1983 11 08 PC Minutes ~ APPROVED ~
~ la Allllla?a I
LA QUINTA PLANNING C,C)MM-I$SION
PLANNING COMMISSION - CITY OF LA QUINTA DATE /~~/~
A ~lar Meeting Held at the La Quinta
City Hall, 78-105 Calle Estado, La Quinta,
California
November 8, 1983 7: 00 p.m.
1. CALL TO ORDER
A. Chairman John Klimkiewicz called the Planning Commission meeting
to order at 7:00 p.m. He then called upon ConT~ssioner Goetcheus
to lead the flag salute.
2. ROLL CALL
A. Chai~ Klimkiewicz requested the roll call. Due to the Secretary's
absence, City Manager Frank Usher called the roll:
Present: Ccmm~ssioners Salas, Imkamp, Thornburgh, Goetcheus and
Chairman Klimkiewicz
Absent: None
Also present were City Manager Frank Usher and Principal Planner
Sandra Bonner.
3. HEARINGS
A. Chairman Klimkiewicz introduced the public hearing regarding Tentative
Tract Map No. 18766, Amended No. 1, a request by Landmark Land Company
to divide a 15.5+ acre parcel into three (3) lots for the purpose of
constructing 28 statutory c~ndcminium units. The property is located
along the east side of Eisenhower Drive between Avenue 50 and the La
Quinta Stormwater Channel. Landmark Land Company, Applicant. This
hearing has been continued from the meeting of April 12, 1983. He then
called upon staff for their report.
1. Sandra Bonner, Principal Planner, advised the Planning ConTnission
that on October 24, 1983, the Applicant sutm~tted ~ded site and
building design plans for the project. Therefore, staff requested
that consideration of this case be continued to the December 13,
1983, meeting to provide them additional time to review the plans
and consult with architects regarding the proposed building designs.
Chairman Klimkiewicz then opened the hearing for public cc~Tnent.
Kevin Manning, Landmark Land Company representative, P. O. Box 1000,
La Quinta, CA, stated that there was no objection to the continuation.
However, he wished to advise the Ccxm~ssion that Landmark has reduced
the height of the buildings. They were to be two-story frcm the top
of the dike plus the subterranean garage, but have been reduced to
one-story frcm the top of the dike plus the subterranean garage for
a total height of 29 feet.
As there were no other public comments, Chairman Klimkiewicz closed
the public hearing.
~ - PLANNING ~SSION
November 8, 1983
Page Two.
There being no further ccm~ents frcm the Commission, Chairman
Klimkiewicz called for a motion
2. Cc~missioner Thornburgh made a motion to continue the public hearing
regarding Tentative Tract Map No. 18766, Amended No. 1, to the meeting
of December 13, 1983. Conmtissioner Imkamp seconded the motion.
- Unanimously adopted.
4. CONSENT C. AT.~qD~R
A. ~tion made by Cc~ssioner Goetcheus, seconded by Cc~ssioner Imkamp,
to adopt the Consent Calendar approving the minutes of October 11, 1983.
1. The minutes of the regular meeting of October 11, 1983, were approved
as sut]nitted. Unanimously adopted.
5. BUSINESS
A. Chairman Klimkiewicz introduced the first item of business as Plot Plan
No. 83-033, a request to construct a single-family house on a lot located
along the west. side of Avenida Villa, 110 feet north of Calle Hidalgo;
Harry Winn, Applicant. He then called for the report frcm staff.
1. Sandra Bonner, Principal Planner, explained that this single family
house's siting is consistent with both the development in the area
and the zoning requirements. The house will have 1,717 square feet
of liveable area with 2 bedrocks exceeding the 10-foot required
dimensions, 1-3/4 baths, and an attached 2-car garage with connecting
door. An attractive element of the design is the courtyard around
which all the main rocx~ are oriented. Concerning the exterior design,
Ms. Bonner explained that the overall height will be 16 feet. The roof
will have a ccmbination of 3 and 12 and 4 and 12 pitches. She noted
that this varied design would break apart the straight lines of the
building. The roof has no eaves and it is staff's OPinion that the
design of the roof is attractive and the addition of eaves would detract
frcm the appearance. Ms. Bonner stated therefore that it is staff's
recc~nendation that the Cc~ssion make the finding that the roof is
consistent with the intent of the City's adopted standards.
Based upon the above findings, staff rec~ds that the Planning
Ccmmtission approve Plot Plan No. 83-033.
After a short discussion over concern of lack of eaves on the roof,
Chairman Klimkiewicz called for a motion.
2. Cc~mtissioner Imkamp made a motion to approve Plot Plan No. 83-033 in
accordance with Exhibits A, B and C and subject to the attached condi-
tions. Conm~ssioner Thornburgh seconded the motion. Unanimously
adopted.
B. Chairman Klimkiewicz introduced the next item of business as Plot Plan
No. 83-034, a request to construct a single-family house on a lot located
at the northeast corner of Avenida Martinez and Calle Monterey; R. F.
Updyke, Applicant. He then called for the report from staff.
MINUTES - PLANNING CQMMISSION
November 8, 1983
Page Three.
1. Sandra Bonner, Principal Planner, reported that the Applicant plans
to retain ownership of this house, but plans to manage it as a rental
unit. She stated that this request is consistent with the zoning,
the design will be in ccrapliance with the City's adopted standards
and the proposed house is cc~patible with the surrounding development.
~er, the site plan shows the air-conditioning unit located within
both the rear and sideyard setback areas. Our municipal zoning ordinance
requires that these setback areas remain clear of structures and mechanical
equipment. Ms. Bonner advised that a setback adjustment may be granted
permitting an encroachment when the following findings are made:
(1) The adjustment is consistent with the intent and purposes of the
ordinance;
(2) There are special circumstances applicable to the property, including
such factors as size, shape, topography, location or surroundings
that justify the approval of the adjustment of the setback require-
ment; and
(3) The adjustment will not be detrimental to the health, safety and
general welfare of the ~ty or be detrimental to property in
the vicinity of the parcel for which the adjustment is requested.
Staff recc~mends that the Planning Ccmxaission approve such a setback
adjustment as part of this approval to penait the air-conditioning unit
to extend a maximum of two feet into the rear yard setback. The basis
for this rec~tion is that due to the small lot size, the increased
setback areas due to it being a corner lot and the large house size, the
adjus~t is needed if the Applicant is to ccmply with the City's re-
quirement for ground mounting all a~r-conditioning equipment. As a
means for ensuring that the neighboring property owner is not bothered
by the noise frcrn the equi~]T~nt, staff also recc~mends that the equip-
ment be enclosed within a block or masonry wall which extends above the
height of the equipment.
Based upon the above findings, staff recc~r~ends that the Planning
Commission approve Plot Plan No. 83-034.
After a short discussion regarding the setback adjustment, Cha~
Klimkiewicz called for a motion.
2. Cc~missioner Thornburgh made a motion to approve Plot Plan No. 83-034
in accord_snce with Exhibits A, B and C and subject to the attached
conditions. ~ssioner Imkamp seconded the motion. Unanimously
adopted.
C. Chairman Klimkiewicz introduced the next item of business as Plot Plan
No. 83-035, a request to construct a single-family house on a lot located
along the east side of Avenida Obregon, 200 feet south of Calle Potrero;
Everett Aplet, Applicant. He then called for staff's report.
1. Sandra Bonner, Principal Planner, reported that this house will be
the Applicant's residence. The siting or location of the house on
the lot is compatible with both the existing development in the area
and the zoning requirements. However, the porch and %he heat pump
MINUTES - PLANNING CC6~4ISSION
November 8, 1983
Page Four.
shown in the sideyard setback area along the north side of the house
are not pezmitted. In lieu of the porch, the house can have an un-
covered or unenclosed landing which extends three (3) feet into the
setback area. Ms. Bonner advised the Cc~mission that staff recommended
that the heat pump be located in the rear yard. She further advised
that the design will be in cc~pliance with the City's adopted standards
- and the proposed house is compatible with the surrounding development.
Based upon the above findings, staff recc~mer~s that the Planning
Cc~mission approve Plot Plan No. 83-035.
There being no further discussion, Chairman Klimkiewicz called for a
motion.
Cc~missioner Imkamp made a motion to approve Plot Plan No. 83-035 in
accordance with Exhibits A, B and C and subject to the attached
conditions. Czmmissioner Salas seconded the motion. Unanimously
adopted.
D. Chairman Klimkiewicz introduced the next item of business as Plot Plan
No. 83-036, a request to construct a single-family house on a lot located
along the west side of Eisenhower Drive, 150 feet north of Calle Madrid;
Darryl Turner, Applicant. He then call upon staff for their report.
1. Sandra Bonner, Principal Planner, reported that this house would be
the owner's residence. The location of the house on the lot is con-
sistent with both the existing develoF~ent in the area and the zoning
requi~ts. The floor plan is substantially consistent with the
City' s adopted standards for single-family houses. However, although
there is no connecting door between the house and the garage, there is
a door leading to the back yard. Therefore, staff rended that the
_ Ccnmission make the finding that this design complies with the intent
of the ordinance. The width of the roof eaves varies from 12 to 36
inches, therefore staff recommended that all roof eaves be a minimum
of 18 inches in accordance with the City's adopted standards. The
proposed house is cc~pat~le with the surrounding development.
Based upon the above findings, staff recommends that the Planning
Czmmission approve Plot Plan No. 83-036.
There being no further discussion, Chairman Klimkiewicz called for a
motion.
2. Cc~missioner Goetcheus made a motion to approve Plot Plan No. 83-036
in accordance with Exhibits A, B and C and subject to the attached
conditions. Cc~missioner Salas seconded the motion. Unanimously
adopted.
E. Chairman Klimkiewicz introduced the City Manager who had a report regarding
an amen~t to the Redevelopment Plan for the La Quinta Redevelopment
Project.
Frank Usher, City Manager, advised the Planning Commission that what the
Agency was asking the Conm%ission to do by adopting this resolution is to
MINUTES - PLANNING CC~MISSION
November 8, 1983
Page Five.
reapprove the Redevelopmsnt Plan which they previously received and
approved at the last Cc~mission m~eting. However, there are a couple
of changes which the Agency feels are necessary. One of which is really
procedural and the other is quasi-substantive. The first change which
the resolution authorizes is the approval of the $61,970,000 tax increment
limitation set out in the Redevelopment Plan and also approves any higher
- dollar amount of such limitation as may be determined appropriate by the
Redevelo~nnt Agency to fulfill the specific objectives of the Plan. Mr.
Usher advised that this was discussed and recorded in the minutes of the
last meeting that it might be necessary to increase that amount as the
various taxing agencies may require agreements with the Agenc%7 for a pass
through of additional funds or may, in ~fact, ask the Agency to perform work
on their behalf using their ordinary tax increments. If they do that between
now and November 22, 1983, when we adopt the plan, we have to increase the
limit in the Plan accordingly, so we need the flexibility of authorizing
an increase of the limit as approved by the Redevelopment Agency which is
the City Council. The other change is one suggested by Lowell Weeks. In
Exhibit C, which is the description of the basic flood control work involved,
the elements which were explained at the previous m~eting, are outlined in
Items 1, 2 and 3. Item 4 was excerpted from a Bechtel study done for the
water district by the consultant who drew up the plan. In Item 4 there is
in fact, and Lowell Weeks and myself have expressed this at the public
mseting, absolutely no intention to build any kind of dam of any sort. The
Bechtel study referred to the possibility of a dam as an alternative, but
that is not going to be necessary. We have had a lot of concern brought
out about whether we would be constructing a dam, so we thought the entire
language as shown should be excised frem the plan. Therefore, we are asking
that, in your reapproval of the Plan to the City Council for adoption, you
specify in 2.B. of the resolution that everything after the first sentence
be deleted.
Chairman Klimkiewicz called for a motion. ~
1. Com~ssioner Thornburgh made a motion to,Resolution No. P.C. 83-6, as
amended, r~ding adoption of the Redevelopmsnt Plan for the La
Quinta Redevelo~x~ent Project. Cc~ssioner Imkamp seconded the motion.
Unanimously adopted.
Sandra Bonner, Principal Planner, advised the Planning C~ssion that as of
November 2, 1983, our annexation is now official. She also advised the Cc~mission
that there is an approved condominium project called Indian Wells Villas to be
located at Fred Waring and Washington Street that is being recorded with us. This
project was still in the process of getting a change of zone through the County,
but due to the changes now they are required to get a change of zone frcm La Quinta.
She stated that we had thought our prezoning was high enough to handle the density
of 6 units an acre, but found that it is not. Therefore, staff is requesting that
the Planning Cc~mission consider meeting a second time this month to consider this
request for a change of z~ne so that it can go before the City Council on Dec~mber
6th. This would mean that the recordation of the map for Indian Wells Villas and
the change of zone would beccms effective at the sam~ time.
City Manager Frank Usher continued by noting the fact that the Indian Wells Villas
project has been caught in a time bind that is not of their making. The County
Board of Supervisors was scheduled to approve a Change of Zone Ordinance so that
MINUTES - PLANNING ~SSION
November 8, 1983
Page Six.
the project could keep to their develo~me~nt schedule, but now that the annexation
has recorded, the Board of Supervisors cannot take that action because they cannot
act in respect to the area. Therefore, we are trying to be as accc~nodating as
possible because the Indian Wells Villas project has a tight development schedule
they would like to be able to meet in order to have sc~e model units available for
demonstration in February, 1984.
--
After a short discussion, it was decided to have a second meeting on November 30,
1983, at 7:00 p.m.
6. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further items of agenda to ccme before the Planning ~ssion,
Chairman Klimkiewicz called for a motion to adjourn.
~ssioner Salas made a motion to adjourn to an adjourned meeting on
November 30, 1983, at 7:00 p.m., in La Quinta City Hall, 78-105 Calle Estado,
La Quinta, California. Seconded by Cc~nissioner Thornburgh. Unanimously
adopted.
The regular meet~ of the Planning Cc~mission of the City of La Quinta,
California was adjourned at 8:15 p.m., November 8, 1983, at La Quinta City
Hall, 78-105 Calle Estado, La Quinta, California.