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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Citizens Advisory Committee Project Area 4 04/18/2011PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES APRIL 18, 2011 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Benford convened the meeting at 3:04 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Fred Benford, Chairman Roberta Grubb, Vice Chair Terry Archer, Member Russ Campbell, Member Ron Crisp, Member Jane Daugherty, Member Phyllis Harkins, Member Berit Reistad-Daly, Member ON A Original on file �---- with City Clerk's Of;ice Staff Present: Martin Alvarez, Redevelopment Manager Lauri Aylaian, Director of Community Development Shawn Kilpatrick, Code Compliance Office Justin McCarthy, ACM for Redevelopment Pedro Rodriguez, Senior Code Officer Catherine Walker, Senior Management Analyst John Wohlmuth, City Manager Also Present: Robert Spiegel, Mayor Pro Tern Roger Dash, Planning Commissioner ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Chairman Benford introduced new Committee member, Berit Reistad-Daly. He also introduced the Planning Commission liaison, Roger Dash. CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES APRIL 18, 2011 IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MEETING OF MARCH 8, 2011. Minutes of the meeting from March 8, 2011, were unanimously approved as submitted and carried by an 8-0 vote. V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None VI. NEW BUSINESS None VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS None VIII. OLD BUSINESS None IX. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS A. UPDATE ON PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB GOLF COURSE (Shawn Kilpatrick, Code Compliance Officer) Mr. Kilpatrick reported that there was a hiccup between the contractor and Wilshire Bank as far as mowing, etc. Code Department issued an order to abate that gave them till April 25 to resume mowing and clean up of the golf course. He noted that he has seen tree crews working, and that the blown sand in the parking lot has been removed. Mr. Kilpatrick mentioned that he is set to do an inspection of the course with Wilshire Bank on Wednesday. Member Archer asked if the temporary use permit for the maintenance area is for the where the shed was not originally built. Mr. Kilpatrick responded that was correct. He explained that the approved maintenance facility is behind Joe Mann Park. Currently they are operating behind the clubhouse. GArda\Monica O'Reilly\Word\PA No. 4\Minutes\2011\Minutes 4-18-11.docx 2 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES APRIL 18, 2011 Member Archer inquired if there are any restrictions on the temporary location. Mr. Kilpatrick replied that they are talking to them to get them on the right track. Member Harkins asked if there will be any restrictions on the passage of equipment down the driveway. She mentioned her concern with safety issues if they start using the single road between the first house and the park. Ms. Walker stated that the City has had no communications with Wilshire Bank. Chairman Benford said that some friends mentioned that there are 14 people bidding on the course and the bank asked for cash. He was told it was in escrow. Mr. Kilpatrick interjected that the bank did say they were in escrow. Ms. Walker noted that the City has not received any formal correspondence on any transaction. She also mentioned that the undergrounding deferral was passed at the last City Council meeting. B. UPDATE ON TRAFFIC AT THE ALBERTSON'S SHOPPING CENTER (Catherine Walker, Senior Management Analyst) Ms. Walker reported that the "Keep Clear" signage has been painted on the second driveway on the left-hand turn lane coming out of Albertson's. In addition, the Department of Public Works has been receiving complaints regarding debris or markings on Avenue of the States. She reported that Public Works was in the process of cleaning it up. Member Campbell mentioned that there is a hole at the corner or Oasis and Hovley. He asked if that is going to be a catch basin. Staff replied yes. Mayor Pro Tern Spiegel suggested that if the escrow does go through for the golf course that they ask the person who buys the course to be a member of the Committee. Chairman Benford responded that is a good idea. G:\rda\Monica O'Reilly Word\PA No. 4\Minutes\2011\Minutes 4-18-11.docx 3 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES APRIL 18, 2011 X. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON/MEMBERS Chairman Benford requested that everyone sitting at the table from the City have a name tag. This would make it easier for the new people. Mr. McCarthy replied that staff would take care of it. B. AGENCY BOARD LIAISONS C. PLANNING COMMISSION LIAISON Commissioner Dash communicated that at the April 5 Planning Commission, a recommendation was passed to the City Council to update the Housing Element of the General Plan. He read the following: "The City is required to periodically update its Housing Element, based on a schedule established by the State of California. The current Housing Element planning cycle is for the 2006-2014 planning period. The Housing Element is used by the City's decision makers to guide the development of housing for all economic segments of the community, with a particular focus on lower income households and special needs households, such as for persons with disabilities. The Housing Element contains all the required components mandated by the State. The Housing Element update contains new policies and programs required to assure that the City has sufficient lands available to accommodate its Regional Housing Needs Allocation (the number of units estimated by the State to be needed to accommodate growth in the City from 2006 through 2014). Although the policy direction of the Housing Element is generally consistent with the previously approved Element, the new policies and programs will require further action on the part of the City, including changes to the Zoning Ordinance text and map." Member Dash stated that there have not been major changes in the Housing Element. There have been some minor recommendations. He commented that there might be some zoning changes to accommodate the kind of housing that would be present, such as accommodations for the number of units or acreage. Chairman Benford inquired if it is part of Redevelopment Agency funds that would take care of this. Ms. Aylaian explained that the State requires GArda\Monica O'Reilly\Word\PA No. 4\Minutes\20111Minutes 4-18-11.docx 4 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES APRIL 18, 2011 a plan for accommodating Housing for the growth expected in California. It does not require that you actually build it. That is something generally the market will take care of or individual private parties will come forward and maintain or ask for some assistance from the Redevelopment Agency through their 20 percent satisfies affordable housing. However, because there is a plan, it does not mean that the City has to pay for it. Chairman Benford asked if the City has land. Ms. Aylaian replied yes, but does not believe any of the land is located in Project Area No. 4. She noted that most of the land is in the North Sphere. Chairman Benford inquired if there is any land available within Project Area No. 4. Mr. McCarthy responded that the only vacant land is for the Carlos Ortega Villas. Member Harkins asked if the Carlos Ortega Villas is still going to be senior housing. Mr. McCarthy replied yes. Member Grubb mentioned that pertaining to the golf course, what is the Committee's function. Mayor Pro Tern Spiegel answered only what Mr. Kilpatrick brings to the table. Mr. McCarthy interjected that the role of the Committee is basically the oversight of expenditures of Project Area No. 4 Redevelopment funds. From a technical standpoint, the Committee has no jurisdiction with respect to code enforcement, land use, and other things. The Committee could bring issues forward at the meeting. He noted that the Committee does not have authority to direct. Member Daugherty commented that one of the things she keeps hearing is that eventually someone will buy the golf course and manage to get it rezoned. Ms. Aylaian responded that rezoning a piece of property is not an easy thing to do, in particular if you have something like the golf course, which is open space and has covenants restricted to be used as open space. With that being said, no land use decision is ever permanent, but what it would take is a series of public hearings and it would take a new proposal from the new owner or developer. Mr. McCarthy added that in the fullness of time all things are possible. Member Harkins stated that assuming there is a new owner, she asked if they would have to go through the process to receive a new Certificate of Occupancy. Ms. Aylaian responded that a Certificate of Occupancy has GArda\Monica O'Reilly\Word\PA No. 4\Minutes\2011\Minutes 4-18-11.docx 5 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO.4 MINUTES APRIL 18, 2011 been issued, which is a one-time event. The new owner would need a business license and liquor license. Member Archer inquired if the new owners could somehow be tied into a commitment to build the maintenance shed when they apply for these items. Ms. Aylaian answered that most of the permits that would be issued are not discretionary; they are administrative. The City cannot withhold the permits or apply additional conditions to them. Mr. McCarthy mentioned that he does anticipate renegotiations of the operation and maintenance agreement with the City. D. STAFF XI. ADJOURNMENT Upon a unanimous motion by the Project Area No. 4 Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 3:30 p.m. Monica O'Reilly, Recording Secretar GArda\Monica O'Reilly\Word\PA No. 4\Minutes\2011\Minutes 4-18-11.docx 6