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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-03-01 PC Regular Meeting Minutes CITY OF PALM DESERT PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 2016 — 6:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBER 73-510 FRED WARING DRIVE, PALM DESERT, CA 92260 I. CALL TO ORDER Chair John Greenwood called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Chair John Greenwood Vice Chair Sonia Campbell Commissioner Nancy DeLuna Commissioner Joseph Pradetto iW Staff Present: Jill Tremblay, City Attorney Ryan Stendell, Director of Community Development Martin Alvarez, Director of Economic Development Eric Ceja, Associate Planner Monica O'Reilly, Administrative Secretary III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Nancy DeLuna led the Pledge of Allegiance. IV. SUMMARY OF COUNCIL ACTION Mr. Ryan Stendell, Director of Community Development, summarized pertinent February 25, 2016, City Council actions. V. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MARCH 1, 2016 VI. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular Planning Commission meeting of January 19, 2016. wr Rec: Approve as presented. Upon a motion by Commissioner Pradetto, second by Commissioner DeLuna, and a 4-0 vote of the Planning Commission, the Consent Calendar was approved as presented (AYES: Campbell, DeLuna, Greenwood, and Pradetto; NOES: None). VII. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VIII. NEW BUSINESS None IX. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for the placement of a donation recycling station within the Westfield parking lot located at 72-840 Highway 111. Case No. CUP 16-011 (Green Education Foundation, San Jose, California, Applicant). Mr. Eric Ceja, Associate Planner, reviewed the staff report (staff report is available at www.cityofpalmdesert.org). He noted that the recycling station has been in the parking lot for a month, and staff took a look if there would be an impact to the residential community to the east. From the residential view, only the solar panels could be seen. Staff recommended approval of the CUP, and offered to answer any questions. Commissioner DeLuna asked what the solar panels function is. Mr. Ceja responded that the solar panels would power the facility, such as the computer screen and security cameras. Vice Chair Sonia Campbell referred to the picture of two other donation facilities, and asked if they are located in the Palm Desert. Mr. Ceja replied yes. Vice Chair Campbell noted that the proposed facility within the Westfield parking lot is more attractive compared to the other two facilities. Chair Greenwood inquired why the applicant wanted to locate the facility at the eastern property line versus north (behind Trader Joe's). 2 GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2016\Minutes\3-1-16.docx MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MARCH 1, 2016 Mr. Ceja referred the question to the applicant. He mentioned that there was a concern with the visibility of the facility. Chair Greenwood asked if anyone has been in opposition of the facility since it has been in operation for a month. Mr. Ceja replied that staff did not receive any comments in favor or opposition of the recycling facility. Commissioner DeLuna asked if people could drop off items 24 hours a day or are there certain hours of operation. Mr. Ceja believed that the facility operates 24 hours a day, and referred the question to the applicant. Chair Greenwood declared the public hearing open and asked for any public testimony IN FAVOR or OPPOSITION. MS. CHARLENE NIJMEH, Green Education Foundation, San Jose, California, stated that Green Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization focused on supporting and promoting green education in schools. Proceeds generated from the donation recycling facility would be used to support schools in the City of Palm Desert. She explained that the solar system powers the LED lights, cameras, and touchscreen display. The cameras help monitor the inside and outside of the station 24 hours a day from their call center. Commissioner DeLuna asked the applicant if they accept electronics, or what other items do they solicit. MS. NIJMEH responded that they accept small household items; however, nothing larger than a microwave. She stated that they do not collect any electronics, oil, or anything similar to oil. Commissioner DeLuna clarified that they do not accept paint or anything that is perishable. MS. NIJMEH replied they do not. Vice Chair Campbell asked if the camera would monitor the facility. MS. NIJMEH replied yes. Vice Chair Campbell asked if there would be a staff person at the facility, and how are they going to know if donations are left outside of the facility. + 3 GAPlanningWonica OReilly\Planning Commission\2016\Minutes\3-1-16.docx MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MARCH 1, 2016 MS. NIJMEH responded that they have cameras in each corner of the kiosk. Cameras will monitor the inside and outside of the facility. They are able to dispatch a driver if they see the shoots are getting full or if there is an overflow. r Chair Greenwood inquired how they are educating the Palm Desert residents that the donation recycling station exists. MS. NIJMEH said that they would be reaching out to the schools to bring awareness to the unit. Chair Greenwood asked the applicant why they felt the current location is better than the location to the north, which is farther away from the residential area. MS. NIJMEH responded that there is more visibility in the current location for people to feel safe to donate. Commissioner DeLuna asked if there would be lights 24 hours a day, how tall would the lights be, and what would the lights shine on. MS. NIJMEH answered that the LED lights are only under the rim of the facility. There would be no lights that shine into the neighborhood. With no further testimony offered, Chair Greenwood declared the public hearing closed. Commissioner Pradetto moved to waive further reading and adopt Planning too Commission Resolution No. 2664, approving Case No. CUP 16-011, subject to conditions. Motion was seconded by Vice Chair Campbell and carried by a 4-0 vote (AYES: Campbell, DeLuna, Greenwood, and Pradetto; NOES: None). Chair Greenwood thanked the applicant. B. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for partial street vacation of San Marcos Avenue and the construction of a 32- stall public parking lot with perimeter wall, landscape, and lighting improvements at the intersection of San Marcos Avenue and San Clemente Circle. Case No. CUP 16-030 (City of Palm Desert, Palm Desert, California, Applicant). Chair Greenwood stated he is employed by Prest Vuksic Architects, architect for the proposed perimeter wall, and he recused himself from this item. Mr. Ceja introduced Mr. Martin Alvarez, Director of Economic Development. Mr. Alvarez provided a brief update on the Alessandro Alley project, which is also referred to the Alessandro West corridor. The project stretches from Las Palmas Avenue to the alley access road off of Highway 111 (alley between 1st ..r Bank/Enterprise). The project would include a public parking lot, perimeter wall, 4 G:\Planning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2016\Minutes\3-1-16.docx MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MARCH 1, 2016 landscape, and lighting improvements. He pointed out Lots 8 & 9 are now owned by the City. The lots would allow the City to create a central public facility. The public facility would remove and address the blighted area. It would also provide a core parking amenity that would facilitate future expansions of the commercial properties located to the south, as discussed in the General Plan Update process. He offered to answer any questions. Commissioner DeLuna pointed to the illustration, and noticed that the black lines are broken on Lots 3, 11, and 19. She asked what the black lines indicate. Mr. Alvarez explained that Lot 3 is privately owned by Mr. Michael Castelli, in the future, Mr. Castelli may have to use Lot 3 for restaurant parking. Lot 11 is another parking area that is utilized by Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Last, Lot 20 is a privately owned apartment complex. He said the City purchased the green area in front of Lot 20, and the City traded Lot 19 (previously owned by the City). The owner of the apartment complex now owns Lots 19 and 20. Mr. Alvarez informed the Commission that the City is going to build carports on Lot 19 in exchange for the carports the City would demolish in front of the complex. Commissioner DeLuna asked what each color of the illustration indicates. Mr. Alvarez responded that Lot 8 should be green because it is owned by the City, and noted the map has not been updated. Therefore, all items in green are owned by the City. The City is currently negotiating with the owner for the purchase of Lot 2 (red). The lots colored in magenta are owned by the Successor Agency (formerly the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency). Lots 1, 4, 5, 6, and 10 (magenta) would have to be sold in the open market by July 2018. Lots 13 & 14 (blue) were donated to Habitat for Humanity. Vice Chair Campbell inquired if Lot 7 could be acquired. Mr. Alvarez responded that Lot 7 is privately owned. The City Council has directed staff to reach out to the owner for future acquisition of the property. Commissioner Joseph Pradetto questioned if Lots 2 & 3 are potentially for parking, in addition to the 140 parking spaces planned in the green areas. Mr. Alvarez replied that it would be additional parking. At this time, Mr. Ceja outlined the salient points of the staff report (staff report is available at www.citvofpalmdesert.org). Commissioner Pradetto asked Mr. Stendell to provide an overview of what is projected to change, specifically, on the southern side where the businesses are. Mr. Stendell stated that the area has been identified as one that has a significant amount of opportunity. Related to the General Plan Update, strategizing public 5 GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2016\Minutes\3-1-16.docx MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MARCH 1, 2016 parking as more of a public utility in the future was discussed. It would provide an incentive for property owners to expand their buildings more in line with what the City if considering in the General Plan. He noted that there is no specific concept . rr that everyone is in love with for this area; the City sees this entire plan as having an enormous amount of opportunity for the future. Commissioner Pradetto said theoretically the square footage of the lots could be increased, parking would go away, and parking would become more centralized. Mr. Stendell replied yes. Commissioner DeLuna added that the properties on the north side of Highway 111 are lower than the properties on the south side of Highway 111. In the General Plan Update meetings, they discussed adding two-story buildings with retail below and residential above. She said having these parking accommodations would help in general. In addition, as business and traffic increases along the Highway 111 corridor there would be public parking available to release some of the stress. Mr. Ceja interjected he forgot to mention in his report that after the agenda was sent out, staff received a letter in favor of the project. The letter was provided to the Planning Commission prior to the meeting. Vice Chair Campbell referred to the landscape plan, and asked what is the .. shaded area in the plan. Are they cobblestones? Mr. Ceja responded that most of the shaded area is mostly decomposed granite, boulders, and cobblestones. He mentioned the central area functions as a retention basin. The basin would accommodate some of the water from the parking lot. Last, he noted that the Architectural Review Commission reviewed and approved the plan. Commissioner DeLuna pointed to a drawing, and asked if the perimeter is a block wall. Mr. Ceja replied yes. The block wall is consistent with the other walls and improvements on Alessandro Alley. Commissioner DeLuna asked how tall the wall is. Mr. Ceja said six feet. Vice Chair Campbell declared the public hearing open and asked for any public testimony IN FAVOR or OPPOSITION. MR. PAUL DOVE, San Clemente Circle, Palm Desert, California, commented �•r they live adjacent to the proposed project. He expressed they are highly in favor 6 GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2016\Minutes\3-1-16.docx MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MARCH 1, 2016 of the project. The project would beautify the City, and it would cut down the traffic that currently goes by their house. ftm With no other testimony offered, Vice Chair Campbell declared the public hearing closed. Commissioner Pradetto commented that in general, building more parking lots is not a good use of land. With the General Plan clarification and seeing the bigger picture, he supports the plan and feels it is a smart move. Commissioner Pradetto moved to waive further reading and adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2665, approving Case No. CUP 16-030. Motion was seconded by Commissioner DeLuna and carried by a 4-0-1 vote (AYES: Campbell, DeLuna, and Pradetto; NOES: None; ABSENT: Greenwood). X. MISCELLANEOUS None XI. COMMITTEE MEETING UPDATES A. ART IN PUBLIC PLACES None B. PARKS & RECREATION Mr. Stendell noted that the meeting in March has been canceled. C. GENERAL PLAN & SPECIFIC PLAN UPDATE Mr. Stendell reported that staff is reviewing the traffic model. Once the traffic model is done, staff would tidy up the General Plan for public review. He also reported that he and Mr. Tony Bagato completed the first revisions of the University Neighborhood Specific Plan. XII. COMMENTS Commissioner DeLuna commended Mr. Alvarez and staff for the excellent job done in the organization and preparation of the Alessandro Alley improvements. She inquired if the Presidents Plaza parking issues are being addressed. Mr. Stendell replied yes. He mentioned the City sent letters to the utility companies in all Presidents Plaza areas. The City requested that they add to their schedules to move utilities from the center line of the parking lots to the north and south extents. Even though they do not know what direction the City is 7 GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2016\Minutes\3-1-16.docx i MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MARCH 1, 2016 headed with the Presidents Plaza parking lots, they wanted to send the utility companies a notice. Commissioner DeLuna asked if pedestal or subterranean parking would be considered. Mr. Stendell responded that it is likely. XIII. ADJOURNMENT With the Planning Commission concurrence, Chair Greenwood adjourned the meeting at 6.40 p.m. d HN REEN D, CHAIR RSON ATTEST: i RYAN STENDELL, SECRETARY PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION I MONICA O'REILLY, REC D G SECRETARY 8 G:\Planning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2016\Minutes\3-1-16.docx