HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-04-05 PC Regular Meeting Minutes;L
CITY OF PALM DESERT
PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
• TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 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 DeLuna
Commissioner Joseph Pradetto
Staff Present:
Jill Tremblay, City Attorney
Ryan Stendell, Director of Community Development
Kevin Swartz, Associate Planner
Monica O'Reilly, Administrative Secretary
III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Joseph Pradetto led the Pledge of Allegiance.
IV. SUMMARY OF COUNCIL ACTION
Mr. Ryan Stendell, Director of Community Development, summarized pertinent
March 24, 2016, City Council actions.
V. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None
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PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION APRIL 5, 2016
VI. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. MINUTES of the Regular Planning Commission meeting of March 15, 2016.
Rec: Approve as presented.
B. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION of a two-year extension for Tentative
Parcel Map 36502 located at 49-425 JFK Trail (Ironwood Country Club).
Case No. TPM 36502 (DRRS Holdings, LLC and Ross, Johnson and
Associates, Applicants).
Rec: By Minute Motion, approve the extension (until May 6, 2018), Case No.
TPM 36502.
Vice Chair Sonia Campbell noted that the applicant requested a one year or two
years extension. She inquired if the Planning Commission should approve the
extension for two years.
Mr. Stendell replied yes.
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
Vill. NEW BUSINESS
None
IX. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION of a recommendation to the City Council
to approve a Zoning Ordinance Amendment (ZOA) to Palm Desert Municipal
Code Section 25.16.050 Development Standards adding a provision to allow
for height exceptions within the Office Professional (O.P.) zone, subject to
approval by the Planning Commission. Case No. ZOA 16-91 (City of Palm
Desert, Applicant).
Mr. Kevin Swartz, Associate Planner, reviewed the staff report (staff report is
available at www.cityofpalmdesert.org). At the end of his report, he offered to
answer any questions.
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Commissioner Nancy DeLuna commented that the City is currently in the
process of updating the General Plan. She inquired if this height exception
MW request would ordinarily be considered in the General Plan process.
Mr. Swartz responded that it could. However, the request was initiated by the
City Council. Secondly, the General Plan primarily focuses on the Highway 111
corridor and San Pablo Avenue. He referred to a City map and pointed to Office
Professional zones. He said that staff concurred with the recommendation by the
City Council to initiate the ZOA.
Commissioner DeLuna asked if the ZOA was intended to be part of the General
Plan process, and to be considered as a whole when it would be presented to
everyone.
Mr. Stendell replied that he could not say yes and agreed with Mr. Swartz. He
said this is not a huge area of focus in the General Plan Update. He commented
that staff felt there was not much occurring with the General Plan Office
Professional zone where they should wait until after the General Plan Update
process.
Commissioner DeLuna commented that it is difficult to envision handling one
zone without seeing how it may relate to other zones, or if there is residential
interspersed without dealing with parking and massing of the buildings. She
inquired why there is a rush to change the zone now when the City has the
was General Plan Update process coming up in a few months.
Mr. Stendell responded that the City Council directed staff to initiate the ZOA. He
explained that staff does not have a concern with this specific request.
Commissioner DeLuna voiced that she is struggling to approve a change of zone
without a broader picture. She said that for her to make an informed decision,
she is looking for a reason why the provision to allow height exceptions within the
Office Professional zone was broken out.
Vice Chair Campbell referred to the map and pointed out that most of the areas
impacted are not in residential areas.
Mr. Stendell noted that historically Fred Waring Drive used to be a Multi-Family
Residential zone, and over the years it has been given a Flex zone. He explained
that property owners were able to apply for a Change of Zone for an Office
Professional zone.
Commissioner DeLuna asked theoretically would a 35-foot building go next to a
two-story apartment building.
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Mr. Stendell replied that it would depend on the context of everything. He
expressed that the City of Palm Desert has been good at creating zones that are
flexible to allow the City's City Council and Commissions to act upon something if
it makes sense.
Commissioner Del-una clarified that the height exception request could occur
during the General Plan Update process.
Mr. Stendell replied yes.
Commissioner Pradetto said that architectural merit is subjective, and he felt that
Palm Desert has done a good job in the past. He asked what it would mean
when plans come through.
Mr. Swartz responded that it would be something away from a rectangle or
square box; however, that is why the City has an Architectural Review
Commission.
Chair Greenwood asked if a project comes forth to add 25 feet in height, would it
go through the Precise Plan process then to the Planning Commission for review.
Mr. Swartz replied that if it is a vacant site, it would go through the Precise Plan
process. It would also go to the Architectural Review Commission and the
Planning Commission for consideration.
Vice Chair Campbell affirmed that a request would be reviewed on a case-by-
case basis.
Mr. Swartz answered that is correct.
Chair Greenwood noted that it would give the Planning Commission the tools and
the flexibility to work with buildings. He said that his only concern is looking at it
in terms of further design, and pushing projects back to the Architectural Review
Commission.
Commissioner Pradetto commented that the idea for a height exception would
give the City something in return, which is the architectural merit.
Mr. Swartz replied that is correct.
Commissioner Pradetto inquired if there were any discussions on any sort of
measurable return, such as energy efficiencies.
Mr. Swartz responded that it was not discussed. However, if the request came to
the Planning Commission for review, it could be a condition of approval. t
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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.
Commissioner DeLuna commented that she does not have a problem with
considering concepts with height exceptions. As the City moves forward, she
would like to see a unified and concerted overall analysis of the City's future.
They first went through the Strategic Plan process with a good set of conditions.
Thereafter, they went into the General Plan Update process with much at stake
for the City's future. She said there is an orderly process in place for a timely
transition, keeping the bigger picture in mind. She asserted that there is no
reason to pervert that process to pull out one aspect, and have it considered
separately or prematurely when it could be part of an entire process. She felt it is
not in the City's best interest to consider one portion at a time before the entire
General Plan Update is presented. Commissioner DeLuna moved to continue
this request to a date uncertain.
Chair Greenwood stated that he understands Commissioner DeLuna's point. He
felt the General Plan Update focused as a big picture, and looked at specific
nodes such as the Highway 111 corridor and San Pablo Avenue. He said the
Office Professional zone is fairly intermittent, with the majority of it already
developed. He also said that in his professional practice, he does a lot of office
buildings. With the existing height limits, it is difficult to design a two-story
building at 25 feet, and still maintain the design aesthetic and screening
requirements. Chair Greenwood commented that the General Plan Update does
not necessarily limit or play a large factor in the Office Professional zone. The
ZOA is something that would benefit the City now, and he would like to see it
move forward.
Commissioner DeLuna asked how long before they have the General Plan
Update presentation.
Mr. Stendell responded that hearings for the General Plan would go through the
summer months. He noted that the draft document is going out to the public at
the end of the week. In the best case scenario, they are looking at fall for the final
approval.
Vice Chair Campbell concurred with Chair Greenwood, and commented that
most of the areas are already built. For many years architects have complained
that ceilings are too low and there is not enough room for equipment. With that
said, she moved for approval.
Commissioner DeLuna interjected that she already made a motion to continue
the request to a date uncertain. She inquired if the height exception provision is
aim only for new construction.
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Mr. Stendell replied yes.
Commissioner DeLuna asked if a property owner wants to add 10 feet to an i
existing building, would the City not approve it.
Mr. Stendell responded that it would need to be reviewed by the Architectural
Review Commission and the Planning Commission for approval.
Jill Tremblay, City Attorney, made clear that Commissioner DeLuna made a
motion to continue this matter to a date uncertain, so it could coincide with the
General Plan Update. She stated that there needs to be a second to the motion
or Commissioner DeLuna could amend or withdraw her motion.
Commissioner DeLuna asked if there is not a second, does she need to withdraw
her motion.
Ms. Tremblay replied no.
Chair Greenwood asked the Planning Commission if there was a second to
Commissioner DeLuna's motion. There was none.
Commissioner Pradetto commented that architectural taste change so it is good
to have the flexibility of the Architectural Review Commission and the Planning
Commission. However, he would like to have something more measurable. He Nei
would second Vice Chair Campbell's motion, but first asked if it would be a bad
metric to include buildings be LEED certified in the motion.
Mr. Stendell responded that LEED in staffs opinion is not a good metric. He
explained that the City has no authority because the LEED certification does not
happen until one or more years later. He would prefer a metric that is more
measurable.
Commissioner Pradetto remarked that it sounds like LEED is on staffs mind
when processing an item; therefore, he would second the motion.
Vice Chair Campbell moved to waive further reading and adopt Planning
Commission Resolution No. 2667, approving Case No. ZOA 16-91. Motion was
seconded by Commissioner Pradetto and carried by a 3-1 vote (AYES: Campbell,
Greenwood, and Pradetto; NOES: DeLuna).
Commissioner DeLuna noted that her NO vote is one of timing and not wanting
to do it now.
X. MISCELLANEOUS
None ..r
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XI. COMMITTEE MEETING UPDATES
A. ART IN PUBLIC PLACES
None
B. PARKS & RECREATION
Chair Greenwood reported that the Parks & Recreation Commission had
presentations, and discussed concussion protocol for youth sports. They also
discussed park review and capital improvement plans. He announced that the
YMCA of the Desert and Desert Recreation District are both holding their annual
fundraising golf tournaments within the next two months. He mentioned that the
City is going to have a new app in the next two to three weeks.
Mr. Stendell and Chair Greenwood briefly explained the app, which is called
Palm Desert In Touch.
Mr. Stendell provided the Planning Commission with a rack card pertaining to the
Vision San Pablo event scheduled for Saturday, May 7.
Commissioner DeLuna clarified that the hours for the event is 10:00 a.m. to 9:00
p.m.; however, there will be no formal activity until 5.30 p.m.
Mr. Stendell replied there will be activities all day long, with most activities in the
evening.
Vice Chair Campbell asked if she could pick up more rack cards to put in her
store.
Mr. Stendell said he would deliver the cards to her store. Please let him know if
anyone wants more cards.
C. GENERAL PLAN & SPECIFIC PLAN UPDATE
Mr. Stendell mentioned he is close to getting the draft document out to the public,
and would soon have a schedule of the process.
XII. COMMENTS
Mr. Stendell commented that the City Council will interview seven or eight
individuals for the open Planning Commission seat on Friday, April 8.
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XIII. ADJOURNMENT
With the Planning Commission concurrence, Chair Greenwood adjourned the
meeting at 6:35 p.m.
JO-NN G EENWOOD, AIRPE SON
ATTEST:
RYAN STENDELL, SECRETARY
PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION
MONICA O'REILLY, RECOR I G SECRETARY
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