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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1016 MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING TUESDAY - OCTOBER 16, 1990 7:00 P.M. - CIVIC CENTER COUNCIL CHAMBER 73-510 FRED WARING DRIVE CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Whitlock called the meeting to order at 7: 12 p.m. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Erwood led in the pledge of allegiance. III. ROLL CALL Members Present: Carol Whitlock, Chairperson Bob Downs Rick Erwood Sabby Jonathan Jim Richards Members Absent: None Staff Present: Ray Diaz Kandy Allen Phil Joy Steve Smith Joe Gaugush �r Tonya Monroe IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Consideration of the October 2, 1990 meeting minutes. Action: Moved by Commissioner Downs, seconded by Commissioner Richards, approving the October 2, 1990 meeting minutes as submitted. Carried 4-0-1 (Commissioner Erwood abstained) . V. SUMMARY OF COUNCIL ACTION Mr. Diaz summarized pertinent October 11, 1990 city council actions. VI. CONSENT CALENDAR None. MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION OCTOBER 16, 1990 VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Continued Case No. PP 90-16 - J & P DEVELOPMENT, Applicant Request for approval of a precise plan of design and negative declaration of environmental impact to allow construction of a 64, 200 square foot mixed use commercial complex in the C-1 zone on the south side of Highway 111 at the city' s western boundary. Mr. Diaz noted that the applicant was requesting a continuance to November 6, 1990. Mr. Smith indicated that the applicant was evaluating the feasibility of the project with the requested reduction. Chairperson Whitlock opened the public testimony and asked if anyone wished to address the commission in FAVOR or OPPOSITION to the proposal. There was no one. Action: Moved by Commissioner Jonathan, seconded by Commissioner Richards, continuing PP 90-16 to November 6, 1990. Carried 5-0. .rr► B. Continued Case No. CUP 90-18 - WEBCO DEVELOPMENT CORP. , Applicant Request for approval of a Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact, conditional use permit and development agreement associated with a 22 unit senior apartment project on .93 acres on the east side of San Rafael south of Catalina Way. Mr. Diaz outlined the salient points of the staff report and recommended approval . Chairman Whitlock opened the public testimony and asked the applicant to address the commission. MR. A. J. WIGGINS of Webco Development, informed commission that he was present to answer any questions. 2 . MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION OCTOBER 16, 1990 Chairperson Whitlock asked if anyone wished to speak in FAVOR or OPPOSITION to the proposal. There was no one and the public testimony was closed. Action: Moved by Commissioner Downs, seconded by Commissioner Jonathan, approving the findings as presented by staff. Carried 5-0. Moved by Commissioner Downs, seconded by Commissioner Jonathan, adopting Planning Commission Resolution No. 1476, approving CUP 90-18 and associated development agreement, subject to conditions. Carried 5-0. C. Case No. TT 26392 - ARTHOFER ENTERPRISES, INC. , Applicant Request for approval of a 16 lot single family subdivision south of Hovley Lane 1200 feet west of Portola. Mr. Joy outlined the salient points of the staff report, informed commission that item nos. 10 and 11 under the fire marshal conditions should be deleted and recommended approval . Commission and staff discussed R-1 8, 000 requirements versus those of R-1 10, 000 and the effect on the project. Chairperson Whitlock opened the public testimony and asked the applicant to address the commission. MR. RICHARD GUNDERSON, 777 Tahquitz #301 in Palm Springs, indicated that the project would be a standard subdivision based on surrounding projects and indicated that a restriction of R-1 8, 000 setbacks would limit the width of the homes or substantially reduce the number of lots. Chairperson Whitlock asked if anyone wished to speak in FAVOR or OPPOSITION to the proposal . There was no one and the public testimony was closed. Mr. Diaz informed commission that the city council had instructed staff to look at all issues of side yards pertaining to "R" zoning. He noted that because of the size of the five acre lots, the developer was penalized for developing a lower density project. 3 MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION OCTOBER 16, 1990 Commissioner Jonathan expressed concern that setbacks be stringent enough so that a "squished" look could be avoided. �1 Mr. Joy informed commission that the project on Monterey that developed with smaller setbacks was a concession to the street widening dedication that the city required. Commissioner Richards asked about height and Mr. Joy replied that the project would be single story, 15 ' -18 ' and would be reviewed by the architectural commission. Commissioner Richards asked Mr. Gunderson if he expected to sell to families or retired people and Mr. Gunderson indicated that in other projects they have been getting a mix of families and second home residents, although there were more and more families and he felt more retirees were buying into country clubs. 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. 1477, approving TT 26392, subject to conditions. Carried 5-0. D. Case Nos. TT 26123, PP 90-21 and Development Agreement - SUNRISE DESERT PARTNERS, Applicant Request for approval of a vesting tentative tract map, precise plan of design, draft development agreement and negative declaration of environmental impact as it pertains thereto for a 1278 unit residential condominium development and related amenities on 637 acres located between Country Club Drive and 42nd Avenue and between E1 Dorado Drive and Oasis Club Drive. Mr. Smith outlined the salient points of the staff report, noting some changes to the public works conditions of approval. He also indicated that right before the meeting staff received a letter from Mr. Ralph Santopietro expressing concern about the environmental documentation. Staff felt that adequate response was given in the report and from the environmental impact report done by the Riverside County north and east of the proposed project. Staff was satisfied with 4 rr1► MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION OCTOBER 16, 1990 the environmental documentation that had been done and recommended approval of the project. Chairperson Whitlock asked for clarification regarding the development agreement and Ms. Allen felt it was premature to approve the development agreement and recommended continuance of said agreement to the next meeting. Commissioner Richards asked for the purpose of the development agreement and did not feel adequate time had been given to respond to the letter received. Mr. Smith stated that the applicant could address the issue of the development agreement and Mr. Diaz stated that the letter received was appropriately addressed and indicated that staff prepared a negative declaration of environmental impact after determining the project would not have a significant negative impact on the environment and the request for an environmental impact report was not appropriate. Commissioner Richards requested that staff spend more time evaluating the concerns in the letter. Chairperson Whitlock opened the public testimony and asked the applicant to address the commission. MR. ALAN LEVINE, representing Sunrise Desert Partners at 42-600 Cook Street in Palm Desert, MR. DALE VELOSHON, the landscape architect, and MR. VEN ROVER, described the proposed project in depth and the drought tolerant plant materials "theme" that would be used throughout the project, as well as the different unit types that would be available. Mr. Levine noted that they had received preliminary approval from the architectural review commission. MR. PHIL SMITH informed commission that the development agreement was to achieve a level of certainty of development for this project which could span five to six years. He also requested that a sentence be added to public works condition no. 4 to the effect that traffic signalization fees required for this project could be used as credit for traffic signal costs; he also requested deletion of public works condition no. 19 requiring undergrounding of the utilities along Country Club Drive, which could not be done because of the high voltage, two duct banks, improvements that would have to be replaced when the utilities were undergrounded, as well as the high cost required for this undergrounding. After further discussion regarding undergrounding, commission felt it would be appropriate to have the condition state that if an undergrounding assessment district were formed, the 5 MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION OCTOBER 16, 1990 applicant would agree to join. Mr. Smith stated he had no problem with that. Chairperson Whitlock asked if anyone present wished to speak in FAVOR or OPPOSITION to the proposal . There was no one and the public testimony was closed. Commissioner Downs stated that the project should be moved forward. Commissioner Richards felt it was an excellent project and stated that Sunrise has done good work in the city; he felt the applicant should notify residents about the private membership and indicate an amount of members, possible in the by-laws. Mr. Smith noted that access to the golf courses and club house would be kept totally separate from the residences and being a resident would not grant automatic rights. Mr. Diaz addressed the concerns in the letter that had been distributed and indicated that he went through the check list and listed the items without showing evidence of significant adverse impact. He noted that in back of the check list in the staff report Mr. Smith went through the check list and established that impacts would not be significant and the letter did not give any evidence otherwise. Staff determined that an environmental impact report was unnecessary and a negative declaration of environmental impact should be "o certified. Mr. Diaz informed commission that he had sufficient time to review the letter. Action: Chairperson Whitlock opened the public testimony and requested a motion regarding the development agreement. Moved by Commissioner Richards, seconded by Commissioner Downs, continuing the development agreement for Indian Ridge Country Club to November 6, 1990. Carried 4-0-1 (Commissioner Jonathan abstained) . Chairperson Whitlock closed the public testimony and requested commission action regarding the tentative tract and precise plan. Moved by Commissioner Richards, seconded by Commissioner Downs, approving the findings as presented by staff. Carried 4-0-1 (Commissioner Jonathan abstained) . Moved by Commissioner Richards, seconded by Commissioner Downs, adopting Planning Commission Resolution No. 1478, 6 VAW MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION OCTOBER 16, 1990 recommending to city council approval of vesting TT 26123, subject to conditions as amended. Carried 4-0-1 (Commissioner �... Jonathan abstained) . Moved by Commissioner Richards, seconded by Commissioner Downs, approving the findings as presented by staff. Carried 4-0-1 (Commissioner Jonathan abstained) . Moved by Commissioner Richards, seconded by Commissioner Downs, adopting Planning Commission Resolution No. 1479, recommending to city council approval of PP 90-21, subject to conditions as amended. Carried 4-0-1 (Commissioner Jonathan abstained) . VIII. MISCELLANEOUS A. Palm Desert International News Stand Mr. Diaz indicated that a request had been submitted to the city for an international news stand and showed commission pictures of the news stand in Beverly Hills. Commission found this concept acceptable and Commissioner Richards noted that it could do well in an area with high pedestrian traffic, such as E1 Paseo or the Town Center. Chairperson Whitlock asked if the El Paseo Merchants Association had been informed of the request; Mr. Diaz stated that they would be notified since the commission found the concept acceptable. IX. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Any person wishing to discuss any item not otherwise on the agenda may address the Planning Commission at this point by stepping to the lectern and giving his/her name and address for the record. Remarks shall be limited to a maximum of five minutes unless additional time is authorized by the Planning Commission. X. COMMENTS None. 7 `WW MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION OCTOBER 16, 1990 XI. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Commissioner Richards, seconded by Commissioner MAO Downs, adjourning the meeting. Carried 5-0. The 4Se ' was adjourned at 8:31 p.m. RAMON A. DIAZ, ary ATTEST: CAROL WHITLOCK, Chairperson /tm �nr 8