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STAFF REPORT
REQUEST: THAT THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE A ZONING ORDINANCE
AMENDMENT ADDING CHAPTER 25.130, LOCATION OF
MISCELLANEOUS USES, TO THE PALM DESERT MUNICIPAL
CODE.
SUBMITTED BY: Tony Bagato
Principal Planner
APPILANT: City of Palm Desert
CASE NO: ZOA 10-69
DATE: May 27, 2010
ATTACHMENTS: Ordinance 1213A
Exhibit A, Chapter 25.130
City Council Staff Report, dated April 22, 2010
City Council Minutes, dated April 22, 2010
Recommendation
Waive further reading and pass Ordinance No.1213A to second reading
for approval of a Zoning Ordinance Amendment adding Chapter 25.130,
Location of Miscellaneous Uses, to the Palm Desert Municipal Code.
Discussion
On April 22, 2010, the City Council re'�ciewed the proposed Zoning Ordinance
Amendment, closed the public hearing, and referred the case back to staff to clarify the
grandfathering of existing businesses allowing►'fhem to expand, reduce, or relocate. In
response to City Council's direction, staff added the following section:
Section 25.130.030 Applicability
C. All miscellaneous uses existing on Highway 111 and/or EI Paseo on the
effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter shall be allowed to
expand, reduce, and/or relocate their business on Highway 111 or EI Paseo
in accordance with the following provisions:
Staff Report
ZOA 10-69, Location of Miscellaneous Uses
May 27, 2010
Page 2 of 2
1. Separation distance of 500 feet from the same miscellaneous use
(i.e. a tattoo establishment must be 500 feet from another tattoo
establishment);
2. No change in ownership occurs as part of the expansion, reduction,
and/or relocation of the miscellaneous use.
The modification to the ordinance will allow the grandfathered businesses to expand,
reduce or relocate the existing business as long as it is 500 feet away from a similar
use, and the ownership must remain the same. The proposed modification
accommodates the existing businesses while addressing the concerns of having a high
concentration of these businesses in one area in the city.
In addition to the grandfathering modification, staff has added body branding and/or
body scarring establishments to the list of miscellaneous uses that would be regulated
by this ordinance. Currently, there are no body branding and/or body scarring
establishments within the city. Other cities have addressed this type of business, and
staff believes that it is appropriate to add this to the ordinance.
Submitted By: Department Head:
Tony Ba ato Lauri Aylaian
Principal Planner Director Community Development
Approval:
'� 1. ----��--_---�-
Jo . Wohlmuth, City Manager
G:\Planning\Tony Bagato\Word Files\Formats\StaH Reports�ZOA\10-69 Misc Uses\City Council Misc Uses Revised.doc
ORDINANCE NO. 1213A
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM
DESERT, CALIFORNIA, APPROVNG A ZONING ORDINANCE
AMENDMENT ADDING CHAPTER 25.130 LOCATION OF
MISCELLANEOUS USES TO THE PALM DESERT MUNICIPAL CODE.
CASE NO. ZOA 10-69
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Palm Desert, California, did on
the 16t" day of March, 2010, hold a duly noticed public hearing to consider the request
and by its Resolution No. 2524 has recommended approval of ZOA 10-69; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Palm Desert, California, did on the
22tn day of April, 2010, hold a duly noticed public hearing to consider the request by the
City of Palm Desert for approval of the above noted matter; and
WHEREAS, said application has complied with the requirements of the "City of
Palm Desert Procedure for Implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act",
Resolution No. 06-78, in that the Director of Community Development has determined
that it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the proposed ordinance
may have a significant effect on the environment and is therefore not subject to CEQA,
and
WHEREAS, at said public hearing, upon hearing and considering all testimony
and arguments, if any, of all interested persons desiring to be heard, said City Council
did find the following facts and reasons to exist to justify approval of the said
amendment:
1. The proposed Zoning Ordinance is consistent with the established goals,
policies, and objectives of the General Plan.
2. As described in the General Plan, the City of Palm Desert is the premier
business, resort and residential community in the Coachella Valley, whose
three core economic interests are: retait commercial, resorts and tourism,
and educational institutions.
3. Highway 111 and EI Paseo are significant commercial corridors of the
City, with viewsheds that require special land use provisions to promote a
quality image of Palm Desert.
4. That the proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendment will not be detrimental
to the public health, safety or general welfare, or be materially injurious to
properties or improvements in the City of Palm Desert.
5. The purpose of this Zoning Ordinance is to establish standards and
procedures to promote quality development along the city's commercial
corridors and throughout the city in general, in support of the goals,
ORDINANCE NO. 1213A
programs, and policies established in the Economic & Fiscal and
Community Design Elements of the General Plan.
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Palm Desert, California, DOES HEREBY
ORDAIN, AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1: That Section 25.130 is hereby approved as described in Exhibit A,
attached hereto.
SECTION 2: That the City Clerk of the City of Palm Desert, California, is hereby
directed to publish this ordinance in the Desert Sun, a newspaper of general circulation,
published and circulated in the City of Palm Desert, California, and shall be in full force and
effect thirty (30) days after its adoption.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Palm Desert
City Council, held on this 27th day of May, 2010, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
CINDY FINERTY, Mayor
ATTEST:
RACHELLE KLASSEN, City Clerk
Palm Desert City Council
2
ORDINANCE NO. 1213A
EXHIBIT A
CHAPTER 25.130
LOCATION OF MISCELLANEOUS USES
Sections:
25.130.010 Findings and Purpose
25.130.020 Definitions
25.130.030 Applicability
25.130.040 Location
Section 25.130.010 Findings and Purpose
A. This ordinance is based on the following findings:
1. The proposed Zoning Ordinance is consistent with the established goals,
policies, and objectives of the General Plan;
2. As described in the General Plan, the City of Palm Desert is the premier
business, resort and residential community in the Coachella Valley, whose three core
economic interests are: retail commercial, resorts and tourism, and educational
institutions;
3. Highway 111 and EI Paseo are significant commercial corridors of the
City, with viewsheds that require special land use provisions to promote a quality image
of Palm Desert;
4. Miscellaneous uses, including body branding and/or body scarring
establishment, tattoo and body piercing establishments, pawn shops, fortune teller or
palm readers, independent massage establishments, smoke shops, billiards or pool
halls, and bail bond establishments, do not contribute to the positive development or
economic vitality of Highway 111 and EI Paseo and are antithetical to the core
economic interests of the City, as defined by the Economic and Fiscal Element of the
General Plan;
5. Eliminating miscellaneous uses within these commercial corridors will
assist in preserving the quality of development along the City's primary entryways;
B. The purpose of this chapter is to establish standards and procedures to promote
quality development along the city's commercial corridors and throughout the city in
general, in support of the goals, programs, and policies established in the Economic &
Fiscal and Community Design Elements of the General Plan.
Section 25.130.020 Definitions
A. "Bail bond establishment" means any establishment where bail bonds can be
purchased.
B. "Body branding and/or body scarring establishment" means a business providing
body branding, i.e. impressing or burning a mark or figure on the skin of a person with a
3
ORDINANCE NO. 1213A
hot object or flame; and/or body scarring, i.e. any method by which a scar is applied to
or left upon the skin of a person.
C. "Body piercing establishment" means an establishment where, for commercial
purposes, the act of penetrating the skin to make generally permanent in nature, a hole,
mark, or scar. "Body piercing" does not include the use of inechanized, pre-sterilized
ear-piercing system that penetrates the outer perimeter or lobe of the ear or both.
D. "Fortune teller or palm reader" means someone who, for commercial purposes,
claims to see the future and reads customers' fortunes.
E. "Independent massage establishment" means a massage establishment as
defined in Section 5.87.020 where the primary and predominant business service is the
practice of massage as defined in Section 5.87.020. An independent massage
establishment is not an establishment that is associated with or located on the premises
of a resort, country club, hotel, or health club.
F. "Miscellaneous uses" include tattoo establishments, body piercing
establishments, pawn shops, fortune teller or palm readers, independent massage
establishments, smoke shops, billiards or pool halls, and bail bond establishments.
G. "Pawn shop" means a business that offers secured loans to people, with items of
personal property used as collateral.
H. "Smoke shop" means an establishment that primarily sells tobacco products (as
defined in Section 8.34.010) and generates at least 50% of its gross revenue from the
sale of tobacco paraphernalia (as defined in Section 8.34.010), including such
paraphernalia that may be used with illegal drugs. A smoke shop is not a retail tobacco
establishment. A retail tobacco establishment is an establishment that generates less
than 50% of its gross revenue from the sale of tobacco paraphernalia and generates
more than 80% of its gross revenue from the sale of tobacco products, excluding
cigarettes. Retail tobacco establishments are exempt from this ordinance prohibition.
I. "Tattoo establishment" means a business providing tattooing, i.e. marking of the
skin of a person by insertion of permanent colors by introducing them through puncture
of the skin. A tattoo establishment does not include beauty salons, health spas, and/or
similar establishments that provide permanent makeup on the skin of the face,
including, but not limited to, the permanent coloring of the eyebrows, lip line, and eye
line.
Section 25.130.030 Applicability
A. All new miscellaneous uses shall be subject to these regulations and all other
applicable regulations.
B. All miscellaneous uses existing on the effective date of the ordinance codified in
this chapter shall be considered permitted uses, and allowed to continue their usage as
they presentty exist.
C. All miscellaneous uses existing on Highway 111 and/or EI Paseo on the effective
date of the ordinance codified in this chapter shall be allowed to expand, reduce, and/or
relocate their business on Highway 111 or EI Paseo in accordance with the following
provisions:
4
ORDINANCE NO. 1213A
1. Separation distance of 500 feet from the same miscellaneous use (i.e. a
tattoo establishment must be 500 feet from another tattoo establishment);
2. No change in ownership occurs as part of the expansion, reduction,
and/or relocation of the miscellaneous use.
Section 25.130.040 Location
A. No miscellaneous uses shall be established in the following locations:
1 . Along Highway 111 or within 300 feet of the right-of-way of Highway 111;
2. Along EI Paseo or within 300 feet of the right-of-way of EI Paseo.
B. Miscellaneous uses are permitted in all areas of the City where not otherwise
prohibited by code, except as provided in Section 25.130.030(A), but may not be within
1,000 feet from a same use (i.e. a pawn shop must be 1,000 feet from another pawn
shop, not other miscellaneous uses listed in this section).
C. The measure of reference distance in this section shall be a straight line from the
nearest property line containing the miscellaneous use to the nearest property line of an
affected use or other miscellaneous use, without regard to intervening structures.
SECTION 2. SEVERABILITY
If any section, subsection, clause or phrase of this Ordinance or any part thereof is for
any reason held to be invalid, unconstitutional, or unenforceable by the decision of any
court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the
remaining portion of the Ordinance. The City Council declares that it would have
passed each section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase thereof,
irrespective of the fact that any one or more section, subsection, sentence, clause or
phrase would be declared invalid, unconstitutional or unenforceable.
SECTION 3. COMPLIANCE WITH CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
Pursuant to state and local environmental regulations, it has been determined that the
regulations encompassed in this ordinance are not subject to the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not
result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment)
and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA
Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no
potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
SECTION 4. PUBLICATION AND EFFECTIVE DATE
The City Clerk of the City of Palm Desert, California, is hereby directed to publish this
ordinance in the Desert Sun, a newspaper of general circulation, published and
circulated in the City of Palm Desert, California, and shall be in full force and effective
thirty (30) days after its adoption.
5
CITY OF PALM DESERT
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
STAFF REPORT
REQUEST: THAT THE CITY OF PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL APPROVE A
ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT ADDING CHAPTER 25.130,
LOCATION OF MISCELLANEOUS USES, TO THE PALM DESERT
MUNICIPAL CODE.
SUBMITTED BY: Kevin Swartz, Assistant Planner
APPILANT: City of Palm Desert
73-510 Fred Waring Drive
Palm Desert, CA 92260
CASE NO: ZOA 10-69
DATE: April 22, 2010
ATTACHMENTS: Ordinance
Exhibit A, Chapter 25.130
Planning Commission Minutes dated 16 March 2010
Legal Notice
Recommendation
Waive further reading and pass Ordinance No.1213 to second reading for
approval of a Zoning Ordinance Amendment adding Chapter 25.130,
Location of Miscellaneous Uses, to the Palm Desert Municipal Code.
Planninq Commission Recommendation
At its meeting of March 16, 2010,the Planning Commission recommended approval to
the City Council of ZOA 10-69 adding Chapter 25.130, Location of Miscellaneous Uses,
to the Palm Desert Municipal Code by Resolution No. 2524 on a 3-2 vote, with
Commissioners Campbell and Tanner voting no.
Executive Summary
Approval of staff's recommendation would approve a zoning ordinance amendment
adding Chapter 25.130, Location of Miscellaneous Uses, to the Palm Desert Municipal
Code. This change would prohibit certain new miscellaneous uses along Highway 111
Staff Report
ZOA 10-69, Location of Miscellaneous Uses
April 22, 2010
Page 2 of 4
and EI Paseo, including tattoo and body piercing establishments, pawn shops, fortune
tellers or palm readers, smoke shops, billiards or pool halls, independent massage
establishments, and bail bonds establishments. All existing miscellaneous uses will be
considered legal non-conforming and will be allowed to continue business until such
business is no longer in operation. The intent of the ordinance, which was prepared at
the request of the Planning Commission, is to promote a better visual character of Palm
Desert as a destination resort community along the main core commercial area of the
city.
Backqround
Regulation of tattoo establishments has been discussed at several times in the City of
Palm Desert, dating back to December of 1997 when the city had only two tattoo
establishments on Highway 111. The City Council discussed regulating the location of
tattoo establishments as part of an ordinance dealing with the location of adult
businesses. After discussion, the City Councii chose not to identify tattoo
establishments as adult entertainment businesses. At that time, the City Council
determined that tattoo establishments were no differe.nt than barber or beauty shops
offering personal services.
Since the original discussion in 1997, there has been an increase in the number of tattoo
establishments; there are currently six tattoo establishments, of which five are located on
Highway 111 in the commercial core of the city.
At the November 10, 2009 Planning Commission meeting, Commissioner DeLuna asked
staff to research potential regulations on the location of tattoo establishments because of
the high number of them in one area of the city.
On December 15, 2009, staff presented four possible approaches for regulation regarding
tattoo establishments. After the discussion regarding the possible approaches for
regulation and concerns regarding singling out tattoo establishments, the Commission
discussed how other uses along Highway 111 and E! Paseo (such as smoke shops,
independent massage establishments, pawn shops, and fortune tellers) could be included
in this discussion. The Planning Commission's intent was to preserve a visual quality
along the City's main commercial corridor in order to preserve the quality of development
along the city's primary entryways. Staff also recommended that existing businesses be
considered grandfathered in along Highway 111.
At the March 16, 2010 Planning Commission meeting, staff proposed ZOA 10-69
identified as Chapter 25.130, Location of Miscellaneous Uses. The Commissioners had a
long discussion and listened to testimony from tattoo business owners who would be
potentially affected by this ordinance. The owners were worried about being landlocked,
and not being able to relocate to a larger or sma�ler location on Highway 111.
G:\Planning\Kevin Swartz\Word�Misceltaneous Ordlcc report misc ord(3).doc
Staff Report
ZOA 10-69, Location of Miscellaneous Uses
April 22, 2010
Page 3 of 4
Discussion
The miscellaneous uses identified in the ordinance were included under the belief that
they do not contribute to the positive development or economic vitality of Highway 111
and EI Paseo. In fact, if they discourage high-end or premium retailers from locating in the
area, they are antithetical to the core economic interests of the City, as defined by the
Economic and Fiscal Element of the General Plan. Eliminating miscellaneous uses within
these commercial corridors will assist in enhancing and preserving a higher quality of
development along the city's primary entryways.
Currently along Highway 111 and EI Paseo there are five tattoo establishments, eight
independent massage establishments, one palm reader, and three smoke shops.
Under the proposed ordinance, the existing uses will be grandfathered in as permitted
uses, and wiN be allowed to continue their usage as they presently exist. All new
miscellaneous uses would be subject to the proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendment
regulations and all other applicable regulations. No new miscellaneous uses would be
established along, or within 300 feet of, the rights-of-way for Highway 111 and EI
Paseo. Miscellaneous uses would be permitted in all commercial or senrice industrial
areas of the city where not otherwise prohibited by code, with a 1,000 foot separation
requirement from a same use. For example, a tattoo establishment must be 1,000 feet
from another tattoo establishment, but not from other miscellaneous uses listed in this
section. In order to determine the distance, a straight line would be measured from the
nearest property line containing the miscellaneous use to the nearest property line of an
affected use or other miscellaneous use, without regard to intervening structures.
Staff does not foresee significant adverse impacts to the existing businesses since they
will be allowed to continue their usage. New businesses would not be impacted, since
there will still be many areas of the city in which they are permitted.
Environmental Review
The proposed amendment is exempt from further environmental review under the
California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA")(Cal. Pub. Res. Code, section 21000 et
seq.) and its implementing regulations based on the general rule that CEQA applies
only to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the
environment (CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3). Staff has determined that no
significant impacts will occur because miscellaneous uses would be permitted in all
areas of the City where not otherwise prohibited by code.
Conclusion
Palm Desert is known for being a resort destination, and Highway 111 and El Paseo are
important commercial corridors of the City. Preserving the commercial viewsheds requires
unique land use provisions to promote a high quality visual character for Palm Desert.
G:\Planning\Kevin Swartz\Word�Miscellaneous Orcnec report misc ord(3).doc
Staff Report
ZOA 10-69, Location of Miscelianeous Uses
April 22, 2010
Page 4 of 4
The purpose of this ordinance is to establish standards and procedures to promote a
higher quality of development along the city's commercial corridors, and throughout the
city in general, in support of the goals, programs, and policies established in the
Economic & Fiscal and Community Design Elements of the General Plan.
Adding Chapter 25.130, Location of Miscellaneous Uses, to the Palm Desert Municipal
Code helps achieve the General Plan vision, promoting and preserving a high quality of
development along the city's primary entryways of Highway 111 and EI Paseo, while
protecting the interests of the existing businesses.
Fiscal Analvsis
The fiscal impact to the City associated with adding Chapter 25.130, Location of
Miscellaneous Uses, to the Palm Desert Municipal Code is negligible. It can be argued
that the miscellaneous uses do not contribute to the economic vitality of Highway 111
and EI Paseo. The City of Palm Desert receives nominal sales tax from smoke shops
and pawn shops, while the other uses provide services that do not generate sales tax.
Submitted By: Department Head:
� i'��
Kevin Swartz auri Aylaian
Assistant Planner Director Community Development
CiTY COUNC'II,qC'�IpM
Ov . � APPROVED %_ '�__DEN(F�
G� RECEIVED
OTHER
M. Wohlmuth, City Manager 1�'�EETI DATE a • ' C/C;
AYES: 'y Sa -� E � �t ��-.t
, NOES:
ABSEN'1't ' )-
ABSTAINr
VERIFIED BYs /
Ori�iiwl oa Ftk w�it6 City rk's Offics
* By l�iinute Motion, refer the Case back to staff for
clarification regarding the grandfathering of
egisting businesses at this time as to what they can
do in the future (i.e., expansion, downsizing,
reloation) including an appropriate process for such
consideration. 3-1 (Kelly N0, Ferguson ABSENT)
G:\Planning\Kevin SwaAz\Word�Miscellaneous O�cc report misc ord(3).doc
ORDINANCE NO. �2�3
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM
DESERT, CALIFORNIA, APPROVNG A ZONING ORDINANCE
AMENDMENT ADDING CHAPTER 25.130 LOCATION OF
MISCELLANEOUS USES TO THE PALM DESERT MUNICIPAL CODE.
CASE NO. ZOA 10-69
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Palm Desert, California, did
on the 16th day of March, 2010, hold a duly noticed public hearing to consider the
request by the City of Palm Desert and recommended approval to the City Council of
the above noted matter; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Palm Desert, California, did on the
22nd day Of Ap�ll, 2010, hold a duly noticed public hearing to consider the request by the
City of Palm Desert for approval of the above noted matter; and
WHEREAS, said application has complied with the requirements of the "City of
Palm Desert Procedure for Implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act",
Resolution No. 06-78, in that the Director of Community Development has determined
that it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the proposed ordinance
may have a significant effect on the environment and is therefore not subject to CEQA,
and
WHEREAS, at said public hearing, upon hearing and considering all testimony
and arguments, if any, of all interested persons desiring to be heard, said City Council
did find the following facts and reasons to exist to justify approval of the said
amendment:
1. The proposed Zoning Ordinance is consistent with the established goals,
policies, and objectives of the General Plan.
2. As described in the General Plan, the City of Palm Desert is the premier
business, resort and residential community in the Coachella Valley, whose
three core economic interests are: retail commercial, reso�ts and tourism,
and educational institutions.
3. Highway 111 and EI Paseo are significant commercial corridors of the
City, with viewsheds that require special land use provisions to promote a
quality image of Palm Desert.
4. That the proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendment will not be detrimental
to the public health, safety or general welfare, or be materially injurious to
properties or improvements in the City of Palm Desert.
5. The purpose of this Zoning Ordinance is to establish standards and
procedures to promote quality development along the city's commercial
corridors and throughout the city in general, in support of the goals,
ORDINANCE NO. 1213
programs, and policies established in the Economic & Fiscal and
Community Design Elements of the General Plan.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, DOES
ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1: That the above recitations are true and correct and constitute the
findings of the City Council on this matter.
SECTION 2: Palm Desert Municipal Code Chapter 25.130 is hereby amended
and restated as described in Exhibit A, attached hereto.
SECTION 3: That the City Clerk of the City of Palm Desert, California, is hereby
directed to publish this ordinance in the Desert Sun, a newspaper
of general circulation, published and circulated in the City of Palm
Desert, California, and shall be in full force and effective thirty (30)
days after its adoption.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Palm Desert
City Council, held on this 22"d day of April, 2010, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
CINDY FINERTY, Mayor
ATTEST:
RACHELLE KLASSEN, City Clerk
Palm Desert City Council
2
ORDINANCE NO. 1213
EXHIBIT A
CHAPTER 25.130
LOCATION OF MISCELLANEOUS USES
Sections:
25.130.010 Findings and Purpose
25.130.020 Definitions
25.130.030 � Applicability
25.130.040 Location
Section 25.130.010 Findings and Purpose
A. This ordinance is based on the following findings:
1. The proposed Zoning Ordinance is consistent with the established goals,
policies, and objectives of the General Plan;
2. As described in the General Plan, the City of Palm Desert is the premier
business, resort and residential community in the Coachella Valley, whose three core
economic interests are: retail commercial, resorts and tourism, and educational
institutions;
3. Highway 111 and EI Paseo are significant commercial corridors of the
City, with viewsheds that require special land use provisions to promote a quality image
of Palm Desert;
4. Miscellaneous uses, including tattoo and body piercing establishments,
pawn shops, fortune teller or palm readers, independent massage establishments,
smoke shops, billiards or pool halls, and bail bond establishments, do not contribute to
the positive development or economic vitality of Highway 111 and EI Paseo and are
antithetical to the core economic interests of the City, as defined by the Economic and
Fiscal Element of the General Plan;
5. Eliminating miscellaneous uses within these commerciaf corridors will
assist in preserving the quality of development along the City's primary entryways;
B. The purpose of this chapter is to establish standards and procedures to promote
quality development along the city's commercial corridors and throughout the city in
general, in support of the goals, programs, and policies established in the Economic &
Fiscal and Community Design Elements of the General Plan.
Section 25.130.020 Definitions
A. "Bail bond establishment" means any establishment where bail bonds can be
purchased.
B. "Body piercing establishment" means an establishment where, for commercial
purposes, the act of penetrating the skin to make generally permanent in nature, a hole,
mark, or scar. "Body piercing" does not include the use of inechanized, pre-sterilized
ear-piercing system that penetrates the outer perimeter or lobe of the ear or both.
3
ORDINANCE NO. �213
C. "Fortune teller or palm reader" means someone who, for commercial purposes,
claims to see the future and reads customers' fortunes.
D. "Independent massage establishment" means a massage establishment as
defined in Section 5.87.020 where the primary and predominant business service is the
practice of massage as defined in Section 5.87.020. An independent massage
establishment is not an establishment that is associated with or located on the premises
of a resort, country club, hotel, or health club.
E. "Miscellaneous uses" include tattoo establishments, body piercing
establishments, pawn shops, fortune teller or palm readers, independent massage
establishments, smoke shops, billiards or pool halls, and bail bond establishments.
F. "Pawn shop" means a business that offers secured loans to people, with items of
personal property used as collateral.
G. "Smoke shop" means an establishment that primarily sells tobacco products (as
defined in Section 8.34.010) and generates at least 50% of its gross revenue from the
sale of tobacco paraphernalia (as defined in Section 8.34.010), including such
paraphernalia that may be used with illegal drugs. A smoke shop is not a retail tobacco
establishment. A retail tobacco establishment is an establishment that generates less
than 50% of its gross revenue from the sale of tobacco paraphernalia and generates
more than 80% of its gross revenue from the sale of tobacco products, excluding
cigarettes. Retail tobacco establishments are exempt from this ordinance prohibition.
H. "Tattoo establishmenY' means a business providing tattooing, i.e. marking of the
skin of a person by insertion of permanent colors by introducing them through puncture
of the skin. A tattoo establishment does not include beauty salons, health spas, and/or
similar establishments that provide permanent makeup on the skin of the face,
including, but not limited to, the permanent coloring of the eyebrows, lip line, and eye
line.
Section 25.130.030 Applicability
A. All new miscellaneous uses shall be subject to these regulations and all other
applicable regulations.
B. All miscellaneous uses existing on the effective date of the ordinance codified in
this chapter shall be considered permitted uses, and allowed to continue their usage as
they presently exist.
Section 25.130.040 Location
A. No miscellaneous uses shalt be established in the following {ocations:
1. Along Highway 111 or within 300 feet of the right-of-way of Highway 111;
2. Along EI Paseo or within 300 feet of the right-of-way of EI Paseo.
B. Miscellaneous uses are permitted in all areas of the City where not otherwise
prohibited by code, except as provided in Section 25.130.030(A), but may not be within
1,000 feet from a same use (i.e. a pawn shop must be 1,000 feet from another pawn
shop, not other miscellaneous uses listed in this section).
4
ORDINANCE N0.1213
C. The measure of reference distance in this section shall be a straight line from the
nearest property line containing the miscellaneous use to the nearest property line of an
affected use or other miscellaneous use, without regard to intervening structures.
SECTION 2. SEVERABILITY
If any section, subsection, clause or phrase of this Ordinance or any part thereof is for
any reason held to be invalid, unconstitutional, or unenforceable by the decision of any
court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the
remaining portion of the Ordinance, The City Council declares that it would have
passed each section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase thereof,
irrespective of the fact that any one or more section, subsection, sentence, clause or
phrase would be declared invalid, unconstitutional or unenforceable.
SECTION 3. COMPLIANCE WITH CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
Pursuant to state and local environmental regulations, it has been determined that the
regulations encompassed in this ordinance are not subject to the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not
result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment)
and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA
Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no
potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
SECTION 4. PUBLICATION AND EFFECTIVE DATE
The City Clerk of the City of Pafm Desert, California, is hereby directed to publish this
ordinance in the Desert Sun, a newspaper of general circulation, published and
circulated in the City of Palm Desert, California, and shall be in full force and effective
thirty (30) days after its adoption.
5
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PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MARCH 16 010
they would be approving, the resolution which defines outcroppings and
indicates that destruction of the outcropping is prohibited. What he stated
deletes from that resolution any reference to the ridgeline map. Chair
Limont asked if there was a motion.
Action:
It was moved by Commissioner Schmidt, seconded by Commissioner
Tanner, approving the findings. The motion carried 4-1 (Commissioner
Campbell voted no).
Mr. Erwin stated that the other item that they mentioned was the potential
survey. He asked if they would want to convey to the Council a suggestion
with regard to the ridgeline map. If they wished to do that, it would be a
matter of inerely the Chairman of the Commission, if that was the wish of
the Commission, conveying that information to the City Council.
Chairperson Limont asked if they should do that as a Miscellaneous item
or as part of this. Mr. Erwin said this. Basically that has been the
discussion so far. He suggested a motion and second and a vote
requesting the Chairperson to convey that information to the Council.
It was moved by Commissioner Tanner, seconded by Commissioner
Schmidt, by minute motion, authorizing Chairperson Limont to convey to
the City Council a request for a survey by a licensed professional engineer
to identify ridgelines in the HPR zoned area.
Commissioner Schmidt stated that she did not want to discount the work
that Mr. Stendell and staff have done on this and encouraged them to
have that as a starting point. Mr. Erwin said that could be included in the
conveyance. Chairperson Limont called for the vote. The motion carried 5-
0.
(*"See additional discussion on pages 18-19, items 1 and 3**)
� D. Case No. ZOA 10-69 — CITY OF PALM DESERT, Applicant
Request for a recommendation to the City Council to
approve a Zoning Ordinance Amendment adding Chapter
25.130, Location of Miscellaneous Uses, to the Palm Desert
Municipal Code.
Assistant Planner Kevin Swartz reviewed the staff report. He noted a
change on Page 4 of the resolution under E, Miscellaneous Uses, where it
listed thrift stores. The words "thrift stores" should be replaced with
"independent massage establishments." Staff recommended that the
10
MINUTES
PALM DESERT PLANNfNG COMMISSION MARCH 16 2010
Planning Commission recommend to the City Council approval of the
Zoning Ordinance Amendment adding Chapter 25.130 Location of
Miscellaneous Uses to the Palm Desert Municipal Code. Mr. Swart2
informed the Commission that staff also advertised this item to all the
businesses mentioned in this ordinance. They also handed out copies to
individuals at the counter, but only received one response in writing. That
response was before the Commission from Bert Bruning of Palm Desert
Tobacco. Mr. Bruning was recommending that the Commission add on
Page 4 under G under smoke shops the wording to the sentence half way
down the page that states, "A retail tobacco establishment is an
establishment that generates less than 50% of its gross revenue from the
sale of tobacco paraphernalia and generates more than 80% of its gross
revenue from the sale of tobacco products." Mr. Bruning wanted to add at
the end "excluding cigarettes." Mr. Swartz asked for any questions.
Commissioner Schmidt asked why they would exclude cigarettes. Mr.
Swartz said that in speaking with him on the phone, he sells higher end
tobacco and he was worried about an influx of lower-end tobacco cigarette
stores. Commissioner Campbell asked if he meant one like the
establishment in the Palms to Pines center. Mr. Swartz said yes, he was
worried about an influx of stores such as that.
Commissioner DeLuna asked what it would take to add "excluding
cigarettes". Did they just add it in to anything they approved? Mr. Erwin
said they are permitted to add or delete anything that they wish when they
finally make a decision with regard to this resolution. They were absolutely
free to add it if they wished.
Chairperson Limont opened the public hearing and asked if anyone
wished to address the Commission in FAVOR of or in OPPOSITION to the
proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendment.
MR. BUDDY HAYNES, 73338 Highway 111, Suite 5, asked if the
existing tattoo shops on Highway 111 would be considered
grandfathered in, but if they were to move a year from now down
the road, would they still be permitted to stay on Highway 111 or
would they have to locate off of Highway 111.
Mr. Erwin said if he moved the location, it would have to be off of Highway
111.
Mr. Haynes asked if that was off of Highway 111 permanentty.
Mr. Erwin said yes.
11
MINUTES
PALM DESERT PLANNINC GOMMI�SION M H 16 2010
Mr. Haynes didn't agree with the change. He couldn't speak to the
other Miscel�aneous Uses, but if he had a 99-year lease at his
present location versus a two-year lease, he didn't see what the
difference would be if he was to move two doors down or stay at
the same spot. With the economy fluctuating, if business gets
slower and he needs to downsize, he would still like to stay on
Highway 111. Or if business got better, he would like to move to a
bigger building. He recommended that those already on Highway
111 should be able to choose if they would like to leave where
they're at and still stay there, but at just a different address. He
wanted them to put in a compromise or addition to the ordinance.
MR. TROY LAWRENCE, 73-640 Highway 111, said he wasn't
there to dispute anything, he was there to commend them for
hearing them out initially and letting them speak their piece when
this came out. The City was able to listen to what they had to say
and make recommendations, listen to their advice. He did agree
with it and there was only one thing to add and it didn't have
anything to do with his business. There was another business they
might want to consider to try to monitor and it was right next to him
and it had to do with adult toys and stuff like that. He knew that
wasn't in there, but he was willing to bet that was something that
might come up, so it something they might want to try to spearhead
before they start having some of those start popping up down the
street. Once they have this ordinance, and he wasn't sure there
was anything to control that, but once they see they are set in stone
where they're at, someone might get an idea to start working their
way down Highway 111 and then they would be right back here
with that issue. He commended them again for letting them take
care of business and that's why they live and work in this city.
Commissioner Tanner asked what type of business he was referring to
next to his establishment.
Mr. Lawrence said it is called Skitzo Kitty; it's adult things.
Mr. Bagato indicated that there is an existing city ordinance that deals with
adult entertainment. When that business was initially approved, it was
supposed to be mainly a lingerie store. If they have expanded that beyond
the realm of what they would define as lingerie, they could look into it.
Adult book stores are currently not allowed on Highway 111.
Mr. Lawrence said it seemed to be fairly decent; however, he just
wanted to bring it up to make sure it didn't get out of control.
12 �
MINUTES
PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MARCH 16. 201 Q
Commissioner Tanner asked for confirmation that it is addressed in an
existing ordinance. Mr. Bagato said that was correct. Locations are .
supposed to be in industrial areas like Cook Street or off of Dinah Shore.
Staff would look into it.
Commissioner Campbell asked Mr. Lawrence if he was happy to be
grandfathered in.
Mr. Lawrence replied extremely happy.
Commissioner Campbell asked if he owned the building or if he was
renting or leasing.
Mr. Lawrence said he was leasing right now.
Commissioner Campbell asked if his landlord knew he couldn't move
anywhere else because it wouldn't be allowed on Highway 111 and his
rent went up, what he would do then.
Mr. Lawrence said it was controlled by a management company
and he knew there were stipulations and laws that they aren't
allowed to do that. He has known the gentleman, Mr. Otto Lupia, for
15 years and he didn't think he would take advantage.
Commissioner Campbell said that was just him. What about the other
tattoo owners? They may have that possibility where they are caught like
that and can't move anywhere else.
Mr. Lawrence couldn't speak for the others, but concurred.
MR. JAMES LIVINGSTON, 73338 Highway 111, Suite 5, said he is
co-owner of Inksanity Tattoo. He wanted to address what Mr.
Haynes said earlier as far this being grandfathered in. If his lease is
up within two years, he would like the option to move two doors
down or a street down on Highway 111. Another issue was they
were excluding permanent cosmetics. Permanent cosmetics were
no different from what he does. It's the same thing. They break the
surface of the skin just as much as he does. They use the same
needles; the machines might be different. By excluding them, the
tattoo industry, they needed to involve permanent cosmetics also
with them. He wanted to bring that to everybody's attention; it had
not been mentioned. To move them and not letting him be able to
open a business within five years down the road if his lease is up,
that should apply to them too. He said about 38% to 40% is tourist
13
MINUTES
PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MARCH 16. 2010
business from out of town. They come from Lake Elsinore, Moreno
Valley, and Orange County.
There was no one else wishing to speak and Chairperson Limont closed
the public hearing.
Commissioner Tanner knew they talked about tattoos and permanent
makeup; he asked if there was any distinction befinreen them. It clearly
was similar. Mr. Bagato stated that according to the State and Riverside
County Health and Safety there is no difference. They talked about from a
Health Department view there is no difference. But staff was asked to look
at the impact in terms of a resort community in the commercial core and a
concentration of them in one area. They didn't treat them with beauty
salons because they weren't looking at them from a health and safety
standpoint, but from land uses that are compatible in a resort community
for visual character along the commercial core when the concern was first
brought up. That's why they separated the two. But by the Health and
Safery Code, they are completely the same.
Commissioner Campbell's recommendation was that they leave
everything as is. She didn't think by removing the tattoo parlors and the
tobacco shops on Highway 111 that it was going to make Highway 111
look any better. It needed a complete revamp and to leave them as it is,
and when they have other applications, go ahead and have a conditional
use permit that would come in front of the Planning Commission to
approve or not approve them. Commissioner Tanner asked if that was a
motion. Commissioner Campbell said yes.
Action:
It was moved by Commissioner Campbell, seconded by Commissioner
Tanner, to keep the current ordinance and have the applications come
before the Planning Commission with a conditional use permit.
Commissioner DeLuna asked if there was anything they had talked about
that would limit their vicinity to schools, parks, or churches. Commissioner
Campbell explained that would come with the conditional use permit when
it comes before them. Commissioner DeLuna thought they decided at the
last meeting that requiring a CUP for this type of business was not the
best solution. They already decided that. Commissioner Campbell
explained that it hadn't been voted on yet. Commissioner DeLuna
indicated that it was in the staff report. And they asked staff to analyze
other land use compatibility requirements. Commissioner Campbell said
that was true.
14
MINUTES
PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MARCH 16� 2010
Commissioner Schmidt asked for clarification. Commissioner Campbell
said her motion was to leave everything as it is and have any application
come before the Planning Commission for consideration where they could
approve a conditional use permit or deny it.
Commissioner DeLuna asked if she was asking them to deny what staff
was recommending. Commissioner Campbell concurred. Commissioner
Schmidt reiterated that she was requesting them to do nothing. In relation
to how they would vote, Commissioner DeLuna asked if that meant they
vote no for staff's recommendation. Mr. Erwin pointed out that they were
talking about conditional use permits and there were no existing
conditional use permit requirements for these businesses.
Commissioner Campbell said they could go ahead and require a
conditional use permit for these services. Mr. Erwin said if that was the
desire of the Commission, staff would need to bring back to them an
additional recommendation to include these as conditional use permit
requirements in other zones.
Chairperson Limont requested clarification that Commissioner Campbell
was recommending that they deny staff's recommendation to change the
current ordinance and direct them to come back with a conditional use
permit requirement. Commissioner Campbell concurred.
Commissioner DeLuna asked if that was the motion that has been
seconded. Commissioner Tanner said that would be his second.
Commissioner DeLuna requested that they clarify one more time what
they were voting on. Mr. Erwin understood the motion to be made to deny
the staff recommendation; to instruct staff to bring it back to the Planning
Commission with the additional requirement of conditional use permits for
these businesses in other locations. Commissioner Campbell said that
was correct.
Commissioner Schmidt clarified that a yes vote would be in favor of denial.
Mr. Erwin concurred that a yes vote would be in favor of denying the staff
recommendation and instructing that they come back with something
additional to this ordinance that would impose conditional use permit
requirements on these businesses in other locations other than Highway
111 and EI Paseo. Commissioner DeLuna reiterated that a no vote
supports the staff recommendation. Mr. Erwin confirmed that a no vote
would support the City staff recommendation. Commissioner Schmidt said
they would have to take a separate action again on the resolution if
Commissioner Campbell's motion fails. Chairperson Limont concurred.
15
MINUTES
PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MARCH 16� 201 Q
Commissioner Tanner asked if there was still room for discussion.
Chairperson Limont said yes. Commissioner Tanner said his concern has
been aired twice here and that it is for local estabtishments on Highway
111 currently. The Iong-term leases or ownership property secures that
presence on Highway 111. His concern was for a short-term lease or an
owner just deciding at the conclusion of that lease that they no longer
want to have this particular establishment in their building. They could say
� no, they are not going to extend the lease. This denied an already
established performing business in the city of Palm Desert the opportunity
to continue that endeavor on Highway 111; that's where they want to be.
At the same time, he wanted it understood when adopting the requirement
for a new CUP that they suggest that there is no more room for these
particular types of establishments and that they not eliminate the
opportuniry for established businesses to continue, either in a smaller
place or a larger place on Highway 111. Because the way he understood
it, once they are out of that one particular spot, they are no longer going to
be able to lease, even if they come to the Planning Commission because
a conditional use permit will say no more establishments of this type.
Mr. Erwin clarified that a conditional use permit wouldn't say that, this
ordinance says that regardless of a conditional use permit. If they wished
to put in the ordinance that they could move, then they would have to talk
in terms of same location, similar location and determine if they then are
required to comply with the other distance restrictions from other
operations; can they expand their business, etc.; a number of things.
Commissioner Tanner said he had a difficult time taking the ability of one
to make money away at the whim of a building owner or what have you.
Commissioner Campbell stated that her motion still stood to come to the
Planning Commission with a conditional use permit and Commissioner
Tanner had seconded the motion.
Commissioner DeLuna asked if in the worst case scenario what they were
talking about occurs, they are not precluded from doing business in
another Iocation in the ciry, they are just precluded from being on Highway
111; Service Industrial zones or such other designated zones could still
accommodate the business, just not the location. Mr. Erwin said that was
correct.
Mr. Erwin asked for clarification that the conditional use permit as he
understood it would not apply on Highway 111 or EI Paseo, but would
apply in other zones within the city off of EI Paseo. He had the feeling that
perhaps they were talking about a relocation of one existing on Highway
111 and EI Paseo requiring a conditional use permit. He asked if that was
what he was hearing. Commissioner Campbell said that was correct. Mr.
16
MINUTES
ESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MARCH 16 201
Erwin said that if an existing business on Highway 111 wants to relocate
to Highway 111, they go through a conditional use permit process. Both
Commissioners Campbell and Tanner concurred. Mr. Erwin said that
anyone who wished to locate on Cook Street or a place like that also
required a conditiona{ use permit. Commissioners Campbell and Tanner
both concurred.
Commissioner Schmidt noted that her tear in requiring a conditional use
permit is that it runs with the land. It doesn't terminate when the end of a
lease terminates. Mr. Erwin said that was correct. Commissioner Schmidt
said that if the ownership changes, iYs still allowed. Mr. Erwin said that
was correct, unless they restrict that in their granting of the conditional use
permit. They do have the ability to do that, if they specify that it is for a
particular operator so that they make it so that it does not run with the
land. Without some restriction on it, it would run with the land and be
available for that location.
Commissioner DeLuna said that in that case, it could conceivably allow
someone to stay in that location with the same use and allow someone
relocating to start the same business in another location, so in effect they
would have two businesses? Mr. Erwin said no, it would not expand into
two businesses; it would still be just one business.
Chairperson Limont noted it would be comparable to how we treat stand
alone massage parlors. The CUP is to the owner, to the person operating
the business. Mr. Erwin said that was correct. Commissioner DeLuna
asked if it would then affect the owner of property, not the lessee. Mr.
Erwin said it may, he didn't know. Chairperson Limont said they could
condition it to the person leasing and it could go with their business
license. Mr. Erwin said that was correct.
Chairperson Limont noted there was a motion on the floor and called for
the vote. The motion failed 2-3 (Chairperson Limont, Commissioner
DeLuna and Commissioner Schmidt voted no).
Mr. Erwin advised Chairperson Limont to see if there was any other
motion the Commission wished to make.
It was moved by Commissioner DeLuna, seconded by Commissioner
Schmidt, approving the findings and recommendation as presented by
staff. Motion carried 3-2 (Commissioners Campbell and Tanner voted no).
It was moved by Commissioner DeLuna, seconded by Commissioner
Schmidt, adopting Planning Commission Resolution No. 2524,
recommending to the City Council approval of ZOA 10-69 adding Chapter
17
MINUTES
PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MARCH 16, 2010
25.130, Location of Miscellaneous Uses, to the Palm Desert Municipal
Code, as amended by changing the words "thrift stores" to "independent
massage establishments" in E of Section 25.130.020 Definitions and
adding the words "excluding cigarettes" to G of Section 25.130.020.
Motion carried 3-2 (Commissioners Campbell and Tanner voted no).
1X. MISCELLANEOUS
None.
X. COMMITTEE MEETING UPDATES
A. ART IN PUBLIC PLACES
Commissioner Campbell reported that the next meeting would be
March 17.
B. LANDSCAPE COMMITTEE
Chairperson Limont also reported that the next meeting would be
March 17.
C. PARKS & RECREATION
Commissioner Tanner stated that they had a presentation by the
City Attorney regarding the Brown Act and reviewed upcoming
events and discussion items.
D. PROJECT AREA 4 COMMITTEE
Commissioner Schmidt said they met last Monday and primarily it
was updating and the City Attorney spoke about the Brown Act and
the need for everyone to adhere to it. The next meeting would be in
a month.
XI. COMMENTS
1. Commissioner DeLuna said she apparently missed something
when they were discussing the definition of rock outcroppings and
that part of the motion that got bifurcated. She had something that
she wanted to include in the definition and missed the opportunity
because she didn't realize what the process that was occurring
would exclude any further discussion on the section of the rock
outcropping. She didn't know the proper forum to address that. Mr.
18
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CITY OF PALM DESERT
LEGAL NOTICE
CASE NO. ZOA 10-69
NOTICE OF INTENT BY THE CITY OF PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL
OF A ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT ADDING CHAPTER 25.130
LOCATION OF MISCELLANEOUS USES TO THE PALM DESERT
MUNICIPAL CODE.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Adding Chapter 25.130 Location of Miscellaneous Uses to
the Palm Desert Municipal Code will prohibit certain miscellaneous new uses along
Highway 111 and EI Paseo, including tattoo and body piercing establishments, pawn
shops, fortune teller or palm readers, smoke shops, billiards or pool halls, and bail bond
establishments. All existing miscellaneous uses will be considered legal non-
conforming and will be allowed to continue business until such business is no longer in
operation.
PROJECT LOCATION: Along Highway 111 and EI Paseo within the City of Palm
Desert.
PUBLIC HEARING:
SAID public hearing will be held on Thursday, April 22, 2010, at 4:00 p.m. in the Council
Chamber at the Palm Desert Civic Center, 73-510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert,
California, at which time and place all interested persons are invited to attend and be
heard. Written comments concerning all items covered by this public hearing notice shall
be accepted up to the date of the hearing. Information concerning the proposed project
andlor negative declaration is available for review in the Department of Community
Development at the above address between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Monday through Friday. If you challenge the proposed actions in court, you may be
limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing
described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City Council at, or
prior to, the public hearing. General questions related to the ordinance can be directed to
the City of Palm Desert Planning Department at 760-346-0611.
PUBLISH: Desert Sun Rachelle Klassen, City Clerk
April 11, 2010 Palm Desert City Council
MINUTES
REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 22, 2010
With City Council concurrence, Mayor Finerty called a recess at 4:52 p.m. She reconvened
the meeting at 4:54 p.m.
XVII. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF A ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT,
ADDING CHAPTER 25.130-LOCATION OF MISCELLANEOUS USES-TO
THE PALM DESERT MUNICIPAL CODE Case No. ZOA 10-69 (City of
Palm Desert, Applicant).
Principal Planner Tony Bagato stated this was a Zoning Ordinance
Amendment to add a section for Miscellaneous Uses that are identified in the
Ordinance. At the November 10, 2009, a Planning Commissioner requested
staff to research potential regulations onto tattoo establishments. The City
currently had five establishments on Highway 111, and there was a concern
with having certain business types along the City's prime commercial
corridors of EI Paseo and Highway 111 as a resort community. On
December 15,2009,staff presented four possible restriction types and stated
that if there was a concern over the image of businesses, staff felt there were
other businesses that should be in that category as well along with tattoo
establishments. On March 16, 2010, staff presented the Zoning Ordinance
Amendment (ZOA) and locations of Miscellaneous Uses. Those uses are
identified in the Ordinance as bail bonds and body piercing establishments,
billiards or pool halls, fortune tellers, independent massage parlors, tattoo
shops, and smoke shops,which are categorized as mainly smoke shops that
sold paraphernalia. He said it wouldn't include high-end cigar shops or cigar
lounges, because those did exist on EI Paseo. The uses would be prohibited
on Highway 111 and EI Paseo, but allowed in other C1 or Service Industrial
Zones with a 1,000-foot distance separation from a similar use. He said a
tattoo establishment would have to be 1,000 feet away from another tattoo,
but could be next to a massage parlor or smoke shop. He said the City
Council packet included a map that illustrated the current Miscellaneous
Uses that would be grandfathered under the Ordinance. Staff received one
letter from Ink Sanity Tattoo voicing their concern over the fairness of the
Ordinance and asking for the opportunity to expand or downsize if they had
to, but the current non-conforming uses would not atlow it and would require
a separate Zoning Ordinance Amendment. They asked that perhaps tattoo
parlors can be removed from the Ordinance, however, because this item was
originally requested by the Planning Commission, staff recommended that
it remain. On March 16 the Planning Commission recommended approval on
a 3-2 vote with Commissioners Tanner and Campbell voting NO. He offered
to answer questions.
Mayor and Councilmembers noticed they did not have a copy of the map with
the identified current Miscellaneous Uses along EI Paseo and Highway 111.
16
MINUTES
REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 22, 2010
City Clerk Rachelle Klassen confirmed the City Clerk's Office did not receive
a copy of the map and that's why it was not included in Council's packet.
Mr. Bagato displayed the map and pointed the locations of the Miscellaneous
Uses and tattoo establishments on Highway 111. Further responding, he
confirmed there were five establishments within 1,000 feet of each other.
Councilman Spiegel asked what were the restrictions used by other cities in
the Valley.
Mr. Bagato responded the cities of Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells, and La
Quinta didn't address miscellaneous uses in their Code, but actually
prohibited tattoo shops as well as other uses. However, the City of La Quinta
allowed fortune tellers with a Conditional Use Permit(CUP), but tattoo shops
are prohibited in most of the cities. He said Cathedral City was looking into
restricting the same uses Palm Desert was proposing to their new area off
Highway 111 and Palm Canyon, the revitalization down town. Further
responding, he agreed Palm Desert probably had the most tattoo parlors
because it was the most business friendly toward them.
Councilman Kelly commented he couldn't read the map that was being
displayed from where he was sitting.
Councilmember Benson stated the staff report indicated there were currently
five tattoo and eight independent massage establishments that would all be
grandfathered. She said the intent of the Ordinance was to prohibit new
ones.
Mr. Bagato agreed,stating the existing establishments could not relocate. He
said once an establishment closed for more than six months, they would no
longer be able to re-open in the same location. Further responding, he
confirmed the proposed Ordinance was not intended to put establishments
out of business.
Responding to request, Mr Bagato agreed to go back to his office to make
copies of the map that illustrated the current Miscellaneous Uses that would
be grandfathered under the Ordinance.
NOTE: At this point in the meeting, and with City Council concurrence, Mayor Finerty
suspended consideration of Public Hearing A in order for staff to provide the requested
map. She continued with the remainder of the City Council, Redevelopment Agency, and
Housing Authority Agendas, then returned to Public Hearing A.
Mayor Finerty noted Mr. Bagato had concluded his staff report, and the
Council was resuming with questions regarding the map.
17
MINUTES
REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 22, 2010
Mr. Bagato described the area of focus, which was between Portola Avenue
and Town Center Way just before Desert Crossings. Responding to
question, he said most of the businesses and tattoo establishments were
between San Pablo and Portola Avenue.
Mayor Finerty declared the public hearing open and invited public testimony
FAVORING or OPPOSING this matter.
MR. BUDDY HAYNES, Owner of Insanity Ink II Tattoos, 73-338
Highway 111, Palm Desert, stated he assumed the Council received the
fetter he wrote, which stated he didn't agree with the proposed Ordinance,
but he understood. However, he asked the Council to consider placing tattoo
shops in its own category. His business was fortunate that it had another
three years on his lease for his shop, but it included a hair salon. He said
business was good, but if it got better or declined, he still wanted the
opportunity to relocate across the street or next door and still abide by the
proposed 1,000-feet distance. He understood why the City didn't want his
business close to EI Paseo and agreed it probably didn't belong there. He
said his partner James Livingston had monitored all the foot traffic his shop
received from being on Highway 111 for the past two months and can show
the Council the amount of clientele it received. He was curious what Council
meant when it stated that Palm Desert's image was a"tourist town,"because
up and down Highway 111 were restaurants, a gun shop, a hardware store,
and pet grooming store, so he didn't quite understand how.tattoo shops got
stereotyped in the miscellaneous category. He hoped the Council will take
into consideration to set tattoo establishments aside, because if he had to
add onto his business or move next door, what would be the difference. He
appreciated the fact that his business would be grandfathered, but the
proposed Ordinance dictated how his business can grow or downsize,which
was not a way to become successful. He offered to answer questions.
Councilman Spiegel stated on the north side of Highway 111 was a parlor
with a huge sign that said "Tattoo."
MR. HAYNES responded it was not his establishment. He said his shop
shared the same wall with McGowan's Pub and is four doors down from the
Red Barn. He said a Planning Commission member was quoted in the
newspaper as stating that being open late hours attracted crime, which he
found appalling, because there was no statistic with the Riverside County
Sheriff's Department that would support the statement. He said his shop and
other restaurants stayed open late, but they did not attract crime. He said
they were hard-working people, and he watched out for his community,
because he was born and raised here and lived here since 1980. He was
proud to be part of this City, because it's been good to him and fellow
citizens.
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MINUTES
REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 22, 2010
MR. JAMES LIVINGSTON, Co-Owner of Insanity Ink II Tattoos,
73-338 Highway 111, Palm Desert, requested the City rewrite the Ordinance,
because a tattoo and permanent cosmetic were the same thing, yet
permanent cosmetic was not included as Miscellaneous Uses. He offered
to answer questions.
Councilman Spiegel requested that Lieut. Shouse provide the Council with
his thoughts on the matter.
Lieut. Shouse stated the Police Department had not received an inordinate
amount of calls for service regarding tattoo parlors. He said tattoo parlors did
not come up on the radar as being an issue for the Police Department. He
said the Department had more problems with bars in town and other
locations.
With no further testimony offered, Mayor Finerty declared the public hearing closed.
Councilman Kelly stated the proposed Zoning Ordinance was very arrogant
even though he wouldn't get or have a tattoo, but he recognized there was
a whole different culture out there that liked tattoos and had them. He said
how could he be so arrogant as to say he didn't agree with their culture and
have them kicked out,which he didn't understand. He noticed that pool halls
were also included in the proposed Ordinance,yet as a senior in high school,
he had a 40 hour a week job, played basketball, dated Mary Helen, and in his
spare time he hung out in the pool hall, and he just got recognized as citizen
of the year yesterday. He said he valued the education he received at the
pool hall. Another thing that amazed him was that Palm Desert had the best
in the Valley, because many people have told him Quick Massage located at
74-125 Highway 111, Palm Desert, was a wonderful place to get a massage.
He didn't frequent massage parlors, but a lot of people do like them. He
recognized the City had problems with massage parlors, in fact it had one
case on the agenda this evening, but that was the job of the City Council to
take care of it. He said the City had problems with its parks, it had to mow
the grass and trim the trees, but just because it had to be done, didn't mean
they had to get rid of its parks. He said the City will have to continue to
monitor the massage parlors to make sure they followed the Ordinance. As
far as he was concerned, he thought the proposed Ordinance was very
arrogant. He said if the Council wanted Palm Desert to be upscale and have
the best shops, then it should get rid of its utility poles, maintain the streets,
paint the white lines on the road, and make it so that the establishments and
stores are the place to be. Then the City will automatically have the best
places and wouldn't have to worry about these zoning ordinances.
Councilman Spiegel stated he was torn with the matter, because he would
like to make Highway 111 prestigious as possible. Whether the Red Barn
and other establishments on Highway 111 were prestigious, he sometimes
19
MINUTES
REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 22, 2010
questioned, but he wasn't sure how to turn it around or if it was possible.
However, he agreed with Councilman Kelly and Mr. Livingston's and
Mr. Haynes' concern, which was that the landlord or owner of a building can
raise the rent and there was nothing that could be done by the tenant.
Councilmember Benson stated the City had too many Miscellaneous Uses
and it was the City's fault for allowing them in the first place, but to say that
if a business didn't succeed it couldn't relocate, may be wrong because they
may succeed where the rent is lower. She said the Ordinance needed to
state that no new parlors will be accepted on Highway 111, but existing ones
are grandfathered with the right to expand or downsize. She said the Council
needed to be more lenient with existing establishments, because they came
in when it was allowed.
Responding to question, Mr. Erwin stated the proposed Ordinance as written
did not allow existing businesses to move to another location. Certainly if the
Council desired, a hearing process or process to allow existing
establishments to expand, depress, or move to other locations can be
established as long as they complied with the distance requirements. He
offered to craft some language to that effect. Councilman Spiegel and
Councilmember Benson thought that would be fair.
Councilman Spiegel stated the City had plenty of massage and tattoo
establishments, and it didn't need anymore, but disagreed to locking in
existing establishments to a location.
Councilman Kelly stated it was a free country and the economy should take
care of itself, because it dictated how many restaurants or grocery stores a
City would have. He said the Council should not get into the business of
controlling how many businesses it should have.
Councilman Kelly moved to deny staff's recommendation. Motion died for lack of
a second.
Councilmember Benson moved to, by Minute Motion, refer the Case back to staff
for clarification regarding the grandfathering of existing businesses at this time as to what
they can do in the future (i.e., expansion, downsizing, relocation) including an appropriate
process for such consideration. Motion was seconded by Spiegel and carried by 3-1 vote,
with Kelly voting NO and Ferguson ABSENT.
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