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Home My WebLink About2013-06-18 PC Regular Meeting Minutes .•• ""•�. CITY OF PALM DESERT _ H \ PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION ooam, MINUTES TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2013 — 6:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBER 73-510 FRED WARING DRIVE, PALM DESERT, CA 92260 I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Nancy DeLuna called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioner Ken Stendell Commissioner John Greenwood Commissioner Sonia Campbell Vice Chair Roger Dash r.. Chair Nancy DeLuna Staff Present: Jill Tremblay, City Attorney Tony Bagato, Principal Planner Kevin Swartz, Assistant Planner Monica O'Reilly, Administrative Secretary III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Campbell led the Pledge of Allegiance. IV. SUMMARY OF COUNCIL ACTION None V. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION JUNE 18, 2013 VI. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Planning Commission meeting of May 21, 2013. Rec: By Minute Motion, approve as presented. B. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION of a lot line adjustment (APN 655-170- 034) at Ironwood Country Club. Case No. PMW 13-131 (Michael Mahoney, 73-124 Crosby Lane, Palm Desert, CA 92260, Applicant) Rec: By Minute Motion, approve a lot line adjustment, Case No. PMW 13- 131 . C. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION to transfer a portion of golf course Lot 146 to Lot 80 for expanded rear yard (APN's 632-760-009 & 632-760-016) at Indian Ridge Country Club. Case No. PMW 13-171 (Van Surveying, 1775 E. Palm Canyon Drive, #110-349, Palm Springs, CA 92264, Applicant) Rec: By Minute Motion, approve a transfer of a portion of Lot 146 to Lot 80, Case No. PMW 13-171. D. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION to combine Lot 4 and Lot 9 (APN's 627- 334-011 & 627-334-010). Case No. PMW 13-103 (Brian Ludington & Jennifer Wilhelmson, 41-750 Rancho Las Palmas Drive, Suite L-2, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270, Applicants) Rec: By Minute Motion, approve combining Lot 4 and Lot 9, Case No. PMW 13-103. E. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION of a one-year extension for the entitlement of Vons No. 3242. Case No. ZOA/CUP 10-228 (DLR Group, 117 East Colorado Boulevard, Suite 500, Pasadena, CA 91105, Applicant) Rec: By Minute Motion, approve the extension (until July 14, 2014), Case No. ZOA/CUP 10-228. Upon a motion by Campbell, second by Stendell, and a 5-0 vote of the Planning Commission, the Consent Calendar was approved as presented. VII. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None 2 G:\Planning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2013\Minutes\6-18-13 min.docx MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION JUNE 18, 2013 VIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION of a Conditional Use Permit to allow Rover Armstrong A.P.C. to convert 2,370 square feet of storage/warehouse space into office use within an existing 8,619-square-foot office building located at 75-100 Mediterranean in the Service Industrial zone. Case No. CUP 13-98 (R.A. Desert Properties, LLC, 75-100 Mediterranean, Palm Desert, CA 92211 , Applicant) Mr. Kevin Swartz, Assistant Planner, reported that the property is located on the 11 northeast corner of Boardwalk and Mediterranean. The property is zoned Service Industrial. Properties to the north, south, east, and west is also zoned Service Industrial. In 1990, the Planning Commission approved Precise Plan 90-12 allowing an 8,619-square-foot building. He said that the building was constructed in 1994, when Cold Call telemarketing firm utilized the building. In 1996, the Planning Commission amended the Precise Plan to allow the applicant to convert the 1 ,400-square-foot attic into a library. In 2004, the Planning Commission approved the applicant to restore the building to 6,249 square feet of office space and 2,370 square feet of storage/warehouse space. Mr. Swartz reported that the applicant currently operates a law office, and the applicant is proposing to convert and lease the 2,370 square feet of storage/warehouse space into 10 cubicles. He indicated that the hours of operation are between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. He stated that the principal concern regarding the application is that the proposed 2,370 square feet was conditioned by the Planning Commission to be restored to storage/warehouse space. The Conditional Use Permit (CUP) is required to evaluate parking since the property is not zoned Office Professional. Mr. Swartz displayed a site plan. He reported that currently there are 29 parking stalls, which meets the parking demand. According to the code, the proposed conversion of the 2,370 square feet of storage/warehouse space to office use would require an additional five parking stalls. He said that the applicant currently has 16 offices for up to 16 employees and one receptionist. The applicant is proposing to create 10 cubicles to lease out to 10 employees. Between the two businesses there would be a maximum of 27 employees for 29 parking spaces. Mr. Swartz stated that staff had concerns with not having parking spaces available for the clients. He said that the applicant informed staff that most meetings with clients occur off-site and through conference calls; however, if parking spaces are needed, employees would park off-site. Mr. Swartz mentioned that staff conducted a parking survey, and found that the use would have a minimal impact to the surrounding businesses during the proposed operating hours. He reported that staff did not receive comments in favor or opposition to the proposed use. Mr. Swartz stated that staff recommends that the Planning Commission approve the Conditional Use Permit. He offered to answer any questions. 3 G:\Planning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2013\Minutes\6-18-13 min.docx MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION JUNE 18, 2013 Chair DeLuna declared the public hearing open and invited the applicant to address the Commission on this matter, followed by any public testimony IN FAVOR or OPPOSITION. MR. STEVE ARMSTRONG, 75-100 Mediterranean, Palm Desert, California, asked the Planning Commission if they had any questions. Chair DeLuna asked how many attorneys would be in the office. MR. ARMSTRONG responded that currently there are six attorneys and some staff. They also lease space to a human resources company, which they use a couple hours a week. Chair DeLuna stated that assuming the property is fully leased, how many people would be in the office? MR. ARMSTRONG replied there would be 27 people if all offices are used. Chair DeLuna stated that the attorneys meet with clients off-site or through conference calls. She asked if the other people leasing the space would be meeting clients on-site. MR. ARMSTRONG responded that they have three conference rooms, which are not all used at once. He also mentioned that they are able to use the six adjacent parking spaces on the street and numerous parking spaces across the street. Chair DeLuna clarified that assuming the facility is fully leased and staffed, it would allow for two on-site parking spaces for two clients, and six to eight parking spaces available on the street. MR. ARMSTRONG pointed to the site plan to indicate where parking spaces are available. Vice Chair Dash asked if the occupation would be limited to attorneys. MR. ARMSTRONG replied that they hope to have other types of businesses, such as human resources. Commissioner Stendell referred to the large central area, and asked if it is for secretarial or administrative staff. MR. ARMSTRONG answered that he visualized having file cabinets, copiers, and a table in the area. Commissioner Stendell stated it is a large area, and he is concerned if more desks and people could be added. sirm MR. ARMSTRONG responded that he does not foresee that happening. 4 G:\Planning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2013\Minutes\6-18-13 min.docx MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION JUNE 18, 2013 Commissioner Campbell asked if additional people were added, would they have to return to the Planning Commission to change the CUP. Mr. Tony Bagato, Principal Planner, responded that the applicant would have to return to the Planning Commission for approval. Mr. Swartz interjected that Condition of Approval No. 8 states that no more than 10 offices could be created. Commissioner Stendell asked staff if the parking spaces on Mediterranean and Boardwalk are diagonal. Mr. Swartz replied that is correct. He added that when staff conducts a parking study, they do not calculate off-site parking. Commissioner Greenwood inquired what would happen if the property is sold and purchased. Would the new owner have to come back to the Planning Commission for another CUP? Mr. Swartz responded that if the building is sold, the new owner would be held to this CUP. If the new owner wanted to modify the CUP, there would be an amendment to the CUP which would come back to the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission had no further questions. With no further testimony offered, Chair DeLuna declared the public hearing closed. Commissioner Greenwood moved, by Minute Motion, to approve a Conditional Use Permit to allow the conversion of 2,370 square feet of storage/warehouse space into office use within an existing 8,619-square-foot office building located at 75-100 Mediterranean in the Service Industrial zone. Motion was seconded by Campbell and carried by a 5-0 vote. Commissioner Stendell moved, by Minute Motion, to waive further reading and adopt Resolution No. 2604, subject to conditions. Motion was seconded by Dash and carried by a 5-0 vote. The Planning Commission thanked the applicant and wished him good luck. IX. MISCELLANEOUS None X. COMMITTEE MEETING UPDATES A. ART IN PUBLIC PLACES None 5 G:\Planning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission\2013\Minutes\6-18-13 min.docx MINUTES PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION JUNE 18, 2013 B. PARKS & RECREATION Commissioner Dash reported that the water features in the parks will not be replaced when they are no longer working. The reason is that the features are expensive to maintain and to replace broken parts, and second reason is to conserve water. He also mentioned that the "Swim to Win" program held by the Aquatic Center brought an excess of 2,000 people, which made the program very successful. XI. COMMENTS Commissioner Stendell commented that he visited the Aquatic Center in early May, and the facility is one of the best. XII. ADJOURNMENT Upon a motion by Dash, second by Greenwood, and a 5-0 vote of the Planning Commission, Chair DeLuna adjourned the meeting at 6:17 p.m. NANCY DWUNA, CHA R ;, r ATTEST: TONY BAGATO, SECRETARY PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION 6 G:\Planning\Monica OReilly\Planning Commission12013\Minutes\G-18-13 min.docx