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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1201 MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING TUESDAY - DECEMBER 1, 1987 7:00 P.M. - CIVIC CENTER COUNCIL CHAMBER 73-510 FRED HARING DRIVE NO STUDY SESSION WAS HELD. I. CALL TO ORDER Vice Chairman Richards called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. 11. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Downs led in the pledge of allegiance. III. ROLL CALL Members Present: Jim Richards, Vice Chairman Bob Downs Faith Ladlow Carol Whitlock Members Absent: Rick Erwood Staff Present: Ray Diaz Tim Connor va. Kandy Allen Catherine Sass Phil Joy Joe Gaugush Tonya Monroe IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: No minutes were submitted for review. V. SUMMARY OF COUNCIL ACTION Mr. Diaz explained there was no council meeting since the last planning commission meeting. VI . CONSENT CALENDAR None. 1.r MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION DECEMBER 1, 1987 MW VII . PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Continued Case No. PP 87-32 and VAR 87-3 - MIRALESTE INVESTMENT CORP., Applicant Request for approval to construct a 1467 square foot office building on the northwest corner of Highway III and Cabrillo Avenue. Mr. Diaz explained that this was continued from the last meeting to allow for proper legal notification to be completed. Ms. Sass outlined the salient points of the staff report and informed commission that public works condition #10 should be amended to read six feet instead of eight feet. Staff recommended approval . Mr. Gaugush concurred. Upon request for clarification by Commissioner Whitlock regarding community development condition #3, Ms. Sass explained that the three foot wall was a customary condition of C-1 next to residential development. Commissioner Ladlow asked about the color of the building and Vice Chairman Richards indicated that the architect could address that question. Vice Chairman Richards opened the public testimony and asked the applicant to address the commission. MR. CHARLES MARTIN, 40-840 Thunderbird in Rancho Mirage, responded to Commissioner Ladlow's question stating that the building would be tan and not pink and the glass would not be turquoise. Vice Chairman Richards asked Mr. Martin if there were any tenants. Mr. Martin replied that the owner would be occupying one space and responding to Commissioner Ladlow's inquiring, indicated there would be stucco and described the overhang. MR. MARK PICKING, 72-600 Fred Waring, stated that they were thinking of occupying two spaces themselves and that would leave one space for an office professional use. Vice Chairman Richards informed the applicant that he would not like to see a retail use in that location because of inadequate parking. 2 .� MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION DECEMBER 1, 1987 r.r Mr. Picking stated that they would not be looking for a retail use for a tenant. Vice Chairman Richards asked if anyone present wished to speak in FAVOR or OPPOSITION to the proposed. There being no one, Vice Chairman Richards closed the public testimony. Action: Moved by Commissioner Downs, seconded by Commissioner Whitlock, adopting the findings as presented by staff. Carried 4-0. Moved by Commissioner Downs, seconded by Commissioner Whitlock, adopting Planning Commission Resolution No. 1264, approving PP 87-32 and VAR 87-3, subject to conditions as amended. Carried 4-0. B. Case No. PM 23056 - PALM DESERT VILLAS, INC., Applicant Request for approval of a two lot parcel map for financing purposes for a 113 unit senior housing project on 7.2 acres located on the south side of Country Club Drive, 1600 feet east of Monterey Avenue. taw Mr. Diaz explained the request and outlined the salient points of the staff report. Vice Chairman Richards requested clarification regarding minimum studio size. Mr. Diaz explained that 450 square feet was the established minimum and informed the commission they could reject this if commission felt it was not appropriate in this case. Commissioner Whitlock asked if the number of occupants could be limited. Mr. Connor stated that commission could add that as a condition of the development agreement. Vice Chairman Richards asked if it is enforceable. Mr. Diaz replied yes, as delineated in the development agreement. Upon further request for clarification, Mr. Connor noted that it is controlled by the health and safety code and civil action can be taken against the applicant. Commissioner Ladlow asked if this was for seniors only and if this would set a precedent. Mr. Diaz replied that it is for seniors only and would not set a precedent. Vice Chairman Richards opened the public testimony and asked the applicant to address the commission. r. 3 MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION DECEMBER 1 , 1987 MR. RON GUILLERY, 39-448 Palm Springs Drive in Palm Desert, stated that he had nothing else to add and was present to answer any questions. He also informed commission that he would agree to the addition to the development agreement that the 450 square foot studio apartments would by occupied by only one person and stated that these units are for senior citizens. Vice Chairman Richards asked if anyone present wished to speak in FAVOR or OPPOSITION to the proposed. There being no one, the public testimony was closed. Action: Moved by Commissioner Whitlock, seconded by Commissioner Ladlow, adopting the findings as presented by staff. Carried 4-0. Moved by Commissioner Whitlock, seconded by Commissioner Ladlow, adopting Planning Commission Resolution No. 1265, approving PM 23058 and recommending to council adoption of the development agreement as amended. Carried 4-0. C. Case No. TT 22712 - SAM ALACANO, Applicant Request for approval of a 100 lot residential r/ subdivision and negative declaration of environmental impact located on the north side of Hovley Lane, 2,000 feet east of Portola Avenue (west of Casablanca) . Mr. Diaz outlined the salient points of the staff report and expressed concern for installing an exterior wall to surround the project and creating a double wall in one area. He stated that a condition could be added that a six foot masonry wall be constructed along the perimeter of the project. He also explained that applicant is being required to pay for an additional travel lane between his project and the Germain project to the west and that staff believes that this condition is appropriate in that when this development occurs, there will be traffic generated on Hovley Lane, creating the need for additional improvements. Mr. Diaz indicated that a reimbursement agreement should be recorded that when the two vacant lots develop, the applicant will be repaid at a one to one cost. Mr. Gaugush also indicated that public works condition ##23 should be amended to read that Hovley Lane street improvements shall include the construction of AC paving to a width of twenty-four feet north of the Hovley Lane center line from the westerly project boundary to the existing improvements of Tract 21791 . The subdivider shall enter 4 i■rll MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION DECEMBER 1, 1987 tr.r into a reimbursement agreement with the city to provide for reimbursement of only the actual construction costs associated with the fulfillment of this condition. Mr. Diaz stated that the applicant should also address the issue of two story development. Commissioner Whitlock asked for and received clarification regarding the amount of open space being provided. Vice Chairman Richards informed commission that study was being done on some of the open space requirements and felt that in the ordinance there are some sections that need revision. Vice Chairman Richards opened the public testimony and asked if the applicant wished to address the commission. MR. MARK MORAN, 54-510 Avenida Rupio in La Quinta, stated that the homeowners association was contacted in Casablanca and described the recreational amenities to be provided. He also stated that the potential developer is from outside the area, but possesses extensive experience in California. He informed commission that the two story units would be in the middle of the project and next to San Tropez. Mr. Moran indicated that staff recommended that persons purchasing homes and lots be informed of the two story units and found this acceptable. He r requested that they be allowed to work with staff to eliminate one of the walls, preferably extending their property to the existing wall , and provide landscaping. Mr. Diaz requested the name of the potential developer. Mr. Moran replied Kaufman & Broad, in conjunction with the Lyle Fain Companies out of Warwick, Rhode island. Upon questioning by Vice Chairman Richards, Mr. Moran indicated that they wished to provide two story units because of some irregular lot configurations. Vice Chairman Richards did not feel the two story units and lot configurations were indicative of city goals. Commissioner Whitlock asked about the number of exits and Mr. Moran replied there are two. Vice Chairman Richards asked if anyone present wished to speak in FAVOR or opposition to the proposed. MR. MARK NETTLEY, resident of Casablanca, informed commission that he works for Best, Best & Krieger, but was present as a board member of the homeowners association. He indicated that his concern regarding the two-story structures had been addressed, since they would be away from Casablanca. He also expressed concern regarding an urgent need for a traffic signal at Monterey to be installed immediately, and a sight distance 5 MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION DECEMBER 1, 1987 problem which could be addressed by adoption of a condition requiring grading the hill down and indicated that there has been many near accidents at the church. He also expressed concern regarding the double wall and it foot drop. He stated that they are working with the developer to eliminate one wall and provide landscaping, but the matter has not been resolved. Mr. Nettley also noted that the map calls for a 20 feet setback that was not included in the conditions and requested that it be added. Vice Chairman Richards informed Mr. Nettley of the city's study to use Monterey Avenue and Cook Street to allow traffic in and out of the city and would not be in favor of a traffic signal . He indicated that it was a situation where a small group of people would benefit from the signal versus no signal to benefit the whole city. Mr. Nettley felt that the additional light would not impede through traffic. MR. VICTOR VILLENEUVE, 43-349 Juaquin, spoke as the engineer representing the applicant and addressed the issue of the sight-distance problem. He explained that the grade would be up 4 112 feet at Casablanca and would make a gradual drop of 6 112 feet, which would change the profile of Hovley lane and eliminate this problem. Mr. Villeneuve also reviewed the rr location of the two-story units. Vice Chairman Richards did not feel the two-story units were appropriate and suggested an alternative of waiving setback requirements on the odd-shaped lots and reduce the units to one story. Mr. Diaz stated that this is allowable in the planned residential zone. Vice Chairman Richards asked if anyone else present wished to address the commission. There being no one, he closed the public testimony. Commissioner Downs concurred with the deletion of the two-story units and felt that a common wall was needed. Commissioner Whitlock asked if there was anything the city could do to reduce the sight-distance problem at the church. Mr. Gaugush stated that the grading to be done goes beyond the limits of the subdivision and would include eliminating the problem at the church. Vice Chairman Richards stated that he would like a condition added to the effect that whatever medium is used for the wa l l be uniform 6 MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION DECEMBER 1, 1987 �.. throughout the development. Mr. Diaz summarized a condition that the applicant and/or development shall submit to the department of community development a draft document informing home buyers which units are receiving setback modifications and indicated the resolution should be amended to delete any reference to two story unit, which makes the maximum building height 15 feet, unless higher height is approved by the architectural review commission. Commissioner Whitlock asked if condition ##23 should be modified to include east, and Mr. Diaz replied no, that the city would be providing that portion. Mr. Diaz indicated that the public hearing could remain closed, commission could adopt the findings, and adopt the resolution at the next meeting to allow staff to rework some of the conditions of approval . Vice Chairman Richards asked the applicant if a two-week continuance was acceptable. Mr. Moran concurred. Action: Moved by Commissioner Downs, seconded by Commissioner Whitlock, adopting the findings as presented by staff and instructing staff to amend the resolution's conditions of approval for adoption on December 15, 1987. Carried 4-0. VIII. MISCELLANEOUS None. IX. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None. X. COMMENTS None. 7 MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION DECEMBER 1, 1987 XI. ADJOURNMENT �1 Moved by Commissioner Downs, seconded by Commissioner Ladlow, adjourning the meeting. Carried 4-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:23 p.m. RAMON A. DIAZ, Sec tar ATTEST: RICHARD ERWOOD, Chairman /tm r 8