PALM SPRINGS PLANNING COMMISSION
                                         AGENDA
                                 JANUARY 14, 2009
                          Council Chamber, City Hall
                     3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way
                            Palm Springs, California 
                                                        

1:30 p.m.

CALL TO ORDER:

ROLL CALL:

REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA: Agenda available for public access at the City Hall exterior bulletin board (west side of Council Chamber) and the Planning Services counter by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, January 9, 2009.

Pursuant to G.C. Section 54957.5 the designated office for inspection of public records in connection with the public meeting of the Planning Commission is the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall, located at 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California.

It is the intention of the City of Palm Springs to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in all respects. If, as an attendee or a participant at this meeting, or in meetings on a regular basis, you will need special assistance beyond what is normally provided, the City will attempt to accommodate you in every reasonable manner. Please contact the Planning Department, (760) 323-8245, at least 48 hours prior to the meeting to inform us of your particular needs and to determine if accommodation is feasible.

If any individual or group challenges the action in court, issues raised may be limited to only those issues raised at the Public Hearing described in this notice or in written correspondence at, or prior to, the Planning Commission meeting.

Please silence all cell phones, pagers and/or other electronic devices for the duration of the meeting.

ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: The Planning Commission will discuss the order of the agenda, may amend the order, note abstentions and request Consent Calendar items be removed from the consent calendar for discussion.

PUBLIC COMMENTS: This time has been set aside for members of the public to address the Planning Commission on Consent Calendar and other agenda items; and items of general interest within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Commission. Please note that the Planning Commission is prohibited from taking action on items not listed on the posted agenda. Three (3) minutes is allowed for each speaker. Testimony for Public Hearings maybe offered at this time or at the time of the hearing.

1. CONSENT CALENDAR:

1A. Minutes of December 3, 2008 and December 17, 2008.

Recommendation: To approve, minutes of December 3, 2008 and December 17, 2008.

1B. Case 3.2952 MAJ (Privado) – A request by Enterprise California for a one year time extension for a previously approved project consisting of an 81 unit condominium development located at the northeast corner of Amado Road and Avenida Caballeros, Zone R4, Section 14, APN: 508-580-055, -069, -071, -074 and -075. (Project Planner: Glenn Mlaker, Assistant Planner)

Recommendation: To approve a one year time extension for Case 3.2952 MAJ.

2. MISCELLANEOUS:

2A. Case SP 08-006 – An application by Best Signs, Inc. on behalf of D.R. West, LLC, for the implementation of a sign program for the Gene Autry Plaza located at the southeast corner of Gene Autry Trail and Ramon Road, Zone W-M-1, Section 20, APN: 680-170-044. (Project Planner: David A. Newell, Associate Planner)

Recommendation: To approve, subject to Conditions of Approval.

2B. Case RV 08-004 – A request to appeal the Planning Director’s decision approving an application for a recreational vehicle (RV) permit located at 2065 South Tulare Drive, Zone R-1-C, Section 26, APN: 511-102-033. (Project Planner: Glenn Mlaker, Assistant Planner)
Recommendation: To uphold decision of the Planning Director.

3. OTHER BUSINESS:

3A. Architectural Advisory Committee: Appointment of Landscape Architect

Recommendation: Direct staff regarding appointment to Architectural Advisory Committee (AAC) to fill vacancy for Landscape Architect.

3B. Resignation of James Cioffi to the Planning Commission Architectural Advisory Committee:

Recommendation: 1) Accept with regret the resignation of James Cioffi to the Architectural Advisory Committee for the term ending December 2010; and 2) Direct the City Clerk to post a Notice of Vacancy.

4. PUBLIC HEARINGS:

4A. Case 5.1190 CUP / 6.509 VAR (Palm Springs Batch Plant) - A request by Elsinore Ready Mix Company for a Conditional Use Permit to allow the installation and operation of a portable concrete batch plant on approximately 5.29-acres and a Variance request to exceed the thirty foot height maximum permitted in the E-1 zone. The site is located at the southwest corner of Dillon Road and Karen Avenue, Zone E-I, Section 10, APN 668-280-015: (Project Planner: David A. Newell, Associate Planner)

Recommendation: To adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration and approve the Conditional Use Permit (Case 5.1190-CUP) and Variance (Case 6.509 VAR), subject to the Conditions of Approval.

4B. Case 5.1137 PD 335 / TTM 35230 / 3.3028 MAJ (Baristo Lofts) - A request by Wessman Holdings, LLC, to construct a four-story mixed use development consisting of first-floor commercial/retail, 19 residential condominium units, adaptive re-use of the existing building for the retail/restaurant use and a Tentative Tract Map located at 300 South Palm Canyon Drive, Zone CBD, Section 15, APN: 513-204-005. (Project Planner: Ken Lyon, Associate Planner)

Recommendation: To adopt the draft Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND), approve Case 5.1137 PD 335 and Case 3.3028 MAJ; and recommend approval of Tentative Tract Map 35230 to the City Council.

4C. Case 3.3215 MAJ - An application by Sean Callow of Vista Chino Self-Storage, LLC, to construct a recreational vehicle self-storage facility on approximately 9.17-acres located at 3900 East Vista Chino Road, Zone M-1/IL, Section 16, APN: 677-040-030. (Project Planner: Ken Lyon, Associate Planner)

Recommendation: To adopt the draft Mitigated Negative Declaration and approve Case 3.3215 MAJ, subject to Conditions of Approval.

PLANNING COMMISSION COMMENTS: This portion of the meeting is set aside for brief general comments and/or other issues of concern from members of the Planning Commission.

PLANNING DIRECTOR’S REPORT: This time is set aside for the Planning Director to update the Planning Commission on important items initiated by staff or members of the City Council.

ADJOURNMENT: The Planning Commission will adjourn to a regular meeting on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at 1:30 p.m., City Hall, Council Chamber, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way.

ADDED STARTERS: If there are added starters, action is required to determine eligibility for consideration.