2016 08 09 PC MinutesCALL TO ORDER
PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
TUESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2016
A regular meeting of the La Quinta Planning Commission was called to order at 6:00
p.m. by Chairperson Bettencourt.
PRESENT: Commissioners Blum, Quill, Wright and Chairperson Bettencourt.
ABSENT: Commissioner Fitzpatrick
STAFF PRESENT: Planning Manager Gabriel Perez, Principal Planner Jay Wuu,
Associate Planner Carlos Flores, Principal Engineer Bryan McKinney
Executive Assistant Wanda Wise -Latta, and Office Assistant Carley
Votaw.
Commissioner Quill led the Commission in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT - None
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA- Confirmed
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Approval of the minutes of July 12, 2016.
Motion - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Blum/Quill to
approve the Planning Commission Minutes of June 12, 2016 as submitted.
AYES: Commissioners, Blum, Wright and Chairperson Bettencourt. NOES: None.
ABSENT: Commissioner Fitzpatrick. ABSTAIN: None. Motion Passed.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2016-0004 submitted by the City of La Quinta
proposing to adopt a resolution recommending that the City Council amend
several chapters of Title 9 of the La Quinta Municipal Code and the Official
Zoning Map related to the Zoning and General Plan Text and Map Consistency.
CEQA: the proposed Zoning Code and Map Amendments are consistent with the
previously approved General Plan 2035 Environmental Impact Report and do
not require further environmental review. Location: City-wide.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 1 AUGUST 9, 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 between the Commission and staff and included:
Staff provided clarification regarding the use of the 35% minimum residential
requirement of a mixed use project located in the Mixed Use Overlay District.
Staff stated there is no standard minimum residential requirement and after
reviewing projects in Orange County, Los Angeles and proposed projects in the
Inland Empire, it was determined that residential uses would be required to
occupy 35% of the total square footage of a project to assure a true mixed use
p roject.
Staff addressed a Commissioner's concern regarding parking variances and
explained the alternatives that are available to an applicant.
Planning Manager Perez presented correspondence received from Ken and
Cathy Duce about their concerns regarding the proposed zoning amendments
regarding arches and trellises.
Members of the Commission thanked staff and Ad Hoc Committee members for
their efforts with regards to the Development Code Tune -Up.
Staff addressed a Commissioner's question regarding small child daycare and
the State standard that applies to small child daycare facilities and stated that
such facilities are not regulated by the City.
Staff addressed a Commissioner's concern regarding the elimination of bicycle
parking and staff recommended that the required bike portion of the code
section be restored.
Staff addressed a Commissioner's concern regarding the elimination of sign
permits for church and institutional uses in the commercial zone and stated
that church and institutional use in a commercial building would be subject to
existing sign standards or an existing master sign program.
Staff addressed a Commissioner's question regarding the mixed-use concept
and multiple parking uses. Staff stated that a shared parking agreement can
assist an applicant with meeting their parking requirement in order to obtain
their permit.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 2 AUGUST 9, 2016
Staff addressed a commissioner's question regarding zoning as it relates to
public and private school sites.
Staff addressed a Commissioner's question regarding medical marijuana
dispensaries and stated an ordinance was adopted by the City Council
prohibiting medical marijuana dispensaries in all zones citywide. A
Commissioner stated that Council tabled the discussion regarding medical
marijuana dispensaries and deliveries.
Staff responded to a Commissioner's concerns regarding the appeal process
timeline standard as to reasonable accommodation. Staff stated that this
standard is governed by State law and pertains to issues associated with
handicap facilities and the City should not amend this appeal period.
Staff responded to a commissioner's concern regarding the Village commercial
district and the flexibility available to applicants with regards to the parking
standards.
Chairperson Bettencourt declared the PUBLIC HEARING OPEN at 7:25 p.m.
No public comment.
Chairperson Bettencourt declared the PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED at 7:25 p.m.
Motion - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Wright/Blum to
approve Planning Commission Resolution No. 2016-012 recommending that the
City Council amend several chapters of Title 9 of the La Quinta Municipal Code
and the Official Zoning Map, related to the Zoning and General Plan Text Map
Consistency as submitted by the staff, and to include the following:
1. Restoration of the bicycle parking requirements;
2. Delete the language that is proposed to be added regarding arches
and trellises and return to the original language and adding: "The
Director may refer arch designs exceeding the standard of the
additional language to the Planning Commission for approval into
Section 9.60.030"; and
3. Home occupation component will not be considered at this time.
AYES: Commissioners Blum, Quill, Wright and Chairperson Bettencourt. NOES:
None. ABSENT: Commissioner Fitzpatrick. ABSTAIN: None. Motion passed.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 3 AUGUST 9, 2016
BUSINESS SESSION - None
COMMISSIONER ITEMS
Commissioner Quill stated that the cell tower site located near Montezuma Park is in
disrepair and asked what could be done. Planning Manager Perez stated the files will
be reviewed to determine what permits might have been issued by the City, review the
applicable conditions of approval specific to maintenance, and follow up with the
applicant regarding maintenance obligations regarding the cell tower.
Commissioner Wright stated that the cell tower site located along the south side of
the White Water Channel west of Adams Street was also in need of maintenance.
Planning Manager Perez stated that a new proposal was received for this site and felt
that the Commissioner's concerns will be able to be addressed.
Commissioner Quill suggested staff evaluate all cell towers sites located in the City
and review the applicable conditional use permits associated with those sites and
provide an update to the Commission.
STAFF ITEMS
Planning Manager Perez presented the report on the July 19, 2016 City Council Study
Session regarding Boards and Commissions. Planning Manager Perez stated that
Council recommended that Architectural and Landscaping Review Board (ALRB) be
consolidated with the Planning Commission to streamline the development review
process and noted that this item go before the Council again in September.
Additionally, Staff updated the Commission regarding:
Paperless process now available to applicants for submitting their
planning documents electronically;
Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the La Quinta Village Build -
Out Plan was released today for comment; and
Interim ordinance for a 50% reduction regarding parking standards for
the Village was extended for a year.
Information available on the city's website regarding political sign
permits
Chairman Bettencourt introduced Interim Deputy City Attorney Morgan Wazlaw.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Wright/Blum to adjourn this meeting at 7:45 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 4 AUGUST 9, 2016
Respectfully submitted,
I,UtA-e; -cpm
WANDA WISE-LATTA, Executive Assistant
City of La Quinta, California
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 5 AUGUST 9, 2016