1985 12 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
December 10, 1985 7: 00 p.m.
_ A. Chairman Thornburgh called the Planning Cc~mission m~eting to order at 7:00 p.m.;
he called upon ~ssioner Brandt to lead the flag salute.
2. ROLL CALL
A. Chairman Thornburgh requested the roll call. 5he Secretary called the roll:
Present: Commissioners Brandt, De Gasperin, ~bran, Walling and Chainuan
Thornburgh
Absent: None
Also present were C~t,uunity Development Director Lawrence L. Stevens,
Principal Planner Sandra L. Bonner, and Secretary Donna M. Velotta.
3. HEARINGS
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Con~ssioner Brandt rode a motion, seconded by Cor~ssioner Moran, to approve
the minutes frcm the regular meeting of October 22, 1985.
The minutes of the regular meeting of October 22, 1985 were approved as
submitted. Unaninously Adopted.
- 5. BUSINESS
Chairman Thornburgh introduced the first two items of business as follows:
A. PLOT PLAN NO. 85-213, a request to construct a single-family dwelling at the
southwest corner of Avenida Velasco and Calle Madrid; Wayne La Vella, Applicant.
B. PLOT PLAN NO. 85-214, a request to construct a single-family dwelling at the
southeast corner of Avenida Herrera and Calle Madrid; James and Kathleen Septer,
Applicants.
He then called for the Staff Reports.
1. Director Stevens info~ the Cc~x~ission that these were Earle Krepelin
houses although they were submitted under the names of the property owners.
The houses are similar to those plans previously reviewed and approved at
prior meetings by Mr. Krepelin. These two houses are to be built on five
contiguous lots, so we have a basic concern of doing design variations.
The remaining requirements are the standard conditions attached to each
Staff Report. Staff reccmm~nds approval of Plot Plans Nos. 85-213 and
85-214 as outlined in the reports,
There being no questions of Staff, Chairman Thornburgh called for a motion.
2. Cc~ssioner De Gasperin made a motion, seconded by Cc~ssion~ Moran to
approve Plot Plans Nos. 85-213 and 85-214 in accordance with Exhibits A, B,
- and C, and subject to attached conditions of approval. Unanimously Adopted.
Chairman ~nornburgh introduced the 14 items of business to be heard concurrently
as follows:
C. PLOT PLAN NO. 85-221, a request to construct a single-family dwelling on the
west side of Avenida Mart~ez, 250' south of Calle Colima; H&S Manager Corp.,
Applicant.
D. PLOT PLAN NO. 85-222, a request to construct a single-family dwelling on the
east side of Avenida Carranza, 100' south of Calle Monterey; H&S Management Corp.,
Applicant.
MINUTES - PLANNING C~SSION
December 10, 1985
Page 2.
E. PLOT PLAN NO. 85-223, a request to construct a single-family dWelling at the
southeast corner of Avenida Herrera and Calle Colima; H&S Manag~t Corp.,
Applicant.
F. PLOT PLAN NO. 85-224, a request to construct a single-family dwelling on the
east side of Avenida Villa, 100' south of Calle Sonora; H&S Management Corp.,
- Applicant.
G. PLOT PLAN NO. 85-225, a request to construct a single-family dwelling at the
southwest corner of Eisenho%~r Drive and Calle Durango; H&S Management Corp.,
Applicant.
H. PL~T PLAN NO. 85-226, a request to cOnstruct a single-family dwelling on the
west side of Avenida Obregon, 100' north of Calle Colima; Jerico Construction,
Applicant.
I. PLOT PLAN NO. 85-227, a request to construct a single-family dwelling on the
west side of Avenida Obregc~, 150' north of Calle Colima; Jerico Construction,
Applicant.
J. PLOT PLAN NO. 85-228, a request to construct a single-family dwelling on the
west side of Avenida Herrera, 200' north of Calle Arroba; Jerico Construction,
Applicant.
K. PLOT PLAN NO. 85-229, a request to construct a single-family dwelling on the
west side of Avenida Herrera, 250' north of Calle Arroba; Jerico Construction,
Applicant.
L. PI3OT PLAN NO. 85-230, a request to construct a single-family dwelling on the
east side of Avenida Obregon, 100' north of Calle Potrero; Paul Lieb, Applicant.
-~ M. PLOT PLAN NO. 85-231, a request to construct a single-family ~ling on the
west side of Avenida Vallejo, 150' south of Calle Durango; Paul Lieb, Applicant.
N. PLOT PLAN NO. 85-232, a request to construct a single-family dwelling on the
weSt side of Avenida Bermudas, 150' south of Calle Hidalgo; Paul Lieb, Applicant.
O. PLOT PLAN NO. 85-233, a request to construct a single-family dwelling at the
southeast corner of Avenida Velasco and Calle Colima; Paul Lieb, Applicant.
P. PLOT PLAN NO. 85-234, a request to construct a single-family dwelling on the~
east side of Avenida Velasco, 50' south of Calle Colima; Paul Lieb, Applicant.
Chairman Thornburgh called for the Staff Reports.
1. Director Stevens infonm~ the Cc~mission that there are 14 single-family
dwelling applications; 5 under the name of H&S Manager, 4 under the
name of Jerico Construction, and 5 under the names of Paul Lieb. They
are fairly scattered throughout the Cove. The plans have had a number of
design changes before they w~re presented to the Cc~wnission. All 14 plans
are basically the same with little variations, based on the site conditions.
Director Stevens advised that Staff essentially recc~m~_nds approval of these
14 houses; Staff has, however, noted in a number of the reports, based upon
the type and style of houses in the particular location of that house, that
tile roofs ~0uld be more appropriate than c~sition roofs. This was not
requested in all of the reports, as Staff felt in scme areas there was
clearly a predication toward c~sition roofs, so there was no reason for
requiring a change. In some areas where Staff requested tile roofs there
is virtually no development, so it was felt that was the trend to encourage
there. The reports with required changes are as follows:
o Item 5.D. - Plot Plan No. 85-222 - Report requested tile roof
and should not have.
o~ Item 5.G. - Plot Plan No. 85-225 - Report did not request tile
roof and should have.
o It~u 5.0. - Plot Plan No. 85-233 - Report did not request tile
roof and should have.
o Item 5.P. - Plot Plan No. 85-234 - Report did not request tile
roof and should have.
MINUTES - PLANNING COMMISSION
December 10, 1985
Page 3.
Director Stevens advised that the rema~g conditions being required are
the star~___s~d required on all single-family dwellings. He noted that this
concluded Staff's conm~_nts.
Chairman Thornburgh asked the Applicant if he had any co~ne~ts to make.
Mike Rowan (Applicants' representative), 145-B W. Whiting Street, Fullerton,
California, stated the only argument they had was with regard to the tile
roof requir~nents due to the cost consideration. He stated, however, that
if the Co~mission is requiring that tile roofs .be used, then they w~uld put
tile on all of the homes. He also made note of a statement in the Staff
Report requesting that the garage be offset an additional 5 feet to make the
house look wider.
Director Stevens responded that the statement about the garage was just a
suggestion and not a condition or requiremsnt.
Mr. Rowan went on to state that they have 3 different roof designs for these
units and where there are 2 homes together, the plans have been reversed.
Chairman Thornburgh asked for cc~ments from the Cc~x~ission.
Cc~anissioners 5bran and Brandt had concerns regarding this request with
regard to the units being a minimal house and the planned use as rentals.
They felt that there is a difference between the way a house is kept when
it is a rental and when it is not a rental. They felt that the reason the
City adopted the 5-unit limit was to prevent speculators and/or rentals being
built with the possibility of being abandoned and taken over by the bank.
Cc~x~issioner Moran stated she did not feel ccmfortable approving this request.
Cc~m~ssioner Brandt felt that these units are not consistent with the trend
_ of units we have been approving in the Cove area. She felt that, if anything,
we~ have been trying to upgrade the area, as we do have plenty of housing that
is not aesthetically pleasing. Conm~ssioner Brandt felt that the Cove is a
unique area with a variety of homes and felt we should continue with the tren~
of units that have been approved in the past, and that these units w~uld not
enhance the neighborhood.
At this time, Mr. Rowan displayed a rendering of the three different roof
designs for the Cc~mission to see.
Cc~missioner Brandt further stated concerns for the upkeep and maintenance
of the landscaping of the propOsed rental units.
Mr. Rowan advised that the Applicants do have a landscaping maintenance
service in mind to provide this service to these homes.
Director Stevens stated that the application states that these hcmss are
being provided as rentals, but obviously that does not msan that they cannot
be sold. If you are concerned that they w~uld remain as rentals and w~uld
have a maintenance problem, in general, they are responsible for maintaining
the landscaping because of conditions in our Municipal Ordinance. Staff does
not go out and periodically check this, but we could verify, at the time of
final, that if the units were being occupied as a rental instead of by an
owner, that there was sc~ agre~nent relative to continuing maintenance of
the landscaping. Director Stevens felt it ~Duld be difficult to impose more
restrictive requirements on a house.
Ccmmissio~r Moran felt a concern that 14 homes, of basically the same plan,
are ~to be constructed by a developer who has not built in our cu~]~unity
previously.
There was further discussion of care of landscaping with regard to desert
heat and need for daily watering of grass, plants, etc. There would seem to
be a need for an automatic sprinkler system, especially if these units are
indeed used as rentals. There was also some discussion regarding the need
of more design details being used on the outside of these units.
MINUTES - PLANNING C~SSION
December 10, 1985
Page 4.
Discussion ended, Chairman Thornburgh called for a motion.
2. Chairman Thornburgh made a motion, seconded by Cc~ssion~ Walling, to
approve Plot Plan Nos. 85-221, 85-222, 85-223, 85-224, 85-225, 85-226,
85-227, 85-228, 85-229, 85-230, 85-231, 85-232, 85-233 and 85-234 in
accordance wihh Exhibi%s A, B and C for each plan and subject to the
conditions of approval, as ~ded, attached to each plot plan.
Chairman Thornburgh called for a Roll Call Vote which resulted as follows:
Cc~missioner Brandt - Aye
Cc~missioner De~ Gasperin - Aye
Conmissioner ~ran - No
Cc~nissioner Walling - Aye
Chairman Thornburgh - Aye
Director Stevens advised the Con~ssion that Staff would report back to the
Cc~ssion at the next Study Session with regard to any changes presented to
Staff by the Applicant with regard to this matter.
Chairman Thornburgh introducted the next item of business as follows:
Q. PLOT PlAN NO. 85-236, a request to construct a single-family dwelling on the
south side of Calle Fortuna, 300' east of Desert Club Drive; Louis Campagna,
Applicant. He then called for the Staff Report.
1. Director Stevens advised the Co~ssion that there were no major problems
with Mr. Campagna's house plans. There were a couple of minor concerns;
one being the relative d~sion in the garage and some basic clarification
relative to a guest room as it related to a granny housing type of an issue
so there are no misunderstandings. Staff recc~nends approval subject to
conditions in the Staff Report. This ended Staff's cc~m~ents.
There being no further questions or discussion, Chairman Thornburgh called
for a motion.
2. Con~ssioner Brandt made a motion, seconded by Con~ssioner De Gasperin, to
approve Plot Plan No. 85-236 in accordance with Exhibits A through E, and
subject to conditions of approval. UnaninxDusly Adopted.
Chairman Thornburgh introduced the last three items of business as follows:
R. PLOT PLAN NO. 85-238, a request to construct a single-family dwelling on the
east side of Avenida Obregon, 200' north of Calle Sonora; A.C. Hipp, Applicant.
S. PLOT PLAN NO. 85-239, a request to construct a single-family dwelling on the
north side of Bottlebrush Drive, 157' east of Washington Street; Don Howard,
Applicant.
T. PLOT PLAN NO. 85-240, a request to construct a single-family dwelling on the
north side of Bottlebrush Drive, 107' east of Washington Street; Don Howard,
Applicant.
Chairman Thornburgh called for the Staff Reports.
1. Director Stevens info~ the Con~ssion that basically, these three houses
are consistent with the requir~ts of the R-1 Zone and the goals and
objectives of the La Quinta General Plan, the building designs are conl0at~le
with area development and the projects will not have a significant impact on
the enviro~t. He noted that the two houses being built by Mr. Howard are
located in the Fringe-Toed Lizard Habitat and therefore the fees must be paid
in that regard.
There was a short discussion regarding the house plan sutmtitted by A.C. Hipp
with regard to the lack of design on the garage door. It was felt that the
Applicant should be required to remedy that concern. The Conmlission also
ccmplimented the house plans presented by Mr. Howard.
M/NUTES - PLANNING CC~MISSION
December 10, 198 5
Page 5.
There being no further questions or discussion, Chairman Thornburgh called for
a motion.
2.· C~ssioner Brandt made a motion, seconded by C~ssioner Moran, to approve
Plot Plans Nos. 85-238, 85-239 and 85-240 in accordance with Exhibits A, B
and C and subject to conditions, as ~ded, in the Staff Reports. Unanimousl~
6. ADJ~
There being no further items of Agenda to ccm~ before the Planning Cc~mission this
date, Chairman Thornburgh called for a motion to adjourn to a Study Session.
C~ssioner De Gasperin made a motion, seconded by C~ssioner Moran, to adjourn
to a Study Session this date. unan~sly Adopted.
The regul~ meet~g of the Planning Cc~mission of the City of La Quinta, California,
was adjourned to a Study Session at 7:55 p.m., December 10, 1985, in La Quinta City
Hall, 78-105 Calle Estado, La Quinta, California.
Due to the holidays, the next regularly scheduled mse~g of the Planning Cc~uission
which would fall on December 24, 1985, has been cancelled. The next meetir~ of the
Planning Cc~misssion will be January 14, 1986.