Loading...
1989 09 12 PC Minutes MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION - CITY OF LA QUINTA A regular meeting held at the La Quinta city Hall 78-105 Calle Estado, La Quinta, California September 12, 1989 7:00 p.m. I. CALL TO ORDER A. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 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 Bund, Steding, Moran, Zelles, and Chairman Walling. B. Staff Present: Planning and Development Director, Jerry Herman, and Principal Planners Stan Sawa and Ted Bower. III. HEARINGS Chairman Walling introduced the Public Hearing items as follows: A. Continued Public Hearing - Zoning Ordinance Amendment 89-008, Change of Zone 89-043 (Hillside Conservation Ordinance), and Transfer of Development Rights; a City-initiated request to . amend Title 9 of the La Quinta Municipal Code, relating to Planning and Zoning, adding Chapter 9.145, Hillside Conservation Zone, and to re-zone those properties which meet the criteria set forth in the proposed Ordinance to HC from various residential zoning designations; affecting all hillside areas above the toe-of-slope of the Santa Rosa Mountains. 1. Principal Planner Ted Bower 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 comment, Chairman Walling closed the Hearing and opened the matter for Commission discussion. 3. Following discussion, a motion was made by Commissioner Steding and seconded by Commissioner Zelles to adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 89-041, recommending to the City Council acceptance of the Negative Declaration based on Environmental Assessments 89-122 and 89-135, and the adoption of the Hillside Conservation Ordinance (ZOA 89-008), the Transfer of Development Rights Ordinance (ZOA 89-010), and Change of Zone 89-043. The motion was carried by the following roll call vote: Commissioners Steding, Zelles, and Walling voting yes; Commissioner Bund voting no; Commissioner Moran abstaining. B. General Plan Amendment 89-028 and Preannexation Zoning CZ 89-048 for Annexation No. 5; a City-initiated request to designate with City of La Quinta zoning and land uses consistent with current County designations the property located east of Jefferson Street, south of 50th Avenue, west and east of Madison Street, and north and south of 54th Avenue. 1. Planning Director Jerry Herman presented the information contained in the Staff Report, a copy of which is on file in the Planning and Development Department, and advised the Commission that Staff was requesting a continuance of the Public Hearing to September 26, 1989, on the advise of the City Attorney. 2. Chairman Walling opened the Public Hearing. Mr. Steve Brummel and Mr. Jeff Cole addressed the Commission, speaking in favor of the proposal. Mr. Herman advised the Commission that three additional letters of comment were received, two in favor and one against. There being no further comment at this time, a motion was made by Commissioner Bund and seconded by Commissioner Steding to continue the Public Hearing to September 26, 1989. Unanimous. C. General Plan Amendment 89-026, Change of Zone 89-045, and Specific Plan Amendment 85-006, No. 1 (Oak Tree West); a request by Landmark Land Company to redesignate a 36.5-acre site from Commercial to Low Density Residential on the City's General Plan MR/MIN09-12.DFT -2- Land Use Map; change the zoning from C-P-S to R-2; and amend the Specific Plan to eliminate the commercial land uses (except club house), relocate a golf tunnel from 52nd Avenue to Jefferson Street, and other minor changes. 1. Planning Director Jerry Herman 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. Forrest Haag, representing Landmark Land, addressed the Commission to explain the request. There being no further comment, Chairman Walling closed the Hearing, and opened the matter for Commission discussion. 3. Commissioner Moran indicated that she would like to see the Conditions of Approval modified to restrict any maintenance buildings from being seen from the street. 4. A motion was made by Commissioner Steding and seconded by Commissioner Zelles to adopt Planning Commission Resolutions 89-043, 89-044, and 89-045, recommending to the City Council approval of General Plan Amendment 89-026; Change of Zone 89-045; Specific Plan Amendment 85-006, No. 1, subject to conditions modified as follows: No. 8 - All maintenance buildings and areas shall be so sited or screened by decorative block wall and/or landscaping so that they cannot be seen from public streets; No. 9 - On the project site south of 52nd Avenue (new alignment), decorative wrought iron or steel tube fencing shall be utilized in place of a perimeter block wall, to allow views into greenbelt areas of prOject; No. 10 - Condition No. 23 (Conditions dated June 20, 1989) shall be amended to require that lighting plans be subject to the draft "Dark Sky" Ordinance; and also recommending to the City Council concurrence with the environmental determination for a Negative Declaration. Commissioner Moran restated that the motion included the screening of the maintenance buildings. Commissioner Zelles then retracted his second of the motion. Commissioner Moran then seconded the motion. MR/MIN09-12.DFT -3- Upon roll call vote, the motion was adopted with Commissioner Zelles voting against. D. General Plan Amendment 89-027, Change of Zone 89-046, and Public Use Permit 89-005; a request by Landmark Land Company to redesignate a 47.2-acre site from Low Density Residential to Commercial on the City's General Plan Land Use Map, to change the zoning from A-l-10 to C-P-S, and to construct a 140-child day care center on a one-acre site located in the southwest corner of the site; located northwest of the Jefferson Street and 50th Avenue intersection. 1. Planning Director Jerry Herman 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. Forrest Haag spoke on behalf of the Applicant, Landmark Land Company. Mr. Campagna addressed the Commission, asking why there should be two commercial areas. There being no further comment, Chairman Walling closed the Hearing, and opened the matter for Commission discussion. -3. Commissioner Moran felt that changing to a Commercial designation would not be compatible with surrounding uses. Commissioner Steding would like to see a better analysis; needs more justification for commercial at that location. Commissioners Bund, Moran, and Chairman Walling concurred. Commissioner Zelles felt there was no need for such a delay. 4. A motion was made by Commissioner Steding and seconded by Commissioner Moran to continue the Hearing to October 10, 1989, to allow time for compilation of a more in-depth analysis on the designation of Commercial at that location. Following roll call vote, the motion was adopted with Commissioner Zelles voting against. E. Tentative Tract 24889; a request by Landmark Land Company for approval to divide 426 acres into 108 lots (54 numbered and 54 lettered lots) for financing and conveyance purposes in the R-2 zone; located at the northwest corner of 52nd Avenue and Jefferson Street (Oak Tree West). MR/MIN09-12 .DFT -4- 1. Principal Planner Stan Sawa 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. Forrest Haag addressed the Commission on behalf of the Applicant, Landmark Land Company, suggesting various changes to the proposed Conditions of Approval. There being no further comment, Chairman Walling closed the Hearing and opened the matter for Commission discussion. 3. Following discussion, a motion was made by Commissioner Zelles and seconded by Commissioner Bund to adopt Planning Commission Resolution 89-046, recommending to the City Council approval of Tentative Tract 24889, subject to conditions revised to add to Condition No. 22 the wording "...shall make an effort...", and to delete conditions 19 and 27. Following roll call vote, the motion was unanimously adopted. -- F. Tentative Tract 24890 and Variance 89-010; a request by JM Peters Company for approval to divide 404+ acres into 562 residential lots and 99 miscellaneous lots; and for a variance to allow some lots to be 55 feet wide rather than 60 feet wide, allowing duplexes in the R-2 zone; for a location at the northwest corner of 52nd Avenue and Jefferson Street (Oak Tree West). 1. Principal Planner Stan Sawa 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. Stan Morris addressed the Commission on behalf of the Applicant, JM Peters Company. Forrest Haag of Landmark Land Company addressed the Commission to request that only minimal road improvements be required. There being no further comment, Chairman Walling closed the Hearing and opened the matter for Commission discussion. 3. Following discussion, a motion was made by Commissioner Moran and seconded by Commissioner Steding to adopt Planning Commission Resolution 89-047, recommending to the City Council approval of Tentative Tract MR/MIN09-12.DFT -5- 24890, subject to conditions, with Condition 37 revised to include the phrase, "...prior to issuance of building permits to construct tunnel", and a revision to Condition 48 to add the phrase, "...decorative wrought iron or steel tube fencing shall be used to allow views into project, if in conformance with acoustical study"; and to adopt Planning Commission Resolution 89-048, approving Variance 89-010, subject to conditions. Following roll call vote, the motion was unanimously adopted. G. Tentative Tract 24950 and Change of Zone 89-047; a request by Chong B. Lee to divide a +8.9-acre portion into 37 single-family lots, and to change the zoning from R-l-12,000 to R-l; for a location at the northeast corner of Miles Avenue and Dune Palms Road. 1. Principal Planner Stan Sawa 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 comment, the Chairman closed the Hearing and opened the matter for Commission discussion. 3. A motion was made by Commissioner Steding and seconded by Commissioner Zelles to adopt Planning Commission Resolution 89-049, recommending to the City Council approval of Tentative Tract 24950, subject to conditions; to adopt Planning Commission Resolution 89-050, recommending to the City Council approval of Change of Zone 89-047; and recommending concurrence with the environmental analysis. Following roll call vote, the motion was unanimously adopted. H. Specific Plan 87-009 (Amendment No. 1), Change of Zone 89-040, and General Plan Amendment 89-025 (partial); City-initiated requests for a zone change from R-3 (General Residential) to C-V-T (Commercial Village Tampico) on +5.6 acres; a General Plan Amendment from High Density Residential to Urban Mix (part of GPA 89-025); and an amendment to the Village Specific Plan (SPA 89-009, No. 1); for an area generally bounded by Avenida Tampico to the north, Avenida Navarro to the east, Avenida Villa to the southeast, Avenida MR/MIN09-12.DFT -6- Martinez to the southwest, and Eisenhower Drive to the west. 1. Principal Planner Ted Bower 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. Ms. Kathy Mitten of Terra Nova Planning, representing Mr. Eddie Nicholson, addressed the Commission in favor of the proposals. Mr. Louis Campagna addressed the Commission in favor of the proposals. Ms. Audrey Ostrowsky addressed the Commission, saying she has mixed feelings about the matter. There being no further comment, Chairman Walling closed the Hearing and opened the matter for Commission discussion. 3. Commissioner Zelles said that the proposed changes are appropriate to that area and should be done. The rest of the Commission concurred. A motion was made by Commissioner Bund and seconded by Commissioner Zelles to adopt Planning Commission Resolution 89-051, _ recommending to the City Council the approval of Amendment No. 1 to Specific Plan 87-009; to adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 89-052, recommending to the City Council approval of Change of Zone 89-040; and Resolution 89-053 to recommending concurrence with the Negative Declaration. Following roll call vote, the motion was unanimously adopted. I. General Plan Amendment 89-025; City-initiated requests as follows: Text Amendments 1. Redesignating the area north of La Quinta back to "Urban Mix", allowing both commercial uses and high density residential uses. 2. Adding as Primary Street Image Corridors Fred Waring Drive and Jefferson Street. 3. Adding as Secondary Street Image Corridors Miles Avenue, 48th Avenue, and Adams Street between 48th Avenue and Highway 111. Striking Jefferson as a Secondary Image Corridor. MR/MIN09-12.DFT -7- 4.a. Allowing Cadiz, Barcelona, and Amigo to remain as 50-foot rights-of-way to preserve the pedestrian emphasis of the Village and to protect long-established landscaping material. b. Redesignating Avenida Bermudas from a Secondary Arterial to a Collector between the new alignment of 52nd Avenue to Tampico, to protect the pedestrian emphasis of the Village. 5. The revision of the recently- adopted 1989 Housing Element to incorporate improvement suggestions from the State Office of Housing and Community Development. Map Amendments A. Redesignating the following as Major Community Facilities: La Quinta Park, Fritz Burns Park, the U.S. Post Office, Riverside County Fire Station No. 70 at PGA West, and Station No. 32 on 52nd Avenue. B. Creating in the Land Use Map Legend a new category of "Urban Mix" and redesignating the area north of the Park to "Urban Mix". C. Revising the Circulation Plan with respect to right-of-way widths and cross-section through coordination with adjacent jurisdictions: Jefferson, 52nd Avenue, 54th Avenue, Airport Boulevard, 58th Avenue, 60th Avenue, Monroe Street, and the redesignation of Avenida Bermudas to a Collector. Specific Plan Amendments (87-009, #1) Amending the Village at La Quinta Specific Plan to redesignate the area north of the Park to Urban Mix as a fifth commercial/residential segment of the Village Plan, and presenting development standards for that area. Title 9 of the Municipal Code Amending Chapter 9.90, "Commercial Village (C-V) Zone" to incorporate the area north of the Park as an "Urban Mix" area, to specify permitted uses, and to specify development standards for that area. (ZOA 89-007) Chanqe of Zone 89-040 MR/MIN09-12.DFT -8- Rezoning the area north of the Park bounded by Calle Tampico, Eisenhower Drive, Avenida Villa, and the mid-block line east of Avenida Navarro to C-V (Commercial Village), Subzone C-V-T (Tampico). 1. Principal Planner Ted Bower 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 comment, the Chairman closed the Hearing and opened the matter for Commission discussion. 3. Commissioner Moran stated for the record that she has a problem with the minimum five percent affordable requirement on all multi-family projects and that she is concerned that it will cause the loss of high quality projects. A motion was made by Commissioner Steding and seconded by Commissioner Moran to adopt Planning Commission Resolution 89-054, recommending to the City Council concurrence --. with the Negative Declaration and approval of General Plan Amendment No. 89-025. Following roll call vote, the motion was unanimously adopted. J. Amendment of Title 9 of the La Quinta Municipal Code; a City-initiated request to add Chapter 9.210 "Outdoor Light Control" (also known as the "Dark Sky Ordinance"), which restricts the permitted use of outdoor artificial illuminating devices emitting undesirable light rays which have a detrimental effect on astronomical observations, and/or which inefficiently utilize scarce electrical energy, and/or which create a public nuisance; mercury vapor lights would be prohibited one year from the effective date of the Chapter; other sources of lights would require shielding or filters. 1. Principal Planner Ted Bower 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. Ernie Webb addressed the Commission in opposition to the amendment. There being no further comment, Chairman Walling closed the MR/MIN09-12.DFT -9- Hearing and opened the matter for Commission discussion. 3. Commissioner Moran suggested that the condition prohibiting the use of searchlights be modified to read, "...unless allowed by Special Advertising Device Permit approved by the City Council." A motion was made by Commissioner Moran and seconded by Commissioner Steding to adopt Planning Commission Resolution 89-055, recommending to the City Council concurrence with the Negative Declaration and approval of the "Dark Sky Ordinance", including the change regarding the use of searchlights. Following roll call vote, the motion was unanimously adopted. IV. PUBLIC COMMENT No one wished to address the Commission. V. CONSENT CALENDAR A motion was made by Commissioner Zelles and seconded by Commissioner Moran to approve the minutes of the August 22 and August 29, 1989, Planning Commission meetings. Unanimous. VI. BUSINESS - None VII. OTHER - None VIII. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Commissioner Moran and seconded by Commissioner Steding to adjourn to a regular meeting on September 26, 1989, 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 10:25 p.m., September 12, 1989. MR/MIN09-12.DFT -10-