Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1218 MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING TUESDAY - DECEMBER 18, 1984 2:00 P.M. - CIVIC CENTER COUNCIL CHAMBER 73-510 FRED WARING DRIVE A STUDY SESSION WAS HELD PRIOR TO THE MEETING IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER CONFERENCE ROOM, AT 1:00 P.M. I. CALL TO ORDER tow The meeting was called to order at 2:07 p.m. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Erwood lead in the pledge of allegiance. III. ROLL CALL Members Present: Buford Crites, Chairman Bob Downs Richard Erwood James Richards Ralph Wood Members Absent: None Staff Members Present: Ray Diaz Doug Phillips Stan Sawa Steve Smith Phil Joy Al Cablay Tonya Monroe IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of the minutes of the December 4, 1984, meeting. Action: Moved by Commissioner Erwood, seconded by Commissioner Downs, to approve the minutes of December 4, 1984. Carried 4-0-1 (Commissioner Wood abstained.) V. SUMMARY OF COUNCIL ACTION Mr. Diaz reviewed council actions from its December 13 meeting. Commissioner Richards expressed concern over the approval of PP 84-20 after two denials from the planning commission. Chairman Crites clarified the city council's view. VI. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Case No. CUP 22-83, L'PALM HOTEL, Applicant Request for a one year time extension for CUP 22-83, located on E1 Paseo between Lupine and Sage Lane. Mr. Diaz reviewed the background of the case and recommended approval of the one-year time extension. Chairman Crites asked how many time extensions had been applied for previously. Mr. Diaz indicated that this was the first. Action: Moved by Commissioner Wood, seconded by Commissioner Downs, to approve the one year time extension. Carried 5-0. MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION DECEMBER 18, 1985 VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Case Nos. PP 84-49 and TT 20434 - R & B PROPERTIES, Applicant Request for approval of a precise plan of design, tentative tract map, and negative declaration of environmental impact to allow construction of a 36 unit condominium project on 7.25 acres in the PR-5 zone (planned residential, maximum five dwelling units per acre) on property located on the south side of Country Club Drive, approximately 250 feet east of Sagewood Avenue. Mr. Sawa reviewed the staff report and recommended approval with changes to the setback and joint driveway. Chairman Crites opened the public testimony and asked the applicant to address the commission. Since the applicant was not present Chairman Crites asked if anyone present wished to speak in FAVOR or OPPOSITION to this project. There were no persons wishing to speak. Mr. Diaz felt the public amenities should be upgraded. Commission felt that due to the absence of the applicant and unanswerable questions that should be dealt with this case should be continued to January 15, 1985. Action: Moved by Commissioner Richards, seconded by Commissioner Wood, to continue this case to the January 15, 1984, meeting at 2:00. Carried 5-0. B. Case Nos. CUP 84-11, C/Z 84-17 - DEEP CANYON LTD., Applicant .nW Request for approval of a conditional use permit and change of zone from R-3 to C-1 to allow conversion of manager's and owner's residences into hotel units at an existing hotel, located at the northwest corner of Deep Canyon and Abronia. Mr. Joy reviewed the staff report and suggested approval of the findings and adoption of Planning Commission Resolution No. 1019 recommending approval of CUP 84-11 and C/Z 84-17 to the city council. It was explained also that the applicant suggested placing a bond to assure that the parking would be provided next summer, not during the "season." Commissioner Wood asked for and received clarification on the reason for the bond. Commissioner Richards felt that the parking had not changed significantly. He suggested that the four additional parking spaces be left until staff monitored the parking activities during this season. If problems occured, the additional parking spaces could be added after review. Chairman Crites asked if there would no longer be an off-site manager. Mr. Joy replied that there would still be a manager. Mr. Joy also indicated that conditions #4 and #7 would be deleted because they no longer applied to the project. Chairman Crites opened the public hearing and asked the applicant to address the ' commission. MR. WAYNE GURALNICK, 74-399 Highway 111, Palm Desert, attorney for the project said that he concurred with the staff report and requested approval. He thanked the commission regarding the retention on landscaping and suggested a bond be posted. After a study if the parking was not needed, the bond could be released. -2- MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION DECEMBER 18, 1985 Chairman Crites asked if anyone present wished to speak in FAVOR or OPPOSITION to the project. There being none, the public testimony was closed. Mr. Phillips suggested that the applicant post a bond; if it is not required, then the bond for the amount of the improvements could be released. Mr. Diaz indicated that the amount of $4,000 would be sufficient. *Now The applicant indicated approval with this amount. Action: Moved by Commissioner Wood, seconded by Commissioner Erwood, to adopt the findings as modified. Carried 4-0-1 (Commissioner Richards abstained.) Moved by Commissioner Wood, seconded by Commissioner Erwood, to adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 1019, as modified, recommending to the city council approval of CUP 84-11, C7—Z-8 4-17, and a Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact as it pertains thereto. Carried 4-0-1 (Commissioner Richards abstained.) C. Case No. CUP 84-10 - CRIS-LINDA, INC., Applicant Request for approval of a conditional use permit to modify parking requirements to allow the establishment of a 2,742 square foot restaurant within the C-1, (General Commercial) zone located in the San Luis Rey Commercial Complex, 73-725 El Paseo. Mr. Smith gave a visual presentation and reviewed the staff report for the low commission. Staff recommended approval of the proposed conditional use permit. Chairman Crites opened the public testimony and asked the applicant to address the commission. MR. STEVE RAISCHER, project manager, requested approval of the project. Chairman Crites asked if anyone present wished to speak in FAVOR or OPPOSITION to this request. There being none, the public testimony was closed. Action: Moved by Commissioner Richards, seconded by Commissioner Downs, to approve the findings as presented by staff. Carried 5-0. Moved by Commissioner Richards, seconded by Commissioner Downs, adopting Planning Commission Resolution No. 1020, approving Conditional Use Permit 84- 10, subject to conditions. Carried 5-0. D. Case No. CUP 84-12 - ANTHONY RICCIO, Applicant Request for approval of a conditional use permit to allow a restaurant, deli, and lounge operation to occupy 2,100 square feet in the C-1 (general commercial zone) located at 73-703 Highway 111. *00 Mr. Smith gave a presentation with the use of the video equipment and outlined the staff report. Staff felt that the findings could be met and recommended approval. Commissioner Downs asked if there would be any major changes to the exterior of the building. Mr. Smith replied that only the interior would be renovated at this time. Commissioner Downs felt that the roof equipment duct work should be camouflaged with paint. -3- MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION DECEMBER 18, 1985 Chairman Crites suggested that if exterior work was done in the future, some type of screening would be added. Chairman Crites opened the public testimony and asked the applicant to address the commission and asked him if he objected to the duct work being painted. MR. ANTHONY RICCIO, applicant, expressed no objection. a Chairman Crites asked if anyone present wished to speak in FAVOR or OPPOSITION to this case. There being none, the public testimony was closed. Action: Moved by Commissioner Wood, seconded by Commissioner Downs, to approve the findings as presented by staff. Carried 5-0. Moved by Commissioner Wood, seconded by Commissioner Downs, adopting Planning Commission Resolution No. 1021, approving Conditional Use Permit 84- 12, subject to conditions. Carried 5-0. E. Case No. ZOA 84-3 - CITY OF PALM DESERT, Applicant Request for approval of an amendment to the Municipal Code, Chapter 25.68, concerning the regulation of signs. Mr. Diaz addressed the commission by suggesting that the commission direct the questions regarding political signs be addressed to the city attorney. Commissioner Downs wanted to know what the requirements were for state law and what the city was requiring. Chairman Crites clarified this by asking if state law was permissive. Mr. Phillips replied that a new United States law states that a city may prohibit political signs in public areas. Commissioner Downs felt that the amendments should be changed to the Downs Amendments. Chairman Crites opened the public testimony and asked if anyone present wished to speak in FAVOR or OPPOSITION. Commissioner Erwood expressed concern regarding political signs in subsection E and the 45 day time limit justification and that Mr. Diaz should have specific standards for special event signs. Commissioner Richards asked if the commission had the right to control the signs that were located in Palm Desert. Mr. Phillips replied that the city cannot impose on content or basically as content neutral as possible. Mr. Diaz indicated that clarification was needed as to size. Mr. Phillips also stated that it was improper to request a fee for political signs. Commissioner Richards volunteered to head a special committee to review this matter. He felt that the areas in the present sign ordinance in conflict with state or constitutional law and political signs be studied. Chairman Crites appointed the commission to sit as a committee with Commissioner Richards as chairman for the Adhock Sign Ordinance Committee. Mr. Phillips advised advertising the meeting by public notice. Commissioner Richards suggested 12:00 on January 15, 1985, for the Ad Hock Sign Ordinance Committee and requested a sign ordinance for each commissioner. -4- MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION DECEMBER 18, 1985 Action: Moved by Commissioner Downs, seconded by Commissioner Richards, to continue this matter to the meeting of January 15, 1985, at 12:00 p.m. VIII. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS %how A. Report on status of conditions of approval for Foundation for the Retarded of the Desert. Mr. Diaz reported that the conditions of the previous approval had been complied with. IX. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS NONE X. COMMENTS A. Commissioner Downs suggested that better coverage for the sign ordinance press release and stated that public imput was needed. Commissioner Wood suggested placing a 3 x 5 advertisement. Moved by Commissioner Wood, seconded by Commissioner Downs, to put a 3 x 5 advertisement in the paper. Carried 5-0. Mr. Diaz indicated that if this is done, it would be better to continue this matter to the first night meeting in February and at the January 15 meeting meet with only the city attorney. B. Mr. Diaz explained that the city council instructed staff to prepare an environmental impact report on the Westar project. He explained the time involved for this process and indicated that it would come to the commission for discussion. Chairman Crites felt that the city attorney present at the city council meeting did not explain all options of the case. Mr. Diaz replied that the city attorney preferred the environmental report over any other options. Chairman Crites felt that discussion regarding the scope and quality of legal advice to council was needed. C. Mr. Diaz indicated places on the zoning map that were not consistent with the general plan. D. Commission discussed the need for a four-way stop at Plaza Way and E1 Paseo. Mr. Cablay indicated that the matter had been before the traffic committee and the decided that because of the traffic volume that a four- way stop was not warranted. Commission suggested that the matter be brought before the traffic committee again. .r Commission also discussed the traffic at McDonald's and and possibility of having the ingress at Crocker Bank made two way. XI. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Commissioner Richards, seconded by Commissioner Downs, to adjourn the meeting. Carried 5-0. -5- MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION DECEMBER 18, 1985 The meeting was adjourned at 4:18 p.m. RAMON A. DIAZ, SecretW ATTEST: BUFORD CRITES,"Chairman r' Am 1 -6-