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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1018 MINUTES S P E C I A L PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING WEDNESDAY - OCTOBER 18 , 1978 7 : 00 PM - CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS I . CALL TO ORDER The special meeting of the Palm Desert Planning Commission was called to order by Chairman Kelly at 7 : 00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Palm Desert City Hall , after an hour study session . II . PLEDGE - Commissioner Kryder III . ROLL CALL Present : Commissioner Berkey Commissioner Fleshman Commissioner Kryder Commissioner Snyder MINUTES Amrtti',,` Chairman Berkey Others Present : Paul Williams - Director of Environmental Services Murrel Crump - Principal Planner Clyde Beebe - Director of Public Works Kathy Shorey - Planning Secretary IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Minutes of regular meeting of September 20, 1978 . Mr . Williams noted the following correction to ' ' be made : Page three, 4th paragraph from bottom, last sent- ence, change "Sphere of Influence" to "limits" . On a motion by Commissioner Snyder, seconded by Commissioner Fleshman, the Commission approved the minutes as corrected; carried unanimously (5-0) . V. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS Mr. Williams noted a late communication received from Mr. Don Bedell about trash being dumped on his property. The communication was noted as received and it was filed. VI . PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Continued Case No. PM 13433 , CHARLES GIBBS , Applicant Mr. Williams noted a letter received from Mr . Gibbs requesting a continuance to the October 31, 1978 , meeting. On a motion by Commissioner Fleshman, seconded by Commissioner Kryder, the Commission continued the case until October 31 , 1978 ; carried unanimously (5-0) . VII . OLD BUSINESS A. Referred from the City Council for review and report on Case Nos. C/Z 09-78 and DP 13-78 , LEWIS HOMES OF CALIFORNIA, Applicant Minutes Palm Desert Planning Commission October 18 , 1978 Page Two VII . OLD BUSINESS (Cont . ) Revised request for approval of the following to permit the development of a total of 315 dwelling units on approximately 70. 5 acres located east of the College of the Desert , between San Pablo Avenue and Portola Avenue : - A Change of Zone from PR-4 , S .P. (Planned Residen- tial Max. 4 du/acre, Scenic Overlay) and P (Public/ Institutional) to PR-5 (Planned Residential max. 5 du/acre) on the subject property; - A Development Plan to develop the described 70. 5 acres with 315 dwelling units and a six acre Public Park. Mr . Crump reviewed the Staff Report and noted applicants revised request and reviewed the exhibits that were presented to the City Council at their last meeting. He then reviewed the Staff ' s recommendation which is as follows: By Minute Motion authorize Staff to transmit a report to the City Council, noting unacceptability of the proposed Development Plan, and recommend additional continuance for the Planning Commission to review the applicants design solutions. Chairman Kelly asked if the Commission had any comments at this time. Commissioner Berkey stated that he agreed with the Staff re- port and recommendations 100%. Commissioner Kryder asked if the Staff ' s recommendation is feasible if the applicant makes the suggested revisions. Mr . Crump and Mr. Williams stated that that was the intent of the Staff report . j Commissioner Kryder then stated that the initial decision of the Commission for a PR-4 zoning should be maintained. Commissioner Fleshman noted that deleting units is not the only solution to the problem. Commissioner Snyder noted his agreement with the findings of the Staff and stated that he felt that this would soon be the center of town and special care should be taken with the development of this area. Also, this is not the best utilization of the PR zone. Chairman Kelly stated that she agreed with the Staff and noted that this is already a problem area. She also noted that the setbacks on Avenue 44 are a big concern. Chairman Kelly noted that an increase in density is not good and that too much time and effort was put into the COD Area Specific Plan to have those decisions changed now. Commissioner Kryder stated that this is not an appropriate area for this kind of crowding of units. Commissioner Kryder then made a motion to forward the Staff recommendation to the City Council with the additional comment of keeping the zoning at PR-4, seconded by Commissioner Berkey; carried (4-1 ) AYES : Berkey, Kelly, Kryder , Snyder ; NOES : Fleshman. Commissioner Fleshman noted his reason for the no vote as being that the applicant should be allowed some design flexibility as long as it meets the Staff recommendations and the zoning requirements. BETTY WILLIAMS, representative of Lewes Homes of California, addressed the Commission and stated that she had asked Mr . Crump earlier in the day for a continuance and had been advised to present it in writing which she had done. She had asked for this continuance to the October 31st , meeting to allow time to solve the problems prior to the meeting. Minutes Palm Desert Planning Commission October 18 , 1978 Page Three VII . OLD BUSINESS (Cont . ) Chairman Kelly noted that the Commission was aware of the request for a continuance and the decision of the Commission as stated was correct . Mr. Crump noted that Mrs. Williams had not talked to him, she had talked to the Planning Secretary. VIII . NEW BUSINESS - None IX. DESIGN REVIEW BOARD ITEMS Mr. Williams noted Planning Commission Resolution No . 414, which was discussed at the study session prior to the meeting, amend- ing Planning Commission Resolution No. 411 , regarding Case No. 152MF, on a motion by Commissioner Snyder , seconded by Commissioner Berkey, the Commission approved Planning Commission Resolution No. 414; carried unanimously (5-0) . A. Consideration of cases acted on by the Design Review Board at their meeting of October 10, 1978 . Mr. Crump reviewed the cases: Case No . 144MF was sent back to the Design Review Board to await action by the City Council on the related Change of Zone and Development Plan; Case No. 108MF - revision #8 was added to read as follows: Special treatment shall be provided for the street elevation; Case No. 97C - revision A 5 shall be added to read : Make provision for connection to potential parking area to the east ; Case No. 98C - Commissioner Fleshman noted that he would like to see a little variety in the buildings; and, Case No. 156MF - a change in the trees near the parking bays was suggested. On a motion by Commissioner Snyder, seconded by Commissioner Berkey, the Commission approved the cases noted by Planning Commission Resolution No. 415; carried unanimously (5-0) . Mr . Williams reviewed the sign criteria for the Hughes project . There was some discussion as to the size and shape of the signs for the different buildings. X. DISCUSSION ITEMS - None XI . ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - None XII . COMMENTS - None XIII . ADJOURNMENT On a motion by Commissioner Snyder, seconded by Commissioner Berkey, the meeting was adjourned at 8 : 35 p.m. ; carried unanimously (5-0) . PAUL A. WILLIAMS, Secretary ATTES GLOIRIA KELLY, Chair n /ks