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1986 02 25 PC Minutes PLANNING COMMISSION - CITY OF LA QUINTA DAIF A P~ar Meeting Held at the La Quinta City Hall, 78-105 Calle Estado, La Quinta, California February 25, 19.86 7: 00 p.m. 1.CALL TO ORDER A. Chainman Thornburgh called the Planning C~ssion meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.; - he then led the flag salute. 2. ROLL CALL A. Chairman Thornburgh requested the Roll Call; the Secretary called the Roll: Present: Commissioners Brandt, ~bran, Walling and Chairman Thornburgh Absent: Ccmmissioner De Gasperin Chairman Thornburgh made a motion, seconded by Cc~missioner Walling to excuse Cc~m~ssioner De Gasperin. Unanimously Adopted. Also present were ~ty Development Director Lawrence L. Stevens, Principal Planner Sandra L. Bonner, Jim Kawamura, Engineer (BSI, Inc.), and Secretary Donna M. Velotta. 3. HEARINGS Chairman 5hornburgh introduced the hearing item: ~s follows: A. Specific Plan No. 86-007, "Washington Street Corridor Study", a request for approval of a Specific Plan for Washington Street, Including Improvements, Alignment and Streetscape; City Initiated (Continued). He then called for the Staff Report. 1. Principal Planner Sandra Bonner informed the Planning ~ssion that since their last meeting, Staff and Jim Kawanura of BSI (City Consultant) met with five residents of the Singing Palms area to discuss the proposed access and frontage road design for that area. It was agreed at this meeting that a second access with right-turn only ~ould be provided at Singing Palms Drive, and that a deceleration area would also be provided at this entrance. There was also concurrence that the traffic signal be at Highland Palms Drive and the frontage road re~ain at the 32' width for t~o-way traffic. The residents present expressed a strong desire to have the traffic signal installed innately in view of the serious accidents that had occurred over the past few days. H~er, Jim Kawamura reiterated what he stated at the public hearing. He advised them that if the signal is installed prior to the frontage road, the City would have to make substantial changes to it at the time the road was constructed resulting in the City essentially having to pay for the signal twice. Ms. Bonner advised the Planning Cc~mission that Mr. Kawamura would provide an amended exhibit for the changes suggested at the Singing Palms area. Ms. Bonner stated that at their previous public hearing on this matter, the Planning C~ssion requested that a policy be included within the Washington Street Specific Plan to restrict access onto Washington Street in areas where there are lots fronting directly onto Washington Street. Namely, in the area of Sagebrush Avenue and be~ Avenida La Fonda and Avenida Nuestra. There- fore, she advised that Staff rec~ds the inclusion of the ~ollowing to the plan: "No new direct access onto Washington Street frc~ adjoining single-family lots shall be encouraged. New development on these frontage lots shall be reviewed by the City on a case-by-case basis." Ms. Bonner stated that based on the findings in the Staff Report dated February 11, 1986, Staff r~ds approval of Specific Plan No. 86-007 in accordance with Exhibit "A", the plan text, as amended. This concluded her report. MINUTES - PIANNING~SSION February 25, 1986 Page 2. After a brief discussion, Chairman Tnornburgh opened the public hearing at 7:05 p.m. Gerald Dupree, 78-430 Cameo Dunes, La Quinta (Singing Palms area), spokesman for the residents who were present at the February 19 meeting, stated his agreement with the 32' wide frontage road and the amendment to the plan adding a right-turn ingress at Singing Palms. He also requested that the City upgrade the priority of this project. He advised the Planning Conmtission that he did not return to all of the persons who signed the original petition he presented to them at the first hearing with the results of the 2/19 meeting. Michael Hudson, 51-044 Washington Street, La Quinta (Calle Tampico area), expressed his concern about possible street widening requirements. There being no further public ~ts, Chairman Thornburgh closed the public hearing at 7:10 p.m. The Planning Conmtission discussed a number of topics regarding this matter reccnmendirg them as changes to Specific Plan No. 86-007 primarily as additions for clarification. The following is a brief synopsis of topics discussed: * Purpose of the Specific Plan: To improve the public's understanding of the purpose of this specific plan, a statement should be added in the introduction em~asizing that this is a conceptual plan which establishes the basic objec- tives and design parameters for the roadway improvements, ali~t and streetscape. After adoption of this guide for future improvements, the next step is the preparation of precise plans detailing specific design and engineering standards necessary to begin the actual implementation of the specific plan. At this next level detail, engineering plans will establish the precise ali~t of Washington Street, the specific improvement designs for the roadway and the standards for parkway improvements. At such time that the City Council reviews and approves these precise plans, the exact locations and dimensions of the additional land required for right-of-way dedication will be specified, and a program will be instituted to acquire the needed property in an equitable and timely manner. * Acquisition of Right-of-Way: The Planning Commission r~ds addition of a statement expressing the City's basic objectives regarding the acquisition of additional right-of-way. These objectives are as follows: to mJ_nimize to the extent possible the acquisition of additional land for the right-of-way; to allow for adjustments in the right-of-way width or design, when possible, in order to minimize potential conflicts with existing develotm~_nt, while still maintaining the integrity of the plan's objectives; and, when possible, to obtain portions rather than entire parcels in order to minimize costs. * Realignment and Frontage Road- Singing Palms Area: The Cc~nission unanimously reccnm~nds approval of realignment and street cross section, with the addition of a right-turn ingress at Singing Palms Drive as shown on the amended exhibit presented by Jim Kawanura of BSI a t this meeting. In addition, the Planning Cc~ssion reccnm~_nds that the priority of this project be raised. The Planning Cc~nission also unanimously supports the increase in the frontage road width frc~ 28 to 32 feet, as recc~xne_nded by the City Engineer. This is consistent with current City Policy for tm~-way streets having parking on one side only and provides for the m~ 24-foot clear travelway for emergency vehicle access. * Street Lighting: The Ommtission unanimously recc~mends installation of street lighting along the center median as shown on Figure 7, Alternative No. 1 of the text. The basis for this reccnm~=_ndation is the reduced cost of installation and the minimizing of intoact of the lights on adjacent residences. The Ommtission also concurs with the proposed light standard sp ingo MINUTES - PLANNING CC~[ISSION February 25, 1986 Page 3. * Sidewalks and Bikeways: The Planning Cc~mission unanimously agreed that a pedestrian walkway be installed along one side and an off-street bike path be installed on the opposite side of Washington Street, with widths as similar to that shown on Figure 7, Alternative No. 2 of the text. The basis of this recc~m~mdation was that an off-street bike path is needed in light of the anticipated traffic levels and spc~ds, and to provide a safe way for _ children bicycling to the schools on Avenue 50. The overall recc~mendation is also based on the desire to minimize the amount of paving or hard surfaces in the parkway areas. * Landscaping Plan: Although the Planning ~ssion unanimously agreed in concept to the proposed planting recc~mandations, they requested that a state- ment describing the overall design theme be added to the plan. They recc~x~_nd that this section be adopted as a guideline, and that more specific standards be developed at a later date. The Planning ~ssion supported the esta_b- lishment of a theme emphasizing canopy-type trees rather than palm trees. This will establish an appearance which will be different, yet cc~plement the theme followed on Eisenho~er Drive with a single row of palms in each parkway. In addition, the consistent use of a limited number of tree types along this four-mile-long street in the City will estsblish a cohesive appearance while still providing enough of variety to provide visual interest. The use of canopy-type trees will also provide shade for pedestrians and bicyclists along Washington Street. * Signage: The Cc~mission recc~m~_nds that a statement be added regarding the establishment of general standards for City signage along Washington which will ccmpl~t the overall appearance of the corridor while also effectively directing traffic, including providing direction to public facilities. * City Entrv Monument: The Planning Cc~m~ssion recc~me~s adoption of Exhibit "C"o The use of horizontal and vertical design elements, in addition to the - varying heights of the trees provides an interesting and attractive appearance. The Cc~mission recc~mer~s that the City logo be prominently displayed as a part of this entry monument. *Cost Estimates: The Planning Cc~mission recc~mends that an explanation of the basis for the land and improvement costs be added to the text. * Noise Barriers: There was unanimous agreement that a section be added pertaining to the construction of noise barriers along the length of Washington Street to minimize traffic noise impacts on nearby residents. In addition, priority should be given to providing mitigation for residential areas currently suffering severe noise impacts. * Access to Washington Street: The Planning Cc~mission r~ds the inclusion of a policy stating that new direct access onto Washington Street frc~ adjoin- ing single-family lots shall be avoided. There being no further discussion, Chairman Thornburgh called for a motion. 2. Cc~missio~ Walling made a motion, seconded by ~ssioner Brandt to approve Specific Plan No. 86-007 in accordance with Exhibit "A", as amended. Unanimously Adopted with a 4-0 vote; Cc~missioner De Gasperin absent. 4. CCNS~ CALendAR A. Cc~missioner Walling made a motion, seconded by ~ssioner Moran, determining that the proposed Coachella Valley Water District reservoir is consistent with the La Quinta General Plan. Unanimously Adopted with Cc~missioner De Gasperin absent. B. ~ssioner Walling made a motion, seconded by Cc~m%issioner Moran, to approve the minutes from the regular meeting of February 11, 1986. The minutes of the regular meeting of February 11, 1986, were approved as sukn~tted. Unanimously Adopted with ~ssioner De Gasperin absent. MINUTES - PIANNING~SSION February 25, 1986 Page 4. There was a short discussion at this time regarding Staff's reccnm~_n~on to place single-family dwelling plot plan requests on the Consent Calendar. The consensus of the Planning Cc~mtission was to do so unless there was a problem situation, in which event, the plot plan request would be presented as a Business item for further discussion. 5. BUSINESS - Chairman Thornburgh introduced the first item of business as follows: A. TRAC~ 19458 - A request for a first Extension of Time on Isla M~diterranea, an 894-unit, 152-acre tract located on the northeast corner of the Washington Street/ Avenue 48 alignment; M. B. Johnson, Applicant (Continued). He then called for the Staff Rmport. 1. Principal Planner Bonner advised the Commission that Staff met with the Applicant, Mervin Johnson, and his engineer, Robert Vatcher of VTN, this past week to discuss the conditions of approval attached to this request. She then reviewed the changes agreed to by Staff and the Applicant. A copy of the changes were presented to the Cc~mission before this meeting. Ms. Bonner advised that the Applicant and his engineer were present for any questions the Ccnmtission might have. This concluded the Staff Report. Chairman Thornburgh called upon the Applicant for any ccnm~nts. Robert Vatcher, Applicant's engineer, VTN Consolidated, 74-947 Highway 111, Palm Desert, reported that they were in agreement with the changes in the conditions of approval as identified by Ms. Bonner, and thanked Staff for working with them to resolve the concerns of the Applicant. There being no further discussion, Chairman Thornburgh called for a motion. 2. C~ssioner Brandt made a motion, seconded by Conmtissioner Walling to reccnm~nd approval of the First Extension of Time for Tentative Tract Map No. 19458 to February 7, 1987, based upon the findings in the Staff Report and subject to the conditions of approval, as ammnded. Unanimously Adopted with Ccnmtissioner De Gasperin absent. The next two items of business were introduced by Chairman Thornburgh as follows: B. Plot Plan No. 86-263, a request to construct a single-family dwelling on the north side of Horseshoe Road, 370' east of Roadrunner Lane; Rick Johnson Construction, Applicant. C. Plot Plan No. 86-264, a request to construct a single-family on the east side of Avenida Madero, 100' south of Calle Arroba; Rick MDrris/Manual Abarca, Applicants. He then called for the Staff Reports. 1. Director Stevens stated that both plot plans w~re consistent with the requirements of the R-1 Zone and goals and objectives of the La Quinta General Plan, are compatible with area develot]r~nt and present no adverse impact on the enviro~t. He further advised that Plot Plan NO. 86-263 is located in the Fringe-Toed Lizard Habitat area and paymmnt of the miti- gation fee will mitigate the impact of this proposal on the species. Staff recc~mands approval of both plot plan requests. There being no further discussion, Chairman Thornburgh called for a motion. 2. Cc~ssioner M~pran made a motion, seconded by Cc~ntissioner Brandt, to approve Plot Plans Nos. 86-263 and 86-264 based on the findings in the Staff Reports in accord__~nce with Exhibits A through E attached to Plot Plan 86-263 and Exhibits A, B and C attached to Plot Plan 86-264, and subject to conditions of approval attached to both requests. Unanimously Adopted with Ccnmtissioner De Gasperin absent. MINUTES - PLANNING CC~¢~[SSION February 25, 1986 Page 5. Director Stevens addressed a non-agenda matter, explaining to the Planning Ccxamission that the Applicant for Tentative Tract Map No. 20717 (Sunrise Cc~pany), which they had approved several months ago, has approached Staff expressing their desire to make some additional changes in the proposed architecture which ~uld effect approximately 76 of the units in that tract. The variation that the Applicant desires is a mixture of the tw~ models presently on site. It is Staff's judgment that the changes are not substan- tial and it is their intention to approve the request unless the Cc~ssion has some concerns. The Cc~ssion agreed with Staff's rec~ation to approve the Applicant's request. Director Stevens also advised the Conmzission that Tentative Tract Map No. 21381 v~uld be referred back to them, as the Applicant has discovered scme errors in acreage calcu- lations. It is presently scheduled for City Council hearing on March 4, at which time, Staff will request a continuance to their next regular meeting of March 18, so that the Planning ~ssion can review the changes at their meeting of March 11, 1986. After a brief discussion on the status of other projects, Chairman Thornburgh called for a motion to adjourn. 1 6. ADJO~ There being no further items of agenda to come before the Planning Ccrcaission, Ccmmzissioner Walling made a motion, seconded by C~ssioner Moran to adjourn to the next regular meeting of the Planning Ccmm%ission to be held March 11, 1986, at 7:00 p.m., in the La Quinta City Hall, 78-105 Calle Estado, La Quinta, CA. The regular meeting of the Planning C~ssion of the City of La Quinta, CA, was adjourned at 8:50 p.m., February 25, 1986, in the La Quinta City Hall, 78-105 Calle Estado, La Quinta, California.