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Home My WebLink About2015-10-20 PC Regular Meeting Minutes CITY OF PALM DESERT f PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2015 — 6:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBER 73-510 FRED WARING DRIVE, PALM DESERT, CA 92260 I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Ken Stendell called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioner Sonia Campbell Commissioner Nancy DeLuna Commissioner Joseph Pradetto Vice Chair John Greenwood Chair Ken Stendell Staff Present: Jill Tremblay, City Attorney Lauri Aylaian, Director of Community Development Tony Bagato, Principal Planner Bo Chen, City Engineer Monica O'Reilly, Administrative Secretary III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Joseph Pradetto led the Pledge of Allegiance. IV. SUMMARY OF COUNCIL ACTION Ms. Lauri Aylaian, Director of Community Development; and Mr. Tony Bagato, Principal Planner, summarized pertinent October 8, 2015, City Council actions. V. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION OCTOBER 20, 2015 VI. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Planning Commission meeting of September 1, 2015. Rec: By Minute Motion, approve as presented. B. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION of a lot line adjustment at 44-401 and 44- 431 San Pascual Avenue (Assessor Parcel Numbers 627-114-005 and 627- 114-006). Case No. PMW 15-086 (Prospect Companies, Solana Beach, California 92075, Applicant). Rec: By Minute Motion, approve a lot line adjustment, Case No. PMW 15- 086. C. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION of a two-year extension to the entitlements for an 88-room hotel and restaurant pad located at 75-144 Gerald Ford Drive. Case Nos. PP 06-18/CUP 06-15 (May Garden & Associates, LLC., Yorba Linda, California 92887, Applicant). Rec: By Minute Motion, approve a two-year extension (until November 8, 2017), Case Nos. PP 06-18/CUP 06-15. D. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION of a two-year extension to the entitlements for the Delio Professional Building located at 44-450 Monterey Avenue. Case No. PP 07-07 (Paul Delio, Palm Desert, California 92211, Applicant). Rec: By Minute Motion, approve a two-year extension (until December 4, 2017), Case No. PP 07-07. Upon a motion by Commissioner Pradetto, second by Vice Chair Greenwood, and a 5-0 vote of the Planning Commission (AYES: Campbell, DeLuna, Greenwood, Pradetto, and Stendell; NOES: None; ABSENT: None; ABSTAIN: None), the Consent Calendar was approved as presented. VII. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VIII. NEW BUSINESS None 2 GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2015\Minutes\10-20-15 min.dou MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION OCTOBER 20, 2015 IX. CONTINUED BUSINESS A. MINUTES of the Planning Commission meeting of August 18, 2015, (Continued from the meeting of September 1, 2015). Rec: Approve as presented. Upon a motion by Commissioner Campbell, second by Commissioner Pradetto, and a 5-0 vote of the Planning Commission (AYES: Campbell, DeLuna, Greenwood, Pradetto, and Stendell; NOES: None; ABSENT: None; ABSTAIN: None), the August 18, 2015, Planning Commission minutes were approved as presented. X. PUBLIC HEARINGS None XI. MISCELLANEOUS A. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION to approve Parcel Map Waiver No. 15- 235, to convert an entry street to a residential lot and walkway located at 74- 000 Gerald Ford Drive (Assessor Parcel Numbers 694-260-045, 694-260- 046, and 694-260-065), subject to conditions. Case No. PMW 15-235 (D.R. Horton, c/o: Jennifer O'Leary, Corona, California 92880, Applicant). am Mr. Bagato reported that the property is within a project known as The Gallery located on the north side of Gerald Ford Drive, and adjacent to the project to the east is Dolce. He stated that the applicant is requesting to reconfigure the lots to convert an entry street to a residential lot and a walkway. He noted that City staff has been adamant with D.R. Horton to have pedestrian access on Parcel B even though there would not be vehicle access. He also noted that normally a Parcel Map Waiver application would be under the Consent Calendar; however, this is under Miscellaneous due to requirements that have not been met. Staff recommended approval and offered to answer any questions. Commissioner Sonia Campbell commented that it sounds complicated; however, if staff recommends approval and it is the best solution, she is in favor and moved for approval. Commissioner Nancy DeLuna referred to Exhibit B of the Parcel Map Waiver, and asked what is to the left on Parcel B. Mr. Bagato responded that it is vacant land owned by Mr. Mickey Rillington, original developer of Dolce. He said Parcel B is dedicated as a secondary access; however, the access was never required by the adjacent property owners. Commissioner DeLuna inquired what is located to the west. 3 GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Planning Comm ission\2015\Minutes\10-20-15 min.docx MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION OCTOBER 20, 2015 Mr. Bagato replied that he believes it is residential lot. He said future pedestrian access would be required from the property to the west. err Commissioner DeLuna clarified that Parcel B would connect with a future pedestrian access. Mr. Bagato replied yes. He noted that Michelangelo Lane would be converted from a street to a residential lot (Parcel A). Parcel B would be used for pedestrian access through the future development on Cortesia Way. Chair Stendell declared the public hearing open and invited the applicant to address the Planning Commission. MR. PAUL DE PALATIS, MSA Consulting (representative for D.R. Horton), Rancho Mirage, California, said it is a complicated process to convert the parcel because they have to deal with a number of utilities. He stated that the request is to convert an unused segment of entry road to a residential lot and maintain a walkway that would connect The Gallery community with the school site to the west. He said this request preserves the ability through D.R. Horton's project, then ultimately there would need to be a second easement on the Rillington property. He offered to answer any questions. Ms. Jill Tremblay, City Attorney, interjected for the record that this Parcel Map Waiver application is a Miscellaneous item and not a Public Hearing item. However, it could be the Planning Commission's decision to have the applicant address the Commission. Commissioner DeLuna asked staff if they have the ability or the right to compel Rillington homes to dedicate a corresponding portion so that there would be pedestrian access. Mr. Bagato responded that if the current owner or if the property is sold to someone else, staff has the ability to require an easement. Commissioner DeLuna asked if staff could compel the other owner to provide the right-of-way access through. Mr. Bagato replied yes. Commissioner Pradetto stated that there was a motion, and he will second that motion. Commissioner Campbell moved to approve Parcel Map Waiver 15-235 to convert an entry street to a residential lot and walkway located at 74-000 Gerald Ford Drive. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Pradetto and carried by a 5-0 vote (AYES: Campbell, DeLuna, Greenwood, Pradetto, and Stendell; NOES: None; ABSENT: None; ..�r ABSTAIN: None). 4 GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2015\Minutes\10-20-15 min.docx MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION OCTOBER 20, 2015 Commissioner Campbell moved to waive further reading and adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2656, approving Case No. PMW 15-235, subject to conditions. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Pradetto and carried by a 5-0 vote (AYES: Campbell, DeLuna, Greenwood, Pradetto, and Stendell; NOES: None; ABSENT: None; ABSTAIN: None). B. REQUEST FOR DISCUSSION regarding potentially changing the regular Planning Commission meetings to the first and third Thursdays of each month. Ms. Aylaian stated that staff is requesting input regards to changing meetings to the first and third Thursdays of each month. She said the suggestion is to accommodate staff, and noted that the Planning Department staff has a lot of young families. The potential meeting change would also accommodate people that want to build schedules around family activities, such as little league or different activities in the community. She commented it would be nice to have a single night a week set aside for evening meetings rather than two. Currently, staff has a commitment on Thursday nights (second and fourth) for City Council meetings. She thought it might be staff friendly to also have Planning Commission meetings on Thursdays (first and third), which would free up four other nights of the week to be able to schedule activities. Ms. Aylaian asked if the meeting change would work for the Planning Commission. Commissioner Campbell responded that she has is available on Tuesdays or Thursdays, as long as the meetings are in the evening. Commissioner Pradetto asked when the agendas would be delivered. He commented he prefers to review the agenda during the weekend because he works full-time through the week. Ms. Aylaian replied that Commissioner Pradetto has a very valid concern. Typically an agenda needs to be posted 72 hours in advance, which the agenda would need to be delivered by Monday. The Commission would not have the luxury of reviewing the agenda over the weekend; however, she would check with staff if the agenda could still be delivered on Fridays. Commissioner Pradetto suggested emailing a tentative agenda with the attachments to get a head start reviewing the agenda. Vice Chair Greenwood agreed with Commissioner Pradetto. He said the more time they have to review agenda packets would be positive. As long as they continue receiving the agenda on Fridays, Thursdays would not be a conflict for him. Commissioner DeLuna stated that she values what City staff does, values their input, values their time, and she is sensitive to staff concerns. However, she is 5 GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2015\Minutes\10-20-15 min.docx MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION OCTOBER 20, 2015 involved in events that occur on Thursdays. Her concern is that she would not be able to participate in the events on conflicting Thursdays. Chair Stendell commented that his position on the Planning Commission is not a burden; it is a responsibility that he wants to give back to the City. He expressed that he loves Palm Desert and he's had opportunities through the years to move to other cities in the valley but has not. He personally elects to take many mini vacations, and heads out of town on Thursday nights. In the summer, he is gone almost every Thursday so he has mixed emotions. Chair Stendell said he is only one Planning Commission member so if it is meant to be, it is meant to be. Following discussion, Ms. Aylaian stated that the community is best served by leaving the meetings on Tuesday nights. She appreciated the Planning Commission willing to discuss this matter. Commissioner DeLuna thanked Ms. Aylaian for allowing them to be candid and express their desire to serve the City and serve at the best interest of the City. Vice Chair Greenwood asked if there is an opportunity to receive the agenda packets earlier than Friday. Ms. Aylaian responded that staff would have to look at the processing time; however, staff will discuss getting the agenda out earlier. XII. COMMITTEE MEETING UPDATES .rrr A. ART IN PUBLIC PLACES Chair Stendell provided the Planning Commission with a Coachella Valley History Museum rack card, and noted the Palm Springs Art Museum 2015/2016 calendar/program. The Art in Public Places Commission approved the following items: 1) The painting of a design and a design for a vinyl wrap for four traffic signal cabinets at two locations; and 2) A subcommittee was selected for the 2017/2018 El Paseo Exhibition. Last, he announced there will be an all Coachella Valley public art meeting on November 19 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the College of the Desert Visual Arts building in Room 100. B. PARKS & RECREATION None C. GENERAL PLAN UPDATE TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP Vice Chair Greenwood reported that the Technical Working Group has been in the process of providing their markups on the first draft of the General Plan, and they have submitted the markups back to staff. The Technical Working Group is meeting on Thursday, October 22 to dissect all the comments. 6 GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2015\Minutes\10-20-15 min.dou MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION OCTOBER 20, 2015 XIII. COMMENTS ., Commissioner DeLuna expressed her regrets and best wishes to Ms. Lauri Aylaian, who is leaving the City of Palm Desert at the end of the week. The Planning Commission concurred and wished Ms. Aylaian all the best with the City of Palm Springs. XIV. ADJOURNMENT Upon a motion by Vice Chair Greenwood, second by Commissioner Pradetto and a 5-0 vote of the Planning Commission (AYES: Campbell, DeLuna, Greenwood, Pradetto, and Stendell; NOES: None; ABSENT: None; A STAIN: None , Chair Stendell adjourned the meeting at 6:29 p.m. KEN T ELL, CHAIR ATTEST: too LAURI AYLAIAN, SECRETARY PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MONICA O'REILLY, RECORD G SECRETARY 7 GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2015\Minutes\10-20-15 min.docx