>>> GOOD EVENING, MY NAME IS JACQUELINE LOPEZ.
[1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL]
[00:00:03]
CURRENT CHAIRPERSON OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION.I'M GOING TO CALL THE PLANNING COMMISSION TO ORDER FOR JULY 28, 2021.
AT THIS TIME IF I CAN HAVE THE ROLL CALL PLEASE.
>> CHAIRPERSON JACQUELINE LOPEZ.
>> VICE CHAIRPERSON NICCO YSIANO.
COMMISSIONER CHRISTIAN CEJA IS ABSENT.
>> COULD WE HAVE THE INTRODUCTION STAFF.
>> THANK YOU MADAME CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE PLANNING STAFF.
TONIGHT WE HAVE DIRECTOR KEVIN SNIDER, CITY ENGINEER EVELYN BELTRAN.
AND I BELIEVE ON THE ZOOM WE HAVE FIRE MARSHALL REBECCA WYNSCOTT.
AND IF WE CAN GO AHEAD AND START WITH THE PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE.
CHAIRWOMAN VALDEZ, WOULD YOU PLEASE LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
I THINK THAT'S YOUR FIRST ONE GIVEN THIS IS YOUR FIRST MEETING IN PERSON.
IF WE CAN GET A STATEMENT FROM OUR COMMISSION SECRETARY.
[4. STATEMENT FROM THE COMMISSION SECRETARY]
THE GENERAL RULES FOR COURTESY ARE AS FOLLOWS, PLEASE BE MINDFUL OF BACKGROUND NOISE WHEN JOINING THE MEETING VIRTUALLY.
VIRTUAL MEETING PARTICIPANTS MUST MUTE ALL LIVE STREAMING DEVICES TO AVOID PLAYBACK WHILE SPEAKING.
VIRTUAL MEETING PARTICIPANTS MUST MUTE THE MICROPHONE TO KEEP BACKGROUND NOISE TO A
[5. STATEMENT FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY]
MINIMUM WHEN THEY ARE NOT SPEAKING.AVOID ACTIVITIES THAT COULD CREATE ADDITIONAL NOISE.
POSITION YOUR CAMERA PROPERLY.
IF YOU CHOOSE TO USE A WEBCAM RAH, BE SURE IT IS IN STABLE POSITION AND AT EYE LEVEL.
IF YOU ARE SHARING CONTENT DURING THE MEETING, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE FILES AND OR LINKS READY TO GO BEFORE THE MEETING BEGINS.
MEMBERS FROM THE PUBLIC PARTICIPATING VIRTUALLY WISHING TO PROVIDE ORAL TESTIMONY MUST FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE AGENDA AND/OR ONLINE IN ORDER TO PROVIDE PUBLIC COMMENT.
MEMBERS FROM THE PUBLIC HAVE THREE MINUTES TO PROVIDE ORAL TESTIMONY.
AND IF WE CAN PLEASE GET A STATEMENT FROM OUR CITY ATTORNEY.
THERE HAVE BEEN NO DIRECTIVES ISSUED TEMPORARILY HALTING LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROCESSING OF LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW APPLICATIONS AND/OR CONSIDERATION OF POLICY ACTIONS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENTS, ZONING CODE AMENDMENTS, AND NEW OR AMENDED SPECIFIC PLANS.
THEREFORE THE CITY OF INDIO CONTINUES TO ACCEPT AND PROCESS APPLICATIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE AND LOCAL REQUIREMENTS.
THE CITY OF INDIO IS FOLLOWING GOVERNOR NEWSOM'S EXECUTIVE ORDERS PERTAINING TO THE BROWN ACT.
THESE EXECUTIVE ORDERS ALLOW GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES TO CONDUCT MEETINGS BY ELECTRONIC MEANS AND FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO ATTEND ELECTRONICALLY AS WELL AS TO PROVIDE PUBLIC TESTIMONY TELEPHONICALLY O ELECTRONICALLY.
THE CITY OF INDIO HAS IMPLEMENTED TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS THAT ALLOW MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO OBSERVE AND OFFER PUBLIC COMMENT AS WELL AS PUBLIC TESTIMONY VIRTUALLY DURING PUBLIC HEARINGS AT SCHEDULED PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINGS.
THE CITY IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION OPPORTUNITIES WHILE ALSO COMPLYING WITH THE PROCESSING OF LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW APPLICATIONS AND/OR CONSIDERATION OF POLICY ACTIONS.
DO WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS THAT ARE NOT ON THE AGENDA?
[7. MINUTES]
AND TO NUMBER SEVEN, THE MINUTES FOR JULY 14, 2021.IF YOU HAD A CHANCE TO REVIEW, I CAN RECEIVE A MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> I WILL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF JULY 14, 2021.
[00:05:01]
>> ITEM 8.1, MUSICAL FESTIVALS PLAN SECOND AMENDMENT TO DEVELOPMENT
[8.1 Music Festivals Plan Second Amendment to Development Agreement (DA 12-8-28) and Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA 21-07-77) and CEQA Exemption (Class 1 and Class 23)]
AGREEMENT DA12-8-28 AND ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT ZTA21-07-77 AND CEQA EXEMPTION CLASS ONE AND CLASS 23.GOOD EVENING MEMBERS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
MY NAME IS KEVIN SNIDER, I'M THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FOR THE CITY OF INDIO.
AS THE CHAIR INDICATED, THE ITEM BEFORE YOU IS A PUBLIC HEARING ITEM.
WAITING FOR A SECOND HERE FOR THE POWERPOINT TO LOAD.
SOME TAP DANCING A LITTLE BIT, THERE WE GO.
I THINK THAT'S THE APPLICANT'S PRESENTATION, YEAH.
OKAY SO AGAIN THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING ITEM INVOLVING AN AMENDMENT TO A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT AS WELL AS A ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT SO JUST TO REVIEW IT'S A SECOND AMENDMENT.
THIS WOULD AFFECT THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO BETWEEN THE CITY OF INDIO AND GOLDENVOICE LLC AND COACHELLA MUSIC FESTIVAL LLC THAT WOULD EXTEND THE TERM OF THE AGREEMENT TO THE END OF THE 2050 OR DECEMBER 31, 2050.
WE'LL GET INTO THAT IN A MOMENT.
IT WOULD ALSO AMEND CERTAIN SECTIONS OF OUR ZONING ORDINANCE IN SUPPORT OF THIS PARTICULAR AMENDMENT TO THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT.
SO THE AREA OF INTEREST IS THE PROPERTIES HIGHLIGHTED IN GREEN.
THIS IS WHERE THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT APPLIES AND WILL CONTINUE TO APPLY TO PROPERTIES THAT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THIS MAP.
SO AS THE COMMISSION IS AWARE AND THE COMMUNITY IS AWARE, THE COACHELLA MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL HAVE BEEN HELD IN THE SOUTHEAST PORTION OF OUR COMMUNITY RESPECTIVELY SINCE 1999 AND 2007.
THEY'VE BECOME MAJOR EVENTS IN OUR CITY AND HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO OUR INTERNATIONAL REPUTATION AS AN ARTS AND CULTURAL VENUE AND THEY'VE PROVIDED INDIRECT AND DIRECT ECONOMIC BENEFITS TO THE CITY OF INDIO AND THE VALLEY.
THERE'S BEEN SEVERAL PRIOR CITY ACTIONS.
THE LIST IS IN FRONT OF YOU IN THE POWERPOINT.
I'M NOT GOING TO HIGHLIGHT ALL OF THEM, BUT JUST TO NOTE THAT THESE ACTIONS HAVE BEEN TAKEN BY THE CITY COUNCIL IN RECOGNITION AND SUPPORT OF THE OPERATION OF THE MUSIC FESTIVALS IN THE CITY OF INDIO.
AND THESE ACTIONS HAVE INCLUDED THE ORIGINATION OF A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND GOLDENVOICE AND THE COACHELLA MUSIC FESTIVAL.
ALSO AN AMENDMENT TO IT AS WELL AS SEVERAL ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSES, AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT AND AN ADDENDUM TO IT.
AND THAT WAS TO RECOGNIZE INCREASES IN THE ATTENDANCE IN THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS WHO COULD ATTEND THE EVENTS.
SO THE POINT IS IS THAT THERE'S A WELL ESTABLISHED RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CITY AND GOLDENVOICE LLC AND COACHELLA MUSIC FESTIVA AND THE REQUEST BEFORE YOU THIS EVENING IS IN CONTINUATION OF THAT RELATIONSHIP AND THAT PARTNERSHIP MODEL TO SUPPORT THE CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE EVENTS IN THE CITY.
SO KEY STAFF FINDINGS, SO IF YOUR STAFF REPORT, YOU WILL FIND A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF COMPLIANCE WITH CERTAIN ELEMENTS WITH CITY RULES AND REGULATIONS.
WE START WITH THE INDIO GENERAL PLAN AND AS DISCUSSED IN THE STAFF REPORT, THERE ARE VARIOUS POLICIES OF THE INDIO GENERAL PLAN 2040 THAT THIS PROPOSAL COMPLIES WITH.
THEY INCLUDE MAINTAINING AND ENHANCING THE FESTIVAL DISTRICT.
SO AS MANY OF YOU MAY REMEMBER SINCE YOU WERE INVOLVED IN THE ADOPTION OF THE GENERAL PLAN, WE'VE ESTABLISHED A FESTIVAL DISTRICT LAND USE DESIGNATION.
THIS COVERS THE AREAS WHERE THE FESTIVALS ARE HELD.
AND THAT'S REALLY A RECOGNITION IN OUR GENERAL PLAN THAT THIS IS A SPECIAL AREA OF OUR CITY THAT REQUIRES CERTAIN CONSIDERATIONS BOTH AT THE POLICY LEVEL AND THE OPERATIONAL LEVEL.
IT ALSO COMPLIES WITH THE FESTIVAL DISTRICT STRATEGY WHICH AGAIN IS TO SUPPORT AND ENHANCE THIS AREA AS AN EVENT SPACE FOR MUSIC AND ARTS AND CULTURE.
IT ALSO SUPPORTS OUR MANY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GOALS SUPPORTING LOCAL MUSIC EVENTS.
IT'S SUPPORTING CULTURAL AND ARTS EVENTS AND ALSO SUPPORTING CULTURAL TOURISM.
SO AS I INDICATED EARLIER, THE FESTIVALS HAVE BECOME AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR IDENTITY BOTH IN TERMS OF OUR REGIONAL, NATIONAL, AND INTERNATIONAL IDENTITY.
[00:10:02]
SO THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY IF THE PLANNING COMMISSION IS TO CONSIDER IT OF CONTINUING TO SUPPORT THAT IDENTITY.IT COMPLIES WITH DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS AND IT MAKES FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD, IT COMPLIES WITH THE REQUIREMENTS FOR CONSIDERATION.
PRIMARILY WHEN YOU'RE CONSIDERING A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT, IT NEEDS TO BE DONE IN A PUBLIC FORUM SUCH AS THIS.
IT NEEDS TO ADDRESS COMPLIANCE WITH THE GENERAL PLAN WHICH WE HAVE ANALYZED.
AND THEN IT ALSO IS A CONSIDERATION ULTIMATELY OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
SO YOUR RECOMMENDATION THIS EVENING WILL BE PICKED UP BY THE CITY COUNCIL AT A NEAR TERM CITY COUNCIL MEETING AND THEY WILL CONSIDER YOUR RECOMMENDATION ON THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT MODIFICATION OR EXCUSE ME, AMENDMENT ALONG WITH THE OTHER REQUESTS THAT ARE BEING ASKED FOR, PRIMARILY THE ZONING CODE TEXT AMENDMENT.
IT ALSO COMPLIES WITH THE MUNICIPAL CODE IN THE CONTEXT OF AGAIN THIS IS BEING DONE IN A PUBLIC FORUM.
THE REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE A PUBLIC HEARING, THEY INCLUDE AN INVESTIGATION AND REPORT.
THEY ALSO INCLUDE ACTION BY THIS BODY, WHATEVER THE ACTION ULTIMATELY ENDS UP BEING AND THEN CONSIDERATION BY CITY COUNCIL.
THE AMENDMENTS TO THE ZONING CODE ARE FAIRLY MINOR AS DESCRIBED IN THE STAFF REPORT.
THEY ARE CLEANING UP A LITTLE BIT OF LANGUAGE REFERENCES BASED ON OLD GENERAL PLAN DESIGNATIONS AND THEY'RE ALSO HIGHLIGHTING THE POTENTIAL TERM EXTENSION FOR THE MAJOR MUSIC FESTIVAL PERMI WHICH IS AN ACTION THAT THE CITY COUNCIL PREVIOUSLY TOOK.
WHEN THE MAJOR MUSIC FESTIVAL OVERLAY WAS ESTABLISHED, IT ESTABLISHED A MAXIMUM TERM FOR THAT PERMIT FOR 20 YEARS.
THE ACTION THAT IS REQUESTED OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION INITIALLY AND ULTIMATELY OF CITY COUNCIL IS TO CONSIDER AN EXTENSION OF THAT TO 2050, WHICH IF YOU INCLUDE THE ORIGINAL 17 YEARS FOR THE INITIAL DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT PLUS THE 20 YEARS THAT'S BEING ASKED FOR, IT ULTIMATELY ENDS UP TO BEIN 37 YEARS.
SO IN THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE ZONING CODE, YOU'LL SEE A REFERENCE TO 37 YEARS.
THAT'S WHAT IT IS, IT'S FROM 2013 TO 2050 INCORPORATING THE INITIAL 17 YEARS AND ADDING AN ADDITIONAL 20 YEARS.
THAT'S THE BASIS FOR THAT 37 YEARS.
AND THEN AS WE LOOKED AT THIS FROM A CEQA STANDPOINT, THIS FELL INTO TWO SECTIONS, 15301 AND 15323.
IN THAT REGARD WHAT IS BEING ASKED FOR, THERE IS NO SUBSTANTIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT.
THERE WAS AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT DONE IN 2016.
THOSE MITIGATIONS THAT WERE IDENTIFIED AS PART OF THAT, THE OPERATIONAL MITIGATIONS STILL STAND.
THE EXTENSION OF THE TERM OF THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT AND THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE ZONING CODE DO NOT AFFECT THE MITIGATION REQUIREMENTS.
SO ALL OF THE THINGS THAT GOLDENVOICE IS REQUIRED TO DO WHEN WE HOLD EVENTS WHETHER THEY RANGE FROM TRAFFIC MITIGATION TO SECURITY MITIGATION TO OTHER REQUIREMENTS STILL STAY IN PLACE.
SO BECAUSE THERE IS NO SUBSTANTIVE IMPACT TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NO NEED FOR ADDITIONAL CEQA ANALYSIS.
SO THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION IS BASICALLY TO ADOPT THE TWO RESOLUTIONS THAT YOU HAVE CONTAINED IN YOUR STAFF REPORT.
RESOLUTION NUMBER 2002 WHICH PERTAINS TO THE EXTENSION OF THE TERM OF THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT AND FINDING THE PROJECT CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT.
AND THEN RESOLUTION 2003 WHICH PERTAINS TO THE ZONING CODE AMENDMENTS AND FINDING IT CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT.
THE REPRESENTATIVES FOR GOLDENVOICE ARE HERE THIS EVENING AND I KNOW THEY HAVE A PRESENTATION AND ARE ALSO HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE.
ANY QUESTIONS FOR STAFF? SO KEVIN, JUST ONE QUESTION.
THERE'S A LOT OF PARCEL NUMBERS HERE, RIGHT.
IT'S A HUGE AREA WHICH WE ALL KNOW IT IS.
ARE THERE ANY SIGNIFICANT ADDITIONS OF PARCELS, OR THIS IS WHAT IT'S ALWAYS BEEN OR WAS APPROVED IN 2016?
>> YOU'RE CORRECT, COMMISSIONER.
IT IS PARCELS THAT WERE INCLUDED IN THE ORIGINAL 2016, ACTUALLY IN THE ORIGINAL DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT, THEN THERE WAS SOME MODIFICATIONS THAT LOOKED AT ADDITIONAL PARCELS AS PART OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT.
SINCE 2016, TO YOUR POINT, THOSE PARCELS HAVE REMAINED IN EFFECT AND THEY WOULD APPLY THE SAME.
THERE'S NO ADDITION OF PARCELS.
THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT, BUT I WANTED TO MAKE SURE.
>> THANK YOU, THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.
LET'S GO AHEAD AND OPEN UP ITEM 8.1 FOR A PUBLIC HEARING.
AND IF THE APPLICANT WOULD LIKE TO COME UP.
[00:15:02]
>> I GUESS I SHOULD TAP DANCE AS WELL.
THAT WAS SUCH A COMPREHENSIVE PRESENTATION, I'M NOT SURE I HAVE THAT MUCH TO SAY.
BUT I'M SURE I'LL FIND A WAY TO FILL THE TIME.
GOOD EVENING, CHAIR LOPEZ AND COMMISSIONERS, I'M DAVID GOLDBERG AND COUNSEL TO THE APPLICANTS GOLDENVOICE AND COACHELLA MUSIC FESTIVAL.
WE CERTAINLY APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT THIS EXTENSION REQUEST FOR THE MUSIC FESTIVALS.
SO WE KNOW NONE OF YOU ARE STRANGERS TO THE COACHELLA AND STAGECOACH MUSIC FESTIVALS, BUT WE'LL SPEND A FEW MINUTES WALKING YOU THROUGH SOME BACKGROUNDS AND EXPLAINING THE TERM EXTENSION REQUEST.
GOLDENVOICE FIRST PUT ON COACHELLA IN 1999 AND THE FIRST STAGECOACH FESTIVAL IN 2007 LIT AS YOU KNOW THEY'RE HELD AT THE EL DORADO POLO GROUNDS.
IN 2013 WE WORKED WITH THE CITY ON A COMPREHENSIVE ENTITLEMENT OF THE FESTIVALS WHICH INCLUDED THE CERTIFICATION AND ESTABLISHMENT OF THIS MAJOR MUSIC FESTIVAL ZONE ALONG WITH THE ORIGINAL 17 YEAR PERMIT AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT.
ALL OF WHICH INCORPORATED A VERY STRICT SET OF REQUIREMENTS AND PUBLIC BENEFITS TO THE CITY AS WELL AS LONG TERM CERTAINTY FOR THE FESTIVALS.
IN THE YEARS THAT FOLLOWED, THE FESTIVALS CONTINUED TO GROW IN POPULARITY AND AS WAS MENTIONED IN 2016 WE CAME BACK AND THE CITY REQUESTED AND APPROVED AN INCREASE IN THE ATTENDANCE FROM 99,000 TO 125,000 FOR COACHELLA AND FROM 75,000 TO 85,000 FOR STAGECOACH.
UNFORTUNATELY THEY HAD TO BE SUSPENDED THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS DUE TO STATE AND COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS.
AFTER SEVERAL YEARS OF OPERATING UNDER THESE APPROVALS AND FOLLOWING TWO YEARS OF SUSPENDED FESTIVALS, WE ARE NOW THRILLED TO BE BACK REQUESTING THIS EXTENSION OF THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT AND PERMIT FROM 2030 TO 2050.
THE EXTENSION WILL ENSURE THE CONTINUATION OF THE LONG TERM PUBLIC BENEFITS THE FESTIVALS PROVIDE TO THE CITY AND THE GREATER COACHELLA VALLEY.
THE FESTIVALS WILL CONTINUE AS THEY HAVE BEEN.
THERE WON'T BE CHANGES TO ANY OF THE ATTENDANCE CAPS, THE FESTIVAL SITE, AND THERE ARE NO OPERATIONAL CHANGES BEING REQUESTED.
KEVIN DID A GREAT JOB EXPLAINING THE ENTITLEMENT REQUESTS.
WE DON'T NEED TO ADD ANYTHING TO THAT OTHER THAN THE FACT THAT YOUR UPDATED PLAN INCLUDES LANGUAGE THAT NOW CONFORMS TO THAT.
AS A CITY OF FESTIVALS, WE KNOW YOU'RE ALL FAMILIAR WITH THE VARIOUS CULTURAL EXPECTATION AND ECONOMIC BENEFITS THEY PROVIDE THE WHOLE VALLEY.
THESE WOULD BE EXTENDED TO 2050 WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE EXTENSION REQUEST INCLUDING THE LOCAL JOBS, LOCAL SPENDING, AND DIRECT INCREASES IN CITY GENERAL FUND REVENUE.
IN PARTICULAR THE TICKET FEES THAT THE CITY RECEIVES UNDER THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WOULD CONTINUE WITH CPI ADJUSTMENTS FOR UP TO 20 ADDITIONAL YEARS.
THE EXTENSION WOULD ALSO PROVIDE GREATER CERTAINTY OVER A LONGER PERIOD FACILITATING THE CONTINUED INVESTMENT IN THE LONG TERM SUCCESS OF THE EVENTS AND THESE NUMEROUS PUBLIC BENEFITS.
NOW PLANNING WITH THE CITY FOR THE FESTIVALS IS A YEAR ROUND EFFORT.
AND AFTER THE HIATUS OF THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, WE WILL BE WORKING AGAIN WITH THE CITY ON THE VARIOUS OPERATIONAL PLANS THAT HELP MINIMIZE IMPACTS TO OUR NEIGHBORS DURING THE FESTIVALS.
THE PLANS ALSO SPELL OUT A COMMUNICATION PROGRAM WITH RESIDENTS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION REGARDING THE FESTIVALS, WHEN THEY WILL BE OCCURRING, POINTS OF CONTACT INFORMATION, AND ALTERNATIVE ACCESS ROUTES DURING THE FESTIVAL.
IT'S BEEN A COUPLE OF YEARS SINCE WE HELD THE FESTIVALS, JUST TO SUMMARIZE THE OUTREACH EFFORTS WE CONDUCT WITH THE CITY EACH YEAR WITH ITS NEIGHBORS.
SO GOLDENVOICE COORDINATES CLOSELY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR WITH COMMUNITY SERVICE MANAGER JIM CURTIS AND A HOST OF OTHER FOLKS WITHIN THE CITY TO CONDUCT THE OUTREACH TO THESE NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES.
AND THIS STARTS IN THE FALL WHEN THEY MEET WITH EACH OF THE HOAS AND RESIDENCE GROUPS WHERE WE EITHER HAVE STANDING AGREEMENTS TO SUPPLEMENT SECURITY OR WHERE THERE HAVE BEEN ISSUES AND CONCERNS IN THE PAST.
[00:20:01]
THESE ARE ONE ON ONE MEETINGS AND THE CITIES OF COACHELLA ARE OFTEN PARTICIPATING IN THESE MEETINGS AS WELL.THEY DISCUSS ANY NOISE CONCERNS, TRAFFIC ISSUES, ROAD CLOSURES, ACCESS CONCERNS AS WELL AS SECURITY AND PEDESTRIAN ROUTES TO ENSURE THAT PEOPLE DON'T CUT THROUGH COMMUNITY.
AND WHERE NECESSARY THERE ARE THEN FOLLOW UP MEETINGS TO COME BACK WITH RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS AND TO ADDRESS ANY CONCERNS.
AND THEN BASED ON ALL OF THESE MEETINGS, GOLDENVOICE AND THE HOAS REACHED AN AGREEMENT ON ANY MODIFICATIONS THAT ARE NEEDED TO THEIR PRIOR AGREEMENTS FOR REIMBURSEMENTS FOR SECURITY.
THE CITY IS ALSO KEPT IN THE LOOP AND THIS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE THE EXISTING FESTIVAL PERMIT HAS A CONDITION, IT'S CONDITION 22 THAT REQUIRES A NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENT COMMUNICATION PLAN AS WELL AS A PRIVATE SECURITY PLAN.
AND GOLDENVOICE SUBMITS THIS TO THE CITY AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT REVIEWS AND APPROVES IT PRIOR TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE FESTIVALS AND AMONG OTHER THINGS IT DETAILS THE PRIVATE SECURITY THAT GOLDENVOICE WORKS OUT WITH THESE COMMUNITIES.
INFORMATION IS PROVIDED TO THE MEDIA WHICH THEN SENDS IT OUT, THERE ARE DIRECT EMAILS TO THE HOAS WHICH NOW SEEMS SO ANTIQUATED AND SO SOCIAL MEDIA IS ALSO USED AS WELL.
AND THEN A FEW WEEKS BEFORE THE EVENTS, GOLDENVOICE COORDINATES WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN SENDING OUT LETTERS TO THE HOAS WITH INFORMATION ABOUT RESIDENTS ACCESS AND RECOMMENDED ROUTES.
THERE ARE LIAISONS AVAILABLE 24/7 DURING THE EVENTS TO RESPOND TO ANY ISSUES AS THEY ARISE.
SO GOLDENVOICE HAS BEEN AT THIS FOR YEARS.
WHILE EVERY YEAR PROVIDES A NEW OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN AND IMPROVE, THEY BELIEVE THIS EXTENSIVE PREEVENT OUTREACH AS WELL AS THE PERMIT CONDITIONS REALLY HELP ADDRESS ALL OF THESE CONCERNS.
WITH THAT WE'LL JUST CLOSE ON CEQA AS WAS MENTIONED, THE PROJECT QUALIFIES FOR TWO SEPARATE EXEMPTIONS UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT, THERE'S THE CLASS ONE EXEMPTION FOR EXISTING FACILITIES WHERE THERE'S NOW INTENSIFICATION OF THE USE AS WELL AS THIS CLASS 23 EXEMPTION WHICH FEELS LIKE IT WAS TAILOR MADE FOR THESE TYPE OF EVENTS FOR NORMAL FACILITIES FOR PUBLIC GATHERINGS.
IN ADDITION THIS EXTENSION REQUEST IS ALSO COVERED BY THE UNDERLYING EIR.
WITH THAT WE'D LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION OF THIS REQUEST AND WE'RE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> QUICK QUESTION, ARE THERE CURRENTLY, WE HAVE THREE WEEKENDS OF FESTIVALS IN APRIL.
ARE THERE ANY PLANS FOR NOVEMBER OR OCTOBER FESTIVALS AS YOU'VE DONE IN THE PAST? IS THAT ALLOWED CURRENTLY?
>> IT IS ALLOWED, THERE ARE TWO FALL FESTIVALS ALLOWED UNDER THE PERMITS.
I THINK WE'RE GETTING OUR SEA LEGS WITH THE SPRING FESTIVALS AND LOOK FORWARD TO AT SOME POINT GETTING BACK TO WHAT MAY HAPPEN IN THE FALL.
>> ONE QUICK QUESTION IN REGARDS TO THE TICKET PRICES.
I NOTICED THERE WAS QUITE A BIT OF AN INCREASE ON THERE.
IS THAT SOMETHING THAT YOU PROJECT ON THE PRICES INCREASING THAT MUCH EVERY YEAR OR DO YOU SEE THEM DROPPING A LITTLE AFTER WE GET BACK INTO PLAY?
>> YOU KNOW, I'M NOT THE TICKET PRICE GUY.
>> SO I'M NOT REALLY IN A POSITION TO SPEAK TO THAT.
CERTAINLY BILL, IF YOU WANT TO TAKE THAT?
IT'S SOMETHING -- >> I APOLOGIZE FOR INTERRUPTING.
COULD YOU STATE YOUR NAME REAL FAST FOR THE RECORD.
>> BILL FOLDS WITH GOLDENVOICE.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION EACH AND EVERY YEAR AND WITH THE TWO YEARS OFF AND EVERYTHING THAT'S GOING ON THAT'S WHY YOU MIGHT NOTICE THE, USUALLY THAT INCREASE IS SO SUBTLE EACH TIME THAT THERE'S AN ADVANCED SALE, THEN THERE'S THE REAL ON SALE.
BUT THIS TIME SINCE THERE'S A COUPLE OF YEARS THAT WE DIDN'T DO, IT LOOKS A LITTLE MORE DRASTIC.
SO THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE TIMES THAT WE HAVE NOT INCREASED THE TICKET PRICING AND WE TRY TO NOT INCREASE IT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
HOPEFULLY THAT ANSWERS YOUR QUESTION.
>> DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? I'M SORRY.
SO I'LL GO AHEAD AND CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
AND ANY -- >> CHAIR, IF I MAY, I BELIEVE THERE WERE NO, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT NO REQUESTS FOR ORAL PUBLIC TESTIMONY, BUT ALL PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED
[00:25:07]
PUBLIC TESTIMONY WAS PROVIDED TO THE COMMISSION IN ADVANCE.THERE WAS NO REQUEST FOR ORAL TESTIMONY, HOWEVER THERE WAS ONE REQUEST OR ONE PUBLIC COMMENT SUBMITTED PRIOR TO THE MEETING AND THAT WAS DISTRIBUTED TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION, POSTED ONLINE, AND MADE PART OF THE RECORD.
I ALREADY CLOSED THE PUBLIC, DO I HAVE TO RECLOSE IT AGAIN? IT'S ALREADY CLOSED.
OKAY, I'LL START SINCE NOBODY WANTS TO START.
I'M LITERALLY A LOCAL GIRL AND I KNOW THE CONCERTS BRING SO MUCH TO THE ENTIRE COACHELLA VALLEY.
AND I THINK GOLDENVOICE HAS DONE A GREAT JOB BEING A GOOD NEIGHBOR TO THE NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE AREA.
AND I LOVE NOT TOO FAR FROM THERE, SO I SEE THE IMPACT AND I THINK IT'S VERY WELL MANAGED.
OTHER THAN I JUST REALLY WANT TO ENCOURAGE GOLDENVOICE TO CONTINUE WITH THAT TYPE OF RELATIONSHIP WITH THE NEIGHBORHOODS.
IT'S VERY IMPORTANT AND I THINK MOST PEOPLE ARE VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THE CONCERTS.
BUT IT DOES IMPACT EVERYONE AND I KNOW YOU'RE AWARE OF THAT.
I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONTINUE TO HAVE THAT TYPE OF A RELATIONSHIP AND THOSE CONVERSATIONS.
BUT OTHER THAN THAT, I THINK THE CONCERTS ARE A GREAT PART OF OUR COMMUNITY AND WE THANK YOU FOR HAVING THEM HERE AND FOR BEING SUCH A GOOD PARTNER WITH NOT ONLY THE CITY OF INDIO BUT THE COACHELLA VALLEY.
I REALLY DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
THERE'S REALLY NO BIG CHANGES FROM 2016 AND JUST THE EXTENSION, I DON'T SEE ANY CONCERNS WITH THAT.
COMMISSIONER VALDEZ, DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS?
>> JUST TO PIGGYBACK OFF OF COMMISSIONER FRANZ, BEING A GOOD NEIGHBOR.
I THINK THAT YOU GUYS HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB THROUGHOUT THE YEARS LITIGATING ALL OF THE TRAFFIC.
I'VE BEEN A RESIDENT OF THE CITY OF INDIO OVER TEN YEARS, AND I SEE THE IMPROVEMENT AND I APPRECIATE IT.
BECAUSE TRYING TO GET TO AN APPOINTMENT DURING FESTIVAL SEASON CAN BE A BIT OF A HEADACHE.
SO I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE TRAFFIC HAS GOTTEN A LOT BETTER.
AND I KNOW THAT BEING A GOOD NEIGHBOR WITH THE CONCERN WITH THE TRAFFIC AND THE RELATIONSHIP THAT YOU GUYS HAVE WITH THE HOA, JUST ENCOURAGING THAT RELATIONSHIP.
PEOPLE WORK REALLY HARD TO PURCHASE A HOME.
IT'S A LIFETIME OF SAVINGS AND GETTING THEIR CREDIT TOGETHER AND THEY FINALLY REALIZE THE DREAM OF BEING A HOMEOWNER.
SO WHEN THERE'S LITTLE THINGS THAT COME UP WITH ISSUES ON THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON IN THE COMMUNITY, JUST BEING MINDFUL OF THAT.
AND I THINK THAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING A GREAT JOB OF DOING THAT AND WE WANT TO DISCOURAGE ANYONE FROM PURCHASING A HOME IN THE AREA.
BUT I KNOW THAT YOU GUYS TAKE ALL OF THAT INTO CONSIDERATION AND I ALSO WANT TO THANK YOU FOR HOSTING SUCH A GREAT EVENT IN OUR CITY.
I'M VERY PROUD TO BE A RESIDENT IN THE CITY OF INDIO.
WHEN I'M OUT OF TOWN AND PEOPLE ASK ME WHERE I LIVE I DON'T SAY PALM SPRINGS, I SAY THE CITY OF INDIO.
SOME OF THEM KNOW WHERE INDIO IS AND SOME OF THEM DON'T AND WHEN I SAY HAVE YOU HEARD OF STAGECOACH OR COACHELLA AND THEY KNOW IMMEDIATELY.
SO THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK AND ALL OF YOUR EFFORTS.
>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER VALDEZ.
>> I APPRECIATE GOLDENVOICE FOR BRINGING THESE FESTIVALS NOT ONLY TO OUR VALLEY BUT OUR CITY OF INDIO.
I WAS AT THE FIRST ONE AND I'VE BEEN AT EVERY ONE SINCE, INVOLVED IN SOME CAPACITY.
I'M REALLY EXCITED AND EAGER TO SEE IT COME BACK.
IT MADE ME SMILE WHEN I WAS WATCHING A RECENT DOCUMENTARY ON WOODSTOCK 99 AND THEY GAVE THE COUNTERPART OF THEN THERE WAS COACHELLA A FEW MONTHS AFTER THAT.
AND THAT SHOWED YOU THE WAY A FESTIVAL SHOULD BE DONE.
I WAS AT THE FIRST ONE AND IT WAS OUTSTANDING.
AND EVERY YEAR SOMETHING CHANGES AND SOMETHING, WHETHER YOU'RE GROWING OR CHANGING THE VIBE OF THE FESTIVAL, EVERY YEAR TRAFFI THAT SEEMS TO MAKE IT MUCH EASIER TO GET IN AND OUT.
ESPECIALLY AT THE END WHEN SOMEONE IS TRYING TO GET HOME, SOMETIMES THAT'S FRUSTRATING AFTER A LONG DAY.
SO YOU GUYS HAVE CONTINUED TO MAKE CHANGES AND ADAPT AND IT'S MUCH APPRECIATED.
AND I'D LIKE TO ECHO AGAIN BEING A LIFELONG RESIDENT OF INDIO AND GROWING UP JUST A FEW BLOCKS AWAY FROM THE FESTIVAL AND ACTUALLY SNEAKING IN AND SEEING THE
[00:30:05]
FIRST ONE IN 1999, BUT SEEING IT GROW AND GROW.AND AGAIN I REALLY APPRECIATE THE OUTREACH YOU'VE DONE TO THE COMMUNITY OUT THERE, THE FOLKS THAT LIVE AROUND AND THE TRAFFIC IS GETTING BETTER.
AND NOT ONLY THAT, THE BUSINESS IT GIVES TO SOME OF OUR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS AND THEY'VE BEGUN TO THRIVE.
SO THANK YOU AND REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS COMING NEXT YEAR.
THE AMOUNT OF SUPPORT THAT YOU AS A GROUP BETWEEN EMPIRE AND EL DORADO AND GOLDENVOICE DO FOR ALL OF THE NON-PROFITS IN THE COACHELLA VALLEY ARE AMAZING FOR THE COMMUNITY.
>> SO WITH THAT IF I CAN GO AHEAD AND MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE AGREEMENT TO 2050 AND INCLUDE AND HAVE COVERED BY THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORIGINAL DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT THE CERTAIN PROPERTIES AS DESCRIBED IN THE SECOND AMENDMENT AND FINDING THE PROJECT IS CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT CLASS ONE AND CLASS 23.
I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NUMBER 2003, ATTACHMENT D, A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF INDIO OF THE ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT ZTA21-07-77 AMENDING SUBSECTION 159.463, SUBSECTION 159.166, SO THE MAJOR MUSIC FESTIVAL PERMIT REQUIREMEN APPLICABLE TO AN AREA IN THE CITY GENERALLY LOCATED SOUTH OF AVENUE 49 WEST OF MONROE STREET, NORTH OF AVENUE 42 AND EAST OF MADISON STREET, AND FINDING THE PROJECT IS CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT CLASS ONE AND CLASS 23.
>> I'LL GO AHEAD AND SECOND THE MOTION.
CONGRATULATIONS AND PLEASE GIVE MR. TILLETT MY BEST.
ITEM 8.2 VEGAS VIBE CASINO SCHOOL GRANTING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 21-05-1067.
[8.2 Vegas Vibe Casino School & Rentals LLC (Conditional Use Permit 21-05-1067)]
>> GOOD EVENING MY NAME IS NIKKI GOMEZ, ASSISTANT PLANNER.
AND BEFORE YOU IS VEGAS VIBE CASINO SCHOOL AND RENTALS LLC, CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 21-05-1067.
SO THIS PROJECT OR THIS USE WILL BE OPERATING AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF GOLF CENTER PARKWAY IN GOLF CENTER SQUARE.
ZONING IS MIXED USE NEIGHBORHOOD.
SO THE SUITE IS APPROXIMATELY ABOUT 1,054 SQUARE FEET.
AND THE PROPOSED USE IS GOING TO BE FOR A CASINO SCHOOL WHICH WILL OFFER GAMES DEALER TRAINING THAT INCLUDES THE POPULAR GAMES BLACKJACK, ROULETTE, CRAPS, AND POKER FOR CASINO TABLES AND EQUIPMENT.
[00:35:02]
THE SUITE IS OBVIOUSLY CURRENTLY VACANT AND SO THEY WILL OCCUPY THAT.AS FOR THE FLOOR PLAN HERE, SO ESSENTIALLY IT'S ONE GIANT ROOM OR A CLASSROOM FOR STUDENTS TO COME IN IN THEIR OWN PACE.
AND SO TO GO OVER THE OPERATIONS SO IT WILL BE FROM 9:00 A.M.
THE STUDENTS ARE OR MUST BE AT LEAST 21 YEARS OF AGE.
CURRENTLY THERE IS EIGHT STUDENTS ARE INTERESTED IN APPLYING AND THEY WILL HAVE A MAXIMUM STUDENT CAPACITY OF 20 STUDENTS.
THE COURSES WILL BE FOUR COURSES, MEANING THE FIRST COURSE IS THE MAIN DEALING COURSE WHICH IS THE MOST POPULAR GAME CARDS AND THEN THE OTHER THREE, THE ROULETTE, CRAPS, AND POKER WILL BE IN ADDITION TO THE MAIN COURSE YOU TAKE AFTER THE FACT IF YOU WANT TO SPECIALIZE ON THAT.
THE STUDENTS MAY ATTEND AT ANY TIME.
IT'S GOING TO BE AT THEIR OWN PACE.
SO ESSENTIALLY MAYBE JUST BY APPOINTMENT.
SO THEY ARE NOT REALLY GOING TO BE IN A SERIES OF CLASSES WITHIN THAT SIX MONTHS.
IF THEY COULDN'T FINISH IT WITHIN THE EIGHT WEEKS, THEY COULD CERTAINLY EXTEND AND THE SCHOOL WILL ALLOW THEM TO DO THAT TO COMPLY WITH THEIR SCHEDULES OR WHATNOT.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE THE COMMISSION TO BE AWARE THAT AS PART OF THIS BUSINESS OPERATION, THERE'S GOING TO BE A RENTAL PORTION THAT THEY WILL CATER TO, FOR EXAMPLE PARTIES AND CHARITIES.
BUT THOSE RENTAL EQUIPMENT WILL BE STORED IN A SEPARATE FACILITY, BUT THE OPERATION WILL OBVIOUSLY BE ON THIS SITE.
ALSO THE CONDITION HAS BEEN PLACED IN THIS CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT WHERE THE DEALER SCHOOL WILL BE PROVIDING THE INSTRUCTION OF CARD DEALING AND RENTAL EQUIPMENT, BUT NO GAMBLING OR ANY OTHER REGULATED USER PERMIT IN THIS SITE.
THAT WOULD BE PART OF THE CONDITIONS.
OTHER THAN THAT, THE RECOMMENDATION IS TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NUMBER 1998 A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF INDIO CONDITIONALLY PROVING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 21-05-1067 TO ALLOW AN INSTRUCTIONAL CARD DEALER SCHOOL WITH AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT RENTALS AS AN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION AT 43990 GOLF CENTER PARKWAY SUITE A3 WITHIN THE NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL ZONE DISTRICT, SUBJECT TO THE FINDINGS AND CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL THEREIN AND DETERMINING THAT THE PROJECT IS EXEMPT FROM CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT PRUDENT TO CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15301, EXISTING FACILITIES.
STAFF IS HERE TO ANSWER ANY OF YOUR QUESTIONS, AND I BELIEVE THE APPLICANT IS ALSO WITH US THROUGH ZOOM IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS FOR THEM AS WELL.
>> DO WE HAVE OTHER CASINO SCHOOLS IN THE COACHELLA VALLEY? I MEAN CONSIDERING HOW MANY CASINOS WE HAVE.
I THINK THE NEAREST ONE I SEARCHED IS IN ORANGE COUNTY IN SAN DIEGO.
>> OKAY, SO THIS WOULD DEFINITELY FILL A NEED IN OUR COMMUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO GET CERTIFIED OR TRAINED OR BE DEALERS HERE IN THE AREA?
THAT IS WHAT I WAS CURIOUS ABOUT.
ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS? ALL RIGHT, I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND OPEN THIS PUBLIC HEARING 8.2.
>> HELLO, MY NAME IS JULIUS CABALO I'M THE CEO OF VEGAS VIBE CASINO AND RENTALS.
>> NO, MA'AM, I DID NOT PREPARE ANY PRESENTATION.
>> I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE APPLICANT? STAFF'S REPORT WAS PRETTY THOROUGH.
ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THIS ITEM?
>> WE DID NOT RECEIVE ANY REQUESTS FOR ORAL PUBLIC COMMENTS TONIGHT.
DO YOU CURRENTLY RUN ANY OTHER, CAN YOU NAME ANY OTHER SCHOOLS THAT YOU'VE
[00:40:04]
RUN, OBVIOUSLY IN THE AREA, BUT -- >> YES, I WAS THE HEAD TRAINER FOR RESORTS WORLD CASINO BACK IN SINGAPORE, BUT THAT'S OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES SO IT RUNS IN MY EXPERIENCE.
HOWEVER THIS IS THE FIRST TRAINING SCHOOL THAT I HAVE EVER CONSIDERED PUTTING UP IN THE UNITED STATES.
I RECENTLY MOVED TO THE UNITED STATES, CAME HERE IN 2012, IN THE BUSINESS FOR 27 YEARS ALREADY.
AND HAVE HANDLED BEING HEAD TRAINER FOR A LARGE CASINO IN THE PAST BEFORE.
THE SCHOOLING, ARE YOU GOING TO BE WORKING DIRECTLY WITH THE OTHER CASINOS FOR LIKE JOB PLACEMENT OR HOW DOES THAT WORK ONCE YOU COMPLETE IT?
DO THEY -- >> THERE IS NO JOB GUARANTEE FROM THE CASINOS, THERE ARE NO TIE UPS AS OF NOW.
HOWEVER I CURRENTLY WORK AT SPOTLIGHT 29 CASINO AS THE CASINO SHIFT MANAGER.
AND THERE HAVE BEEN TALKS WITH THE PREVIOUS GENERAL MANAGER ABOUT UTILIZING THE SCHOOL TO ENSURE THAT THE SUPPLY OF DEALERS AND OTHER STAFF CONTINUES.
HOWEVER NOTHING FORMAL WAS REACHED IN THAT CONVERSATION.
IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE ARE OPEN TO CONSIDERING AND IT WOULD HELP US TREMENDOUSLY AND THE CASINOS IF WE COULD REACH A TIE UP AGREEMENT WITH THEM.
WOULD THAT REQUIRE YOU TO GO THROUGH THE GAMING COMMISSION?
>> YES, EVERYTHING THAT HAS TO DO WITH GAMING HAS TO GO THROUGH THE GAMING COMMISSION.
HOWEVER THE STRUCTURE OF MOST CASINOS IS AN INDEPENDENT UNIT FROM THE CASINOS ITSELF.
ALTHOUGH WE DO HELP THE APPLICANTS PREPARE THEM FOR THE AUDITIONS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO GO THROUGH TO JOIN THE CASINO.
>> YEAH, THAT WAS MY QUESTION.
BECAUSE I KNOW THAT THERE'S BACKGROUND SEARCHS AND STRICT GUIDELINES WHEN YOU APPLY TO A CASINO.
WOULD THAT BE LIKE A PRE, WOULD YOU DO LIKE A PRE-BACKGROUND ON SOME OF THESE STUDENTS THAT WILL BE APPLYING TO YOUR SCHOOL?
>> WE WILL NOT BE DOING A PRELIMINARY BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION BECAUSE THE CASINO SCHOOL WILL NOT ONLY CATER TO APPLICANTS FOR CASINO, TRIBAL CASINOS, BUT IT CAN ALSO CATER TO OTHER PLACES LIKE CARD ROOMS IN LOS ANGELES OR PLACES IN VEGAS THAT DO NOT REQUIRE THAT STRINGENT, THAT VERY STRICT BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION AS INDIAN TRIBAL CASINOS.
SINCE THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS, I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND CLOSE THIS PUBLIC HEARING.
I'M ASSUMING THERE IS A NEED FOR THIS AND THEY WON'T HAVE TO TRAVEL TO SAN DIEGO OR LA OR SOMEWHERE ELSE TO GET THE TRAINING ANYMORE.
I WISH THEM LUCK AND HOPE THEY CAN CREATE RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE LOCAL CASINOS.
OTHER THAN THAT, I THINK IT'S GREAT.
>> YEAH, I THINK IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR COACHELLA VALLEY RESIDENTS AND ALSO THIS SHOPPING CENTER HAS BEEN BUILT OUT FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND IT'S ALWAYS HAD RATHER LOW VACANCY I BELIEVE.
SO I'D LOVE TO SEE THAT SPACE GET FILLED UP.
>> I ALSO THINK THAT IT'S A GREAT ADDITION TO THE CITY AND TO THE COMMUNITY AND WE WISH YOU LUCK.
>> WITH THAT, IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION.
>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION THAT THE PLANNING COMMISSION ADOPT RESOLUTION NUMBER 1998, RESOLUTION ON PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF INDIO CONDITIONALLY PROVING CUP 21-05-1067 TO ALLOW VEGAS VIBE CASINO SCHOOL AND RENTALS LLC SUBJECT TO THE FINDINGS AND CONDITIONS HEREIN, AND DETERMINING THAT THE PROJECT IS EXEMPT FROM CEQA.
>> THANK YOU, AND CONGRATULATIONS.
NEXT ITEM IS 8.3 ARROYO CROSSING PHASE TWO, ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
[8.3 Arroyo Crossing – Phase 2 (Environmental Assessment 21-03-555 and Design Review 21-03-485)]
[00:45:01]
21-03-55 AND DESIGN REVIEW 21-03-485.>> SO THIS IS FOR ARROYO CROSSING PHASE TWO ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND DESIGN REVIEW.
DO WE HAVE A STAFF REPORT, LEILA?
GOOD EVENING MR. VICE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
I'M LEILA NAMVAR, SENIOR PLANNER AND WE'LL PRESENT THE PROJECT TO YOU.
AS YOU SAID THIS IS ARROYO CROSSING PHASE TWO.
AS YOU RECALL AROUND LAST YEAR THE COMMISSION HAD APPROVED THE TRIANGLE ON THE NORTH WHICH IS PRESENTED IN RED COLOR.
AT THAT TIME THE COMMISSION APPROVED 184 RESIDENTIAL UNITS WHICH ALL OF THEM WERE AFFORDABLE AND THEY INCLUDE SEVEN HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND THE PROJECT INCLUDED AMENITIES.
THE PHASE TWO WHICH IS DOTTED RED, IT IS AGAIN AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT CONSISTING OF NINE THREE-STORY BUILDINGS, FITNESS BUILDING, A COMMUNITY POOL, A TOT LOT, A DOG PARK, AND OPEN SPACE OR RECREATIONAL AREAS.
TO GIVE YOU PERSPECTIVE, THE APPLICANT HAS BASICALLY PROVIDED US WITH THIS RENDERING.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE SCREEN TO THE RIGHT, THAT IS THE TWO-STORY BUILDING.
AND THEN IT SHOWS THE APARTMENTS AND ALL THE WAY TO THE MIDDLE WHEN YOU SEE THAT, THAT'S THE SEPARATION BETWEEN PHASE ONE AND PHASE TWO.
HOWEVER THEY'RE GOING TO CONNECT INTERNALLY AND THE MAIN ENTRANCE IS FROM THE PHASE ONE WHICH WILL BE SIGNALIZED, THEY WILL HAVE SECONDARY EXIT TO THE SOUTH.
THIS SHOWS THE OVERALL AND ALSO THE LANDSCAPE.
IT SHOWS THE TOP PORTION, THEY HAVE A PLAYGROUND, POOL, AND ALSO THE SOUTH HAS PLAYGROUND AND POOL.
ALTHOUGH THEY CAN SHARE AND USE EACH OF THOSE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, THE RESIDENTS WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO USE THEIR OW RECREATIONAL FACILITIES.
SO THIS IS THE SUMMARY OF THE OPEN SPACE.
AS YOU SEE THEY HAVE ABOUT 80,000 SQUARE FEET OF OPEN SPACE WHICH INCLUDES THE OUTDOOR OPEN SPACE DOG PARK, TOT LOT, POOL DECK AND ALSO FITNESS AND A CLUB ROOM THAT THEY'RE PROPOSING.
ALSO THEY'RE GIVING US THE UNIT BASICALLY MIX WHICH IS ONE BEDROOMS, TWO BEDROOMS, AND THREE BEDROOMS. THEY'RE GIVING US THE COUNT ON THE PARKING WHICH THEY MEET THE PARKING RATIO.
THEY ALSO ARE PROVIDING 54 BIKE PARKING FOR THE PROJECT.
THIS IS BASICALLY THE COLOR PALLET AND MATERIAL FOR THE BUILDINGS.
THEY HAVE GRAY, DARKER BLUE, BEIGE, AND ALSO ACCENT GREEN USED IN SOME STRATEGIC AREAS.
THIS SHOWS TWO PALLETS WHICH I THINK THEY CAME WITH THESE TWO PALLETS BECAUSE LAST TIME THERE WERE SOME TALKS WHICH ONE SHOULD BE.
SO THAT'S WHY THEY SHOWED TWO VERSIONS.
SO THIS AGAIN OTHER SIDE OF THE ELEVATIONS.
AS YOU SEE THEY'RE PROVIDING SHADING ON MOST OF THE WINDOWS.
AND THERE'S VARIATION IN THE FACADE.
AND THE PARAPET WALLS ARE HIGH.
WE ALSO ADDED A CONDITION TO MAKE SURE THAT ROOFTOP EQUIPMENT ARE NOT VISIBLE.
THIS IS THE FITNESS FACILITY AND CLUBHOUSE WE WERE TALKING ABOUT.
[00:50:02]
THIS SHOWS ALSO 3D RENDERING OF THE PROJECT, AGAIN CARPORTS AND THE DRIVE AISLES AND THE GREEN AND LANDSCAPE.AND ALSO IN THE BOTTOM RIGHT VIEW YOU CAN SEE BASICALLY THE DEPTH OF THE PROJECT.
WITH THAT STAFF RECOMMENDS TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 1999 PROVING THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND THE RESOLUTION 2000 APPROVING THE DESIGN REVIEW.
THAT CONCLUDES MY STAFF REPORT.
I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE.
AND THE APPLICANT TEAM IS ATTENDING THE MEETING VIA ZOOM TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE AS WELL.
>> THANK YOU, LEILA, FOR YOUR REPORT.
DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR STAFF?
>> SO ON THE PARKING, IT SHOWED CARPORTS.
BUT IT'S HARD TO TELL ON THE LAYOUT.
IS ONLY THE OUTER EDGES AND THE ONES ON THE INSIDE ARE NOT, OR IS EVERYTHING COVERED PARKING?
>> MAY I GET THE PRESENTATION.
>> LET ME GET THE PRESENTATION SO I CAN SHOW YOU.
BY THE WAY THIS WAS GUS'S PROJECT SO I'M JUST HERE TO PRESENT.
SO I NEED TO GO BACK AND FORTH.
I SAW THE PICTURE TOO, BUT I COULDN'T QUITE FIGURE IT OUT, SO I THOUGHT I'D ASK.
SO IT LOOKS LIKE THEY HAVE CARPORTS IN THE SOUTH AND I DON'T SEE ANY GARAGES HERE.
BUT I WILL DEFER THAT TO THE APPLICANT SO THEY CAN PROBABLY EXPLAIN THAT.
I CAN SEE THE CARPORTS HERE AROUND ON THE EDGES.
AND THERE IS NO POINT RICK AROUND THE EDGES THERE ARE CARPORTS.
I DON'T SEE ANY GARAGES IN THIS VIEW, BUT I WILL DEFER THAT TO THE APPLICANT.
THE OTHER ONE IS I DON'T BELIEVE THERE'S ANY SOLAR ON THIS PROJECT.
BUT I WANTED TO ASK TO MAKE SURE I DIDN'T MISS IT.
>> THEY ARE NOT PROPOSING ANY SOLAR AT THIS POINT, BUT ALL OF THOSE CARPORTS HAVE THE CAPABILITY TO INCLUDE SOLAR.
>> AS YOU KNOW THEY ARE GOING FOR FEDERAL AND STATE FUNDING SO BASED ON THE AVAILABILITY OF THOSE FUNDS THEY CAN PUT SOLAR ON THOSE CARPORTS.
>> SO THE CARPORTS, THE WAY THEY'RE ENGINEERED THEY CAN HOLD THOSE SOLAR PANELS IF IT BECOMES A POSSIBILITY?
>> THOSE WERE MY TWO QUESTIONS.
THE FIRST ONE BEING I NOTICED AS FAR AS LIKE THE STUDIO SUITES, ONE BEDROOMS, TWO BEDROOMS, THREE BEDROOMS, WHAT DO YOU GUYS USE TO DETERMINE HOW MANY OF EACH PLAN YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO DEVELOP FOR HOUSING? I NOTICED THERE'S MORE ONE BEDROOMS THAN 2 AND 3 BEDROOMS. WHAT DO YOU USE TO CONFIGURE THAT?
>> WE DON'T IMPOSE THE FLOOR PLAN TYPES, IT COMES BASED ON THE MARKET STUDY FROM THE APPLICANT AND ALSO BASED ON THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
SOMETIMES THIS MIX ALSO NEEDS TO BE CHANGED BECAUSE THE FUNDING ARE MORE AVAILABLE FOR 2 OR 3 BEDROOMS AND THEY NEED TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF STUDIOS.
PLANNING DON'T HAVE BASICALLY ANY GUIDELINE OR RULE TO IMPOSE THE FLOOR PLAN.
>> BUT THEY USE SOME KIND OF STUDY TO SEE IF THEY'RE MORE IN NEED OF A ONE BEDROOM OR TWO BEDROOM OR THREE BEDROOM?
>> YES, THEY USE THAT AND BECAUSE THIS IS AFFORDABLE HOUSING, THEY ALSO TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT IS OUT THERE AND WHAT IS USED MOST OF THE TIME SO THAT'S WHY THEY BRING THIS MIX HERE.
ALSO AS YOU KNOW THERE'S ANOTHER 184 UNITS SO THEY'RE TRYING TO MIX AND CREATE A GOOD COMBINATION TO HAVE FUNDING AND ALSO BE ABLE TO LEASE EASILY.
BUT AGAIN I ALSO ASKED THE APPLICANT TO EXPLAIN MORE INTO YOUR QUESTION.
AND THEN ANOTHER ONE IS TO THE PARKING, I KNOW I SAID THERE WOULD BE 326 PARKING LOCATIONS AVAILABLE FOR THE TWO PHASES, OR IS THAT JUST FOR PHASE TWO?
[00:55:03]
>> THAT'S FOR PHASE TWO, I BELIEVE YEAH THAT'S FOR PHASE TWO.
>> SO THE RATIO FOR THE PARKING FOR THE RESIDENTS IS ABOUT LIKE TWO CARS PER UNIT? IS THAT HOW THEY CALCULATE THAT?
>> IT'S NOT EXACTLY TWO, IT'S ONE POINT SOMETHING BECAUSE THERE ARE 260 AND THEY GIVE US 326.
SO THAT'S BASICALLY ONE POINT SOMETHING PER UNIT AND THEY HAVE ONE BEDROOM, TWO BEDROOM, AND THREE BEDROOMS. USUALLY A ONE BEDROOM REQUIRES LESS.
THE ONLY THING I CAN THINK OF IS MAYBE AN ISSUE WITH NOT ENOUGH PARKING FOR THE RESIDENTS.
IS THERE A PLAN FOR CREATING SOME ADDITIONAL PARKING IF NEED BE LATER ON IN THE FUTURE?
AND AGAIN THE APPLICANT CAN EXPLAIN IT TOO.
THERE ARE SOME APARTMENT COMPLEXES, THEY ONLY HAVE SO MANY PARKINGS AVAILABLE SO THEY LEASE TO ALSO PEOPLE THAT THEY DON'T HAVE CARS SO THEY CAN USE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, THERE'S ALSO PARKING AGREEMENTS PROBABLY BETWEEN BOTH OF THE PHASES.
THAT'S NORMAL FOR THESE TYPE OF PROJECTS.
BUT I WILL ASK THE APPLICANT TO EXPLAIN ON THAT TOO.
>> AND LEILA AND COMMISSIONERS, IF I MAY, I BELIEVE ONE THING THAT MIGHT BE HELPFUL FOR CONSIDERATION -- IS I BELIEVE THIS PROJECT WAS PRESENTED UNDER STATE DENSITY BONUS LAW.
AND SO DENSITY BONUS LAW PROVIDES CERTAIN PARKING REQUIREMENTS AND IF THE APPLICATION IS CONSISTENT WITH THE OBJECTIVE STANDARDS, THE COMMISSION WOULD BE LIMITED, THE CITY WOULD BE LIMITED IN IMPOSING PARKING RESTRICTIONS BEYOND THE STATE REQUIREMENTS IN MY UNDERSTANDING FROM STAFF'S ANALYSIS IS THAT THE PARKING COMPLIES WITH THOSE REQUIREMENTS AS PRESENTED.
THEY'RE ALSO USING CONCESSIONS WHEN A PROJECT IS AFFORDABLE, SO THEY CAN USE CONCESSIONS ON THE GENERAL STANDARDS AND ONE OF THEM IS PARKING.
ANOTHER THING I NOTICED IS THERE IS A COMMUNITY POOL ON THE PLAN.
AND THAT COMMUNITY POOL IS FOR BOTH OF THE -- >> THERE ARE TWO POOLS, ONE FOR THE PHASE 1 AND 1 FOR THE PHASE TWO.
SO ONE IN THE SOUTH IS FOR THE PHASE 2, AND 1 IN THE NORTH IS FOR THE PHASE ONE.
BOTH OF THEM HAVE SIMILAR AMENITIES.
SO ALTHOUGH FROM SOUTH THEY CAN GO TO THE NORTH.
BUT THEY'LL BE ENCOURAGED TO USE THEIR OWN AMENITIES.
>> ANOTHER QUESTION I HAD IS WHETHER OR NOT THEY WOULD HAVE SOME TYPE OF SECURITY OR A PATROL LIKE JUST IN THE COMPLEX JUST FOR SAFETY REASONS.
I JUST NOTICED IN THE PAST THAT THERE WERE SOME APARTMENT PROJECTS THAT DID HAVE THAT AND THAT KIND OF HELPED KEEP THINGS FROM BEING VANDALIZED AND ANY CRIME ACTIVITY HAPPENING.
>> YEAH, SOME PART OF THE PROJECT IS THEY ARE KIND OF, THEY HAVE A PERIMETER FENCING THAT IS SEE THROUGH BUT THEY HAVE PERIMETER FENCING.
AND ALSO THEY HAVE AN OFFICE AND A MANAGEMENT ON SITE.
I'M NOT SURE IF WE CAN IMPOSE THE SECURITY MEASURE THERE, IT IS ABOUT 400 UNITS.
I DON'T SEE ANY SECURITY ISSUE PER SE.
BUT WE CAN ASK THE APPLICANT TO EXPLAIN IT.
IT'S IN A VERY BUSY MAJOR AREA.
BUT THAT'S SOMETHING WE CAN ASK THE APPLICANT.
>> THANK YOU, LEILA, FOR YOUR REPORT AND ANSWERING OUR QUESTIONS.
>> AT THIS TIME I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
AND LET'S HAVE THE APPLICANT SPEAK.
I'M THE BUSINESS DEVELOPER FOR PACIFIC WEST COMMUNITIES.
WE'RE VERY EXCITED TO PRESENT TO YOU OUR INDIO PHASE TWO PROJECT ARROYO CROSSING.
LEILA DID A FANTASTIC JOB PRESENTING OUR PROJECT AND THE DETAILS.
BUT YOU HAD A LOT OF QUESTIONS SO I FIGURED LET'S START WITH THOSE.
SO THE BEDROOM MIX, THAT WAS A QUESTION THAT CAME UP.
[01:00:05]
AND TYPICALLY WHAT THAT DOES IS IT'S SOMEWHAT DICTATED BY OUR FINANCING.AND OUR FINANCING REQUIRES THAT WE HAVE 25% TWO BEDROOMS AND THREE BEDROOMS. THAT'S WHY YOU SEE THE MIX THAT WAY YOU SEE ONES, TWOS, AND THREES, WITH 25% TWOS AND THREES.
ALSO LEILA WAS CORRECT, THE MARKET STUDY ALSO DICTATES THE BEDROOM MIX.
AND GIVEN OUR EXPERIENCE IN THE AREA, THERE'S OVER 120,000 PEOPLE ON THE WAITING LIST IN RIVERSIDE COUNTY.
SO MIX AND RENTS ARE ALL SUBSTANTIATED BY OUR MARKET STUDY THAT WAS CREATED FOR THIS SPECIFIC PROJECT.
THE OTHER QUESTION WAS ABOUT PARKING AND THE COVERS.
AND I BELIEVE ALAN, OUR ARCHITECT IS ON.
I BELIEVE WE HAVE 50% COVERAGE ON THE PARKING, IS THAT CORRECT?
AND LEILA WAS CORRECT THE CARPORTS ARE LOCATED ON THE OUTER PERIMETER OF THE SITE.
AND THE OTHER QUESTION WAS SOLAR.
ACTUALLY WE ARE DOING SOLAR, WE'RE DOING SOLAR ON PHASE ONE.
WE'RE DOING SOME SOLAR ON PHASE TWO.
AND AGAIN THAT'S COMMON AREA SOLAR CURRENTLY, RIGHT JUST FOR THE COMMON AREA?
WE ARE DOING WHAT IS REQUIRED CURRENTLY BY STATE LAW.
AND SO WE ALSO HAVE THE SPACE, LEILA IS CORRECT AS WELL, SO WE'LL HAVE SPACE ON THE CARPORTS TO UTILIZE THAT.
AND ALSO IF WE ARE TO POTENTIALLY EXPAND THAT.
SO RIGHT NOW WE'RE CURRENTLY JUST GOING TO BE OPERATING THE OPEN SPACE WITH SOLAR.
THE OTHER QUESTION WAS ABOUT PARKING SPACES.
SO THE 326 SPACES ARE ACTUALLY JUST FOR PHASE TWO.
I DON'T KNOW OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD HOW MANY WE HAVE FOR PHASE ONE.
BUT 326 IS JUST FOR PHASE TWO.
STATE DENSITY BONUS LAW REQUIRES THAT WE ONLY HAVE ONE SPACE FOR ONE BEDROOMS AND ONE AND A HALF SPACES FOR TWO BEDROOMS. BUT WE INCREASED THAT.
AND WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO INCREASE IT ACTUALLY.
WE PARKED IT AT ONE PACE FOR ONE BEDROOMS AND TWO SPACES FOR TWOS AND THREES.
SO WE'VE PARKED OVER THE STATE REQUIREMENT.
AND WHAT WE'LL DO IS AS WE GET INTO FINAL PRODUCTION, WE'LL LOOK TO SEE IF WE CAN FIT ANYMORE AND WE'RE HAPPY TO INCREASE THAT.
WE COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND PARKING.
BUT WE DO FEEL THAT WE ARE VERY ADEQUATE AS CURRENTLY PRESENTED.
THE OTHER QUESTION WAS THE POOLS.
YES WE HAVE ONE POOL PER COMMUNITY, SO THERE'S ONE FOR PHASE ONE AND THERE'S ONE FOR PHASE TWO.
AND SECURITY WISE, SO WE ALSO HAVE TWO MANAGERS THAT ARE LIVING ON SITE IN BOTH PROJECTS.
SO WE HAVE A TOTAL OF FOUR BETWEEN THE TWO.
SO BETWEEN THAT, YOU HAVE TWO MANAGERS ON EACH SITE THAT WILL BE LIVING THERE 24 HOURS A DAY.
WE HAVE A ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY.
THERE ARE WAY TOO MANY PEOPLE WHO WANT AND NEED TO LIVE IN THESE COMMUNITIES.
WE DON'T ALLOW ANY TYPE OF ISSUES TO BE PRESENT THERE.
THESE RESIDENTS GO THROUGH A RIGOROUS PROCESS TO BE ACCEPTED, THEY HAVE BACKGROUND CHECKS, THEY HAVE TO HAVE JOBS, THERE'S LANDLORD CHECKS, THERE'S INCOME VERIFICATIONS, IT'S A VERY VIGOROUS PROCESS, AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE ON THE WAITING LIST FOR A VERY LONG TIME.
SO THE PRIDE OF LIVING THERE AND THE PRIDE OF LIVING IN THIS COMMUNITY IS VERY STRONG.
SO WE FEEL THE SECURITY WITH THE MANAGERS THAT ARE THERE 24 HOURS A DAY, CONAM PROPERTY MANAGEMENT ARE A FANTASTIC FIRM AND MANAGE A FEW OTHER COMMUNITIES IN THE VALLEY CURRENTLY.
I THINK THAT WAS ALL OF THE QUESTIONS.
I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANYMORE AND ALAN IS HERE TO ANSWER ANY ARCHITECTURE QUESTIONS.
>> JUST ONE ITEM IF I MAY, THE PHASE ONE EQUALS 297 PARKING.
SO ABOUT 300 THERE AND ABOUT 300, SO AROUND 600 BETWEEN 2 PROJECTS.
COMMISSIONERS, ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FOR APPLICANT?
FIRST OF ALL WHEN YOU SAID 120,000 PEOPLE ARE WAITING, MY NEXT QUESTION IS WHAT'S YOUR TIMELINE TO GET THESE BUILT AND AVAILABLE?
SO THE GREAT NEWS IS PHASE ONE STARTS CONSTRUCTION IN OCTOBER.
AND WE'RE ANTICIPATING AN 18 MONTH BUILD.
THE EVEN MORE FANTASTIC NEWS IS THAT PHASE TWO WAS SUBMITTED FOR FINANCING AND IS UP FOR RECOMMENDATION ON AUGUST 11TH TO RECEIVE ITS FINANCING.
AND PHASE TWO WILL START SIX MONTHS LATER, ROUGHLY FEBRUARY OF 2022.
[01:05:04]
SO IT'S VERY EXCITING NEWS.THEY HAVE BOTH KIND OF HAPPENED BACK TO BACK WHICH IS KIND OF RARE IN THE CLIMATE OF FINANCING AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING THESE DAYS.
SO THEY'LL BE HAPPENING VERY SOON.
YOU'LL SEE SHOVELS IN THE DIRT IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS ON PHASE ONE.
HOW MANY OF THESE TYPES OF PROJECTS HAVE YOU DONE IN THE PAST?
>> SO WE HAVE OVER 160 PROJECTS THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA AND ACTUALLY THE UNITED STATES.
WE HAVE BEEN IN THE TOP TEN DEVELOPERS IN THE NATION FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
IN 2018 WE WERE DEEMED AS THE NUMBER ONE AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPER IN THE NATION.
>> SO ABOUT 15,000 UNITS CURRENTLY, AND WE HAVE ANOTHER 5,000 UNITS IN PRODUCTION.
THIS IS VERY EXCITING AND MUCH NEEDED IN OUR COMMUNITY.
>> COMMISSIONER VALDEZ, ANY QUESTIONS?
>> THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME FOR OUR QUESTIONS.
I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER FRANZ, VERY EXCITING TO SEE SOMETHING LIKE THIS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT YOU'RE OFFERING SOME THREE BEDROOM APARTMENTS.
I DON'T SEE A LOT OF THAT OUT IN THE COACHELLA VALLEY.
AND THAT COULD BE ESPECIALLY USEFUL FOR FAMILIES THAT MAYBE CAN'T AFFORD TO PURCHASE A HOME OR EVEN RENT A FULL HOME BECAUSE RENT HAS INCREASED TREMENDOUSLY OUT HERE ON SINGLE FAMILY HOMES.
SO WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING THIS AND -- >> CHAIR, IF I MAY, I BELIEVE WE'RE STILL IN THE PUBLIC HEARING PORTION.
THEN I'LL JUST CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
>> THERE WERE NO ORAL REQUESTS FOR COMMENTS TODAY FOR THIS ITEM.
>> THEN I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
>> JUST TO REPEAT WHAT WE SAID, WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE BUILT HERE AND IN A TIMELY MANNER.
>> THANK YOU FOR ANSWERING OUR QUESTIONS AND I AGREE, I'M REALLY EXCITED TO SEE A HOUSING PROJECT LIKE THIS.
WE ARE IN DESPERATE NEED OF HOUSING.
IT WILL BE NICE TO OFFER SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL AND GOOD QUALITY TO THE RESIDENTS THAT ARE IN NEED OF HOUSING LIKE THIS.
SO WE'RE EXCITED TO SEE IT COME TO LIFE.
>> I'LL GO AHEAD AND MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NUMBER 1999, A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF INDIO OF CALIFORNIA PROVING ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 21-03-555 FOR A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION AND MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM FOR THE ARROYO CROSSING PHASE TWO PROJECT.
>> VICE CHAIRPERSON YSIA THE -- YSIANO.
>> I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2000 PROVING DESIGN REVIEW 21-03-485 FOR THE ARCHITECTURE, SITE PLAN, LANDSCAPING FOR ARROYO CROSSING PHASE TWO PROJECT CONSISTING OF NINE THREE-STORY BUILDINGS WITH 216 RESIDENTIAL UNITS, A SINGLE STORY APARTMENT LEASING FITNESS BUILDING, A TOT LOT, DOG PARK, AND OPEN SPACE RECREATIONAL AREA SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS OF THE APPROVAL THEREIN.
>> ARE WE INVITING CHAIRPERSON LOPEZ BACK IN?
>> SEEING NO ACTION ITEMS OR STUDY SESSION ITEMS, WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND GO TO
[01:10:03]
STAFF ITEMS.[11. STAFF ITEMS]
>> ONE ITEM TO REPORT FROM ME.
TODAY THERE WAS A GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY FOR THE FIESTA, THEY ARE ON THEIR MERRY WAY SO TO SPEAK.
IT WILL BE OPENING SOMETIME IN 2022.
SO A VERY EXCITING OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CITY AND OBVIOUSLY THE PLANNING COMMISSION HAD A BIG ROLE IN THAT SO CONGRATULATIONS TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION IN HELPING THE CITY'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
AND I DON'T KNOW IF LEILA HAS ANYTHING SHE WANTS TO REPORT.
HOW DO WE GET INVITED TO THOSE NEXT TIME? I'D REALLY LOVE TO GO TO THOSE GROUND BREAKING.
>> I WILL SPEAK WITH THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT THOSE INVITATIONS GET EXTENDED TO THE COMMISSION.
I HAVE NOT ABLE TO MAKE IT MYSELF, BUT WE'LL TRY TO MAKE SURE IN THE FUTURE THAT THAT IS EXTENDED FOR THOSE WHO HAVE TIME AND FLEXIBILITY IN THEIR SCHEDULE TO ATTEND.
SO I'LL TALK WITH HIM TOMORROW.
AND THAT'S A NEW ONE, YOU WERE PART OF THAT.
[12. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS]
>> I'D JUST SAY THAT I'M REALLY PLEASED WITH THE LAST COUPLE OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINGS.
SOME GREAT THINGS HAVE BEEN BROUGHT IN FRONT OF US AND I'M REALLY HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO RECOMMEND TO CITY COUNCIL TO EXTEND THAT FESTIVAL DESIGNATION AND ALSO I'M REALLY EXCITED STILL SEEING PEOPLE STARTING TO TALK ON SOCIAL MEDIA ABOUT THE INDIO MARKETPLACE.
THAT MEANS A LOT TO ALL OF US ON THE COMMISSION.
PRETTY NEAR AND DEAR TO ALL OF US WHO GREW UP IN INDIO AND WOULD LOVE TO SEE SOMETHING HAPPEN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
>> IF I COULD JUST SAY ABOUT THE MARKETPLACE, WE ARE MEETING WITH THEM TO DISCUSS BUILDING PLANS TO GET THROUGH THAT PROCESS, AND AS YOU HEARD THEY HAVE A VERY AGGRESSIVE SCHEDULE.
THEY WANT TO START CONSTRUCTION THIS FALL.
THEN THE TEAM IS WORKING, I THINK THE MAJORITY OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION EXCEPT FOR COMMISSIONER VALDEZ SAW THE PRESENTATION IN NOVEMBER OF 2020 BY THE REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE HAGAN COMPANY AND THEIR SECOND PHASE OF THAT PROJECT THEY'RE WORKING ON SPECIFIC AMENDMENTS SO THAT WILL COME TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION AFTER THEY FINALIZE THEIR SUBMITTAL.
THAT AS YOU MAY REMEMBER INVOLVES MULTIFAMILY HOUSING, HOTEL, RETAIL PADS.
SO MORE TO COME ON THAT, BUT DEFINITELY THE FIRST PHASE, YOU WILL PROBABLY SEE CHANGES HAPPENING OUT THERE BEFORE LONG.
CAN WE DEFINITELY GET INVITED TO WHATEVER DAY THEY START TEARING THE MALL ABOUT? I JUST WANT TO TAKE A PICTURE AND BE THERE WHEN THAT HAPPENS?
>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO HONESTLY, BUT IF THERE IS AN EVENT, WE WILL MAKE SURE YOU'RE ON THE LIST.
>> PLEASE, WE WANT TO SEE IT HAPPEN.
>> NO, I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE STAFF.
I KNOW THAT YOU'RE A LITTLE MORE SHORT STAFFED THAN NORMAL AND THE PROJECTS ARE JUST CONTINUING TO COME IN WHICH IS GREAT AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU.
I MEAN YOU GUYS ARE REALLY WORKING HARD AND I'M HOPING WE GET MORE AND MORE OF THESE GREAT PROJECTS THAT HAVE BEEN KIND OF FLOATING AROUND FOR A LONG TIME AND THEY START TO LAND.
>> IF I COULD, COMMISSIONER, I WANT TO GIVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE.
A LOT OF THE CREDIT GOES TO LEILA AND NIKKI.
AND NIKKI'S RIDE SHOWED UP SO WE LET HER GO.
AND ALSO TO JUAN AND HIS TEAM.
AND ALSO THE BUILDING STAFF, THE BUILDING OFFICIAL AND THE FIRE MARSHALL AND HER TEAM.
SO IT'S REALLY A TEAM EFFORT AND CERTAINLY A LOT OF THAT STARTS WITH PLANNING AND I APPRECIATE THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT THAT LEILA AND NIKKI ARE DOING INCREDIBLE WORK RIGHT NOW.
WE'RE WORKING TO RESOLVE THAT AND WE'LL DO THAT AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN.
BUT IT'S DEFINITELY A GOOD EFFORT AND WE HAVE A GOOD TEAM.
SO JUST WANTED TO EXPAND THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT A LITTLE BIT.
>> I SAW THAT THERE'S SOME OPENINGS AT CITY OF COACHELLA AND DESERT HOT SPRINGS SO I HOPE WE'RE VERY COMPETITIVE WHEN IT COMES TO OUR PACKAGES SO NO ONE LEAVES AND WE'RE ABLE TO PULL IN SOME FOLKS.
>> I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR ALL OF YOUR HELP WITH ANSWERING QUESTIONS AND I'VE BEEN ON BOARD FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS AND EVERYONE HAS BEEN EXTREMELY GRACIOUS AND HELPFUL IN TEACHING ME THE ROPES AND I APPRECIATE THAT VERY MUCH.
AND THANK YOU TO EVELYN, SHE'S BEEN REALLY NICE IN ANSWERING QUESTIONS AND GETTING ME SET UP SO I APPRECIATE EVERYONE'S EFFORTS AND EVERYONE'S TIME.
>> YEAH, AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS FRIDAY, THIS TIME WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE SOFT OPENING POSSIBLY FOR DUTCH BROTHERS.
[01:15:01]
>> OUR APOLOGIES TO THE CHAIR AND COMMISSIONER FRANZ, WE DIDN'T KNOW THEY HAD SCHEDULED A SOFT OPENING FOR THE DUTCH BROTHERS THAT THEY HAD TO MODIFY IT AND WE UNFORTUNATELY DIDN'T KNOW THAT.
LEILA MAY KNOW MORE THAN ANYONE AT THIS TIME SO I'LL DEFER TO HER.
>> ACTUALLY I'M GOING TO COMPLAIN TOO.
STAFF WORKS ON THE PROJECT AND YESTERDAY I GOT COMMISSIONER LOPEZ'S TEXT AND I'M LIKE I DON'T KNOW, LET ME FIND OUT.
BUT I WAS TOLD, WHICH I WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM, THAT IT WAS MOVED TO FRIDAY, THE SOFT OPENING FROM 4:00 TO 8:00 AND THE GRAND OPENING WILL BE MONDAY.
BUT I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO CONFIRM.
SO SO FAR THAT'S THE QUESTION.
BUT WE DON'T GET INVITATIONS LIKE THAT.
LIKE FIESTA KEY NIKKI WORKED SO HARD AND SHE WASN'T EVEN.
>> WE'LL FIND OUT EXACTLY FROM OUR FRIENDS AT DUTCH BROTHERS WHAT THEY ARE PLANNING AND LET THE COMMISSION KNOW.
IF NOTHING ELSE YOU CAN GET IN THE LONG LINE ON FRIDAY IF THAT IS WHEN THEY DO THAT.
MAYBE OVER THE WEEKEND AS WELL.
AND THEN WE'LL SEE WHAT MONDAY HOLDS FOR ANY OFFICIAL ACTION.
>> I ALREADY LEFT A CHAIR THERE FOR ME FOR FRIDAY.
>> YEAH, I'M REALLY EXCITED TO SEE THAT UP.
AND AGAIN I WANT TO THANK EVELYN AND LEILA AND KEVIN FOR LETTING ME KNOW.
I WAS LIKE I'M ONLY TEN MINUTES LATE, DID THIS END? BUT I'D LIKE TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK AND REALLY EXCITED WHAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH THIS LAST 60 DAYS.
IF THERE'S ANY OTHER FURTHER QUESTIONS I'LL GO AHEAD AND REQUEST TO MAKE A MOTION TO ADJOURN?
>> I MAKE A MOTION TO ADJOURN.
>> ALL RIGHT ROLL CALL, PLEASE.
WE ARE A I -- ADJOURNED AT 7:18.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.