MINUTES
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2021 – 6:00 P.M.
ZOOM VIRTUAL MEETING I. CALL TO ORDER
Chair John Greenwood called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL Present:
Chair John Greenwood Vice-Chair Nancy DeLuna Commissioner Ron Gregory Commissioner Lindsay Holt Commissioner Joseph Pradetto Also Present:
Craig Hayes, Assistant City Attorney
Martín Alvarez, Director of Development Services
Eric Ceja, Deputy Director of Development Services/Economic Development Rosie Lua, Principal Planner
Nick Melloni, Associate Planner Kevin Swartz, Associate Planner
Monica O’Reilly, Management Specialist II III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Chair Greenwood led the Pledge of Allegiance.
IV. SUMMARY OF COUNCIL ACTIONS None
V. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None
VI. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. MINUTES of the Regular Planning Commission meeting of August 17, 2021.
Rec: Approve as presented.
B. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION to approve a Parcel Map Waiver application to adjust the lot line between Lots 15 and 16 of Tract No. 25720-1 (119 and 125 Netas Court). Case No. PMW 21-0005 (McGee Surveying, Inc., Indio, California, Applicant).
Rec: By Minute Motion, approve Case No. PMW 21-0005.
C. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION to approve a Parcel Map Waiver application for lot line adjustments for Lots 1, O, and P of Tract No. 25296-3. Case No. PMW 21- 0006 (Egan Civil, Inc., Indio, California, Applicant).
Rec: By Minute Motion, approve Case No. PMW 21-0006.
Upon a motion by Commissioner Pradetto, seconded by Vice-Chair DeLuna, 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).
VII. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None
VIII. NEW BUSINESS None
IX. CONTINUED BUSINESS None
X. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION to adopt a Notice of Categorical Exemption in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); and approve a Precise Plan application to increase the approved pad elevations of Lot Nos. 1 and 2 of Tentative Tract Map (TTM) 30438 for two existing single-family residential lots within the Stone Eagle community. Case No. PP 21-0007 (Vintage-Stone Eagle, LLC, Newport Beach, California, Applicant).
Associate Planner Nick Melloni presented the staff report (staff report(s) and the Zoom meeting video are available at https://www.cityofpalmdesert.org/our-city/committees- and-commissions/planning commission-information-center).
After staff answered questions from the Planning Commission, Chair Greenwood declared the public hearing open and invited public testimony FAVORING or OPPOSING this matter.
Ms. Pat Hartman, the representative for Vintage Communities, stated that she and the civil engineer were available to answer any questions.
With no testimony offered, Chair Greenwood declared the public hearing closed.
Vice-Chair DeLuna moved to waive further reading and adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2796, adopting a Notice of Categorical Exemption; and approving Case No.
PP 21-0007, subject to the conditions of approval. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Gregory and carried by a 5-0 vote (AYES: DeLuna, Greenwood, Gregory, Holt, and Pradetto; NOES: None).
B. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION of a recommendation to the City Council for approval of General Plan Amendment and Change of Zone 20-0002 to establish a higher residential density (12 units per acre), Tentative Parcel Map 38033, and Precise Plan 20-0010 to construct a two-phased, 48-unit condominium project, clubhouse, and pool/spa on 3.91 acres at the southwest corner of Gerald Ford Drive and Shepherd Lane; and adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration in accordance with CEQA. Case Nos. PP 20-0010, TPM 38033, and CZ/GPA 20-0002 (Desert Luxury Apartments, Las Vegas, Nevada, Applicant).
Associate Planner Kevin Swartz presented the staff report.
After staff answered questions from the Planning Commission, Chair Greenwood declared the public hearing open and invited public testimony FAVORING or OPPOSING this matter.
Mr. Sam Guanci, the applicant, Las Vegas, Nevada, addressed the Planning Commission and thanked the staff and residents. He noted that he responded to 95 percent of the residents’ requests. Mr. Guanci answered questions by the Planning Commission.
Mr. John Danielian, the architect, Irvine, California, stated his client went over and beyond to accommodate the adjacent neighbors by reducing heights and doing what they can to minimize views.
At this point, the staff and applicant responded to questions by the Commission.
The following individuals were in opposition to the proposed project for the following reasons:
• Opposed the request for the Change of Zone
• Concerned with parking
• Concerned with the density of the project and two-story buildings
• Loss of privacy
• The proposed project is not appropriate for the area
Kent Hanson, Scholar Lane West, Palm Desert Vicki McClellion, Scholar Lane West, Palm Desert Steve Glickman, Scholar Lane East, Palm Desert Edward Munksgard, Scholar Lane West, Palm Desert Mr. Tom Bohmer, Scholar Lane West, Palm Desert
Mr. Guanci made closing remarks and answered questions by the Commission.
With no further testimony, Chair Greenwood declared the public hearing closed.
The Planning Commission moved to recommend denial of the proposed project to the City Council for the following reasons:
• Concerned with the Change of Zone and General Plan Amendment
• Project lacks character
• Concerned with parking
• Concerned with the layout of the project
• Not the appropriate location for the project
By Minute Motion, Commissioner Pradetto moved to deny Case Nos. PP 20- 0010/TPM 38033/CZ and GPA 20-0002. The motion was seconded by Chair Greenwood and carried by a 5-0 vote (AYES: DeLuna, Greenwood, Gregory, Holt, and Pradetto; NOES:
None).
XI. MISCELLANEOUS None
XII. COMMITTEE MEETING UPDATES A. ART IN PUBLIC PLACES
Commissioner Lindsay Holt reminded the Commission of the San Pablo grand opening on October 11. She asked staff if there was a decision made on the art piece for the San Pablo roundabout.
Deputy Director of Development Services/Economic Development Eric Ceja replied that a decision has not been made on the art piece.
Commissioner Nancy DeLuna commented that she was told the grand opening is scheduled for October 23 and asked if that is correct.
Mr. Ceja confirmed that the grand opening is scheduled for October 23.
B. PARKS & RECREATION None
XIII. REPORTS AND REMARKS
Since the Summary of Council Actions was skipped on the agenda, Mr. Ceja summarized pertinent Council actions. He introduced Martín Alvarez as the Director of Development Services.
Chair Greenwood commented that Mr. Ceja has done an incredible job in the interim.
XIV. ADJOURNMENT
With the Planning Commission concurrence, Chair Greenwood adjourned the meeting at 7:29 p.m.
JOHN GREENWOOD, CHAIR ATTEST:
MARTĺN ALVAREZ, SECRETARY
MONICA O’REILLY, RECORDING SECRETARY
