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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-08-20 PC Regular Meeting Minutes CITY OF PALM DESERT PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES • TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2019 — 6:00 P.M. ADMINISTRATIVE CONFERENCE ROOM 73-510 FRED WARING DRIVE, PALM DESERT, CA 92260 I. CALL TO ORDER Vice-Chair Lindsay Holt called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Commissioner John Greenwood Commissioner Joseph Pradetto Commissioner Nancy DeLuna Chair Ron Gregory Vice-Chair Lindsay Holt Also Present: Craig Hayes, Assistant City Attorney Andy Firestine, Assistant City Manager Ryan Stendell, Director of Community Development Eric Ceja, Principal Planner Kevin Swartz, Associate Planner Monica O'Reilly, Management Specialist II III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Nancy DeLuna led the Pledge of Allegiance. IV. SUMMARY OF COUNCIL ACTION None V. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION AUGUST 20, 2019 VI. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular Planning Commission meeting of July 16, 2019. Rec: Approve as presented. B. 6EQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION to approve a I one-year time extension for 'tentative Parcel Map 36502 for the subdivision of a 2.09-acre parcel into four parcels (three single-family lots and one retention basin lot) located at 49-425 JFK Trail. Case No. TPM 36502 (DRRS Holdings LLC and Ross Johnson and Associates Victoria British Columbia, Applicant). Rec: By Minute Motion, approve a one-year time extension for Tentative Parcel Map 36502, until May 21, 2020. C. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION to approve a one-year time extension for Tentative Tract Map 37339 and Precise Plan 17-035 for the subdivision of a 7.74-acre parcel into 80 condominium units, common area amenities, and a future 1.3-acre commercial parcel located at the northwest corner of Frank Sinatra Drive and Cook Street. Case No. TTM 37339 (Wes Lind Arcadia California Applicant). Rec: By Minute Motion, approve a one-year time extension for Tentative Tract Map 37339 and Precise Plan 17-035, until September 19, 2020. Upon a motion by Commissioner Greenwood, second by Commissioner DeLuna and a 3-0 vote of the Planning Commission, the Consent Calendar was approved as presented (AYES: DeLuna, Greenwood, and Holt; NOES: None; ABSENT: Gregory and Pradetto). VII. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VIII. NEW BUSINESS None IX. CONTINUED BUSINESS None X. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION to approve a 7,370-square-foot cannabis analytical testing laboratory for Evio Labs located at 72-895 Fred Waring Drive; and adopt of a Notice of Exemption in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Case No. CUP 18-0009 (Evio Labs, Costa Mesa, California, Applicant). 2 MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION AUGUST 20, 2019 Associate Planner Kevin Swartz presented the staff report (staff report(s) are available at www.cityofpaimdesert.org). He pointed out that staff added a condition of approval for odor control (Condition of Approval No. 7). He noted that the applicant is present to answer any questions. Commissioner DeLuna noted that the staff report indicated that the applicant proposed to open at 6:00 a.m. She asked what the reason they have to pen early in the morning is. Mr. Swartz responded that he received clarification from t e applicant, and the hours proposed are from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Commissioner DeLuna asked if the public is allowed to enter the testing facility. Mr. Swartz deferred the question to the applicant. Commissioner DeLuna asked how the applicant would dispose of the waste. Mr. Swartz believed the waste is placed in a sealed container. However, he would let the applicant elaborate on disposing of the waste. Commissioner John Greenwood asked if the proposed project went before the Architectural Review Commission (ARC). Mr. Swartz replied no since there are no exterior improvements. Commissioner Greenwood inquired if there is roof-mounted type equipment that could be an architectural screening concern. Mr. Swartz said no. If there were a concern, staff would review the plans, which may go to the ARC for review and approval. Commissioner Greenwood asked if the proposed use is on the first or second floor of the building. Mr. Swartz explained that it is a two-story building. The conference area, storage area, and private offices would be on the second floor, and the testing laboratories would be on the first floor. Commissioner Greenwood clarified that the applicant would use the entire building. Mr. Swartz replied that is correct. Vice-Chair Holt declared the public hearing open and invited public testimony FAVORING or OPPOSING this matter. MS. LORI GLAUSER, Applicant, Costa Mesa, California, stated that they have multiple labs throughout the United States and Canada. They look forward to working with the City and thanked the Planning Commission for their time and Planning staff for helping them through the process. She offered to answer any questions. 3 MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION AUGUST 20, 2019 Commissioner DeLuna asked the applicant to elaborate on the disposal of waste. MS. GLAUSER explained that according to state law, they have to render the product as unusable. Rendering as unusable means mixing, with at least 50 percent of non- marijuana product. Therefore, they mix marijuana with office waste, sand, kitty litter, and other products. She said once the marijuana is mixed and unusable (recorded by a camera), they place the waste in a bag and have it removed by hazardous waste disposal. She mentioned that they also put chemicals and solvents into bins and have them removed by hazardous waste disposal. Commissioner DeLuna asked how often the waste is picked up. MS. GLAUSER responded that in the early stages of the lab, waste would be picked up once a quarter. As they get busier, they may have the waste picked up once a week. She said they would secure waste in one area under camera. Commissioner DeLuna inquired if everything would be secured. MS. GLAUSER said that unusable marijuana is always sealed and locked, including the rendered unusable product until it is removed by hazardous waste. Commissioner DeLuna inquired if the applicant would have odor mitigations in place. MS. GLAUSER communicated that they typically use carbon filtration filters that sit out in the lab. At this time, they do not have plans to have exhaust through the roof. Commissioner DeLuna asked if the public would be involved with the facility. MS. GLAUSER said no. She explained that when they do regulated cannabis testing, they go to the growers' site and select samples. She said that they take the samples back to the lab in a single container and break down the samples to put through their instruments. She stated that the remaining solvent waste goes into barrels. Commissioner DeLuna asked what they are looking for in the testing. MS. GLAUSER responded that they test for potency, the amount of THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids. They also test for terpenes, harmful pesticides, microbiological contaminants, any residual solvents, and heavy metals. Commissioner Greenwood asked the applicant if they do any other type of testing besides cannabis. MS. GLAUSER replied that they test hemp. They may also test soil, water, and environmental conditions. They could test other botanical products; however, it is not in their business plan. Vice-Chair Holt asked if it is correct that the applicant has another lab in California. MS. GLAUSER said yes, in Berkley. 4 MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION AUGUST 20, 2019 MR. DUDLEY SWENSON, Acacia Drive, Palm Desert, California, asked how many employees would the lab employ and how much activity would be coming in and out of the facility. MS. GLAUSER responded that the facility would start with six to eight employees. As they grow, the number may increase to 16 employees. MR. DUDLEY noted that the adjacent real estate building is using a lot of parking, including street parking. MS. GLAUSER stated that they looked at parking and parking is more than efficient for the number of employees they would have. Mr. Swartz pointed out that the site has 26 parking stalls. MR. DUDLEY commented that the offices across the street are currently using the parking lot. He asked if they would continue using the proposed laboratory parking lot. Mr. Stendell replied that the offices across the street should not be using the parking lot. If there is a compliance issue, the City regulates any parking issues. He stated that the proposed project would have a very low volume of parking/traffic. With no further testimony offered, Vice-Chair Holt declared the public hearing closed. Commissioner DeLuna inquired if there is a way to enforce people from other businesses to use Evio Labs parking lot. Mr. Swartz replied yes. Staff could have the Code Compliance Division regulate the parking lot. Commissioner DeLuna asked the applicant if their employees would have stickers to identify that they work for Evio Labs. MS. GLAUSER responded that they could install signage. She shared that the building has been vacant, and the building owner allowed people to park in the parking lot. However, parking will change when they move into the building. Commissioner Greenwood moved to waive further reading and adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2760, approving Case No. CUP 18-0009 and adopting a Notice of Exemption in accordance with the CEQA, subject to the conditions of approval. The motion was seconded by Commissioner DeLuna and carried by a 3-0 vote (AYES: DeLuna, Greenwood, and Holt; NOES: None; ABSENT: Gregory and Pradetto). XI. MISCELLANEOUS None 5 MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION AUGUST 20, 2019 XII. COMMITTEE MEETING UPDATES A. ART IN PUBLIC PLACES None B. PARKS & RECREATION None XIII. COMMENTS Mr. Stendell introduced newly hired Assistant City Manager Andy Firestine. Mr. Firestine briefly talked about his background. Mr. Stendell suggested that the Planning Commission take a drive down San Pablo Avenue to look at the transformation, and patronize the businesses in the area. Commissioner Greenwood commented that he has been very impressed with Granite. They have been very efficient and doing a good job. Vice-Chair Holt asked if the timing of the improvements are still on schedule. Mr. Stendell replied that he hoped so. Commissioner DeLuna asked if the puppy store is gone. Staff said yes. XIV. ADJOURNMENT With the Planning Commission concurrence, Commissioner DeLuna adjourned the meeting at 6:24 p.m. OP4DSAY HOLT, CE-CHAIR ATTEST: 1*_UEt:7_ RYAN STENDELL, SECRETARY MONICA O'REILLY, RECORIJI G SECRETARY 6