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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-10-02 PC Regular Meeting Minutes CITY OF PALM DESERT PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2018 — 6:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBER 73-510 FRED WARING DRIVE, PALM DESERT, CA 92260 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Joseph Pradetto called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Commissioner Lindsay Holt Vice Chairman Ron Gregory Commissioner John Greenwood Commissioner Nancy DeLuna Chairman Joseph Pradetto Staff Present: Jill Tremblay, Assistant City Attorney Ryan Stendell, Director of Community Development Eric Ceja, Principal Planner Monica O'Reilly, Management Specialist II III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Lindsay Holt led the Pledge of Allegiance. IV. SUMMARY OF COUNCIL ACTION Director of Community Development Ryan Stendell summarized pertinent September 27, 2018, City Council actions. V. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION OCTOBER 2, 2018 VI. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular Planning Commission meeting of September 18, 2018. Rec: Continue to the next regular meeting. Upon a motion by Commissioner DeLuna, second by Commissioner Greenwood, and a 4-0 vote of the Planning Commission, the Consent Calendar was continued to the next regular meeting (AYES: DeLuna, Greenwood, Holt, and Pradetto; NOES: None; ABSENT: Gregory). VII. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None Vill. NEW BUSINESS None IX. CONTINUED BUSINESS None X. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION of approval for a 10,000-square-foot cannabis cultivation, manufacturing, and distribution business for Panther Buds, LLC, located at 74-725 Joni Drive; and adoption of a Notice of Exemption in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Case No. CUP 17-0028 (Panther Buds, LLC, Palm Desert, California, Applicant). Principal Planner Eric Ceja presented the staff report (staff reports are available at www.cityof palm desert.org). He noted that City staff did not receive any correspondence in favor or in opposition to the proposed use. Staff recommended approval and offered to answer any questions. Commissioner Nancy DeLuna asked if it is correct that the proposed project would not be a cannabis dispensary and there would be no retail sales. Mr. Ceja replied that is correct. Commissioner DeLuna commented that the business proposed to be open 24 hours. She inquired if there would be deliveries in the middle of the night, or would it strictly be cultivation procedures. Mr. Ceja understood deliveries would cease at 5:00 p.m. and the ongoing operation would be the cultivation process. Commissioner Holt clarified that staff did not receive any comments. 2 GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2018\Minutes\10-2-18 min.docx MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION OCTOBER 2, 2018 Mr. Ceja said staff did not receive any comments. Chairman Pradetto declared the public hearing open and invited public testimony FAVORING or OPPOSING this matter. MR. CHRIS CRANFIELD, Consultant for Panther Buds, LLC, Palm Desert, California, commented that their facility would be a 9,416-square-foot cultivation extraction, manufacturing, and distribution facility. He said there would be a front office for employee storage, receiving, and shipping. The proposed project would provide local jobs, tax revenue, and update an aging building. He shared that cultivation and manufacturing facilities have many challenges. However, the applicant plans on bringing a first-class facility to Palm Desert and hopes the facility would be a benchmark for others in the industry by focusing on quality over quantity. He presented the Commission with a PowerPoint presentation of the conceptual renderings of the proposed facility. He briefly spoke about the products the facility would manufacture and distribute. He offered to answer any questions. Commissioner John Greenwood inquired about the odor mitigation measures. MR. DANIEL SENSKE, Applicant, Palm Desert, California, explained that all rooms in the facility would have negative air pressure. In addition, the hallways and grow rooms are equipped with carbon and charcoal air filters. He mentioned he would be installing three times the amount of filters for each room; more than the manufacturer guidelines. When a person enters the cultivation room, air is pulled out of the room with negative air pressure then the air goes through the charcoal filters and distributed out of the building. When the room is closed, the air and carbon dioxide (CO2) is contained in the room for safety. Commissioner Greenwood asked the applicant if he was fully aware of the conditions in place to mitigate odor issues. MR. SENSKE replied yes. Commissioner DeLuna commented that the proposed project is the first cultivation permit the Planning Commission has considered. She mentioned other cannabis applicants proposed odor measures such as scrubbers, carbon filters, ozone generators, HEPA filters, A/C filters, UV light generators, and fresh duct silencers. She inquired if the applicant felt there is a need to include any of the additional measures she listed. MR. CRANFIELD responded that ozone generators would be in all the rooms and mentioned filters that would be mounted inside the wall. Commissioner DeLuna asked the applicant if they felt HEPA filters or scrubbers are not needed. MR. SENSKE remarked that the charcoal filters are the same as scrubbers. Commissioner DeLuna clarified that product does not leave the facility unsealed. 3 GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2018\Minutes\10-2-18 min.docx MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION OCTOBER 2, 2018 MR. SENSKE replied that is correct. MR. HUGH HOARD, Palm Desert, California, mentioned he has lived, played, and worked in the City of Palm Desert since 1978. He is opposed to the proposed facility because it is too close to the high school, grade schools, and an apartment complex. He also voiced his concern with any odor that might come from the facility and felt the proposed use would not be good for Palm Desert. MR. CRANFIELD thanked Mr. Hoard for his comments. He stated that the applicant has taken caution to make sure they are welcomed and productive members in Palm Desert without being a nuisance. He believed there would not be an issue with the proposed use, and if there were any odor issue, the applicant would work with the City to mitigate any issues. He thanked the Commission for the opportunity to do business in Palm Desert. Commissioner Greenwood clarified that the proposed project is well outside of the radius for elementary schools. Mr. Ceja replied that is correct. Commissioner DeLuna asked if high schools are also outside of the radius of the proposed project. Mr. Ceja replied yes, reiterating that there is a 1,000-square-foot buffer between a school and a cannabis facility. Commissioner DeLuna inquired if The First Tee qualifies as a school. Mr. Ceja said no. With no further testimony offered, Chairman Pradetto declared the public hearing closed. Commissioner Greenwood commented that the proposed project complies with the Cannabis Ordinance and it is in a good location. The applicant has also met the odor mitigation measures. He mentioned it would be nice to see the facade enhancement and he felt the project would be a welcomed addition to that area of the City. He moved to approve as presented by staff. Commissioner Greenwood moved to waive further reading and adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2739, approving Case No. CUP 17-0028, subject to the conditions of approval. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Holt and carried by a 4- 0 vote (AYES: DeLuna, Greenwood, Holt, and Pradetto; NOES: None; ABSENT: Gregory). XI. MISCELLANEOUS None 4 GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2018\Minutes\10-2-18 min.docx MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION OCTOBER 2, 2018 XII. COMMITTEE MEETING UPDATES A. ART IN PUBLIC PLACES None B. PARKS & RECREATION Mr. Stendell reported a temporary mural would be painted within the Civic Center Park. He reminded that the Commission of the Y Be Fit event scheduled for October 7, and the Palm Desert Golf Cart Parade is scheduled for October 28. XIII. COMMENTS Commissioner Holt asked staff to look at the Cannabis Ordinance relative to the separation requirements for cannabis-related businesses and churches. Commissioner Greenwood asked when the next League of California Cities Planning Commissioners Academy is. Mr. Stendell responded that the Planning Commissioners Academy was held in April of 2018. He budgets for one or two Commissioners to attend the Academy and would check the budget for next year. Lastly, he asked the Commission to be mindful of their schedules as they move into the holiday season. Please notify staff if there is a meeting they would not be able to attend. XIV. ADJOURNMENT With the Planning Commission concurrence, Chairman Pradetto adjourned the meeting at 6:26 p.m. EPH PRADETTO, CHAIRMAN ATTEST: RYAN STENDELL, SECRETARY PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MONICA O'REILLY, RECO G SECRETARY 5 GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2018\Minutes\10-2-1B min.docx