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HomeMy WebLinkAbout0719 MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING WEDNESDAY - JULY 19 , 1978 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 : 10 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Palm Desert City Hall . II . PLEDGE - Commissioner Kelly III . ROLL CALL Present : Commissioner Fleshman Commissioner Kelly Chairman Berkey Excused Absence : Commissioner Snyder Commissioner Kryder Others Present : Paul Williams - Director of Environmental Services Ralph Cipriani- Associate Planner Ron Knippel - Assistant Planner Clyde Beebe - Director of Public Works IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Minutes of regular meeting of July 5, 1978. Commissioners Fleshman, Berkey and Kelly noted corrections to the minutes . Said Corrections are attached to the minutes as an addendum. On a motion by Commissioner Fleshman , seconded by Commissioner Kelly , the minutes were approved as corrected; carried unanimously (3-0) . V. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS - None VI . PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Continued Case No. VAR 04-78, CLIFFORD W. HENDERSON, Applicant . Request for approval of a Variance from Section 25 . 58. 310(A) of the Palm Desert Municipal Code, in order to permit a reduction of parking spaces from the required two spaces to 0 spaces for a proposed commercial project to be located on the north side of El Paseo, east of Portola. Mr. Williams reviewed the case and noted the Staff ' s re- commendation. Chairman Berkey asked if the applicant had discussed the request with Staff , with respect to the mandatory findings in this case. Mr. Williams indicated that he had conferred with the applicant in person and by letter. Chairman Berkey commented that the Commission could not legally grant the request . Mr. Williams indicated that two letters of protest had been received regarding this case. Chairman Berkey then declared the Public Hearing open and asked if the applicant wished to speak at this time . CLIFFORD HENDERSON, 73-597 Pinyon , Palm Desert , addressed the Commission indicating there were exceptional circumstances applicable to the property involved in that there would be no signs and no business transacted at the proposed site and that the request did not represent a serious variation from the applicable regulations. Minutes Palm Desert Planning Commission July 19 , 1978 Page Two VI . PUBLIC HEARINGS (Cont . ) A. Continued Case No. VAR 04-78 (Cont . ) He further indicated that he would do nothing unbecoming of the community. MARION HENDERSON, 73-597 Pinyon , Palm Desert , addressed the Commission on behalf of her %mi husband. She reiterated her husband ' s comments and emphasized their concern to conform with City regulations . She said the Staff had in- dicated that the building could be reduced to 500 square feet , with 3 spaces . However , Mrs . Henderson continued, the proposed building will conform to the appearance of surrounding build- ings; the distance from the main building to the back door is 5 feet ; the entrance to the building will be invisible from the street ; the building will be essentially hidden from view; the roof line will be similar to adjacent build- ings; and there will be no blocking of the view. Chairman Berkey asked the applicant if there had been any consideration to the Staff ' s suggestion . Mrs. Henderson indicated that they would be amenable to a 750 square foot building with appropriate park- ing spaces. Chairman Berkey said there was no basis for granting such a variance as submitted. Chairman l �i Berkey asked if there was anyone wishing to speak n(*��or or opposition to the proposed project . Being none he declare d the Public Hearing closed and asked for the pleasure of the Commission . On a motion by Commissioner Fleshman , seconded by Commissioner Kelly, the Commission denied, without prejudice, the variance requested by adopting Planning Commission Resolution No . 384. VII . OLD BUSINESS - None VIII . NEW BUSINESS - None IX. DESIGN REVIEW BOARD ITEMS A. Consideration of revised preliminary site, floor and elevation plans for a 100-unit condominium project, SILVER SPUR ASSOCIATES , Applicant . Commissioner Fleshman abstained from discussion on this em. Commissioner Kelly asked if residents were notified of this case. Mr . Williams indicated that they were not since this was not a Public Hearing item. Commissioner Kelly said she felt the residents should be notified so that they have the opportunity to see the revised plan . Larry Spicer, Silver Spur Associates, asked to address the Commission and present the revised plan. Minutes Palm Desert Planning Commission July 19, 1978 Page Three IX. DESIGN REVIEW BOARD ITEMS (Cont . ) A. Consideration of revised preliminary site, floor and elevation plans for a 100-unit condominium project . Commissioner Berkey said that while they would enjoy hearing the presentation he considered it an exercise that would result in con- tinuance since those Commission members present were not receptive at this point . Larry Spicer concurred and requested that considerat'iofr' the revised project proposal be continued until the August 1st meeting Y.. so that his presentation could be made to the full Commission . Chairman Berkey then suggested that the applicant take the revised plan back to the Design Review Board for their consideration at the July 25th meeting. The applicant agreed. B . Review of cases acted on by the Design Review Board at their meeting of July 11 , 1978. Mr . Cipriani reviewed the cases with the Commission. Commissioner Fleshman suggested that the applicant for Case No. 13714F consider applying for an adjustment to reduce the rear yard to 16 feet , thereby increasing the buffering on Santa Rosa. The Commission concurred with this possibility. Commissioner Fleshman also suggested that Jacuzzi motors and air conditioning pads be located so as not to create excessive noise and that concrete driveways be required. Commissioner Fleshman noted on Case 83C that the applicant should consider the safety of sidewalks along the Frontage Road. Commissioner Fleshman recommended that Case No. 136MF be conditioned to require concrete driveways and that the applicant be asked where they plan on placing forced air units. On a motion by Commissioner Kelly , seconded by Commissioner Fleshman , the Commission approved the action of the Design Review Board as amended above by Planning Commission Resolution No. 385; carried unanimously (3-0) . X. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Report of the CVAG Highway 111 special committee studying the problems of traffic congestion along State Highway 111. Mr. Williams summarized the findings of the special Highway 111 committee and noted that the specific recommendations of concern to the City are those major arterial improvements identified as items F, G, H and R from the Committee Report . Chairman Berkey noted one omission from the recommendations -- the extension of 42nd Avenue easterly of Cook Street . 42nd Avenue , Chairman Berkey continued, would serve the Palm Desert Country Club Shopping Center , Bermuda Dunes, and terminate at Indio Boulevard. Commissioner Fleshman noted that Hovely Lane is to be tied into 42nd Avenue. Chairman Berkey suggested that the Hovely connection and the extension of 42nd Avenue be added to the list of recommendations pre- pared by CVAG and requested that the above comments be forwarded. Commissioner Fleshman suggested that all recommendations be graphic in presentation . Minutes Palm Desert Planning Commission July 19 , 1978 Page Four XI . ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - None XII . COMMENTS A. City Staff Mr . Williams noted the memorandum regarding the status of the West Palm Valley Channel Study Area and asked for comments. Commissioner Fleshman said that access should be added to the list of items to be considered. Mr. Williams then noted a correction to the November planning schedule and a letter from Indian Wells requesting comments from the City of Palm Desert Planning Commision regarding a proposed project to be located near the inter- section of Highway 111 and Cook Street , in the City of Indian Wells . Following discussion of the proposed project the Planning Commission directed Staff to prepare a letter to the City of Indian Wells indicating that the project was reviewed and the Planning Commission has no comments to make on the project .. B. City Attorney - Not present C. Planning Commissioners Commissioner Fleshman referred to Case No. 72C and explained the letter which he directed to the City Council requesting that they assume jurisdiction over this case . The Council will consider Case No . 72C on July 27, 1978. Chairman Berkey indicated this is now a personal matter and that the Commission is no longer involved at this stage . XIII . ADJOURNMENT On a motion by Commissioner Fleshman , seconded by Commissioner Kelly, the meeting was adjourned at 2 : 35 p .m. ; carried unanimously ( 3-0) . TCA PAUL A. WILLIAMS , Secretary ATTEST : GEORG BERKEY, Chairm n /tb