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1984 01 10 PC Minutes PLANNING COMMISSION - CITY OF LA QUINTA A Regular meeting Held at the La Quinta City Hall, 78-105 Calle, Estado, La Quinta, California January 10, 1984 7: 00 p.m. 1. CAT.'r. rl'c) ORDER. A. Chairman Klimkiewicz called the Planning Commission meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. He tha~ called ugon Commissioner Thornburgh to lead the flag' salute. 2. ROLL CALL A. C~ai~ Kl~iewicz req~estecl the :o.l.1 call. ~-he Secretazy called th.e roll: Present:Cc~ssioners Goetcheus, Imkamp, Thornburgh, Salas and Chairman Klimkiewicz Absent: None Also present were City Manager Frank Usher, Principal Planner Sandra Bonner, City Fire Marshall Jim Johnson and Secretary Donna Velotta. 3. HEARINGS A. Chairman Klimkiewicz introduced the first public hearing as Change of Zone Case No. 83-005, a request to change zoning frcm A-l-10 to R-2-12,000 and R-3 for a 78.3 acre site located along the south side of 50th Avenue, one-quarter mile west of Jefferson Street; Morris and Grayson, Inc., Applicant. He then called for the report frcm - staff. 1. Principal Planner Sandra Bonner explained that the Applicant is requesting this change of zone in order to allow develo_~nent of a 60-unit resort hotel ccmplex on the northerly portion of the property adjacent to 50th Avenue. The Applicant intends to sub- divide the southerly or rear portion of the site at a later date. Ms. Bonner w~nt on to reiterate the concerns of the Planning Cc~ssion brought out in their study session of January 9th regarding the R-3 zone. The R-3 type of zoning developed by the count3 and adopted by the City is a wide open zoning which allows a wide range of uses that are essentially cc~x~_rcial. The concern was that this cc~mercial type of use would not be compatible with the residential character of the neighborhood. The second concern was that approval of the R-3 zoning would set a precedent for future R-3 zoning in the area, particularly with respect to the · proposed motel at 50th and Washington Street. Ms. Bonner explained that at the direction of the Planning Cc~ssion during the study session of the previous day, staff talked with the City Attorney about what restrictions and what conditions can be placed on the zoning with the intent that we MINUTES - PLANNING CC~MISSION January 10, 1984 Page Two. want to protect the City as much as possible to prevent any problems, but also to allow this project to go forward. The city Attorney reccmm%ended ~ ~ings. One is ~_hat we no% go ahead and heavily restrict the zoning. He had scum concerns about the fact that, technically, zoning should be uniform and that we should not tear down the R-3 zone to one permitted -- use. Secondly, he talked about changing the zoning ordinance to allow a destination resort and the only way to do that would be with an ordinance ~t. In the interim period, the City Attorney suggested that we approve the zoning with an SP (Specific Plan) suffix. This would protect the City in that it requires any use ccming in under the R-3 zoning designation to ccme through a specific plan. The procedure for this is that any such application would ccme first through the Planning Cc~mtission and then go on to the City Council for approval. Therefore, there is a two-step review period to assure that any use cc~ing in under the R-3 zoning would be compatible with the surrounding area. That would be one safeguard and a second safeguard would be that a specific plan would not set a precedent in that you can deny another specific plan with good cause or good reason. Due to the above reasons, Ms. Bonner stated that staff is recc~ne_nding that the Planning Cc~ntission approve a change of zone not to R-3, but to R-3 (Specific Plan). Chairman Klimkiewicz then opened the hearing for public ~t. David Erwin, 74-090 E1 Paseo, Palm Desert, who is representing the applicant, Morris and Grayson, Inc., stated that they had reviewed the staff report and are in agreement with it. He noted that the Specific Plan would be presented to the Conmtission at the next - meeting to be held on January 24, 1984. He hoped at that time that it would meet with the Cc~nission's approval so that the plan could go forward to the City Council for their m~eting of February 7. William P. Canm, 49-847 Coachella Drive, La Quinta, was concerned with the fact that a ruling would be made in favor of the change of zone by the Planning Conmtission to the City Council before knowing exactly what was going to be constructed on the property. Another concern was how this would fit into the City's master plan. He felt that before a rezoning took place, a master plan should be adopted. Scram other concerns that he had in regard to this project were traffic and not enough notice being given to the ccnmunity and he could not see how the Planning Cc~mission could rule on a project of this magnitude after only one hearing. As there were no other ~ts, Chairman Klimkiewicz closed the public hearing. After a discussion, the Planning Conmtission favored continuing this hearing so that they could view the specific plan. If there were no further concerns at that time, the Cc~mnission could rule on the change of zone and the specific plan simultaneously. MINUTES - PLANNING COMMISSION January 10, 1984 Page Three. Chairman Klimkie~icz called for a motion. Cc~ntissioner Thornburgh made a motion to continue the public hearing regarding Change of Zone Case No. 83-005 to an adjourned hearing on January 20, 1984, at 3: 30 p.m. Cc~nissioner Salas - seconded the motion. Unanimously adopted. B. Chairman Klimkiewicz introduced the next public hearing regarding Tentative Tract Map No. 19458, a request to divide a 154.5 acre into 555 lots for the purpose of constructing 520 attached single-family dwellings and 374 statu- tory (air space) condominiums, a total of 894 dwellings. ~ne property is located at the northeast corner of Washington Street and 48th Avenue ali~t; VTN Consolidated, Inc., Applicant. He called for the report frc~ staff. 1. Sandra Bonner, Principal Planner, explained the location of the property involved and that these condc~iniums would be constructed around a man- made lake with an island in the center. This project was sulmtitted concurrently with two other applications. One was the General Plan Am~n~t requesting six units per acre and the second was the Change of Zone request. At its last meeting, the City Council approved the General Plan Amendment to the Land Use Elemmnt for six units per acre. Therefore, this is the second hearing for this project regarding the Tentative Tract Map. Regarding any traffic concerns, the applicant supplied staff with a traffic study and the City contracted a traffic consultant to review it. The results of this was the design as pro- posed will adequately handle traffic day to day within the project and to handle emergency vehicle access. Traffic impact on the surrounding area can be adequately mitigated by the conditions of approval requiring the installation of the half-width improvements for Adams Street and 48th Avenue, the widening of Washington Street, the provision of turn - lanes and the contribution to the cost of installing traffic signals. Scram further items Ms. Bonner covered was fire protection, the bridges to be built in the project, density, setbacks of units, recreational facilities and the general design. Based upon the findings in the staff report, staff is recc~manding that the Planning Cc~mission r~d approval of Tentative Tract Map No. 19458 in accord__ance with the exhibits and subject to the attached conditions. Chairman Klimkiewicz then opened the hearing for. public cc~nents. Jc~nn Adams, VTN Consolidated, 2301 Campus Drive, Irvine, CA., who is the project engineer, expressed thanks to the Planning Cc~mission and staff for the time in review study sessions and the public hearing this date. He felt that the Principal Planner's report was quite extensive, therefore he would not repeat those items. He stated that if there were any unanswered questions, they would gladly explain any that the Conmtission or staff might have. He further stated that they have read and concurred with the staff report. He noted a couple of MINUTES - PLANNING COMMISSION January 10, 1984 Page Four. concerns they had within the conditions. One was who would bear the cost of having the power line undergrounded at this time. Another was with the regard to the widening of Washington Street. Yet another concern was the City's request for a 10-foot-wide concrete pedestrian walk/bicycle path on the east side of Washington Street. It was initially proposed that an 8-foot-wide bike path would be adequate and he respectfully requested that it be held at that width. One final concern was the condition that a median island be installed on Washington Street at such time that the street improvements for Washington Street were installed by the property owner to the west. ~. _Ad__~_ms wondered what would happen if the property to the west does not get developed. ~ne Commissioners had questions regarding flood control, utilities, traffic impact, etc. M. B. Johnson, 400 N. Tustin Avenue, Suite 231, Santa Ana, CA, the developer, stated that they had been involved with other agencies over the years with regard to reimbursement agreements and are not opposed to them. However, it really boils down to how they are put together. He stated that the net result to the developer is usually a no interest return on his investment. The above statement was made in regard to the widening of Washington Street and the costs involved. There was quite a bit of discussion regarding the develo~xn~nt of Washington Street and how the cost would be dealt with. There was also discussion regarding the lighting system within the project. As there were no further ~ts, Chairman Klimkiewicz closed the public hearing. He then called for a motion. Cc~xaissioner Goetcheus made a motion based upon the findings in the staff report to reccnm~=n~d the approval of Tentative Tract Map No. 19458 in accordance with the exhibits and subject to the attached conditions, as amended. ~ssioner Thornburgh seconded the motion. Unanimously adopted. CONSENT CAT,I~AR A. MDtion made by Cc~missioner Salas, seconded by Ccmm~issioner Thornburgh to adopt the Consent Calendar approving the minutes of December 13, 1983. 1. The minutes of the regular m~eting of December 13, 1983 w~re approved as submitted. Unanimously adopted. BUSINESS A. Chairman Klimkiewicz introduced the first item of business as a request for Extension of Time for Tentative Tract Map No. 16449, Amended No. 1, located at the southwesterly cornar of Miles Avenue and _~__a_ms Street alignment; LQD, Inc., Applicant. He called for the staff report. MINUTES - PLANNING CC~qISSION January 10, 1984 Page Five. 1. Sandra Bonner, Principal Planner, explained that the Applicant's representative is requesting that the Planning Crmmmission continue consideration of this item to the February 14, 1984, meeting. The extension of t/me is needed to provide the representative additional time to discuss this matter with the Applicant, who is currently in Germany. She noted that this would be the second continuance for _ this case, which was originally scheduled before the Ccam~ssion on December 13, 1983. Staff rec~ds that the Planning Commission grant this continuance; ho~=ver, stipulate that this extension of time will be acted upon at the February meeting and will not be continued a third month. After a short discussion, Chai~ Klimkiewicz called for a motion. 2. Ccam~ssicner Goetcheus made the motion to approve the request for extension of time for Tentative Tract Map No. 16449, Amended No. 1, to the regular meeting of February 14, 1984. Cxmmissioner Salas seconded the motion. Unan/mously adopted. B. Chaizman Klimkiewicz introduced the next item of business as a request for extension of time for Tentative Tract Map No. 16450, Amended No. 1, located at the southwest corner of Fred Waring Drive and Ad__a_ms Street alignment; LQD, Inc., Applicant. He called for staff's report. 1. Ms. Bonner explained that this request was in conjunction with the previous one; therefore, the same recc~mer~_~_ation is being requested frcm the Cca~nission. Chainman Klimkiewicz called for a motion. /2. Ccam~ssioner Goetcheus made the motion to approve the request for - extension of t/me for Tentative Tract Map No. 16450, Amended No. 1, to the regular meeting of February 14, 1984. Ommissioner Salas seconded the motion. Unanimously adopted. C. Chairman Klimkiewicz introduced the next item of business as a review of Plot Plan NO. 83-040, a request to construct a single-family house on two lots located along the south side of Horseshoe Road in the Indian Springs Country Club area; Holden and Johnson, Architects, Applicant. He called for the staff report. 1. Ms. Bonner explained that the request is consistent with the zoning, and if the house is constructed in accordance with the conditions of approval, the design will be in cc~pliance with the City's adopted standards. She noted that the proposed house is cc~patible with the surrounding development. Therefore, based upon the findings in the staff report, staff is reccnm~_nding that the Planning Cxmm~ssion approve this request. Chairman Klimkiewicz called for a motion. 2. Ccam~issioner Thornburgh made a motion based upon the findings in the staff report, to reccam~_nd approval of Plot Plan No. 83-040 in accord__~nce with Exhibits A, B and C and subject to the attached conditions. MINUTES - PLANNING ~SSION January 10, 1984 Page Six. Ccmmtissioner In~ seconded the motion. Unanimously adopted. D. Chairman Klimkiewicz introduced the next item of business as a review of Plot Plan No. 84-041, a request to construct a single-fs~nily house on a lot located along the west side of Avenida Diaz, south of Calle Madrid; - Michael Head, Applicant. He called for the staff report. 1. Ms. Bonner stated that the request is consistent with the zoning, the proposed house is ccnloatible with the surrounding development and if the house is constructed in accordance with the conditions of approval, the design will be in ccmpliance with the City's adopted standards. R~nerefore, based upon these findings, staff is requesting that the Planning Conmnission approve this request. / There was scme discussion regarding the location of the door frcm the garage to the residence and the ~ssion requested that Mr. Head check back with staff to see if he could move the door to a more x convenient position. Chairman Klimkiewicz then called for a motion. 2./Cc~mtissioner Salas made a motion based upon the findings in the staff report, to approve Plot Plan No. 84-041 in accord_~_nce with Exhibits A, B and C and subject to the attached conditions. Conm~ssioner Imkamp \ seconded the motion. Unanimously adopted. E. Chairman Klimk ewicz introduced the next item of business as a review of Plot Plan No. 84-043, a request to construct a single-family house on a lot located along the west side of Avenida Mendoza, north of Calle Chihuahua; Desert Afford__~ble Housing, Applicant. He called for the report frcm staff. - 1. Ms. Bonner stated that the request is consistent with the zoning, the proposed house is ccmpatible with the surrounding development and if the house is constructed in accord__~nce with the conditions of approval, the design will be in cc~pliance with the City's adopted star~____~ds. Therefore, based upon these findings, staff is requesting that the Planning Ccmmtission approve this request. Chairman Klimkiewicz then called for a motion. 2. Cc~nissioner Thornburgh made a motion based upon the findings of the staff report, to approve Plot Plan No. 84-043 in accordance with Exhibits A, B and C and subject to the attached conditions. ~ssioner Goetcheus seconded the motion. Unanimously adopted. F. Chairman Klimkiewicz introduced the next item of business as a review of Plot Plan NO. 84-044, a request to construct a single-family house on a lot located at the northwest corner of Avenida Martinez and Calle Ensenada; Thurston and Joan Pendley, Applicants. He called for the staff report. 1. Ms. Bonner stated that the request is consistent with the zoning, the proposed house is ccmpatible with the surrounding develotxnent and if the house is constructed in accordance with the conditions MINUTES - PLANNING COMMISSICN January 10, 1984 Page Seven. of approval, the design will be in compliance with the City's adopted standards. Therefore, based upon these findings, staff is requesting that the Planning Conmtission approve this request. After a short discussion, the CRDn~nission decided that a condition should be added to add design so that the side of the house facing the 50' front of the lot looks like the front of the house instead of a blank wall. They wished the builder to continue the monsard. Chainm3n Klimkiewicz called for a motion. 2. Chairman Thornburgh made a motion based on the findings in the staff report, to approve Plot Plan No. 84-044 in accord__m_nce with Exhibits A, B and C and subject to the attached conditions, as amended. Comnissioner Salas seconded the motion. Unanimously adopted. G. Chaizman Klimkiewicz introduced the next item of business as a review of a proposed revision of house design for Plot Plan No. 83-016, a proposal to construct a single-family house on a lot located along the east side of Eisenhower Drive, north of Calle Colima; McMachen Construction, Inc., Applicant. He called for the staff report. 1. Sandra Bonner, Principal Planner, explained that the applicant is requesting a change to a previously approved plot plan. The previous approval was for a modular hcme having approximately 1,610 square feet of liveable area. The applicant wishes to change the house design primarily because he prefers the new floor plan. The liveable area in the new plan is 1,350 square feet. She stated that the request is consistent with the zoning, the house is cc~patible with the surround- ing development and if the house is installed in accordance with the conditions of approval, the design will be in compliance with the City's adopted standards. Therefore, based upon these findings, staff is requesting that the Planning Conmtission approve this request. Chairman Klimkiewicz called for a motion. 2. Ommtissioner Imkamp made a motion based upon the findings in the staff report, to approve Plot Plan No. 83-016 in accordance with Exhibits A, B and C and subject to the attached conditions. Conm~issioner Thornburgh seconded the motion. Unanimously adopted. H. City Manager Frank Usher gave a brief notice that the 1984 Planning Commissioners Institute Conference was being held in San Diego frcm February 29th through March 2nd, 1984. He informsd the Planning ~ssioners if they wished to attend, staff needed to know as soon as possible so that reservations could be made for the program as well as the rooms. ADJOURNMENT There being no further items of agenda to come before the Planning Cc~nission, Chairman Klimkiewicz called for a motion to adjourn. MINUTES - PLANNING COMMISSION January 10, 1984 Page Eight. Chairman Klimkiewicz made a motion to adjourn to the adjourned meeting of January 20, 1984, at 3:30 p.m., in La Quinta City Hall, 78-105 Calle Estado, The regular meeting of the Planning ~ssion of the City of La Quinta, _ California was adjourned at 10:15 p.m., January 10, 1984, at La Quinta City Hall, 78-105 Calle Estado, La Quinta, California