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HomeMy WebLinkAbout0418 MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING WEDNESDAY - APRIL 18, 1979 1 : 00 P.M. - CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS I . CALL TO ORDER The regularly scheduled meeting of the Palm Desert Planning j. Commission was called to order at 1 : 00 p.m. in the City Hall � Council Chambers. �; � II . PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Commissioner Fleshman III . ROLL CALL Members Commissioner Berkey Present : Commissioner Fleshman Commissioner Kryder Chairman Snyder Others Paul A. Williams - Director of Environmental Services Present : Clyde Beebe - Director of Public Works Susan Schwartz - Planning Secretary IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Minutes of regular meeting of April 3 , 1979 The following corrections were noted: Page 2 , Item B, make note that Commission Fleshman left the Chambers during this Hearing, and abstained from voting. Page 3 , 7th paragraph, lst sentence, should read: "not in agreement with No. 5" , instead of "No. 2" . Page 5, 1st paragraph, 2nd line, "compatible" should be "comparable" . Page 5, 2nd paragraph, should be F. X. McDonald "Jr. " . Page 5, lOth paragraph, change sentence to read: "Commissioner Snyder commented that he hoped Public �Vorks would continue to have C.V.C.W.D, put streets back in good condition at the conclusion of projects. " On a motion by Commissioner Fleshman, seconded by Commissioner Berkey, the minutes of April 3, 1979 were approved as corrected; carried unanimously (4-0) . V. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS - None VI . PUBLIC HEARINGS - None � VII . OLD BUSINESS - None VIII . NEW BUSINESS A. Consideration for initiation of Zoning Map and Text changes to implement the Palm Valley Stormwater Channel Area Specific Plan Minutes Page Two Palm Desert Planning Commission April 18, 1979 VIII . A. (cont . ) Mr. Williams noted that the Palm Valley Stormwater Channel Area Specific Plan was approved by the City Council at their last meeting. It is now necessary to move forward with the revisions to the zoning as recommended in the Specific Plan both in the area of zone districts established on the property encompassed in the study and also suggested revisions to the text to more accommodate the area that was under consideration. � Staff has provided a resolution for the Planning Commission ' s consideration which would initiate a Public Hearing on June 20, 1979, at which time both the text changes and the zone changes for the area would be considered. Commissioner Fleshman noted a discrepancy of dates between the Agenda and the Resolution; it was agreed that June 20 is the correct date for the Public Hearing instead of June 30, as written in the Agenda. Commissioner Berkey suggested that gross acres and net acres should be identified as such in the text and headings both. He also mentioned, regarding the standards for 5-acre lots, that minimum side yards of 100 feet seem excessive to him. Commissioner Fleshman concurred with this, stating that he felt it should be 50 ft . Commissioner Berkey noted that , on Page 62 regarding maximum building height of 30 ft , he felt it should be a flexible building height , in accordance with the statement on Page 65 regarding Structural Design and Landscaping, wherein it states that "lot siz�, height and setbacks shall be flexible in in order to achieve the purposes of this section" . Mr. Williams stated that staff would change it to show 18 ft , and can be further discussed at the Public - Hearing on this subject . Commissioner Berkey also suggested a change in wording on Page 62 regarding development standards for one acre lots or less, but not less than 40, 000 sq ft , it should read "at least 40, 000 sq ft . " Commissioner Fleshman also mentioned that the Commzssion might consider requiring roads in subject area to be colored, in order to assist camouflaging of them. Mr. Williams agreed that this possibility should be considered and investigated. On a motion by Commissioner Kryder, seconded by Commissioner Berkey, the Commission adopted Planning Commission Resolution NO. 478, whereby initiating a Public Hearing for Zoning Ordinance Map and Text Amendments, with suggestions as noted; carried unanimously (4-0) . Said Hearing was scheduled for the meeting of June 20, 1979. B. Consideration of initiation of an amendment to the City Zoning Ordinance text , relative to the composition of the Design Review Board. Mr. Williams reviewed the proposed amendment , noting that the Design Review Board also reviewed this at their last meeting. The suggestion from the Board was that two voting members be added to � the Board, but that one be an architect and the other be from -- a different technical area. Preliminary comments from the City Council were to increase the membership of architects. Sta.ff now seeks the Commission ' s thoughts on the sub_ject , and for the Commission to initiate an- Ordinance Amendment by Planning Commission Resolution. Said Amendment to be considered on ItSay 16 . Commissioner Kryder asked if the architect ' s comments are based on the mechanics of the architecture or the aesthetics, or both. Minutes Page Three Palm Desert Planning Commission April 18, 1979 VIII . B. (cont . ) Mr. Williams answered that the architect ' s comments can be based on both, but looks to what the architect is trying to achieve, if the project is compatible and complete. Commissioner Kryder then asked why an architect would necessarily be better than a lay person, if the comments are related to aesthetics. � Mr. Williams stated that an architect can perceive more quickly and clearly. Commissioner Berkey asked if , in the definition of "architect" , does that include designers. Mr. Williams answered that the City Council has suggested the use of the term "architect" loosely. Chairman Snyder noted that the staff has attempted to create a Design Review Board that would be most skilled and capable. Commissioner Fleshman wondered if there should be sometning added to encourage attendance, and suggested including the same situation as exists for the Planning Commission, wherein the members are allowed only two unexcused absences. If they have more, they would have to have someone replace them. Mr. Williams agreed to include a section similar to that of the Planning Commission. On a motion by Commissioner Berkey, seconded by Commissioner Kryder, Planning Commission Resolution No. 479 was adopted, to �,,,,,, initiate a Public Hearing for Zoning Ordinance text amendments relative to the Design R.eview Board. Said Hearing was scheduled for May 16. Carried unanimously (4-0) . IX. DESIGN REVIEW BOARD ITEMS Consideration of cases acted upon by the Design Review Board at their meeting of April 10, 1979. Mr. Williams reviewed the cases (Nos. 170 MF; 167 MF; 114 MF) with the Comr��_ssion. The Commission discussed the size of Lewis Homes ' (Case 170 MF) development sign and it was suggested that the matter be taken back to the Design Review Board for possible change. CommissiQner Sn�der stated that the Planning Commission will .approve whatever conclusion is reached between the Board and Lewis Homes. Mr. Williams suggested an addition to the resolution, stating that "regarding Case No. 170 MF, the development sign should be reconsidered by the Design Review Board" . On a motion by Commissioner Berkey, seconded by Commissioner Kryder, the actions of the Design Review Board at their meeting of Apri1 10, 1979, were approved by Planning Commission Resolution No. 480, +� with the addition suggested; carried unanimously (4-0) . X. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Recommendation of the CVAG Executive Committee to establish a Fringe-Toed Lizard habitat reserve Minutes Page Four Palm Desert Planning Commission April 18, 1979 X. A. (cont . ) Mr. Williams observed that the Fringe-Toed Lizard has been an issue in the valley for the last several months. The federal government is trying to place them on the endangered species list . CVAG is encouraging each city and the County to take an action endorsing the establishment of a Fringe-Toed Lizard in a 5 to 6 square mile area north of Interstate 10, between Ramon Road and Washington St . There was discussion concerning the specific boundaries �"" suggested, and it was agreed by the Commission to endorse the concept of a reserve, but not the boundary suggested. B. Scheduling of a joint meeting with Rancho Mirage and Indian Wells Planning Commissions on Wednesday, April 25, 1979 Mr. Williams stated he would like to withdraw this item because the date suggested may be inappropriate. The Planning Commission suggested that since CVAG has begun to work toward uniformity of street standards, there did not appear to be a need for additional joint meetings. XI . ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - None XII . COMMENTS A. City Staff - None B. City Attorney - Not present C. Planning Commissioners - None �""° XI I . ADJOURNb�ENT - 2 : 50 p.m. � y� ATTEST: PAUL A. WILLIAMS, Secretary G� WALTER SN E , Ch rman /ss �