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Department of Commu
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REQUEST: Uphold the Code Compliance Division's determination that Palm
Desert Mobile Estates be required to remove a non-permitted
recreational vehic(e storage area and associated tent canopies,
and/or obtain a Conditional Use Permit and a business license from
the City to operate the storage area.
SUBMITTED BY: Pedro Rodriguez
Senior Code Compliance Officer
DATE: October 11, 2007
SUBJECT: Appeal from Palm Desert Mobile Estates
APPELLANT: Mr. Mark Bessire
Palm Desert Mobile Estates
CONTENTS: Site Map
Photographs
Recommendation:
Uphold the Code Compliance Division's determination that Palm Desert Mobile
Estates be required to remove a non-permitted recreational vehicle storage area
and associated tent canopies, and/or obtain a Conditional Use Permit and a
business license from the City to operate the storage area.
Backqround:
Palm Desert Mobile Estates, situated on the SW corner of Portola Avenue and the
Whitewater Storm Channel, has been renting spaces in a storage area on the north
perimeter of their property to recreational vehicle owners who do not reside in the
mobile home park. The storage area was previously screened by tamarisk trees which
Staff Report
Palm Desert Mobile Estates
Page 2 of 4
October 9, 2007
were located on land owned by the Coachella Valley Water District. The storage yard
was considered an existing non-conforming use due to the screening provided by the
tamarisk trees. Chapter 25.22 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code allows recreational
vehicle storage areas within mobile home parks with an approved Conditional Use
Permit. The purpose of such a Conditional Use Permit is to stabilize and protect the
residential character of the area and promote a better living environment.
The Coachella Valley Water District removed the trees from their property after
receiving numerous complaints from Palm Desert Mobile Estates that the trees were a
hazard. The removal of the trees exposed the recreational vehicle storage yard
maintained by Palm Desert Mobile Estates to public view from surrounding properties.
Residents of a neighboring development, and some members of the public at large,
have objected to the now-exposed storage area. Recreational vehicles not regulated
as to parking or storing on private property interfere with the appearance, health, safety,
and general welfare of the community. Citizens have a right to enjoyment of property
and protection of property values.
The City has made multiple attempts to gain the cooperation of the property manager,
Mr. Bessire, and to bring the property into compliance with the municipal code or to
negotiate a resolution that mitigates the public nuisance. Those attempts have not been
successful. The only commitment Mr. Bessire has agreed to is to provide one-gallon
plants and a drip irrigation system for the cost of $3,000 including continued
maintenance of the plants. Mr. Bessire stated he intended to then pass this capital
improvement cost onto his residents through the rent control review process.
Chronoloqv:
Below is a chronological list of the events leading to issuance of the Notice to Abate to
Palm Desert Mobile Estates for failure to comply with Chapter 25.22 of the Palm Desert
Municipal Code.
January 30, 2007: The City began to receive numerous complaints regarding the
exposed recreational vehicle storage area.
February 9, 2007: Staff contacted Palm Desert Mobile Estates and met with Mr.
Bessire to discuss the required screening for the storage yard. Staff explained to Mr.
Bessire that he could either remove all the recreational vehicles from the storage yard
or provide screening pursuant to Chapter 25.22 as it outlines the requirement for a
Conditional Use Permit.
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Staff Report
Palm Desert Mobile Estates
Page 3 of 4
October 9, 2007
February 15, 2007: Staff and Mr. Bessire met with the Palm Desert Planning
Department to discuss screening options for the storage yard. Mr. Bessire received
additional information regarding the screening requirements. He agreed to submit a
landscape plan to the City for review.
March 29, 2007: No action on behalf of Mr. Bessire. A letter was mailed requesting he
submit a landscape plan to the City for review and approval to screen the storage yard.
April 23, 2007: Mr. Bessire submitted a landscape plan proposing to install a drip
irrigation system and install one gallon plants every five feet along the entire 1,359 lineal
feet of fence line on the north perimeter and maintain on a regular basis. The City
rejected the landscape plan and Mr. Bessire was informed and he needed to revise the
plans.
May 3, 2007: An "Order to Abate" was mailed to Mr. Bessire due to his failure to submit
a revised landscape plan to the City.
May 17, 2007: The "Order to Abate" dated May 3, 2007 was rescinded due to
negotiations between the City, Coachella Valley Water District, and Mr. Bessire. Mr.
Bessire reported that he would not commit to any of the negotiations unless he was
allowed to pass on the cost of the capital improvement to his residents through the rent
control review process.
July 30, 2007: Mr. Bessiire, ACM Homer Croy, City Manager Carlos Ortega, and Pedro
Rodriguez met in the City Manager's office to discuss a proposal of sharing the cost of
screening the storage area with the City and Coachella Valley Water District.
August 9, 2007: A letter was mailed to Mr. Bessire as a follow up to the meeting held
on July 30, 2007, outlining the proposal to screen the storage yard and share the cost.
August 13, 2007: Mr. Bessire responded to the letter dated August 9, 2007. He did not
commit to the proposal, and reiterated that he would only negotiate and possibly commit
to an agreement if he were allowed to pass this cost on to his residents.
September 17, 2007: An "Order to Abate" was mailed to Mr. Bessire requesting the
removal of all recreational vehicles from the storage area along with the canopy tents,
or apply for a Conditional Use Permit and obtain a city business license.
September 19, 2007: Mr. Bessire filed an appeal to the "Order to Abate" with the City
Clerk's office.
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Staff Report
Palm Desert Mobile Estates
Page 4 of 4
October 9, 2007
Conclusion:
Because of Mr. Bessire's persistent failure to comply with the Order to Abate and to
mitigate the public nuisance presented by the unscreened view of the RV storage area
at the Palm Desert Mobile Estates, staff recommends that the issuance of the Order to
Abate be upheld by the City Council.
Submitted By:
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Pedro Rodriguez
Senior Code Comp ce Officer
Approval:
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Hart Ponder Lauri Aylaian
Code Compliance Mana er Director of Community Development
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Homer Croy Carlos Orte
ACM Develop nt ervices City Manager
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