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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-09-06 PC Regular Meeting Minutes CITY OF PALM DESERT PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 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 6:02 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioner Ron Gregory Commissioner Kathleen Kelly Commissioner Joseph Pradetto Vice Chair Nancy DeLuna Chair John Greenwood Staff Present: Jill Tremblay, City Attorney Eric Ceja, 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. Eric Ceja announced that the City Council selected Ms. Lauri Aylaian as City Manager for the City of Palm Desert. V. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None low MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 6, 2016 VI. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Planning Commission meeting of August 16, 2016. Rec: By Minute Motion, approve as presented. Commissioner Pradetto requested a change to page 9, second paragraph of the August 16, 2016, Planning Commission minutes. He stated that he did not thank the applicant for doing business in Palm Desert. He made clear that he told the applicant to not disappoint the Planning Commission in the context of their discussion. He moved for approval with that amendment to the minutes. Upon a motion by Commissioner Pradetto, second by Vice Chair DeLuna, and a 5-0 vote of the Planning Commission, the Consent Calendar was approved as amended. (AYES: DeLuna, Greenwood, Gregory, Kelly, and Pradetto; NOES: None). VII. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VIII. NEW BUSINESS None IX. PUBLIC HEARINGS rrrr A. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION to approve a new 20,429-square-foot pet hotel building, and a building pad to accommodate a future 2,200-square-foot veterinarian's office within the Service Industrial zone located at 73-650 Dinah Shore Drive. Case No. PP/CUP 16-178 (Marlorand, LLC, Palm Desert, California, Applicant). Commissioner Ron Gregory stated he has been working on the abovementioned project and recused himself. Mr. Kevin Swartz, Associate Planner, presented the staff report (staff report is available at www.cityofpalmdesert.org). He noted that the applicant is proposing a water feature; however, the applicant has not decided if it would be a pond or a pool. Staff recommended that the Planning Commission adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2677, approving Conditional Use Permit (CUP) No. 16-178. He offered to answer any questions. Vice Chair Nancy DeLuna asked if the Fire Department only has one entrance for fire access. Mr. Swartz replied that is correct. .r 2 GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2016\Minutes\9-6-16.docx MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 6, 2016 Vice Chair DeLuna clarified that the Fire Department does not need a secondary access, if there is a turnaround. "M Mr. Swartz replied that is correct. Vice Chair DeLuna commented that they are in an era when they have to be water conscious and concerned with the drought. She asked if the water from the water feature would be circulated, how much water would it use, and has the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) reviewed and approved the water feature. Mr. Swartz responded that the applicant has not submitted the final plans for the water feature to the CVWD. He stated that the CVWD reviews the water irrigation and calculations, and the applicant would have to meet their requirements. He said the water feature most likely would have to be on a filtration or pump system similar to a pool. Vice Chair DeLuna inquired if there should be a condition added to the resolution pertaining to the water feature. Mr. Swartz answered that there is a condition that states the applicant must comply with the CVWD standards; Condition No. 8. Vice Chair DeLuna remarked that Condition No. 8 refers to landscape plans. Mr. Swartz stated that the water feature is part of the landscape plans. Vice Chair DeLuna questioned if the applicant would be allowed a certain amount of water, or would they be constrained by the CVWD's water usage requirements. Mr. Swartz explained that the CVWD uses a water budget-based tiered rate billing structure, and the applicant would be restrained based on their water usage budget. Vice Chair DeLuna asked if the City has no control over the water feature, as long as the CVWD approves the calculations. Mr. Swartz replied that is correct. Vice Chair DeLuna asked what the purpose of the water feature is. Mr. Swartz responded it would be used by the dogs. Vice Chair DeLuna asked what the overall depth of the water feature is. 3 GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2016\Minutes\9-6-16.docx MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 6, 2016 MR. MIKE HOMME, representative for the applicant, Palm Desert, California, approached the podium. .r Ms. Jill Tremblay, City Attorney, interjected that the public hearing is not open. Chair Greenwood asked the Planning Commission if they had additional questions for staff. If not, he would open the public hearing for public testimony. Vice Chair DeLuna apologized for any confusion she may have caused. She wanted to determine that water used for the water feature is the best use given that everyone is restraining water usage in their own homes. She wanted to make sure they are using water wisely. Chair Greenwood pointed to the site plan, and assumed the dash line going west is the property setback. Mr. Swartz replied that is correct. Chair Greenwood asked what the City allows in terms of architectural massing, non-conditioned and non-habitable spaces that can protrude pass the setback for aesthetic and proportions of the building. Mr. Swartz responded that a building is not allowed to project in the front yard; however, a roof or overhang could project two feet. Mr. Ceja added that it also depends on the type of architectural projection. For an overhang, there is an allowance for several inches to two feet. Vice Chair DeLuna inquired how many dogs would be housed at the facility at any given time. Mr. Swartz replied there are 71 suites. Commissioner Joseph Pradetto asked if dogs would share a suite. Mr. Swartz said he would let the applicant answer that question. Chair Greenwood declared the public hearing open and asked for any public testimony IN FAVOR or OPPOSITION. MR. HOMME offered to answer any questions. Commissioner Kelly inquired if the purpose of the water feature is for aesthetic reasons or for the dogs. 4 GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2016\Minutes\9-6-16.docx MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 6, 2016 MR. HOMME answered that the water feature is for the dogs, but also a little for aesthetics. He explained that the dogs would use the water feature to play during the summer time. The feature is not very deep, and the CVWD checks all water that would be used including the water feature. He noted that the pool would lose less water than grass, it is filtered, treated with chemicals, it would be fenced, and has no edge. Commissioner Pradetto asked if the water feature would have a lining. MR. HOMME responded that the feature would have a type of material to push things to the main drain, such as Pebble Tec or similar. Vice Chair DeLuna asked what are the dimensions of the water feature. MR. HOMME said it is approximately 60 feet by 30 feet. It is a big pool but not deep. Vice Chair DeLuna was also concerned that the pool would be three feet deep. She stated that shallow water heats up. MR. HOMME interjected that the pool would also have a waterfall spilling into the pool. Vice Chair DeLuna voiced that it seems like a lot of water to be sitting there for �. the dogs to use at a time when there are water restrictions. MR. HOMME remarked that the CVWD is very restrictive. He noted there would be less evaporation with a pool than if it were grass. Vice Chair DeLuna expressed that she is delighted to have Barkingham Palace in Palm Desert and the site is ideal for the proposed facility. However, she has a concern with the water feature. MR. HOMME noted that Barkingham Palace's current location has a water feature. Vice Chair DeLuna asked if he knew how big the feature is at the current location. MR. HOMME replied that he does not know the size. Lastly, he also noted that the front of the building would not protrude into the setbacks. Chair Greenwood pointed to the west of the site plan, and asked why there are two gates back-to-back. 5 GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2016\Minutes\9-6-16.docx MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 6, 2016 MR. HOMME responded that the gates are for the dogs. He explained that with dogs you have to trap them. If one gate is open the other has to be closed. The gates are also for the Fire Department to have access. He said that the back area would be where all the dogs would go, if there is a fire. Chair Greenwood expressed his concern in regard to providing a building with enough depth. MR. HOMME stated that nothing would be protruding. He said the proposed building would have a contemporary style, with some nice ins and outs to differentiate and break up the elevation. The building would have a nice clean look. Chair Greenwood asked staff if the project would go back to the Architectural Review Commission for review. Mr. Swartz replied that is correct. With no further testimony offered, Chair Greenwood declared the public hearing closed. Commissioner Kelly commented that it was explained Condition No. 8 would include the review of the water feature. However, she wondered if there would be peace of mind if they change the condition to be explicit by saying "final landscape plans including the water feature. . ."She asked Vice Chair DeLuna if the change would make her more comfortable. Vice Chair DeLuna replied yes. However, she would like to see something specifically addressing the water usage to help clarify and set it apart from the landscape. She said she would support amending the condition or adding a condition, whichever is easier. Commissioner Kelly remarked that it would be simple to make Condition No. 8 explicit, apart from that, she supports approval of the proposed project. Vice Chair DeLuna inquired if it required amending the condition or required a separate motion. Commissioner Kelly responded that the Planning Commission could move for approval with that amendment. Commissioner Pradetto commented that he is okay with the proposed project, and understands the water feature is a necessity. He also commented that water features contribute to less evaporation than lawns, and he's a bigger proponent against lawns than water features in the desert. 6 GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2016\Minutes\9-6-16.docx MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 6, 2016 Commissioner Kelly moved, by Minute Motion, approving Case No. PP/CUP 16- 178, with an amendment to Condition No. 8 to insert a parenthetical after the first three words to read "including the water feature shall be submitted . . ."Motion was seconded by Vice Chair DeLuna and carried by a 4-0-1 vote (AYES: DeLuna, Greenwood, Kelly, and Pradetto; NOES: None; ABSENT: Gregory). Chair Greenwood congratulated the applicant. Vice Chair DeLuna thanked the applicant for coming to Palm Desert. X. MISCELLANEOUS None XI. COMMITTEE MEETING UPDATES A. ART IN PUBLIC PLACES None B. PARKS & RECREATION None C. GENERAL PLAN & SPECIFIC PLAN UPDATE Mr. Ceja reported that the General Plan Environmental Impact Report has been made available for public comment and the 45-day review period has begun. On October 4, 2016, staff would hold a study session with the Planning Commission regarding the General Plan, and the public hearing would be held on October 18. Vice Chair DeLuna asked if there would be actionable items. Mr. Ceja replied that not on October 4. Commissioner Kelly asked what time the study session would be held. Mr. Ceja replied that it is to be determined. XII. COMMENTS Chair Greenwood inquired if the City has plans to build off of the Vision San Pablo event now that they are going back into the season to re-educate people returning to the valley. 7 G:\Planning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2016\Minutes\9-6-16.docx MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 6, 2016 Mr. Ceja said yes. There have been discussions for another event at the end of the First Weekend event series, which would be more community focused. Plans are to have an event in May 2017. Vice Chair DeLuna asked if the Southern California Association of Governments conference would be held in the Coachella Valley again. Mr. Ceja believed that the conference would not be held in the Coachella Valley. Chair Greenwood inquired when the conference, which a Planning Commissioner goes to every year is being held. Mr. Swartz responded it is being held October 22 through October 25. Chair Greenwood asked if the City is sending a Planning Commissioner to the conference. Mr. Swartz replied that not at this time. Mr. Ceja said to let staff know if anyone is interested in attending the conference. XIII. ADJOURNMENT With the Planning Commission concurrence, Chair Greenwood adjourned the meeting at 6:34 p.m. OHN REENWbbD, C PE N ATTEST: -P-�11 RYAN STENDELL, SECRETARY PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION r MONICA O'REILLY, RECOIJ ING SECRETARY 8 GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2016\Minutes\9-6-16.docx