Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout0716 MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING TUESDAY - JULY 16, 1985 2:00 P.M. - CIVIC CENTER COUNCIL CHAMBER 73-510 FRED HARING DRIVE s s s • s s s • s s s s s s a s ♦ * s s s s s s s • a THERE WAS NO STUDY SESSION HELD PRIOR TO THE MEETING. 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Crites called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. II . PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Richards led in the pledge of allegiance. III. ROLL CALL Members Present: Buford Crites, Chairman Richard Erwood Jim Richards Bob Downs Ralph Wood +` Members Absent: None Staff Present: Ray Diaz Doug Phillips Stan Sawa Steve Smith Dick Folkers Barry McClellan Donna Gomez IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Consideration of minutes from the meeting of July 2, 1985. Action: Moved by Commissioner Downs, seconded by Commissioner Wood to approve the minutes as written. Carried 4-0-1 (Chairman Crites abstaining) . V. SUMMARY OF COUNCIL ACTION Mr. Diaz summarized the council action from its meeting of July 11 , 1985. VI . CONSENT CALENDAR vow NONE MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION JULY 16, 1985 aw VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Continued Case Nos. PP 85-13 and PM 20894 BIRTCHER-DUNHAM, Applicant Approval of a negative declaration of environmental impact, precise plan of design and parcel map to allow six restaurants containing 40,000 square feet of floor area total and a three story hotel containing 120 rooms on 8.8 acres in the PC (4) (planned resort commercial ) zone located on land bounded by Highway 111 , Fred Waring Drive and the Palm Valley Storm Channel . Mr. Sawa outline the background of the case and noted that the hotel portion of the project was being withdrawn. He also indicated that staff was recommending approval subject to added conditions. Commissioner Wood questioned what would be done with the site where the hotel was proposed and asked if it could be landscaped. Mr. Diaz indicated that the site would be left vacant until another hotel operator came forward. As for the landscaping, the applicant could provide it on the Highway III frontage. Chairman Crites asked if there was a guarantee that this site would be used for the construction of a hotel . Mr. Diaz felt that the commission could require that this site only be used for the construction of a hotel . Chairman Crites asked Mr. Dunham if he would be opposed to this requirement. Chairman Crites opened the public testimony and asked the applicant if he wished to address the commission. MR. CURT DUNHAM indicated that he would have no objection to that requirement and that he would be willing to landscape the Highway III frontage. If he were required to landscape the complete 3 acre site it would be very difficult to maintain it. He suggested that he landscape 10 to 15 feet near the wash. Commissioner Richards stated that he did not like developments coming in 2 �► MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION JULY 16, 1985 w in pieces at a time. He didn't think that one of the restaurants was the resort commercial type that we would want in that area. Chairman Crites asked if anyone wished to speak in FAVOR or OPPOSITION to the proposed project. MR. SANDY BAUM addressed the commission and indicated that Mr. Dunham had presented these plans to the Board of Realtors and that they had granted their approval . Commissioner Wood had no problems with the idea of approving the restau- rant site now and requiring the hotel site to be reserved for another hotel occupant. He thought there was no reason to hold up the rest of the project. Commissioner Wood indicated that the Year 2000 Committee has recommended approval of the restaurant portion and that the commission should move ahead with the project. Commissioner Richards noted that he would like to see some type of written recommendation and be able to talk to someone from the Year 2000 Committee. He indicated that it would be helpful for the commission to know who serves on the committee and who is present at the time the voting takes place. +�+ Chairman Crites suggested that the commission move this item to the discussion section of the meeting. Chairman Crites closed the public testimony. Chairman Crites indicated that he felt uncomfortable about approving a portion of the project and saying what can or cannot be done with the remaining portion. Commissioner Erwood noted that some of the findings for denial would be too many compact parking spaces, driving lanes were too narrow and the open space is insufficient. He also indicated that the project should be approved as a complete project. Commissioner Downs stated that if the commission were to approve ,just the restaurants with the vacant site to be reserved for a hotel , the commission will still have to approve the hotel in the future. Commissioner Richards indicated that if Mr. Dunham could secure a hotel operator then there might be adequate findings for approval . MR. CURT DUNHAM stated that it is difficult to get a hotel operator to come into this project when the site is not 3 MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION JULY 16, 1985 VW approved for their use. He indicated that he was going to appeal the planning commission decision to city council . Mr. Diaz informed Mr. Dunham that he had 15 days to file an appeal . Action: It was moved by Commissioner Richards, seconded by Commissioner Erwood to deny this case. Carried 3-2 (Commissioners' Downs and Wood opposed) . B. Continued Case No. PP 85-17 - PALM DESERT TOWN CENTER ASSOCIATES, Applicant Request for approval of a negative declaration of environ- mental impact and an amendment to the approved development plan at the Palm Desert Town Center to allow construction of an expanded department store ( 132,000 square feet versus the previously approved 94,000 square feet) , including a third level (basement) . Mr. Diaz outlined the background of the case and indicated that staff was recommending approval . Commissioner Richards noted that the shortage in parking had changed from 60-75 spaces to 14 spaces which was basis for denial at the last hearing. Mr. Smith explained that the revised parking plan had been received just before the last meeting, after the writing of the staff report. Chairman Crites opened the public testimony and asked if the applicant wished to address the commission. MR. ERNIE HAHN indicated that the Robinson Store wished to expand in order to provide their full line. He stated that for the next period of time they are going to find some use for the rear property. At the end of this year or early next year he will be coming in for approval of a parking structure. Mr. Hahn also explained that Penney's wants to increase 50,000 feet and May Company wants to expand two levels in the future. Commissioner Downs informed Mr. Hahn that the commission is trying to help this parking structure get built and would like it to remain in the thinking for the future. Commissioner Wood suggested that the employees use the rear parking lot to allow the more convenient parking for customers. 4 MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION JULY 16, 1985 Commissioner Richards thanked Mr. Hahn for attending the meeting and presenting an outline of the proposal . Chairman Crites asked if anyone wished to speak in FAVOR or OPPOSITION to the proposed project. Hearing no one the public testimony was closed. _Action: Moved by Commissioner Richards, seconded by Commissioner Downs approving the findings as presented by staff. Carried 5-0 Moved by Commissioner Richards, seconded by Commissioner Downs adopting Planning Commission Resolution No. 1060, approving PP 85-17, subject to conditions. Carried 5-0 C. Case No. TT 20960 - SILVER SPUR ASSOCIATES, Applicant Request for approval of a negative declaration of environ- mental impact and a tentative tract map to create 20 single family lots on approximately 13. 1 acres in the PR-7 (planned residential , 20,000 square foot minimum lot size) zones located south of Portola Avenue and west of Irontree Drive. �.. Mr. Sawa outlined the case and indicated that staff was recommending approval subject to conditions. Commissioner Wood stated that he did not see anything that would need adjustment or alteration in the plans. Chairman Crites opened the public testimony and asked if the applicant wished to address the commission. MR. LARRY SPICER, 49-200 Mariposa Drive. stated that this request, if approved, would allow him to upgrade this site. He noted that it is also his intent to annex this into the property owner's association. Commissioner Richards was concerned about the setback requirements being violated. He stated that they are standard setbacks that should be implemented. He also questioned if these lots were on hillside property. MR. LARRY SPICER advised the commission that approximately 10 feet of land slopes about 5%. Chairman Crites asked if anyone wished to speak in FAVOR or OPPOSITION to the proposed project. Hearing no one he closed the public testimony. 5 MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION JULY 16, 1985 �I► Action: Moved by Commissioner Wood, seconded by Commissioner Downs adopting the findings as presented by staff. Carried 5-0 Moved by Commissioner Wood, seconded by Commissioner Downs, adopting Planning Commission Resolution No. 1061 , subject to conditions. Carried 5-0. D. Case No. C/Z 85-2 H.F. AHMANSON & COMPANY, Applicant Approval of a negative declaration of environmental impact and a change of zone from PR-6 S.P. (planned residential , max. 6 du/acre, scenic preservation overlay) to PC (3) S.P. (planned regional commercial scenic preservation overlay) for 15.26 acres on land bounded by the Palm Valley Storm Channel , El Paseo, Fred Waring Drive and Highway 111 . Mr. Sawa outlined the case and indicated that staff was recommending approval . Chairman Crites opened the public hearing and asked if the applicant wished to address the commission. MR. CRAIG PAIGE indicated that he concurred with the staff recommendations and requested that commission grant approval . Chairman Crites asked if anyone wished to speak in FAVOR or OPPOSITION to the proposed change of zone. Hearing no one he closed the public testimony. Action: Moved by Commissioner Wood, seconded by Commissioner Erwood adopting the findings as presented by staff. Carried 5-0 Moved by Commissioner Wood, seconded by Commissioner Downs, adopting Planning Commission Resolution No. 1062, recommending approval of C/Z 85-2 to city council . Carried 5-0 VIII. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS Mr. Diaz asked if the commission had any comments on the planning commission remuneration. Commissioner Wood asked Mr. Diaz what he had found out on this item. 6 MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION JULY 16, 1985 Mr. Diaz indicated that some cities pay all commissions and that some pay only planning commission, some pay a lot and some pay a little. Commissioner Downs said that the commission should pursue receiving remuneration. Commissioner Richards stated that he did not wish to receive remuneration. Moved by Commissioner Wood, seconded by Commissioner Erwood to ask the chairman to contact the city manager to discuss planning commission remuneration. This should also be followed up with city council . Carried 3-2 (Commissioners' Downs and Richards opposed) . IX. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS NONE X. COMMENTS Commissioner Richards questioned the procedures of the Year 2000 Committee and indicated that sometimes these committee's are made up of one or two people who make the decisions. r..r Mr. Diaz stated that the committee does not have any decision making authority. They are there to offer suggestions. Commissioner Wood indicated that he would like to see someone from the committee attend the planning commission meeting to present their reasons for support or nonsupport. Chairman Crites asked if the subcommittee's had turned in their mission statement reports. Mr. Diaz replied that they had been turned in. Mr. Sandy Baum, who serves on the Commercial Resort Subcommittee, indi- cated that the committee thought that the hotel was unacceptable but they would approve the site plan. He stated that the committee has asked the city council and city manager for some direction as to what the respon- sibilities of this committee are. Commissioner Wood thought that the commission should not receive any recommendations from any civic groups unless a written notice is addressed directly to the commission. Chairman Crites suggested that any group with comments should state the +.. 7 MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION JULY 16. 1985 reasons for support or nonsupport in written form and that someone be present at the commission meetings to answer questions. Commissioner Richards indicated that it should also be stated in written form who is on the committee and who was present at the time the vote took place. Chairman Crites asked Mr. Diaz if he would draft a letter, by the second meeting in August, that would include the information a civic group must provide if they wish to submit their suggestions to the planning commission. Mr. Diaz concurred. XI. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Commissioner Downs, seconded by Commissioner Wood to adjourn the meeting at 4:00 p.m. Carried 5-0 "BUFORD_-CRITES, Chairman ATTEST: RAMON A. DIAZ, Secre /dlg 8