berkey indicated that the Commission should accept the report as is and wait for the States next draft . B. Notes on the Urban Dynamics of Southern California - A Working Paper prepared by Gruen Associates . Mr. Williams noted that this report was more concerned with Riverside County and the Coachella Valley. Some discussion followed between Commissioner Kryder and the staff with regard to the SCAG population forecast . XI ORAL COMMUNICATIONS JOHN HOOTEN, spoke to the Commission with regard to the new energy conservation program that will be addressed w to new residential building. He stated that he felt a committee should be formed or a process devised that can review the proposals handed out at the first of the year. Mr. Williams indicated that the Board of Appeals would handle this and decide how to implement new energy proposals. Minutes Palm Desert Planning Commission November 16, 1977 Page Five XII . COMMENTS A. City Staff - Mr. Williams noted that there would be a joint study session November 17, 1977 at 5 :00 p.m. Also the study session for the Planning Commission meeting of November 29th would be earlier due to the number of items on the agenda. Prrr Mr. Williams informed the Commission that Sam Freed, Assistant Planner was leaving to take a job in Simi Valley. The Commission wished him well . Mr . Williams in conclusion noted that the City Council had adopted the Master Drainage Plan . B. City Attorney - Not present C. Planning Commissioners - Chairman Berkey asked if there was any room for a speaker at the December meeting. Mr. Williams indicated that the Public Hearings for the COD Area Specific Plan would make it very hectic. Commissioner Kryder asked about the turnout for the neighborhood meetings and the response that was received. Mr. Williams stated that he felt the meetings were very informative and helpful to the W people in the neighborhoods. XIII . ADJOURNMENT On a motion by Commissioner Kryder, seconded by Commissioner Kelly the meeting was adjourned at 3 : 20 p.m. ; carried unanimously (3-0) . .YJ AUL A. WILLIAMS, Secretary ATTEST: (��XAe4 4---1 GEORGE RKEY, Chairm n /ks tier