Video index
CALL TO ORDER:
Chair Calerdine called the meeting to order at 1:30 pm.
ROLL CALL:
Roll Call: 7 members present, 1 members absent, 0 members excused.
REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA:
The agenda was posted for public access at the City Hall exterior bulletin board (west side of Council Chamber) and the Planning Services counter by 6:00 pm on Thursday, October 20, 2016.
ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA:
The agenda was accepted, as presented.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Chair Calerdine opened the public comments portion of the meeting:
KAREN TABBUH, resides at Sundial, in reference to Item 3A, commented that this design is better than the first one and spoke in favor of the project.
There being no further speakers the public hearing was closed.
1. CONSENT CALENDAR:
1A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: SEPTEMBER 14, 2016
Commissione Lowe noted his abstention on the minutes due to his absence.
Motion to approve Approve minutes, as presented. Moved by Commissioner Donenfeld, seconded by Commissioner Middleton.
Vote to approve Approve minutes, as presented. (Approved)
2. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
2A. SUNIA INVESTMENTS LLC., FOR A TENTATIVE TRACT MAP FOR CONDOMINIUM PURPOSES AND A MAJOR ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TWENTY-FOUR (24) UNIT CONDOMINIUM PROJECT LOCATED AT 305 WEST SAN RAFAEL ROAD, ZONE R-2 (CASE NOS. 3.3959 MAJ AND TTM 37143). (GM)
Associate Planner Mlaker presented the proposed development for twenty-four (24) condominium units as outlined in the staff report.
The Commission had technical questions pertaining to:
-Location of two fire lanes.
-Does the project meet the open-space requirements?
-Are additional carports a problem for the developer?
-Back patio and exterior gates onto San Rafael Drive.
Chair Calerdine opened the public hearing:
LANCE O'DONNELL, project architect, spoke about the environmental elements in this area, continuous public and private open-space, the fire gates, additional pedestrian gates and parking.
There being no further speakers the public hearing was closed.
Commissioner Weremiuk requested clarification on the pedestrian gates, function of the fire lanes and skylight elements.
Commissioner Middleton had questions pertaining to solar and the front elevation slope. She thinks this it's a great project in this part of town and complemented the developer on the 3D drawings.
Commissioner Hirschbein had technical questions pertaining to the grade difference, pedestrian gates and comments from adjacent HOA. He thinks it's a handsome project.
Commissioner Donenfeld concurred it's a great project and likes the meandering sidewalks. He questioned if there is access to the back gates. He thinks it's a terrific project needed in this area.
Commissioner Hudson liked the courtyard/apartment model and suggested making the west courtyard more lush. He encouraged the developer to add more to crosswalk/sidewalk otherwise thinks it's a very sophisticated project.
Vice-Chair Weremiuk made a motion of approval with the findings that it is consistent with the College Park Specific Plan and meets the Architectural Review Criteria.
Motion to approve Approve with added conditions:
1. Pedestrian gates to be provided at all Fire Lane access points.
2. A recommendation that additional carports be added in the parking areas for the units (not guest parking) through a Variance process.
3. Interlocking pavers be used for Fire Lanes surface.
4. Landscape plan to utilize similiar plantings throughout the development.
5. Pools/spas water edge to be permitted within three (3) feet of property lines.
6. CC&R's to restrict short term rental to no less than thirty (30) days.
7. Recommendation to the Engineering Dept. to allow parking along West San Rafael. Moved by Vice-Chair Weremiuk, seconded by Commissioner Donenfeld.
Vote to approve Approve with added conditions:
1. Pedestrian gates to be provided at all Fire Lane access points.
2. A recommendation that additional carports be added in the parking areas for the units (not guest parking) through a Variance process.
3. Interlocking pavers be used for Fire Lanes surface.
4. Landscape plan to utilize similiar plantings throughout the development.
5. Pools/spas water edge to be permitted within three (3) feet of property lines.
6. CC&R's to restrict short term rental to no less than thirty (30) days.
7. Recommendation to the Engineering Dept. to allow parking along West San Rafael. (Approved)
3. NEW BUSINESS:
3A. ARMADA REAL ESTATE GROUP, LLC FOR A MAJOR ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION, A FINAL PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT APPLICATION AND A TIME EXTENSION REQUEST FOR "VIBE", A RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT OF 93 MULTI-FAMILY UNITS AND 72 SINGLE FAMILY HOMES ON SMALL LOTS ON A 24-ACRE PARCEL LOCATED AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF SOUTH FARRELL DRIVE AND EAST BARISTO ROAD, ZONE PD 232 (CASE 5.1046 PDD 232 AMND, 3.3974 MAJ, TTM 36689 AND TPM 36767). (KL)
Associate Planner Lyon provided an overview of the proposed residential development as outlined in the staff report.
The Commission had technical questions pertaining to:
-Privacy on balconies, setbacks and driveways.
-Items of conformity.
-Pedestrian gates at the vehicular entrances.
-Areas of Commission purview.
-List of of public benefits for the development.
Commissioner Donenfeld commented that the peak and shingle roofs may not be suitable for the desert environment.
Commissioner Middleton questioned if the public have access to the dog parks?
J.P. SECOUSE, Armada Real Estate Group, responded to questions from the Commission, said they have made many improvements to the project since they acquired it. He provided details on the interior sidewalks, easement agreement and landscape buffer on Tahquitz Canyon Way.
DEBRA FALESE, project architect, provided details on the architecture elements, roof pitches and elevations. She was available for questions from the Commission.
Comments:
Commissioner Hudson noted concern with the elevations - the casita is right on the street, window placement, overhangs and is not ready to approve on the architecture. He pointed-out that the landscape architecture is great especially the public benefit on the corner.
Commissioner Hirschbein noted that a problem might be is the two-story walls facing the courtyard.
Commissioner Middleton concurred with Commissioner Hudson and thinks the architecture could be improved particularly as it faces the other homes. She likes the landscape architecture and see this project fits very nicely with the College of the Desert West Valley Campus. She sees a big improvement especially with the multi-family homes.
Vice-Chair Weremiuk commented that it feels "canyon-esque" to see the praire-style and wonders if it would sell here. She said the architecture feels busy and wants to send this back. She requested staff identify the current setbacks and changes are addressed in the staff report. She does however, likes the sidewalk and agrees the dog park should be public and open-pedestrian gates for the project. She made a motion to continue the project.
Motion to approve Recommend approval of the Tentative Tract Map (TTM) and Tentative Parcel Map (TPM) for a period of one-year to the City Council. Continue the Major Architectural Application and Final Planned Development to allow the applicant to address the comments made by the Commission. Moved by Vice-Chair Weremiuk, seconded by Commissioner Lowe.
Vote to approve Recommend approval of the Tentative Tract Map (TTM) and Tentative Parcel Map (TPM) for a period of one-year to the City Council. Continue the Major Architectural Application and Final Planned Development to allow the applicant to address the comments made by the Commission. (Approved)
A recess was taken at 3:45 pm.
The meeting resumed at 3:53 pm.
3B. ED FREEMAN, OF PINNACLE DEVELOPMENT, LLC, FOR A MAJOR ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION FOR DEVELOPMENT OF A 3,238 SQUARE FOOT, ONE-STORY SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE WITH BASEMENT ON A VACANT HILLSIDE LOT LOCATED AT 2365 VISTA DISTANCIA COURT, (CASE 3.3969 MAJ / ZONE ESA-SP - PLANNING AREA 4, LOT 94; DESERT PALISADES SPECIFIC PLAN) (KL).
Associate Planner Lyon provided an overview of the proposed one-story single family residence within the Desert Palisades Specific Plan (DPSP) as outlined in the staff report.
Vice-Chair Weremiuk commented last time one of these houses came before them the Commission asked for an overall model of the entire Desert Palisades site and a model of the proposed home. She questioned why they were not provided.
Commissioner Donenfeld clarified that he does not recall asking for a model of the entire development but rather the particular house as it sits on the site and not necessarily the entire development. He thought the
Commissioner Hirschbein concurred that the site is so big each house would be so small and the model would be the size of this room.
Staff clarified that the Architectural Advisory Committee approved this item on Consent Calender.
LANCE O'DONNELL, project architect, explained that dimensional model vs. a scale model is more advantageous for them. He said that looking at the components of the home the site is disturbed minimally and provided details on the asthetics.
Commissioner Hirschbein thinks it's a beautiful home and is ready to approve it.
Motion to approve Approve with Conditions. Moved by Commissioner Donenfeld, seconded by Commissioner Lowe.
Vote to approve Approve with Conditions. (Approved)
ED FREEMAN, developer, responded to the question about bringing in a scale model, he explained that most of the lots are 18 feet higher as you go up the slope and they have worked with the terrain.
3C. CASA VERONA, LLC, REQUESTING A ONE-YEAR EXTENSION OF TIME FOR TENTATIVE TRACT MAP 33282; A PREVIOUSLY APPROVED SUBDIVISION OF A 6.1-ACRE PARCEL INTO TWENTY-FIVE (25) SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL LOTS LOCATED ALONG THE NORTH SIDE OF VERONA ROAD AND WEST OF WHITEWATER RIVER; CASE 5.1035 / TTM 33282 (ER).
Principal Planner Robertson provided an overview of the proposed request for a one-year time extension as outlined in the staff report.
The Commission had technical questions pertaining to:
-Status of other projects that block this property.
-Approval of map only?
-Change of zone from the previous OS (open-land zone).
Chair Calerdine questioned if the map for the adjacent property had expired and if subdivision is dependent upon development of another subdivision.
Staff explained this is one of the reasons this is being brought forward and by granting the extension of time this gives the property owner the opportunity to work out an easement agreement for access to the site (unusual land-lock parcel). and this project cannot be developed if this project is developed.
Chair Calerdine stated that the would approve the time extension this time but would like to see if they come back in another year that there is a plan for getting access to this site.
MARK TEMPLE, applicant, responded that he has owned this parcel of land for the last 10 years.
Vice-Chair Weremiuk thinks it's been a long time that nothing has happened and this is a community that has concerns about Serena Park and traffic. She feels it should start over and is not in favor of the extension.
Chair Calerdine spoke in favor of extending the map to allow the applicant to resolve the access issues.
Motion to approve Recommend approval to the City Council subject to Conditions of Approval.
MOTION LOST DUE TO A LACK OF SECOND.
Moved by Chair Calerdine. The motion did not receive a second and was lost.
Vote to approve Recommend approval to the City Council subject to Conditions of Approval.
MOTION LOST DUE TO A LACK OF SECOND.
(Approved)
Motion to approve To deny. Moved by Vice-Chair Weremiuk, seconded by Commissioner Donenfield.
Vote to approve To deny. (Approved)
Vice-Chair Weremiuk stated that the basis for denial is lack of access to the adjacent road during the last ten (10) years and th need for the neighborhood to be involved for planning in the future.
PLANNING COMMISSION REPORTS, REQUESTS AND COMMENTS:
Vice-Chair Weremiuk spoke about scheduling an upcoming joint Christmas party with the Architectural Advisory Committee.
PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
Planning Director Fagg provided an update about the upcoming joint meeting with the Sustainability Commission.
The Commission discussed the draft Planing Dept. Public Meeting Schedule for next year.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further comments the Planning Commission adjourned at 4:33 pm to Wednesday, November 9, 2016, at 1:30 pm, City Hall, Council Chamber, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way.
Oct 26, 2016 Planning Commission
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Full agenda
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CALL TO ORDER:
Chair Calerdine called the meeting to order at 1:30 pm.
ROLL CALL:
Roll Call: 7 members present, 1 members absent, 0 members excused.
REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA:
The agenda was posted for public access at the City Hall exterior bulletin board (west side of Council Chamber) and the Planning Services counter by 6:00 pm on Thursday, October 20, 2016.
ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA:
The agenda was accepted, as presented.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Chair Calerdine opened the public comments portion of the meeting:
KAREN TABBUH, resides at Sundial, in reference to Item 3A, commented that this design is better than the first one and spoke in favor of the project.
There being no further speakers the public hearing was closed.
1. CONSENT CALENDAR:
1A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: SEPTEMBER 14, 2016
Commissione Lowe noted his abstention on the minutes due to his absence.
Motion to approve Approve minutes, as presented. Moved by Commissioner Donenfeld, seconded by Commissioner Middleton.
Vote to approve Approve minutes, as presented. (Approved)
2. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
2A. SUNIA INVESTMENTS LLC., FOR A TENTATIVE TRACT MAP FOR CONDOMINIUM PURPOSES AND A MAJOR ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TWENTY-FOUR (24) UNIT CONDOMINIUM PROJECT LOCATED AT 305 WEST SAN RAFAEL ROAD, ZONE R-2 (CASE NOS. 3.3959 MAJ AND TTM 37143). (GM)
Associate Planner Mlaker presented the proposed development for twenty-four (24) condominium units as outlined in the staff report.
The Commission had technical questions pertaining to:
-Location of two fire lanes.
-Does the project meet the open-space requirements?
-Are additional carports a problem for the developer?
-Back patio and exterior gates onto San Rafael Drive.
Chair Calerdine opened the public hearing:
LANCE O'DONNELL, project architect, spoke about the environmental elements in this area, continuous public and private open-space, the fire gates, additional pedestrian gates and parking.
There being no further speakers the public hearing was closed.
Commissioner Weremiuk requested clarification on the pedestrian gates, function of the fire lanes and skylight elements.
Commissioner Middleton had questions pertaining to solar and the front elevation slope. She thinks this it's a great project in this part of town and complemented the developer on the 3D drawings.
Commissioner Hirschbein had technical questions pertaining to the grade difference, pedestrian gates and comments from adjacent HOA. He thinks it's a handsome project.
Commissioner Donenfeld concurred it's a great project and likes the meandering sidewalks. He questioned if there is access to the back gates. He thinks it's a terrific project needed in this area.
Commissioner Hudson liked the courtyard/apartment model and suggested making the west courtyard more lush. He encouraged the developer to add more to crosswalk/sidewalk otherwise thinks it's a very sophisticated project.
Vice-Chair Weremiuk made a motion of approval with the findings that it is consistent with the College Park Specific Plan and meets the Architectural Review Criteria.
Motion to approve Approve with added conditions:
1. Pedestrian gates to be provided at all Fire Lane access points.
2. A recommendation that additional carports be added in the parking areas for the units (not guest parking) through a Variance process.
3. Interlocking pavers be used for Fire Lanes surface.
4. Landscape plan to utilize similiar plantings throughout the development.
5. Pools/spas water edge to be permitted within three (3) feet of property lines.
6. CC&R's to restrict short term rental to no less than thirty (30) days.
7. Recommendation to the Engineering Dept. to allow parking along West San Rafael. Moved by Vice-Chair Weremiuk, seconded by Commissioner Donenfeld.
Vote to approve Approve with added conditions:
1. Pedestrian gates to be provided at all Fire Lane access points.
2. A recommendation that additional carports be added in the parking areas for the units (not guest parking) through a Variance process.
3. Interlocking pavers be used for Fire Lanes surface.
4. Landscape plan to utilize similiar plantings throughout the development.
5. Pools/spas water edge to be permitted within three (3) feet of property lines.
6. CC&R's to restrict short term rental to no less than thirty (30) days.
7. Recommendation to the Engineering Dept. to allow parking along West San Rafael. (Approved)
3. NEW BUSINESS:
3A. ARMADA REAL ESTATE GROUP, LLC FOR A MAJOR ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION, A FINAL PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT APPLICATION AND A TIME EXTENSION REQUEST FOR "VIBE", A RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT OF 93 MULTI-FAMILY UNITS AND 72 SINGLE FAMILY HOMES ON SMALL LOTS ON A 24-ACRE PARCEL LOCATED AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF SOUTH FARRELL DRIVE AND EAST BARISTO ROAD, ZONE PD 232 (CASE 5.1046 PDD 232 AMND, 3.3974 MAJ, TTM 36689 AND TPM 36767). (KL)
Associate Planner Lyon provided an overview of the proposed residential development as outlined in the staff report.
The Commission had technical questions pertaining to:
-Privacy on balconies, setbacks and driveways.
-Items of conformity.
-Pedestrian gates at the vehicular entrances.
-Areas of Commission purview.
-List of of public benefits for the development.
Commissioner Donenfeld commented that the peak and shingle roofs may not be suitable for the desert environment.
Commissioner Middleton questioned if the public have access to the dog parks?
J.P. SECOUSE, Armada Real Estate Group, responded to questions from the Commission, said they have made many improvements to the project since they acquired it. He provided details on the interior sidewalks, easement agreement and landscape buffer on Tahquitz Canyon Way.
DEBRA FALESE, project architect, provided details on the architecture elements, roof pitches and elevations. She was available for questions from the Commission.
Comments:
Commissioner Hudson noted concern with the elevations - the casita is right on the street, window placement, overhangs and is not ready to approve on the architecture. He pointed-out that the landscape architecture is great especially the public benefit on the corner.
Commissioner Hirschbein noted that a problem might be is the two-story walls facing the courtyard.
Commissioner Middleton concurred with Commissioner Hudson and thinks the architecture could be improved particularly as it faces the other homes. She likes the landscape architecture and see this project fits very nicely with the College of the Desert West Valley Campus. She sees a big improvement especially with the multi-family homes.
Vice-Chair Weremiuk commented that it feels "canyon-esque" to see the praire-style and wonders if it would sell here. She said the architecture feels busy and wants to send this back. She requested staff identify the current setbacks and changes are addressed in the staff report. She does however, likes the sidewalk and agrees the dog park should be public and open-pedestrian gates for the project. She made a motion to continue the project.
Motion to approve Recommend approval of the Tentative Tract Map (TTM) and Tentative Parcel Map (TPM) for a period of one-year to the City Council. Continue the Major Architectural Application and Final Planned Development to allow the applicant to address the comments made by the Commission. Moved by Vice-Chair Weremiuk, seconded by Commissioner Lowe.
Vote to approve Recommend approval of the Tentative Tract Map (TTM) and Tentative Parcel Map (TPM) for a period of one-year to the City Council. Continue the Major Architectural Application and Final Planned Development to allow the applicant to address the comments made by the Commission. (Approved)
A recess was taken at 3:45 pm.
The meeting resumed at 3:53 pm.
3B. ED FREEMAN, OF PINNACLE DEVELOPMENT, LLC, FOR A MAJOR ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION FOR DEVELOPMENT OF A 3,238 SQUARE FOOT, ONE-STORY SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE WITH BASEMENT ON A VACANT HILLSIDE LOT LOCATED AT 2365 VISTA DISTANCIA COURT, (CASE 3.3969 MAJ / ZONE ESA-SP - PLANNING AREA 4, LOT 94; DESERT PALISADES SPECIFIC PLAN) (KL).
Associate Planner Lyon provided an overview of the proposed one-story single family residence within the Desert Palisades Specific Plan (DPSP) as outlined in the staff report.
Vice-Chair Weremiuk commented last time one of these houses came before them the Commission asked for an overall model of the entire Desert Palisades site and a model of the proposed home. She questioned why they were not provided.
Commissioner Donenfeld clarified that he does not recall asking for a model of the entire development but rather the particular house as it sits on the site and not necessarily the entire development. He thought the
Commissioner Hirschbein concurred that the site is so big each house would be so small and the model would be the size of this room.
Staff clarified that the Architectural Advisory Committee approved this item on Consent Calender.
LANCE O'DONNELL, project architect, explained that dimensional model vs. a scale model is more advantageous for them. He said that looking at the components of the home the site is disturbed minimally and provided details on the asthetics.
Commissioner Hirschbein thinks it's a beautiful home and is ready to approve it.
Motion to approve Approve with Conditions. Moved by Commissioner Donenfeld, seconded by Commissioner Lowe.
Vote to approve Approve with Conditions. (Approved)
ED FREEMAN, developer, responded to the question about bringing in a scale model, he explained that most of the lots are 18 feet higher as you go up the slope and they have worked with the terrain.
3C. CASA VERONA, LLC, REQUESTING A ONE-YEAR EXTENSION OF TIME FOR TENTATIVE TRACT MAP 33282; A PREVIOUSLY APPROVED SUBDIVISION OF A 6.1-ACRE PARCEL INTO TWENTY-FIVE (25) SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL LOTS LOCATED ALONG THE NORTH SIDE OF VERONA ROAD AND WEST OF WHITEWATER RIVER; CASE 5.1035 / TTM 33282 (ER).
Principal Planner Robertson provided an overview of the proposed request for a one-year time extension as outlined in the staff report.
The Commission had technical questions pertaining to:
-Status of other projects that block this property.
-Approval of map only?
-Change of zone from the previous OS (open-land zone).
Chair Calerdine questioned if the map for the adjacent property had expired and if subdivision is dependent upon development of another subdivision.
Staff explained this is one of the reasons this is being brought forward and by granting the extension of time this gives the property owner the opportunity to work out an easement agreement for access to the site (unusual land-lock parcel). and this project cannot be developed if this project is developed.
Chair Calerdine stated that the would approve the time extension this time but would like to see if they come back in another year that there is a plan for getting access to this site.
MARK TEMPLE, applicant, responded that he has owned this parcel of land for the last 10 years.
Vice-Chair Weremiuk thinks it's been a long time that nothing has happened and this is a community that has concerns about Serena Park and traffic. She feels it should start over and is not in favor of the extension.
Chair Calerdine spoke in favor of extending the map to allow the applicant to resolve the access issues.
Motion to approve Recommend approval to the City Council subject to Conditions of Approval.
MOTION LOST DUE TO A LACK OF SECOND.
Moved by Chair Calerdine. The motion did not receive a second and was lost.
Vote to approve Recommend approval to the City Council subject to Conditions of Approval.
MOTION LOST DUE TO A LACK OF SECOND.
(Approved)
Motion to approve To deny. Moved by Vice-Chair Weremiuk, seconded by Commissioner Donenfield.
Vote to approve To deny. (Approved)
Vice-Chair Weremiuk stated that the basis for denial is lack of access to the adjacent road during the last ten (10) years and th need for the neighborhood to be involved for planning in the future.
PLANNING COMMISSION REPORTS, REQUESTS AND COMMENTS:
Vice-Chair Weremiuk spoke about scheduling an upcoming joint Christmas party with the Architectural Advisory Committee.
PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
Planning Director Fagg provided an update about the upcoming joint meeting with the Sustainability Commission.
The Commission discussed the draft Planing Dept. Public Meeting Schedule for next year.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further comments the Planning Commission adjourned at 4:33 pm to Wednesday, November 9, 2016, at 1:30 pm, City Hall, Council Chamber, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way.
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