HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes No 084PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 84
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF PALM
DESERT, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING AND RECOMMENDING TO THE CITY
COUNCIL, THE APPROVAL OF THE VARIOUS AMENDMENTS TO THE PALM
DESERT GENERAL PLAN. CASE NO. GPA-01-75
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission did on the 29th of September,
1975, hold a duly noticed Public Hearing to consider various amend-
ments to the Palm Desert General Plan, as approved by the City
Council; and
WHEREAS, the amendments do comply with the requirements of
the "City of Palm Desert Environmental Quality Procedure Resolution
No. 74-14", in that a final Environmental Impact Report was pre-
sented at a duly noticed Public Hearing held September 29, 1975, and
the Planning Commission recommended said report to the City Council
for certification as a final Environmental Impact Report to include:
1. The draft E.I.R.
2. Comments and recommendations received on the draft
E.I.R. in writing or as a part of the public hearings.
3. The Staff Report prepared on the E.I.R., for the
following reasons:
(a)
The Final E.I.R. is in compliance with the require-
ments of the City's Environmental Guidelines (City
Council Resolution No. 74-14) and the State of
California Guidelines for Implementation of the
California Envirnmental Quality Act.
(b) The Final E.I.R. does adequately address the environ-
mental effects of the proposed amendments.
WHEREAS, at said Public Hearing, upon hearing and consider-
ing the testimony are arguments of all persons desiring to be
heard, said Planning Commission did find the following facts and
reasons to exist to approve the amendments:
1. The amendments do comply to the requirements of
Sec. 65300-65307 of the State Government Code.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Planning Commission
of the City of Palm Desert as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 84
1. That the above recitations are true and correct and
constitute the findings of the Commission in this case.
2. That it does recommend to the City Council, the amend-
ment of City Council Resolution No. 75-2 to provide for these
amendments.
3. That it does approve the various General Plan amend-
ments labeled Exhibit A and recommends approval to the City Council
of them as amended by the attachment labeled Exhibit B for the
reasons set out in this Resolution.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a special meeting of the
Planning Commission of Palm Desert, held on the 29th day of
September, 1975 by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: BERKEY, MULLINS, SEIDLER, WILSON, VAN DE MARK
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
ATTEST:
PAUL A. WILLIAMS, Secretary
AUGUST 1975 AMENDMENTS
-k B r T 1l--
1. Land Use Element
City of Palm Desert General Plan
in relation tc roviding a distinct identity the residential
areas and incr'sing the convenience of neighborhood commercial
facilities to the market they most directly serve.
Planned Commercial Resort
Planned Commercial Resort would comprise the areas west of the Palm
Valley Storm Channel (except for the hillside areas) and adjacent to
State Highway 111 near the boundary line of Palm Desert and Indian
Wells. These areas would be established to provide low-rise hotel
and motel facilities with related commercial, entertainment, and
restaurant facilities. —
Residential Neighborhoods
Residential uses within the City and Sphere of Influence are in-
corporated into a series of twenty-five neighborhoods with densities
ranging from an average of 1 to 18 units per acre. Development
within each density range indicated below may exceed the density
for each range only if a development of sufficient lesser density
is provided to bring the overall density into the range.
Density shall be defined on gross acre basis with gross acres being
defined as land exclusive of General Plan rights -of -way.
The various neighborhood structures are indicated as follows:
High Density Neighborhoods immediately adjacent to the Eisen-
hower Medical Center and the College of the Desert. These
neighborhoods include 68.9 acres of land and would be developed
at densities ranging from 7-18 units/acre. Development within
the High Density Neighborhoods could consist of a mixture of
apartments, condominiums and conventional detached housing
developed under specific development plans.
Medium Density Neighborhoods include the areas north of the
Whitewater Flood Control Channel extending south of Country
Club and surrounding the Eisenhower Medical Center. In the
south Medium Density Neighborhoods include the areas north of the
Core Commercial area, west of Highway 74, east of Portola Avenue
south of Highway 111 and south of Mesa View Drive between Portola
Avenue and Highway"74. These neighborhoods are to be developed
at densities ranging from 5 to 7 units per acre.
Low Density Residential Neighborhoods are recommended for the
southern portions of the existing City and the areas north
of the Whitewater Flood Control Channel between Cook and
Portola, and south of Country Club. In the south low density
areas occupy the area between Shadow Mountain Drive and Haystack
between Portola Avenue and Highway 74. These areas include
approximately 2,528.8 acres to be developed at densities rang-
ing from 3 to 5 units per acre.
Very Low Density Residential Areas are located north at the
proposed Cook Street alignment and Country Club Drive in the
north and in the foothills area in the southern district.
These areas are proposed for residential development at 1 to 3
units per acre.
1.B.6
(Rev. 08/22/75)
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Goals
DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN LAND USES WITHIN THE CITY THAT
WILL MEET THE BASIC HUMAN NEEDS OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT
AND THE SPHERE OF INFLUENCE.
DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN LAND USES WITHIN THE CITY THAT
WILL BRING CITY COSTS AND REVENUES INTO BALANCE OVER TIME.
DEVELOP A LAND USE PATTERN THAT TAKES OPTIMUM ADVANTAGE OF
THE CITY'S NATURAL ASSETS INCLUDING VIEWS, MOUNTAIN AREAS AND
THE DESERT FLOOR.
Objectives
• MINIMIZE CONFLICTS BETWEEN LAND USES CREATED BY DRASTIC
VARIATIONS IN INTENSITIES OF USE, DENSITIES AND ACCESS
REQUIREMENTS.
•
DEVELOP LAND USE RELATIONSHIPS THAT ARE EFFICIENT AND
COMPATIBLE, YET ALLOW THE FLEXIBILITY THAT IS NECESSARY
TO RESPOND TO CHANGES IN SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS.
• MINIMIZE PREMATURE PUBLIC COST THROUGH DEVELOPMENT OF A
COMPACT NON -SPRAWLING LAND USE PATTERN.
• MAINTAIN THE CHARACTER OF PALM DESERT AND CREATE THE BEST
POSSIBLE LIVING ENVIRONMENT FOR RESIDENTS.
PROVIDE A PROPER BUFFER BETWEEN RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL
AREAS.
1•G•1 (Rev. 08/22/75)
2. Urban Design Element
City of Palm Desert General Plan
2 URBAN DESIGN ELEMENT
INTRODUCTION
Urban Design may be defined as the development of an efficient, convenient
and aesthetically pleasing city form which is responsive to:
. The human need for orientation by means of a structured environment;
. The opportunities and constraints of existing natural and man-made
elements;
. The technological potentials of circulation, transit and com-
munication networks; and
. Existing institutional requirements.
Community Design, at the general plan scale, may be defined as the development
of an overall city form which:
Creates logical and efficient patterns of land use activities at human
scale;
Provides appropriate levels of access to varying types and intensities
of land uses;
Integrates neighborhoods and districts into a cohesive urban form;
Preserves and enhances natural features such as vegetation,
wildlife or topographic features;
Preserves and enhances man-made features of historical or
archaeological significance;
Responds to emerging technological potentials in areas such as
communication, transportation and construction;
Articulates and unifies subareas of appropriate size and scale
such as districts or neighborhoods;
Responds to the realities of economic relationships as defined in
the market place and the needs of public institutions as defined by
the public sector; and
Structures circulation, open space and land use patterns so as to
create a perceptual structure of appropriate city entry points,
edges, focal areas and landmarks.
2.i.1
(Rev. 8/75)
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Goals
•
DEVELOP A CITY THAT IS VISUALLY ATTRACTIVE, CONVENIENTLY ORGANIZED,
AND ECONOMICALLY FUNCTIONAL.
PRESERVE AND EMPHASIZE ELEMENTS OF THE NATURAL DESERT AND HILLSIDE
ENVIRONMENTS TO BALANCE AND COMPLEMENT BOTH THE DEVELOPED AND TO BE
DEVELOPED AREAS OF PALM DESERT.
Objectives
DEVELOP A SYSTEM OF CITY EDGES, ENTRY POINTS, FOCAL AREAS AND LANDMARKS
THAT WILL SERVE TO DISTINGUISH PALM DESERT AS UNIQUE AND SPECIAL FROM
THE SURROUNDING COVE COMMUNITIES.
UTILIZE BUILDING MASSES, ARCHITECTUAL, COLOR AND FACADE TREATMENTS TO
CREATE UNITY AND IDENTITY IN THE VARIOUS COMPONENTS OF THE CITY
(RESIDENTIAL AREAS, CIVIC AREAS, COMMERCIAL AREAS, ETC.). (EMPHASIS
ON THE DESERT.)
ESTABLISH A DESIGN REVIEW PROCESS WHICH PROVIDES A MECHANISM AND
GUIDELINES FOR EVALUATING DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS IN RELATION TO
COMMUNITY, DISTRICT, AND NEIGHBORHOOD GOALS.
DEVELOP AN ACTIVE PROGRAM THAT WILL MAINTAIN THE VISUAL QUALITY OF THE
HILLSIDES AND SAND DUNES SURROUNDING OR WITHIN PALM DESERT THROUGH
HILLSIDE AND DESERT DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES AND ORDINANCES.
DEVELOP A SYSTEM OF LANDSCAPING FOR ALL MAJOR STREETS AND INTERSECTIONS
AS SUGGESTED IN FIGURE 2-2.
ESTABLISH A SET OF DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS THAT PROTECTS AND ENHANCES
EXISTING DEVELOPMENTS THEREBY MAINTAINING THE CHARACTER OF PALM DESERT.
DEVELOP A SPECIFIC SET OF STANDARDS FOR THE PRESERVATION OF VIEWS.
2.G.1
(Rev. 8/75)
FIGURE 2-1
URBAN DESIGN ABSTRACT
Districts
Neighborhoods
i Entry Points
▪ Focal Points
Major Trail System
Components
Core Area
w College of Desert/
Civic Center Linkage
r=,== Hillside & Wildlife
:.: Preserve
■ Landmark
Major Open Spaces
»»»•« Windbreak
Commercial Subareas
Industrial Subareas
Institutional Subareas
0:16t9.7g Desert Corridors
NORTH
0 1 2 Miles 3
WILSEY & HAM
2.G.I.a
FIGURE 2-2
STREETSCAPE ABSTRACT
0
Landscaping at
Major Intersections
Landscaping along
Major Streets
NORTH
1 2 Miles 3
WILSEY &;HAM
2.G.2.b
8
7
FIGURE 2-3
RESIDENTIAL
NEIGHBORHOOD
STRUCTURE
1-25
Neighborhood
/
Numbers as
Referred to in
Figure 4-6
Palm Desert
City Limits
Planning Area
Sphere of Influence
2.G.2.c
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CITY OF
PALM DESERT
RESIDEI,ITIAL
NEIGHBORHOODS
2.G.2.d.
BACKGROUND
Elements of the Urban Design Approach
Two -Dimensional Land Use Patterns
The spatial organization of a planning area and the relationships
between various functional elements within a planning area are
defined within the context of a two-dimensional land use pattern.
The patterns which evolve must define physical parameters for
urban design activities and respond to:
Economic opportunities and constraints including the nature
of demand for various land uses,'land absorption rates, the
intensity of development that is anticipated and resultant
land requirements;
Natural factors such as open space, soils, wildlife habitat
and geologic conditions;
Existing development and the existing development patterns;
Circulation, parking and transit requirements;
Urban infra -structure requirements; and
Line of sign patterns.
Three -Dimensional Elements
The urban design framework for a planning area ultimately evolves
from the integration of two-dimensional physical plans with the
elements that create three-dimensional form. The urban design
process includes:
Analysis and identification of functional and aesthetic sub-
areas within an overall planning area;
Analysis of the mix of activities and structural relationships
existing within each sub -area to identify elements which should
be changed or reinforced;
Definition of the existing edge, barrier and linkage conditions
that either separate or join sub -areas and/or specific develop-
ment units within sub -areas;
Analysis of the "grain" of building masses within sub -areas to
see if it reflects economic potentials, the capabilities of
supporting infrastructure including items such as streets,
pedestrian ways and transit and relationships to existing
natural or man-made features;
Preservation of line of sight patterns;
2.B.1
(Rev. 8/75)
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Analysis of the availability of and needs for "connectors"
between and within sub -areas such as pedestrian ways and
transit systems;
Analysis of the structure of existing "focal points" in
terms of activity, architectural character or mass,
historical significance and relationships to transporta-
tion on open space systems; and
Recommendations for a new urban design structure which
joins the analysis of existing conditions outlined above
with definition of potentials for change --defined in terms
of land utilization, access, and economic/market factors.
Recommended Urban Design Structure
The recommended urban design structure is a composite of networks
and systems which each respond to varied citizen objectives and
planning area constraints and opportunities of the type described
above. Major aspects of the recommended structure include:
Districts
The planning area is conceived of having three distinct districts.
The Central District is composed of two major subareas north and
south of the Core Area and is generally defined by the Whitewater
Flood Control Channel on the north, flood control levees on the
south and by the bases of adjacent mountains to the east and west.
It approximates in the area o,f the existing City of Palm Desert
and is located on the relatively flat and sheltered portion of the
desert floor.
The Southern District is characterized by mountainous areas
extending southward to the San Bernardino National Forest and
includes several areas suitable for urbanization in the alluvial
fans extending into major canyons from the desert floor.
The Northern District is generally defined on the south by White -
water Flood Control Channel, by Interstate 10 on the north and
by adjacent jurisdictions on the east and west. It is an area
characterized by blowsand conditions and some beautiful sand dunes.
Neighborhoods
The planning area consists of 25 neighborhoods -tied into the
district structure. Neighborhoods are defined wherever possible
by either natural edges, such as the base of the mountains, or
by man-made elements such as roads.
2.B.2
Neighborhoods are conceived as basic residential and identification
units varying in population from 400 to 9000 people.
Focal Points
Within the various districts of the planning area are focal points
related to either major institutions or natural features.
Key focal points include:
Eisenhower Medical Center
Sand Dune Park
College of the Desert
Civic Center
Cultural Center
Living Desert Reserve
Boyd Research Center - University of California at Riverside
The Core Commerical area
The focal points are important in providing a special sense of
identity for Palm Desert and in reflecting the City's role as a
central place in the Coachella Valley.
Entry Points
The planning area has a number of entry points from adjacent juris-
dictions or areas. These include:
The freeway interchanges;
The transition areas from the adjacent jurisdictions of Rancho
Mirage and Indian Wells; and
The transition from the mountains to the alluvial fans on
Highway 74.
Landmarks
Within the various districts there are a number of potential orienta-
tion points. Potential landmarks are often located at the natural
focal points discussed above. These are areas where buildings of
special height, size or architectural character would be appropriate
to give a sense of orientation or direction; or areas of an unusual
natural character combined with a key position in the circulation
system. Key existing or potential landmarks areas include:
Areas related to the approaches from the Interstate system;
Areas related to the approaches to the Commerical Core Area
from Highway 111, Highway 74 and San Pablo; and
The potential axial relationships between the Core Area,
College of the Desert, Civic Complex and Cultural Center.
2.B.3
District Linkages
Each of the circulation systems performs a linking function. Palm
Desert has the potential of being a City whose districts are linked
not only by roads but also by open space elements, bicycle trails
hiking and equestrian trails and public transit.
Key District linkages include:
Bob Hope Drive;
Monterey/Highway 74;
The Eisenhower Medical Center/College of the Desert linkages
formed by Frank Sinatra Drive and Cook Street;
The hiking/equestrian trail and flood control open space
networks;
The bicycle and golf cart trail system linking all community
parks and all 25 neighborhoods;
The Core Area to Civic/Cultural Complex tram system; and
The windrow systems which will provide a strong unifying element
in the northern district.
Problems
The general public, while perhaps desiring the objectives of
an efficient, beautiful, diverse and unified City, has had
little exposure to the types of urban design processes and
theories which can achieve these desired objectives.
The 82 square mile size of the planning area makes comprehen-
sion of the potential for a unified _urban design difficult
for many to perceive.
The existing City has generally developed as a piecemeal com-
posite of individual projects rather than in relationship to
any established structure of districts or neighborhoods.
The three districts of the planning area are diverse in
character and represent a challenge to unify in terms of an
overall city character.
The central location of the planning area in the Coachella
Valley, combined with a desirable climate and setting, create
development pressures that represent potential environmental
problems if not properly managed.
Highway 111 and the Whitewater Flood Control Channel represents
a potential barrier to interaction between residents of various
neighborhoods or districts.
Line of Sight controls are difficult to establish and are com-
plicated by existing developments.
2.B.4
(Rev. 8/75)
Opportunities
The planning area possesses an abundance of natural features
that can lend variety, distinction and unity to the develop-
ment of a city.
The planning area has a large percentage of undeveloped land
that can be developed with improved concepts in environmental
planning.
The planning area possesses some distinctive institutions and
areas, such as the College of the Desert, the Core Area,
Eisenhower Medical Center and the Living Desert Reserve which
can serve as focal points in an overall design structure.
Property owners, both in the City and the northern district,
have demonstrated an interest in the process of planning for
a quality city.
The City is involving its citizens in all aspects of city
planning which should lead to a continuing level of citizen
awareness about the potentials for good design at citywide
and neighborhood, as well as individual project, scales.
50% of the land in the urbanizing area of the City is vacant.
2.8.5
(Rev. 8/75)
IMPLEMENTATION POLICIES
The City shall:
• CONTINUE TO COORDINATE ITS PLANNING WITH INTERESTED AGENCIES,
PROPERTY OWNERS AND INSTITUTIONS IN ALL DISTRICTS.
• DEVELOP A CITY OF VARIED LIVING UNITS COMPOSED OF DISTRICTS,
NEIGHBORHOODS AND PROJECTS.
• ESTABLISH A PLANNING PROCESS FOR CREATING GOOD NEIGHBORHOOD
DESIGN.
•
Such a process might be done by private planners of the land
owners controlling the development within a particular neigh-
borhood; or, it might be done by the City in cooperation
with developers.
UTILIZE PROVISIONS OF ITS ZONING ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE GUIDE-
LINES IN AREAS SUCH AS HILLSIDES, CIVIC AREAS AND OTHER
SPECIAL AREAS.
CONTINUE TO DEVELOP MORE DETAILED PLANS FOR SPECIAL AREAS,
SUCH AS THE CORE AREA AND CIVIC CENTER, AS THE NEED FOR MORE
,SPECIFIC PLANNING BECOMES APPARENT.
PROVIDE ATTRACTIVE AND SUITABLE LANDSCAPING ON ALL MAJOR
STREETS AND GATEWAYS TO THE CITY.
DEVELOP PARKS FOR RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION
WHICH MAINTAIN THE NATURAL DESERT ENVIRONMENT.
UTILIZE THE PROVISIONS OF THE ZONING AND DESIGN REVIEW
ORDINANCES TO MAINTAIN THE BEAUTY OF THE MOUNTAIN AREAS
SURROUNDING PALM DESERT.
ESTABLISH AN EDUCATIONAL PROCESS TO MAKE LOCAL CITIZENS
AWARE OF THE CONTINUING NEED TO UPGRADE THE VISUAL QUALITIES
OF THE CITY BY PRESERVING THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND BY
REQUIRING HIGH QUALITY IN MAN-MADE DEVELOPMENT.
• ESTABLISH A PLANNING PROCESS TO STUDY NIGHT LIGHTING PROBLEMS.
•
MAKE ADEQUATE PROVISION FOR SHADE WHEN PLANNING FOR PARKS,
PEDESTRIAN AREAS, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PARKING LOTS, AND TRANSIT
CORRIDORS IN THE CITY.
UTILIZE INDIGENOUS PLANTS IN LANDSCAPING WHENEVER APPROPRIATE.
• ESTABLISH A COMPREHENSIVE SET OF LINE -OF -SIGHT CRITERIA TO BE USED
FOR NEW DEVELOPMENT.
2.P.1
(Rev. 8/75)
4. Housing Element
City of Palm Desert General Plan
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Since little of the housing in Palm Desert sells for less than
$25,000 today, families with an income of less than $10,000
(assuming that a person can afford to buy a house which is 2.5
times his annual income) cannot afford to live in Palm Desert.
This effectively excludes a great number of people who are
expected to be working in Palm Desert in the foreseeable future.
Those people who earn an income of less than this amount and
desire to live in Palm Desert are forced to spend an inordinate
proportion of their income on housing costs.
The demand for housing keeps prices at a high level.
While the current demand for high cost homes continues at the
present level and the resale value of homes continues to climb,
it is unlikely that the private market alone is going to provide
lower priced homes in Palm Desert. It will thus take an effec-
tive action program on the part of the City to see that this
lower priced housing is built.
The City, however, cannot be expected to implement these
programs by itself. It will take a multi -faceted attack which
includes the cooperation and support of governmental agencies
(local, regional, state and federal) as well as the private
sector.
Significant cost reduction for housing at the neighborhood
scale is difficult.
While many people within the Palm Desert community express
the need for providing housing for people of low ($4-8000)
to moderate ($8-15000) income, there is a community preference
that such housing should not be grouped in any one area which
could become known as "Palm Desert's lower income housing" area.
At the present time, however, no programs on building techniques
are known which can develop such homes on an individual basis.
To effectively realize cost reductions the housing must be
grouped to some degree. The question of how large this group
should be must be the subject of further detailed planning.
The City does not have an information system to monitor housing
development.
The need to provide information regarding housing to both public
and private decision -makers is a real one and is something the
City needs to consider. The lack of current, accurate infor-
mation is one obstacle which can be dealt with at the local
level through the creation of an efficient system within the
City's Department of Environmental Services.
4.6.4
(Rev. 08/22/75)
• Housing costs continue to increase at a fast rate.
Housing costs within the past decade have escalated to a
point that it has become very difficult for a large portion of
the country's population to purchase new housing.
Based on information available from the 1970 Census of Housing,
a home which sold for $20,000 in 1960 could not be reproduced
in .1970 for less than $29,000. Similarly, rental housing which
was renting for $150 a month in 1960 would now rent for $175.
In 1971, the average value of the new home in Riverside County
exceeded $30,000. Interest rates within the recent months have
climbed at an increasingly fast pace with interest rates on
conventional mortgages up to 10 percent and typical down payment
requirements approaching 20 percent. Loan executives estimate
that a 1 percent interest rate change upward adds $4,000 to
the cost of a $30,000 dwelling on a 25-year mortgage.
These increases play a major role in acting as a barrier to
those who need to change their place of residence because of
space need's and other families who want to change their tenure
from renting to home ownership.
At the same time these cost increases affect the ability of home
builders to reach significant markets. As the dollar signs
attached to new homes increase, more and more households are
priced out of the newhome market while homebuilders trim
profits, overhead, sales and advertising expenses in an attempt
to hold home prices from increasing even further.
There have been no significant cost reduction breakthroughs in
housing technology.
Since there is only so far a developer can go to reduce
housing costs and at the same time construct decent, safe
housing, a breakthrough in homebuilding technology has been
considered as a means to reduce costs and increase the supply of
lower cost housing. Experimental programs, such as the federal
government's Operation Breakthrough have been attempted.
Unfortunately, while some advances have been made to increase
the quality of some construction while holding prices at the
same level, little progress has been made in actually reducing
the cost of housing.
Housing for lower income groups in Palm Desert is limited.
Although implied but not stated in many of the problems listed,
housing for lower income groups within Palm Desert is presently
very limited. The effective exclusion of these people within
4.B.5
(Rev. 08/22/75)
• New Federal Community Development Act has been enacted•
The federal government has enacted within the last few months
the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. This act
combines most community development programs, including
housing, into a block grant program. While the Department of
Housing and Urban Development has not determined all the
guidelines at this time it is anticipated that Palm Desert will
become eligible for funding for a variety of activities which
can improve living conditions in the City, including housing.
4.B.7
(Rev. 08/22/75)
IMPLEMENTATION POLICIES
The City shall
IMPLEMENT A HOUSING PROGRAM BASED ON THE ASSUMPTIONS THAT:
- EVERY HOUSEHOLD NEEDS SHELTER WHICH IS SAFE, SANITARY, AND
DURABLE
- EVERY HOUSEHOLD NEEDS A DWELLING UNIT WITH ENOUGH ROOMS AND
OF. SUFFICIENT SIZE
- EVERY HOUSEHOLD NEEDS HOUSING WHICH IT CAN AFFORD
- EVERY HOUSEHOLDER NEEDS THE OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE WITHIN THE
COMMUNITY AND TO HAVE A CHOICE AMONG DIFFERENT TYPES AND PRICES
OF HOUSING
- EVERY HOUSEHOLD NEEDS HOUSING CONVENIENTLY LOCATED TO WORK-
PLACE, SHOPPING, SCHOOLS, RECREATION AND OTHER DESIRABLE
ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES
- EVERY HOUSEHOLD NEEDS CERTAIN TYPES AND LEVELS OF URBAN
SERVICES IN THE SURROUNDING AREA, SUCH AS PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS,
SCHOOLS, WATER AND SEWER, FIRE AND POLICE PROTECTION
• DEVELOP A PROGRAM TO BROADEN THE HOUSING PRICE RANGES AVAILABLE
WITHIN THE CITY
The City has established a primary goal for housing of "providing
' a range of housing for varying income ranges and lifestyles
throughout the community". The major problem within this area
is to provide housing for persons of lower and moderate incomes,
It thus becomes very important to determine a set of guidelines
to assure that such housing develops in appropriate locations --
locations chosen both to deliberately foster economic and social
mix and also to prevent an over concentration of such housing in
any one area. Within the policies already delineated within the
report, locational criteria have been indicated in an attempt to
"locate housing for different socio-economic groups in housing
types and densities which serve their needs". In addition,
other locational criteria may include:
- Comparative school factor -- a measure of relative ability to
provide education services for increased numbers of school
age children.
- Lower/moderate income families factor -- a comparison of the
number of lower income families in any one area with the city-
wide number of lower/moderate families, in proportion to the
total number of families living in each census tract.
(Rev. 08/22/75)
- Minority population factor -- a comparison of each area's
minority population percentage with the citywide average, in
proportion to area population.
The combined effect of these three additional criteria is to
suggest the location of housing for families of low and moderate
means in areas which would not result in an over concentration
of minorities, an over concentration of lower/moderate income
families, or an overcrowding of school facilities. This is not
to determine quotas for each area for such housing, but, rather,
as a guideline to be used as location indicators of target areas.
A most important aspect of the criteria is to show that assisted
housing should be dispersed throughout the City.
CLOSELY MONITOR THE VARIOUS FEDERAL HOUSING PROGRAMS WHICH MAY BE
AVAILABLE TO THE CITY
As indicated earlier, the Community Development Act of 1974 has
recently been enacted. The City should follow developments
regarding this act closely to assure itself of taking the appro-
priate action to gain funding available to it under this legis-
lation for community development programs and housing assistance
for lower and moderate incomes.
DEVELOP A "QUARTERLY INFORMATION BULLETIN" ON HOUSING WITHIN
PALM DESERT
The City cari take effective action to assist the decision -makers,
both public and private, by improving the flow of information
about housing. A system such as a "Quarterly Information
Bulletin" which indicates housing starts by type, price and
location, occupancy status to include vacancy rates and sales
data (numbers, location, price, time on market, characteristics,
and Department of Environmental Services data such as applica-
tions for zone changes and variances, subdivision activity, and
land use changes) will be of considerable benefit to the community.
DEVELOP AN ECONOMIC PROFILE OF THE WORK FORCE IN THE COMMUNITY
The development of such an economic profile will be of considerable
use to the City in an effort to monitor the existing housing
developments with the housing needs of the people working in the
community. A cross referencing between the economic profile and
the Quarterly Information Bulletin will let the City know how
well it is meeting its goal of giving people who work in Palm
Desert the opportunity to live in Palm Desert.
4.P.2
(Rev. 08/22/75)
COORDINATE WITH RIVERSIDE COUNTY AND ITS EFFORTS TO MEET THE
HOUSING NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE LIVING IN THE COUNTY
Riverside County has been actively involved in developing housing
programs for the unincorporated and incorporated portions of the
County and its actions may have an important impact on Palm
Desert's housing needs.
PROMOTE THE CONTINUED UTILIZATION OF HOMEOWNER AND COMMUNITY
ASSOCIATIONS TO MAINTAIN HOUSING QUALITY AT THE INDIVIDUAL
DEVELOPMENT LEVEL
The City can rely upon the homeowner and community associations
to take on the role that the City might normally have to do
through a code enforcement program.
(Rev. 08/22/75)
IN!( IAt . 10
COO(
FRANK S1NA1RA
i
1
RISQOARWIt v
isimmm
10.
•
42ND AVE. •
44TH AVE
HIGHWAY 111
•
• •
rf
/(
FIGURE 5.1
HIGHWAY NETWORK
nae®s Freeway
. e'-'.•Arterial Highway
•---- Major I lighway
-----Secondary Highway
----Collector
▪ Indicates Existing Road
maincomos Indicates Proposed Road
® Existing Interchange
O Proposed Interchange
+H+fi Railroad
Whitew.ltcr Flood
Control Channel
v Bridge
NORTH
0 1 2 Mdes_3
`\ WILSEY A HAM l/
•
5. Circulation Element
City of Palm Desert General Plan
1
Fat
u..
I�t+llf��♦��y," pIN • --.. WTI •(11 tt+y�.y .. •�.��
' t- � !�-lL1 �Ti T.7. fJ YT.�•f{ - � 1 ��:t. f—+�-Y'(1'{Od.G�.l '
{
'-KiYJ��'/Y� tail•
1,4
.: rt
12,4 at
4
FIGURE 5-3
NON -AUTOMOTIVE
CIRCULATION NETWORK
susiconi Citywide Bicycle/
Golf cart Trails
immix Citywide Hiking/
Equestrian Trails
Example of Neighborhood
Bicycle/Golf Cart
Connection
....... Regional Trail System
++++ Pedestrian Sidewalk
NORTH
0 1 2 Miles 3
t r
WILSE Y & HAM
5.P.I.c
•
The bicycle system provides a Citywide framework connecting
all major parks, public facilities and the Core Area with all
of the neighborhoods. Rights -of -way of 10-12 feet are suggested
to allow for use by electric golf carts as well.
The hiking/equestrian system connects the major open space
features of the planning area from the sand dunes on the
north to the mountains in the south.
The dial -ride -system provides service to all neighborhoods
via the highway network.
Pedestrian areas are to be emphasized through site planning
guidelines developed at the Specific Plan or neighborhood
planning scale (see Prototype Block of Interim Core Area Plan).
The initial elements of a pedestrianway system are shown on
Fig. 5-3.
The first step in the implementation of the above concepts
is the development of Specific Area Plans or precise system
plans which will deal with the localized aspects of route
design.
DEVELOP PROTOTYPE SEGMENTS OF THE PROPOSED OVERALL SYSTEMS AS
A MEANS OF EVALUATING CITIZEN RESPONSE.
Because of the more detailed planning being done and the
immediate needs, the Core Area may be an appropriate place to
test selected systems.
REQUIRE INTEGRATION OF NEIGHBORHOOD LEVEL BICYCLE/GOLF CART
AND PEDESTRIAN SYSTEMS WITH THE CITYWIDE STRUCTURE THROUGH
THE PROCESS OF SITE PLAN REVIEW.
5•P•2
(Rev. 08/22/75)
EXHIBIT B
REVISIONS TO THE AMENDMENTS OF THE PALM DESERT GENERAL PLAN
GPA-01-75
RESOLUTION NO. 84
Page No.
LAND USE ELEMENT
Line Change
(No Changes Proposed)
RESOLUTION NO. 84
CHANGES TO LAND USE MAP
The following should be added:
• Include the designation of the equestrian center in the Cahuilla
Hills area (#6) on the Land Use Map, Subsection B.
RESOLUTION NO. 84
Page No.
URBAN DESIGN ELEMENT
Line Change
Page Labeled Entire
(VIEW PLANES) Page
2.B.1.a.
Entire
Page
Delete entire diagram.
Delete entire diagram.
RESOLUTION NO. 84
Page No.
HOUSING ELEMENT
Line Change
(No Changes Proposed)
RESOLUTION NO. 84
Page No.
CIRCULATION ELEMENT
Line Change
(No Changes Proposed)
RESOLUTION NO. 84