HomeMy WebLinkAbout1117 MINUTES
PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION
TUESDAY - NOVEMBER 17, 2009
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I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Tanner called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Members Present: Van Tanner, Chair
Connor Limont, Vice Chair
Sonia Campbell
Nancy DeLuna
Mari Schmidt
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Lauri Aylaian, Director of Community Development
Dave Erwin, City Attorney
Jill Tremblay, Acting City Attorney
Tony Bagato, Principal Planner
Kevin Swartz, Assistant Planner
Pedro Rodriguez, Senior Code Officer
Christina Canales, Assistant Engineer
Tonya Monroe, Administrative Secretary
III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Campbell led in the pledge of allegiance.
IV. SUMMARY OF COUNCIL ACTION
Ms. Aylaian summarized pertinent October 8, October 22 and November 12,
2009 City Council actions.
V. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Request for consideration of the October 6, 2009 meeting minutes.
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PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION NOVEMBER 17, 2009
Action:
It was moved by Commissioner Campbell, seconded by Commissioner
DeLuna, approving the October 6, 2009 meeting minutes. Motion carried 4-0-1
(Commissioner Schmidt abstained).
VII. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Case No. PP 07-07 — PREST VUKSIC ARCHITECTS, Applicant
Request for approval of a two-year time extension for a
17,600 square foot professional office building at 44-450
Monterey Avenue.
Commissioner Limont asked if this was an exception. Mr. Bagato confirmed
that typically they are one year. With tract and parcel maps recently
receiving two years, staff was considering two years for other projects as
well. Commissioner Limont questioned the possibility of the requirements
for Title 24 changing in any way in the next two years. Mr. Bagato
explained that at the time building plans are submitted, the plans will have
to be consistent with Title 24. So they would be up to current standards.
Action:
It was moved by Commissioner Campbell, seconded by Commissioner
Limont, approving the Consent Calendar by minute motion. Motion carried
5-0.
Vlll. PUBLIC HEARINGS
Anyone who challenges any hearing matter in court may be limited to
raising only those issues he, she or someone else raised at the public
hearing described herein, or in written correspondence delivered to the
Planning Commission at, or prior to, the public hearing.
A. Case No. CUP 06-13 — CITY OF PALM DESERT, Applicant
Request for revocation of an existing conditional use permit
for a massage therapy establishment within an existing
commercial suite located at 72-405 Park View Drive.
Business Owners: Miao Zhuang and AiLin Yu.
Assistant Planner Kevin Swartz thoroughly reviewed the staff report and
recommended revocation of Conditional Use Permit 06-13.
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PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION NOVEMBER 17, 2009
Chairperson Tanner opened the public hearing, noting that the City was
the applicant. He asked for any testimony in FAVOR of or in
OPPOSITION to the proposed revocation. There was no response. The
public hearing was closed and Chairperson Tanner asked for Commission
comments and/or action.
Commissioner Limont noted when she looked at the police report, it said
that there was a citizen who called back in April of 2008 and they were
now into October/November of 2009. She asked if there were just certain
steps that had to be taken and that's why it took this amount of time. Ms.
Aylaian explained that just because a single complaint was received did
not mean it is well founded. When a complaint is received by the police,
they do investigate all the complaints they receive. But it may not have
resulted in substantiation of the complaint or in sufficient evidence to be
able to have taken any affirmative action.
Commissioner Schmidt asked if she heard Mr. Swartz say that in a year
they could reapply for a conditional use permit. Mr. Swartz said yes, for the
same use. Chairperson Tanner pointed out that there currently is a
moratorium. City Attorney Dave Erwin indicated that if the moratorium is
there, an application would not be processed and it is possible that the
moratorium could be extended from one year to an additional year.
Commissioner Schmidt asked if there were arrests made here and
convictions in process. Mr. Swartz confirmed that there was an arrest
made, but no convictions at this time. Principal Planner Tony Bagato noted
that it is still under investigation.
Commissioner Schmidt asked for confirmation that to approve this denial, it
would be subject for review in a year or more, not any less. Mr. Bagato
explained that staff was just stating that if anyone wanted to apply for an
independent massage, it could not happen for at least a year because of
the revocation. Mr. Erwin clarified that this did not automatically come back.
Once denied, it is denied. An individual applicant would have to start the
process again, but they could not do it within a year, or longer if the
moratorium continues.
Commissioner Schmidt asked if this business was still in operation with
activities other than massage, or if it was closed down. Mr. Erwin confirmed
it was closed at this time. Mr. Bagato noted that there is a sports and spine
clinic in another suite in the building, but they were not related businesses.
Commissioner DeLuna commended the Police Department and Sheriff's
Department for a very thorough, comprehensive, and on-going
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PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION NOVEMBER 17, 2009
investigation. Every latitude was given and they have done an excellent job
in lining up the case and following through, so she wanted to compliment
our police department for that. She moved to approve the findings and
staff's recommendation.
Action:
It was moved by Commissioner DeLuna, seconded by Commissioner
Limont, approving the findings and recommendation as presented by staff.
Motion carried 5-0.
It was moved by Commissioner DeLuna, seconded by Commissioner
Limont, adopting Planning Commission Resolution No. 2515, revoking
Case No. CUP 06-13. Motion carried 5-0.
Chairperson Tanner thanked staff and the Police Department for all their
hard work.
IX. MISCELLANEOUS
None.
X. COMMITTEE MEETING UPDATES
A. ART IN PUBLIC PLACES
Commissioner Campbell provided an update.
B. LANDSCAPE COMMITTEE
Commissioner Limont reviewed Landscape Committee discussion
items and actions.
C. PARKS & RECREATION
Chairperson Tanner noted that they met on the first Tuesday of the
month and informed Commission about their current activities.
D. PROJECT AREA 4 COMMITTEE
Ms. Aylaian reviewed the discussion and action items from the
Committee's last meeting.
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PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION NOVEMBER 17, 200
XI. COMMENTS
1. Commissioner DeLuna stated that she has an ongoing concern
about the number, location and concentration of tattoo
establishments in and around Palm Desert. She didn't know,
particularly in some locations, if that's the image that Palm Desert
would like to have. She asked staff to please look into the notion of
either limiting them or forming a draft ordinance to limit the number
and scope of tattoo establishments. Ms. Aylaian said staff would
certainly do that.
2. Commissioner Limont asked if a large banner was approved on the
northeast end of El Paseo for the empty lot. Ms. Aylaian said she
would have Code look into the matter and see if there were any
permits.
3. Chairperson Tanner stated that the Veteran's Day event at Freedom
Park was very nice and well attended.
4. It was confirmed that the next meeting would be December 15. The
December 1 meeting was canceled.
XII. ADJOURNMENT
It was moved by Commissioner Schmidt, seconded by Commissioner
Campbell, adjourning the meeting by minute motion. Motion carried 5-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:18 p.m.
LAURI AYLAIAN, Secret
ATTEST: �—--
VAN G. tANNER, Chair
Palm Desert Planning Commission
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