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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-03-15 PC Regular Meeting Minutes CITY OF PALM DESERT l n PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 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 6:01 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Chair John Greenwood Vice Chair Sonia Campbell Commissioner Nancy Del-una Commissioner Joseph Pradetto aw Staff Present: Jill Tremblay, City Attorney Ryan Stendell, Director of Community Development Tony Bagato, Principal Planner Kevin Swartz, Associate Planner Monica O'Reilly, Administrative Secretary III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chair Greenwood led the Pledge of Allegiance. IV. SUMMARY OF COUNCIL ACTION Mr. Ryan Stendell, Director of Community Development, summarized pertinent March 10, 2016, City Council actions. He mentioned that on May 2 through May 13, the City is going to have a temporary demonstration of improvements to the community along San Pablo Avenue. On Saturday, May 7, San Pablo Avenue will be closed between San Gorgonio Avenue and Alessandro Drive for an event called Vision San Pablo. MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MARCH 15, 2016 Commissioner DeLuna inquired if anyone has surveyed the current merchants along the San Pablo Avenue and El Paseo corridor. .a Mr. Stendell replied yes. Staff handed out flyers to the merchants for a community meeting. At the meeting, merchants expressed their concern with homelessness issues. However, most of the merchants agreed that if the City could be successful with the plans for the San Pablo corridor, a lot of those issues should fade away. Chair Greenwood asked if it is the City's intention to fund the right-of-way and road improvements, which would be the catalyst for private development. Mr. Stendell replied yes. He said that once the improvements are completed, the City expects private developers to follow suit. He expects a lot of the improvements to be done within the next three to five years. Chair Greenwood inquired if there has been any conversation with private developers. Mr. Stendell replied yes. V. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None VI. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular Planning Commission meeting of March 1, 2016. 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 rr 2 GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2016\Minutes\3-15-16.docx MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MARCH 15, 2016 IX. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to construct an 80-foot diameter multi-use pavilion structure to be used for special events at the Entrada del Paseo property located at 72-565 Highway 111. Case No. CUP 16-25 (City of Palm Desert, Applicant). Mr. Kevin Swartz, Associate Planner, reviewed the staff report (staff report is available at www.citvofpalmdesert.org). Staff recommended approval of the CUP, and offered to answer any questions. Commissioner DeLuna asked what determines a special event and an ongoing event. Mr. Swartz responded that the farmers' market occurs on Wednesdays during the season (October-April). For special events, such as a food truck festival would need to apply for a Facilities Use Permit which is reviewed by staff. Commissioner DeLuna inquired if the farmers' market needs to go to the City each week for a special events permit. Mr. Swartz replied no. The City has a contract with the farmers' market. Mr. Stendell interjected that the farmers' market provided the City with a letter of intent to occupy the space for up to two days a week. He noted that the staff sees a lot of uses and positivity for the proposed pavilion. Commissioner DeLuna asked if the farmers' market would be food only, and not compete with the Street Fair at College of the Desert (COD). Mr. Stendell said that it would not compete with the COD Street Fair. He commented that the farmers' market was intended to be complimentary to the restaurants. Commissioner DeLuna reaffirmed that the farmers' market is food only. She noted that merchandise is sold at the COD Street Fair. Mr. Stendell responded that all programming for the proposed pavilion had not been discussed. He stated if there is a creative way to use the space that would provide a great community event; the City would like to do it. Commissioner DeLuna asked if the proposed space is intended to compete with the COD Street Fair. Mr. Stendell replied no. He stated that the area is not big enough. 3 G:\Planning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2016\Minutes\3-15-16.docx MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MARCH 15, 2016 Chair Greenwood asked what the cost to utilize the space is. Mr. Stendell answered that a fee schedule had not been developed. He said that it would be a nominal fee. Commissioner DeLuna asked if the structure would be funded by redevelopment funds. Mr. Stendell replied yes. Vice Chair Campbell asked if the pavilion would be permanent. Mr. Swartz replied that is correct. Vice Chair Campbell also asked if the vendors would have to put up their own canopies. Mr. Swartz replied yes. He noted that typically vendors have 10' x 10' canopies. Commission Pradetto questioned if the whole property is City-owned. Mr. Swartz replied that is correct. Chair Greenwood commented that the area is a unique site, and it is hard to see from Highway 111. He asked if there is signage proposed at the Highway 111 entrance. How is the City going to let the public know that the proposed pavilion would be available for use? Mr. Swartz responded that there is no signage being proposed at this time. Mr. Stendell interjected that there was a recommendation to review the landscaping along Highway 111, and strategically remove some of the landscape so there is a better view of the site. He also mentioned that the proposed structure was created to be 30 feet so it could be seen and draw attention from Highway 111. Mr. Tony Bagato, Principal Planner, noted that City staff approved a location for event banners. Chair Greenwood commented that thoughts for the future, how the City is going to get people shopping on El Paseo and other adjacent areas to the Entrada del Paseo site. Vice Chair Campbell suggested putting up banners in the median on El Paseo for any special events at the proposed pavilion. 4 GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2016\Minutes\3-15-16.docx MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MARCH 15, 2016 Chair Greenwood declared the public hearing open and asked for any public testimony IN FAVOR or OPPOSITION. With no testimony offered, Chair Greenwood declared the public hearing closed. Vice Chair Campbell moved to waive further reading and adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2666, approving Case No. CUP 16-25, subject to conditions. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Pradetto and carried by a 4-0 vote (AYES: Campbell, DeLuna, Greenwood, and Pradetto; NOES: None). X. MISCELLANEOUS None XI. COMMITTEE MEETING UPDATES A. ART IN PUBLIC PLACES Vice Chair Campbell reported that the Art in Public Places Commission selected an artist for the painting of two traffic signal cabinets on Portola Avenue and Fred Waring Drive. They also selected artists for the art exhibition in the Palm Desert Art Gallery. Last, they selected two artists to be included in the City's artist registry. B. PARKS & RECREATION None C. GENERAL PLAN & SPECIFIC PLAN UPDATE Mr. Stendell reported that the City hosted a developer community meeting to review the University Neighborhood Specific Plan to get feedback from the developers. Chair Greenwood commented that Mr. Stendell did a great job presenting at the State of the City luncheon. XII. COMMENTS The Planning Commission wished Mr. Bagato, who is leaving the City of Palm Desert, the best and would be missed. Mr. Bagato commented that it has been a great experience working for the City. 5 GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2016\Minutes\3-15-16.docx MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MARCH 15, 2016 XIII. ADJOURNMENT With the Planning Commission concurrence, Chair Greenwood adjourned the meeting at 6:27 p.m. JO N,GJE ENW000)D-,t=A IRPERS ATTEST: RYAN STENDELL, SECRETARY PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MONICA O'REILLY, RECORD SECRETARY 6 GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2016\Minutes\3-15-16.docx