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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-06-05 PC Regular Meeting Minutes . CITY OF PALM DESERT PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, JUNE 5, 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 6:01 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioner Lindsay Holt Commissioner John Greenwood Commissioner Nancy DeLuna Vice Chairman Ron Gregory Chairman Joseph Pradetto Staff Present: Jill Tremblay, Assistant City Attorney Ryan Stendell, Director of Community Development Eric Ceja, Principal Planner Kevin Swartz, Associate Planner Monica O'Reilly, Administrative Secretary III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner John Greenwood led the Pledge of Allegiance. IV. SUMMARY OF COUNCIL ACTION Director of Community Development Ryan Stendell summarized pertinent May 24, 2018, City Council actions. V. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION JUNE 5, 2018 VI. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular Planning Commission meeting of May 15, 2018. Rec: Approve as presented. Upon a motion by Commissioner DeLuna, second by Vice Chairman Gregory, and a 4- 0-1 vote of the Planning Commission, the Consent Calendar was approved as presented (AYES: DeLuna, Greenwood, Gregory, and Pradetto; NOES: None; ABSTAINED: Holt). VII. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None Vill. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION of a Precise Plan of design to construct a new 2,070-square-foot addition and an interior/exterior remodel to the California Board of Realtors building located at 44-475 Monterey Avenue. Case No. PP 18-0001 (Chris McFadden, Palm Desert, California, Applicant). Associate Planner Kevin Swartz presented the staff report (staff report is available at www.cityof palm desert.org). He mentioned a public hearing notice was mailed out, and there was one individual that contacted staff. He said the individual is happy because his wood fence will be replaced by a block wall that is being proposed by the applicant. Staff recommended approval and noted that the applicant is available to answer any questions. Vice Chairman Ron Gregory mentioned he is concerned with the north and south parking lots. He said if someone attempts to park in one of the lots and it is full, there is an awkwardness to park in the other parking lot. He asked if parking between the two lots had been addressed. Mr. Swartz responded that 73 parking spaces are required per the Parking Standards. He noted that the site could accommodate 74 parking spaces; therefore, staff and the applicant had no concerns with the parking. Mr. Stendell added that the parking will present a challenge during big meetings. He stated parking will improve with the changes being proposed; however, there is nothing the City could do along Monterey Avenue to improve the parking situation. Commissioner Nancy DeLuna asked what would happen if someone pulls into the south parking lot and it is full, is there a way to get to the north parking lot. Mr. Swartz replied no. The person would need to exit onto Monterey Avenue and make a U-turn. Commissioner DeLuna asked staff if they had any concerns with parking access. 2 G\Planning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2018\Minutes\6-5-18.docx MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION JUNE 5, 2018 Mr. Swartz replied no. He mentioned the applicant could come up with a parking management plan or provide valet parking when there are large meetings. Commissioner Lindsay Holt inquired if the new construction would be completed before the parcel merger is recorded. Therefore, there is no reason to have a reciprocal parking agreement on all of the parcels. Mr. Swartz responded that there is no access point to have a reciprocal; however, the parcel map waiver would need to be recorded. Chairman Pradetto declared the public hearing open and invited public testimony FAVORING or OPPOSING this matter. MR. CHRIS MC FADDEN, McFadden Architects, Palm Desert, California, thanked staff for presenting the project. He commented that most people that visit the California Board of Realtors building are very familiar with the building. He mentioned that they designed an access through the building so people could get to the north or south side of the building. He offered to answer any questions. Commissioner DeLuna clarified that the design for access is for foot traffic and not cars. MR. MC FADDEN replied that is correct. Commissioner Holt asked if the stormwater would be held in underground pipes. Mr. Swartz replied that is correct. Commissioner Holt inquired how the stormwater would be controlled on the site. MR. MC FADDEN responded that there is a catch basin on the south parking lot, and in the north parking lot the stormwater goes into a StormTech system. The secondary overflow is at the very far driveway. Commissioner Holt made clear that the stormwater is being diverted from the southernmost parking lot to the northernmost parking lot where the underground pipes are located. MR. MC FADDEN replied that is correct. He stated there is also a grate across each of the driveway entrances to prevent stormwater from going onto Monterey Avenue. He noted the water would flow south to north. Commissioner Holt asked if the stormwater from the north parking lot would go to the parcel located to the north. MR. MC FADDEN replied no. In the event of a deluge, he said there might be some stormwater overflow onto Monterey Avenue and flow north into the curb and gutter. With no further testimony offered, Chairman Pradetto declared the public hearing closed. 3 GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2018\Minutes\8-5-18.docx MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION JUNE 5, 2018 Commissioner Greenwood commented that the proposed new building is very nice and it would be a great addition to a building that needs a facelift and would motion for approval as presented. Commissioner Greenwood moved to waive further reading and adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2720, approving Case No. PP 18-0001, subject to conditions. Motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Gregory and carried by a 5-0 vote (AYES: DeLuna, Greenwood, Gregory, Holt, and Pradetto; NOES: None). B. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION to recommend approval to the City Council of a Mitigated Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact, a Specific Plan document; and Tentative Parcel Map 37234 to subdivide 32+ acres into four (4) parcels within the specific plan area located east of Monterey Avenue, south of Dick Kelly Drive, north of A Street, and west of Gateway Drive. Case Nos. SP 16-342 and TPM 37234 (MC Properties, Westgate Village, California, Applicant). Mr. Swartz reported that the applicant requested that the Planning Commission continue this item. He noted the applicant had some concerns with staff recommendations in regard to affordable housing and conditions of approval. Therefore, staff recommended that the Planning Commission continue this item to the July 17, 2018, scheduled Planning Commission meeting. Vice Chairman Gregory moved, by Minute Motion, to continue Case No. SP 16-342 and TPM 37234 to July 17, 2018. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Holt and carried by a 4- 0-1 vote (AYES: DeLuna, Gregory, Holt, and Pradetto; NOES: None; ABSTAINED: Greenwood). IX. MISCELLANEOUS A. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION of a recommendation to the City Council for a one- year time extension for Precise Plan/Conditional Use Permit 16-102 for the construction of a 36-unit special needs housing development at the Desert ARC campus located at 73-255 Country Club Drive. Case No. PP/CUP 16-102 (Allied Real Estate Partners, Santa Monica, California, Applicant). Commissioner DeLuna interjected that she would need to recuse herself due to a possible economic conflict of interest. Commissioner Greenwood stated he is the president of the Sagewood homeowners' association, which is a neighborhood adjacent to the proposed housing development; therefore, he recused himself. Principal Planner Eric Ceja communicated that the request is for a one-year time extension. He noted the Planning Commission approved the proposed project in 2016. He explained the project has a two-year time limit. However, in accordance with the Palm Desert Municipal Code, the applicant could apply for a time extension. Since the land is owned by the City's Housing Authority, staff is requesting that the Planning Commission recommend approval of a time extension to the City Council. The recommendation to the City Council would allow the City to align the dates with the City's lease agreement for the land and the project's entitlements. 4 GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2018\Minutes\6-5-18.docx MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION JUNE 5, 2018 Chairman Pradetto clarified that he does not need to open a public hearing. Mr. Ceja replied that is correct. Commissioner Holt moved, by Minute Motion, to recommend to the City Council a one-year time extension (until May 17, 2019) for Case No. PP/CUP 16-102. Motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Gregory and carried by a 3-0-2 vote (AYES: Gregory, Holt, and Pradetto; NOES: None; ABSENT: DeLuna and Greenwood). X. COMMITTEE MEETING UPDATES A. ART IN PUBLIC PLACES None B. PARKS & RECREATION Commissioner Greenwood reported that the Parks and Recreation Commission discussed pickleball courts and making improvements to the courts at Freedom Park. In addition, the Desert Recreation District and the Family YMCA of the Desert are getting ready for their busy summer season. XI. COMMENTS Commissioner DeLuna congratulated Commissioner Greenwood on the new addition to his family. The Commission congratulated Commissioner Greenwood. Assistant City Attorney Jill Tremblay introduced her daughter Fiona Tremblay, who has been interested in city government and the City of Palm Desert after her kindergarten class had a field trip to City Hall a couple of weeks ago. XII. ADJOURNMENT With the Planning Commission concurrence, Chairman Pradetto adjourned the meeting at 6:25 p.m. JOSEPH PRADETTO, CHAIRMAN ATTEST: RYAN STENDELL, SECRETARY PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MONICA O'REILLY, RECORDQJ SECRETARY 5 GAPlanning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2018\Minutes\6-5-18.docx