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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1219 MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION WEDNESDAY - DECEMBER 19, 1979 1:00 P.M. - CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS I. CALL TO ORDER The regularly scheduled meeting of the Palm Desert Planning Commission was called to order at 1:00 P.M. by Chairman Snyder in the City Hall Council Chambers. �,.► II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Commissioner Kryder III. ROLL CALL Members Present: Commissioner Berkey Commissioner Kryder Commissioner Miller Chairman Snyder Staff Present: Paul Williams, Director of Environmental Services Murrel Crump, Principal Planner Linda Russell , Secretary IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Minutes of regular meeting of December 4, 1979. Mr. Williams noted the following corrections: On page 6, 10th paragraph, change last sentence to read: "He agreed with the conditions but wanted Condition No. 2 to be clarified to indicate specific responsibility of the applicant regarding the park. " ,., On page 6, 11th paragraph, should read: "Commissioner Kryder commented on how well the project was designed and did not agree the area needed to be upgraded. " Upon motion made by Commissioner Kryder, seconded by Commissioner Miller, the minutes of December 4, 1979, were approved as amended. Carried Unanimously (4-0) . V. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS Mr. Williams noted that a letter was received from Dale Burton Stansbury, regarding the Don Drysdale Restaurant. He added that no discussion was required. VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Continued Case No. VAR 07-79 - ERNEST W. HAHN, INC. , Applicant Request for approval of a Variance to the Zoning Ordinance to increase the height of Parking Lot Light Standards from ten (10) feet to twenty-five (25) feet within the PC-3, S.P. (Planned Commercial , Regional Center, Scenic Preserva- tion Overlay) and PR-6, S.P. rezoned to R-3 (9) , (Multi- family Residential , max. 1 d.u./9000 sq. ft. ) zones, generally located at the northwest corner of Highway 111 and Monterey Avenue. Mr. Williams presented this case suggesting a continuance for more information. Upon motion made by Commissioner Berkey, seconded by Commissioner Kryder, Case No. VAR 07-79 was continued to January 3, 1980. Carried unanimously (4-0) . MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION DECEMBER 19, 1979 Page -2- VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS (continued) B. Continued Case Nos. C/Z 09-79 (U.A. ) and DP 15-79 - MAYER GROUP, INC. , Applicant Request for approval of a Change of Zone from R-1, 12,000 (Riverside County Zone) to PR-7 (U.A. ) (Planned Residential District, max. 7 d.u./ac. ) (Upon Annexation) or other zone as deemed appropriate, and approval of a Planned Residential Development to allow construction of 264 condominium units and a nine acre park on 39.1 gross acres, located at the northeast corner of Country Club Drive and Monterey Avenue. Mr. Crump presented this case stating that the request was continued for more data and the major concerns were on the density and park facilities. He then reviewed the park purposes and improvements noting the fees collected for park and recreation purposes must be allocated within 5 years or returned to the property owners. He indicated that the density proposed was 6.75 d.u./ac. , which was within the General Plan range of 5-7 d.u./ac. He explained the justifications for the density/design and reviewed the alternatives the Commission had for approval . He noted the various letters received giving their approval or objections to this case. He concluded by recommending approval of the case. Commissioner Berkey noted that at the last meeting it was stated that the Fire Marshal recommended denial of this project. fir. Williams stated that Fire Station #3 would be built in 1982-83 and felt that it would be in line to serve this project. Commissioner Miller asked if the developer was aware of the land provisions specified in the letter received by Coachella Valley County Water District? Mr. Williams responded stating that part of the subdivision process was that they meet with the developer to discuss this. Chairman Snyder asked if the applicant cared to make a presentation. MIKE MOHLER, Vice-President of Mayer Co. , 8121 Florence, Downey, reviewed the letter he sent to the Commission and identified the three primary needs of the City. He then explained how these needs would be satisfied. JOHN BALLEW, Ballew-McFarland, E1 Paseo, stated that he had attempted to take comments from the previous meeting and illustrations to address the Commission's concerns. He explained that the County has deviated in its appli- cation of zoning densities. He also addressed the subject of open space between the units. He concluded by requesting a modification to condition #13 giving them the opportunity to grade before a Final Tract Map is recorded. Chairman Snyder asked Mr. Williams how the Director of Public Works would feel about this modification. Mr. Williams stated that he believed Mr. Beebe would concur with this request. Chairman Snyder opened the Public Hearing asking if anyone present wished to speak in FAVOR or OPPOSITION to this case. There being none, the Public Hearing was closed. Chairman Snyder expressed his concern with the high density of the project and asked if Mr. Ballew could consider eliminating the two-story units. Mr. Ballew responded explaining that he could but in order to keep the project in an affordable price range and to create a variation of units, he could not. Mr. Mohler added that that type of reduction would be 33% of the project. He explained what the economic study showed and stressed the local need of being underneath the market. MR. STEVE FLESHMAN provided site photos for the Commission and went on to explain the zones and projects around the area, and also explained how the actual impact around the property is minimized. He gave reasons why the park would be desirable. MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION DECEMBER 19, 1979 Page -3- VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS (continued) Commissioner Kryder asked what the density would be on the adjacent proposed Mobile Home Park. Mr. Williams stated that the zoning allows 102 spaces per 15 acres. There was discussion on the alternative of reducing the park and spreading the units. It was explained by Mr. Ballew how the density was acquired and that the project is in conformance with the General Plan. Mr. Fleshman explained how the actual density was less than what the General Plan called for. Commissioner Kryder made a motion, seconded by Chairman Snyder, to approve Case Nos. C/Z 09-79 (U.A. ) and DP 15-79, as modified. The vote was as follows: AYES: Commissioner Kryder, Chairman Snyder NOES: Commissioner Berkey, Commissioner Miller ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None Being a 2-2 vote, the motion failed, therefore, the Deputy City Attorney, Jeff Patterson, was contacted by phone and he suggested that it be referred to the City Council with no recommendation. It was agreed by the Commission. C. Case No. PM 14163 - I . HAROLD HOUSLEY, Applicant Request for approval of a one year time extension for a previously approved Tentative Parcel Map to divide one parcel into three parcels, located at the southwest corner of San Jose and Catalina Way. Mr. Crump presented this case illustrating the locations of the three proposed parcels, and concluded with a staff recommendation for approval . Chairman Snyder opened the Public Hearing asking if anyone present wished to speak in FAVOR or OPPOSITION to this case. There being none, the Public Hearing was closed. Upon motion made by Commissioner Kryder, seconded by Commissioner Miller, Case No. PM 14163 was approved by adoption of Planning Commission Resolution No. 558. Carried unanimously (4-0) . D. Case No. CUP 03-79 (Amendment) - JACK WISE, Applicant Request to allow amendment to an approved Conditional Use Permit condition which requires undergrounding of existing utilities to the site from the nearest existing pole not on the property being developed, to allow construction of a racquetball and health club on approximately 1.4 acres within the R-3 (4) (Multi-family Residential , 4,000 sq. ft. per unit) zone located on Lots 6 and 7, Palma Village Unit #3. Mr. Crump presented this case reviewing the proposed amendment and the Muncipal Code Section which gives the Commission the ability to approve an alternative to undergrounding as a part of construction. He concluded stating that the undergrounding of adjacent overhead utility lines was not believed to be appropriate at this time, and recommended approval of the condition amendment. Chairman Snyder opened the Public Hearing asking if anyone present wished to speak in FAVOR or OPPOSITION to this case. WALTER CLARK, 74-075 El Paseo, stated he was in agreement with this alternative and gave a short explanation as to why. He then stated that Mr. -Wise was present for any questions the Commission might have. MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION DECEMBER 19, 1979 Page -4- VI PUBLIC HEARINGS (continued) Chairman Snyder closed the Public Hearing. Upon motion made by Commissioner Berkey, seconded by Commissioner Kryder, Case No. CUP 03-79 (Amendment) was approved by adoption of Planning Commission Resolution No. 559. Carried unanimously (4-0) . VII. OLD BUSINESS - NONE VIII .NEW BUSINESS - NONE IX. DESIGN REVIEW ITEMS - NONE CHAIRMAN SNYDER CALLED FOR A BREAK AT 2:25 P.M. - THE MEETING RECONVENED AT 3:00 P.M. X. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. General Plan Update (Discussion was deferred to the next study session meeting) B. North Sphere Area Drainage Plan The Commission had a long discussion on this item and gave their input to Staff. C. Preliminary Civic Center Design Staff reviewed the design with the Commission for comments and suggestions. XI . ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - NONE XII. COMMENTS - NONE XIII .ADJOURNMENT Chairman Snyder declared the meetin adjourned at 3:06 P.M. 7P UL A. WILLIAMS, Secretary ATTEST: WALTER SNYDER, Chair end /lr