CITY OF PALM DESERT PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2017 6:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBER 73-510 FRED WARING DRIVE, PALM DESERT, CA 92260 I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Nancy DeLuna called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioner Lindsay Holt Commissioner Ron Gregory Commissioner John Greenwood Vice Chair Joseph Pradetto Chair Nancy DeLuna Staff Present: Jill Tremblay, City Attorney Ryan Stendell, Director of Community Development Eric Ceja, Principal Planner Kevin Swartz, Associate Planner Nick Melloni, Assistant Planner Christina Canales, Assistant Engineer Monica O Reilly, Administrative Secretary III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Vice Chair Joseph Pradetto led the Pledge of Allegiance. IV. SUMMARY OF COUNCIL ACTION Director of Community Development Ryan Stendell summarized pertinent November 16, 2017, City Council actions.
V. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None VI. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular Planning Commission meeting of November 7, 2017. Rec: Approved as presented. Upon a motion by Commissioner Greenwood, second by Vice Chair Pradetto, and a 5-0 vote of the Planning Commission, the Consent Calendar was approved as presented (AYES: DeLuna, Greenwood, Gregory, Holt, and Pradetto; NOES: None; ABSENT: None). VII. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VIII. NEW BUSINESS None IX. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to allow Palm Desert Auto to operate a car dealership and display up to 10 automobiles outdoors within its shared parking lot for sale purposes located at 41-700 Corporate Way, Suite A; and approval of a Notice of Exemption in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act. Case No. CUP 17-022 (Palm Desert Auto, Palm Desert, California, Applicant). Associate Planner Kevin Swartz presented the staff report (staff report is available at www.cityofpalmdesert.org). Staff recommended adding the following condition: The applicant shall not allow wash water from car washing activities to leave the site unless treated to remove pollutants prior to discharge into the street. He noted the condition was recommended after the agenda packet was sent out. Mr. Swartz offered to answer any questions. Commissioner Lindsay Holt asked how the applicant would treat the water from car washing activities. Mr. Swartz responded that staff recently notified the applicant of the condition. The applicant will be directed to discuss the matter with the Department of Public Works. 2
Chair DeLuna inquired if the customers and employees would park in another area or encroach on other tenant parking spaces. Mr. Swartz replied that the applicant has two parking stalls directly in front of the business and street parking is available. Commissioner Ron Gregory inquired if one of the parking spaces facing Corporate Way is an accessible parking space. Mr. Swartz replied that is correct. Commissioner Gregory pointed out that the accessible parking space may make it a little difficult to have two regular parking spaces. Mr. Swartz said the tenant at the end of the building does not have customers and Smog Dog s customers are by appointment only. With the tenant mixture, there should be enough parking. Commissioner John Greenwood asked if there are only three tenants in the building. Mr. Swartz replied that there are five tenants. Commissioner Greenwood asked who the other two tenants are. Mr. Swartz responded that one tenant is a management company, and the other tenant is an alarm company. Chair DeLuna clarified that the other two businesses would not need parking spaces for customers. Mr. Swartz replied that is correct. Chair DeLuna declared the public hearing open and invited public testimony FAVORING or OPPOSING this matter. MR. AVI PERELZ, Corporate Way, Palm Desert, California, offered to answer any questions. Vice Chair Pradetto asked the applicant if he understood and agreed to the condition that staff has proposed for water treatment. MR. PERELZ replied yes. Commissioner Gregory inquired if the Department of Public Works will be monitoring the water treatment. 3
MR. PERELZ interjected that he takes the cars to Harv s Car Wash to get washed. Commissioner Gregory mentioned he visited the site and it looked cramped. He understood staff s recommendation of only having 10 spaces available for automobile sales, which would make the area look nicer. MR. PERELZ understood he cannot have more than 10 automobiles displayed for sale. With no further testimony offered, Chair DeLuna declared the public hearing closed. Commissioner Greenwood commented that the CUP request is consistent with other approvals in the area and moved for approval with the additional condition recommended by staff. Commissioner Greenwood moved to waive further reading and adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2713, approving Case No. CUP 17-022, subject to conditions and adding the following condition: The applicant shall not allow wash water from car washing activities to leave the site unless it is treated to remove pollutants prior to discharge to the street. Motion was seconded by Vice Chair Pradetto and carried by a 5-0 vote (AYES: DeLuna, Greenwood, Gregory, Holt, and Pradetto; NOES: None; ABSENT: None). Chair DeLuna thanked the applicant for doing business in Palm Desert. X. MISCELLANEOUS Mr. Stendell introduced the new Assistant Planner Nick Melloni. He also introduced Mr. Daniel Arvizo, a temporary planner who will assist Planning staff process cannabis applications. He informed the Planning Commission that staff has advertised a public hearing for the Palm Desert Country Club case for the meeting of December 19. He noted that the case will draw a significant amount of public input, and representatives from the Sheriff s Department will be in attendance for the meeting. Lastly, he stated the City Council has tasked the City Manager to ask the City s Commissions and Committees if they have any goals for 2018 or if there is anything that the City should be doing differently. He said to call or email him if they have any ideas or concepts. He mentioned he had some ideas to bring to the Commission in the future. Chair DeLuna asked Mr. Stendell if he wants input on processes, policies, or anything in general. Mr. Stendell replied anything in general. 4
XI. COMMISSION MEETING UPDATES A. ART IN PUBLIC PLACES Commissioner Holt reported that the Art in Public Places (AIPP) Commission approved new AIPP program guidelines and are available on the City s website. The AIPP Commission also approved an Airstream display at the Hotel El Paseo. She recommended that the Planning Commission take a look at the art once the hotel opens. Chair DeLuna noted that the hotel will have restaurants open to the public. She asked staff if they know when the hotel will open. Mr. Stendell replied no. B. PARKS & RECREATION Mr. Stendell reported that the Parks & Recreation Commission discussed goal setting for 2018. Commissioner Greenwood stated he has not received agendas or notices for the meetings. Mr. Stendell apologized and said he would check with staff. XII. COMMENTS Mr. Stendell and the Planning Commission wished the Recording Secretary Monica O Reilly a Happy Birthday. Chair DeLuna thanked staff and the Sheriff s Department for the excellent work they do to make their job more enjoyable. 5
XIII. ADJOURNMENT With the Planning Commission concurrence, Chair DeLuna adjourned the meeting at 6:27 p.m. ATTEST: NANCY DE LUNA, CHAIR RYAN STENDELL, SECRETARY PALM DESERT PLANNING COMMISSION MONICA O REILLY, RECORDING SECRETARY 6