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HomeMy WebLinkAbout0602 MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING TUESDAY - JUNE 2, 1981 7:00 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 7:00 p.m, by Chairman Miller in the City Hall Council Chambers. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Commissioner Kryder � III. ROLL CALL Members Present: Commissioner Kryder Commissioner McLachlan Commissioner Richards Chairman Miller Excused Absent: Commissioner Berkey Staff Present: Ramon Diaz, Director of Environmental Services Stan Sawa, Principal Planner Steve Smith, Associate Planner John DosSantos, Assistant Planner Phil Drell , Assistant Planner Linda Russell , Planning Secretary Others Present: Barry McClellan, Director of Public Works � Eric Vogt, Fire Marshal Bob Hardy, Associate Civil Engineer IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: May 20, 1981 � Motion was made by Commissioner Kryder, seconded by Commissioner McLachlan, to approve the minutes as submitted. Carried unanimously (4-0). V. SUMMARY OF COUNCIL ACTION Mr. Diaz reviewed Council Action of the meeting of May 28, 1981. : VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Continued Case No. PM 17452 - ARLE CORPORATION (CHARLES GIBBS) and RON MARTIN AND ASSOCIATES, App1icants Request for approval of a Tentative Parcel Map to allow the creation of industrial lots within the S. I. , S.P. (Service Industrial , Scenic Preservation Overlay) and O.S. (Open Space) zone, located at the southwest corner of Hovley Lane and Cook Street. Mr. Diaz presented this case and stated that the applicant had requested a continuance to June 17, 1981, because of new developments. Staff concurred with the requested continuance. Chairman Miller reopened the Public Hearing and motion was made by Commissioner Richards, seconded by Commissioner McLachlan, to continue this case to June 17, 1981. �' Carried unanimously (4-0). MINUTES PALP� DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING JUNE 2, 1981 Page Two * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS (cont. ) B. Case Nos. TT 14080 and DP 05-81 - T&D INVESTMENTS, Applicants Request for approval of a Residential Development Plan and Tentative Tract Map to allow construction of 50 condominium units on 10 acres located on the north side of Hovley Lane, 2600' east of Monterey Avenue for which a Negative Declara- tion was previously certified. Mr. Sawa reviewed the staff report and stated that previously this plan had `� been approved but expired. He stated that if this updated plan is approved all the changes would have to be made at the Design Review Board level . He noted that 3 units would have to be eliminated. He reviewed the location and design and indicated t�at the entry would have to be redesigned. He also stated that the project is outside the 5 minute response time for fir� protection, therefore, a condition was being imposed to require a $100 per unit fee. Mr. Sawa reviewed the findings and justifi- cations and recommended approval . Commissioner Kryder felt that because there were major changes being made that he would like to see an updated plan prior to approval . Mr. Diaz suggested to Commission that Public Testimony be taken tonight and continue this case to June 17, 1981, for Commission comments. Chairman Miller opened the Public Hearing and noted the applicant was not present. Chairman Miller asked if anyone present wished to speak in FAVOR or OPPOSITION to this case; there being none, the Public Hearing was closed. Motion was made by Commissioner Kryder, seconded by Commissioner McLachlan, to continue this case to June 17, 1981, and instructed staff to inform applicant to present drawings reflecting the conditions imposed. Carried unanimously (4-0) . C. Case Nos. DP 07-81 and TT 17108 - BERNARD SOLOMON, Applicant � Request for approval of a Tentative Tract Map and Commercial Development Plan to allow construction of a 396 unit hotel , restaurant and 14,700 square feet of commercial offices on 20.5 acres located on the north side of Highway 111, 650 feet east of Deep Canyon Road and a Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact as it pertains thereto. Mr. Drell presented this case briefly describing the background and the current design. He indicated that zoning would be PR-5 and PC (4). He reviewed the findings and justifications for the Tentative Tract Map. Mr. Drell noted specific issues, which were: Zoning requirements, internal circulation, off-site traffic impacts, drainage, landscaping and impacts on surrounding residential developments. Staff recommended approval . Chairman Miller opened the Public Hearing and asked if the applicant cared to make a presentation. MR. BERNARD SOLOMON, 73-185 Irontree, explained that this plan is a result of many meetings. He described the units of the Hotel and the Casitas. He pointed out that the City would benefit from the bed tax. i�ir. Solom�n indicated that any conditions imposed by Caltrans relative to ingress and egress would not be acceptable. Mr. Diaz stated that there would not be any conditions imposed by Caltrans. .� The issue of bed tax was brought up and discussed by Commission and Mr. Solomon. It was noted by Mr. Solomon that anyone buying a "Casita" unit would be an investor to the hotel . MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING JUNE 2, 1981 Page Three * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS (cont. ) Chairman Miller opened the Public Hearing and asked if anyone present wished to speak in FAVOR or OPPOSITION to this case. MR. RICHARD COOKSHOUSE, 11368 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, stated he was the owner of the lot adjacent to this development and was concerned about the impact to his property. He asked what type of development he could seek for his property. Mr. Diaz described what types of developments could occur in the Resort �"' Commercial and PC (4) zones. Mr. Cookshouse asked if the 14,000 sq.ft. area would be a financial institution. Mr. Diaz stated that that issue was presently being reviewed. MS. PAT REED, 44-239 Portofino Court, asked if the owners that buy the Casitas could live in them. Mr. Diaz explained that they could. Ms. Reed then asked how far the units on the north would be to the existing wall . Mr. Drell explained that it was 100' to the unit and approximately 65 feet to the garage. Ms. Reed asked if there would be windows on the north side of the units. Mr. Drell replied that there would be. Mr. Solomon explained that the units parallel to the north-south direction do not have windows; some units running in the east-west direction will have windows. A long discussion proceeded concerning the financing alternatives of the Casita units. MR. WALTER SCOTT, 399 Cannes Court, stated he believed the Casitas would be treated as apartment units, and he ��as strongly opposed to this. Chairman Miller closed the Public Hearing. Motion was made by Commissioner Richards, seconded by Commissioner McLachlan, '� to adopt findings as recommended by staff. Carried unanimously (4-0). Motion was made by Commissioner Kryder, seconded by Commissioner Richards, to waive further reading and adopt Resolution No. 715, a Resolution of the Planning Commission of the City of Palm Desert approving Development Plan 07-81 and certifying a Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact as it pertains thereto. Carried (4-0) . Motion was made by Commissioner Kryder, seconded by Commissioner Richards, to waive further reading and adopt Resolution No. 716, a Resolution of the Planning Commission of the City of Palm Desert recommending to the City Council approval of Tentative Tract Map 17108. Carried unanimously (4-0). D. Case No. CUP 05-77 (Amendment) - EL PASEO SANDWICH SHOPPE (Rick Seidner) , Applicant Request for an Amendment to an approved Conditional Use Permit and Associated Parking Variance to allow a restaurant to use their front setback for outdoor seating and eating located at 73-990 E1 Paseo, a Class I Categorical Exemption for purposes of CEQA. Mr. DosSantos reviewed the staff report and recommended denial . � Commissioner �ichards felt that since most of the business for this restaurant comes from people who walk from their businesses, the parking requirements should be reviewed. MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING JUNE 2, 1981 Page Four * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS (cont. ) Commissioner Kryder felt that the variance was not warranted but also felt the parking requirements were too restrictive. Therefore, he recommended that staff make a study on this matter and continue for one month. Commissioner McLachlan also felt that a solution should be found to enable Commission to make a decision on granting variances when applicable. Chairman Miller opened the Public Hearing and asked if the applicant wished � to make a presentation. ""� MR. RICK SEIDNER, 72-392 Ridgecrest Lane, noted that he was not increasing the seating capacity. He explained that his business was approved for a total of 49 seats and with the additional 9 seating outside it would still only come to 47. He stated that he was trying to generate and identify his business by using outdoor seating. Chairman Miller asked if anyone present wished to speak in FAVOR or OPPOSITION to this case. There was none. Mr. Diaz noted that parking requirement is based on square footage. Mr. Seidner agreed that a study on the parking requirement was necessary and was in favor of a continuance. Motion was made by Commissioner Richards, seconded by Commissioner Kryder, to continue this matter to July 15, 19�1, for further study. Carried unanimously (4-0). E. Case No. VAR 01-81 - COLUMBIA FINANCIAL CORPORATION, Applicant Request for approval of a Variance to allow a 22.5 square foot Regional Center Monument Sign located at the south- "r'� west corner of Highway 111 and Highway 74, a Class II, Categorical Exemption for purposes of CEQA. Mr. Smith reviewed the staff report and the findings and justifications to permit approval of the variance. There was discussion regarding the sign ordinance review. Mr. Diaz indicated that there was little response from the public. Commissioner Kryder asked what the landscaping problem was. Mr. Sawa replied that the landscaping plan was �hanged without City approval , therefore, the new plan would have to be approved by Design Review Board. Chairman Miller opened the Public Hearing and asked if the applicant cared to make a presentation. MR. SAM TEITLER, Senior Vice President of Columbia Savings and Loan, explained why the sign must be set back quite a distance and also explained the many difficulties he had with the landscaping which he had to replant many times. Chairman Miller asked if anyone present wished to speak in FAVOR or OPPOSITION to this case. There being none, the Public Hearing was closed. Minute motion was made by Commissioner Kryder, seconded by Commissioner Richarc„� to adopt findings as recommended by staff. Carried unanimously (4-0) . Motion was made by Commissioner Kryder, seconded by Commissioner Richards, to waive further reading and adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 717, a Resolution of the Planning Commission of the City of Palm Desert approving Variance 01-81. Carried unanimously (4-0). MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING JUNE 2, 1981 Page Five * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS (cont. ) THERE WAS A FIVE MINUTE RECESS - THE MEETING WAS RECONVENED BY CHAIRMAN MILLER. F. Case No. VAR 02-81 - HARRY M. BLACKFIELD, M.D. , Applicant Request for approval of a Parking Variance to allow a 2,004 square foot addition to three existing buildings without additional parking located at 73-960 and "'�"' 73-970 E1 Paseo, a Class I Categorical Exemption for purposes of CEQA. Mr. Dos Santos reviewed the staff report and recommended denial . Chairman Miller opened the Public Hearing and asked if the applicant cared to make a presentation. MR. BOB PITCHFORD, 73-960 E1 Paseo, stated that because the tenants were asking for larger office space and the parking lot had been redesigned, he and Dr. Blackfield felt it was time to improve the building to be comparable to adjacent buildings. He reviewed the staff report giving his interpretation and justifications for each required finding. Mr. Diaz related to the Commission the background and history of the President' s Plaza parking lot and reemphasized staff's feeling that the required findings for a variance could not be met. He stated that this issue had been discussed by Council during the parking study and Council had determined that additional expansion of existing faci'lities should not be permitted until the parking lot had been in opera- tion for two seasons. Mr. Diaz concluded that this moratorium on expansion was reaffirmed by Planning Commission during its review of the parking ordinance. Commissioner Kryder felt that the study should be completed before granting any variances. ��.. Commissioner Richards felt that the parking problem was not a major problem and believed that the parking study may not prove to be good. Chairman Miller asked if anyone wished to speak in FAVOR or OPPOSITION to this case. MR. BERNIE LEUNG, Tenant, explained how the parking requirements were established in the past and felt that Dr. Blackfield's building was the only one that needed to be built out J.00%. He felt the parking study was not necessary. Mr. Diaz again explained the purpose of the study. Chairman Miller closed the Public Hearing. Minute motion was made by Commissioner Kryder to adopt findings as recommended by staff. Chairman Miller explained that he wanted to see the parking study completed also, therefore, seconded the motion. The vote was as follows: AYES: Kryder, Miller NOES: Richards, McLachlan ABSENT: Berkey ABSTAIN: None � There being a tie vote, motion was made by Commissioner Richards, seconded by Commissioner Kryder, to refer the matter to City Council with no recommendation. Carried unanimously (4-0). MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING JUNE 2, 1981 Page Six * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS (cont. ) G. Case No. TT 17794 and DP 06-81 - ALEXANDER ADAMEK, Applicant Request for approval of a 63 lot Tract Map and Residential Development Plan to allow construction of a 62 unit condo- minium Development on 13.2 acres generally located on the south side of Hovley Lane, 500 feet west of Portola Avenue and a Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact as it pertains thereto. � Mr. Sawa presented this case describing the design and location of the project. He noted that this project would be outside the five minute response time for fire protection, therefore, staff recommended a requirement of a $100 per unit fee. He reviewed the findings and justifications and recommended approval . Chairman Miller opened the Public Hearing and asked if the applicant wished to make a presentation. MR. HARRY SCHMITZ, 45-900 Paseo Coronado, Indian Wells, concurred with staff's conditions and requested approval . Chairman Miller asked if anyone wished to speak in FAVOR or OPPOSITION to this case. There being none, the Public Hearing was closed. Minute motion was made by Commissioner Kryder, seconded by Commissioner McLachlan, to adopt findings as recommended by staff. Carried unanimously (4-0) . Motion was made by Commissioner Richards, seconded by Commissioner Kryder, to waive further reading and adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 718, a Resolution of the Planning Commission of the City of Palm Desert approving Development Plan 06-81 and certifying a Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact as it pertains thereto. Carried unanimously (4-0) . Motion was made by Commissioner Richards, seconded by Commissioner Kryder, to """� waive further reading and adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 719, a Resolution of the Planning Commission of the City of Palm Desert recommending to the City Council approval of Tentative Tract Map 17794. Carried unanimously (4-0). VII . CONSENT CALENDAR - NONE � VIII. DESIGN REVIEW BOARD ITEMS Preliminary plan approvals by the Design Review Board at their meeting of May 26, �981, requiring Planning Commission confirmation. Case No. 147 C - JACK WISE - Mr. Diaz reviewed this case and stated that Design Review Board approved this case. Staff recommended approval . Minute motion was made by Commissioner Kryder, seconded by Commissioner Richards, to waive further reading and adopt Resolution No. 720, a Resolution of the Planning Commission of the City of Palm Desert approving Case No. 147 C. Carried unanimously (4-0). Appeal of Design Review Board denial of Case No. 145 C - CROCKER BANK This item was discussed and based on staff's recommendation, minute motion was made by Commissioner McLachlan, seconded by Commissioner Kryder, to refer this .�rr case back to Design Review Board for recommendation. Applicant concurred. Carried unanimously (4-0). MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING JUNE 2, 1981 Page Seven * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * � * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * IX. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS - NONE X. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - NONE XI. ADJOURNMENT ``r Motion was made by Commissioner Richards, seconded by Commissioner McLachlan, to adjourn the meeting at 10:18 P.M. Carried unanimously (4-0) . ,'__ . l �-� �L � � ON A. DIAZ,� ecre y ATTEST: , , �� ��� CH ES MILLER, Chairman /lr �. �