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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-02-19 PC Regular Meeting Minutes CITY OF PALM DESERT PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2019 — 6:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBER 73-510 FRED WARING DRIVE, PALM DESERT, CA 92260 I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Ron Gregory called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioner John Greenwood Commissioner Nancy DeLuna Vice-Chair Lindsay Holt Chair Ron Gregory Absent: Commissioner Joseph Pradetto Staff Present: Jill Tremblay, Assistant City Attorney Ryan Stendell, Director of Community Development Eric Ceja, Principal Planner Nick Melloni, Assistant Planner Monica O'Reilly, Management Specialist II III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Vice-Chair Lindsay Holt led the Pledge of Allegiance. IV. SUMMARY OF COUNCIL ACTION Director of Community Development Ryan Stendell reported that the City Council reappointed Commissioners Greenwood and Pradetto to the Planning Commission. MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION FEBRUARY 19, 2019 V. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None VI. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular Planning Commission meeting of February 5, 2019. Rec: Approve as presented. Upon a motion by Commissioner Greenwood, second by Commissioner DeLuna, and a 3-0-1 vote of the Planning Commission (AYES: DeLuna, Greenwood, and Gregory; NOES: None; ABSENT: Pradetto; ABSTAINED: Holt), the Consent Calendar was approved as presented. VII. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None Vill. NEW BUSINESS None IX. CONTINUED BUSINESS None X. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION of a Conditional Use Permit to allow Auto Desert to expand its car dealership outdoors and display up to 10 automobiles within its shared parking lot for sale purposes located at 74-990 Joni Drive, Unit Al, and adoption of a Notice of Exemption in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act. Case No. CUP 17-111 (Auto Desert, Palm Desert, California, Applicant). Mr. Stendell conveyed there are details to be solved and recommended that the Planning Commission continue this item to the meeting of March 5, 2019. Commissioner DeLuna moved to, by Minute Motion, continue this item to March 5, 2019. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Greenwood and carried by a 4-0 vote (AYES: DeLuna, Greenwood, Gregory, and Holt; NOES: None; ABSENT: Pradetto). B. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION of a Precise Plan and Conditional Use Permit application to construct two single-story industrial buildings, totaling 26,666 square feet with up to 4,000 square feet of ancillary retail and 2,666 square feet of ancillary restaurant uses on a vacant 2.24-acre parcel at the southwest corner of Sego Lane and Green Way; and adoption of a Notice of Exemption in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act. Case Nos. PP 18-0007/CUP 19-0003 (Jim Krick, Fort Worth, Texas, Applicant). 2 MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION FEBRUARY 19, 2019 Assistant Planner Nick Melloni presented the staff report (staff report(s) are available at www.cityofpaIm desert.org). He noted that staff imposed a condition that specifies the type of retail permitted and deemed appropriate by City staff. He concluded the report and recommended approval. Commissioner Nancy DeLuna asked if the conditions are acceptable to the applicant. Mr. Melloni replied yes. Vice-Chair Holt inquired if the condition staff imposed concerning the type of retail uses is in the resolution. Mr. Melloni indicated it is Condition of Approval No. 16. Chair Gregory declared the public hearing open and invited public testimony FAVORING or OPPOSING this matter. MR. MATT JOHNSON, Representative for the Applicant, Palm Desert, California, shared that the project is the last the City would see from Mr. Robert H. Ricciardi. Mr. Ricciardi passed away a couple of weeks ago. He offered to answer any questions. Commissioner DeLuna asked what would be the intended retail uses for the proposed project. MR. JOHNSON responded that the area is mostly service industrial. There would be electricians, plumbers, carpenters, etc. On the frontage street, there would be interior designers, carpet showrooms, cabinetry showrooms, etc. Commissioner DeLuna inquired if there would be food service uses. MR. JOHNSON said they have 2,600 square feet of allowable space for food service. They hope to have a sandwich shop or something similar that would fit into the service industrial area. Chair Gregory referred to the drawing that showed parked cars and the screened wall. He voiced his concern with the cars not adequately screened from Cook Street. He pointed out that some of the existing developments have cars that look rather precarious parked above the street. He wanted to make sure cars are screened sufficiently. MR. JOHNSON responded that some of the existing buildings have a six-inch curb, which makes it look like a car is about to go down a hill. He indicated that the purpose of the proposed wall is for visual screening. He said they balanced the amount of screening with a two- to a three-foot decorative wall, pilasters, and landscaping. Chair Gregory asked if the landscaping would go in between the wall and the parked car. MR. JOHNSON replied no. He explained the landscaping would be planted along Cook Street. 3 MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION FEBRUARY 19, 2019 Commissioner John Greenwood pointed to the area where the retaining wall is down three feet and asked if that portion is not screened for parked cars. Mr. Melloni noted that the rendering is incomplete. He believed the area would be filled with wrought iron material. MR. JOHNSON added that landscaping would be planted within the wrought iron section. Chair Gregory stated that the City has an ordinance requiring three feet of screening for parked cars. He asked if the final landscape drawing would indicate plant material tall enough to provide three feet of screening. MR. JOHNSON believed they would need to comply with the City's ordinance. Commissioner Greenwood referred to Building 1 and inquired if there is any concern with visibility from Cook Street, such as open garage doors. Mr. Melloni replied no; the building is set far back. He mentioned that the tenant to the south is a storage facility. With no further testimony offered, Chair Gregory declared the public hearing closed. Since a restaurant would be an allowable use, Vice-Chair Holt inquired if there should be conditions to address anything in particular involved with the operation of a restaurant. Mr. Melloni responded that staff did not have any concerns with a restaurant since the operation of a restaurant would be contained within the suite. However, if the applicant were to propose outdoor dining, the request would have to go before the Planning Commission for consideration. Vice-Chair Holt asked if it is correct that it would not come back to the Planning Commission unless there was a change to the use or there is a request outside of the ordinance. Mr. Melloni replied that is correct. Commissioner DeLuna commented that the Planning Commission considered another site that included odor mitigations if there is food service. She asked if there are any issues for the proposed project depending on the type of food service. Mr. Melloni answered no, explaining that the site is located in a service industrial area and there is a less of an impact to any sensitive receptors. Vice-Chair Holt inquired if the conditions of approval adequately cover what is being proposed for the retaining wall. Mr. Melloni responded that the wall would need to be reviewed by staff for compliance. 4 MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION FEBRUARY 19, 2019 Commissioner Greenwood moved to waive further reading and adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2751, approving Case Nos. PP 18-0007/CUP 19-0003, subject to the conditions of approval. The motion was seconded by Commissioner DeLuna and carried by a 4-0 vote (AYES: DeLuna, Greenwood, Gregory, and Holt; NOES: None; ABSENT: Pradetto). C. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION of a Conditional Use Permit application to increase the number of residents in an existing residential care facility for the elderly to 10 residents within an existing 4,477-square-foot single-family residence at 44-645 San Onofre Avenue, and adoption of a Notice of Exemption in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act. Case No. CUP 18-0008 (Yolanda Alkawass, Apple Valley, California, Applicant). Mr. Melloni outlined the salient points from the staff report. He noted that staff did not receive comments in favor or in opposition to this matter. Staff recommended approval and offered to answer any questions. Commissioner DeLuna inquired if the site is a memory care facility. Mr. Melloni replied no. He said it is a residential care facility for elderly patients that need daily personal care assistance or supervision. It is a non-medical facility. Chair Gregory declared the public hearing open and invited public testimony FAVORING or OPPOSING this matter. MR. OSCAR LICEA, Representative for the Applicant, Spring, Texas, offered to answer any questions. Vice-Chair Holt commented that the applicant noted they would hire additional employees as necessary. She inquired if there is a maximum number of employees that would be hired, with the addition of four residents. MR. LICEA responded that it depends on a case-by-case basis. He said the State of California does not require a number of employees per the number of residents. However, they are required to have adequate assistance for the residents. He shared that normally during the day they have two to three employees and one employee for the night shift. With the increase in the number of residents, the applicant intends to hire another employee for daytime and nighttime shifts. Vice-Chair Holt asked if there would ever be more than five employees working at one time during the day. MR. LICEA replied no. Vice-Chair Holt asked what is the maximum number of vehicles that what be on the site. MR. LICEA responded that the site accommodates three to four vehicles. He mentioned there are family members that visit daily and others visit once a year. He stated that they have not had any issues with parking. 5 MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION FEBRUARY 19, 2019 Chair Gregory commented that the center planter in the circular driveway looks like it has gone to seed. He said an effort should be made to make the property look good and suggested the planter be fixed. MR. LICEA replied that they would take care of the planter. Commissioner Greenwood asked if any of the residents have their own vehicles. MR. LICEA replied no. He communicated that most of the residents need assisted living and do not have a driver's license. Vice-Chair Holt inquired if the applicant provided the "Frequently Asked Questions" document. MR. LICEA replied yes. Vice-Chair Holt thanked the applicant for providing the document. She found the information very interesting. Commissioner DeLuna asked if the applicant has a vehicle parked on-site all the time to transport residents. MR. LICEA replied no, and said they use their own vehicles. MR. PAUL MURPHY, Palm Desert, California, commented that he has a friend that lives in the facility, which is a godsend. He shared the facility does a wonderful job and takes great care of the residents that cannot take care of themselves. He strongly suggested that the Planning Commission approves the request. MR. LICEA thanked the Planning Commission for their time and consideration. With no further testimony offered, Chair Gregory declared the public hearing closed. Commissioner DeLuna felt that the request would not adversely affect the neighborhood. There is a need for their service and they are able to serve four more residents. Commissioner DeLuna moved to waive further reading and adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2752, approving Case No. CUP 18-0008, subject to the conditions of approval. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Greenwood and carried by a 4-0 vote (AYES: DeLuna, Greenwood, Gregory, and Holt; NOES: None; ABSENT: Pradetto). XI. MISCELLANEOUS None 6 MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION FEBRUARY 19, 2019 XII. COMMITTEE MEETING UPDATES A. ART IN PUBLIC PLACES Vice-Chair Holt reported that Desert X is taking place and there is a Desert X Hub located on El Paseo. The 2019 Palm Desert Art Document Film Series began in January. Films are shown at UCR Palm Desert. The Art in Public Places Commission (AIPP) reviewed the Request for Proposals for the Palm Desert Community Gallery. The Commission discussed hiring new docents for the art program. She announced Swing `N Hops event would be held on Saturday, February 23 and the Coachella Valley Wildflower Festival is Saturday, March 2. B. PARKS & RECREATION None XIII. COMMENTS Commissioner DeLuna was pleased that the two applicants this evening chose to do business in Palm Desert. She hoped staff would relay the message to the applicants. In the past, Commissioner Greenwood commented that the City would send a Planning Commissioner(s) to the League of California Cities Planning Commissioners Academy (Academy). He said there was a discussion of sending a couple of Commissioners to the League of California Cities Annual Conference in lieu of the Academy. Mr. Stendell communicated that it is his perception the Academy is good for new Commissioners. Therefore, he requested funding in the Community Development preliminary budget (Fiscal Year 2019/2020) to send one or two Commissioners to the League of California Cities Annual Conference. The conference is scheduled for October 16-18 at Long Beach, California. If the budget is approved, staff will schedule one or two Commissioners to attend the conference. Commissioner Greenwood asked for an update on his request of having lighted turf areas at Civic Center Park. Mr. Stendell responded that there is a White Paper request moving through the budget process. It is most likely the lighted turf area at Civic Center Park would show up in the budget cycle for the upcoming fiscal year. 7 MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION FEBRUARY 19, 2019 XIV. ADJOURNMENT With the Planning Commission concurrence, Chair Gregory adjourned the meeting at 6:37 p.m. RON bREGORY, CHAIR ATTEST: —43�� RYAN STENDELL, SECRETARY MONICA O'REILLY, RECO G SECRETARY 8