[00:00:01]
>> THE TAPE AND MATERIALS FROM SEPTEMBER 23RD HEARING FOR WHICH THIS PROJECT WAS
[1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL]
CONTINUED.>> ONE OTHER THING FOR THE RECORD.
LET ME MAKE SURE IT'S SHARING THE RIGHT ONE.
CAN YOU SEE THE PRESENTATION? PERFECT.
BEFORE YOU IS THE CHANDI PLAZA.
AND THE DESIGN REVIEW 20 06475.
[4. STATEMENT FROM THE COMMISSION SECRETARY]
[5. STATEMENT FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY]
[8.1 Chandi Plaza – Conditional Use Permit 20-06-159 and Design Review 20-06- 475:]
[00:06:34]
LET ME SEE IF IT'S JUST A QUICK BACKGROUND.THE ZONING PROJECT IS COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL.
IT ALLOWS FOR THE PROPOSED THE PROJECT WAS EXEMPT FROM SEKWA FOR CLASS 32 EXEMPTION.
AT THE SEPTEMBER 23RD PLANNING COMMISSION, THERE WAS A COUPLE OF ISSUES THAT NEEDED TO BE ADDRESSED BY STAFF.
WE GOT DIRECTION FROM THE COMMISSION.
ONE OF THEM WAS TO HAVE REVISIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS SO THE CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL RESOLUTION 1961.
AND REVISIONS TO THE PROJECTS ARCHITECTURE WHICH WAS DESIGN REVIEW ENTITLEMENT OF THE PROJECT.
REGARDING THE CONDITIONS OF THE APPROVAL, THIS IS FOR CONDITION 84.
AS YOU CAN SEE ON THE PREVIOUS CONDITION, THEY REMOVED TO CONSTRUCT FULL OFFSITE BECAUSE IT'S ONLY HALF STREET.
AND THEN FOR CONDITION 91, THIS WAS JUST TO CHANGE SOME LANGUAGE FOR WHERE ANY OF THE ASPHALT PAVEMENT WAS GOING TO BE ALONG INDIO BOULEVARD AND AVENUE 44.
THE APPLICANT HAS BEEN MADE AWARE OF THESE PROVISIONS AND THEY HAVE AGREED TO THESE CHANGES AS WELL.
SO SECOND, THE APPLICANT HAS REVISED THE PROPOSED ARCHITECTURE TO THE SITE.
THEY ARE NOW PROPOSING A MID CENTURY MODERN INSPIRED DESIGN THAT HAS CLEAN STRAIGHT EDGES.
SOME BRIGHT COLORS POP UPS, TRIM LINES.
THEY'RE ADDING THE USE OF FAUX FRONTAGES ALONG SOME OF THE BACK OF THE BUILDINGS.
SO I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND DEMONSTRATE THAT HERE IN THE FOLLOWING IMAGES.
SO HERE IS AN AERIAL VIEW OF THE REVISED SITE PLAN.
[00:10:03]
AND THEN HERE WE'RE GOING IN TO THE RENDERINGS.THIS IS FOR THE CONVENIENCE STORE.
SO THE APPLICANT HAS ADDED SOME POP OUTS.
THEY ADDED SOME FAUX FRONTAGES IN THIS AREA, ALONG INDIO BOULEVARD.
THE INCORPORATING SOME SCULPTURE, SOME ART TO BREAK AWAY ANY OF THE MASSING.
THEY INCLUDED THE BRIGHT COLORS AND THEY HAVE TRIM LINES THAT BREAK UP THOSE COLORS AS WELL.
SIMILARLY HERE, THIS IS THE RENDERING FOR THE RETAIL BUILDINGS.
THIS IS THE ONE THAT HAS THE OUTDOOR SEATING AREA.
THEY HAVE MADE SURE THEY INCLUDED ALL OF THOSE TRIM LINES OR THE SCORING OR REVEALS ALONG THOSE COLORS SO THAT YOU COULD SEE HOW THEY WOULD CHANGE FROM ONE COLOR TO THE OTHER.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THEY DID HERE WAS THAT THEY INCLUDED MORE LANDSCAPE ALONG THE DRIVE THROUGH AISLE.
THEY EXTENDED THE DRIVE THROUGH CANOPY SO THAT MORE CARS SO ANOTHER CAR THAT'S QUEUEING COULD ALSO BE PART OF THAT SHADE DB COULD BE SHADED.
THEY ADDED SOME OUTDOOR SEATING SO IT ALLOWS FOR, ESPECIALLY NOW WITH COVID, IT ALLOWS FOR SOCIAL DISTANCING AND BEING OUTSIDE.
LAST IS THE RENDERING FOR THE CAR WASH.
SO THIS AS YOU CAN SEE, THIS IS FACING FROM AVENUE FROM INDIO BOULEVARD.
IT HAS THE WINDOW SO YOU'LL BE ABLE TO KIND OF SEE SEMI TRANSLUCENT.
THEY ALSO ADDED MORE LANDSCAPING ALONG THE DRIVE THROUGH AISLE.
IN ANOTHER RENDERING, I BELIEVE THEY INCLUDED, IT'S THE ONE ON THE TOP.
THEY INCLUDED SOME MOUNTING TO FURTHER SCREEN THOSE CARS COMING IN IN TO THE ENTRANCE OF THE CAR WASH.
AND THEN HERE, MORE ELEVATIONS.
AS YOU CAN SEE THEY ARE PROPOSING TO BE SOLAR READY.
AND THEN THEY SHOWED HOW WILL BE HIGH ENOUGH TO SCREEN ANY MOUNTED.
THIS IS WHAT THEY'RE PROPOSING.
THEY HAVE PALM TREES ALONG INDIO BOULEVARD AND FRED WARRING AND AVENUE 44.
THEY WILL ALSO MAKE SURE ALL THOSE, ANY LANDSCAPING ALONG THOSE DRIVE THROUGH AISLES ARE GOING TO BE HEDGING 4 FOOT HIGH SO THEY CAN SCREEN ANY LIGHT THAT IS OMITTED BY CARS.
HERE IS THE NEW PROPOSED MATERIALS BOARD.
AS YOU CAN SEE, THEY HAVE DIFFERENT HUES OF ORANGES TO YELLOWS.
PAINT COLOR SO THEY CAN HAVE SOME ACCESS TO THIS.
PANELS AND RECLAIMED WOOD PLANKS.
WITH THAT, STAFF RECOMMENDS TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 1960.
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF INDIO, CALIFORNIA APPROVING THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 20 06 1059 TO ALLOW THE USE OF CONVENIENCE STORE, FUEL STATION, DRIVE THROUGH RESTAURANT, AND CAR WASH TO THE CHANDI PLAZA.
THE PROJECT IS CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT.
ADOPT A RESOLUTION NUMBER 1961.
APPROVING DESIGN REVIEW 20 06 475 FOR THE ARCHITECTURE, SITE PLAN
[00:15:02]
CIRCULATION, PARKING, LANDSCAPE, AND THE SIGN PROGRAM FOR A NEW COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT FOR THE FOUR NEW BUILDINGS COMPRISED OF CONVENIENCE STORE, A GASOLINE STATION, RETAIL BUILDING, A DRIVE THRU RESTAURANT, AND A CAR WASH, AND THE SIGN PROGRAM SUBJECT TO THE FINDINGS AND CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL THEREIN AND DETERMINING THAT THE PROJECT IS CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT FOR DEVELOPMENTAL PROJECTS.BEFORE I CONCLUDE MY STAFF REPORT, I WANTED TO POINT OUT THAT FOR THE SIGN PROGRAM, THE APPLICANT HAS SO THEY ARE REPURPOSING THE SIGN, AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE TOP CORNER.
THEY ARE REPURPOSING THE SIGN THAT'S CURRENTLY THERE.
AND THEY HAVE ADDED THE HEADER FOR THE BRANDING OF THE PLAZA.
AND THEY HAVE MOVED THE SIGNAGE FOR THE GAS PRICES LOWER TO THE BOTTOM OF THAT.
WITH THAT, THAT CONCLUDES MY STAFF REPORT.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, STAFF AND THE APPLICANT IS HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THE COMMISSION MIGHT HAVE.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, GUSTAVO.
DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OF STAFF AT THIS POINT? COMMISSIONER SEHA, ONE.
ON THAT SIGN PROGRAM, IF YOU GO BACK TO THE LANDSCAPE PLAN, IT ALSO SHOWS A NEW SIGN NEAR THE CAR WASH ENTRY.
IS THAT, I DON'T REMEMBER SEEING THAT IN THE SIGN PROGRAM.
IS THAT PART OF THE SIGN PROGRAM OR NOT A PART OF IT?
>> SO THIS LANDSCAPE PLAN WAS PART OF THE INITIAL REVIEW.
SO STAFF NEEDS TO REVISE, TO SHOW SO THEY ALL ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE SIGN PROGRAM AND THE LANDSCAPE PLAN.
>> SO THERE IS ONLY THE ONE TALLER SIGN BEHIND THE GAS STATION THEN.
SO THE APPLICANTANT HAS SO THEY WERE PER THE CODE, THEY WERE ALLOWED TO HAVE TWO SIGNAGE AT 15 FOOT HIGH.
HOWEVER, THEY ARE JUST KEEPING THE ONE SIGN AND REPURPOSING THE ONE SIGN THAT'S EXISTING THERE.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OF STAFF AT THIS TIME? NO.
I CAN'T SEE YOU ALL SO SPEAK UP IF I CAN'T SEE YOU.
SO WE'LL GO AHEAD AND OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING AT THIS TIME.
AND WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM THE APPLICANT AT THIS TIME.
MADAM CHAIRPERSON AND THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS.
I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED AFTER THE LAST PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING.
THE COMMENT THAT WAS MADE, THE DESIGN WAS TOO OLD AND IT WAS BORING.
TO HAVE THE ARCHITECT REDESIGN, MY TEAM WORKED REALLY HARD TO PUT THIS TOGETHER.
THEY PUT A LOT OF EFFORT IN TO THE PROJECT CAME OUT VERY BEAUTIFUL TO ME AND TO MY TEAM.
AND I'M HOPING THIS WILL SET THE INDIO BOULEVARD STANDARD OR BETTER THAN THIS EVEN.
THE NEW DESIGN IS BRIGHT AND COLORFUL.
WE PAID EXTRA ATTENTION TO MAKE THE BACK OF THE BUILDING JUST AS BEAUTIFUL AS THE FRONT.
WE ARE EXCITED TO BRING NEW DEVELOPMENT TO NEW JOB AND TAX REVENUE TO INDIO BOULEVARD AND BEAUTIFUL CITY OF INDIO.
GUSTAVO, YOU DID A GREAT JOB LAST TIME OF PRESENTING, AND TODAY, TOO.
I ACTUALLY GIVE YOU A COMPLIMENT.
>> I DO RESERVE THE RIGHT TO COME BACK AFTER PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ANY OTHER QUESTION YOU MIGHT HAVE.
DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OF THE DEVELOPER AT THIS TIME? COMMISSIONER CEJA, ONE > TO THE APPLICANT.
I THANK YOU FOR TAKING IT SO SERIOUSLY.
MY ONE QUESTION HAS TO DO WITH THE GAS STATION BUILDING.
MAYBE STAFF CAN ANSWER THIS, TOO.
DO YOU KNOW WHERE THE UTILITY DOORS OR DOES THE GAS STATION NEED UTILITY DOORS OFF THAT RETAIL PORTION THAT IT'S FACING OR BACKING TO INDIO BOULEVARD.
ON THE ELEVATIONS IT DOESN'T SHOW ANY OF THAT.
EITHER YOU OR STAFF CAN HELP WITH THAT, TOO.
>> I'M GOING TO BRING MY DESIGN TEAM ON THIS ONE.
ELIAS, CAN YOU TAKE A LOOK IN TO WHERE WE ARE.
[00:20:12]
>> HELLO, MY NAME IS ELIA, I'M ARCHITECT IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.
WE STILL DESIGNING THE BUILDING IN TERMS OF LIKE WHERE THINGS ARE GOING TO BE.
WE HAVE SOME REFRIGERATIONS THAT WE NEED TO INCLUDE.
BUT IT'S MOST LIKELY GOING TO BE ON THE SIDE OF THE BUILDING.
WE HAVE ELECTRICAL ROOM AND THAT'S THE ONLY DOOR.
SO THERE'S GOING TO BE TWO DOORS.
AND IF THEY NEED TO BE SCREENED, WE CAN SCREEN THEM AS WELL.
THAT WAS REALLY WHERE THE COMMENT WAS GEARED TOWARD.
THAT CAN KIND OF TAKE AWAY FROM SOME OF THOSE SCORE LINES AND COLOR SCHEMES YOU HAVE GOING ON.
SO WHEREVER THEY'RE PLACED, IF THERE'S A WAY TO HELP SCREEN THEM OR HAVE THEM BLEND IN TO THE ARCHITECTURE A BIT.
I JUST WANTED TO MAKE THAT COMMENT.
>> YOU CAN LOOK AT THE OTHER BUILDINGS.
IT'S GOING TO BE IN A SIMILAR DESIGN.
THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE VERY COMPLETE DIFFERENT COLOR.
THEY'RE GOING TO MATCH THE COLOR SCHEME.
OVERALL, I MEAN, THIS IS, YOU KNOW, A 180 FROM THE ARCHITECTURE WE SAW PREVIOUSLY.
I THINK IT ADDS SOMETHING VERY INTERESTING THAT WE HAVEN'T SEEN BEFORE.
AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, LOOKING AT SOME OF THESE ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS, THE USE OF THE SCORE LINES TO SEPARATE THOSE PAINT COLORS IS HELPFUL.
I LIKE THE EXPANDED >> COMMISSIONER CEJA, IF I MAY, WE MAY WANT TO CONSIDER HOLDING THE COMMENTS AND DELIBERATIONS UNTIL THE HEARING IS CLOSED.
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS NOW IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE TO ASK THOSE.
THE COMMENT THAT I WAS LEADING UP TO WITH THE ARCHITECTURE, HAD YOU LOOKED AT ANY PHYSICAL SCREENING OF THE CAR WASH OR DRIVE THROUGHS BEYOND LANDSCAPE.
PHYSICAL WALLS AND OTHER MATERIAL PERHAPS.
THERE WILL NOT BE ANY CHANGES TO WHAT WE HAVE.
I THINK WE DID A GREAT JOB ON IT.
YOU CAN SEE THE PROJECT PRETTY MUCH SPEAKS BY ITSELF TO THIS.
WE MADE IF YOU LOOK ON THE CORNER.
GUSTAVO, CAN YOU GO BACK? ON THE PROJECT BOARD.
IF YOU GO BACK TO SHOWING THE CAR WASH BUILDING TOWARDS THE INDIO.
IF YOU LOOK RIGHT NEXT TO THE CACTUS, WE PUT A BERM ON IT.
>> AND WE SCREENED THE DRIVE THROUGH VERY MUCH WITH THE LANDSCAPING ALSO AS WELL.
>> SO WITH THE BERM, WHICH I THINK WILL HELP QUITE A BIT, IN TERMS OF SCREENING OF THE VEHICLES.
AND I KNOW THERE'S PROBABLY A LAYER TURNED OFF ON YOUR LANDSCAPE PLAN SO WE CAN SEE THE SITE AND ARCHITECTURE BETTER.
SOME KIND OF PLANTING SCHEME IN THE LANDSCAPE TO REALLY EMPHASIZE AND HELP SCREEN, I GUESS, THAT CORNER.
I CAN GO WITH IT ON MY TEAM TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO BEST ON THIS ONE.
DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OF THE DEVELOPER AT THIS TIME? NO ONE ELSE.
I DEFINITELY ALSO WANT TO MAKE A COMMENT I APPRECIATE THE NEW LOOK AND I LOOK FORWARD TO ANY OTHER QUESTIONS WE MIGHT HAVE.
DO WE HAVE ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM?
>> THE FIRST PUBLIC COMMENT IS, I WILL BE READING THEM IN TO THE RECORD.
HE PLEDGES HIS SUPPORT FOR CHANDI PLAZA.
THIS YEAR UNLIKE ANY OTHER HAS BEEN A YEAR FULL OF CHANGE AND OBSTACLES IN APANDEMIC.
SECOND, IT WILL OFFER LOCAL BUSINESSES FOR INDIO RESIDENTS TO CONVENIENTLY
[00:25:01]
SHOP.BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, IT WILL PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.
COUNCIL, MR. CHANDI IS A GREAT DEVELOPER WHO IS PROUD OF HIS COMMUNITY.
SO I URGE YOU TO APPROVE THIS PROJECT.
CARLOS KING, PALLAMINO COURT IN INDIO.
THE NEXT ONE IS FROM BEA GONZALEZ.
GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSION MEMBERS, MY NAME IS BEA GONZALEZ.
I NOTICED AN UPCOMING PROJECT.
I KNOW THERE ARE SOME CONCERNS WHICH I AM SURE MR. CHANDI WILL ADDRESS AS FAR AS LOW GISTICAL PLANS AND REPORTS.
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT AFTER SEEING PROJECTS, I AM EXCITED AS A RESIDENT OF INDIO TO SEE NEW EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO CONTINUE TO GROW IN THIS CITY.
I THINK IT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL TO DEVELOP A PROGRAM FOR A CITY WHERE OPPORTUNITIES CAN BE OFFERED THROUGH MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF LOCAL AND COACHELLA VALLEY BUSINESSES.
THANK YOU FOR BRINGING JOB OPPORTUNITIES TO THE CITY OF INDIO.
GOOD EVENING, I WOULD LIKE THE FOLLOWING READ IN TO THE RECORD FOR ITEM 8.1.
I'LL ACTUALLY START THE TIMER FOR THIS ONE.
MY NAME IS JONATHAN BECERRR A.
I AM CONSISTENTLY DISAPPOINTED IN THE OPPORTUNITIES TO WE DON'T NEED MORE DRIVE THROUGHS.
WE DON'T NEED MORE GAS STATION FOOD.
OUR PEOPLE WANT AND DESERVE BETTER.
WHEN THIS COVID CRISIS IS OVER, THE PEOPLE OF INDIO NEED WE HAVE ENOUGH GAS STATIONS.
PARTICULARLY IN THE AREA PROPOSED, WE HAVE A CONCENTRATED SELECTION, I BELIEVE.
I QUESTION WHETHER THE HEALTH IMPACT ALL THESE CARS AND GAS FUMES HAVE BEEN LOOKED AT WHEN YOU COMPARE THE NEIGHBORHOODS TO ALL THESE GAS PUMPS AND IDLE CARS AROUND.
WE DON'T NEED MORE GAS STATIONS IN INDIO.
IT'S ONLY PROVIDING LOW WAGES, HIGH EMISSIONS, AND UNHEALTHY FOOD OPTIONS FOR OUR RESIDENTS.
THE RESIDENTS OF INDIO HAVE CONSISTENTLY SAID THEY WANT MORE THAN THE SAME OPTIONS WE'VE BEEN GETTING.
THAT INCLUDE PROJECTS LIKE THE CHANDI PLAZA.
PLEASE VOTE NOT TO APPROVE THIS PROJECT.
THE LONG TERM HEALTH IMPACT THESE IDLE CARS MAY HAVE IN THE LOCAL AREA WHEN COMBINED WITH HOW MANY GAS STATIONS IN TRAFFIC ARE IN THAT AREA.
PLEASE DO NOT APPROVE THIS PROJECT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, JOHN BESERA.
GOOD EVENING, CITY OF PLANNING COMMISSION.
I AM CONFUSED BY THE PLAZA BY CHANDI.
AND ASK THE COMMISSION NOT APPROVE THIS PROJECT.
WE DO NOT NEED ANOTHER GAS STATION THAT IS SURROUNDED BY SIX OTHER GAS STATIONS WITHIN A TWO MILE RADIUS.
PLEASE CONSIDER THE HEALTH OF YOUR COMMUNITY AND THE ENVIRONMENT WHEN YOU ARE APPROVING PROPOSED DEVELOPMENTS THAT HAVE INCREASED NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS OF OUR COMMUNITY.
WE SHOULD NOT BE WAVING ANY TSH WHAT IS ALSO CONCERNING IS HAVING SEEN THIS PLAZA SHOWCASED AT THE MAYOR'S BREAKFAST SO THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HAS ALREADY BEEN APPROVED.
THE COMMUNITY HAS A SAY FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS, ESPECIALLY WHEN OUR HEALTH IS AFFECTED.
MY NAME IS JEFF LEVINE, AND I AM THE CURRENT CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF THE COACHELLA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND A PROUD RESIDENT OF INDIO SINCE 2005.
I HAVE FULL SUPPORT FOR THE CHANDI PLAZA.
THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ, REVIEW THE ATTACHED LETTER ATTACKED.
THE LETTER READS FOLLOWS: GOOD AFTERNOON, CITY OF INDIO PLANNING COMMISSION.
THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ THIS LETTER.
MY NAME IS JEFF LEVINE AND I EVER BEEN A COMMUNITY RESIDENT SINCE 2005 AND RESIDENT OF COACHELLA VALLEY SINCE 1980.
VICE PRESIDENT DIRECTOR OF CLIENT SERVICE FOR ASHER AND ASHER CONSULTING.
THE REASON FOR THIS LETTER IS TO SUPPORT 100% CHANDI PLAZA.
INDIO IS A WONDERFUL PLACE TO LIVE.
[00:30:01]
AND THE CHANDI PLAZA WILL PROVIDE MANY ATTRIBUTES.FIRST AND FOREMOST, IT WILL PROVIDE JOBS.
THIS IS A GREAT PROJECT TO BRING A BRIGHT SPOT TO THE CITY OF INDIO.
CHANDI PLAZA AND ITS OUTSTANDING ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN WHEN YOU COMBINE ADDING JOBS AND ENHANCING THE AESTHETICS OF THE CITY OF INDIO AND PROVIDING THE COMMUNITY OF INDIO WITH NEEDED BUSINESSES, THIS IS A WIN FOR THE CITY OF INDIO AND ITS CITIZENS.
THIS LETTER IS IN FULL SUPPORT WITH MOVING FORWARD WITH THE CHANDI PROJECT.
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO REACH OUT TO ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS.
BELOW YOU WILL FIND MY CONTACT INFORMATION.
THIS LETTER WAS ALSO POSTED ONLINE ALONG WITH THE REMAINING LETTERS DISTRIBUTED.
AND THAT CONCLUDES THE PUBLIC COMMENT TONIGHT.
SO THAT WAS ALL OF THE ITEMS. DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OF THE DEVELOPER BEFORE WE MOVE OUT OF THE PUBLIC HEARING?
>> JUST AS A REMINDER, THE APPLICANT DOES HAVE A RIGHT TO RESPOND TO THE PUBLIC COMMENTS AND DID ASK FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO.
I JUST WANTED TO SEE IF THE COMMISSIONERS HAD ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE THAT.
>> I HAD ONE MORE THAT I JUST RECEIVED.
I AM HERE TO PLEDGE MY SUPPORT FOR CHANDI'S PROJECT.
HE HAS HELPED THE COMMUNITY NOT ONLY IN I'M SORRY.
NOT ONLY IN THE DESIGN OF THE SITE, THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT WILL PROVIDE MORE OPTIONS FOR INDIO RESIDENTS WHO TYPICALLY HAVE TO DRIVE OUTSIDE OF THE CITY FOR THIS.
WITH A LOT OF NEGATIVE OCCURRENCES THIS YEAR, THIS PROJECT WILL CERTAINLY BRING LIGHT IN TO THE INDIO COMMUNITY.
THEREFORE, I URGE THE CITY COUNCIL TO APPROVE THIS PROJECT.
DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS BEFORE WE ALLOW THE APPLICANT AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
>> I'M JUST CURIOUS IF THE LANDSCAPE DESIGN INCLUDES ANY MITIGATION OR OF THOSE PLANS INCLUDE ANY OF THAT IN TO CONSIDERATION.
>> I WOULD DEFER THAT QUESTION TO THE APPLICANT.
>> COULD YOU PLEASE REPEAT YOUR QUESTION.
I'M WONDERING IF THE LANDSCAPE DESIGN WAS ONE WITH ANY SORT OF, YOU KNOW, ANY SORT OF AIR QUALITY IMPACT MITIGATION FOCUS OR LENS.
I KNOW THAT YOU'RE SAYING THAT IT'S EXEMPT FOR IN FLOW DEVELOPMENT.
I THINK SOME THINGS WERE BROUGHT UP THAT MIGHT BE OF CONCERN ABOUT THE AIR QUALITY.
SO I'M WONDERING IF THE LANDSCAPE DESIGN INCLUDES ANY SORT OF MITIGATION ATTENTION.
>> THE LANDSCAPE DESIGN I DEFER TO THE CHANDI GROUP TO SEE IF IT WAS DONE WITH THAT LENS FOR AIR QUALITY.
HOWEVER, THE LANDSCAPE DESIGN WAS SUPPOSED TO MEET OTHER REGULATION WHICH IS STATE WATER DEFICIENCY AND ALSO WATER EFFICIENCY SORRY, EFFICIENCY REGULATIONS.
SO THOSE HAVE BEEN PLAYED A BIG ROLE IN THE LANDSCAPE PLAN.
BUT I WOULD DEFER THE AIR QUALITY PORTION TO THE APPLICANT.
>> IF I COULD, CHAIR, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS.
I THINK THE COMMISSIONER IS ASKING IF THERE'S BEEN ANY CARBON CAPTURE VEGETATION UTILIZED IN THE LANDSCAPE DESIGN.
THERE ARE CERTAIN VEGETATION SPECIES THAT CAPTURE CARBON AND RECYCLE THEM IN TO THE GROUND.
I'M NOT SURE BUT I THINK THAT WAS THE INTENT OF HIS QUESTION.
THAT WOULD BE GOOD SO THE APPLICANT UNDERSTOOD.
DO WE HAVE ANYONE TO ANSWER THAT ON BEHALF OF CHANDI GROUP? OR TO ADDRESS THE QUESTION.
IT'S TONI, CFO VICE PRESIDENT WITH CHANDI GROUP.
[00:35:05]
HOW ARE YOU ALL? I DON'T KNOW IF THAT WAS ADDRESSED SPECIFICALLY IN THE LANDSCAPING.I DON'T KNOW THAT STAFF SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED THAT WITH OUR EXEMPTIONS.
BUT IF THERE'S SOME SORT OF CARBON ABSORBING LANDSCAPE THAT STAFF WANTS TO INCORPORATE IN TO THE PROJECT THAT IS NOT COST PROHIBITED, I'M SURE MR. CHANDI WILL BE OPEN IT THAT DISCUSSION.
PERHAPS THE COMMISSIONER HAS MORE INFORMATION ON THAT.
THAT MIGHT BE HIS AREA OF EXPERTISE.
>> PERSONALLY, ACTUALLY I WANT TO DEFER THIS QUESTION BACK TO OUR PLANNING DIRECTOR BECAUSE YOU GUYS DO THIS EVERY DAY, THE PROJECT.
SO I DON'T KNOW THE LANDSCAPING HAS HOW MUCH TO DO WITH THE CARBON ISSUE ON IT.
BY THE WAY, COMMISSIONER CHRISTIAN, WELCOME TO THE COMMITTEE.
>> CHAIR, WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO RESPOND?
>> SO JUST TO BE CLEAR, THERE ARE NO CURRENT REQUIREMENTS IN CITY CODE FOR CARBON CAPTURE.
COULD BE LOOKED AT IN THE FUTURE.
BUT THE COMMISSIONER'S QUESTION IS THERE ARE CERTAIN TYPES OF SPECIES THAT DO WITHDRAW THE CARBON EMISSIONS FROM THE AIR AND DO HELP RECYCLE THEM SO THAT THEY IN ESSENCE ACT AS A NATURAL PURIFIER WHERE THERE MIGHT BE IDLING VEHICLES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
IT IS A MECHANISM GETTING MORE USED AS A CLIMATE IMPACT MITIGATION MEASURE.
WE CAN CERTAINLY I AM BY NO MEANS AN EXPERT THIS.
BUT WE CAN CERTAINLY WORK WITH THE CHANDI GROUP TO LOOK AT THAT.
I THINK THAT'S A FAIR CONSIDERATION.
BUT I THINK WE CAN CERTAINLY DISCUSS THIS WITH THE CHANDI GROUP AND SEE IF THAT'S SOMETHING THAT COULD BE LOOKED AT.
BUT IT'S NOT A REQUIRE OCCURRED IN CITY CODE.
IT'S CERTAINLY NOT AN IDENTIFIED MITIGATION MEASURE.
AS NOTED BEFORE THIS ITEM HAS STAFF HAS THERE IS NOT A REQUIRED MITIGATION MEASURE.
WE'RE HAPPY TO WORK WITH THEM TO SEE IF IT MIGHT BE A VIABLE OPPORTUNITY.
SOMEONE IS RAISING THEIR HAND.
I JUST WANTED TO CHIME IN THAT THE BASE FOR THE AIR AND NOISE ELEMENTS OF ANY PROJECT WOULD BE CONTINGENT UPON THE TRAFFIC GENERATION OF THE PROJECT.
AND THIS PROPOSED ACTION PLAN DOES NOT HAVE ANY SIGNIFICANT IMPACT WITH REGARD TO TRAFFIC.
AND OVER THE PAST NUMBER OF MONTHS, I HAVE PERSONALLY WORKED VERY CLOSELY WITH YOUR CITY TRAFFIC ENGINEER, MR. MARK GREENWOOD.
AND ALL ALONG, WE HAVE ANALYZED THE PROJECT BASED UPON ITE'S NATIONAL, ITES STATE OF CALIFORNIA TRIP GENERATION RATES.
SINCE THIS SPECIFIC PROJECT DOES NOT HAVE ANY ADVERSE IMPACT ON ANY OF THE MAJOR INTERSECTIONS THAT THE CITY TRAFFIC ENGINEER RECORD US TO ANALYZE, TO EVALUATE AND ASSESS AND APPRAISE IN REFERENCE TO WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE, THIS PROJECT DOES NOT HAVE ANY IMPACTS.
I MEAN, IT DID HAVE SOME MINOR IMPACTS, BUT WE WERE ABLE TO MITIGATE BY IMPROVING THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL ELEMENTS AT TWO OF THE INTERSECTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED IN DETAILS IN THE TRAFFIC IMPACT STUDY.
SO TO GO ONE STEP FURTHER IN THIS PROJECT, WE USED 5% GROWTH RATE JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR APPROACH IS THE MOST CONSERVATIVE APPROACH FOR THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF INDIO.
I SERVE AS ALSO CITY TRAFFIC ENGINEER FOR THE FASTEST GROWING CITY IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, CITY OF BEAUMONT IN RIVERSIDE COUNTY.
FOR THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, WHICH IS THE FASTEST GROWING CITY ACCORDING TO FINANCE IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, THE GROWTH RATE IS 3%.
FOR THIS PROJECT, FOR THE FUTURE GROWTH OF TRAFFIC, AND ULTIMATELY, TO LOOK AT NOISE, ULTIMATELY TO LOOK AT AIR, WE USE 5% GROWTH FACTOR THAT NO OTHER CITIES, 484 CITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA WITHIN 58 COUNTIES.
NO OTHER AGENCIES WOULD USE THAT EXTREME HIGH GROWTH RATE.
SO I WANTED TO ASSURE THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF INDIO, THE CITY, THE COMMISSIONERS, AND THE CITY STAFF, THAT THIS PROJECT HAS GONE THROUGH THE HIGHEST HOOTNY FROM TRAFFIC PERSPECTIVE.
TRAFFIC IS THE FOUNDATION FOR THE NOISE MODELING AND AIR QUALITY MODELING.
[00:40:05]
THEREFORE, I FEEL CONFIDENT AS A TRAFFIC ENGINEER IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, AS A REGISTERED ONE, THAT THIS PROJECT HAS GONE BEYOND USING THE MOST, YOU KNOW, THE HIGHEST GROWTH FACTORS.THEREFORE WE DON'T SEE THIS WOULD HAVE ANY SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS WHEN IT COMES TO TRAFFIC AIR OR NOISE.
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO ME.
I THINK WE HAVE ANOTHER COMMENT FROM MR. MOORE.
>> YEAH, HI THERE, THIS IS CHRIS MOORE WITH THE ALTAM GROUP.
I WAS HIRED BY THE CHANDI GROUP FOR THE CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION UNDER SEKRA.
WE CONDUCTED A VARIETY OF TECHNICAL ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES, INCLUDING AIR QUALITY AND GREEN HOUSE GAS EMISSIONS STUDY OF THE PROJECT.
IT WAS FOUND THAT THERE WERE NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS, AND THERE WERE NO MITIGATION MEASURES THAT WERE REQUIRED FOR THE PROJECT.
ONE OF THE THINGS I WANTED TO POINT OUT WAS THAT FOR THE GREEN HOUSE GAS EMISSION ANALYSIS THAT WAS DONE, WE LOOKED AT VARIOUS PROJECT DESIGN FEATURES THAT WERE USED IN ORDER TO HELP TO REDUCE THE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS TO THE GREATEST EXTENT POSSIBLE.
THERE WERE A NUMBER OF DESIGN FEATURES THAT WERE BENEFICIAL IN TERMS OF REDUCING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS.
PART OF THAT WAS THE USE OF SOLAR POWER ON SITE.
ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS, AS WELL AS BUILDING SIDEWALKS TO ENCOURAGE PEDESTRIAN MOBILITY IN THE AREA.
AS WELL AS THERE WERE A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT DESIGN FEATURES.
LET'S SEE WHAT ELSE WAS THERE? PRE WIRING THE PROJECT FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS.
I GOT KIND OF A LIST THAT CAME RIGHT FROM THE CITY'S DEVELOPMENT REVIEW CHECKLIST.
WE WENT THROUGH THE WHOLE LIST.
WE IDENTIFIED A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT FEATURES THAT WERE ALL INTENDED TO HELP REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE IDENTIFIED A LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT IMPACT RELATING TO GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS.
>> CHAIR, IF I MIGHT BRING US FULL CIRCLE ON THIS.
BECAUSE THE DETERMINATION OF CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION OCCURS UNDER I THINK WHAT I WOULD RECOMMEND IS THE COMMISSIONER'S COMMENT HAS BEEN RECEIVED AND IF THE CHANDI GROUP IS INTERESTED IN EXPLORING THIS WITH US VOLUNTARILY, WE'RE HAPPY TO WORK WITH THEM.
CARBON CAPTURE IS NOT A SIGNIFICANT UNDERTAKING.
THERE'S COMMON VEGETATION THAT IS USED ALL THE TIME.
AND SO WE'RE HAPPY TO DO THAT.
BUT JUST TO NOTE FOR THE RECORD, THERE'S NOT THE LEGAL AUTHORITY TO IMPOSE ANY I THINK IT WAS A GREAT QUESTION TO ASK AND CERTAINLY AN IMPORTANT QUESTION AS WE ALL TRY TO DEAL WITH CLIMATE CHANGE ISSUES.
I THINK EVELYN, WE HAD ONE MORE LETTER TO READ IN TO THE RECORD BEFORE WE MOVED ON TO THE APPLICANT.
THIS LETTER IS TO BE READ IN TO THE RECORD.
DR. MEMBERS OF DEAR MEMBERS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION, I AM A HOMEOWNER.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS PUBLIC COMMENT IS TO OBJECT A STAFF ON ITEM AND ASK THE COMMISSION TO FIND THAT ITEM 8.1 IS NOT EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT, SEQA.
13 STREET LIGHT INTERSECTIONS, THREE CAR WASHES AND AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WITHIN 1 AND A HALF MILE STRETCH.
THE PROJECT WOULD ADD EIGHT EXTRA PUMPS, ANOTHER CONVENIENCE STORE AND CARWASH TO THIS ALREADY HEAVILY BURDENED LANDSCAPE.
THE IN FIELD DEVELOPMENT DOES NOT APPLY.
STAFF RECOMMENDED APPROVAL SUBJECT TO A DETERMINATION THAT THE SEQA IN FIELD DEVELOPMENT APPLIES TO THE PROJECT.
CALIFORNIA CODE REGULATIONS 15332 D EXPLAINS THAT THE IN FILL EXEMPTION ANY
[00:45:05]
SIGNIFICANT EFFECTS TO TRAFFIC NOISE, AIR QUALITY OR WATER QUALITY.CUMULATIVELY CONSIDERABLE AND THEREFORE SIGNIFICANT.
CODE SECTION 21038 B 3 CUMULATIVELY CONSIDERABLE MEANS THAT THE INCREMENTAL EFFECTS OF AN INDIVIDUAL PROJECT ARE CONSIDERABLE WHEN VIEWED IN CONNECTION WITH THE EFFECTS OF PAST PROJECTS.
THE EFFECTS OF OTHER CURRENT PROJECTS, AND THE EFFECTS OF PROBABLE FUTURE PROJECTS.
THIS REQUIRES A LOCAL LEAD AGENCY TO DETERMINE WHETHER POLLUTION FROM A PROPOSED PROJECT WILL HAVE SIGNIFICANT EFFECTS ON ANY NEARBY COMMUNITIES WHEN CONSIDERED TOGETHER WITH ANY POLLUTION BURDENS THOSE COMMUNITIES ALREADY ARE BEARING.
ACCORDINGLY, THE FACT THAT AN AREA ALREADY IS POLLUTED MAKES IT MORE LIKELY THE AREA POLLUTION WILL BE SIGNIFICANT.
WHERE THERE ALREADY IS HIGH POLLUTION BURDEN IN A COMMUNITY.
THE QUESTION IS WHETHER ANY OTHER DECISIONAL AMOUNT OF POLLUTION SHOULD BE CONSIDERED SIGNIFICANT IN LIGHT OF THIS SERIOUS NATURE OF THE EXISTING PROBLEM.
221 CAL APP CITING SEQA GUIDELINES, QUALIFIED BY CONSIDERATION OF WHERE THE PROJECT IS TO BE LOCATED.
A PROJECT THAT IS ORDINARILY INSIGNIFICANT IN ITS IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT MAY IN A PARTICULARLY SENSITIVE ENVIRONMENT BE SIGNIFICANT.
GREATER TRAFFIC EXHAUST AND NOISE BY INCREASING THE NUMBER OF PUMPS BY MORE THAN 10%.
WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO CONTINUE?
>> INCREASING THE NUMBER OF PUMPS MORE THAN 10% OF WHAT WOULD CURRENTLY EXIST.
THE COMMISSION SHOULD DECLINE THIS PROPOSAL BECAUSE THE IN FILL EXEMPTIONS DOES NOT APPLY.
PROXIMITY TO THE 10 FREEWAY AND FREIGHT TRAINS THAT PASS THROUGH THAT AREA ON A DAILY BASIS MUST BE TAKEN IN TO CONSIDERATION BEFORE APPROVING THIS PROJECT.
WHEN PROPERLY TAKEN IN TO CONSIDERATION, THE ONLY CONCLUSION IS THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT CUMULATIVE IMPACTS THAT THE PROJECT WILL CONTRIBUTE TO AND THE PROJECT AS PROPOSED MUST BE DECLINED.
WOULD STAFF LIKE TO ADDRESS ANY OF THOSE ITEMS FOR THE DEVELOPERS TEAM?
>> I THINK THE ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY WOULD LIKE TO RESPOND TO CLARIFY SEQA.
>> I KNOW THE APPLICANT RESERVED SOME REBUTTAL TIME AS WELL.
AND GIVEN THERE ARE SOME NEW COMMENTS, THEY MIGHT WANT TO JUMP IN AS WELL.
I THINK ONE POINT TO AS THE STAFF NOTED AND THE APPLICANT AS EXEMPTION REQUIRES CONSIDERATION OF CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS INCLUDING, YOU KNOW, FOR EXAMPLE, NOISE ISSUES, ALL OF THOSE ARE CONSIDERED AGAINST THE EXISTING CONDITIONS.
THE BASELINE WHICH WOULD BE THE SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT AND EXISTING CONDITIONS AS THEY ARE NOW.
THE CONCEPT OF THE CUMULATIVE IMPACTS IS A CONCEPT UNDER SEQA.
IT'S MORE GENERALLY RESERVED FOR PROVIDING A REASONABLE FORECAST FUTURE.
FOR EXAMPLE, THERE WOULD BE MULTIPLE PROPOSED PROJECTS AT THE SAME TIME.
I'M NOT AWARE THAT'S THE CASE HERE.
IT SOUNDED LIKE FROM THE LETTER THAT THE EFFECTS MENTIONED WOULD BE THE PROJECTS IMPACTS.
DO WE HAVE ANYONE FROM THE APPLICANT THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? NO.
WOULD THE APPLICANT LIKE TO REBUTT OR HAVE ANY LAST COMMENTS BEFORE WE CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT AT THIS TIME?
>> WE JUST WANT TO SAY THAT WE STAND BY THE CONSULTANTS.
THEY'VE ALREADY WEIGHED IN AND INDICATED THE STUDIES THAT HAVE BEEN DONE.
AND THANK YOU TO THE CITY ATTORNEY FOR YOUR CLARIFICATIONS ALSO.
DO WE HAVE ANYMORE QUESTIONS OF THE APPLICANT AT THAT TIME? NO.
THEN WE'LL GO AHEAD AND CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
AND WE CAN HAVE CONVERSATION DELIBERATION AMONG THE COMMISSIONERS.
DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS AT THIS TIME?
[00:50:07]
NO ONE.COMMISSIONER CEJA >> I WANTED TO SHARE THAT SOME OF THE COMMENTS THAT WERE BEING BROUGHT UP I THINK EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE DONE THE IMPACT REPORT THAT IT'S NOT UNNECESSARY AND IT FINDS ITSELF TO BE EXEMPT.
I THINK THESE RAISES A QUESTION ABOUT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF DEVELOPMENT AS IT'S COMING IN TO THE CITY ABOUT ADDRESSING SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT ARE ALREADY PRESENT IN OUR CITY.
I WAS ACTUALLY CURIOUS ABOUT THE CURRENT AIR QUALITY SCREENING.
IT LOOKS LIKE 60 TO 65% OF BAD AIR QUALITY IN THAT PARTICULAR AREA.
AND SO I THINK IF THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE DEVELOPER TO INCLUDE SOME OF THESE, YOU KNOW, MITIGATION MEASURES THAT I WAS SAYING, CARBON SE QUESTRIAN I BELIEVE IT'S CALLED.
TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE CONCERNS THAT THE COMMUNITY IS RAISING.
I ALSO WANT TO ECHO SOME OF THE THINGS ABOUT THE GAS STATION IN THE PLAN.
IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S A LITTLE EXCESSIVE IN THIS PARTICULAR AREA.
AROUND RIGHT DOWN SINCLAIR IS NOT TOO FAR AWAY.
MONROE GAS STATION IS RIGHT UP.
JUST THINKING ABOUT, AND I BELIEVE IT WAS A COMMENT THAT WAS ACTUALLY MADE DURING THE LAST PLANNING MEETING ABOUT IS IT OVER KILL FOR THERE TO BE A GAS STATION.
I'M WONDERING IF IT'S COMPLETELY OFF THE TABLE FOR THERE TO BE A RECONSIDERATION OF THAT PARTICULAR ELEMENT OF THE PLAN FOR SOMETHING THAT COULD BE POTENTIALLY MORE OF USE AND OF SERVICE DIRECTLY TO THE COMMUNITY SO THAT WE'RE NOT, YOU KNOW, SO THAT WE'RE NOT JUST TAKING CLIENTS FROM THE NEARBY GAS STATIONS, BUT REALLY ABOUT CREATING NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMPLOYMENT AND FOR CONTRIBUTION FOR TAXATION.
JUST WANTED TO MAKE THAT COMMENT.
>> DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FOR STAFF? NO.
I JUST WANT TO >> CHAIRPERSON.
>> JUST MY COMMENT WAS PERHAPS, YOU KNOW, I KNOW THERE WERE CONCERNS ABOUT THE TYPE OF FOODS SAYING WE DON'T NEED ANOTHER DRIVE THROUGH.
I KNOW THAT THE RETAIL SPACE BEHIND THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PUMPS HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED.
THAT COULD BE ANOTHER RESTAURANT.
I WOULDN'T NECESSARILY ASSUME THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE PUTTING IN ANOTHER BURGER JOINT THERE.
POSSIBLY THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A HEALTHIER TYPE OF OPTION WHETHER IT'S GRAB AND GO OR LIKE A NICER SITDOWN RESTAURANT WITH DIFFERENT CUISINE THAN WHAT WE HAVE IN THE AREA.
MIGHT BE A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR THAT.
I THINK THAT'S YET TO BE SEEN.
BUT I'M SURE THE APPLICANT WOULD STRONGLY CONSIDER THAT IF THE OPPORTUNITY PRESENTED ITSELF.
AND I WANTED TO THANK YOU TO MR. MOORE FOR ADDRESSING THE TRAFFIC AND THOSE OTHER CONCERNS TO EXPLAIN THE WAY THEY DID THEIR STUDIES.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE A COUPLE OF COMMENTS.
I WANT TO THANK THE DEVELOPER, MR. CHANDI AND HIS TEAM AND OF COURSE STAFF FOR BRINGING THIS BACK SO QUICKLY AND FOR HEARING THE COMMENTS THAT WE HAD AND COMING BACK WITH SUCH A GREAT DESIGN.
I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING NEW INNOVATIVE ARCHITECTURE WITHIN THE CITY.
SO I DO WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THAT.
I'M GLAD THAT ALL THE ITEMS SEEMED TO HAVE BEEN WORKED OUT ABOUT THE ROADS, DESIGN, ALL THOSE ITEMS. SO I DO NOT HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS.
CAN I ENTERTAIN A MOTION AT THIS TIME?
>> I'LL GO AHEAD AND MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 1960.
WHICH IS THE USE OF CONVENIENT STORE FUEL STATION, DRIVE THROUGH AND CAR WASH FOR CHANDI PLAZA.
APPROVING DESIGN REVIEW 20 60 475.
>> CHAIR, IF I COULD CLARIFY FOR THE RECORD THAT THOSE WOULD BE ADOPTING RESOLUTION 1960, APPROVING THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2006, 1059, AND FINDING THAT THE
[00:55:01]
PROJECT IS EXEMPT UNDER THE CLASS 72 SEQA GUIDELINES EXEMPTION AND THEN APPROVING RESOLUTION 1961, WHICH WOULD BE FOR THE DESIGN COMPONENT.FOR THE ARCHITECTURE SITE PLAN FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF FORMER BUILDINGS.
AND ALSO DETERMINING THAT IS PART OF THE PROJECT THAT IS CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT.
>> WE HAVE A FIRST AND SECOND.
>> COMMISSIONER CHRISTIAN RODRIGUEZ CEJA.
>> I LOOK FORWARD TO BRINGING THIS ITEM TO OUR CITY.
WE HAVE NO ACTION ITEMS. NO STUDY ITEMS. DO WE HAVE ANY STAFF ITEMS?
[11. STAFF ITEMS]
>> THERE ARE JUST A COUPLE OF ITEMS. ONE, I JUST WANTED TO NOTE THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY MAY WANT TO WEIGH IN AS WELL.
WE WILL BE SCHEDULING IN THE NEAR FUTURE BROWN ACT TRAINING.
WE HAVE A NEW COMMISSION MEMBER SO A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR HIM TO GET SOME TRAINING ON THIS.
WE'LL BE WORKING WITH THE CHAIR TO FIND A FUTURE TIME, AND THE ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY AND POSSIBLY THE CITY ATTORNEY WILL HELP LEAD THAT.
I DON'T KNOW IF THE ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY WOULD LIKE TO SAY ANYTHING.
I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU ALL ON THAT WHEN THE SCHEDULING WORKS OUT.
I'VE BEEN SHARING WITH YOU THAT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THE CONTRACT FOR HIGHWAY 111.
IT IS ON THE CITY MANAGER'S DESK FOR SIGNATURE.
WE HOPE TO GET THAT PROJECT IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
AND ALSO WE ARE GETTING CLOSER HOPEFULLY TO OUR STATE GRANT TO UPDATE OUR HOUSING ELEMENT.
THIS IS AN IMPORTANT TOPIC THAT WE HAVE A LEGAL REQUIREMENT TO UPDATE OUR HOUSING ELEMENT TO HAVE THAT NEW ELEMENT IN PLACE BY OCTOBER 2021.
WE ARE HOPEFUL THAT THE STATE WILL GIVE US OUR AGREEMENT SO WE HAVE THE MONEY AVAILABLE AND WE CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH GETTING A CONSULTANT ON BOARD AND STARTING THAT IMPORTANT WORK.
I DON'T KNOW IF LEILA WANTS TO UPDATE IN TERMS OF ANY MAJOR INFORMATION ON THAT.
>> WE ARE WORKING ON THE ZONING UPDATE AS YOU KNOW.
WE HAD OUR VERY RECENT MEETING WITH THE CONSULTANT LAST THIS PAST WEEK.
AND THEY ARE GEARING UP TO PROVIDE US WITH DRAFT LANGUAGE.
WHEN THEY PROVIDE THAT, WE'LL REVIEW IT.
THAT'S THE TIME WE NEED TO BASICALLY SHARE WITH THE COMMISSION AND COUNCIL.
THE ZONING CODE UPDATE, AS YOU KNOW, IT INCLUDES THE CHAPTER 159, WHICH IS THE ZONING REVELATION.
ALSO CHAPTER 150, WHICH IS OUR SIGN REGULATION.
WHICH NOW DUE TO SOME CASE LAWS THAT YOU ALREADY KNOW ABOUT IT, THE CONTENT OF THE SIGN CANNOT BE REGULATED.
BUT WE CAN REGULATE THE SIZE, THE SHAPE, THE MATERIAL, THE COLOR, THE LOCATION, THINGS LIKE THAT.
THOSE ARE THE TWO MAJOR SECTIONS THAT IT'S GOING TO BE REVIEWED AND REVAMPED.
AND PRESENTED TO YOU AT APPROPRIATE TIME.
PROBABLY PERHAPS WE DO A WORKSHOP AS WE DO WITH ALL OUR OTHER LARGE PROJECTS.
AND THEN GO THROUGH THAT ADOPTATION.
THE SCHEDULE, IT'S BEEN REVISED TO GET ADOPTED SO THE CITY ADOPTS THE ZONING CODE UPDATE BEGINNING OF SUMMER.
[01:00:03]
SUMMER OF 2021.SO THAT'S ALL THAT I CAN REPORT AT THIS POINT.
KEVIN, PLEASE I SHOULD SAY DIRECTOR SNYDER, PLEASE JUMP IN IF I MISSED SOMETHING.
>> I JUST HAVE A QUESTION OF STAFF.
I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN WORKING REALLY HARD ON THE CENSUS.
YOU MAY WANT TO UPDATE THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS AS TO WHERE WE ARE WITH THAT.
IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO ALL OF US.
I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN WORKING REALLY HARD.
>> KEVIN AND I ARE DOING MR. SNYDER AND I ARE DOING A LOT OF ADDITIONAL WORK AFTER HOURS AND DURING WEEKEND.
WHICH INCLUDE THE RECENT EFFORTS, AS YOU KNOW WAS WE HAD A SPACE BY EL SUPER.
SO WE HAD SENT STAFF THERE AND CITY STAFF HELPING TO GET PEOPLE TO COMPLETE THEIR INFORMATION, THEIR CENSUS FORMS THERE.
THE CENSUS ALSO PROVIDE US SOME INCENTIVES, WHICH WAS GIVING $20 GIFT CARD TO STATER BROS.
THE CITY ALSO WAS PROVIDING 50 DISPOSABLE MASK IN A BOX TO ANYBODY WHO WAS DOING WHO WAS COMPLETING THEIR FORM AT THAT LOCATION.
SO NOW WE'RE DOING THE MOBILE QUESTIONNAIRE ASSISTANT WITH CENSUS STAFF AT THE INDIO SWAPMEET OR THE COUNTY OPEN AIR MARKET EVERY FRIDAY AND SATURDAY FROM 5:00 TO 10:00.
WE ARE ALSO PLANNING TO DO WE CALL IT MQA, MOBILE QUESTIONNAIRE ASSISTANT.
PARKING LOT SOUTH OF VALLATTERA.
WHAT MR. SNYDER AND I DO, WE DO THE LOGISTIC.
WE DEPLOY THE CHAIR AND MASK AND UMBRELLA.
WE ALSO ATTRACT PEOPLE WHERE THEY SHOP.
WE ASK THEM TO COME TO THE TENT AND COMPLETE THEIR FORMS AND GET THOSE INCENTIVES, WHICH IS THE BOX OF MASKS AND GIFT CARD.
SO SO FAR WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO TO IMPROVE I GUESS LAST MONTH PROBABLY 1%.
AND THEN RIGHT NOW WE ARE AT 54.4%, WHICH IS WE ARE NOT LOWEST PARTICIPANT IN THE VALLEY NOW.
SO WE GOT A LITTLE BIT HIGHER.
BUT STILL, IT'S A LONG WAY TO GO.
AND EVERY PERSON, YOU KNOW, IT COUNTS.
AND EVERY PERSON WE CAN CAPTURE, AND GET TO COMPLETE THEIR FORMS. FOR ME WILL BE CHRISTMAS.
WE'VE ASKED THE PLANNING COMMISSIONER AND WE'RE GOING TO IMPLORE YOU AGAIN PLEASE GET THE WORD OUT WITH YOUR NETWORKS AND CONNECTIONS AND FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS.
EVERYBODY PERSON WHO FILLS OUT THE CENSUS, THAT'S $20,000.
THAT'S WHAT HELPS PAY FOR ROADS.
THAT'S WHAT HELPS WITH ALL THE SERVICES THAT OUR CITIZENS ARE HOPING TO HAVE THE CITY PROVIDE.
SO WE CANNOT UNDERSELL THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS.
WHILE WE ARE HAPPY WITH A 54.4%, BECAUSE WE WERE MUCH LOWER, THE STATE IS ALMOST SLIGHTLY BELOW 70% AS AN AVERAGE.
SO WE ARE NOT TRENDING WELL AS RELATIVE TO THE STATEWIDE AVERAGE.
AND WE'RE HOPING THESE LAST FEW WEEKS, THE CENSUS INITIALLY WAS GOING TO END ON SEPTEMBER 30TH.
THROUGH COURT ACTION HAS BEEN EXTENDED THROUGH OCTOBER 31ST.
AND WE'RE REALLY HOPING THAT YOU CAN HELP US GET THOSE NUMBERS UP BECAUSE IT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN DOING.
I KNOW IT'S EXTRA AND ABOVE AND BEYOND YOUR NORMAL RESPONSIBILITY.
AND DEFINITELY WILL SHARE THAT ON MY PERSONAL FACEBOOK PAGES.
NOT THAT I HAVE THAT MANY FRIENDS.
DO I HAVE ANY OTHER ITEMS FROM STAFF? NOPE.
ANY COMMENTS FROM COMMISSIONERS AT THIS TIME?
[12. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS]
COMMISSIONER CEJA ONE.>> I JUST WANT TO WELCOME OUR COMMISSIONER HERE, THE OTHER CEJA.
[01:05:03]
WE DIDN'T TAKE IT EASY ON THAT CHANDI PROJECT THE FIRST TIME IT WAS HERE.COMPLIMENTS TO THE STAFF WORKING AND BRINGING US BACK SOMETHING THAT WAS APPROVABLE.
I KNOW WE'VE BEEN PUSHING FOR A BETTER DESIGN.
I KNOW THIS WAS IT COMPARED TO WHAT WE SAW THE FIRST TIME.
I URGE YOU TO ENCOURAGE HIM TO COME BEFORE US IN ONE OF THOSE PRELIMINARY DESIGN HEARINGS BEFORE WE START DOING PUBLIC HEARINGS WITH PROJECTS LIKE THAT.
AND THEN MY SECOND COMMENT IS THANKS TO ALL OF INDIO STAFF, AND WHOEVER HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN VALLARTA.
THANKS TO THE CITY OF INDIO FOR BRINGING THAT?
I DO ALSO WANT TO WELCOME COMMISSIONER CEJA TWO.
IT'S GOING TO BE FUN TO MANAGE THESE MEETINGS NOW.
AND LIKE ALL OF US, YOU START WITH THE KNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE AND IT TAKES TIME TO REALLY BUILD AND UNDERSTAND.
SO IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'M SURE REACH OUT TO ANY OF US WHO HAVE BEEN HERE A WHILE.
STAFF IS ALWAYS GREAT ANSWERING QUESTIONS.
WE WELCOME AND LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU.
DIRECTOR SNYDER, DID YOU HAVE ANY COMMENT?
I WAS GOING TO SUGGEST, I THINK THE CITY ATTORNEY WANTED TO SUGGEST IF COMMISSIONER CEJA WANTED TO INTRODUCE HIMSELF FURTHER TO YOU WITH HIS BACKGROUND, THIS WOULD BE THE APPROPRIATE TIME.
SO I JUST WANTED TO REMIND THE CHAIR OF THAT.
>> I WANTED TO MENTION OF UTILIZING YOUR NAME, DIRECTOR.
I'M STARTING TO GET TO KNOW ALL OF YOU AND IN YOUR ZOOM CALL IT ONLY HAS YOUR FIRST NAME.
I ORIGINALLY, MY FAMILY EMIGRATED HERE FROM MEXICO CITY WHEN I WAS ABOUT SIX YEARS OLD.
CAME TO THE CITY OF INDIO BACK IN 1997.
BUT INDIO WAS ALWAYS VERY DEAR TO MY HEART.
I STUDIED AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOYOLA CHICAGO.
AND I ACTUALLY BEEN WORKING OUT HERE IN THE EASTERN COACHELLA VALLEY.
I WORK FOR A DESIGN AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT NONPROFIT THAT HAS BEEN DOING A LOT OF PROJECTS OUT THERE WITH DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES.
AND I'M JUST VERY THRILLED TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO BE WORKING WITH YOU ALL.
AND BRING SOME OF THE LEARNINGS THAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACQUIRE THROUGH THE PLANNING AND THE DESIGN THAT I'M ABLE TO BRING TO THESE COMMUNITIES.
I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING TO KNOW MORE ABOUT ALL OF YOU.
IF I HAVE NO OTHER OH, COMMISSIONER LUCIANO >> I WAS JUST SAYING WELCOME TO COMMISSIONER CEJA TWO.
NO OTHER COMMENTS THEN WE'LL GO AHEAD AND ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:12 P.M.
OUR NEXT MEETING IS STILL A VIRTUAL MEETING.
THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.