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HomeMy WebLinkAbout0408 SPECIAL MEETING M[NUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING TUESDAY - APRII 8, 1986 7:00 P.M. - CIVIC CENTER COUNCIL CHAMBER � 73-510 FRED WARIMG DRIVE * . » . * * « * . » * » » « » * » � * « ,� * � ,� * * � NO STUDY SESSION WAS NELD PRIOR TO THE MEETING. 1 . CALL TO ORDER Chairman Crites called the meeting to order at 7: 12 p.m. li. PLEOGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Erwood lead in the pledge of allegiance. III. ROLL CALL Members Present: Buford Crites, Chairman 8ob Downs Richard Erwood Jim Richards Ralph Wood ,,�„ Members Absent: None Staff Present: Ray Diaz Dave Erwin Dick Folkers Tonya Monroe IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: No minutes were submitted for approval . V. SUMMARY OF COUNCIL ACTION There were no council meetings held since last planning cortxnission meeting. Vl . CONSENT CALENDAR NONE. 1 r..► MINUTES PALM DESERT PIANNING COMMISSION APRII 8, 1986 V1I . PUBLIC HEARINGS „�I A. Palm Desert High School Access Road - CITY OF PALM OESERT, Applicant Review a Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact. for the proposed access road that will serve as the principal access route to Palm Desert High School . Mr. Diaz explained that the purpose of this hearing was to receive cortmnents on the negative declaration of environmental impact for the project referred to as the Palm Oesert High School Road. He stated that the purpose af a negative declaration was to identify potential significant adverse impacts on the environment, list mitigation measures, and identify potential alternatives. He noted that it. was an unusual situation in that the traffic being pro,jected was not generated by this project, but by a previous project - the high school and the areas impacted by the traffic was a direct result of this project. Mr. Diaz explained that for purposes of discussion the project. is the access road which would extend Magnesia Falls Road easterly approximately l00 feet from the westerly property line of Palm Desert High School then southerly along to a point south of the � sports complex. He not.ed that as part of the negative declaration ASL Consulting Engineers was contracted by the city to r_omplete a traffic analysis for the project and alternatives. That study was entitled Palm Desert High School Traffic Study. Mr. Diaz indicated that the alternatives examined by the traffic study were: A. Cook Street (north) about 750 feet north of south property line of the school ; B. Extend Magnesia Falls Drive; C. Fred Waring C�rive midway between Cook and Deep Canyon; 0. Deep Canyon Road; E. Existing Cook Street access modified with secondary access road coming later as needed; F. Fred Waring north of Hidden Palms. He explained that ITE trip generation figures who trip generation factor of .71 , 1 .39, adn 2.49 average and maximum trip generation from a high school site. In terms of Palm Desert High School that would be 1280, 2502 and 4480 worst case scenario in addition to sports complex traffic of about 500 trips. Mr. Oiaz noted that the peak hour traffic flows would be 250, 490, and 970 morning and 110, 360, and 860 evening. He examined the initial study setting forth mitigation measures and explanations of "yes" and "maybe" columns. 2 � MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION APRtL 8, 1986 �" Commissioner Richards brought up the issue of the lawsuit between Valiey Palms and the Desert Sands Unified School District. He stated that the lawsuit does not involve the commission in their determination. Mr. Diaz indicated that the settlement agreement does not involve the commission, but the end result would. Commissioner Richards felt that the commission should look at the project. relative to the alternate sites and select a site regardless. Mr. Erwin concurred and indicated the commission should hear testimony and make a recommendation to council . Mr. Rod Reinen of AS� explained how the study was conducted and discussed the alternate routes. Commission asked if there was a response from Desert Sands Unified School District. Mr. Diaz answered that a letter was sent to the city manager, but not the planning commission. Commission asked if a�yone was present from the school district. Chairman Crites opened the public testimony. MR . RICHARD BECK, Desert Sands Unified School District Facilities Planner, addressed the commission and stated that a response had been sent. He felt that ASL did a fine job in �, evaluating traffic impacts in the area. He stated that the school district had no plans to impact residents to the west or south and indicated that it would be very difficult to make any changes to the plans. He informed the commission that the school district has had the site since 1965. He indicated the district would like to use any route acceptable to the city for the second access, but preferred "D" noting that on the general plan it is a four lane coilector street. He stated that they would not be initiating any road and that "A" would not be safe as indicated by the ASL report. He stated that after looking extensively into the matter and after receiving the ASL report, routes "D" and "E" were the only recourse. Commissioner Richards noted that Valley Palms was built long after 1965 and felt that they were probably told that something would be built in the future and asked that Mr. Beck explain why after all the considerations that had been done the school district would recommend the road next to single family residents. Mr, Beck stated that after studying the site extensively this was the most suitable. Cortxnissioner Richards felt that the sports complex parking lot could not be used. Mr. Beck indicated that the only other route suitable 3 �... MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION APRIL 8, 1986 , � ; � wouid be the area deve�oped for Cook Street. Commissioner Richards � noted that the wash couid present a problem. Chairman Crites suggested a variety of alternate "A" and asked why it could not work. Mr. Beck replied that it would be very difficult in time and money to revise the pians. Chairman Crites asked if anyone present wished to speak in FAVOR or OPPOSITION to the proposed. MR. DAVE COX, 74-277 Myrsine Avenue, expressed concern regarding traffic problems with children going to and from the sports complex f rom the grartmar and middle schools. He felt that traffic was bad for young people and asked the cortmission to consider the impact on Rutledge. He suggested route "A" off of Cook Street. MR. BRUCE JONES, 43-932 Silktree Lane, felt that the engineer had viable routes, but traffic on middle and elementery school was already bad. He felt that routes "F" and "C" off of Fred Waring would be better. HALE LUFT, Sacred Heart Church representative, expressed � concern regarding plan "D" and "B." He stated that Deep Canyon � Road and Fred Waring were very busy with traffic and expressed � concern for the noise level at school time. MR. JOHN MARSHALL, 43-200 Rutledge, expressed over the traffic being passed over to the elementary school . He felt that high school students should be able to look in both directions to cross the streets. STEVE CHAMBERS, Valley Palm Estates boardmember, felt that "A" was a viable alternative. He asked how many people in the room would like 2000 cars going past within 15 feet of their backyards and asked the commission to seriously consider "A." MRS. ANN CHAMBERS did not feel on road off Cook Street was going to make a difference. MR. JOE FEDICK, 74-355 Buttonwood, was concerned with "B" and "D. " He indicated that he gets traffic coming down their street. MS. IRENE GREE�Y, 74-479 Buttonwood, said that she knew what busses sound like and commented that now the commission wants 4 � � MINUTES PALM DESERT PIANNING COPIMISSION APRI! 8, 1986 �.,, to give her more. She also stated that with the Catholic school "6" and "D" have enough traffic and someone else needs to share, LINDA GERK(N, Ms. Greely's neighbor, stated that she was a bus driver and she indicated that there was no way for the buses to make right turns onto Monterey and Deep Canyon. She stated that she knew that traffic was bad and that busses are loud and suggested a stop sign or signal at Rutledge. DR. EUGENE SLAY, Sacred Heart Perish, stated that the perish is used every morning and evening, as well as for 250 children attending the CCD program. She expressed concern for any additional noise and traffic. MRS. ALANA TOWNSEND, 43-082 Silk Tree Lane, explained that her residence backed up to Magnesia Falls. She indicated that everyone had voiced her opinion on the use of "B" and "D." She stated that she understood the concern of Valley Palms with "E" and the noise and fumes from the busses. She felt that "A" was a good location and noted that there would be a bridge constructed on Cook Street. She noted that high school students can usually look both ways before crossing the street. She also felt that two access routes were needed. She indicated �► that as part of the public testimony someone stated that there was a major problem with moving road "E" anywhere. Mrs. Townsend stated that she spoke to the office of the state architect in Sacramento. She explained the situation to Mr. Naguchi , who then informed her that changes could be made within a couple of days after submittal . She indicated that if the commission was considering moving "E" to "A", that a change should not be used as an excuse for not allowing the access at „A.�� MR. ROMEO PUI.UQI stated that he was one of the peopie who has been trying to get the high school built and had made untold trips to Sacramento and worked very hard. He felt the majority of traffic came from Cook and Fred Waring and indicated traffic could come out at Cook. He strongly recommended that cortmission not delay the project any longer and make a decision. MR. STEVE SINDONI , 74-459 Buttonwood, suggested the use of "F." Ne felt this would avoid residential impacts on children and asked the commission to consider "F." Chairman Crites closed the public testimony. 5 �... MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION APRIL 8, 1986 ; � � A FIVE MINUTES RECESS WAS CALIED AT THIS POINT (8:58 P.M. ) Commissioner Wood felt there was a lot of interesting comments made by citizens and traffic engineer. He acknowledged Mr. Puluqi 's activity for the high school . He indicated that knowing the traffic and type of teenage drivers, students should get onto major thoroughfares as quickly as possible. He stated that his previous experience of traffic around a high school at quitti�g time has been that speed has been fast even in residential zones. Commissioner Downs concurred. Cortxnissioner Erwood felt that residential areas should be avoided. He stated �hat access off Cook Street as indicated on "A" and access onto Fred Waring Drive, whether using "F" or "C" or "C-modified." He felt that "A" was the best road and noted that the city was not a party to the lawsuit. He stated that "A" and "C" were best. Commissioner Richards felt two access routes were needed: one as a primary and one restricted. He asked Mr. Reinen what means were employed. Mr. Reinen indicated that there could be assigned parking for students and teachers with parking areas having separate access. ' Following further discussion Cortmissioner powns suggested "A" and "C" ,� with "E" for limited uses only. Commissioner Wood concurred. Chairman Crites expressed concern for line of sight safety from Cook Street at the wash. Ne asked if it could be made safe. Mr. Folkers indicated that a signal could be placed on Cook for the entrance at "A." Chafrman Crites indicated that "B" was a tortured circuitous route and "D" involved a small area of homes. He felt that "A" should be primary access, "C" or "C-modified" should be secondary, and "E" as a special event access, with attached conditions that "A" be signalized, appropriate measures be taken to mitigate a�y problems of internal cross traffic and pedestrian traffic that results in the use of entrance "A." Mr . Erwin indicated that commission would be recommending certification of the negative declaration to the city council by minute motion. Action: Moved by Commissioner Wood: seconded by Commissioner powns, recommending certification of the Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact to the city council , and designating route "A" 6 � MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION APR1L 8, 1986 `„ as primary access, route "C" or "C modified" as secondary access, and route "E" for special events access only. Carried 5-0. VIII . MISCELLANEOUS NONE. IX. ORAL COMMUN[CATIONS NONE. X. COMMENTS NONE. XI . ADJOURNMENT Moved by Commissioner Richards, seconded by Commissioner powns, +••+ adjourning the meeting. Carried 5-0. The meeting was ad,journed at 9:32 p.m. � � � �r'�''�✓i/�'� • � '..E''W"� RAMON A. DIAZ, Secret ATTEST: � , __�- � BUF "CRITES, Chairman /tm 7 �..