1988 11 22 PC Minutes ~A C~TJ~II~A ~
MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION - CITY OF LA QUINTA
A regular meeting held at the La Quinta city Hall
78-105 Calle Estado, La Quinta, California
November 22, 1988 7:00 p.m.
I. CALL TO ORDER
A. The meeting was called to order at 7:02 P.M. by
Chairman Walling. The Flag Salute was led by
Commissioner Bund.
II. ROLL CALL
A. Chairman Walling requested the roll call.
Present: Commissioners Steding, Zelles, Moran,
Bund, and Chairman Walling.
B. Staff Present: Planning Director Murrel Crump,
Principal Planner Jerry Herman, and Assistant
Planner Glenda Lainis.
III. PUBLIC HEARINGS
Chairman Walling introduced the Public Hearing
Items as follows:
A. Tentative Tract 923935, a request by Tom Noble to
subdivide a + 50 acre site into 196 single family
lots, located at the southwest corner of Miles
Avenue and Dune Palms Road.
1. Assistant Planner Glenda Lainis presented the
information contained in the Staff Report, a
copy of which is on file in the Planning 'and
Development Department.
2. Chairman Walling opening the Public Hearing.
The Applicant, Mr. Noble addressed the
Commission regarding Conditions 919 and 929.
3. There being no further public comment,
Chairman Walling closed the Hearing and
opened the matter for Commission discussion.
Following discussion regarding Condition ~29,
it was recommended that Condition 929 be
revised to read 75% of dwelling units within
150 feet of the ultimate right-of-way of
Miles Avenue shall be limited to one story,
not to exceed 20 feet in height.
-- I --
BJ/MINll/22.DFT
4. A motion was made by Commissioner Zelles to
adopt Resolution No. 88-026 recommending to
the City Council concurrence with the
Environmental Analysis and approval of
Tentative Tract No. 23935 subject to
conditions. Commissioner Bund seconded the
motion. Unanimously approved.
B. Change of Zone No. 88-036, a request by T & S
Development, Inc. for a change from R-3-4000 to
C-P-S for the area west of Adams Street, north of
Highway 111, approximately 600 feet east of
Washington Street, and south of the Whitewater
Storm Channel.
1. Planning Director Murrel Crump presented the
information contained in the Staff Report, a
copy of which is on file in the Planning and
Development Department.
2. Chairman Walling opened the Public Hearing.
Mr. John Curts, Vice Chairman of Planning and
Development for T & S Development addressed
the Commission.
3. There being no further public comment,
Chairman Walling closed the Hearing and
opened the matter for Commission discussion.
4. Commissioner Steding moved that the
Commission adopt Resolution No. 88-027
recommending to the City Council concurrence
with the Environmental Assessment and
approval of the Change of Zone No. 88-036.
Commissioner Moran seconded the motion.
Unanimously approved.
C. Z~3nlng Ordinance Amendment No. 88-036, initiated by
the City. An amendment to the Municipal Code to
provide for the regulation of maximum building pad
height and requirement for rain gutter installation
on certain dwellings in the SR Zone.
1. Planning Director Murrel Crump presented the
information contained in the Staff Report, a
copy of which is on file in the Planning and
Development Department.
2. Chairman Walling opened the Public Hearing.
There being no comments, Chairman Walling
closed the Hearing and opened the matter for
Commission discussion.
- 2 -
BJ/MINll/22.DFT
3. Following discussion, Commissioner Steding
moved to adopt Resolution No. 88-028,
recommending to the City Council concurrence
with the Environmental Assessment and
approval of Zoning Ordinance Amendment No.
88-006. Commissioner Moran seconded.
Unanimously approved.
IV. PUBLIC COMMENT
Audrey Ostrowski, P. O. Box 351, La Quinta,
addressed the Commission regarding the high density
apartments on Tampico. Chairman Walling stated
that they could not discuss an item that was not a
subject of the agenda. It can be directed for a
future meeting.
There being no further public comment, Chairman
Walling closed the public comment.
V. CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Commissioner Moran and
seconded by Commissioner Zelles to approve the
minutes of November 8, 1988. Unanimously approved.
VI. BUSINESS ITEMS
Chairman Walling brought Business Item "A" before
the Commission at this time. The Business Item is
as follows:
A. Tentative Tract No. 21180, a request by William
Young, Crystal Canyon of La Quinta (known as The
Heritage), located at the southeast corner of
Avenue 52 and Avenida Bermudas. The project is for
a first time extension request.
1. Planning. Director Murrel Crump presented the
information contained in the Staff Report, a
copy of which is on file in the Planning and
Development Department.
2. Mike Smith, J. F. Davidson, spoke for the
Applicant in regard to street improvements
and commented regarding tree retention. He
stated that his client was very disturbed
when the work being completed for Coachella
Valley Water District, resulted in the
removal of several trees that were
specifically to be retained.
- 3 -
BJ/MINll/22.DFT
3. Commissioner Zelles moved that the Commission
adopt Resolution ~88-029 recommending to the
City Council that a one-year time extension
be approved for Tentative Tract No. 21180
subject to the revised conditions.
Commissioner Steding seconded the motion.
Unanimously approved.
B. General Plan Amendments stemming from the City-wide
analysis of Medium and High Density Residential
Land Uses.
1. Planning Director Murrel Crump presented the
information contained in the Staff Report, a
copy of which is on file in the Planning and
Development Department.
2. Commissioner Steding asked why property
directly to the north and south of Westward
Ho and generally east of Adams was
recommended Medium Density; did we consider
redesignating the property Low Density and if
not why not? Also questioned was the
provision of the High Density when we are not
ready to generate a General Plan that
includes an area for High Density in light of
our Market Absorption Study.
3. Planning Director Murrel Crump stated that,
a.) the property identified was so designated
to meet the absorption study demand for
multi-family designated property, the
currently designated Medium Density property
was addressed as such in the study, and b.)
that Council wishes to answer the question of
High Density, relating to Highway 111 in the
new Specific Plan.
4. Commissioner Moran stated that she would not
like to see all the High Density in one area
so as to create a slum. Recommended that the
High Density be eliminated and that a project
would have to show merit as to why it should
be allowed High Density; or a method be
worked out to accommodate a project that
would need to be larger.
5. Commissioner Bund stated that the Medium/High
Density should be the cap, but, to provide an
incentive for exceptionally creative
projects, offer to double the density. The
idea being to give bonuses to the developer
in order to create an environment to attract
better developments.
- 4 -
BJ/MINll/22.DFT
6. Discussion continued regarding changes to
High Density, Medium/High, and Medium
Density. Evaluating the changes in relation
to the traffic study and incentives for
developers.
7. Discussion continued regarding bonuses and
areas that should be designated for High
Density in the Village area. Concurrence by
all commissioners was expressed for the
suggestions in the Staff report.
8. The Commission concurred with the Highway 111
recommendations.
9. Commissioner Steding stated that the there is
no position taken on the Spanos project in
the Staff Report, and therefore is not part
of the Commission's recommendation to the
City Council unless that item is specifically
addressed. Discussion concerning this
property followed.
10. Commissioner Moran moved to adopt Staff
recommendations with the modifications to
Item ~1 to cap the density at 12 du/ac for
High Density with consideration being given
for density bonuses, as much as double; the
Medium Density at 8 du/ac, with certain
criteria, bonuses, the High Density as much
as double; and item 95, the Spanos project
would not be consistent with what the
Planning Commission is recommending to the
Council. Commissioner Bund seconded the
motion. Unanimously approved.
VII. OTHER - None
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Commissioner Steding and
seconded by Commissioner Moran to adjourn to a
regular meeting on December 13, 1988, at 7:00 P.M.,
in the La Quinta city Hall, 78-105 Calle Estado, La
Quinta, California. This meeting of the La Quinta
Planning Commission was adjourned at 8:37 P.M.,
November 22, 1988.
- 5 -
BJ/MINll/22.DFT