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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986-04-25MINUTES JOINT CITY COUNCIL/PLANNING COMM StiSW ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION ggi Ngr‘ 1 S d9 APRIL 25, 1986 P tf I. PRESENT: CITY COUNCIL: Dick Kelly, Mayor Jean Benson Walt Snyder Roy Wilson ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW Ron Gregory, Chairman Rick Holden Charles Martin OTHERS PRESENT: PLANNING COMMISSION: Buford Crites, Chairman Bob Downs Ralph Woods COMMITTEE: Bruce Altman, City Manager Ray Diaz Sheila Gilligan Steve Moore, Riverside Enterprise John Hussar, Desert Sun II. INTRODUCTIONS: Mary Drury Al Cook Russ McCrea Carlos Ortega Dick Folkers Linda Russell Mayor Kelly thanked and welcomed everyone to this meeting. He believed it would be a good way to get reacquainted and gather everyone's points of view. He introduced everyone. III. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION: A. BUILDING HEIGHTS AND SETBACKS Ray Diaz distributed a zoning height matrix which listed height limits for all zones. This list was reviewed by all and discussed (Exhibit A). R1 = 15' or lower can be approved by staff. R2 = Height limits were recently dropped. PR = 30' "or as approved" (i.e. Marriott). Note: Line of sight is taken into consideration. Page 2 Joint City Council/Planning Commission/ Architectural Review Commission Meeting Apri115, 1986 Councilmember Wilson asked that if the height limits were objectionable could they be reduced. Mr. Diaz responded that they could only if there were aesthetic impacts (CEQA). He noted in the R2 - R3 zones the 1-story are unprotected. Councilmember Wilson expressed the following concerns: 1) height limits in the PC-4 zones with 3-story developments now allowable; 2) 2-story developments next to 1-story in the commercial area; 3) setback requirements, i.e. new bank at Monterey Ave. and Highway 111. Commissioner Downs stated that as long as it's zoned commercial, he did not object to the height limit. A 2-story building next to the bank would have to be allowed to keep in line with the bank. Councilmember Snyder stated they have tried to keep a low profile City. He believed they have to keep the City the way people want it. Compatibility is a real concern. Councilmember Benson stated they needed a sharp look at where the City is going as a City. She felt they are deviating compatibility — not keeping the Desert image. That is not what people came to the Desert for. Commissioner Crites explained that the bank met all the required standards, but if it was felt a mistake was made, it does not have to be made again. He also stated his objection to allowing high density to developers because of high property values. Commissioner Martin believed that the downtown area had enough restrictions. In looking at the future in that area (next to bank), concern should be focused on growth. He added that people do not plan the City, staff and elected officials do. He concluded by stating that open space is lost if height limits are too restrictive. Commissioner Drury believed the complexion of the entire valley is changing. Palm Desert will be the "Hub" of the area. She believes a balance can be found to meet the needs and services of full-time residents, and still enable the City to grow in a positive manner. She would like to see the bank upgraded vs. buildings of less quality developed. She concluded that a balance with trade-offs can be reached. Commissioner McCrea agreed with comments made by Commissioners Martin and Drury, but added that as a developer they have to look at square footage per dollar. Each case should be looked at from a business standpoint. Commissioner Cook stated that changes come with time and people do adapt to changes. He believed the height limits were restrictive enough. He is concerned that the Architectural Review Commission has to work with already approved site plans. Page 3 Joint City Council/Planning Commission/ Architectural Review Commission Meeting April i, 1986 He did not feel the City was going in the wrong direction and they can stop undesirable development that has already started. Commissioner Holden did not feel the 18' height limit (vs. 15') in the RI zone was a problem, or that a comparison in height limits with bigger cities can be made. He believed that if a development meets all the requirements the City has to approve it. Commissioner Gregory stated that one of the qualities the Desert has is openness. To keep that quality, some sensitivity should be shown on setbacks or line -of -site. He believes this could be accomplished with proper landscaping. He also agreed that new developments (buildings) should not be kept at old building heights. Mayor Kelly commented that this meeting was accomplishing what he had hoped it would, that is, having everyone express their opinions and ideas. He agreed that spaciousness is a good quality of Palm Desert. Mayor Kelly stated that it is difficult to write "black and white" rules and felt that it is their duty to provide some leeway to those rules. Councilmember Wilson was pleased with all the input on this subject. He reiterated the Architectural Review Commission's concern about not having the opportunity to review the site plans. He again expressed his concern for the allowable 35' heights in the PC zones and 3-story development. Commissioner Holden noted that when the maximum height is allowed, developers tend to worry less about the architectural design. He suggested that in these cases, requirements should be made to give something up. Commissioner Downs agreed that the plans be submitted to the Architectural Review Commission before the Planning Commission. Mr. Diaz stated that the Architectural Review Commission does not have public hearings and that is why the Planning Commission reviews the site plans and the Architectural Commission reviews the designs. Councilmember Benson stated that she did not object to 3-story buildings, but mentioned the need to protect what is existing by approving the best possible buildings in those areas. Commissioner Martin also felt that the Architectural Review Commission should have a chance to review the site plans. After further discussion, it was the consensus to go back to the process of having the site plans reviewed by the Architectural Review Commission before Planning Commission hearings. Councilmember Wilson requested that the wording "30 feet - 2-story or as approved" be included in all commercial zones (C-1, PC-2, PC-3, PC-4). Page 4 Joint City Council/Planning Commission/ Architectural Review Commission Meeting Apri115, 1986 Commissioners Drury and Holden suggested that in order to get what is wanted there should be trade-offs (i.e. more parking for additional height). Commissioner McCrea agreed to allow more flexibility. Councilmember Benson stated she would like to see all plans approved by the Planning Commission subject to Council approval. Commissioner Holden noted that in Palm Springs interactions are made by having a Planning Commissioner attend City Council meetings and a Councilmember attend Planning Commission meetings. Mr. Diaz suggested that Council appoint a liaison. B. DENSITIES Mr. Diaz distributed and reviewed his memo on density requirements (Exhibit B). He felt the area of concern is the north sphere. Commissioner Wood felt that the focus should not be on the number per unit but design, layout, benefits, and compatibility. Commissioner Downs used One Quail Place as an example of a project with high density but good design. Councilmember Snyder believed space and parking were concerns. He wants to keep the City in the same general trend; regulations and criteria have to be set. Councilmember Benson was more concerned with the senior overlay density. She felt 30 to 50 people per acre was too high. Commissioner Crites explained that senior housing development has different impacts. He indicated that senior high densities have less impacts than regular high density projects. Future long-term impacts will result from high density projects (i.e. traffic flow). Commissioner Drury indicated that the City needs to keep low densities, but at affordable prices. She also stated that the City should look at the total picture. Commissioner Cook felt that developments with enough open space are acceptable. With open space the small units can have more usable space. Councilmember Snyder emphasized that it's how a project is developed in terms of quality, compatibility, and traffic flow that is important. Guidelines are established, but with an allowance for flexibility . Commissioner Holden believed it's the quality that counts. He did not feel traffic problems are created by high densities. Page 5 Joint City Council/Planning Commission/ Architectural Review Commission Meeting Apri115, 1986 Commissioner Gregory was concerned with the City's tendency to create walled -street projects. He suggested consideration be taken together with density, aesthetics, and an open space feeling. Mayor Kelly felt an important issue to consider is how will the densities affect other cities? Will traffic problems continue to grow even if we stop building? He believed that Coachella Valley Cities have to be in approval with development to prevent further traffic problems. Councilmember Wilson stated that the impact on off -site infrastructure has to be examined before we provide for development. He agreed that the senior citizens' needs have to be addressed, but a balance should be made to make sure they do not look like convalescent homes. Commissioner Wood requested a report from staff regarding senior housing (locations, type of property, what City presently has, etc.). The meeting concluded with some discussion on traffic impacts to the north side. Traffic flow was a real concern. Everyone felt that this meeting was very successful in terms of acquiring different points of view. Future joint meetings will take place more often than in the past and the Architectural Review Commission will be included. IV. ADJOURNMENT: Meeting adjourned at 1:40 p.m. /fr