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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-05-21 PC Regular Meeting Minutes CITY OF PALM DESERT K71 PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION !d1i MINUTES ;a��►� TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013 — 6:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBER 73-510 FRED WARING DRIVE, PALM DESERT, CA 92260 I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Nancy DeLuna called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioner Ken Stendell Commissioner John Greenwood Commissioner Sonia Campbell Vice Chair Roger Dash Chair Nancy DeLuna Staff Present: Jill Tremblay, City Attorney Lauri Aylaian, Director of Community Development Tony Bagato, Principal Planner Kevin Swartz, Assistant Planner Monica O'Reilly, Administrative Secretary III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Campbell led the Pledge of Allegiance. IV. SUMMARY OF COUNCIL ACTION Ms. Lauri Aylaian, Director of Community Development, reported that at the meeting of May 9, the City Council approved the updated California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines. The Council also approved a contract with Terra Nova to analyze the potential annexation of Bermuda Dunes, Sun City, the commercial areas within the City's sphere of influence north of 1-10, and a portion of the sphere of influence of Cathedral City. Staff expects the study to be completed in 60 days. The study will be taken to the City Council before or after the summer break. MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MAY 21, 2013 V. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None VI. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Planning Commission meeting of May 7, 2013. Rec: By Minute Motion, approve as presented. B. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION of a lot line adjustment (APNs 626-060- 012, 626-060-013 & 626-060-031) at Avondale Country Club. Case No. PMW 13-106 (Feiro Engineering, Inc., PO Box 12980, Palm Desert, Applicant) Rec: By Minute Motion, approve a lot line adjustment, Case No. PMW 13- 106. Upon a motion by Campbell, second by Dash, and a 5-0 vote of the Planning Commission, the Consent Calendar was approved as presented. VII. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION of a Conditional Use Permit to operate a 2,686-square-foot hair salon within an existing 6,192-square-foot building located in the Office Professional zone at 44-630 Monterey Avenue, Suites 200 and 201. Case No. CUP 13-127 (Jennifer Anderholt, 44-630 Monterey Avenue, Palm Desert, CA 92260, Applicant) Mr. Kevin Swartz, Assistant Planner, reported that the property is located on the east side of Monterey Avenue, south side of Fred Waring Drive, and north of San Gorgonio Way. The property is zoned Office Professional and Residential Single Family, and designated Office Professional in the General Plan. To the north is Residential Single Family/Atria Hacienda Senior Care facility, to the south is Office Professional, to the east is Single-Family Residential/Single-Family homes, and to the west is Planned Commercial. Mr. Swartz stated that the hair salon would occupy the second floor, and operate seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. There would be five licensed cosmetologists working by an appointment-only schedule. He reported that staff conducted a parking survey, and found that the project would have minimal impact to the surrounding businesses during the proposed operating hours. He also reported that staff did not receive comments in favor of or opposition to the proposed use. He displayed site and floor plans. Staff believes that the proposed hair salon would not cause a disturbance to the existing office use tenants and 2 G\Planning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2013\Minutes\5-21-13 min.docx MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MAY 21, 2013 residential neighborhood. Mr. Swartz stated that staff recommends that the Planning Commission approve the Conditional Use Permit and adopt Resolution No. 2603. He offered to answer any questions. Commissioner Greenwood stated that the floor plan indicates there are 10 cosmetologist stations so there could potentially be 10 clients. He asked if there would be enough parking in prime season if there are 10 clients and 10 cosmetologists. Mr. Swartz responded that the applicant is present, and that the applicant could address the question. The Planning Commission had no further questions of staff. Chair DeLuna declared the public hearing open and invited the applicant to address the Commission on this matter, followed by any public testimony IN FAVOR or OPPOSITION. MS. JENNIFER ANDERHOLT, 44-630 Monterey Avenue, Suite 200, Palm Desert, California, stated that they have been in the industry for approximately 16 years, and they have a very exclusive type of clientele that is by appointment only. She said that currently there are four to five cosmetologists that work in the salon at different time schedules. Ms. Anderholt stated that in regards to the parking, they (the cosmetologists) are willing to park in public parking at the mall so that their clients could have a parking space. Commissioner Greenwood asked the applicant if they could potentially have 10 cosmetologists and 10 clients at the same time. MS. ANDERHOLT responded that they are not a commercialized or a mainstream salon, and do not take walk-in clients. The reason for having double- sided stations is that they want to be able to have someone at the shampoo bowl, and have another person at a station to have hair color applied. She emphasized that they do not want to be a big salon. MS. LOWELL ELG, 44-630 Monterey Avenue, Suite 200, Palm Desert, California, added that they want to keep the salon strictly a boutique style salon and by appointment only. Commissioner Greenwood stated that within the conditions of approval there is a stipulation of no more than five employees working at one time. He said he wants to make sure there is consistency between what the applicant is agreeing to and what is on the floor plan. MS. ANDERHOLT agreed with Commissioner Greenwood's statement. Vice Chair Dash clarified that the applicant operates by appointment only. 3 G:\Planning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2013\Minutes\5-21-13 min,docx MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MAY 21, 2013 MS. ANDERHOLT replied that was correct. Vice Chair Dash asked if that would preclude any type of advertising or signage. MS. ELG responded that they would elect to add a sign on the building so their clients know where they are located. She stated that they do not plan on advertising. Commissioner Campbell commented that she believes what Vice Chair Dash meant to say is that you are entitled to a sign; however, not to have a sign on the sidewalk with an arrow. Chair DeLuna clarified for the record that there would be no other services offered other than just hairstyling. There would be no massage therapists, estheticians, or manicurists. The applicants responded they are only a hair salon. With no further testimony offered, Chair DeLuna declared the public hearing closed Commissioner Campbell moved, by Minute Motion, to approve a Conditional Use Permit to operate a 2,686-square-foot hair salon within an existing 6,192-square-foot building at 44-630 Monterey Avenue, Suites 200 and 201 . Motion was seconded by Stendell and carried by a 5-0 vote. Commissioner Campbell moved, by Minute Motion, to waive further reading and adopt Resolution No. 2603, subject to conditions. Motion was seconded by Stendell and carried by a 5-0 vote. The Planning Commission congratulated and welcomed the applicant to Palm Desert. IX. MISCELLANEOUS None X. COMMITTEE MEETING UPDATES A. ART IN PUBLIC PLACES Commissioner Stendell reported that the City entered into a contract to maintain the public art. The Art in Public Places Commission also voted to dispose of two decaying ceramic benches. They also voted to add artists to the registry, which is available online. He gave a brief report on the Docent Program, Desertscapes, and the documentary film series. Last, he mentioned that the City is seeking artists to create artwork for traffic signal cabinets, and Ms. Maria Hunt was authorized to enhance two cabinets that already have been painted. 4 G:\Planning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2013\Minutes\5-21-13 min.docx MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MAY 21, 2013 Chair DeLuna inquired about the two benches that are decaying. She asked if the only two choices are to give them back to the artist or to destroy them. Could they be resurfaced and placed in a public park? Ms. Aylaian responded that if the government wants to give away, sell, or repurpose property that they own, the governing body must declare the property as surplus. Once it is surplused, the government may auction the items or donate them. In addition, public art needs to be deaccessioned. She noted that the benches had deteriorated and could not be repaired. Ms. Aylaian mentioned that the City has an excess amount of plastic wine glasses and napkins available. Chair DeLuna asked if they could be used for the next Art, Food & Wine Festival. Ms. Aylaian responded that the festival was discontinued several years ago. She said that the City offered the items to the organizers of Fashion Week, which they did take some. She believes the Visitor Center is giving wine glasses away; no purchase necessary. B. PARKS & RECREATION None XI. COMMENTS Commissioner Dash asked for the status on signage. Ms. Aylaian said that the next step is a hearing on the entire Zoning Ordinance in front of the Planning Commission in 30 to 60 days. Mr. Tony Bagato, Principal Planner, interjected that he hopes the public hearing will be in July. He said the main ordinance update will be the first hearing then a list of other related items. So there will be approximately five to six separate public hearings, all in the same meeting. The reason for all the hearings are so it does not stop the progress of the remaining code updates if there is an issue with the signage update. Vice Chair Dash inquired if the process would be one in which that the Planning Commission would hear from the citizens then the Planning Commission makes a recommendation to the City Council. Staff replied that was correct. Commissioner Campbell asked for the status on the Larkspur hotel. Ms. Aylaian responded that the City is attempting to sell the property to a developer that was identified through a Request for Proposals process. She noted that the property was previously owned by the Redevelopment Agency. The property has been held up in the dissolution process of the Redevelopment 5 G\Planning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2013\Minutes\5-21-13 min.docx MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MAY 21, 2013 Agency. In the next 60 days the City hopes to receive authorization to sell the property to the developer. In the meantime, the developer has identified that they want to make enough changes to the project that they are going back though the entitlement process, which would come back to the Planning Commission and City Council for consideration. Chair DeLuna asked if the developer is seeking to change their own plans. Ms. Aylaian responded that the plans were prepared by a previous developer. Commissioner Campbell also asked for the status on the Rosewood Hotel. Mr. Bagato responded that he last heard the hotel developer sent the City information of a contract for getting investors. They hope to meet with the City this summer to give an update of where they are financially. Chair DeLuna asked if the Rosewood Hotel is coming into any deadlines. Mr. Bagato replied that Rosewood has an initial five-year approval, of which they are on their second year. He noted that the City Manager may grant additional years based upon evidence of progress by the developer. Commissioner Stendell inquired if staff foresees a backlash with the update of neon signs. How is the City going to enforce the changes? Mr. Bagato responded that the City would notify business owners in advance of the changes. He said he does not anticipate a backlash from business owners that have neon signs. He noted that the liquor stores are the biggest offenders, and they may not be happy when they are notified. He believes there will be a bigger issue with the pedestal signs on El Paseo. XII. ADJOURNMENT Upon a motion by Stendell, second by Greenwood, and a 5-0 vote of the Planning Commission, Chair DeLuna adjourned the meeting at 6:28 p.m. NANCY DE/LUNA, CHAIR ATTEST: LAURI AYLAIAN, SECRETARY ism PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION 6 a\Planning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2013\Minutes\5-21-13 min.docx