HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-05-20 PC Regular Meeting Minutes CITY OF PALM DESERT
tow PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
• TUESDAY, MAY 20, 2014— 6:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBER
73-510 FRED WARING DRIVE, PALM DESERT, CA 92260
I. CALL TO ORDER
Vice Chair Ken Stendell called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Present: Absent:
Commissioner Nancy DeLuna Chair Roger Dash
Commissioner John Greenwood
Commissioner Sonia Campbell
Vice Chair Ken Stendell
•• Staff Present:
Jill Tremblay, City Attorney
Lauri Aylaian, Director of Community Development
Eric Ceja, Associate Planner
Monica O'Reilly, Administrative Secretary
III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Sonia Campbell led the Pledge of Allegiance.
IV. SUMMARY OF COUNCIL ACTION
Ms. Lauri Aylaian, Director of Community Development, indicated that at the
meeting of May 8, 2014, the City Council approved the Fairfield Inn & Suites
Marriott at Technology Drive.
V. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None
MINUTES
PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MAY 20, 2014
VI. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. MINUTES of the Planning Commission meeting of May 6, 2014.
Rec: By Minute Motion, approve as presented.
B. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION of a lot line adjustment to adjust the
parcel boundaries of two parcels at 77-530 Enfield Lane (APNs 626-320-038
& 626-320-043). Case No. PMW 14-136 (DGK Heritage, Inc., c/o Dennis
French, 77-564 Country Club Drive, Palm Desert, California 92211,
Applicant).
Rec: By Minute Motion, approve a lot line adjustment, Case No. PMW 14-
136.
C. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION of a lot line adjustment for three parcels
at Monterey Avenue (APNs 694-090-018, 694-090-019, & 694-090-020).
Case No. PMW 14-156 (RJ Ventures, LLC, c/o Stanley Rothbart, 10990
Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1000, Los Angeles, California 90024, Applicant).
Rec: By Minute Motion, approve a lot line adjustment, Case No. PMW 14-
156.
Upon a motion by Commissioner Campbell, second by Commissioner DeLuna,
and a 4-0-1 vote of the Planning Commission (AYES: Campbell, DeLuna, Greenwood, wo
and Stendell; NOES: None; ABSENT: Dash), the Consent Calendar was approved as
presented.
VII. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER
None
VIII. NEW BUSINESS
None
IX. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION of a Tentative Parcel Map to subdivide a
6.68-acre parcel into two parcels at the St. Margaret's Episcopal Church.
Case No. TPM 36700/HTE 14-084 (St. Margaret's Episcopal Church, 47-536
Highway 74, Palm Desert, California 92260, Applicant).
Mr. Eric Ceja, Associate Planner, reported that the property is located on the
west side of Highway 74. He stated that the parcel is 6.68 acres, and the
applicant proposes to divide the parcel into two parcels. Parcel 1 will include the
Now
2
GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2014\Minutes\5-20.14 min.docx
MINUTES
PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MAY 20, 2014
church, administrative offices, a nursery, and a pre-school. Parcel 2 will include
an elementary and middle school. He noted that the church has a lease
agreement for a third party to operate the school on Parcel 2, with potentially the
option to buy. Mr. Ceja stated that the current improvements at the site comply
with all the City standards. He mentioned that a 10-day notice of the hearing was
sent to properties within 300 feet. Staff heard from one person asking about the
proposal; they did not voice an opinion either in favor or opposition. Staff
recommended approval subject to conditions. He offered to answer any
questions.
Commissioner Nancy DeLuna asked if the parcels will potentially have two
separate owners.
Mr. Ceja responded that the applicant may potentially sell the parcel to the
operator of the school.
Commissioner DeLuna asked if there are two separate owners, will there be a
shared parking lot.
Mr. Ceja replied that is correct. He explained that there will be a reciprocal
access and parking agreement that will allow multiple owners to use the existing
parking lot for both parcels.
Vice Chair Stendell inquired if the agreement will be recorded and continue in
perpetuity through the life of the property.
Mr. Ceja replied that is correct.
Commissioner DeLuna asked if it would be an easement.
Mr. Ceja responded that it would only be an agreement between the two property
owners.
Commissioner Campbell asked if the school is currently operating.
Mr. Ceja replied yes.
Vice Chair Stendell inquired how a dispute would be settled between owners, if
there is a dispute.
Mr. Ceja responded that it would be a civil matter between the property owners.
Commissioner DeLuna asked if there is any precedent for Vice Chair Stendell's
concern.
3
GAPlanning\Monica OAeilly\Planning Commission\2014\Minutes\5-20-14 min.docx
MINUTES
PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MAY 20, 2014
Ms. Aylaian explained that it is very common for there to be reciprocal parking
agreements between neighboring property owners. She said it would be a private
matter between the two entities, and the City would not get involved.
Commissioner DeLuna inquired if the current parking is adequate for both
facilities.
Mr. Ceja responded that staff looked at the existing parking, and it was
determined that there is adequate parking for both parcels.
Vice Chair Stendell declared the public hearing open and asked for any public testimony
IN FAVOR or OPPOSITION.
MR. WALLY GRIMM, St. Margaret's Episcopal Church, 47-536 Highway 74,
Palm Desert, California 92260, stated that the church has a parking agreement
with Hope Academy. He said there will be cross use of parking for both parcels.
He also stated that there is an egress and ingress off of Highway 74 that is still
viable, and there is room in the back if more parking is needed
Commissioner DeLuna asked Mr. Grimm if the school uses the parking lot
primarily during weekdays, and the church uses the parking lot primarily on the
weekends.
MR. GRIMM replied yes. He noted that there are some groups that use the
church after hours. He also noted that most kids are dropped off and picked up.
Parking is primarily for the teachers.
Commissioner John Greenwood asked Mr. Grimm, in terms of kid drop off and
pick up, foresee any issues or congestion with two separate entities.
MR. GRIMM replied that he did not. He mentioned that the building has been a
school for the past 15 years. He indicated that there is some congestion during
drop off and pick up; however, the circulation of traffic does not back up onto
Highway 74.
Commissioner Greenwood inquired what the current use for Parcel 1 is.
MR. GRIMM responded that Parcel 1 consists of the administration for the
church and the church itself. He mentioned that the building farthest to the south
is a school building and adjacent is the administration building.
Commissioner Greenwood asked if there is a daycare or pre-school or
educational program on Parcel 1.
MR. GRIMM replied that there are classrooms behind the administration building
that is in a big courtyard.
4
GAPlanning\Monica OFeilly\Planning Commission\2014\Minutes\5-20-14 min.docx
MINUTES
PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MAY 20, 2014
Commissioner Greenwood asked if Parcel 2 is projected for educational use.
MR. GRIMM replied yes. He stated that the school is functioning, and they have
Now been there since the church opened.
Commissioner Greenwood commented that the concentration of parking and
circulation is at the lot line. He said that people at Parcel 2 may have to go farther
north for parking.
MR. GRIMM responded that there will be no changes to the streets. He stated
that the existing pattern has been in place for 15 years.
With no further testimony offered, Vice Chair Stendell declared the public hearing
closed.
Commissioner Campbell moved, by Minute Motion, to approve a Tentative Parcel
Map to subdivide a 6.68-acre parcel into two parcels at the St. Margaret's Episcopal
Church. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Greenwood and carried by a 4-0-1
vote (AYES: Campbell, DeLuna, Greenwood, and Stendell; NOES: None; ABSENT:
Dash).
Commissioner Campbell moved, by Minute Motion, to waive further reading and
adopt Resolution No. 2629, subject to conditions. Motion was seconded by
Commissioner Greenwood and carried by a 4-0-1 vote (AYES: Campbell, DeLuna,
Greenwood, and Stendell; NOES: None; ABSENT: Dash).
X. MISCELLANEOUS
A. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION of the appointment of two Planning
Commissioners to the General Plan Update Technical Working Group.
Commissioner Campbell moved, by Minute Motion, to nominate Commissioners
DeLuna and Greenwood to the General Plan Update Technical Working Group. Motion
was seconded by Vice Chair Stendell and carried by a 4-0-1 vote (AYES: Campbell,
DeLuna, Greenwood, and Stendell; NOES: None; ABSENT: Dash).
Ms. Aylaian mentioned that there is a tentative schedule with the consultant that will
take approximately two years. Meetings are expected to be once a month, maybe once
every two months at different times. She said meetings should be no more than two
hours in duration. Ms. Aylaian noted that the first meeting will likely be in July.
XI. COMMITTEE MEETING UPDATES
A. ART IN PUBLIC PLACES
None
Now
GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2014\Minutes\5-20.14 min.docx
MINUTES
PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MAY 20, 2014
B. PARKS & RECREATION
None
XII. COMMENTS
Ms. Aylaian commented that there will not be a Planning Commission meeting
June 3.
XIII. ADJOURNMENT
Upon a motion by Commissioner Greenwood, second by Commissioner
Campbell, and a 4-0-1 vote of the Planning Commission (AYES: Campbell, DeLuna,
Greenwood, and Stendell; NOES: None; ABSENT: Dash), Vice Chair Stendell
adjourned the meeting at 6:20 p.m.
c--
R09EA DASH, CHAIR
ATTEST:
LAURI AYLAIAN, SECRETARY
PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION
1�
MONICA O'REILLY, RE DING SECRETARY
6
GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2014\Minutes\5-20.14 min.dou