HomeMy WebLinkAbout0818 MINUTES
PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
TUESDAY - AUGUST 18, 1992
7 :00 P.M. - CIVIC CENTER COUNCIL CHAMBER
73-510 FRED WARING DRIVE
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I . CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Whitlock called the meeting to order at 7 : 00 p.m.
II . PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Spiegel led in the pledge of allegiance.
III . ROLL CALL
Members Present: Carol Whitlock, Chairperson
Bob Downs
Sabby Jonathan
Bob Spiegel
Jim Richards
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Ray Diaz Dick Folkers
Bob Hargreaves Tonya Monroe
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Consideration of the August 4, 1992 meeting minutes .
Action:
Moved by Commissioner Downs, seconded by commissioner
Jonathan, approving the August 4, 1992 meeting minutes as
submitted. Carried 3-0-1 (Commissioner Spiegel abstained,
Commissioner Richards was absent) .
V. SUMMARY OF COUNCIL ACTION
Mr. Diaz summarized the August 13, 1992 council meeting
pertinent actions .
VI . CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Case No. PMW 92-15 - WILLIAMS DEVELOPMENT CORP. ,
Applicant
Request for approval of a parcel map
waiver to transfer a 92 .04 ' x 127 . 731
area in the southeast corner of lot 14 to
lot 15 on Catalina Way, to allow for the
construction of senior apartments .
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AUGUST 18, 1992
Action:
Moved by Commissioner Downs, seconded by Commissioner
Jonathan, adopting the consent calendar by minute motion.
Carried 4-0 .
(Commissioner Richards arrived at this time. )
VII . PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Continued Case No. C/Z 92-3 - CITY OF PALM DESERT,
Applicant
Request for consideration of a
recommendation of approval to the city
council of the prezoning of the Suncrest
Country Club site located on the north
side of Country Club Drive and east side
of Monterey Avenue R1M (Single
Family/Mobile Home Residential District)
for the purpose of facilitating
annexation of the area to the City of
Palm Desert and approve a Negative
Declaration of Environmental Impact
pertaining thereto.
See attached verbatim minutes by Court Reporters of Palm
Springs, Exhibit A.
Action:
Moved by Commissioner Richards, seconded by Commissioner
Spiegel, continuing C/Z 92-3 to October 20, 1992 by minute
motion. Carried 4-0-1 (Commissioner Jonathan abstained) .
B. Continued Case No. PM 27463 - RK DEVELOPMENT, Applicant
Request for approval subdivision of a
6 .57 acre parcel into four lots located
south of Green Way/Sego Lane and east of
Beacon Hill .
Mr. Diaz reminded commission that this item was continued to
allow the applicant to discuss the conditions of approval from
public works . Staff recommended approval of the map.
Chairperson Whitlock opened the public hearing and asked the
applicant to address the commission.
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AUGUST 18, 1992
MR. JOHN SANBORN, Sanborn Engineering in Palm Springs,
informed commission that he represented RK Development.
He stated that he hoped this item would have been before
the commission last April and thought they had an
acceptable project with dividing lots from a large piece.
He said there were three existing buildings that needed
to be separated because the partnership wanted to split
them up among themselves. He indicated that Mr. Folkers
was requiring a condition of an easement running through
the property that would be 24 ' between parcels 2 and 3,
which was to serve as a through way from Ritter Circle
from the south up to Sego on the north. He informed
commission that he had major concerns with that and asked
who would pay for the easement and improvements . He said
that he requested from Mr. Folkers ' staff some background
data (i .e. traffic studies, etc. ) to support their
request. To date they had not received anything. He
stated that he did not know the real justification and
felt a 24 foot easement between two major streets did not
provide adequate or safe traffic flow. He distributed
photographs he had taken and described them. He stated
that the city's proposal was to remove the existing
carport and eliminate the seven parking spaces . He was
concerned about the liability of the blind intersection
as people come down behind the buildings to the
"intersection" and the main thing was what the service a
24 ' alley between Ritter Circle and Sego would
accomplish. He felt it would be a tremendous hazard to
the city, his client and the property owner behind them
on Ritter Circle. He felt there would be a loss to the
value of the property because the offices that would open
directly onto that easement would not be as desirable and
there would be severance damage to their clients if the
city required this and felt the cost to the city was
expensive because there was a major Edison Company
transformer on the corner, the trash area would have to
be relocated, Edison vaults were in front, and there was
a major water valve and detector check valve that would
have to be relocated. Based on these concerns he
requested that the condition be deleted. He said that he
would still like to get that information from Mr.
Folkers ' office as to the traffic impact.
Mr. Folkers showed a drawing that depicted a situation that he
said had been discussed for several years because of the
project area 3; he noted an environmental impact report had
been done at that time. One of the things that came out of
that study was that there was poor circulation and when it was
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developed under the county, there was a lot of inadequate
parking provided and inadequate circulation. He said the
three key elements that public works tried to correct as part
of project area 3 ' s first phases were the connection between
Joni Drive up to 42nd Avenue; a connection from Cook Street to
Green Way via an extension to 42nd; and connection from Ritter
Circle northerly. He said that there had been three meetings
with Sanborn Webb Engineering, so it was something they had
discussed. He indicated that when going into project area 3,
some of them made the assumption that the first year (FY 1992-
93) would bring in a lot of money, but they had received only
a small amount. As a result, the ambitious plans to make the
connections had been reduced in scope to trying to work with
developers to try and procure or protect the rights-of-way.
There were some problems, but if they did not at least get the
24 ' right of way, in the future when they wanted to do
something the city would have to buy the right of way. He
said that staff did not have all the answers right now. As to
the traffic study, he did not recall there was a request for
a traffic study. Mr. Sanborn said that a letter was written
requesting the study. Mr. Folkers apologized and said that
one would be provided. He stated that from public works '
standpoint, there were several options, but still felt
strongly that the 24 foot easement should be provided. Public
works felt that within the next five years they would be back
trying to purchase that right-of-way. They could not see any
other way to get the necessary circulation for the area.
Commissioner Jonathan stated that he understood what public
works was after, but felt that 24 feet would not get a street,
only part of a parking lot. Mr. Folkers stated that in some
communities alleys were only 20 feet wide. Commissioner
Jonathan noted that the cars would be backing out of a parking
lot to get into this future street. He asked if Mr. Folkers
had a reconfiguration. Mr. Folkers stated that ultimately the
city would have to purchase additional right of way and create
additional parking; there was a lot involved including
conflicts with the Southern California Edison vault; the GTE
structure, awnings, driveways, and parking structures; a whole
series of problems, which was something that would have to be
faced in the future.
Commissioner Richards stated that, the city recognized the
problem with circulation and understood staff ' s
recommendation, but felt that a cost effectiveness was needed.
He noted that if the applicant was not trying to split the
lot, the city would have had to take a different approach.
Mr. Folkers pointed out that looking at the situation with the
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PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION
AUGUST 18, 1992
Water District' s property, that was not an inexpensive
alternative either. He said that any way was going to cause
the city to spend a considerable amount of money. He
indicated that they had hoped that project area 3 would bring
in a lot of money, but it had not. Commissioner Richards
asked what staff would propose if they had the money and what
the estimated cost would be; Mr. Folkers said that assuming
Mr. Sanborn was the engineer, they would have him work for
both the developer and the city because he had done the survey
and had the information to reach a plan acceptable to both
parties . He said this involved the property off Ritter Circle
also.
Commissioner Downs asked why the property on Ritter Circle
could not use Ritter Circle; Mr. Folkers stated that the city
needed a connection between the two and needed to pick up
property for circulation. Commissioner Downs noted that
Ritter Circle went onto Merle Drive. Mr. Folkers stated that
a tie was needed because there was a problem with businesses
further north needing to get to businesses to the south and
vice versa, the traffic had to come out onto Cook Street. He
felt this connection would eliminate excess traffic on Cook
Street.
r. Commissioner Jonathan noted that in general easements had a
monetary value and the lot splits come to the planning
commission on the consent calendar; he asked if the commission
could condition an application on the granting of an easement.
Mr. Hargreaves stated that he did not want to render a
definitive opinion on this matter, but noted that if the
commission wanted to condition the development, the condition
imposed had to be directly related and had to address an
impact that this particular project' s approval was going to
cause. He said that the commission would have to identify an
impact of this action, which was a lot split, and show the
particular exaction would address an impact of that action.
Commissioner Richards asked if it would be fair to say that
the application in front of the commission had no real impact,
all they were doing was financially splitting property and
nothing had been created but a change in ownership.
Commissioner Richards asked the developer what impact this
split would have regarding traffic or anything that would
create any kind of impact because of the lot split. Mr.
Sanborn replied there would not be one, because the three
buildings were existing right now and the easement goes
between two of the existing buildings . The parcel on the
corner was vacant right now, but if a building was built, he
felt it would not have an impact on the easement. His concern
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PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION
AUGUST 18, 1992
was that a 24 ' wide alley was not a safe circulation between
two major thoroughfares. He felt the city would have a
liability problem.
Mr. Folkers stated that later on they would have to go in
there and provide additional modification, removing parking
and creating additional parking and things like that; they
were asking for the 24 feet right now and later they would
purchase additional area and relocate facilities, the SCE
vault and GTE transformers . He said they might even take down
part of a building.
Commissioner Richards asked where on the list of priorities
this item was located; Mr. Folkers replied that there was
nothing in the 1992-93 CIP budget that involved this project,
but it was in the RDA funding for future years and was not a
high priority. Commissioner Richards stated that he did not
like the idea of taking an existing building, especially when
someone was just coming in with a parcel map. He felt the
city would have to pay what was required at the time it was
ready to proceed. He did not feel it would be fair to the
existing owners . He also felt that 24 feet was not enough.
Chairperson Whitlock asked if anyone wished to address the
commission in FAVOR or OPPOSITION to the project; there was no
one and the public testimony was closed.
Commissioner Jonathan agreed with Commissioner Richards and
did not see a nexus between the condition and the request and
felt it was a straight forward subdivision. He said that he
would move for approval with the deletion of the public works
condition. He indicated that he agreed with the goal of
public works, but did not feel this was the proper time or way
to accomplish it.
Commissioner Spiegel felt that the city was taking advantage
of the moment and did not think that was right.
Action:
Moved by Commissioner Jonathan, seconded by Commissioner
Downs, adopting the findings as presented by staff. Carried
5-0 .
Moved by Commissioner Jonathan, seconded by Commissioner
Downs, adopting Planning Commission Resolution No. 1585,
approving PM 27463, subject to conditions as amended. Carried
5-0.
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PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION
AUGUST 18, 1992
Tyr C. Continued Case No. TT 27524 - WILSHIRE WEST, INC. ,
Applicant
Request for approval of a tentative tract
map subdividing 17 . 64 acres of PR 17 . 5
zoned land located on the south side of
Hovley Lane, 1930 feet east of Portola
Avenue into 82 single family lots having
minimum lot sizes of 7200 square feet and
minimum widths of 60 feet.
Chairperson Whitlock noted that the applicant was requesting
a 60 day continuance to October 20, 1992 . She asked if the
applicant was present or anyone who wished to address the
commission; there was no one. Chairperson Whitlock opened the
public hearing and asked for a motion of continuance.
Action:
Moved by Commissioner Downs, seconded by Commissioner Spiegel,
continuing TT 27524 to October 20, 1992 by minute motion.
Carried 5-0 .
D. Case No. TT 27561 - JASCORP, Applicant
vrrr.
Request for approval of a tentative tract
map to create 28 single family lots in
the western portion of the Winterhaven
development located in the PR-5 zoned
property on the south side of Hovley Lane
approximately 730 feet west of Portola
Avenue.
Mr. Diaz reminded commission that this item was continued to
allow the developer and existing homeowners to get together
and come to an agreement. He noted that the agreement was
before commission and recommended approval of the tentative
map with the addition of this agreement as a condition to the
community development department conditions .
Chairperson Whitlock opened the public testimony and asked the
applicant to address the commission.
MR. JOE SWAIN stated that he did not want to address the
commission at that point.
Chairperson Whitlock asked if anyone wished to address the
commission in FAVOR or OPPOSITION to the proposal .
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AUGUST 18, 1992
MRS. JOAN GOLDBERG of Winterhaven, stated that they had
reached a tentative agreement that was subject to the
approval of their membership. She said that their
meeting was on September 19 and the proxy votes were due
in on September 10 . She was confident that everything
would go well .
Commissioner Spiegel asked if this item was approved now and
the homeowners association did not approve the agreement, what
would happen. Mr. Hargreaves indicated that a condition of
approval based on an action by two outside parties was not
appropriate. Mr. Diaz noted that if the agreement was not
ratified, all the other conditions would apply and the map
would proceed. Commissioner Richards stated that in the past
the commission had not intervened in those disputes.
Commission discussed a continuance to September 15 to wait for
the results of the ballots . Mrs . Goldberg clarified that the
vote would be done solely by proxy and the deadline was
September 10 . Commissioner Jonathan asked if Mr. Swain agreed
with a continuance to allow for this action.
MR. JOE SWAIN stated that money was an issue. He said
that he had signed an agreement with the homeowners
association that he would honor. He informed commission
that the four week continuance from last month to this
month cost him over $13,000 and another postponement
would be another $13,000 and it was a hardship. He said
that he needed a decision now. He said that the CC&R' s
had to be re-written, there was a budget being done that
had to go to the department of real estate and all that
was needed was the planning commission approval . He
informed commission that he had made a commitment to the
College of the Desert to give them a piece of the
donation for the construction management because he
wanted to give some of the money back to the community.
He stated that a continuance would be a financial
hardship. He asked for an action that would allow him to
proceed.
Commissioner Jonathan noted that Mr. Swain could not go
forward until the homeowners vote came in; he would have the
planning commission approval a few days following that vote so
this would not be a delay to continue it to September 15 . Mr.
Swain stated that the last time when he was here when he could
not get a decision, he filed an action against the homeowners
association to get a decision. He said that there had been
some discovery and an opinion that stated that the access
rights to the property could exist through the main entry with
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AUGUST 18, 1992
or without their approval, except that he wanted an amicable
tow
solution and fair share. He signed a document that they would
Pay half the maintenance costs and contribute capital in
exchange for using the tennis courts . He felt that if he had
to go another 30 days he would have to re-evaluate his
Position.
Commissioner Richards noted that when a developer come to the
city with a proposal, they put their money up and take their
chances . When Mr. Swain came before the commission at the
last hearing, he did not have the part to the equation that
was needed. He was attempting to rescue a situation to the
benefit of himself and the city attorney indicated serious
problems in dealing with a condition that handles an outside
body; the commission was attempting to do what it could, but
an applicant took their chance when proposing something.
Mr. Hargreaves stated that if the project were approved with
the agreement as a condition, if it turned out the agreement
was not adopted by the homeowners association, the agreement
would disappear as a condition and the project would go
forward without this condition and with all the other
conditions intact. If commission was prepared to approve the
project with or without the agreement, not withstanding that
the agreement might disappear in another month, then they
could do so. Commissioner Jonathan asked if the agreement was
even relevant to what the commission was considering. He said
they were looking at a map and if the applicant had to gain
legal rights from the association, they could just approve the
tract map and it was up to him and them to work the situation
out. Mr. Hargreaves indicated that if the project could stand
alone without the agreement and meets the codes and the city
did not have a problem with proceeding without the agreement,
then commission could proceed. Commissioner Jonathan felt the
agreement had only to do with whether or not the applicant
could get access to the map as submitted. Mr. Diaz stated
that the matter had been continued in order to get this matter
straightened out; that was done between the board and the
applicant. He said that the board spoke as representative of
the residents on occasion and if the commission placed the
condition on the map to "hammer" that out, if it was not voted
in then they would have to fight out the action. He
recommended that commission approve it with the understanding
the if the homeowners don't approve it, they will end up in
court. Commissioner Jonathan asked why the city would
condition the approval on the homeowners association voting
yes . If they did that and the homeowners said no, then the
attorneys could get together and the developer would have to
..
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PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION
AUGUST 18, 1992
come back. Mr. Hargreaves indicated that this was a .riil
disappearing condition and if it was not agreed upon, it would
disappear and the project could proceed without it. He said
that the project had to be able to stand alone without any
kind of agreement from the homeowners association, but if the
project needed an access and this was the only contemplated
access, then that was another matter. Commissioner Jonathan
stated that was a condition of the tract map; if he could not
get that access, then he could not do the project.
Mrs . Goldberg noted that in the contract between the
developer and homeowners association, Mr. Swain was
requesting access through their gate and use of the
tennis courts . She said that if Mr. Swain chose to offer
another access, then he would just have to deal with the
city. She indicated that he wanted his development to be
part of their organization as far as the closed
community, the gate, the phone system and access to the
phone system to enhance the sale of his property. She
felt the commission should wait until the result of their
vote was in.
MR. BILL DALENSKY, homeowner in Winterhaven and on the
negotiating committee, felt there was more involved in
the agreement than just access to the gate and use of the r.rii
tennis courts; there was the problem if their membership
voted negative, which he hoped they wouldn't, but if they
did his layout it would not be acceptable because two of
Mr. Swain' s lots were entering onto their streets .
Mr. Diaz stated that whether or not Mr. Swain had access would
be a separate legal condition if the agreement was rejected.
Chairperson Whitlock closed the public testimony.
Commissioner Richards moved to continue this matter to
September 15 . Commissioner Downs seconded the motion.
Commissioner Downs said that the continuance would be faster
then going back to court for a decision. Commissioner
Richards said that he was assuming that in the by-laws this
was the only way the board could pass something of this
nature; there was acknowledgement from the audience.
Commissioner Jonathan felt this was unfair to the developer;
he had presented a tract map that could stand on its own and
if he was not able to acquire access through the vote of the
homeowners or through the operations of the courts, he would
have to come back. Commissioner Spiegel asked if the
developer could do anything before the vote on the loth.
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PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION
AUGUST 18, 1992
v . Commissioner Jonathan felt that he probably could and did not
see a need for the commission to review it again. The tract
map would not change between now and then and if they do or
don' t get the vote, that wasn't the commission' s concern.
Commissioner Spiegel clarified that it should be passed on the
condition and if the condition was not met then the developer
would come back with a new set of plans with revised access .
Commissioner Jonathan concurred. Commissioner Spiegel said
that he had no problem with that. Commissioner Richards
stated that he did not like a stamp of approval that was
conditioned upon a vote that the commission had no control
over.
Mr. Hargreaves noted that when a condition was attached to a
project, for a tentative map there was a process whereby it
was determined if the conditions had been met and if they
have, they go ahead with the final. The problem with the
agreement was that it was a long-term agreement. It wouldn' t
be completed by a particular date in the future and there were
ongoing parts of the agreement that would never be met and was
for the life of the association (i .e. 50% of the maintenance
fees) and did not know if the commission should place those
kinds of terms into the conditions of approval . Commissioner
Richards felt that was a good point. Commissioner Jonathan
too noted that the condition of approval was entering into the
agreement, not performing the agreement. Mr. Hargreaves
stated that to get around that one of the conditions of
approval could be an agreement between the developer and
homeowners association. Mr. Diaz said that was the intent.
Commissioner Richards stated that he would withdraw his
second. Chairperson Whitlock noted that the commission had
dealt with gated community issues in the past and they had
always deferred the problems behind those gates for
resolutions amongst those owners and did not see why it should
be different in this case. She said that because the map
could stand alone she was in favor of passing the project.
Commissioner Downs stated that he would move for approval .
After further discussion it was clarified that the approval
was without a condition requiring the agreement. Commissioner
Richards seconded the motion. Commissioner Richards asked Mr.
Diaz if he concurred with commission' s decision; Mr. Diaz
noted that what would occur was that if an agreement was not
reached, then the homeowners association would have to
litigate and the issue of access would be determined by the
courts .
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PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION
AUGUST 18, 1992
Action: err
Moved by Commissioner Downs, seconded by Commissioner
Richards, adopting the findings as presented by staff.
Carried 5-0 .
Moved by Commissioner Downs, seconded by Commissioner
Richards, adopting Planning Commission Resolution No. 1586 ,
approving TT 27561, subject to conditions . Carried 5-0 .
VIII . MISCELLANEOUS
None.
IX. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
X. COMMENTS
None.
XI . ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Commissioner Spiegel, seconded by Commissioner Downs,
adjourning the meeting to September 1, 1992 by minute motion.
Carried 5-0 . The meeting was adjourned at 9 : 35
RAMON A. DIAZ, 9ec ary
ATTEST:
10
CAROL WHITLOCK, Chairperson
Palm Desert Planning Commission
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2601 East Tkhquitz Canyon Way Suite 202
Palm Springs, California 92262 - (619)323-9908
2
1 A P P E A R A N C E S :
2
3
4 CAROL WHITLOCK, CHAIRMAN
5 BOB DOWNS, COMMISSIONER
6 SABBY JONATHAN, COMMISSIONER
7 ROBERT SPIEGEL, COMMISSIONER
8 JIM RICHARDS, COMMISSIONER
9 RAMON A . DIAZ, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
10 ROBERT W . HARGREAVES, CITY ATTORNEY
11 TONYA MONROE, ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY
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13
14
15
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17
18
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23
24
25
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
3
1 TUESDAY AUGUST 18 , 1992 , 7 : 00 P . M .
2
3 PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA
4
5
2
6 CHAIRMAN WHITLOCK : THAT WILL TAKE US TO OUR FIRST
7 PUBLIC HEARING, 92-3 . THE CITY OF PALM DESERT IS THE
8 APPLICANT. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION OF A RECOMMENDATION
9 OF APPROVAL TO THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE PREZONING OF THE
10 SUNCREST COUNTRY CLUB SITE, LOCATED ON THE NORTH SIDE OF
11 COUNTRY CLUB DRIVE AND EAST SIDE OF MONTEREY AVENUE,
12 (SINGLE—FAMILY/MOBILE HOME RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT) , FOR THE
13 PURPOSE OF FACILITATING ANNEXATION OF THE AREA TO THE CITY
�.. 14 OF PALM DESERT, AND APPROVE A NEGATIVE DECLARATION OF
15 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT PERTAINING THERETO .
4
16 MR . DIAZ, MAY WE HAVE THE STAFF REPORT. s
17 MR . DIAZ : YES, MADAM CHAIRPERSON, MEMBERS OF THE
18 COMMISSION .
19 THE COMMISSION WILL RECALL THIS MATTER WAS
20 CONTINUED TO ALLOW THE TENANTS OF SUNCREST COUNTRY CLUB TO
21 MEET WITH THE STAFF AND THE OWNER TO SEE IF SOME TYPE OF
22 AGREEMENT COULD BE WORKED OUT. AT THIS POINT AN AGREEMENT
23 HAS NOT BEEN WORKED OUT.
24 MEETING WITH THE OWNER TODAY THERE WERE SOME
25 CONCERNS THAT HE HAD WITH THE PREZONING . AND I THINK AT
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
4
1 THIS POINT WE SHOULD MAKE CLEAR EXACTLY WHAT THE ACTION
2 TONIGHT IS .
3 THE ACTION TONIGHT IS THE PREZONING OF THE
4 PROPERTY. IT IS THE FIRST STEP TO THE ANNEXATION PROCESS .
5 BUT THE REAL ARGUMENTS THAT WE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT TODAY
6 IS, SHOULD THE PROPERTY BE PREZONED, WHAT WILL WE PREZONE
7 IT. NOT THE ISSUE OF WHETHER IT SHOULD COME IN, WHETHER
8 WE' RE GOING TO HAVE OUR RENT CONTROL LAWS VERSUS THE
9 COUNTY' S . THAT' S THE ISSUE, THE ZONING .
10 EVENTUALLY THOSE OTHER ISSUES, OF COURSE, WILL
11 BE ADDRESSED . THEY WILL HAVE TO BE ADDRESSED AT THE
12 COUNCIL HEARING ON THE ANNEXATION, AS WELL AS THE
13 L.A. F. C . O . HEARING ON THE ANNEXATION .
14 IN LOOKING AT THE ZONING, FIRST OF ALL, STAFF
15 INDICATED AN R-1-M ZONE. IN SPEAKING TO THE OWNER HE
16 WOULD PREFER A PR-7, A PLANNED RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT,
17 SEVEN UNITS PER ACRE ZONE, RATHER THAN THE R-1 MOBILE HOME
18 ZONE . STAFF REALLY DOES NOT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS .
19 FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO WERE ON THE COMMISSION WAY
20 BACK WHEN, WHICH THERE IS ONLY MEMBER WHO IS SITTING TO MY
21 RIGHT HERE AT THAT TIME, YOU ' LL RECALL THAT THE R-1-M
22 ZONE -- BOB, I THINK YOU WERE WITH US, TOO -- THE R-1-M
23 ZONE WAS CREATED FOR ONE PURPOSE, AND ONE PURPOSE ONLY.
24 THAT WAS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A LOOPHOLE IN THE STATE
25 REGULATIONS DEALING WITH MANUFACTURED HOUSING IN
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
5
1 SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL ZONES . AT THAT TIME THE STATE
2 SAID IF YOU CREATE ZONES FOR MOBILE HOME SUBDIVISIONS AND
3 ALLOW CONVENTIONAL CONSTRUCTION IN THOSE ZONES, YOU DO NOT
4 HAVE TO ALLOW MANUFACTURED HOUSING CONSTRUCTION IN THE R-1
5 ZONE ,
6 COMMISSIONER DOWNS : CORRECT.
7 MR . DIAZ : SO WE WENT THROUGH AND CREATED THIS
8 ORDINANCE AND REZONED ALL OF THE MOBILE HOME PARKS R-1-M .
9 AFTER ABOUT SEVEN OR EIGHT YEARS THE STATE CLOSED THAT
10 LOOPHOLE, SO THERE IS REALLY NO REASON FOR THE R-1-M ZONE .
11 THE R-1-M ZONE ALLOWS THE DENSITY OF SEVEN UNITS PER ACRE,
12 THE SAME AS THE PR ZONE, THE PLANNED RESIDENTIAL, SEVEN
13 UNITS PER ACRE ZONE .
�.. 14 THE PROPERTY ADJACENT TO THE SUNCREST COUNTRY
15 CLUB ON THE WEST SIDE IS ALSO ZONED PLANNED RESIDENTIAL
jq3
F
16 DEVELOPMENT, SEVEN UNITS PER ACRE .
17 SO, THEREFORE, AT THIS TIME STAFF WOULD HAVE NO
18 PROBLEM PREZONING THIS PROPERTY PR-7, WITH THE STIPULATION
19 THAT IF, AT A FUTURE DATE -- AND WE KNOW THAT WAL-MART AND
20 MR. MAYER HAS TALKED TO US ABOUT REZONING THE CORNER OF
21 MONTEREY AND COUNTRY CLUB . IF, AT A FUTURE DATE, THAT
22 PROPERTY COMES IN FOR REZONING, THAT STAFF WOULD ENTERTAIN
23 THAT THE VACANT LAND THAT THE APPLICANT OWNS ADJACENT TO
24 THE SUNCREST COUNTRY CLUB WOULD BE REZONED TO THE SAME
25 DEPTH THAT MR . MAYER' S PROPERTY IS . THAT IS, MR . MAYER' S
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
6
1 PROPERTY, HE' S REQUESTING A ZONING FOR COMMERCIAL AT A
2 CERTAIN DEPTH IN THE BACK OF THAT R-1 8, 000 SINGLE-FAMILY
3 DETACHED HOMES . too
4 WHAT WE WOULD PROPOSE IS WHEN THAT CHANGE OF
5 ZONE COMES IN, THAT WE CHANGE THE ZONE ON THIS PROPERTY
6 SIMILAR SO THAT WE WOULD HAVE THAT CONTINUITY, BUT NOT DO
7 IT AT THIS TIME . BECAUSE TO ZONE IT AT THIS TIME THAT WAY
8 WOULD BE A SPOT ZONE, WHICH WE CANNOT DO BY STATE LAW .
9 PLUS, I DON'T THINK WE NECESSARILY WANT TO DO IT THAT WAY .
10 THE OTHER ISSUE WHICH I SPOKE TO THE OWNER ABOUT
3
11 RELATED TO THE CITY' S VERSUS THE COUNTY' S RENT CONTROL .
12 AND HERE WE' RE A LITTLE BIT -- STAFF IS A LITTLE BIT
13 CONFUSED, BECAUSE AT ONE POINT EVERYONE WAS ASSURING US
14 THAT OUR RENT CONTROL ORDINANCE WAS NOT AN ISSUE, THAT THE
15 MAJOR ISSUE WAS PARAMEDIC SERVICE AND ADDITIONAL POLICE
16 SERVICE. THERE WERE SOME QUESTIONS REGARDING THE
17 PARAMEDICS VERSUS SPRINGS AMBULANCE . I THINK THOSE ISSUES
18 HAVE BEEN STRAIGHTENED OUT. IF ANYBODY HAS QUESTIONS ON
19 EXACTLY WHAT THE PARAMEDICS DO, I CAN ANSWER THEM THIS
20 EVENING.
21 BUT THEN SUDDENLY THE ISSUE OF THE RENT CONTROL
22 CAME UP AGAIN . AND WHILE I SAID THAT IS NOT BEFORE US
23 THIS EVENING, PERHAPS THE OWNER' S CONCERN THAT IF THERE
24 ARE RENT CONTROL ORDINANCES TAKEN BACK TO 1983, AND HE HAS
25 SOME LONG-TERM LEASES, THAT THAT WOULD BE QUITE COSTLY .
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
7
1 AND I THINK HE WANTS TO PUT IT ON THE RECORD THAT THAT IS
2 WHAT HE IS CONCERNED ABOUT. IN MY CONFERENCES WITH HIM
3 TODAY HE INDICATED THAT IF THE CITY' S -- HE WOULD PREFER
4 TO COME IN UNDER THE COUNTY' S RENT CONTROL ORDINANCE, IF
5 THAT IS POSSIBLE . NOW I WOULD HAVE TO DISCUSS THAT WITH
6 THE CITY ATTORNEY, IF WE COULD COME IN WITH THE COUNTY' S
7 RENT CONTROL ORDINANCE .
8 THE MAIN DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO IS THE
9 COUNTY HAS 100 PERCENT OF C . P . I . INCREASE, THE CITY' S IS
10 75 PERCENT OF C . P . I . INCREASE .
11 HIS BIGGEST CONCERN, HOWEVER, IS THAT THE RENT
12 CONTROL, IF IT CAME IN UNDER THE CITY, BE TAKEN -- NOT BE
13 TAKEN BACK TO 1983, AND THOSE THINGS WORKED OUT, BUT HE
... 14 CAN ADDRESS THAT.
15 BUT AGAIN, OUR ISSUE TODAY IS THE ZONING . IN
}
16 SUMMARY, STAFF WOULD RECOMMEND THAT WE PREZONE THE f
17 PROPERTY PLANNED RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT, SEVEN UNITS PER
18 ACRE, AND THAT WE SEND THIS UP TO COUNCIL WITH YOUR
19 RECOMMENDATION . AND IF YOU HAVE ANY FEELINGS ON THE OTHER
20 ISSUES AFTER HEARING THE OTHER PEOPLE ON IT,
21 RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COUNCIL ON THAT FOR THE ZONING
22 HEARING, WE CAN ALSO TAKE THAT. BUT, AGAIN, THE MAIN
23 THRUST TONIGHT IS THE ZONING .
24 THAT WOULD CONCLUDE THE STAFF REPORT.
25 CHAIRMAN WHITLOCK : ANY QUESTIONS OF STAFF?
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
8
1 I WOULD OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ASK IF THE
a
2 APPLICANT WISHES TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION .
3 PLEASE IDENTIFY YOURSELF .
4 MR . BEFELD : GERHARD BEFELD, OWNER OF SUNCREST
5 COUNTRY CLUB .
6 MADAM CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION, MY
7 WIFE AND I ARE THE SOLE OWNERS OF SUNCREST COUNTRY CLUB,
8 WHICH IS THE SUBJECT OF TODAY' S PROPOSED PREZONING . THE
9 PROPOSED PREZONING WAS INITIATED BY A REQUEST FROM A
10 MINORITY OF THE TENANTS RESIDING IN SUNCREST COUNTRY CLUB
11 AS A PRELUDE TO ANNEXING MY PROPERTY TO THE CITY OF
12 PALM DESERT.
13 AT THIS JUNCTURE, I DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH
14 INFORMATION TO ADEQUATELY EVALUATE THE MERITS OF THE woo
15 PLANNING COMMISSION' S PROPOSED ACTION, OR, IN PARTICULAR,
16 THE CONTEMPLATED ANNEXATION OF MY PROPERTY TO THE CITY OF
17 PALM DESERT. THEREFORE, AT THE OUTSET, I RESPECTFULLY
18 REQUEST THE PLANNING COMMISSION POSTPONE ANY ACTION ON THE
19 PREZONING REQUEST, UNTIL I HAVE ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITY TO
20 IDENTIFY AND EXPLORE THE REASON FOR ISSUES RAISED BY AND
21 RAMIFICATIONS OF THE PROPOSED ANNEXATION WITH BOTH THE
22 PLANNING STAFF AND THE RESIDENTS OF SUNCREST COUNTRY CLUB,
23 PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO DO NOT SUPPORT THE ANNEXATION .
24 SOME OF THE ISSUES RAISED BY THE PROPOSED
25 ACTIONS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING :
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
9
1 MY PROPERTY IS SURROUNDED ENTIRELY ON THE NORTH
2 AND EAST BY PALM DESERT GREENS, A MUCH LARGER MOBILE HOME
3 PARK WHICH, CURIOUSLY, IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PROPOSED
4 ANNEXATION . WHY IS MY PROPERTY THE ONLY PROPERTY TARGETED
5 TO BE PREZONED AND ANNEXED WHEN IT IS SURROUNDED BY
6 PROPERTY WITH PRECISELY THE SAME USE?
7 MATERIALS CIRCULATED BY THE PRIMARY PROPONENT OF
8 THE ANNEXATION DEMONSTRATE THAT THE CITY OF PALM DESERT' S
9 RENT CONTROL ORDINANCE IS THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THE
10 REQUEST FOR ANNEXATION . THE RENT CONTROL ISSUE IS A
11 SERIOUS ONE THAT NEEDS TO BE FUTHER EXPLORED, PARTICULARLY
12 SINCE IT IS THE UNDERLYING BASIS FOR THE ANNEXATION
13 REQUEST.
14 IF THE PROPERTY IS ANNEXED, WILL THERE INDEED,
15 AS SOME RESIDENTS CONTEMPLATE, BE AN INCREASE IN THE
16 QUALITY, SCOPE AND RESPONSIVENESS OF FIRE, POLICE AND
17 PARAMEDIC SERVICES, AS WELL AS A DECREASE IN THE COST OF
18 SUCH SERVICES? WHAT OTHER ADDITIONAL GOVERNMENTAL AND
19 COMMUNITY SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED IN THE AREA? I
20 UNDERSTAND THE CITY MUST SUBMIT A PLAN FOR PROVIDING
21 SERVICES WITHIN THE AREA PROPOSED TO BE ANNEXED . WHAT IS
22 THE CONTENT OF THIS PLAN?
23 FROM THE CITY' S STANDPOINT, HAS THE CITY
24 PREPARED, OR DOES IT INTEND TO PREPARE, A COST/BENEFIT
25 ANALYSIS TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE INCREASED COSTS INVOLVED
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
10
1 IN PROVIDING GOVERNMENTAL SERVICES TO THIS AREA, AND OTHER
2 COSTS RELATING TO THE PROPOSED ANNEXATION, ARE WARRANTED?
3 REGARDING ANY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN RIVERSIDE
4
4 COUNTY AND PALM DESERT ORDINANCES, CODES AND POLICIES
5 PERTAINING TO INSPECTIONS, STREET DESIGN, SIGNAGE AND
6 OTHER REQUIREMENTS, WILL AN ANNEXATION OF MY PROPERTY
7 RESULT IN MY BEING REQUIRED TO MAKE ADDITIONAL INVESTMENTS
8 IN THE PROPERTY, WHICH WOULD NOT OTHERWISE BE REQUIRED
9 SINCE THE PROPERTY IS CURRENTLY IN COMPLIANCE WITH COUNTY
10 ORDINANCES AND CODES?
11 IF FORCED TO ACCEPT A CHANGE OF ZONE ON MY
12 PROPERTY, I WOULD PREFER THAT THE DEVELOPED PORTION OF MY
13 PROPERTY BE ZONED PR-7, WHICH IS CONSISTENT WITH THE PR-7
14 ZONING OF THE ADJACENT MAYER PROPERTY LOCATED ON THE
15 NORTHEAST CORNER OF MONTEREY AND COUNTRY CLUB, AND THAT MY
16 UNDEVELOPED TWELVE AND A HALF ACRES BETWEEN SUNCREST AND
17 THE MAYER PROPERTY BE PREZONED COMMERCIAL.
18 I CURRENTLY HAVE A TENTATIVE AGREEMENT WITH
19 RIVERSIDE COUNTY FOR THE INSTALLATION AND SHARING OF COSTS
20 TO INSTALL A TRAFFIC SIGNAL AT THE ENTRANCE TO SUNCREST,
21 WHICH WILL ENHANCE PUBLIC SAFETY IN THE AREA. HOW WILL
22 THIS BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSED ANNEXATION?
23 FINALLY, I HAVE SERIOUS CONCERNS REGARDING THE
24 CITY" S MOVING FORWARD WITH ANY ANNEXATION, DESPITE THE
25 FACT THAT I , AS THE SOLE LANDLORD OF THE PROPERTY IN
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
11
1 QUESTION -- THE ONLY LANDLORD AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSAL --
2 HAVE EXPRESSED MY OPPOSITION TO THE PROPOSAL .
3 IN ALL LIKELIHOOD, THERE ARE OTHER ISSUES IN
4 ADDITION TO THE AFOREMENTIONED ITEMS THAT NEED TO BE
5 EXPLORED PRIOR TO ANY MEANINGFUL CONSIDERATION OF THE
6 PREZONING OF MY PROPERTY FOR PURPOSES OF COMMENCING
7 ANNEXATION PROCEDURES . IF, CONTRARY TO MY REQUEST, THE
8 PLANNING COMMISSION DECIDES TO ACT ON THE PROPOSAL TODAY
9 INSTEAD OF DENYING THE REQUEST, OR AT LEAST POSTPONING ANY
10 ACTION PENDING ADDITIONAL INVESTIGATION OF THE ISSUES, I
11 HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO REGISTER, ON THE RECORD, MY PROTEST
12 TO THE PROPOSED PREZONING FOR THE ANNEXATION OF MY
13 PROPERTY TO THE CITY AT THIS TIME..
14 THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION .
15 CHAIRMAN WHITLOCK : IS THERE ANYONE ELSE PRESENT WHO €
16 WISHES TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION REGARDING THIS PROPOSAL?
17 PLEASE STEP FORWARD AND GIVE US YOUR NAME AND
18 ADDRESS .
19 MR. FEINSTEIN : MY NAME IS NORLIE FEINSTEIN . I ' M A
20 HOMEOWNER IN SUNCREST COUNTRY CLUB .
21 PLEASE CORRECT ME IF I AM IN ERROR TONIGHT . I
22 LISTENED TO MR . DIAZ, AND AM I TO BELIEVE TONIGHT' S
23 MEETING IS ONLY TO ACT ON THE PREZONING, NOT ON
24 ANNEXATION? HOWEVER, SINCE INFORMATION OTHER THAN THAT
�... 25 HAS BEEN STATED, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO MENTION A COUPLE OF
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
12
1 THINGS .
2 A MINORITY INTEREST DID NOT INSTITUTE AN
3 ANNEXATION PROGRAM; 61 PERCENT OF THE HOMEOWNERS DID . I
4 ONLY WOULD NOT GO THROUGH ANYTHING OTHER THAN THAT. I
5 REMAIN QUIET.
6 HOWEVER, I AM IN FAVOR AND WILL ASK THE
1 COMMISSION TO DO WHAT THE MEETING IS SUPPOSED TO BE DONE,
8 AND THAT IS THE PREZONING . AND HOPEFULLY THEY AGREE ON
9 DOING SO, AND IF NOT, I WOULD LIKE TO ASSERT THAT WHAT I
10 WOULD SUGGEST AND HOPE IS THAT THAT ISSUE BE PASSED BACK
11 TO THE COUNCIL.
12 THANK YOU .
13 CHAIRMAN WHITLOCK : IS THERE ANYONE ELSE PRESENT WHO
14 WISHES TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION?
15 PLEASE STEP FORWARD AND IDENTIFY YOURSELF, YOUR
16 NAME AND ADDRESS .
17 MS . CONLEY: HI, MY NAME IS SHIRLEY CONLEY AND I LIVE
18 AT SUNCREST COUNTRY CLUB .
19 I JUST WANTED IT TO GO ON RECORD THAT I WOULD
20 PREFER TO STAY IN THE COUNTY. MR. FEINSTEIN -- I WAS AT
21 THE LAST MEETING -- SAID THAT HE REPRESENTED THE TENANTS
22 OF SUNCREST COUNTRY CLUB . WELL, I DON'T EVEN KNOW
23 MR . FEINSTEIN, AND I DON 'T KNOW HOW HE CAN REPRESENT ME
24 WHEN I DON'T EVEN KNOW HIM OR KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT . AS
25 FAR AS I 'M CONCERNED, I WOULD LIKE TO STAY IN THE COUNTY .
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
13
1 I 'M NOT HAPPY ABOUT BEING ANNEXED INTO THE CITY .
2 THANK YOU .
3 MS . MOLEVER : HI , MY NAME IS CATHY MOLEVER, AND I
%aw
4 LIVE IN THE SAGEWOOD DEVELOPMENT.
5 I HAVE ONE QUESTION FOR THE COMMISSION TO PLEASE
6 CONSIDER . I HAVE AN EIGHT-AND-A-HALF YEAR OLD WHO SAT
7 THROUGH THE LAST MEETING AND ALSO CAME TO THIS MEETING .
8 SHE HEARD THAT THERE ARE 280 RESIDENTS, WHICH TO ME IS
9 HARDLY A MINORITY, WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR HEALTH
10 AND SAFETY WHO LIVE IN SUNCREST. AND THEN SHE HEARD OF
11 THE INTERESTS OF THE HOMEOWNER -- THE LANDOWNER WHO DOES
12 NOT LIVE IN SUNCREST, SO HIS HEALTH AND SAFETY IS NOT
13 AFFECTED BY THIS .
14 AT SOME POINT I WOULD LIKE THE COMMISSION, IF I
15 BRING MY DAUGHTER, TO EXPLAIN HOW YOU WEIGH HEALTH AND
16 SAFETY OF 280 PEOPLE WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT IT, VERSUS
17 THE FINANCIAL INTEREST OF ONE ABSENTEE HOMEOWNER -- OR
18 LANDOWNER, I SHOULD SAY. AND I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO
19 PURSUE THIS, BECAUSE AS A PARENT I AM HAVING A HARD TIME
20 EXPLAINING HOW OUR SYSTEM WORKS .
21 THANK YOU .
22 MR . EMDE : MY NAME IS SHERRILL EMDE AND I AM A
5
23 RESIDENT OF SUNCREST, NO . 300 .
24 I AM NOT IN AGREEMENT WITH MR . FEINSTEIN . HE
%mw 25 DOES NOT REPRESENT ME . AS A MATTER OF FACT, MR . FEINSTEIN
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
14
1 DOESN ' T EVEN LIVE AT SUNCREST. HE STATES HE ' S A PROPERTY
2 OWNER, THAT' S CORRECT .
3 THERE ' S A LOT OF BAD INFORMATION GOING ON ABOUT
4 THE BENEFITS AND SO ON OF ANNEXATION . I 'VE BEEN THROUGH
5 THIS BEFORE IN VENTURA, AND THE CITY WAS WELL MEANING, BUT
6 THEY COULDN 'T FOLLOW THROUGH . AND I REALIZE THAT YOU
1 PEOPLE HAVEN ' T MADE A BUNCH OF PROMISES OR ANYTHING LIKE
8 THAT, BUT WE GET INFORMATION LIKE WE' RE GOING TO GET FREE
9 AMBULANCE SERVICE AND THINGS LIKE THAT. THERE IS NO FREE
10 LUNCH .
11 AND I REALIZE THAT THE CITIES ARE IN BAD
12 FINANCIAL SHAPE, JUST LIKE THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND
13 EVERYBODY ELSE .
14 I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT IN FAVOR OF
15 THIS, AND A LOT OF PEOPLE PROBABLY SIGNED THAT PETITION
16 THAT WAS PUT OUT, STARTED BY MR. FEINSTEIN AND TWO OTHER
17 GENTLEMEN WHO ARE NOT ASSOCIATED, IN ANY OFFICIAL
18 CAPACITY, WITH THE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION OR ANYTHING LIKE
19 THAT.
20 I ASKED QUESTIONS IN THE BEGINNING, AND I GOT NO
21 CONCRETE, SOLID ANSWERS . I ASKED ABOUT INCREASE IN TAXES,
22 WHICH I 'M SURE WOULD HAVE TO TAKE PLACE SOONER OR LATER,
23 AND I GOT A FIGURE OF 50 TO 70 DOLLARS PER YEAR . AND I
24 KNOW THAT ISN'T REALISTIC .
25 THE ONLY THING I COULD EVER COME UP WITH THAT
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
15
1 THEY WERE GETTING AT WAS THIS FREE AMBULANCE SERVICE . AND
2 AS I SAID BEFORE, I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE UNDER THE
3 MISCONCEPTION THAT WHEN YOU NEED TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL YOU
ftw
4 CAN CALL AN AMBULANCE AND GET A FREE RIDE OVER THERE, BUT
5 THAT ISN' T THE CASE .
6 SO I WOULD NEED TO HAVE A LOT MORE INFORMATION,
1 AND A PROJECTION FROM THE CITY AND EVERYONE ELSE, AS TO
8 WHAT WE' RE LOOKING AT DOWN THE ROAD TAXWISE AND
9 EVERYTHING . AND I REALIZE YOU DON'T KNOW EITHER . YOU
10 CAN 'T GIVE THAT INFORMATION, BECAUSE NONE OF US KNOW WHERE
11 THIS ECONOMY IS GOING .
12 BUT LIKE I SAY, I KNOW A LOT OF SATISFIED PEOPLE
13 THAT LIVE THERE, AND I AM ONE OF THEM . I 'VE BEEN THERE
14 NINE YEARS . OUR FIRE SERVICE, IN MY OPINION, IS
15 EXCELLENT. THE FIRE STATION, THE COUNTY FIRE STATION, IS
16 ON THE CORNER OF PORTOLA, AND I HAD THE OCCASION TO CALL
11 THEM ONE TIME ON A 911 EMERGENCY, AND THEY WERE THERE, I
18 MEAN, IN FIVE TO SEVEN MINUTES .
19 AND SO IF THERE ARE ANY BIG ADVANTAGES, I 'M NOT
20 AWARE OF IT. AND I REALIZE THERE ARE COSTS FOR YOUR
21 GOVERNMENT ALSO, THE TAXPAYERS OF PALM DESERT, AND I WOULD
22 JUST LIKE TO BE MADE AWARE OF WHAT BIG ADVANTAGE THIS
23 THING IS .
24 I THANK YOU VERY MUCH .
40
0W 25 MR . DIAZ : SIR, WHEN YOU CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT,
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
16
1 911, WAS IT FOR A FIRE?
2 MR . EMDE : NO, IT WAS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. -
3 MR . DIAZ : AND THEY WENT?
4 MR . EMDE : YES . AND I ' M NOT SURE WHETHER THEY CALLED
5 THE PARAMEDICS, BUT THEY RESPONDED AND TREATED THE MAN ON
6 THE SITE, AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE PARAMEDICS ARRIVED
7 AND TOOK HIM TO EISENHOWER HOSPITAL. BUT THE SERVICE WAS
8 EXCELLENT, AS FAR AS I 'M CONCERNED .
9 CHAIRMAN WHITLOCK : THANK YOU .
10 MS . BURNS : I 'M GRACE ANNA BURNS, AND I 'VE BEEN A
11 RESIDENT OF SUNCREST COUNTRY CLUB FOR 12 YEARS . I WAS
12 THEIR FIRST VICE PRESIDENT AND SECOND PRESIDENT OF THE
13 HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, AND I HAVE WATCHED SUNCREST
14 COUNTRY CLUB GROW, AND WE'VE HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS IN THE
15 GROWTH PERIOD .
16 BUT BASICALLY, WE' RE VERY, VERY HAPPY BEING IN
17 THE COUNTY, AND I 'M VERY MUCH AGAINST BEING ANNEXED . I
18 DON'T FEEL THE CITY OF PALM DESERT AT THIS TIME REALLY HAS
19 THAT MUCH TO OFFER US .
20 AND ALSO, I 'VE HAD SOME PEOPLE CALL ME WHEN THEY
21 WERE PUTTING THIS PETITION OUT AND ASK ME WHAT IS GOING
22 ON, DO YOU RECOMMEND IT? AND I EXPLAINED TO THEM WHAT THE
23 CITY WOULD HAVE TO OFFER AND WHAT WE ALREADY HAD, AND IT
24 WOULD JUST BE MORE TAXES AND MORE GOVERNMENT.
25 THE BIG ISSUE, AS I UNDERSTAND, WAS THE RENT
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
17
1 CONTROL . BUT AS WAS ALREADY MENTIONED, THE CITY IS ONLY
2 75 PERCENT OF THE C . P . I . AND GERHARD IS 100 PERCENT OF THE
low 3 C . P . I . , WHICH, FIGURING IT OUT, WORKS OUT TO BE ABOUT
4 THREE DOLLARS A MONTH LESS PER RESIDENT, WHICH REALLY
5 WOULDN 'T COMPENSATE FOR THE ADDITIONAL COST IT WOULD COST
6 US BEING PART OF THE CITY .
7 I FEEL THE PEOPLE DIDN 'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY
8 WERE SIGNING . I LOOKED OVER THE PETITION THAT WAS SIGNED,
9 AND THERE ARE QUITE A FEW THAT ARE TWO SIGNATURES PER
6
10 HOUSEHOLD . ALSO, VERY FEW OF THEM ARE REGISTERED VOTERS,
11 AND IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING, IN THE RESEARCH I ' VE DONE,
12 THAT 20 PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE THAT SIGNED THE PETITION
13 SHOULD BE REGISTERED VOTERS . SO ALL IN ALL, I DON 'T FEEL
14 THAT THE PETITION SHOULD BE DECLARED VALID AT THIS TIME .
15 I THINK IT SHOULD BE RESUBMITTED AFTER THE RESIDENTS HAVE
16 BEEN PROPERLY INFORMED AND DECLARED WHETHER THEY' RE
17 REGISTERED VOTERS OR NOT .
18 THANK YOU .
19 CHAIRMAN WHITLOCK : THANK YOU, MRS . BURNS .
20 IS THERE ANYONE ELSE PRESENT WHO WISHES TO
21 ADDRESS -- PLEASE STEP FORWARD .
22 MR . MALABY : I AM HAROLD MALABY, AND I AM A RESIDENT
23 OF SUNCREST COUNTRY CLUB, SPACE NO . 146 .
24 I WISH TO OFFER THE COUNCIL AN APOLOGY, BECAUSE
25 I THOUGHT IT WAS AT 7 : 30, AND I DROVE DOWN FROM BIG BEAR,
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
18
1 SO I 'M A LITTLE LATE . SORRY ABOUT THAT .
2 THE THING THAT I FIND INTERESTING IS THAT IN THE
3 INFORMATION THAT WE PUT OUT IN REGARDS -- WELL, I AM ALSO
4 THE REPRESENTATIVE FOR G . S . M . O . L . FOR OUR PARK . AND FOR
5 THAT, AS BEING A REPRESENTATIVE FROM G . S .M . O . L . , IT IS
6 PART OF MY DUTIES TO KEEP THE PEOPLE INFORMED IN SUNCREST
1 AS TO WHAT THE CURRENT LAWS ARE IN THEIR BEHALF, WHAT
8 SACRAMENTO IS DOING IN REGARDS TO MOBILE HOME RESIDENCY
9 LAWS, AND THIS TYPE OF THING .
10 WE ALSO HAVE AN IN-HOUSE NEWSPAPER THAT COMES
11 OUT MONTHLY CALLED THE DESERT BREEZE . IN THE DESERT
12 BREEZE THERE WAS A PIECE THAT I WROTE IN REGARDS TO THE
13 CURRENT LAW CHANGES . PRIMARILY WE WERE TALKING ABOUT --
14 WHAT SPURRED -- WHAT SPURRED THE ARTICLE WAS THE U . S .
15 SUPREME COURT RULING IN REGARDS TO RENT CONTROL .
16 BUT THE ITEMS THAT WERE MOST IMPORTANT -- AND
17 I 'VE SHOWN THIS TO MR. DIAZ, AND I 'VE MET WITH MR. DIAZ
18 AND GERHARD BEFELD, AND WE TALKED ABOUT THESE SAME
19 ITEMS -- WHAT WOULD IT MEAN TO US IN SUNCREST COUNTRY CLUB
20 IF WE WERE ANNEXED TO THE CITY?
21 NUMBER ONE, IMPROVED POLICE PROTECTION DUE TO
22 MORE OFFICERS ON PATROL. NOW TALKING ABOUT THAT JUST
23 MOMENTARILY, I 'VE TALKED AND I ' VE HAD SEVERAL
24 COMMUNICATIONS WITH CORKY LARSON . AND CORKY HAS TOLD ME
25 HERSELF THAT SHE WOULD ADVISE US AND URGE US TO GO INTO
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
19
1 THE CITY OF PALM DESERT BECAUSE OF BETTER POLICE
2 PROTECTION AND MORE PATROLS; THAT THE COUNTY WAS IN SUCH
3 FINANCIAL STRAITS THAT THEY WERE NO LONGER GOING TO BE
%aw
4 ABLE TO PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL PATROLS .
5 SHE ALLUDED TO THE FACT THAT THERE WERE, LIKE,
6 CURRENTLY FROM BEAUMONT TO INDIO ON THE EVENING PATROL,
7 THAT THERE WERE TWO OFFICERS ON DUTY ON THAT PATROL . AND
8 THAT CERTAINLY, IN OUR OPINION, WAS NOT SUFFICIENT. AND
9 SO SHE HAS URGED US -- AND I HAVE THIS IN WRITING -- TO
10 COME TO THE CITY AND PETITION THE CITY FOR US TO GO INTO
11 THE CITY THROUGH AN ANNEXATION PROCESS .
12 THE SECOND ITEM WAS NO CHARGE FOR PARAMEDICS AND
13 CITY AMBULANCE SERVICES . NOW WE UNDERSTAND THERE IS AN
14 ADDITIONAL $48 PER YEAR PER RESIDENT FOR THOSE SERVICES
15 THAT YOU FOLKS PROVIDE . AND THAT WAS FULLY EXPLAINED TO
16 THE PEOPLE WHO SIGNED THE PETITIONS .
17 LET ME JUMP TO THE PETITIONS FOR A MINUTE,
18 BECAUSE IT WAS JUST STATED THAT SOME -- ON THESE PETITIONS
19 THAT WERE SIGNED, SOME OF THE HOMEOWNERS SIGNED TWICE . IN
20 OTHER WORDS, WHAT THEY MEANT BY THAT IS THAT THE HUSBAND
21 AND WIFE BOTH SIGNED FOR ONE HOUSEHOLD . THE 60 PERCENT
22 SIGNATURES WERE ONLY COUNTED ONE SIGNATURE PER HOUSEHOLD ,
23 WE DID NOT COUNT TWO SIGNATURES PER HOUSEHOLD, WE ONLY
24 COUNTED ONE SIGNATURE PER HOUSEHOLD . SO THE PETITIONS
`ow 25 THAT YOU HAVE, OR SOMEBODY IN THE CITY HAS, WITH 60
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
20
1 PERCENT WITH 200-SOME-ODD SIGNATURES, ARE ONLY ONE
2 SIGNATURE PER HOUSEHOLD .
3 THE CITY SERVICE -- ANOTHER ITEM WAS THAT THE
4 CITY SERVICES WERE CLOSER AND MORE AVAILABLE THAN THE
5 COUNTY. THAT IS TRUE . AND, HERE AGAIN, CORKY LARSON HAS
6 ONCE AGAIN URGED US TO GO INTO THE CITY, BECAUSE WE WOULD
7 HAVE BETTER SERVICES RENDERED TO US BECAUSE OF THE CLOSE
8 PROXIMITY TO WHICH THOSE SERVICES ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO
9 US .
10 THE FOURTH ITEM IS -- WELL, THE FIFTH ITEM IS
11 25 PERCENT SAVINGS PER YEAR ON ALL LAND RENT INCREASES
12 CHARGED BY THE PARK OWNER, WHICH MEANS THAT YOUR CITY
13 ORDINANCE, IN REGARDS TO RENT CONTROL, INDICATES THAT THE
14 PARK OWNER WOULD ONLY BE ABLE TO CHARGE US 75 PERCENT OF
15 THE C . P. I . INCREASE, RATHER THAN WHAT HE' S DOING NOW IS
16 100 PERCENT.
17 YES, WE ARE INTERESTED IN RENT CONTROL, BUT THE
18 MAIN EMPHASIS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO PUT FORTH IS WE ARE
7
19 ALSO INTERESTED IN THE SAFETY AND WELFARE OF OUR PEOPLE .
20 OUR PEOPLE ARE 55 -- THE PARK IS A 55 AND OLDER PARK .
21 EVERY DAY THAT GOES BY WE GET A LITTLE OLDER. AND,
22 UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE ILLNESSES, AND CRITICAL, AND WE DO
23 NEED A QUICKER RESPONSE, AND CERTAINLY AT A LOWERED COST.
24 THE $48 THAT YOU FOLKS ASK US TO PAY TOWARDS THE PARAMEDIC
25 COST IS EXTREMELY REASONABLE, EXTREMELY REASONABLE, AND WE
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
21
1 WOULD BE VERY, VERY FORTUNATE IF WE WOULD COME UNDERNEATH
2 THOSE GUIDELINES .
tow 3 NOW THAT IS IMPORTANT TO US, BECAUSE A LOT OF
4 PEOPLE HAVE PAID FIVE, SIX, $700 FOR AMBULANCE SERVICES
5 FROM OUR PARK TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL . AND WE THINK THAT
6 THAT WOULD BE BETTER SPENT IN OUR OWN POCKET, BECAUSE MOST
7 OF US ARE ON LIMITED INCOME, FIXED INCOME . AND IF WE CAN
8 SAVE -- I MEAN, WE WANT TO DECREASE OUR CASH FLOW JUST
9 LIKE -- I MEAN, WE WANT TO INCREASE OUR CASH FLOW BY
10 DECREASING OUR EXPENSES, JUST LIKE THE CITY DOES , BUT IT
11 IS TO OUR ADVANTAGE TO COME INTO THE CITY.
12 NOW I DON 'T THINK WE' RE SECOND-CLASS CITIZENS
13 EITHER . WE SPEND OUR MONEY IN THE CITY, WE OPERATE HERE
�.. 14 IN THE CITY, WE LIKE THE CITY, WHY NOT BE PART OF THE
15 CITY. THERE WERE SOME PEOPLE THAT WHEN WE WENT THROUGH
16 WITH OUR PETITIONS THEY THOUGHT WE WERE IN THE CITY . THEY
17 DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THAT, WHICH WAS KIND OF STARTLING TO ME,
18 BUT THAT' S THE WAY IT IS .
19 SO IT' S BEEN MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE CITY
20 COUNCIL VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO ACCEPT US INTO THE CITY . NOW
21 WHAT THE COUNCIL DID WAS THEN TO PUT THE CHARGE ON THIS
22 BODY TO SEE WHAT' S THE MECHANICS OF THAT AND HOW DO WE GO
23 ABOUT DOING THAT IN REGARDS TO ZONING AND THIS TYPE OF
24 THING .
tow 25 THE COUNTY IS VERY MUCH INTERESTED -- AND WE
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
22
1 HAVE CONTACTED THE COUNTY -- AND THE COUNTY IS INTERESTED
2 IN LETTING US GO, PER SE, OR WORKING WITH THE CITY SO THAT
3 WE CAN BECOME A PART OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT . I REALLY
4 DON 'T SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS .
5 THE TAXES ARE STILL GOING TO BE COUNTY TAXES .
6 THEY ARE GOING TO BE CHARGED BY THE COUNTY. 75 PERCENT OF
7 IT, AS I UNDERSTAND, WILL CONTINUE TO GO TO THE COUNTY ,
8 THE OTHER 25 PERCENT WILL GO TO THE CITY. IF I 'M WRONG ON
9 THESE STATEMENTS, THEN THIS IS THE PLACE TO TELL ME THAT
10 I 'M WRONG, BUT THAT IS WHAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD.
11 THERE IS NOBODY IN THE PARK, THAT I KNOW OF,
12 THAT HAS A VENDETTA AGAINST THE PARK OWNER. WE ' RE NOT
13 OUT -- I MEAN, IT ISN'T -- THE INTENT OF THE PETITION IS
14 TO COME INTO THE CITY OF PALM DESERT. IT IS NOT THE NO
15 INTENT TO GET BACK AT THE OWNER. THAT' S SILLY. THE
16 REASON OF OUR INTENT TO GO INTO THE CITY IS SO WE HAVE
17 BETTER POLICE PROTECTION, BETTER SERVICES AND THE
18 PARAMEDICS, AND THE LAST TAG ON IS THE RENT CONTROL .
19 NOW THE CURRENT OWNER OF THE PARK POSSIBLY, AND
20 VERY LIKELY SO, IS NOT IN FAVOR OF RENT CONTROL, BECAUSE
21 IT IS GOING TO CUT INTO HIS CASH FLOW . I UNDERSTAND THAT.
22 LET' S GET IT RIGHT UP FRONT. BUT WE ARE ALSO INTERESTED
23 IN CASH FLOW . BUT THAT IS NOT THE MAIN EMPHASIS OF THIS
24 WHOLE THING .
25 IT IS NOT GOING TO INCREASE OUR TAXES IF WE ARE
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
23
1 INCORPORATED INTO THE CITY OF PALM DESERT. OUR TAX BASE
2 IS GOING TO REMAIN THE SAME . IT IS STILL GOING TO BE IN
3 THE COUNTY. THE ADDITIONAL COST TO OUR RESIDENTS OF
ftw
4 SUNCREST IS THE $48 PER YEAR FOR THE PARAMEDICS . AND WE
5 FEEL, THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE IN THERE FEEL, THROUGH
6 PETITION, THAT THAT IS A BARGAIN, THAT IS A REAL BARGAIN .
7 SO I URGE THIS BODY TO GO FORTH AS SOON AS
8 POSSIBLE WITH THE ANNEXATION .
9 THERE WAS ALSO SOME THOUGHT OF, WELL, WE' RE
10 GOING TO TIE THE ANNEXATION ALONG WITH THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL
11 THAT WE' RE TRYING TO PUT IN IN FRONT OF OUR COMPLEX . IT
12 HAS ALREADY BEEN STATED BY SEVERAL OF THE PEOPLE IN THE
13 CITY THAT THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL AND THE ANNEXATION HAS
14 NOTHING TO DO WITH ONE ANOTHER . THEY' RE TWO SEPARATE
15 ENTITIES . THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL IS ALREADY IN PROGRESS, IT
16 IS GOING THROUGH THE REGULAR CHANNELS, AND SO THAT IS THE
17 WAY IT IS . . BUT WE' RE NOT TRYING TO TIE THOSE TWO
18 TOGETHER . THEY ARE TWO SEPARATE PACKAGES .
19 AND I THINK THE ONE THAT WE NEED TO DISCUSS HERE
20 TONIGHT IS WHETHER OR NOT -- WE ARE GOING INTO THE CITY OF
21 PALM DESERT THROUGH THE ANNEXATION PROCESS . THAT HAS
22 ALREADY BEEN -- IF I 'M NOT MISTAKEN, THAT HAS BEEN DECIDED
8
23 BY THE COUNCIL. THE QUESTION IS, THE MECHANICS OF IT, I
24 THINK, IS WHAT WE' RE TALKING ABOUT TONIGHT.
`" 25 IS THAT RIGHT, MR . DIAZ? AM I WRONG ON THAT?
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
24
1 MR . DIAZ : THE ONLY THING THAT HAS BEEN DECIDED BY
2 THE COUNCIL IS TO ACCEPT THE PETITION AND START THE
3 PROCESS . NOTHING ELSE HAS HAPPENED . THE START OF THE
4 PROCESS IS A PREANNEXATION HEARING . ALL OF THESE THINGS
5 WE'VE HEARD TONIGHT, I KNOW I AM GOING TO HEAR THEM AGAIN
6 WHEN WE HAVE THE HEARING FOR THE ANNEXATION BEFORE THE
7 COUNCIL, NOT THE ZONING, AND ALSO BEFORE L. A . F . C . O . , LOCAL
8 AGENCY FORMATION COMMISSION . THAT IS WHERE THOSE
9 ARGUMENTS SHOULD BE .
10 MR. MALABY: THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR ATTENTION .
11 COMMISSIONER RICHARDS : MR . MALABY, STAY THERE A
12 MINUTE, PLEASE . I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT SOME NUMBERS
13 ARE, OKAY?
14 WHAT IS THE AVERAGE RENT THAT YOU WOULD ASSUME
15 PEOPLE ARE PAYING FOR YOUR SPACE?
16 MR . MALABY: WELL, YOU KNOW --
17 COMMISSIONER RICHARDS : WHAT DO YOU PAY?
18 MR. MALABY: IT IS A DIFFICULT ONE, BECAUSE OF THE
19 GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION OF WHERE THE SPACE IS LOCATED . ONE
20 UP BY THE GATE, FOR INSTANCE, THAT DOESN 'T HAVE THE GOLF
21 COURSE AMENITIES TO IT, OR ONE BY THE GOLF COURSE OR ONE
22 CLOSER TO THE SWIMMING POOL OR ONE CLOSER TO THE --
23 COMMISSIONER RICHARDS : THE PURPOSE OF MY
24 ILLUSTRATION, IT DOESN 'T NEED TO BE CLOSE . JUST GIVE ME A
25 BALLPARK .
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
25
1 MR . MALABY: I DON 'T KNOW .
2 COMMISSIONER RICHARDS : WHAT ARE YOU PAYING?
3 MR . MALABY : CAN I RELY ON THE PEOPLE THAT ARE BEHIND
ftw
4 ME? WE DO HAVE A REPRESENTATION FROM THE SUNCREST HERE .
5 BUT I WOULD SAY PERSONALLY, MY OWN PERSONAL OPINION, I
6 WOULD SAY A BALLPARK AVERAGE ONE WOULD BE $450 .
7 COMMISSIONER RICHARDS : OKAY.
8 MR. MALABY: NOW, WAIT A MINUTE, CAN I ASK --
9 COMMISSIONER RICHARDS : NO, NO, IT DOESN'T MATTER IF
10 IT IS 300 . YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND WHERE I 'M GETTING . I
11 AM TRYING TO COME AT A DIFFERENT PLACE . IF IT IS 200 OR
12 500, I DON'T CARE . THE PURPOSE OF MY QUESTION IS TO
13 DETERMINE WHAT THE DIFFERENCE PERHAPS IS IN THIS RENT
�.. 14 CONTROL ITEM, OKAY?
15 IF THE INFLATION THIS YEAR, LET' S SAY, IS
16 3 PERCENT, AND SOMEBODY IS PAYING 200 OR THEY' RE PAYING
17 500, THE DIFFERENCE FOR 200, IT WOULD BE, I GUESS, SIX
18 DOLLARS, AND THE DIFFERENCE FOR SOMEBODY AT 500 WOULD BE,
19 I GUESS, $15 . ARE MY NUMBERS RIGHT? I MEAN, PER MONTH,
20 OKAY? IF THE DIFFERENCE OF THAT NUMBER IS 75 PERCENT OF
21 THE 3 PERCENT, OKAY, IN THE EXTREME CASE, WHATEVER THE
22 INCREASE WAS --
23 MR. MALABY : RIGHT .
24 COMMISSIONER RICHARDS : IN THE EXTREME CASE IF THE
lamw 25 PERSONS PAYING 500 PER MONTH, THE $18 WOULD BE --
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
26
1 APPARENTLY 75 PERCENT OF THE 18 WOULD BE WHAT -- CASH FLOW
2 SAVINGS AS YOU INDICATED WOULD BE; IS THAT CORRECT?
3 (MULTIPLE OUTBURSTS FROM THE AUDIENCE . )
4 MR . MALABY: THE CASH FLOW SAVINGS THAT A RESIDENT
5 WOULD RECOGNIZE UNDER YOUR CURRENT ORDINANCE WOULD BE
6 25 PERCENT --
7 COMMISSIONER RICHARDS : RIGHT.
8 MR . MALABY: -- OF WHAT CURRENTLY IS BEING CHARGED TO
9 THEM NOW .
10 COMMISSIONER RICHARDS : OKAY.
11 MR. MALABY: RIGHT NOW THE OWNER GETS 100 PERCENT OF
12 THE C . P . I . INCREASE, AND IF WE WERE IN THE CITY OF
13 PALM DESERT, YOU WOULD ONLY GET 75 PERCENT.
14 COMMISSIONER RICHARDS : IN EITHER EXTREME IT IS
15 EITHER GOING TO BE SOME PERCENTAGE OF $18, WHICH WOULD
16 BE --
17 MR . MALABY: IN MY PARTICULAR CASE I THINK -- IF YOU
18 ALLOW ME, IN MY PARTICULAR CASE, AND I AM STRICTLY GOING
19 BY MEMORY -- I DID THIS CALCULATION LIKE 12 MONTHS AGO --
20 IF THAT IS THE CASE, IN MY PARTICULAR CASE I WOULD SAVE
21 MONTHLY SOMETHING LIKE -- SOMEPLACE BETWEEN EIGHT AND TEN
22 DOLLARS A MONTH .
23 COMMISSIONER RICHARDS : I DON 'T UNDERSTAND .
24 MR. MALABY: WELL, IN OTHER WORDS, THE 25 PERCENT
25 THAT WOULD ORDINARILY BE GOING TO THE LANDLORD WOULD NOW
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
27
1 STAY IN MY POCKET, HE WOULD RETAIN THE 75 PERCENT OF THE
2 100 PERCENT THAT HE' S NOW CHARGING .
3 ARE YOU WITH ME?
4 COMMISSIONER RICHARDS : I AM, BUT --
5 MR . MALABY : SO THE 25 PERCENT THAT I WOULD BE SAVING
6 WOULD BE SOMEPLACE BETWEEN EIGHT AND TEN DOLLARS A MONTH .
7 SO LET' S SAY -- FOR SIMPLE MATH, LET' S SAY IT IS TEN
8 DOLLARS, SO I WOULD BE SAVING $120 PER YEAR IF I WAS IN
9 THE CITY OF PALM DESERT UNDER YOUR CURRENT RENT CONTROL
10 LAWS .
11 COMMISSIONER RICHARDS : MAYBE I HEARD SOMETHING
12 WRONG . I HEARD HERE --
13 COMMISSIONER JONATHAN : ON A. $500 SPACE THE SAVINGS
14 WOULD BE $3 . 75 ASSUMING THE 3 PERCENT C . P . I . INCREASE .
15 COMMISSIONER RICHARDS : WELL, 120 AND THREE DOLLARS
16 TIMES 12 IS --
17 COMMISSIONER DOWNS : $48 .
18 COMMISSIONER RICHARDS : WHAT I THINK IS GOING ON HERE
19 IS REALLY A LOT OF MISINFORMATION .
20 MR. MALABY : SO WHAT IS YOUR POINT, MR. RICHARDS?
21 COMMISSIONER RICHARDS : MY POINT IS THAT -- I AM
22 TRYING TO REALLY ESTABLISH WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE TO YOUR
23 POCKET IF YOU WERE IN THE CITY OR OUT OF THE CITY? THE
24 $48 -- IT APPEARS TO ME, IF A PERSON IS PAYING $500 A
25 MONTH, AND THE INCREASE -- AND AS I UNDERSTAND IT, WE ' RE
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
28
1 ONLY TALKING ABOUT, THE WAY THE RENT CONTROL GOES, IS ONLY
2 APPLIED TO THE INCREASE, NOT TO THE BASIC RENT, ONLY TO
3 THE INCREASE .
fto
4 MR. MALABY: C . P . I . INCREASE .
5 COMMISSIONER RICHARDS : IF THE INCREASE IS 3 PERCENT
6 THIS YEAR ON $500 A MONTH, I THINK THAT COMES TO $15 A
9
7 MONTH . IF THAT $15 A MONTH, YOU THEN HAD TO TAKE 75
8 PERCENT OF THE 15, THAT IS WHAT WOULD BE APPLIED IN THE
9 CITY OF PALM DESERT VERSUS 100, YOU ' RE TALKING ABOUT $15
10 OR 11 OR --
11 COMMISSIONER DOWNS : FIFTY BUCKS A YEAR.
12 COMMISSIONER RICHARDS : -- OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
13 THE DIFFERENCE REALLY IS, YOU ' RE SITTING HERE
14 REPRESENTING A GROUP OF PEOPLE, YOU ' RE TELLING ME $120, fto
15 AND I DON'T THINK YOU KNOW YOUR NUMBERS .
16 MR. MALABY: WELL, MR. RICHARDS, I WOULD LIKE TO
17 RESTATE SOMETHING ONCE AGAIN TO YOU .
18 COMMISSIONER RICHARDS : OKAY.
19 MR. MALABY: IN THE INFORMATION THAT WAS PUBLISHED TO
20 OUR PEOPLE IN OUR PARK, THE INFORMATION THAT WAS GIVEN OUT
21 TO THOSE PEOPLE WHEN THEY SIGNED THE PETITION IS THE SAME
22 INFORMATION . AND I WENT OVER THOSE FIVE COUNTS WITH YOU
23 AS TO WHY DO WE WANT TO COME INTO THE CITY. NOW THE
24 PRIMARY THING -- SEE, YOU ' RE ZONING IN ON THE FIFTH ITEM .
25 THE FIRST ITEM IS SAFETY AND WELFARE OF THE PARTICIPANTS
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
29
1 OR OF THE --
2 COMMISSIONER RICHARDS : NO, I DON 'T WANT TO GO OVER
3 THAT. WE HEARD THAT TESTIMONY, OKAY?
4 MR . MALABY: OKAY, FINE .
5 COMMISSIONER RICHARDS : I 'M ASKING YOU A SPECIFIC
6 QUESTION AND YOU APPEAR TO ME TO BE DEAD WRONG, OKAY?
7 MR . MALABY : WELL, I DON 'T KNOW HOW I AM DEAD WRONG .
8 COMMISSIONER RICHARDS : YOU HAVE GIVEN ME A NUMBER
9 OF -- HOLD IT, I LISTENED TO YOU .
10 YOU HAVE GIVEN ME A NUMBER OF $120, WHAT YOUR
11 APPROXIMATE SAVINGS, YOU THOUGHT, WOULD BE . WE HAVE A
12 GENTLEMAN HERE ON THE COMMISSION THAT HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN
13 THIS SITUATION, AND I DON 'T THINK. IT TAKES A ROCKET
14 SCIENTIST TO FIGURE OUT THAT AT $500 A MONTH, AND WE HAVE
15 AN INFLATION FACTOR OF 3 PERCENT, THAT THE NUMBER IS $15
16 PER MONTH, AND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND THE
17 CITY IS, IS THAT THE COUNTY SAYS --
18 MR. MALABY: WHAT IS 25 PERCENT OF 15?
19 COMMISSIONER JONATHAN : 3 . 75 .
20 MR. MALABY: THEN YOU TAKE 3 . 75 TIMES 12 --
21 COMMISSIONER JONATHAN : $45 .
22 MR . MALABY: AND THAT IS WHAT THE SAVINGS WOULD BE .
23 COMMISSIONER RICHARDS : OKAY, IT IS 45, NOT 120 .
24 MR. MALABY: OKAY.
%ow 25 COMMISSIONER RICHARDS : I JUST WANT THE NUMBERS,
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
30
1 OKAY?
2 ALSO, IF THE DIFFERENCE IS THAT THE CITY CHARGES
3 FOR THEIR FIRE CONTROL OR FIRE -- WHAT IS THAT?
4 MR . DIAZ : FIRE ASSESSMENT.
5 COMMISSIONER RICHARDS : -- FIRE ASSESSMENT IS 48, IT
6 LOOKS LIKE TO ME THAT WE' RE REALLY NOT TALKING ABOUT MUCH
7 DIFFERENCE IN MONEY; IS THAT A FAIR STATEMENT?
8 MR . MALABY: NO, I DON 'T BELIEVE SO .
9 COMMISSIONER RICHARDS : I ASKED YOU --
10 UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER : HOW ABOUT YOUR LIFE, THOUGH,
11 THE DIFFERENCE?
12 COMMISSIONER RICHARDS : THE WHAT?
13 UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER : YOUR LIFE.
14 COMMISSIONER RICHARDS : NO, IT HAS --
15 UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: THE DIFFERENCE IS --
16 COMMISSIONER DOWNS : WE DON 'T --
17 COMMISSIONER RICHARDS : NO, I AM JUST TALKING ABOUT
18 COST.
19 MR. MALABY: ELECTRIC BILL HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH IT.
20 COMMISSIONER RICHARDS : SHE IS TALKING ABOUT LIFE .
21 WE' LL GET TO THAT OTHER POINT LATER . I DON'T MEAN TO --
22 MR . MALABY: WHAT I AM TRYING TO SAY TO YOU IS WE ARE
23 A 55 AND OLDER PARK .
24 COMMISSIONER RICHARDS : MR . MALABY, I AM NOT
25 QUESTIONING THE OTHER FOUR ITEMS, OKAY?
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
31
1 MR . MALABY : OKAY .
2 COMMISSIONER RICHARDS : I JUST WANTED THE VERACITY OF
3 YOUR PREVIOUS STATEMENT TO BE UNDERSTOOD, AND I DON 'T
4 THINK THAT IT IS . I THINK THAT CLEARLY, FROM DOLLARS AND
5 CENTS, FROM WHAT I ' VE HEARD HERE, JUST DOLLARS AND CENTS,
6 NOT SAFETY, NOT ANY OF THE OTHER THREE ITEMS, THAT IT IS
7 ABOUT A PUSH .
8 MR . MALABY: HOW CAN YOU PUT A DOLLAR FACTOR ON
9 SAFETY?
10 COMMISSIONER RICHARDS : WE HAVEN'T EVEN DISCUSSED
11 THAT.
12 MR. MALABY: HOW CAN YOU PUT A DOLLAR FIGURE ON
13 AMBULANCE --
�.. 14 COMMISSIONER RICHARDS : MR. MALABY, WE HAVEN'T EVEN
15 DISCUSSED THAT PRO OR CON . I JUST ASKED YOU -- YOU GAVE
16 US A NUMBER; THE NUMBER, IN MY ESTIMATION, WAS NOT
17 CORRECT, OKAY? NOW WE'VE GOT TO COME TO SOME AGREEMENT ON
18 BOTH ENDS .
19 THANK YOU VERY MUCH . YOU ANSWERED MY QUESTION .
20 MR . MALABY: OKAY .
21 CHAIRMAN WHITLOCK : THANK YOU, MR. MALABY.
22 IS THERE ANYONE ELSE PRESENT --
23 UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER : YES, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW
24 WHERE YOU GOT THE 3 PERCENT INFLATION FACTOR, WHEN LAST
25 YEAR OUR PARK OPERATED ON A C . O . L. OF AROUND 6 PERCENT,
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
32
1 WHICH IS THE REGIONAL INFLATION FACTOR, NOT NATIONAL .
2 COMMISSIONER RICHARDS : WELL, IT HAPPENS TO BE MY
3 BUSINESS . THE ANNUAL INFLATION FACTOR OF THIS YEAR WILL
too
4 BE AROUND --
5 CHAIRMAN WHITLOCK : JIM, PLEASE .
6 IF YOU WISH TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION, WOULD YOU
1 PLEASE STEP FORWARD, IDENTIFY YOURSELF .
8 MR . FEINSTEIN, WE'VE ALREADY HEARD YOU . IF YOU
9 DON 'T MIND, LET' S SEE IF THERE IS ANYONE ELSE PRESENT WHO
10 WISHES TO ADDRESS US .
11 ONE AT A TIME . PLEASE IDENTIFY YOURSELF . GIVE
12 US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS . THANK YOU .
13 MR . RESSLER: WALT RESSLER, I LIVE AT SUNCREST, SPACE
14 252 .
15 I KNOW A LOT IS GOING TO BE SAID HERE . THE ONLY
16 THING I WOULD SAY, WHICH I THINK MR. MALABY DID NOT BRING
17 UP, WHICH THIS GENTLEMAN OVER HERE BROUGHT UP WHEN WE HAD
18 OUR MEETING IN OUR LITTLE CLUBHOUSE, THAT OUR TRASH PICKUP
19 DOWN, WHICH WE PAY NOTHING FOR, WE WILL NOW PICK UP . WHEN
20 W8-GO TO THE CITY, WE ARE GOING TO PICK UP A BILL FROM THE
21 CITY, OR SOMEBODY, THIS TEN DOLLARS A MONTH, WHICH IS
22 ABOUT $120 A YEAR, WHICH IS ANOTHER ITEM WE' RE GOING TO
23 HAVE IF WE GO INTO THE CITY, WHICH WE DON'T HAVE RIGHT
24 NOW .
25 AND ON THE RECORD, I AM AGAINST GOING TO THE
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
33
10 1 CITY UNDER THE PRESENT STANDARDS . BECAUSE I FEEL IF THE
2 GREENS COMES INTO THE CITY, WE SHOULD GO INTO THE CITY .
3 IF WE GO INTO THE CITY, THE GREENS SHOULD GO INTO THE
%ow
4 CITY. I THINK IT IS BETTER FOR THE CITY OF PALM DESERT TO
5 HAVE THAT WHOLE AREA, WHICH WOULD TAKE IN COUNTRY CLUB
6 DRIVE, FRANK SINATRA FROM MONTEREY TO PORTOLA, THAT WHOLE
7 AREA, THAT WOULD BE THE CITY, THEN THE CITY WOULD HAVE
8 EVERYTHING THEY WANT. EVERYTHING ELSE WOULD BE CITY.
9 WE'RE THE ONLY LITTLE SECTION RIGHT THERE THAT IS STILL
10 COUNTY. AND I FEEL THAT TO GET US ALL IN IN THE CITY, WE
11 AND THE GREENS HAVE TO COME IN TOGETHER.
12 THAT IS ALL I HAVE TO SAY, BUT I AM AGAINST IT
13 AT THE PRESENT TIME . AND I DO WANT TO BRING UP WE ARE
14 GOING TO HAVE A RUBBISH COLLECTION, AND IT IS GOING TO BE
15 ABOUT TEN DOLLARS, SO THAT IS ANOTHER $120 TO ADD ON TO
16 OUR BILL.
17 THANK YOU .
18 MR. DIAZ: MADAM CHAIRPERSON, TO CLARIFY STAFF' S
19 RECOMMENDATION, WE RECOMMEND THAT WE PROCEED WITH THE
20 PREZONING, SEND THE PREZONING QUESTION UP TO THE COUNCIL,
21 AND RECOMMEND TO THE COUNCIL THAT -- ONE OF TWO THINGS .
22 EITHER, ONE, THAT THE PETITION BE RECIRCULATED IN THE
23 PARK, OR SECONDLY, THAT THE FOLKS IN PALM DESERT -- IN THE
24 SUNCREST COUNTRY CLUB TAKE A VOTE ON THAT. THE ISSUE
'"- 25 TONIGHT IS THE PREANNEXATION ZONING .
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
34
1 ALL OF A SUDDEN NOW WE' RE GETTING PEOPLE THAT
2 DON'T WANT IT, THAT DIDN'T WANT IN . AS YOU RECALL LAST
3 TIME, IT WAS ALL THE PEOPLE THAT WANTED IT.
4 THE OTHER ALTERNATIVE IS SIMILAR TO THE
5 PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB PEOPLE . THE PALM DESERT COUNTRY
6 CLUB PEOPLE, WHEN THEY CAME TO THE CITY TO COME INTO OUR
1 SPHERE OF INFLUENCE, THEY PAID FOR THAT APPLICATION WITH
8 L. A. F. C .O . THEY RAISED THE MONEY AND PAID FOR THAT
9 APPLICATION WITH L.A. F. C . O . , SO THAT IS ANOTHER
10 ALTERNATIVE .
11 SO WHAT I AM SAYING IS, LET' S MOVE THE
12 PREANNEXATION ZONING ON, BUT HAVE THEM RECIRCULATE THE
13 PETITION . THAT WAY THE PEOPLE CAN HAVE A YEA OR NAY
14 PETITION AND FIND OUT EXACTLY WHERE IN THE HECK THEY
15 STAND .
16 COMMISSIONER DOWNS : A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT
11 THEY' RE DOING .
18 (MULTIPLE OUTBURSTS FROM THE AUDIENCE . )
19 CHAIRMAN WHITLOCK : PLEASE, WOULD YOU LIKE TO GIVE US
20 YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS .
21 MR. GRUBER: MY NAME IS TOM GRUBER AND I AM A
22 RESIDENT OF SUNCREST COUNTRY CLUB, SPACE 299, HAVE BEEN
23 FOR FIVE AND A HALF YEARS .
24 THE CURRENT INFLATION RATE MIGHT BE 3 PERCENT,
25 MR . RICHARDS; HOWEVER, WE HAVE PAID 6 AND 8 AND 9 PERCENT .
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
35
1 MY RENT STARTED AT 460 FIVE YEARS AGO, IT IS NOW 571 . I 'M
2 SURE IT WILL GO OVER 600 NEXT APRIL . IF YOU EQUATE THAT
3 BACK, IT WILL NOT BE 3 PERCENT . GOD ONLY KNOWS WHAT IT
4 WILL BE NEXT YEAR AND THE YEAR AFTER . WE' RE LOOKING FOR
5 SOME SEMBLANCE HERE OF CONTROL.
6 I , FOR ONE, USE THE CITY FACILITIES EVERY DAY.
7 I COME INTO YOUR PARK, AND I FEEL, AS RESIDENTS OF
8 SUNCREST, WE SHOULD PAY OUR PART FOR THE CITY. WE SPEND
9 OUR MONEY HERE . WE' RE AN ISLAND TOTALLY SURROUNDED BY THE
10 CITY OF PALM DESERT.
11 AND AS FAR AS THE 3 PERCENT, MR . MALABY' S
12 NUMBERS ARE ACCURATE, YOURS ARE WRONG .
13 THANK YOU .
`w 14 CHAIRMAN WHITLOCK : ALL RIGHT, MR . FEINSTEIN .
15 MR . FEINSTEIN : THANK YOU . THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO
16 WITH OTHER THAN FACTS AND FIGURES .
17 MR . RICHARDS, I LISTENED TO YOU AND I RESPECT
18 YOU . I ALSO GET THE C . P . I . REPORT MONTHLY. IN MY
19 PARTICULAR CASE -- AND I ' LL BE VERY SPECIFIC -- I PAY $515
20 A MONTH . THE C . P . I . IS BETWEEN 3 . 2 AND 3 . 4, DEPENDING ON
21 WHAT AREA. NOW, IF I SELL MY UNIT, MY RENT GOES TO 582,
22 11 PERCENT, PLUS 3 PERCENT WHICH IS COMPOUNDING . THOSE
23 ARE SPECIFIC FIGURES . THOSE ARE -- I HAVE A HEART
24 CONDITION .
"`p 25 MS , MOLEVER : GODDAMN YOU, MR . RICHARDS . GODDAMN
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
36
1 YOU .
2 (BREAK IN PROCEEDINGS . )
3 CHAIRMAN WHITLOCK : ALL RIGHT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
4 LET' S TRY AND RESUME.
5 IS THERE ANYONE ELSE PRESENT WHO WANTED TO
6 ADDRESS THE COMMISSION REGARDING THE PREZONING?
7 MR. ZIER : MY NAME IS FRANK ZIER (PHONETIC ) AND I
8 LIVE AT SPACE NO . 2 AT SUNCREST COUNTRY CLUB AND I OPPOSE
9 THE ANNEXATION .
10 THANK YOU .
11 CHAIRMAN WHITLOCK : IS THERE ANYONE ELSE?
12 PLEASE STEP FORWARD AND GIVE US YOUR NAME AND
13 ADDRESS . SOMEONE RAISED THEIR HAND .
14 WOULD YOU LIKE TO STEP FORWARD?
15 MR. BACHRACH : MY NAME IS JERRY BACHRACH AND I LIVE
16 AT SUNCREST.
17 I AM IN FAVOR OF ANNEXATION, AND ALSO I AM
18 OPPOSED TO THE FACT THAT THEY' RE QUESTIONING THE VERACITY
19 OF THIS PETITION BY SAYING WE SHOULD RESUBMIT IT. NOW I ' M
20 NOT ON THE COMMITTEE, I 'M ON THE PETITION, I SIGNED THE
21 PETITION . NOW IF THAT PETITION WAS SIGNED BY THAT MANY
22 MEMBERS WHO CAME TO MEETINGS AND WERE SPOKEN TO -- AND
23 WE' RE DEALING WITH FACTS THAT WERE RECOGNIZED -- I CAN ' T
24 SEE YOU DOUBTING THE VERACITY OF THE COMMITTEE WHO DID
25 THIS, AND I DON'T THINK IT IS NECESSARY TO REAPPLY IT .
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
37
1 MR . DIAZ : MADAM CHAIRPERSON, LET ME CLARIFY ONE
2 THING .
3 WE ARE NOT DOUBTING THE VERACITY OF THE
1�
4 PETITION . ANNEXATION LAW WOULD GENERATE AN ELECTION, IN
5 ANY EVENT, IF THIS IS 25 PERCENT WRITTEN VOTER PROTEST.
6 THE REASON I SAID TO RECIRCULATE THE PETITION AND MOVE
7 THIS ON, THAT WAY WE KNOW EXACTLY WHERE WE ARE . SOME
8 PEOPLE HAVE SAID THAT THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THEY WERE
9 SIGNING, OKAY? I 'M NOT DOUBTING THE PEOPLE WHO PASSED
10 THAT PETITION .
11 CHAIRMAN WHITLOCK : IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO WISHES
12 TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION?
13 MR. BEFELD : GERHARD BEFELD . .
v" 14 ACTUALLY I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT I THINK MAYBE
15 RECIRCULATING THE PETITION WITH AN INFORMATION SHEET
16 PREPARED BY BOTH SIDES, OR SOMETHING, MIGHT CLEAR UP SOME
17 OF THIS . THE WAY THE PETITION WAS ORIGINALLY CIRCULATED I
18 THINK THERE MIGHT BE SOME QUESTIONS . SO I WOULD SUPPORT
19 CIRCULATING IT MAYBE SIMILAR TO THE WAY THEY DO
20 PROPOSITIONS WITH PRO AND CON ARGUMENTS .
21 COMMISSIONER DOWNS : CAN WE HEAR FROM SOMEONE WHO WAS
22 PART OF THE PETITION STARTERS IN REGARD TO WHAT MR. BEFELD
23 JUST SAID? WHERE' S THE G . S .M . O . L. GUY AT?
24 DO YOU WANT TO SAY ANYTHING? WOULD A FACT SHEET
*A.. 25 WITH EACH SIDE REDO THE PETITION SO EVERYBODY KNOWS WHAT
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
38
1 BOTH SIDES WERE SAYING?
2 MR . MALABY: (NO RESPONSE . )
3 COMMISSIONER DOWNS : NOW DON' T TAKE ALL NIGHT,
4 PLEASE, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY
5 ABOUT IT. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW YOUR FEELINGS ON IT.
6 MR . MALABY: TO MY KNOWLEDGE, THOSE WHO SIGNED THE
7 PETITION WERE FULLY AWARE WHAT THE PETITION STOOD FOR, AND
8 I DON'T SEE THE NEED TO SEND THE PETITION BACK WITH PRO
9 AND CON AND SO ON AND SO FORTH . I THINK WE HAVE OBTAINED
10 A MORE THAN SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF SIGNATURES THAT WERE
11 REQUIRED , WE DID WHAT THE CITY SUGGESTED THAT WE DO, IS
12 TO PREPARE A PETITION AND SEND IT OUT. WE'VE DONE THAT
13 AND I THINK WE OUGHT TO GO FORWARD .
14 COMMISSIONER DOWNS : THANK YOU . TA
15 MR . DIAZ, I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU .
16 MR. DIAZ : YES .
17 COMMISSIONER DOWNS: MR. BEFELD WOULD LIKE TO HAVE
18 THE PETITION REDONE WITH A STATEMENT FROM EACH SIDE. THIS
19 GENTLEMAN DON'T WANT TO DO IT AGAIN . YOU ' RE SUGGESTING
20 THE PETITION GOES OUT AGAIN . I WOULD LIKE SOME
21 CLARIFICATION FROM SOMEBODY ON SOME OF THIS .
22 MR. DIAZ : THE REASON THAT I SUGGEST THE PETITION GO
23 OUT AGAIN, OR WE ALL SIT DOWN AND TALK, IS, AS I INDICATED
24 WITH THE PEOPLE THERE WHEN I MET WITH THEM, MORE IMPORTANT
25 THAN WHETHER YOU ' RE IN THE CITY OR NOT IS THE FACT THAT
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
39
1 YOU DO HAVE A COMMUNITY THAT IS A COMMUNITY, IDENTIFIES AS
2 A COMMUNITY AND IT IS STRONG . AND ONE THING WE DO NOT
3 WANT TO HAVE, IF ANNEXATION GOES OR IF ANNEXATION IS
4 DEFEATED, A DIVIDED COMMUNITY. SO WHATEVER IT TAKES . IF
5 IT IS RECIRCULATION OF THE PETITION, ONE THING, OR MAYBE
6 HAVING A MEETING WITH THE LEADERS OF BOTH GROUPS TO
7 CLARIFY ANY OF THE CHANGES, IS ANOTHER THING .
8 BUT ALSO, WHEN YOU GET TO THE L. A. F . C . O .
9 HEARING, IF THERE IS 25 PERCENT WRITTEN PROTEST FROM THE
10 PEOPLE IN THE PARK, THEN WE' RE GOING TO HAVE AN ELECTION
11 ANYWAY .
12 SO I WOULD SAY THAT WE SHOULD, YOU KNOW, PROCEED
13 WITH THE PREANNEXATION ZONING, AND THAT WON 'T -- IT WILL
14 NOT HOLD ANYTHING UP . AT LEAST THIS IS DONE .
15 COMMISSIONER SPIEGEL: DO I UNDERSTAND YOU CORRECTLY,
16 THAT NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS TONIGHT THERE WILL STILL BE AN
17 ELECTION?
18 MR . DIAZ : IF THERE IS 25 PERCENT WRITTEN PROTEST,
19 THERE WOULD BE .
20 IN THE PAST, FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN WE ANNEXED
21 AVONDALE AND PALM VALLEY, THERE WASN'T ANY PROTEST, SO THE
22 AREA CAME IN AND WE DID NOT HAVE TO HAVE AN ELECTION . IT
23 REALLY DOESN 'T MATTER THE SIZE OF THE ANNEXATION AREA --
24 AREA BEING ANNEXED .
25 COMMISSIONER DOWNS : WELL, MY FEELING IS -- WELL,
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
40
1 I ' LL WAIT UNTIL YOU CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING, IF YOU ' RE
2 GOING TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING .
3 CHAIRMAN WHITLOCK : IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO WISHES
4 TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION BEFORE I CLOSE THE PUBLIC
5 HEARING?
6 MS . CONLEY: MY NAME IS SHIRLEY CONLEY, AGAIN .
7 I THINK THAT THE PETITION SHOULD BE SENT AROUND
8 AGAIN WITH THE PROS AND CONS . WHEN I WAS APPROACHED TO
9 SIGN THE PETITION, A GENTLEMAN CAME TO MY DOOR ON HIS
10 BICYCLE, SOMEONE I DON'T KNOW, AND HE SAID, "THIS IS A
11 PETITION . WE' VE GOT TO ANNEX INTO THE CITY OF PALM
12 DESERT. " HE SAID, "HAROLD MALABY SAID YOU SHOULD SIGN
13 IT. " I SAID, "I DON 'T EVEN KNOW HAROLD MALABY, " WHICH I
14 DON'T. TONIGHT IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE EVER SEEN HIM .
15 NOBODY EXPLAINED ANYTHING TO ME . I DON 'T KNOW
16 WHAT IT IS GOING TO COST ME . I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE BOTH
17 SIDES REPRESENTED AND SPELL IT OUT AND SAY WHAT IT IS
18 GOING TO COST FOR PARAMEDICS, FOR TRASH PICKUP, OPPOSED TO
19 WHAT WE' RE PAYING IN THE COUNTY. WE SHOULD KNOW . NOBODY
20 KNOWS . EVERYBODY IS JUST GUESSING . I FEEL IT SHOULD BE
21 SENT AROUND AGAIN .
22 THANK YOU .
23 CHAIRMAN WHITLOCK : THANK YOU .
24 MR . BEFELD: GERHARD BEFELD, FOR THE LAST TIME .
25 I WOULD JUST LIKE TO POINT OUT, AS FAR AS THE
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
41
12 1 CITY IS CONCERNED, THERE ARE COSTS, YOU KNOW . AN ELECTION
2 WILL OCCUR, BECAUSE IF THE LANDOWNER -- 25 PERCENT OF THE
www 3 LANDOWNERS PROTEST, IT ALSO CAUSES AN ELECTION, WHICH IS A
4 SIGNIFICANT COST. THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR ELECTIONS .
5 AND MY OPINION IS MAYBE WE SHOULD GET THIS CLARIFIED
6 INTERNALLY, AND THEN MAYBE WE SHOULD PAY THE FEES AND NOT
7 MAKE THE CITY BEAR THE BRUNT OF THIS, AND JUST HANDLE IT
8 THAT WAY.
9 THANK YOU .
10 CHAIRMAN WHITLOCK : ALL RIGHT. ANYONE ELSE BEFORE I
11 CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING?
12 MR . GRUBER : TOM GRUBER AGAIN .
13 I JUST WANT TO MAKE ONE. THING PERFECTLY CLEAR
�.. 14 HERE. WE HAD A MEETING AT SUNCREST, AN OPEN MEETING
15 WITH -- MR. DIAZ WAS THERE. WHAT WAS THERE, 200 PEOPLE
16 THERE, TWO OR 300 PEOPLE?
17 MR. DIAZ : YEAH, THAT' S POSSIBLE .
18 MR . GRUBER : MR . DIAZ SPOKE. WE HAD PROS AND CONS .
19 EVERYTHING WAS LAID OUT BY MR. MALABY. THIS WAS NOT DONE
20 UNDER THE TABLE . I DON'T KNOW HOW THIS LADY SIGNED THE
21 PETITION . BUT AFTER THAT MEETING, EVERYONE IN THIS
22 ROOM -- AND IF THIS WAS NOT AUGUST 18TH, WE WOULD HAVE 300
23 PEOPLE HERE, BELIEVE ME . BECAUSE WE SPENT TIME ON THE
24 PHONES, EVERYONE IS GONE, IT' S THE MIDDLE OF AUGUST. THIS
.r 25 THING WAS DONE RIGHT. THE PETITION WAS SIGNED BY PEOPLE
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
42
1 WHO KNEW FULL WELL WHAT THEY WERE DOING .
2 THANK YOU .
3 MS . BROWN : MY NAME IS BECKY BROWN AND I LIVE AT too
4 SUNCREST.
5 I HAVEN 'T HEARD ANYBODY BRING UP THE FACT THAT
6 WOULDN'T 99 PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE WHO CALLED AN AMBULANCE,
7 WOULDN 'T THEY BE COVERED BY INSURANCE? I DON'T THINK THAT
8 THEY WOULD BE BEARING THE BRUNT OF AN AMBULANCE BILL.
9 THAT IS JUST A THOUGHT.
10 CHAIRMAN WHITLOCK : ALL RIGHT, LAST CALL.
11 I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ASK FOR
12 COMMENTS FROM THE COMMISSIONERS .
13 COMMISSIONER RICHARDS : MY LINE OF QUESTIONING THAT I
14 STARTED -- AND UNFORTUNATELY, I HOPE DOESN'T LEAD TO A
15 PROBLEM FOR MR. FEINSTEIN -- SIMPLY A LINE OF QUESTIONING
16 I WAS TRYING TO GET AT WHAT I TERMED THE FACTS TO BE . I
17 KIND OF THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF UNKNOWNS IN THIS THING,
18 NOT UNLIKE THE LADY, BARBARA -- I ' M SORRY, BUT I FORGET
19 YOUR LAST NAME.
20 MS . CONLEY: ARE YOU TALKING TO ME?
21 COMMISSIONER RICHARDS : YES .
22 MS . CONLEY: SHIRLEY.
23 COMMISSIONER RICHARDS : EXCUSE ME . THAT IS TERRIBLE .
24 BUT I JUST THINK THAT YOU FOLKS OUGHT TO KNOW A
25 COUPLE OF THINGS . YOU OUGHT TO KNOW THEM, AND IT OUGHT TO
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
43
1 BE PRETTY SIMPLE .
2 WHAT IS IT GOING TO COST YOU? THERE IS ANOTHER
3 FACT HERE . PARAMEDICS TOOK SEVEN MINUTES TO GET HERE . I
4 WANT TO SEE -- I WANT TO SEE IN WRITING OR I WANT TO SEE
5 SOMEBODY COME BEFORE ME AND SAY, I 'M A FIREMAN, YOU KNOW,
6 IF I GET A PHONE CALL FROM SOMEBODY IN SUNCREST AND I GET
7 A PHONE CALL FROM SOMEBODY ACROSS THE STREET AT THE
8 APARTMENT HOUSE OR SOMETHING, OR, YOU KNOW, I RESPOND
9 DIFFERENTLY. I REALLY WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT, AND PERHAPS
10 STAFF HAS THAT, BUT I HAVEN'T SEEN IT. AND I THINK YOU
11 FOLKS OUGHT TO KNOW IF THERE REALLY TRULY IS A SIGNIFICANT
12 DIFFERENCE IN THE LEVEL OF PROTECTION .
13 YOU KNOW, I THINK YOU FOLKS OUGHT TO BE IN THE
tow 14 CITY ANYWAY, CONTRARY TO HOW YOU ' RE HEARING ME TALK . I ' M
15 JUST LOOKING FOR THE FACTS, SO THAT YOU KNOW WHAT THE
16 FACTS ARE, SO YOU DON'T COME TO US LATER AND SAY, LOOK,
17 YOU DIDN'T TELL ME ABOUT THE TRASH, YOU DIDN 'T TELL ME
18 ABOUT THIS, YOU DIDN'T TELL ME ABOUT SOMETHING .
19 I THINK THAT THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, AT YOUR
20 REQUEST, OKAY, AT YOUR REQUEST, SHOULD PROVIDE YOU THOSE
21 FACTS . THEY SHOULD PROVIDE THEM TO YOU . YOU ARE
22 REQUESTING ANNEXATION, YOU SHOULD REQUEST AND GET THOSE
23 FACTS LAID OUT AS TO ALL OF THE DOLLARS THAT COULD BE
24 INVOLVED, ANY POTENTIAL FUTURE DOLLARS, AND WE OUGHT TO
wow 25 SEE SOMETHING IN WRITING FROM THE LEVEL OF SERVICES THAT
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
44
1 WE ' RE BEING -- HEARSAY . MAYBE THEY DON 'T COME TO THE
2 FIRES FAST, MAYBE THEY DON'T COME TO WHATEVER .
3 PERHAPS IF THERE ARE TWO CALLS AT THE SAME TIME,
4 AND ONE IS IN SUNCREST AND ONE IS SOMEWHERE ELSE IN THE
5 CITY, I MEAN, I FEEL KIND OF HARD PRESSED TO BELIEVE THAT
6 THERE IS GOING TO BE A DIFFERENCE FOR SOME FIREMAN OR
7 PARAMEDIC SITTING HERE SAYING, WELL, YOU' RE NOT HERE ,
8 MAYBE THERE IS THAT. MAYBE I 'M WRONG . I 'D LIKE TO SEE
9 THAT.
10 BUT YOU FOLKS OUGHT TO SEE IT EITHER IN WRITING,
11 OR IN SOME FORM OF COMMUNICATION, FROM THE VARIOUS
12 PARTIES, WHETHER IT BE POLICE OR FIRE OR AMBULANCES .
13 I ALSO HAVE A QUESTION THAT WAS RAISED .
14 SOMEBODY SAID SOMETHING ABOUT THE TAXES GO 75/25 .
15 WOULD SOMEBODY TALK TO ME ABOUT THAT?
16 MR . DIAZ : THE CITY RECEIVES, AS A RESULT OF PREVIOUS
17 AGREEMENTS WITH RIVERSIDE COUNTY, RECEIVES 25 PERCENT OF
18 THE PROPERTY TAX THAT IS COLLECTED BY THE COUNTY. IT GOES
19 TO THE COUNTY.
20 COMMISSIONER RICHARDS : IS THAT JUST ON THIS PARK OR
21 EVERYWHERE?
13
22 MR . DIAZ : EVERY NEW ANNEXATION . NOW THAT DOES NOT
23 MEAN 25 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL TAX BILL, JUST 25 PERCENT OF
24 WHAT THE COUNTY IS TO RECEIVE .
25 COMMISSIONER RICHARDS : THAT MEANS THAT IF THE COUNTY
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
45
1 COLLECTS IT FOR SOME OTHER AGENCY, WE ' RE ONLY TALKING
2 ABOUT THE PORTION THAT GOES TO THE COUNTY?
taw 3 MR . DIAZ : THAT' S CORRECT.
4 COMMISSIONER RICHARDS : OKAY . THAT WAS NEW, AND
5 THANK YOU FOR CLEARING THAT UP .
6 I ' M IN AGREEMENT WITH MR . BEFELD, IN THAT I
7 DON 'T QUESTION THE VERACITY OF YOUR PETITION, I REALLY
8 DON'T. I 'M SURE YOU FOLKS HAVE HAD ENOUGH MEETINGS .
9 YOU ' RE PROBABLY UP TO HERE.
10 I DO THINK THAT THE CITY OUGHT TO PROVIDE YOU
11 SOME ANSWERS IN WRITING TO THE THINGS THAT I MENTIONED
12 BEFORE, AND THAT YOU HAVE THEM AND YOU OUGHT TO HAVE A
13 VERIFIED -- SOME KIND OF AN ELECTION OR SOME KIND OF A
14 BALLOT OR SOMETHING . IT WILL GET TO THAT ANYWAY. AND IF
15 THERE ARE 25 PERCENT THAT ARE ON THE FENCE OR DON 'T WANT
16 IT, IT WILL GO THAT WAY. SO I 'D FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE IF
17 THIS PREZONING WERE POSTPONED FOR ENOUGH TIME TO GET THE
18 FACTS IN FRONT OF EVERYBODY.
19 I HAD A LOT OF SERIOUS QUESTIONS ABOUT OTHER
20 PARTS OF THIS THING . I DON'T THINK THAT THIS GENTLEMAN ' S
21 OTHER PROPERTY SHOULD HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH WHAT YOU
22 FOLKS ARE UP TO . NOTHING WHATSOEVER.
23 I THINK THAT -- I HAVE A HARD TIME, TO BE
24 TRUTHFUL WITH YOU, HARD TIME WONDERING HOW TO RECONCILE
f..,
25 THE -FACT THAT YOU FOLKS, AS PEOPLE WHO PAY RENT TO HIM,
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
46
1 CAN TAKE AWAY SOME OF HIS RIGHTS, OKAY? I THINK THAT YOU
2 HAVE A LOT OF RIGHTS, TOO, BUT IT CERTAINLY STARTS TO GET
3 A LITTLE BIT CLOSE, IN MY MIND, WHEN SOMEBODY IS THE SOLE
4 OWNER OF A PIECE OF PROPERTY AND L. A. F. C . O . SAYS THAT YOU
5 CAN GET TOGETHER AND MAKE A PETITION THAT MIGHT DO HIM
6 SOME HARM . MAYBE IT WON 'T, BUT IT MIGHT DO HIM SOME HARM .
7 SO I HAVE A PHILOSOPHICAL PROBLEM WITH THAT.
8 BUT I THINK WE OUGHT TO POSTPONE THIS FOR A
9 MONTH . I THINK THE FACTS OUGHT TO BE PUT ON THE TABLE
10 EXACTLY AS TO WHAT THE DOLLARS ARE . IF YOU NOW HAVE TO
11 PAY WHATEVER, AND YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO PAY THAT, I THINK IT
12 OUGHT TO BE IN YOUR HANDS, AND IT OUGHT TO BE SOME SORT OF
13 A SITUATION THAT YOU FOLKS ALL SEND US A BALLOT OR YOU DO
14 IT YOURSELF.
15 I AM MOVING FOR POSTPONEMENT WHEN THE TIME
16 CLEARS .
17 UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: WHEN MIGHT WE GET THAT
18 INFORMATION OR SOMETHING?
19 MR. DIAZ : WELL, I CAN GET YOU THAT INFORMATION
20 TOMORROW . I MEAN, THE COST OF TRASH PICKUP AND THE
21 PARAMEDICS, THAT' S IT. AND AS I INDICATED TO YOU AT YOUR
22 MEETING, THE TRASH PICKUP THAT YOU HAVE, THE CONTRACT THAT
23 YOU HAVE CURRENTLY, WOULD CONTINUE TO RUN . AT THE END OF
24 THAT CONTRACT, THEN YOU WOULD BE UNDER THE CITY' S TRASH .
25 BUT I CAN GET THOSE FIGURES FOR YOU TOMORROW .
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
47
1 UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER : OUR CURRENT LEASE AGREEMENT
2 SAYS THAT THE LANDLORD PICKS UP THE TRASH .
am 3 (MULTIPLE OUTBURSTS FROM THE AUDIENCE . )
4 COMMISSIONER RICHARDS : HOLD ON A MINUTE . THE PUBLIC
5 HEARING IS CLOSED . WE' RE ATTEMPTING TO POSTPONE THIS . I
6 THINK THERE ARE STILL SOME QUESTIONS . I THINK THAT
7 PERHAPS SOME OF THESE QUESTIONS COULD BE BETTER SERVED
8 AFTER SOME OF THE FACTS ARE KNOWN .
9 I SEE THAT THERE IS ALSO NOW DEVELOPING ANOTHER
10 PROBLEM, THAT THE TRASH IS NOW INCLUSIVE IN YOUR RENT, AND
11 PERHAPS THAT NUMBER WOULD HAVE TO BE CHANGED .
12 THERE ARE SOME THINGS HERE THAT PERHAPS ARE NOT
13 FAIR TO EITHER SIDE. LET' S HEAR WHAT THE REST OF THE
ter.• 14 COMMISSION IS INCLINED TO THINK .
15 COMMISSIONER SPIEGEL: MY PERSONAL FEELING IS THAT
16 NOT ONLY SUNCREST COUNTRY CLUB BUT ALSO PALM DESERT GREENS
17 SHOULD BE PART OF PALM DESERT. IT IS SURROUNDED BY
18 PALM DESERT, AND BOTH AREAS USE PALM DESERT, AND IT SHOULD
19 BE PART OF PALM DESERT.
20 BUT I ALSO AGREE THAT YOU REALLY SHOULD KNOW ALL
21 OF .THE FACTS BEFORE YOU DECIDE WHAT YOU WANT TO DO .
22 I WOULD GO ALONG WITH THE ONE-MONTH OR POSSIBLY
23 TWO-MONTH POSTPONEMENT.
24 CHAIRMAN WHITLOCK : WE HEARD EARLIER A GENTLEMAN SAY
�..P 25 THAT THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN PACKING THIS PLACE TONIGHT HAD
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
48
1 THEY FELT A NEED TO DO SO, BUT THERE WERE SO MANY PEOPLE
2 OUT OF TOWN . I DON 'T THINK A MONTH ALLOWS THEM AN
3 OPPORTUNITY TO CIRCULATE INFORMATION WITH THE COSTS
4 INVOLVED, AND SOME CULMINATION OF FINAL OUTCOME BEFORE
5 THEY COME TO US .
6 SO IF WE' RE ALL OF THE MIND TO POSTPONE THIS, I
7 THINK WE NEED TO POSTPONE IT TO AT LEAST A COUPLE OF
8 MONTHS TO ALLOW THE OPPORTUNITY FOR REBALLOTING, IF THAT
14
9 IS WHAT THEY DECIDE TO DO, OR AT THE VERY LEAST, TO
10 CIRCULATE THE COSTS INVOLVED AND THE PROS AND CONS .
11 COMMISSIONER RICHARDS : I THINK, MADAM CHAIRMAN, THAT
12 THERE REALLY ISN'T A TIME PROBLEM HERE ANYWAY. SOMETIMES
13 WE DEAL WITH THINGS THAT COST PEOPLE LOTS OF MONEY IF WE
14 WAIT ANOTHER WEEK OR MONTH . I THINK HERE IT IS A QUESTION
15 OF GETTING THINGS DONE RIGHT THE FIRST TIME . SO I CONCUR
16 THAT TWO MONTHS IS PROBABLY A REASONABLE REQUEST.
17 CHAIRMAN WHITLOCK : MR. DOWNS OR MR. JONATHAN?
18 COMMISSIONER SPIEGEL : I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE THAT WE
19 POSTPONE IT.
20 CHAIRMAN WHITLOCK : I WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING
21 FOR A MOTION TO CONTINUE .
22 DO WE WANT TO SPECIFY A DATE, OR DO WE WANT
23 SUNCREST TO GET BACK WITH US?
24 MR . DIAZ : I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE A DATE CERTAIN .
25 MR . RICHARDS : I WOULD LIKE TWO MONTHS .
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
49
1 CHAIRMAN WHITLOCK : THAT WOULD TAKE US TO
2 OCTOBER 20TH .
vw 3 COMMISSIONER RICHARDS : I THINK THAT IS A BETTER
4 TIME .
5 I MOVE FOR THE CONTINUANCE TO THAT DATE .
6 COMMISSIONER SPIEGEL: I ' LL SECOND .
7 CHAIRMAN WHITLOCK : IT' S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED TO
8 CONTINUE THIS PUBLIC HEARING TO OCTOBER 20TH .
9 ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
10 (AYES . )
11 CHAIRMAN WHITLOCK : OPPOSED?
12 (NO AUDIBLE OPPOSITION . )
13 COMMISSIONER JONATHAN : SUSTAINED .
14 CHAIRMAN WHITLOCK : THANK YOU, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN .
15 I 'M SORRY THIS WAS ON SUCH A SOUR NOTE . WE' LL SEE YOU IN
16 A COUPLE OF MONTHS .
17 (WHEREUPON, THE ABOVE PROCEEDINGS CONCLUDED AT
18 8 : 25 P . M . )
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
1 CERTIFICATE
2 OF
late
3 NOTARY PUBLIC
4
5 I, TAMARA A. MIRZA, NOTARY PUBLIC FOR THE STATE OF
6 CALIFORNIA, DO HEREBY CERTIFY:
7 THAT THE FOREGOING HEARING WAS TAKEN BEFORE ME AT
8 THE TIME AND PLACE THEREIN SET FORTH;
9 THAT THE TESTIMONY OF THE WITNESSES AND ALL
10 OBJECTIONS MADE AT THE TIME OF THE HEARING WERE RECORDED
11 STENOGRAPHICALLY BY ME AND WERE THEREAFTER TRANSCRIBED, SAID
12 TRANSCRIPT BEING A TRUE RECORD OF THE TESTIMONY GIVEN BY THE
13 WITNESS .
14 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I HAVE SUBSCRIBED MY NAME THIS
15 DATE: AUGUST 27, 1992
16
17
18
19
20
A ARA A. MIRZA
21 C . . R. NO . 6874
22
23
24
25
26
COURT REPORTERS OF PALM SPRINGS
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PALM 3PRERG3. CALiFOPNIA
Suncrest Country Club
73-450 Country Club Drive
Palm Desert, CA 92260
August 18, 1992
Hand-Delivered
City of Palm Desert
Planning Commission
73-510 Fred Waring Drive
Palm Desert, CA 92260
Re: Change of Zone 92-3: Suncrest Country Club
Planning Commissioners:
My wife and I are the sole owners of the Suncrest Country Club property which is
the subject of the above-referenced proposed pre-zoning. The proposed pre-zoning was
initiated by a request from a minority of the tenants residing at the Suncrest Country Club
r e to the City of Palm Desert.
a prelude to annexing m o ty
as g Y property rtY
P
At this juncture, I do not have enough information to adequately evaluate the merits
of the Planning Commission's proposed actions or, in particular, the contemplated
annexation of my property to the City of Palm Desert. Therefore, at the outset I
respectfully request that the Planning Commission postpone any action on the pre-zoning
request until I have additional opportunity to identify and explore the reasons for, issues
raised by and ramifications of the proposed annexation with both the Planning Staff and the
residents of the Suncrest Country Club, particularly those residents who do not support the
annexation.
Some of the issues raised by the proposed action include the following:
(1) My property is surrounded entirely on the north and east by Palm Desert
Greens, a much larger mobile home park which, curiously, is not included in the proposed
annexation. Why is my property the only property targeted to be pre-zoned and annexed
when it is surrounded by property with precisely the same use?
(2) Materials circulated by the 12' - nr000nent of the annexation demonstrate
that the City of Palm Desert's rent control ordinance is the driving force behind the request
for annexation. (See attached Resident Newsletter) The rent control issue is a serious one
that needs to be further explored, particularly since it is the underlying basis for the
annexation request.
(3) If the property is annexed, will there, indeed, as some of the residents
contemplate, be an increase in the quality, scope, and responsiveness of fire, police and
paramedic services, as well as a decrease in the cost of such services? What other
�... additional governmental and community services will be provided to the area? I understand
the City must submit a Plan for providing services within the area proposed to be annexed;
what is the content of this Plan?
City of Palm Desert
Planning Commission
August 17, 1992
Page 2
tow
(4) From the City's standpoint, has the City prepared, or does it intend to prepare,
a cost benefit analysis to determine whether the increased costs involved in providing
/ Y P g
governmental services to this area and other costs relating to the proposed annexation are
warranted?
(5) Regarding any differences between Riverside County and Palm Desert
ordinances, codes and policies pertaining to inspections, street design, signage and other
requirements, will an annexation of my property result in my being required to make
additional investments in the property which would not otherwise be required since the
property is currently in compliance with County ordinances and codes?
(6) If forced to accept a change of zone on my property, I would prefer that the
developed portion of my property be prezoned PR-7, which is consistent with the PR-7
zoning of the adjacent Mayer property located on the northeast corner of Monterey Avenue
and Country Club Drive, and that my undeveloped 12.5 acres located between the Suncrest
Country Club and the Mayer property be prezoned commercial.
(7) 1 currently have a tentative agreement with Riverside County for the
installation and sharing of costs to install a traffic signal at the entrance to Suncrest Country
Club, which will enhance public safety in the area. How will this be affected by the
proposed annexation?
Finally, I have serious concerns regarding the City's moving forward with any
annexation despite the fact that I, as the sole landowner of the property in question -- the
only landowner affected by the proposal -- have expressed my opposition to the proposal.
In all likelihood, there are other issues in addition to the aforementioned items that need
to be explored prior to any meaningful consideration of the pre-zoning of my property for
purposes of commencing annexation proceedings. If, contrary to my request, the Planning
Commission decides to act on the proposal today instead of denying the request or, at least
postponing any action pending additional investigation of the issues, I have no choice but
to register, on the record, my protest to the proposed pre-zoning and to the annexation of
my property to the City at this time.
Thank you for your consideration.
Re ectfully sub tted,
� J
Gerhard Befel
logo
cc: Ramon Diaz and Steve Smith
'Rent Control Law • • U ese
cS upem eCo u r tq?,.,u lin . . .
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WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO US?
Background information:
DESERT SUN NEWSPAPER 4/4/92
"The 1988 Escondido ordinance rolled back rents to 1986 levels. It also prohibited
park owners from increasing space rents when a mobile home is sold and required them
to get City Council permission for rent increases.
Many desert cities, including Pa Lm Springs and Palm Desert have similar laws which
limit rent increases in mobile 'nome ;arks and prohibits increases following the sale
of coaches."
PALM DESERT CITY - MOBILE HOME PARK R= REVIEW (Chapter 9.50)
9.50.060 Maximum Rent
"the maximum rent for each mobile home space that management of a mobile home park
shall request, demand or receive shall not exceed three-quarters (3/4) of the
increase in the cost of 'Living indicated in the Consumer Price Index (C.P.I. ) . The
increase shall initially be calculated from the monthly space rent charged on April
28, 1983 and shall be determined based upon the latest availabile C.P.I. for the
twelve-month period preceeding the date of the increase."
THE COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE (Ord. �606)
Establishing a Mobile Home Rent Review Committee
The County's answer to rent control is the establishing of a Rent Review Committee
to do jut what it implies "review" rent increases when brought to the Committee's
attention. Their rent control is next to nothing.
The County's Ord. 4606 was amended as of 4/21/92 which stated the park owner may not
increase rent space at time o= resate more than the average of the three highest
rents on comparable spaces the mobile home park. The official writing of this
change is coming to the writer the week of 4/27/92.
�I
SUNCREST COUNTRY CLUB - RENTAL AGREIIy:NT
Most homeowners in Suncrest signed a IC year lease stating we would comply with
" California Civil Code Protlsicn. �` . ' ;Mobilehome Residency Law) . Note:
look at your lease a7reemer- ,, ,a^-- r.F {i rst paragraph (or for older leases page
three, paragraph eight) . we s1, n' = read was the California Civil Code Provision
798. 17(a) " . .the first paragraph of a rental agreement entered into pursuant to this
section shall contain a provision not:_fying the homeowner that the Agreement will be
exempt from any ordinance, rule, regulation or initiative measure adopted by any
local governmental entity ,inicn establishes a maximum amount that a landlord may
charge a tenant for rent. "
Note: It is the writer's opinion ghat management did not fully disclose to the
leasee what they were signing by not spelling out the leasee's forfeiture of rights
to be protected by rent control laws.
This opinion is being considered by some governmental agencies whereby action may be
taken to rule such rental agreement illegal. Time will tell.
A long term lease - such as a 10-year lease works in the favor of the park owner.
Not the homeowner. Our leases are prepared so that if a law came about it would not
apply if the lease was still in effect. GSMOL has been telling us for years not to
get locked into a long lease. Keep looking on your Suncrest Rental Agreement—page low
one 42, TERM—you can request a shorter term, 12 months or less.
Note: If we were included in an ordinance or law allowing us rent controls and we
were still under a rental agreement as we are now, the rent control would not apply
to us until ( 1 ) 10-year agreement with Suncrest ran out; (2) management would let us
out from under our rental agreement with them.
WHAT IS OUR COURSE OF ACTION?
Knowing the above information we must take action and not just accept where we are
as final.
1 . Becane a part of the best rent control that is available to us. City of Palm
Desert has such laws now.
2. Do not sign a long term lease with park owners. Sign a maximum of 12-months.
It is your option and right.
What would it mean to you if we in Suncrest were to be annexed into the City of Palm
Desert?
1 . Improved police protection due to more officers on patrol.
2. No charge for Paramedics and City ambulanc- service.
3. City services closer and more availabl than County.
4. Approximately $48.00 increase to each of us per year for free ambulance and ftw
paramedic service.
5. 25% savings per year on all land rent increase charged by park owner.
Currently park owner keeps all monies charged to us via current CPI amount. With
the City of Palm Desert the landowner could only charge 75% (3/4) of said rent
increase to us. The remaining 25% ( 1/4) would be a direct savings to us.
ACTION - ACTION - ACTION - ACTION
A. When asked to attend a community meeting on the matter of annexing to the City
of Palm Desert - DO IT, and ask any and all questions.
B. Sign the required annexation petition which states you are in favor of Suncrest
becoming a part of the City of Palm Desert. We need approximately 51% of the
homeowners signatures (one per home) before the City will take action.
C. Be patient for Suncrest to become a part of the City of Palm Desert. The City
has stated it will take from six months ':o a year depending on opposition and
processing time. If we have enough homeowners in favor of the annexation, it
will happen.
H^sold Malaby
GSMOL 01547 Representative
Space #146 346-4402
WINTERHAVEN HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
AVAIL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
P.O. BOX 1032
PALM DESERT, CA 92261
(619) 560-2717 RECEI\/ED
AUG 17 1992
QMMUNlh GC,ELOPMINTDEPARIMAJ
Ile I�f NFtM DF�FR1
August 14, 1992
Mr. Joe Swain
Jascorp
7981 1 Country Club Dr
Bermuda Dunes, CA 92201
Dear Mr. Swain:
Listed below are the items discussed with the Negotiating Committee,
Joan Goldberg, and you on August 13th. Upon mutual approval of these
conditions, this proposed agreement will be sent to the entire membership
of Winterhaven Homeowners Association for review and voting.
The agreement between Winterhaven Homeowners Association and Jascorp
is as follows:
1. Jascorp will forthwith take steps necessary, if any, in order to have
Jascorp's real property de-annexed from the effect of the existing CC&R's
so that Jascorp's real property is not encumbered thereby. If Jascorp is
successful in doing so, Jascorp will, upon issuance to Jascorp of a final
subdivision public report by the California Department of Real Estate
relating to its subdivided property, pay Winterhaven HOA the sum of
$28,000.00 and will reimburse it for any of its legal expenses in
modifying its organization documents, if necessary. Further, Jascorp will
pay Winterhaven HOA, at the close of escrow of each subsequent lot,
$1,000.00 to be used to upgrade the shared used f aci 1 i ti es.
2. The parties hereby agree to the shared use of certain facilities of each
and to a sharing of costs. In that regard, Jascorp and members of the
homeowners association to be formed by Jascorp and their guests and
,,�,,, invitees shall be entitled to use, in common with members of Winterhaven,
Mr Joe Swain
„ugust 3, 1992
Page 2
t le front access gate and its attendant facilities, Winterhaven's streets
and walkways, Winterhaven's tennis courts (but not to the use of
Winterhaven's swimming pool), and Winterhaven's drainage and flood
control facilities. Members of Winterhaven and their guests and invitees
shall be entitled to use, in common with Jascorp and members of the
homeowners association to be form by Jascorp, facilities of the Jascorp
association consisting of the streets and walkways of the Jascorp
association and the drainage and flood control facilities on Jascorp's
property.
3. Henceforth and as long as the Winterhaven Association is in existence,
Jascorp (and later the Association to be formed by Jascorp) will pay and
reimburse Winterhaven 50% of Winterhaven's expenses of maintenance and
reserves for replacement of the main gate and its related facilities, 50%
of Winterhaven's expenses for the maintenance of the tennis courts,
including reserves for replacement thereof and a prorata share of utility
expenses relating to the main gate and the tennis courts. Because the r.r
expenses of each party will be approximately equal for expenses related to
the streets and the flood control facilities each party will bear their own
expenses in connection therewith.
4. Jascorp will arrange for access to its property during the periods of
construction by a means other than the main gate.
5. Winterhaven will be responsible for maintenance and replacement of
the main gate and its related facilities, that portion of the perimeter wall
which now circles tract 17794-1, all common area facilities which now
exist in tract 17794-1 together with maintenance of the landscaping in the
Hovely Lane right-of-way adjoining tract 17794-1. Jascorp shall be
responsible for the maintenance and replacement of the perimeter wall
surrounding tracts 17794-2 and 17794-3 and will construct, maintain, and
replace the streets in the Jascorp property. In additions, Jascorp will
maintain the landscaping located in the Hovely Lane right-of-way adjacent
the Jascorp property.
6. Jascorp may, but only with a prior approval of the'Board of Directors of
Winterhaven, make any capital improvements and modifications to the
facilities.
tlr Joe Swain
August 3, 1992
Page 3
7. Winterhaven HOA hereby agrees that it will not actively oppose
Jascorp's project before municipal authorities by appearing at hearings or
other-wise voicing opposition to its project.
C As it pertains to item *6, Jascorp shall not prohibit Winterhaven HOA
from voicing opposition to the City of Palm Desert should the
Architectural integrity of the community be jeopardized by any proposed
construction of a structure on Jascorp's property which would be out of
character for the surrounding area.
9 Jascorp agrees to withdraw their pending lawsuit filed July 15, 1992,
with no further demands to be made to Winterhaven HOA.
10. The essence of this agreement is the continued mutual cooperation and
consultation between Winterhaven HOA and Jascorp during the development
of the Jascorp property.
.. This letter is intended as an offer which will become an agreement upon
signature by the parties hereto. If the foregoing is consistent with the
agreement as you understand it, please sign below. Upon receipt of this
signed agreement from you, it will be sent to the membership of
Winterhaven for approval.
The foregoing is agreed to:
ya/6'L Q /
Joe Sw , Jascorp Date nterhaven HOA Gate