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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-08-20 PC Regular Meeting Minutes CITY OF PALM DESERT PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES • TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 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 Monica O'Reilly, Administrative Secretary III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Ken Stendell led the Pledge of Allegiance. IV. SUMMARY OF COUNCIL ACTION None V. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION AUGUST 20, 2013 VI. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Planning Commission meeting of July 16, 2013. r. Rec: By Minute Motion, approve as presented. B. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION of a two-year extension for the entitlements of the Delio Professional Building (44450 Monterey Avenue). Case No. PP 07-07 (Paul Delio, 42335 Washington Street PMB 360, Suite 1, Palm Desert, CA 92211, Applicant) Upon a motion by Commissioner Campbell, second by Commissioner Stendell, and a 4-0-1 vote of the Planning Commission, the Consent Calendar was approved as presented with Commissioner Greenwood ABSTAINING. VII. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION of a recommendation to the City Council to approve: 1) The adoption of Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact for the Housing Element update, pursuant to Section 15074 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); and 2) adoption of the General Plan • Housing Element. Case No. GPA 12-361 (City of Palm Desert, Applicant). Mr. Tony Bagato, Principal Planner, orally presented his staff report and PowerPoint presentation. He reported that it is required by the State to update the Housing Element component of the city's General Plan. He stated that the document facilitates the development of housing in the city, identifies and reduces constraints to the development of affordable housing, identifies how the city will meet mandated housing targets for the period 2014 through 2021, and establishes goals, policies, and programs. He briefly went through a list of items that must be included in the Housing Element and showed on screen the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA). He noted that the two major changes in the element are that an analysis of persons with developmental disabilities must be added, and the 2010 census information must be updated. Staff recommends approval to the Planning Commission, and Mr. Bagato offered to answer any questions. Chair DeLuna commented that the RHNA numbers have dramatically dropped. She asked what that has been attributed to. Mr. Bagato responded that it is due to the economy, which made the numbers shift. .w� 2 GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2013\Minutes\8.20-13 min.docx MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION AUGUST 20, 2013 Ms. Lauri Aylaian explained that the gathering of RHNA numbers is approximately a two-year process. It involves planners from all cities throughout the region, and all the way up to Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG). She said they work interactively with the county and their counterparts in the Coachella Valley. They look at what growth they project in the next eight years. She stated that the last time the RHNA was done, there was rapid growth going on. It was also anticipated that the City of Palm Desert would be fully built out, which has not happened. Ms. Aylaian stated that this time the numbers were prepared for the new RHNA allocation between 2010 and 2011, and approved in 2012. She noted that the numbers were a reflection of the fact that no homes were being built in the several years while the numbers were being put together. Chair DeLuna asked if the loss of redevelopment funds effects the number of people that need affordable housing, or does it only impact the ability to deliver housing. Ms. Aylaian responded that it impacts the city's ability to participate in production of affordable housing. It does not impact how many people will need housing, or how much would be built if there were other funding mechanisms. She noted that the market prices have fallen so much that there is housing that is available at a modest rate. Therefore, it is not necessary for the government or other agencies to help produce low cost and affordable housing at this time because the market has taken care of that. • Chair DeLuna inquired if the Department of Finance slows down the Housing Element or just the implementation of the Housing Element. Ms. Aylaian replied that only the HCD, and not the Department of Finance, reviews implementation of the Housing Element. Commissioner John Greenwood asked if it would be beneficial for staff to include clarification or a position on the applicable codes in terms of ADA compliance. Mr. Bagato responded that the zoning ordinance update included provisions for ADA compliance. He said that the Housing Element is a general policy document that states that the city needs to have ordinances to accommodate ADA and special needs housing. Mr. Bagato noted that the zoning ordinance is the tool that developers use to implement those requirements. Commissioner Greenwood inquired if there is a map of future land planned to be developed. Mr. Bagato noted that a map was included in the staff report, page 59. Vice Chair Roger Dash asked for the status of the court ordered stipulation that affects affordable housing projects. 3 GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2013\Minutes\8-20.13 min.docx MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION AUGUST 20, 2013 Mr. Bagato replied that the stipulation is still in effect. He commented that the ' Housing Element is in compliance with the State law and the mandate. Vice Chair Dash commented that some of the affordable restrictions will expire on projects that have already been completed, and it will be doubling down on the problem for the city. Ms. Aylaian stated that the city works actively to extend the dates with any project that has units whose affordability covenants are nearing expiration.. With no further questions, Chair DeLuna commented that staff gave a thorough and comprehensive report, and did a great job at presenting the report. She thanked staff for all their effort. Mr. Bagato interjected that the consultant also should receive credit for the document. Chair DeLuna declared the public hearing open and asked for any public testimony IN FAVOR or OPPOSITION. With no testimony offered, Chair DeLuna declared the public hearing closed. Commissioner Sonia Campbell concurred with Chair DeLuna on a job well done by staff. Commissioner Campbell moved, by Minute Motion, to recommend to the City .mow Council approval of a Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact and General Plan Amendment 12-361, adopting the Housing Element. Motion was seconded by Vice Chair Dash and carried by a 5-0 vote. Commissioner Campbell moved, by Minute Motion, to waive further reading and adopt Resolution No. 2610. Motion was seconded by Vice Chair Dash and carried by a 5-0 vote. IX. MISCELLANEOUS None X. COMMITTEE MEETING UPDATES A. ART IN PUBLIC PLACES None B. PARKS & RECREATION None ..r 4 GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2013\M1nutes\840.13 min.docx MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION AUGUST 20, 2013 XI. COMMENTS Chair DeLuna asked the College of the Desert student in the audience if he had ... any questions. The student did not have questions. Chair DeLuna mentioned to the student that he is welcome to attend future Planning Commission meetings. XII. ADJOURNMENT Upon a motion by Commissioner Stendell, second by Commissioner Greenwood, and a 5-0 vote of the Planning Commission, Chair DeLuna adjourned the meeting at 6:20 p.m. NA CY DE ONA, CHAIR ATTEST: low G2 LA LAURI AYLAIAN, SECRETARY PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION Now GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2013\Minutes\8-20-13 min.docx