2016 07 12 PC MinutesCALL TO ORDER
PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
TUESDAY, JULY 12, 2016
A regular meeting of the La Quinta Planning Commission was called to order at 6:00
p.m. by Vice Chairperson Bettencourt.
PRESENT: Commissioners Blum, Fitzpatrick, Quill, Wright and Vice
Chairperson Bettencourt.
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: City Attorney William Irhke, Planning Manager Gabriel Perez,
Principal Planner Jay Wuu, Associate Planner Carlos Flores,
Principal Engineer Bryan McKinney, Management Assistant Carla
Triplett and Executive Assistant Wanda Wise -Latta.
Commissioner Quill led the Commission in the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS
1. Appointment of Planning Commission Chairperson
Motion - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Fitzpatrick/Blum
to nominate Vice Chairperson Bettencourt as Chairperson. AYES:
Commissioners Blum, Fitzpatrick, Quill, Wright and Vice Chairperson
Bettencourt. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. Motion passed.
2. Appointment of Planning Commission Vice Chairperson
Motion - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Wright/
Fitzpatrick to nominate Commissioner Blum as Vice Chairperson. AYES:
Commissioners Blum, Fitzpatrick, Quill, Wright and Chairperson Bettencourt.
NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. Motion passed.
PUBLIC COMMENT - None
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA- Confirmed
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 1 JULY 12, 2016
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Blum/Wright to
approve the Planning Commission Minutes of May 24, 2016, as submitted. AYES:
Commissioners Blum, Fitzpatrick, Wright and Chairperson Bettencourt. NOES: None.
ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: Commissioner Quill. Motion passed.
Motion - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Fitzpatrick/Blum to
approve the Planning Commission Minutes of June 28, 2016, as submitted. AYES:
Commissioners Blum, Fitzpatrick, Wright and Chairperson Bettencourt. NOES: None.
ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: Commissioner Quill. Motion passed.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Continued from May 24, 2016 - Conditional Use Permit 2015-0003 submitted by
Verizon Wireless proposing the placement of a 60 -foot tall monopalm wireless
telecommunication tower and mechanical equipment at Fritz Burns Park.
Project: Verizon Wireless - Chihuahua. CEQA: Exempt from Environmental
Review pursuant to Section 15332 (Class 32) of the California Environmental
Quality Act in that the proposed project can be characterized as in -fill
development and Section 15303 (Class 3) for new construction or conversion of
small structures. Location: 78-060 Francis Hack Lane.
Principal Planner Jay Wuu presented the information contained in the staff
report, a copy of which is on file in the Design and Development Department.
Discussion followed between the Commission and staff and included:
Confirmation by staff of the City Manager's Office concurrence with
regards to the Conditions of Approval as noted in the staff report and
that those conditions are consistent with the business arrangement
between Verizon Wireless and the City.
Commissioner's desire to ensure appropriate notification to Fritz Burns
Dog Park users regarding the upcoming construction near the park,
possible temporary closure of the dog park during construction, and the
construction schedule.
Explanation regarding the safeguards in place as part of the Conditions
of Approval notifying the City of possible changes in ownership and
maintenance issues regarding the wireless telecommunication tower
and mechanical equipment.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 2 JULY 12, 2016
Explanation regarding collocation with regards to state and federal
requirements, the tenant/landlord relationship between the Verizon
Wireless and the City; and the additional controls in place with the City
as the property owner.
Chairperson Bettencourt declared the PUBLIC HEARING OPEN at 6:24p.m.
Public Speaker: Mr. James Rogers, Agent for Verizon Wireless and Site Land Use
Specialist with Smartlink, LLC, Irvine, CA - introduced himself and gave a
detailed description of the project. Mr. Rogers advised the Commission and
staff that it should be noted for the record that Condition of Approval No. 27
states that the proposed monopalm shall be approved at a height of 40 feet
with a concurrent one-time height modification taken under Section 6409(a) of
the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, for an ultimate height
of 60 feet. He also noted that Section 6409 pertains exclusively to existing
facilities and does not apply to proposed facilities. Mr. Rogers stated that
Verizon agreed to the 60 -foot height limit and does not give up any other rights
under Section 6409. Mr. Rogers addressed the Commission's questions and
concerns regarding the Fritz Burns Dog Park, project construction schedule,
trunk color of the monopalm, long-term maintenance of the monopalm, and
notification of possible changes in ownership of the wireless
telecommunication tower and mechanical equipment.
Chairperson Bettencourt declared the PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED at 6:39 p.m.
Motion - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Fitzpatrick/Blum
to adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2016-011 recommending to the
City Council approval of Conditional Use Permit 2015-0003 and find the project
exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act as submitted by staff,
and the addition of the following condition:
"Prior to the issuance of a building permit, the applicant shall submit a
definitive color/paint scheme for the trunk of the monopalm. The color of the
trunk shall complement the trunks of the existing live palm trees in the vicinity
of the wireless facility. Proposed trunk color shall be reviewed and approved by
the Design and Development Director or his/her designee."
AYES: Commissioners Blum, Fitzpatrick, Quill, Wright and Chairperson
Bettencourt. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. Motion passed.
STUDY SESSION
1. Discussion regarding Equestrian Overlay District
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 3 JULY 12, 2016
Planning Manager Gabriel Perez presented the information contained in the
staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Design and Development
Department.
Discussion followed with regards to the applicability of the Equestrian Overlay
District (EOD), whether an accompanying Zone Change for removal of the EOD
is necessary when a proposed development includes no equestrian
accommodations that are allowable under the EOD, and access to equestrian
trails.
Staff stated that a General Plan Consistency update to the Zoning Map is
underway and there have been no discussions regarding the removal of the
overlay zones especially in areas that have been fully developed. Staff stated
that they anticipate this item to come before the Commission later this month.
BUSINESS SESSION - None
COMMISSIONER ITEMS
Chairperson Bettencourt stated that if City Council and staff determine that there
should be comprehensive review of development agreements, the Planning
Commission would be available to assist as needed. With regards to meeting times
for August, he also stated, and the Commission agreed, that the Planning Commission
would be available to help with the various steps in the SilverRock process.
Planning Manager Perez stated that with regards to SilverRock, the application is
incomplete with respect to hydrology plans and it is anticipated that the SilverRock
item will not come before the Planning Commission until September. Staff also
suggested that the Planning Commission consider cancelling its August 23, 2016
meeting as it is anticipated that there will be no items for the Commission's
consideration.
STAFF ITEMS
Planning Manager Perez informed the Commission that the Water Efficient Landscape
Ordinance, previously approved by the Commission at its June 14, 2016 meeting, will
go before the City Council for consideration on July 19, 2016.
City Attorney Ihrke stated that Assistant City Attorney Michelle Molko has accepted a
position with the California State Courts of Appeal and he is working with the City
Manager and City Council regarding the appointment of a new Assistant City Attorney.
ADJOURNMENT
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 4 JULY 12, 2016
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Blum/Wright to adjourn this meeting at 7:03 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
LiOat,i-A&i,10
WANDA WISE-LATTA, Executive Assistant
City of La Quinta, California
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 5 JULY 12, 2016