(1) 2035 LQ General Plan - Chapter I (11.19.13)
Chapter
I
ADMINISTRATION
ADMINISTRATION
I-‐1
COMMUNITY
VISION
"We
the
people
of
the
City
of
La
Quinta
declare
our
intent
to
restore
to
our
community
the
historic
principles
of
self-‐
governance
inherent
in
the
doctrine
of
home-‐rule.
Sincerely
committed
to
the
belief
that
local
government
has
the
closest
affinity
to
the
people
governed,
and
firm
in
the
conviction
that
the
economic
and
fiscal
independence
of
our
local
government
will
promote
the
health,
safety
and
welfare
of
all
the
citizens
of
this
City..."
City
Charter
1994
As
stated
in
the
City’s
Charter,
it
is
a
fundamental
tenet
of
the
City
of
La
Quinta,
its
citizens
and
its
leaders,
to
protect
and
maintain
the
public
health,
safety
and
welfare
through
self-‐governance
at
a
local
level.
As
such,
this
plan
is
crafted
as
the
guiding
policy
document
for
the
City
per
the
vision
expressed
by
its
citizens
and
established
by
the
City
Council.
While
it
is
written
to
be
in
compliance
with
applicable
State
and
Federal
legislation,
as
it
has
been
since
the
City’s
first
General
Plan,
its
goals,
policies
and
programs
are
those
of
the
people
of
La
Quinta
and
are
not
intended
to
facilitate
the
agenda
of
any
outside
group
or
foreign
entity.
La
Quinta
is
a
great
place
to
live,
work
and
play.
La
Quinta
was
originally
established
and
has
developed
with
the
objective
of
providing
well
planned
and
desirable
neighborhoods,
a
diversified
economic
base,
excellent
schools,
exceptional
recreational
and
cultural
opportunities,
and
a
variety
of
community
services
and
facilities.
As
our
community
continues
to
mature,
we
will
strive
to
preserve
and
adapt
these
desirable
qualities
by
maintaining
and,
where
necessary,
improving
upon
a
safe
and
convenient
circulation
system
that
includes
alternative
transportation
opportunities
as
well
as
bike/pedestrian
trails
and
golf
cart
routes;
by
providing
additional
recreational
opportunities
and
cultural
facilities
for
the
health
and
well-‐being
of
our
residents;
by
preserving
our
natural
and
historic
resources,
focusing
ADMINISTRATION
I-‐2
on
sustainable
existing
and
future
use
of
water
and
energy
resources;
and,
by
ensuring
that
La
Quinta
remains
a
safe
and
desirable
place
for
both
residents
and
visitors.
We
will
continue
to
emphasize
the
importance
of
community
participation
and
recognize
the
commitment
property
owners
have
and
continue
to
make
through
their
investment
of
time
and
resources.
We
will
work
with
regional
and
other
local
government
entities
to
solve
common
problems
and
coordinate
our
shared
interests.
La
Quinta’s
future
depends
on
maintaining
a
balanced
budget
and
the
conservative
management
of
our
financial
resources,
and
continuing
efforts
to
promote
our
community
as
a
premier
place
to
live,
work
and
play.
GUIDING
PRINCIPLES
The
General
Plan
supports,
encourages
and
upholds
individual
rights
and
freedoms,
and
the
protection
of
private
property
rights
and
is
designed
with
the
intent
of
enhancing
and
improving
our
quality
of
life
in
La
Quinta.
That
intent
supports
and
upholds
the
rights,
liberties
and
freedoms
of
the
people
of
La
Quinta,
as
afforded
by
the
Federal
and
State
constitutions.
In
order
to
achieve
and
support
our
Community
Vision,
the
following
eight
guiding
principles
will
shape
the
La
Quinta
General
Plan:
A
Neighborhood
Oriented
Community
–
Strive
to
ensure
that
existing
and
future
housing
for
all
residents
continues
to
be
diverse
in
type
and
of
high
quality.
Establish
and
maintain
connections
between
existing
and
future
neighborhoods,
including
existing
housing
stock
and
associated
infrastructure.
A
Healthy,
Vibrant
and
Heritage
Minded
Community
–
Ensure
parks,
public
facilities
and
open
spaces
are
appropriately
sized
and
designed
to
meet
the
needs
and
interests
of
all
segments
of
the
community.
Continue
to
ensure
that
all
land
uses
cohesively
exist
with
the
area’s
natural,
cultural
and
historical
heritage.
A
Fiscally
Sound
Community
–
Capitalize
on
our
unique
development
opportunities,
especially
within
the
Highway
111
Corridor
and
the
Village
area
by
focusing
on
shopping,
dining,
entertainment,
professional
and
mixed
use
options
while
improving
the
aesthetics
of
the
community.
ADMINISTRATION
I-‐3
A
Safe
Community
–
Continue
to
enforce
development
standards
that
promote
safe
indoor
and
outdoor
spaces
and
provide
emergency
services
that
are
adequately
funded,
staffed,
and
equipped
to
provide
timely
response.
A
Full
Service
Community
–
Ensure
that
streets,
water
and
sewer
systems,
storm
drains,
and
other
infrastructure
is
maintained
in
good
working
order
and
of
adequate
service
level
to
address
existing
and
future
needs.
A
Resort
Oriented
Community
–
Maintain
and
improve
the
opportunities
for
La
Quinta
to
be
recognized,
both
nationally
and
internationally,
as
a
top
resort
and
recreation
destination.
A
Circulation
Minded
Community
–
Promote
and
encourage
a
broad
range
of
transportation
opportunities,
especially
those
that
reduce
the
impact
to
our
environment,
as
well
as
effectively
moving
people
and
goods.
Continue
to
work
closely
with
neighboring
communities
and
regional
agencies
to
address
regional
transportation
issues.
A
Conservation
Focused
Community
–
Promote
and
encourage
the
efficient
use
of
energy
and
water;
minimize
air
and
water
pollution;
reduce
noise
and
light
pollution;
preserve
native
habitat;
reduce
litter;
and
increase
recycling
programs.
ADMINISTRATION
INTRODUCTION
This
section
of
the
General
Plan
provides
background
on
the
General
Plan,
its
organization,
the
Plan's
function
and
its
relationship
to
other
documents,
including
the
California
Environmental
Quality
Act
(CEQA),
the
Subdivision
Map
Act,
and
the
Zoning
Ordinance.
The
processes
required
for
review
and
amendment
of
the
General
Plan
are
also
described
below.
California
Government
Code
(Section
65300)
requires
that
incorporated
communities
and
counties
prepare
and
adopt
a
comprehensive,
long-‐term
General
Plan.
The
General
Plan
must
regulate
the
development
of
lands
within
a
city’s
corporate
boundary,
and
can
also
include
the
City’s
legally
recognized
Sphere
of
Influence.
ADMINISTRATION
I-‐4
This
General
Plan
addresses
lands
within
the
City
of
La
Quinta’s
city
limits,
and
its
Sphere
of
Influence
(please
see
Exhibit
1-‐1).
The
General
Plan
and
its
various
elements
are
required
to
function
as
an
integrated,
internally
consistent
and
compatible
statement
of
policies
(Government
Code
Section
65300.5).
Government
Code
Section
65300.7
allows
each
city
to
consider
local
issues
and
conditions
and
tailor
the
General
Plan
to
meet
its
needs.
The
General
Plan
must
be
responsive
to
the
variations
in
density,
land
use
and
development
issues,
and
the
needs
of
each
community's
residents
(Government
Code
Sections
65300.9,
65302).
Format
The
La
Quinta
General
Plan
includes
two
documents:
the
General
Plan,
which
provides
background
information,
direction
for
future
decisions,
and
goals,
policies
and
programs
to
guide
that
direction;
and
the
General
Plan
Environmental
Impact
Report,
which
analyses
the
impacts
of
the
General
Plan,
and
provides
mitigation
measures
to
reduce
those
impacts.
Goals,
Policies
and
Programs
General
Plan
goals
are
broad
statements
reflecting
the
City’s
values,
aims
and
aspirations.
These
goals
address
the
physical
development
of
the
City,
the
protection
of
people
and
property
from
environmental
and
man-‐made
hazards,
as
well
as
the
preservation
of
the
City’s
assets.
Policies
have
been
developed
to
accomplish
the
goals
of
the
General
Plan.
They
present
specific
performance
requirements
for
each
goal.
Programs
provide
quantitative
and
qualitative
targets
to
implement
the
policies
in
the
General
Plan.
Maps
and
Graphics
Maps
and
graphics
are
provided
to
illustrate
all
components
of
the
General
Plan.
They
include
land
use
and
circulation
patterns,
natural
resources
and
hazards,
and
public
infrastructure.
These
maps
carry
equal
authority
to
the
goals
and
policies
of
the
General
Plan.
General
Plan
Chapters
and
Elements
California
Government
Code
Section
65302
establishes
the
seven
(7)
mandatory
elements
of
the
General
Plan:
Land
Use,
Circulation,
Housing,
Conservation,
Open
Space,
Safety,
and
Noise.
ADMINISTRATION
I-‐5
This
General
Plan
includes
all
the
required
Elements,
and
has
added
elements
specifically
tailored
to
the
City’s
needs.
Each
Element
of
the
General
Plan
has
equal
legal
authority.
The
Elements
are
grouped
into
Chapters,
based
on
how
they
relate
to
each
other.
The
General
Plan
includes
the
following
Chapters:
Chapter
II:
Community
Development
This
Chapter
groups
those
Elements
that
directly
relate
to
the
development
and
redevelopment
of
the
City.
The
Elements
included
in
this
Chapter
are:
Land
Use
Circulation
Livable
Community
Economic
Development
Parks,
Recreation
and
Trails
Housing
Chapter
III:
Natural
Resources
This
Chapter
describes
the
resources
of
the
City’s
environment,
including
man-‐made
and
natural
resources.
The
Natural
Resources
Chapter
includes
the
following
Elements:
Air
Quality
Energy
and
Mineral
Resources
Biological
Resources
Cultural
Resources
Water
Resources
Open
Space
and
Conservation
Chapter
IV:
Environmental
Hazards
This
Chapter
describes
the
hazards
of
the
physical
environment,
including
man-‐made
and
natural
hazards.
The
Environmental
Hazards
Chapter
includes
the
following
Elements:
Noise
Soils
and
Geology
Flooding
and
Hydrology
Hazardous
Materials
ADMINISTRATION
I-‐6
Chapter
IV:
Public
Infrastructure
&
Services
This
Chapter
describes
the
public
facilities
and
services
provided
in
the
City,
and
how
they
will
be
addressed
as
the
City
grows.
This
Chapter
includes
the
following
Elements:
Emergency
Services
Water,
Sewer
&
Other
Utilities
Public
Facilities
Using
The
General
Plan
The
General
Plan
is
the
foundation
upon
which
all
land
use
decisions
are
based.
It
is
an
information
and
planning
guide
that
provides
a
framework
for
making
informed
decisions
about
the
future
of
the
City.
The
General
Plan
and
its
Environmental
Impact
Report
provide
the
basis
for
a
rational
nexus
to
support
development,
mitigation
measures
and
exactions.
All
development
proposals
must
be
analyzed
and
tested
for
consistency
with
the
goals,
policies,
and
programs
in
every
applicable
element
of
the
General
Plan.
Specific
Plans
and
the
Zoning
Ordinance
must
be
consistent
with
the
General
Plan.
General
Plan
consistency
is
also
a
required
criteria
for
determining
significant
impacts
under
CEQA.
Interpretation
of
the
General
Plan
When
uncertainty
exists
regarding
the
location
of
boundaries
of
any
land
use
category,
proposed
public
facility
symbol,
circulation
alignment,
or
other
symbol
or
line
found
on
the
General
Plan
maps,
the
following
procedures
will
be
used
to
resolve
the
issue:
Boundaries
shown
in
the
General
Plan
and
on
official
maps
as
approximately
following
the
limits
of
any
other
jurisdiction’s
limits
are
to
be
construed
as
following
these
limits.
Boundaries
shown
as
following
or
approximately
following
section
lines,
and
half
or
quarter
section
lines,
shall
be
construed
as
following
such
lines.
Boundaries
shown
as
following
or
approximately
following
the
centerline
of
channels,
streams,
creeks,
rivers,
or
other
continuously
or
intermittently
flowing
water
course
are
to
be
construed
as
following
the
centerline
of
these
water
courses
taken
at
mean
low
water,
and,
in
the
event
of
natural
change
in
the
location
of
such
streams
or
other
water
courses,
the
boundary
is
to
be
construed
as
moving
with
the
channel
centerline.
ADMINISTRATION
I-‐7
Where
a
land
use
category
applied
to
a
parcel
is
not
mapped
to
include
an
adjacent
street
or
alley,
the
category
shall
be
considered
to
extend
to
the
centerline
of
the
right
of
way.
Boundaries
shown
as
separated
from,
parallel,
or
approximately
parallel
to
any
of
the
features
listed
above
shall
be
construed
to
be
parallel
to
such
features
and
at
such
distances
therefrom
as
are
shown
on
the
map.
Symbols
that
indicate
appropriate
locations
for
proposed
public
facilities
are
not
property
specific.
They
indicate
only
the
general
area
within
which
a
specific
facility
should
be
established.
CEQA
Review
of
Consistency
State
CEQA
Guidelines
require
that
an
initial
study
include
"an
examination
of
whether
the
project
is
compatible
with
existing
zoning
and
plans."
The
State
CEQA
Guidelines
further
stipulate
that,
"A
project
will
normally
have
a
significant
effect
on
the
environment
if
it
will
conflict
with
adopted
environmental
plans
and
goals
of
the
community
where
it
is
located."
If
a
determination
is
made
by
the
Planning
Commission
or
the
City
Council
that
the
proposed
action
is
inconsistent
with
the
General
Plan,
no
further
action
shall
be
taken
without
the
completion
and
processing
of
an
EIR
which
would
support
a
finding
of
overriding
consideration.
Zoning
Consistency
California
State
law
also
mandates
that
the
City’s
Zoning
Ordinance
be
consistent
with
the
General
Plan.
In
the
event
that
the
Zoning
Ordinance
becomes
inconsistent
with
the
General
Plan
because
of
a
General
Plan
Amendment,
the
Zoning
Ordinance
must
be
amended
within
a
reasonable
time
so
that
it
is
made
consistent
with
the
General
Plan.
The
Zoning
Ordinance
cannot
be
amended
if
it
causes
an
inconsistency
with
the
General
Plan.
Amending
The
General
Plan
The
General
Plan
is
a
multi-‐faceted
document,
which
defines
and
addresses
the
changing
needs
of
the
City.
It
is
also
based
on
an
on-‐
going
assessment
and
understanding
of
existing
and
projected
needs.
To
assure
that
the
General
Plan
is
kept
current,
short-‐term
programs
and
policies
may
be
reviewed
annually
to
reflect
compatibility
with
budgetary
priorities
and
related
program
status.
Long-‐term
programs
and
implementation
measures
must
also
be
given
consideration
to
ADMINISTRATION
I-‐8
assure
timely
funding
and
development
of
critical
infrastructure
and
public
services
and
facilities.
The
City
Council
or
any
citizen
may
initiate
a
General
Plan
Amendment.
Application
Procedures
Applications
for
the
amendment
of
the
General
Plan
are
filed
with
the
City
Planning
Department,
along
with
the
appropriate
fees.
An
amendment
to
the
General
Plan
constitutes
a
project
under
the
California
Environmental
Quality
Act
(CEQA),
and
therefore
is
evaluated
for
its
environmental
effects
and
consistency
with
other
elements
of
the
General
Plan.
Final
approval
of
General
Plan
amendments
is
the
responsibility
of
the
City
Council.
Annual
Review
The
Government
Code
requires
that
the
planning
agency
"render
an
annual
report
to
the
legislative
body
(City
Council)
on
the
status
of
the
Plan
and
the
progress
in
its
implementation"
(Section
65400(b)).
State
law
further
requires
that
the
Housing
Element
be
reviewed
on
a
separate
schedule,
generally
every
eight
years.
Exemptions
The
State
Legislature
has
recognized
that
occasions
arise
that
require
the
City
to
have
some
flexibility
in
amending
the
General
Plan.
As
set
forth
in
the
Government
Code,
the
following
are
exempt
from
the
General
Plan
amendment
schedule:
(1)
Amendments
requested
and
determined
necessary
for
the
development
of
a
residential
project,
of
which
at
least
twenty-‐five
percent
(25%)
of
units
will
be
available
to
persons
of
low
or
moderate
income
(Sections
65361(b)
&
65358
(d)).
(2)
Any
amendment
necessary
to
comply
with
a
court
decision
in
a
case
involving
the
legal
adequacy
of
the
General
Plan
(Sections
65361
and
65358
(d)
(1)).
Specific
Plans
A
Specific
Plan
plays
an
important
role
as
a
refined
version
of
the
General
Plan
and
Zoning
Ordinance,
applicable
to
a
specific
parcel
of
land
or
area
of
the
City.
Specific
Plans
provide
detailed
design
and
analysis
of
a
parcel
or
area,
and
precise
land
use
locations
and
design
standards.
Specific
Plans
contain
text,
exhibits,
and
diagrams
indicating
the
distribution,
location,
and
intensity
of
proposed
land
uses
and
the
ADMINISTRATION
I-‐9
necessary
public
and
private
urban
support
systems,
including
streets,
utilities
and
drainage
facilities.
Specific
Plans
also
define
the
standards
and
criteria
by
which
development
and,
where
applicable,
conservation
will
proceed
on
the
property.
It
must
also
be
consistent
with
all
facets
of
the
General
Plan
and
in
turn,
zoning,
subdivision,
and
public
works
projects
must
be
consistent
with
an
existing
Specific
Plan
(Government
Code
Section
65455).
Specific
Plans
provide
an
opportunity
to
utilize
creative
and
non-‐
traditional
techniques
for
development.
The
City
encourages
the
preparation
of
Specific
Plans
that
result
in
innovative
projects,
either
on
a
single
property,
or
across
several
parcels.
Specific
Plans
are
prepared,
adopted
and
amended
in
the
same
manner
as
a
General
Plan,
may
be
adopted
by
resolution
or
ordinance,
and
may
be
amended
as
often
as
deemed
necessary
by
the
City
Council.
In
areas
where
the
Specific
Plan
encompasses
more
than
one
property,
the
plan
must
be
completed
and
adopted
prior
to
development
on
any
affected
property.
Capital
Facilities
California
incorporated
towns,
charter
cities
and
counties
are
to
“annually
review
the
capital
improvement
program
of
the
city
or
county
and
the
local
public
works
projects
of
other
local
agencies
for
their
consistency
with
the
General
Plan.”
Also,
pursuant
to
Government
Code
Section
65401,
all
departments
within
the
City
and
all
other
local
government
agencies
must
submit
a
list
of
proposed
projects
to
the
City.
The
City
is
responsible
for
reviewing
these
projects
for
conformity
with
the
General
Plan.
Implementation
of
the
General
Plan
California
Government
Code
Section
65103(c)
requires
that
local
jurisdictions
implement
the
General
Plan
once
it
has
been
adopted.
The
La
Quinta
General
Plan
relies
on
programs
as
well
as
the
related
mitigation
measures
and
monitoring
programs
set
forth
in
the
General
Plan
EIR,
to
serve
as
implementation
measures.
The
City
Zoning
Ordinance
also
plays
a
critical
role
in
implementing
the
goals
and
policies
of
the
Plan,
and
Specific
Plans
provide
detailed
implementation
programs
for
specific
portions
of
the
General
Plan
area.
ADMINISTRATION
I-‐10
Implementation
Through
the
Zoning
Ordinance
The
Zoning
Ordinance
is
an
exercise
of
police
powers
granted
to
the
City
by
the
State,
and
is
the
primary
tool
for
implementing
the
General
Plan.
The
Zoning
Ordinance
regulates
land
use
by
distinct
development
zones
and
permitted
uses.
Text,
maps,
diagrams
and
other
materials
describe
the
distribution
and
intensity
of
land
uses
in
all
land
use
designations.
Minimum
development
standards
for
each
of
the
zones
are
also
included,
in
a
manner
consistent
with
the
General
Plan.
Permitting
processes
set
forth
in
the
Zoning
Ordinance,
including
Conditional
Use
Permits,
Variances,
Site
Development
Permits
and
other
land
use
permitting
also
implement
the
General
Plan.
The
implementation
of
the
General
Plan
is
further
regulated
by
Government
Code
Sections
65800
et.
seq.
Implementation
Through
the
Subdivision
Ordinance
Like
Zoning
Ordinances,
subdivision
regulation
is
also
an
exercise
of
police
powers
and
a
principal
instrument
for
implementing
the
General
Plan.
Establishing
state-‐wide
uniformity
in
local
subdivision
procedures,
the
State
Subdivision
Map
Act
(Government
Code
Sections
66410
et
seq.)
leaves
the
standards
for
regulating
the
design
and
improvement
of
subdivision
to
local
government.
The
broadest
authority
for
regulating
subdivisions
lies
in
Government
Code
Sections
66473.5,
66474,
66474.60,
and
66474.61,
requiring
findings
that,
among
other
things,
the
subdivision
is
consistent
with
the
City
General
Plan
and
any
applicable
Specific
Plan.
Development
Agreements
State
law
provides
for
the
adoption
of
development
agreements
between
a
project
proponent
and
the
City,
in
accordance
with
Government
Code
Section
65865
et
seq.
The
purpose
of
development
agreements
is
to
provide
developers
with
additional
assurances
that
development
approvals
will
not
be
nullified
by
some
future
local
policy
or
regulation
change.
In
exchange,
the
developer
may
be
required
to
meet
certain
conditions
or
performance
criteria
that
become
part
of
the
agreement.
As
set
forth
in
Government
Code
Section
65866,
the
City,
unless
otherwise
provided
by
the
development
agreement,
is
not
prevented
from
applying
new
rules,
regulations,
and
policies
which
do
not
conflict
with
those
rules,
regulations,
and
policies
applicable
to
that
property.
Neither
is
the
City
prevented
from
denying
or
conditionally
approving
any
subsequent
development
project
application
on
the
basis
of
such
existing
or
new
rules,
regulations
or
policies.
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