Planning Commission
MEETING DATE: 10/4/2017
Title
CASE NO. Design Review No. 17-001
APPLICANT: Palm Spring Volvo and Subaru, Rich Anderson
LOCATION: 67925/67977 East Palm Canyon Drive (APNs: 687-510-051 and -052)
REQUEST: Exterior remodel of the existing Volvo Dealership and the construction of a new 3,738 square-foot service building for the existing Subaru Dealership located in the PCC (Planned Community Commercial) and CBP-2 (Commercial Business Park) Zoning Districts and Specific Plan No. 95-53.
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STAFF PLANNER:
Salvador Quintanilla, Associate Planner
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
APPROVE an exemption to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section No. 15332, Class No. 32 (In-Fill Development Projects).
APPROVE Design Review No. 17-001 subject to the attached Conditions of Approval and based on the findings contained in the staff report.
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FINDINGS:
APPROVAL OF AN EXEMPTION TO CEQA based on the finding that the project qualifies as Categorically Exempt under Section No. 15332, Class No. 32 (In-Fill Development Projects) of the State CEQA Guidelines.
APPROVAL OF DESIGN REVIEW (DR) NO. 17-001, subject to the attached conditions of approval and based on the following findings:
1. The exterior remodel of the existing Volvo dealership and construction of a new service building for the Subaru dealership located at the southwest corner of East Palm Canyon Drive and Perez Road is consistent with the CG (General Commercial) designation of the General Plan and the development standards of the PCC (Planned Community Commercial) and CBP-2 (Commercial Business Park) Zoning Districts and Specific Plan (SP) No. 95-53;
2. The exterior modifications and architectural design of the new service building were reviewed by the Architectural Review Committee on September 6, 2017 and unanimously approved on a 4-0 vote; and
3. The project will benefit the community by enhancing the appearance of the existing dealership and providing additional vehicle services within the auto center area.
BACKGROUND:
The Applicant (Rich Anderson representing Palm Springs Volvo and Subaru) submitted a Design Review application on June 29, 2017 for the exterior remodel of the existing Volvo Dealership and the construction of a new 3,738 square-foot service building for the existing Subaru Dealership located at the southwest corner of East Palm Canyon Drive and Perez Road in the PCC (Planned Community Commercial) and CBP-2 (Commercial Business Park) Zoning Districts and Specific Plan No. 95-53. This type of project requires Design Review approval where the initial project review is conducted by the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) and final approval is given by the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission’s decision may be appealed to the City Council.
The project is located within Specific Plan No. 95-53 (Auto Center Specific Plan). The Specific Plan sets forth standards and requirements for development of the Auto Center area and limits uses to new vehicle sales and service and automotive related uses. The existing dealership was developed in accordance with the Specific Plan.
The ARC reviewed the project on September 6, 2017 and approved it on a 4-0 vote with the condition that existing dead landscaping be replaced in kind. This change was incorporated into the landscape plan prior to the Planning Commission meeting.
ANALYSIS:
The existing Palm Springs Volvo and Subaru dealership is located at the southwest corner of East Palm Canyon Drive and Perez Road, and has frontage on both streets. The existing buildings are located near the front of the site, with the showroom buildings along East Palm Canyon Drive and the service and parts buildings along Perez Road. Parking areas for display vehicles, customers and employees are located around the buildings and at the southern end of the site. Additional employee and service parking is located within the interior of the site, behind the existing buildings.
The exterior remodel of the Volvo dealership includes façade enhancements that will match those of Subaru including composite metal panels along the top of the building and matching storefront and paint scheme. The buildings will be complementary to one another, with the appearance of one dealership.
The proposed 22’6” high service building will be located behind the existing buildings within the interior parking area. The building will not be visible from East Palm Canyon Drive but will be partially visible from the southern end of Perez Road. The entry to the 10 service bays (5 doors) will be on the east side of the building, across from the bays of the existing service buildings. There are no changes proposed to these existing buildings.
The proposed service building will have a contemporary architecture style, constructed of decorative Concrete Masonry Block (CMU). The upper portion of the building will have a painted silver banning, the building base color will be a light gray, matching the color scheme of the existing Subaru showroom building. The metal bay doors will be painted dark gray color similar to the existing bay doors in the dealership.
There are three existing driveways into the site; one on East Palm Canyon Drive and two on Perez Road. These access points are not proposed to be changed. The service and parts area for Subaru and Volvo will continue to be accessed from Perez Road.
Currently, the site has 277 parking spaces. The placement of the new service building and reconfiguration of the rear parking area will result in 33 spaces being eliminated. Based on the existing and proposed uses and building square footage, the remaining parking will be in compliance with the Zoning Ordinance.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
Staff has determined that the project meets all of the conditions for a Categorical Exemption under Section 15332 (Class 32, In-Fill Development Projects) of the State CEQA Guidelines.
NOTE: The City of Cathedral City Planning Department is custodian of the documents or other material, which constitute the record of proceedings upon which this decision is based
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION:
This project and the environmental determination were noticed in accordance with the City Municipal Code and CEQA. (See Attachment No. 6)
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment No. 1 - Conditions of Approval
Attachment No. 2 - Site Plan
Attachment No. 3 - Floor Plan
Attachment No. 4 - Elevations - Service Building
Attachment No. 5 - Elevations - Volvo Front Elevation
Attachment No. 6 - Public Hearing Notice
Attachment No. 7 - Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC) Development Review Letter