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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1116 MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY - NOVEMBER 16, 1993 7 :00 P.M. - CIVIC CENTER COUNCIL CHAMBER 73-510 FRED WARING DRIVE I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Spiegel caltii i }te; i flr .:tp-prder at 7 : 00 p.m. II . PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Whi_tJ-Qgk led in the mkedg -:a :: leg.iance. III . ROLL CALL Members Present: Bob Spiegel, Chairman Paul Beaty Diane Cox Sabby Jonathan Carol Whitlock Members Absent: None Staff Present: Jeff Winklepleck Dick Folkers Marshall Rudolph Tonya Monroe IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Consideration of the October 5, 1993 meeting minutes . Action: Moved by Commissioner Jonathan, seconded by Commissioner Cox, approving the October 5, 1993 minutes as submitted. Carried 5-0 . V. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Case No. PMW 93-11 - FOX-OLSON COMPANIES, Applicant Request for approval of a loft line adjustment on Frank Sinatra Drive to align the current parcel bourc ary with Tentative Tract 26' 53 's propos�_-a boundary. . B. Case No. PMW 9 3-16 -, TRUSTFFS OF TIM-ES31ATF. OF BERNICE PAUAH1 BISHOP, App.i..Lcant . Request fol, approva). of * a dut. l=nt? adjustment to accommcdat• propo2e< ,d street configuration of Desert Springs `, Drive north of Country Club Drive. MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION NOVEMBER 16, 1993 C. Case No. TT 25102 - DESERT COMMUNITY PROPERTIES, `ow Applicant Request for approval of a third, one year time... extension for a tentative tract map subdividing 20 acres into 68 lots for future residential development located east of Deep Canyon Road, north of Fred Waring Drive. Mr. Folkers noted that the Governor passed a bill that gave an automatic two year time extension to all tract maps that were in effect as of September. Action: Moved by Commissioner Whitlock, seconded by Commissioner Beaty, adopting the consent calendar by minute motion. Carried 5-0. VI . SUMMARY OF COUNCIL ACTION: Mr. Winklepleck summarized pertinent October 14 and 28, 1993 city council action. VII . PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Continued Case No. GPA 93-3 - CITY OF PALM DESERT, Applicant Request for recommendation of approval to city council for a Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact and an amendment to the General Plan Land Use and Circulation Elements . Mr. Winklepleck stated that the two unresolved items were Fred Waring Drive, which council decided would remain four lanes for the next ten years and then be restudied, and the Cal State campus, who would be responding to the city in mid Decembgr�. Staff recommended approval of GPA 93-3 which inclu�ie4-;the recomWi pdattions of, the..EDAC. Chairman Spiegel opened the public hearing and asked if anyone wished:=:moo .:address the,� =c6mmission in FAVOR or OPPOSITION.''.: .. 2 vow MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION NOVEMBER 16, 1993 MR. DICK BAXLEY, a Palm Desert resident, stated that he represented Dr. William Moreno and a number of the property owners on the east side of Highway 74 to La Paon. He asked if it would be possible to have this land rezoned to a C-1 general commercial designation. He felt this would allow the property owners more options for development. Mr. Winklepleck noted that this request was part of the EDAC recommendation. He felt Mr. Baxley was present to affirm that the property owners were in favor of this . Mr. Baxley stated that he understood this would not limit them to the use of hotels or restaurants . Commissioner Whitlock indicated that that was the intention of the special subcommittee that was appointed several months ago through EDAC and the council . It was part of the commission' s recommendation. Mr. Winklepleck added that since this property had the potential for change and was in the Palm Desert Property Owners Association, commission should direct staff to contact the Palm Desert Property Owners Association and bring them "into the loop" . Chairman Spiegel asked if the current zoning was for hotels . Mr. Winklepleck replied for hotels, restaurants or entertainment facilities. With the C-1 zone, if the hotel or restaurant came back, it would not limit or stop them from building. Commissioner Whitlock asked why they weren't brought into the loop prior to now. Mr. Winklepleck said it was a misstep on staff ' s part and was something that should have been done early on when the EDAC committee dealt with this specific property. Commissioner Whitlock asked if they would be brought in prior to the city council hearing. Mr. Winklepleck suggested that they be brought in at the council level to allow this to proceed. Commissioner „onathan asked if the iridividua?. property owners were apprised ;.h�: public tier:: $�i Mr ,--Winklepleck didn't know. Commissior-, .r. Jonathan noted that since this was a public hearing, everyone on the last of recommended changes should be not-..fl d. Mr, W?_nkI.ep'LerA- said that it was something that wosild have r..�;> be. done and wcuj d probably come back. He stated that the Yioticing went city-wide through .IIIN. 3 MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION NOVEMBER 16 , 1993 notices in the paper. Commissioner Jonathan said that if he Ono were a property owner and planning commission and city council were talking about changing his zoning without informing him he would not like it. Mr. Winklepleck said that in this case he had been in contact with either the property owner or representatives of the property and it was something they were going to do anyway; he felt they should be notified and would be. He stated that the ones he talked to were in favor and this was saving them a step if they were to go through the process themselves . Commissioner Whitlock asked what brought Mr. Baxley to the meeting. Mr. Baxley replied that he called the city to inquire about a change of zone and Mr. Winklepleck informed him of the meeting. Commissioner Whitlock felt that Commissioner Jonathan brought up a good point. Chairman Spiegel noted that it effected the entire city because what they were talking about all along Interstate 10 effected land owners throughout the community. Commissioner Whitlock said they were there to make a recommendation to the city council; before the city council would proceed, the public hearing would be at that level . She felt they were asked to do this because the EDAC and special committee went directly to city council and before the city council would review that they asked that planning commission review it. If the commission moved it on, then the appropriate public hearings for the physical change of zones would be handled through the city council . Commissioner Jonathan felt that part of the recommendation would be that all property owners and the community at large were adequately informed of the process taking place. Chairman Spiegel noted that there was an addendum revising the on and off ramps for Monterey Avenue and Interstate 10 . Mr. Folkers clarified that staff was working with Riverside County for the interchange improvement and there had been three alternatives presented. The one where Monterey went straight across provided the best traffic operation. Caltrans and Palm Desert preferred that one and the county was coming around to their way of thinking. This was one element that was important for the future development of the City of Palm De§ert south of the freeway and whatever was done to the north. The two interchanges right now at Washington and the proposed one at Monterey would not be as effective and over a period of time there would be quite a bit of congestion. If it could be done right, the city would be better off . He said this was the most expensive of the 4 � MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION NOVEMBER 16, 1993 Now three alternatives at $16 million, but from a traffic operations inter-connection between the two areas it would be much preferred over the long run. Commissioner Jonathan asked how the two Monterey Avenues would be lined up; Mr. Folkers said there would be a diagonal bridge and the old bridge would be removed. Commissioner Jonathan stated that one of the items on the memo from Hank Stokes dated June 11, on page two item II-C Other Thoughts, Mr. Stokes recommended that the city investigate the possibility of purchasing homes along Fred Waring Drive. On the city council update they were told that the city council would not be doing anything for ten years . Since their last meeting there was another accident on Fred Waring. He personally felt that the commission needed to urge the council as part of their recommendation to revisit that issue and give it another try to see if anything could be done. If it was not purchasing homes, maybe it could be speed bumps or other alternatives because it was a dangerous situation. Chairman Spiegel asked if Commissioner Jonathan had any recommendations . Commissioner Jonathan felt that the council had visited the issue in detail and did not want to jump in and say the city should use its funds to utilize eminent domain at this point, but felt that the traffic department needed to review the issue to see if there might be reasonable alternatives . It could be speed bumps, speed limit reductions, or something like that. He felt a study was needed to determine what alternatives might exist, or form a citizens group to come up with recommendations because there were many concerned homeowners in that area. Mr. Folkers stated that after the last council meeting they had a meeting with all the homeowners and staff presented an alternative whereby the city would widen the street on the north side and put in six feet of additional pavement, put in vertical curb so there could be a bike lane, and the sidewalk would then be behind the utility poles . The residents did not want that and as a result a report was going to council that would explain the ramifications and what suggestions came out of that meeting. It was unfortunate because staff felt that would have helped the situation, If the commission would like, staff could give t-nPm copies of the council report. Chairman Spiegel noted that the last item on page 3 of the memo from Hank Stokes stated that it was the consensus of the committee to study the desirability of expanding the city' s tow 5 MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION NOVEMBER 16, 1993 sphere of influence north of I-10 . He said there was a reason for that: if the city did not consider it then it would be landlocked. If the city 50 years from now was to continue to grow, it was the thought of the committee to take a look at vacant land on the north side of I-10 . He asked staff if that recommendation was part of this process . Mr. Winklepleck said it was in the sense that it directed staff to study it. It was not going ahead with any recommendation that staff undertake to bring it into the sphere of influence, but it was telling staff to look at it and review the feasibility of doing it at this time. Chairman Spiegel closed the public testimony and asked for a motion. Action: Moved by Commissioner Whitlock, seconded by Commissioner Cox, approving the findings as presented by staff. Carried 5-0 . Moved by Commissioner Whitlock, seconded by Commissioner Cox, adopting Planning Commission Resolution No. 1631, recommending approval of GPA 93-3 to city council . VIII . MISCELLANEOUS A. Discussion of Election of Officers . Commissioner Jonathan stated that the city council had a system that worked that he felt the commission should adopt for the planning commission which was to have rotating chairmanships based on seniority and would change hands annually. The commission also had appointees to the EDAC and he felt it made sense to rotate those on the same basis . He wanted to bring that up and get the other commissioners ' thoughts and could be effective January 1 of each year. Commissioner Whitlock said that when she was chair it did not occur to her that elections should be a date on the calendar. As chairman, it took her a good year to get a feel for what was expected. Commissioner Beaty asked what had been the procedure in the past. Commissioner Whitlock noted there hadn't been one and that was a good point. It was not something like the date on the calendar. She said that for the past six years while she was on the commission Buford Crites served as chairman for three years; Rick Erwood served for two or three years or longer. She served for two years and she appreciated the two year term because it took a year 6 MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION NOVEMBER 16, 1993 low for her to get comfortable with the role of chairman and understand what was required. It was not the same as chairing a board of directors meeting or corporate meeting because of the public element. It came up in the past when the chairman said enough was enough and it was time to make a change; it had been that kind of system and perhaps it was time to make a change. In the past the commissioners she served with did not want to be chairman. Seniority did not come into play because otherwise Bob Downs and Jim Richards would have served a term in the chair and they elected not to do it. Commissioner Jonathan said he would not change that--each individual could decline, but as a matter of courtesy it should be offered along that cycle. He said he had faith in the commissioners and did not think there was that much more to running the meeting and he also spoke from experience; he chaired the rent review commission for a number of years and was familiar with the public element of running the meeting. He said he took exception--he did not think there was much to it and the commissioners were fully capable of it and if anyone felt uncomfortable with it or for whatever reason did not wish to undertake that additional role, they could decline. It was a system that had worked well for many """ councils in the valley including Palm Desert and removed the political element, which unfortunately had been present here and there and it would also recycle energy, fresh faces and different thinking, which was a good reason for rotation and one that justified it for planning commission as well as the others that used the system. Chairman Spiegel stated that he agreed with Commissioner Whitlock that it took a while to get used to the job and he enjoyed it and would not mind keeping the job for another year. Commissioner Cox said that there were right answers for both situations--a position as important as the chairman of this commission could be done in one year. She did not feel she would be comfortable, but when a commissioner was ready to step down, then it should be offered to the senior person on the commission. If they chose to become chairman then they could take that responsibility. If not, then it would be open. She said she would like to see the chairman' s position be for at least two years . Commissioner Jonathan stated that he did not have real strong feelings about that--if it was a cycle or rotation every two 7 MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION NOVEMBER 16, 1993 years, he would not have a problem with that. Probably the strongest argument to the position that it takes a long time to learn it was the example of the current chairman. He asked Chairman Spiegel how long he had been on the commission before he became chairman. Chairman Spiegel replied one year. Commissioner Jonathan noted that after one year he felt prepared to take on the chairmanship. Chairman Spiegel stated that he was asked to be chairman. Commissioner Jonathan asked by whom; Chairman Spiegel said he believed by Ray Diaz . Commissioner Jonathan said he did not understand that process and did not know why staff would get involved in their election process . Chairman Spiegel said he did not know either and could not answer that. Commissioner Jonathan said that was part of the reason to remove that whole element and could be one year or two year terms . He did not want to get into past history, but he wanted to take the political element out of the election process . He did not know why anyone would have an objection because it would be fair, simple and was done over and over again by city council and other councils . He said he would not mind if the term was for two years . Chairman Spiegel said that he personally felt it should be up every year and that there should be a normal, democratic way of choosing a chairman with nominations and votes . Commissioner Beaty concurred. He said he would hate to see it become an automatic process . Chairman Spiegel noted that Rancho Mirage ran into that problem as well as Indian Wells . Commissioner Jonathan asked if Chairman Spiegel felt this was an inappropriate system for the council . Chairman Spiegel said he had never been a member of the council, but based on what had been in the newspaper, for whatever reason the mayor was voted out and the same thing happened in Indian Wells . Commissioner Whitlock stated that if Commissioner Jonathan wanted a vote on an annual basis it could be done. Commissioner Jonathan said if it was going to be a voting kind of process, then he would rather see whomever occupied the chair to stay in as long as they wanted. His main concern was to remove the voting kind of process and felt it was a ceremonial post for handling the agenda and was not a big deal . To him it was a simple thing to do, but if there was disagreement, he did not feel real strongly about it and if the consensus was that the present system worked, that was fine with him. He felt this was an idea whose time had come to simplify things . Commissioner Beaty said he did not think he had been part of any organized committee or group that didn't at some point have an election of officers . He did not understand the political nature of the process that was being brought up, but suggested in the form of a motion that elections be reviewed annually and the 8 MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION NOVEMBER 16, 1993 `r democratic process take place. Chairman Spiegel concurred. Commissioner Beaty asked what time of year would be appropriate to do it. Commissioner Jonathan suggested July 1 to coincide with the fiscal year. Commissioner Whitlock noted that commission appointments were made in September and it would make since to have elections after that time. It was the consensus that elections would be held at the first meeting in October. Action: Moved by Commissioner Beaty, seconded by Commissioner Whitlock, that election of officers and appointments to committees would be conducted at the first meeting in October every year, by minute motion. Carried 5-0 . Chairman Spiegel noted that it was after October. Commissioner Whitlock asked him if he wanted to continue to serve. Chairman Spiegel replied yes, he would enjoy staying. Commissioner Beaty asked if there was a vice chairman. Chairman Spiegel noted that Commissioner Jonathan was the vice chairman. Commissioner Jonathan clarified that the chairman had done a fine job and he was pleased that he elected to stay on until whenever he felt like getting off; that was not an issue in his mind. Chairman Spiegel asked if a motion was needed. Commissioner Whitlock felt that was a good idea to reaffirm that Chairman Spiegel would stay in as chair until the first meeting in October and Commissioner Jonathan would stay on as vice chairman. Commissioner Whitlock said she would be happy to give up her seat as representative on EDAC to anyone who would like it. Commissioner Jonathan recommended doing that at the same time as elections . Commissioner Whitlock said anyone who wanted to be on that committee should speak up because she would be happy to relinquish that position. No one did. Moved by Commissioner Jonathan, seconded by Commissioner Beaty, affirming by minute motion that Bob Spiegel would continue as chairman and Sabby Jonathan would continue as vice chairman. Carried 5-0 . IX. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None. MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION NOVEMBER 16, 1993 X. COMMENTS rr 1 . Commissioner Whitlock said that when turning into city hall off of San Pablo there was a light standard, the very first one, and it was never lit. She asked Mr. Folkers if that meant there were no light bulbs in it or no power running to it, but since day one she had told public works about it. Mr. Folkers said that it would be taken care of. 2 . Commissioner Beaty said that he had talked to several staff members about this informally, but he wanted to make an official comment. Having been involved in concessions at several city events recently (i .e. golf cart parade) and having to haul a generator out and be there for six to eight hours and listen to the generator and every other concession having generators running, he wanted to strongly urge that electricity at least be provided. Also, he asked if it would be possible to have potable water available. Mr. Folkers stated that it should have gone through the special events group; either the 4th of July committee or the golf cart committee, but they could take care of it. He said they had done some work out there and discussed the possibility of putting in electricity and panels in; this year they said people had to bring in their own power and water. Commissioner Beaty said he got the feeling that city staff was making it a policy. Mr. Folkers said they did this year because things were in chaos out there. He said that he would have a report on these things at the next meeting. Commissioner Beaty felt that at least electricity should be provided. 3 . Chairman Spiegel asked about the status of the civic center ballfields . Mr. Folkers said that it was under contract and hoped it would be done in earlier spring. It would probably be available through the summer months and for the soccer season. He said that one problem they would run into was getting the bermuda set. 4 . Chairman Spiegel asked when Ironwood Park would open. Mr. Folkers said that there was some playground equipment they had to have taken down because some people were using it. He said that it was their intention to have it open around Thanksgiving and seeding would take place either this week or next week so the rye grass would start to come up and next year 10 �rrr MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION NOVEMBER 16 , 1993 "MW along with the sports complex they would go back and put in the bermuda. He said it should be open around Thanksgiving or the first part of December if there was a delay. Chairman Spiegel asked if there were precautions being made to keep homeless people out of the park. Mr. Folkers said they don't have any plans to harass anyone, but the intent was to make sure there was nobody in the park that shouldn't be there. 5 . Commissioner Jonathan noted that the Cook Street crossing at the wash progressed quickly and nicely and asked for an update. Mr. Folkers said that they were putting in the laterals for the storm drains by Merle and they were hopeful in the next three weeks that the storm drain work would all be completed and then they could proceed to get the striping in. He said there was also going to be a traffic signal installed at Cook and Merle and as soon as their contractor was far enough along with the storm drain and street work, then the traffic signal contractor would be back in there to finish it up. He said there would still be a stop sign at Vellie. He said they were trying to tie in the connections and with the corporation yard that would be refurbished, that property would get a connection from tow Vellie, Joni and up to 42nd Avenue which would tie in the east side and take 42nd into the business park so there would be another signal at 42nd. That was all the signals that would be along there and would lessen the congestion. He noted that a lot of that area was developed by the county. Commissioner Beaty asked if they would be able to drive from Joni to 42nd Avenue; Mr. Folkers replied yes, but one problem was that money coming in from Project Area 3 was slow right now, so enough money was not available to make the connections right now or to purchase the needed property. 6 . Commissioner Jonathan said that on the east side of the crossing there was no sidewalk right now; there was side walk on that side at the wash on either side, but crossing the wash there was no sidewalk. He asked if that would stay that way. Mr. Folkers said that was correct; what they would do was stripe for a wide bike/pedestrian lane on the east side so if pedestrians wanted to go that way they could, but preferably they would use the west side. He said it was designed to sweep off the water if it should ever rise high enough to go across . Commissioner Beaty asked if there would be another top coat of blacktop; Mr. Folkers replied no. w.. 11 MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION NOVEMBER 16, 1993 fto XI . ADJOURNMENT Moved by Commissioner Cox, seconded by Commissioner Whitlock, adjourning the meeting by minute motion. Carried -0 . The` meeting was adjourned at 7 :46 p.m. ,+ e' a 4 • RAMON A. DIAZ, AppefAhry ATTEST: 0BERT A. SPIEG an Palm Desert Plannintl Commission /tm ri .rf 12