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Home My WebLink About2010-09-21 PC Regular Meeting Minutes MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION TUESDAY — SEPTEMBER 21, 2010 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Limont called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Members Present: Connor Limont, Chair Mari Schmidt, Vice Chair Sonia Campbell Nancy DeLuna Van Tanner Members Absent: None Staff Present: Lauri Aylaian, Director of Community Development Jill Tremblay, Assistant City Attorney Tony Bagato, Principal Planner Kevin Swartz, Assistant Planner Christina Canales, Assistant Engineer Tony Becker, Administrative Secretary III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Tanner led in the pledge of allegiance. IV. SUMMARY OF COUNCIL ACTION Ms. Aylaian summarized pertinent past City Council actions, including the recent Massage Ordinance and the City Council's direction on the proposed removal of a Council-imposed Condition of Approval on the former Mervyn's building. V. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None. MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 21 2010 VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Request for consideration of the August 3, 2010, meeting minutes. Action: Commissioner Schmidt moved and Commissioner Campbell seconded the approval of the August 3, 2010 meeting minutes. Motion carried unanimously 5-0. VII. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Case No. PMW 10-207 — La Quinta Village Business Center, Applicant Request for approval of a Parcel Map Waiver to allow a lot line adjustment to Parcel 3 to include a portion of Parcel 4 and increase of Parcel Map No. 34211- 1 (APN 694-190-062 and 694-190-063) Action: Commissioner Tanner moved and Commissioner De Luna seconded the approval of the Consent Calendar by minute motion. Motion carried unanimously 5-0. Vill. PUBLIC HEARINGS Chair Limont stated that 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 98-10 Amendment #3/HTE 10-218 — St. John's Lutheran Church, Applicant Approval of an amendment to existing Conditional Use Permit 98-10 to demolish the existing 1,376 square foot general office building and allow a new 3,866 square foot general office building for St. John's Lutheran Church located at 42-695 Washington Street. Assistant Planner Kevin Swartz orally presented to the Commission his written staff report on the proposed remodel/demolition of the v 2 MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 21, 2010 Church office space and multi-purpose room, noting that the Sanctuary wasn't part of this remodel. He offered to answer questions of the Commission. Commissioner Schmidt asked for clarification if this was just an addition of approximately 1500 square feet that would add architectural interest and not too much more square footage. Mr. Swartz answered yes. Chair Limont asked if the building height was still around 24' to which Mr. Swartz answered that it was. Chair Limont opened the public hearing for any comments for or against this item. Mark Valentino, Architect, 77-725 Enfield Lane, Palm Desert, the architect for St. John's, approached the podium and offered to answer any questions the Commission may have. Commissioner Tanner asked about the parking, knowing that there was a written agreement with the neighbors to use their lots in cases of overflow; but Commissioner Tanner wanted to know if this agreement went into perpetuity. Mr. Valentino suggested that the applicant answer that question. Mr. Vito Genovese of St. John's Lutheran Church approached the podium and answered that, yes, the applicant and the neighbors actually have had a written agreement in place for the last 10-12 years and have communicated the there is a good sense of reciprocation among the Church and neighbors for shared uses; either of building/facilities, or of parking. These agreements are known and understood by the neighbors and all are on the same page with regard to parking uses. Mr. Genovese stated that the Church went back to the neighbors to discuss the parking issues when they decided to apply for the permit to expand. Chair Limont asked for any other discussion or questions from the Commissioners. Hearing none, she declared the public hearing closed. Action: Commissioner Campbell moved and Commissioner Tanner seconded the approval of CUP 98-10 Amendment #3 / HTE 10-218. The motion carried 5-0. Commissioner Campbell moved and Commissioner Tanner seconded the approval of the findings and adopting Planning Commission Resolution No. 2534, approving Case No. CUP 98-10 Amendment #3 /HTE 10-218. The motion carried 5-0. 3 MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 21 2010 IX. MISCELLANEOUS no NONE X. COMMITTEE MEETING UPDATES A. ART IN PUBLIC PLACES Commissioner Campbell indicated that the Commission was considering suitable sculptures for Desert Willow and Mission Hills Timeshare Project. B. LANDSCAPE BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE Chairperson Limont reviewed the Committee's discussion items involving the medians along Monterey in both Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage and the area by CostCo. Both items are tabled for inaction or lack of response from other entities involved. Tony Bagato stated that the landscaping component of the El Paseo revitalization was discussed briefly. C. PARKS & RECREATION Commissioner Schmidt reported that the meeting discussed the upcoming groundbreaking of the new Community Pool. D. PROJECT AREA 4 COMMITTEE Commissioner Schmidt stated that there was nothing to report as the Committee was dark in August. XI. COMMENTS Chair Limont asked a question of staff regarding The Reserve. She questioned if they were changing the landscaping without going before the Planning Commission or having an EIR. Ms. Aylaian stated that it was reported to the City that The Reserve was changing out their plant palette. Upon investigation, it appeared that The Reserve has been removing plants and that they are interested in introducing a more colorful palette, but that they have not recently been bringing in new plants. After a meeting with Indian Wells, the lead agency on this project, Indian Wells and Palm Desert both believed that it might be appropriate to revise the EIR to reflect The Reserve's desires regarding the plants. 4 MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 21, 2010 If The Reserve desires to introduce more plant species that are non-native and have 80% native plants and 20% non-native, then the EIR would need to be revised, as it currently states that 100% of the plants should be native to the Coachella Valley. Any such revision to the EIR would have to go through the public hearing process. Chair Limont asked that staff keep the Commission apprised. Commissioner Schmidt asked about the El Paseo beautification plan and if it was still being followed with regard to the curbs, ADA compliance and etc. Tony Bagato responded that the City Council hasn't approved the full plan. Just the landscaping and the signage are moving forward. It was really a matter of cost and economy at this point. Commissioner Schmidt clarified that the plan was being followed and Mr. Bagato said that it was. Ms. Aylaian introduced Tony Becker, Administrative Secretary, to the Commission stating that he has taken over Tonya Monroe's duties upon her recent retirement. XII. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Tanner moved and Commissioner De Luna seconded the adjournment of the meeting by minute motion. The motion carried 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at 6:23 p.m. LAURI AYLAIAN, Secretary TEST: 09� CONNOR LIMONT, Chair Palm Desert Planning Commission /tb NOW 5