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HomeMy WebLinkAbout0720 MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING TUESDAY - JULY 20, 1982 2:00 P.M. - CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Kryder called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Commissioner Richards III. ROLL CALL Members Present: Commissioner Richards Commissioner Wood Chairman Kryder Excused Absent: Commissioner Crites Commissioner Miller Staff Present: Ramon A. Diaz Stan Sawa Steve Smith Phil Joy Linda Russell IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: July 6, 1982 Commissioner Wood noted a correction on the minutes as follows: On page 3, fourth paragraph, last sentence, should read: "Commissioner Wood expressed his reluctance to grant a variance after working for so long on the sign ordinance and felt that the matter of the signs was not looked into properly." Moved by Commissioner Richards, seconded by Commissioner Wood, to approve minutes, as amended. Carried unanimously 3-0. V. SUMMARY OF COUNCIL ACTION Mr. Diaz reviewed the actions for the meeting of July 15, 1982. VI. CONSENT CALENDAR All matters listed on the consent calendar are considered to be routine and will be enacted by one roll call vote. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless members of the planning commission or audience request specific items be removed from the consent calendar for separate discussion and action. A. Case No. PM 17452 - ONE S & G ENTERPRISES - Approval of an 18 month time extension for a parcel map. B. CUP 04-81 and 150 C - ROMEO'S STEAK HOUSE - Approval of a one year time extension. Rec: Approve as presented. Motion made by Commissioner Wood, seconded by Commissioner Richards, to approve requested time extensions. Carried unanimously 3-0. VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Case No. ZOA 07-82, CITY OF PALM DESERT, Applicant Consideration of a zoning ordinance amendment relating to parking requirements. -1- MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION JULY 20, 1982 Mr. Diaz reviewed the staff report stating that the proposed revisions were the result of concerns raised by the Palm Desert Town Center, but the proposed amendments would affect all parking in the city. He reviewed the proposed revisions and suggested that because of their inter-relationship, the parking lot standards to be reviewed later in the agenda be examined at this time. Commission concurred. Mr. Diaz reviewed the suggested revisions to the parking lot standards, that compact car stalls be permitted to meet required parking, citing the predominance of small cars as justification for this recommendation. "ovi Chairman Kryder felt that the use of compact car stalls was not realistic, stating that large vehicles would park in the compact stalls, creating a problem. Commissioner Richards felt that some would regard this as a devious way of solving the parking problem for the Palm Desert Town Center. He stated that he has never seen a shopping center parking lot completely full, therefore, felt the shopping center would have sufficient parking if the requirements were reduced rather than using compact stalls. Mr. Diaz replied that staff's recommendation was a better way of solving parking problems than over reducing the number of spaces provided. Chairman Kryder and Commissioner Richards restated their belief that compact stalls could create more problems than they resolve. After some discussion it was agreed that because Public Hearing Item B "Desert Village Association" related to these changes, these matters would be continued to a later part of the meeting. Chairman Kryder opened and continued the public hearing after consideration of the public hearing item to follow. B. Case No. GPA 02-82, CITY OF PALM DESERT, Applicant Case Nos. C/Z 07-82 and DP 12-79 (Amendment), DESERT VILLAGE ASSOCIATES, Applicant Approval of a general plan amendment from high density residential to regional commercial, change of zone from R- 3 (9) S.P. and PR-6 S.P. to PC (3) S.P., negative declaration of environmental impact and amendment to development plan to allow building additions and site plan changes to the Palm Desert Town Center located at the northeast corner of El Paseo and Highway 111. Mr. Sawa reviewed the request noting the need for a general plan amendment and change of zone to accommodate the new additions proposed along El Paseo. In addition to the new construction, it was noted parking lot modifications were proposed in order to comply with the parking requirements. Mr. Sawa reviewed the findings and justifications necessary for approval of the general plan amendment, change of zone and development plan. He concluded by recommending approval of the findings and requested applications. Mr. Diaz stated that the applicant had also requested modifications of certain conditions of approval relating to public improvements. He further stated that because these conditions related to fiscal and policy matters they were properly the purview of the council. The commission concurred. Mr. Diaz then gave a detailed parking analysis indicating that if the proposal complied to earlier recommended amendments to the city's parking requirements and parking lot design standards, staff recommends approval. Chairman Kryder felt the figures used for the Palm Desert Town Center parking -2- MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION JULY 20, 1982 calculations were arbitrary. He indicated other alternatives could be used to offset the parking shortage. Mr. Diaz replied that without the compact car stalls there would be a 35 space shortage. Chairman Kryder opened the public hearing and asked if the applicant wished to make a presentation. MR. JAY TARANTON, project manager, 3666 Kearny Villa Rd., San Diego, stated vow he was present to answer any questions the commission might have. Commissioner Richards asked Mr. Taranton if the main concern was the total number of parking spaces provided, or the need to provide a specific ratio of parking to floor area. Mr. Taranton explained that the center would like to have as close as possible a parking ratio of 5.0 per 1000 sq.ft., citing Urban Land Institute studies. In order to achieve this ratio compact car stalls would have to be used. He concluded that employees take up 15% of the parking and most drive small cars. Commissioner Richards argued that the compact stalls vs. regular stalls is not the issue. He further stated and Commissioner Wood concurred that the major department stores and applicant were most familiar with the center's needs and how best to resolve their problems. Chairman Kryder restated his feeling as to the impracticability of using compact car spaces. Chairman Kryder further noted that the creation of small car stalls appears to have been done solely to create an exaggerated and artificially high floor area/parking ratio. He added that the variance in question is actually based on the developers economic needs rather than on a real need for revision in parking lot standards and therefore is not a proper decision for the planning commission. On this basis, he suggested that it was a policy matter that could be more properly decided by the city council. AT THIS TIME COMMISSION REFERRED BACK TO PUBLIC HEARING ITEM "A" -- ZOA 07-82 Chairman Kryder asked if anyone wished to speak in FAVOR or OPPOSITION to this case. There being none, the public hearing was closed. Moved by Commissioner Wood, seconded by Commissioner Richards, to waive further reading and adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 810, recommending approval of ZOA 07-82. Carried unanimously 3-0. AT THIS TIME COMMISSION REFERRED BACK TO PUBLIC HEARING ITEM "B" -- DESERT VILLAGE ASSOCIATES Chairman Kryder asked if anyone wished to speak in FAVOR or OPPOSITION to this case. There being none, the public hearing was closed. Moved by Commissioner Richards, seconded by Commissioner Wood, to adopt findings for approval. Carried unanimously 3-0. Moved by Commissioner Richards, seconded by Commissioner Wood, to waive further reading and adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 811, recommending approval of GPA 02-82. Carried unanimously 3-0. Moved by Commissioner Richards, seconded by Commissioner Wood, to waive further reading and adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 812, recommending approval of C/Z 07-82. Carried unanimously 3-0. Moved by Commissioner Wood, seconded by Commissioner Richards, to waive -3- MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION JULY 20, 1982 further reading and adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 813, approving amendment to DP 12-79 (Amendment), subject to conditions. Carried 2-1 (Chairman Kryder voting Nay). VIII. DESIGN REVIEW BOARD ITEMS A. Preliminary plan approvals by the design review board at its meeting of July 13, 1982, requiring planning commission confirmation. Case No. 235 MF - MARIO LALLI - Preliminary approval of plans for a duplex dwelling at the northwest corner of Chicory and Shadow Mountain Drive. Mr. Smith reviewed the request and recommended approval. Moved by Commissioner Richards, seconded by Commissioner Wood, to approve design review board's action on Case No. 235 MF. Carried unanimously 3-0. B. Appeal of design review board action: Case No. 129 C - GREAT WESTERN SAVINGS (Gerald J. Chazan) - Appeal of design review board denial of June 22, 1982 oral report). Mr. Smith explained that this appeal is a result from a request for a pedestrian sign on the north side of the Great Western building facing Highway 111; design review board denied this request. Staff felt that because the sign would not be located in a pedestrian area and the total signage was utilized, it recommended denial. MR. AL COOK, architect and representative of Great Western, explained where the sign would be located noting that it would be used for pedestrians coming from surrounding buildings. Commissioner Richards felt Great Western had sufficient signage. Commissioner Wood asked staff to clarify as to whether the sign was or was not a pedestrian sign after hearing Mr. Cook's presentation. Staff did not feel it was defined as a pedestrian sign. Moved by Commissioner Wood, seconded by Commissioner Richards, to deny appeal. Carried unanimously 3-0. IX. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS A. Amendment to parking lot standards regarding compact car stalls. Discussion on this item was made under Public Hearing Item A. Moved by Commissioner Wood, seconded by Commissioner Richards, to approved revision to off-street parking standards to permit the use of compact stalls to offset parking requirements. Carried 2-1 (Chairman Kryder voting nay). X. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - NONE XI. COMMENTS Commission expressed concern with regard to commissioners' attendance. Chairman Kryder was requested to relate the concerns to the mayor. -4- MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION JULY 20, 1982 Chairman Kryder felt that a "graffiti ordinance" was needed for the city. Staff was instructed to prepare a report. XII. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Commissioner Wood, seconded by Commissioer Richards, to adjourn the meeting at 4:06 p.m. Carried unanimously 3-0. tow Ramon A. Diaz, Secretary ATTEST: o� Georg . Kryder, a rman /lr err -5-