City Attorney Eric Vail recommended that the City Council allow the applicant 15 minutes to speak and 3 minutes for each public comment.
Mayor Ernesto Gutierrez stated that if additional time is necessary the City Council can consider allowing additional time for the applicant to speak.
Brenda Ramirez, Associate Planner, provided an overview of the appeal of Conditional Use Permit No. 19-019.
Deputy City Attorney Leila Moshef-Danesh provided an overview of the basis for the Planning Commission's denial and the standard of review for this appeal. She stated that the City Council will either affirm, reverse, or modify, in whole or in part, the Planning Commission's decision.
Mayor Ernesto Gutierrez opened the Public Hearing to receive input from the general public related to the appeal of the Planning Commission's denial of Conditional Use Permit No. 19-019, which proposes establishing an event center within a vacant commercial building on Date Palm Drive in the PCC(Planned Community Commercial) Zoning District.
Mark Durkton, Representative for the Applicant, provided a presentation on the basis of the applicant's appeal of the Planning Commission's denial of Conditional Use Permit No. 19-019.
Christina Baine, Attorney for a nearby HOA, stated that their community opposes the proposed Conditional Use Permit No. 19-019 and urged the City Council to affirm the Planning Commission's denial.
Diane McAlpine expressed her concerns with the broad parameters of the proposed event center and feels the public will not know what is going on at that location. She also has concerns with the proposed hours of operation and parking plan.
Mark Durkton, Representative for the Applicant, addressed the concerns of noise stating that he has decibel readings from the Hall of Flowers event, which were within the allowable limits. He also stated that they do not expect to hit capacity for most events. He expressed his concerns with the conditions of approval for Conditional Use Permit No. 19-019.
Mayor Ernesto Guiterrez closed the Public Hearing and returned discussion to the City Council, after no other members wished to comment.
Mayor Ernesto Gutierrez questioned what the significant conditions of approval are that the applicant is opposing.
Staff provided an overview on the conditions of approval in question.
Councilmember Mark Carnevale expressed his support for an event center and feels the conditions of approval list is lengthy and is not sure he can make a decision without a better understanding of those conditions.
Mayor Pro Tem Rita Lamb concurs with Councilmember Carnevale's comments. She expressed her support for an event center in Cathedral City, however, she is not sure this is the best location. She also expressed her concern with the list of conditions of approval and whether this project is best for the residents.
Councilmember Raymond Gregory stated that any large project will have many conditions of approval. He feels the conditions are not unreasonable. He believes there is support for an event center in the City. He feels the Planning Commission did their job and is what is expected to have a quality project.
Councilmember Nancy Ross stated that she attended every Planning Commission meeting prior to being on the City Council and feels that they have always done a good job. She feels it is not unreasonable that the Planning Commission would put our Code into action for this project. She believes a large facility will come with many conditions, they go hand in hand. She supports the Planning Commission’s decision.
Councilmember Mark Carnevale agrees that there is a standard in Cathedral City, however, he feels that rather than lose this project he would like to work with the applicant.
Mayor Ernesto Gutierrez feels that an event center is a great addition to Cathedral City, however, he feels it needs to be done the right way. He stated that projects can come with a lengthy list of conditions and in his experience many of the conditions may be simple. He feels the City and the City Council want to work with the applicant and believes the conditions are reasonable. He suggested working with the applicant to modify the list of conditions of approval.
A motion was made by Councilmember Ross and seconded by Councilmember Gregory to affirm the Planning Commission's denial of Conditional Use Permit No. 19-019, without prejudice.
M.O. 2022-32