1990 06 26 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
June 26, 1990 7:00 P.M.
I. CALL TO ORDER
A. The meeting was called to order at 7:03 P.M. by
Chairman Walling. The Flag Salute was led by
Commissioner Moran.
II. ROLL CALL
A. Chairman Walling requested the roll call.
Present: Commissioners Zelles, Moran, Bund, and
Chairman Walling. Commissioner Bund moved to
excuse Commissioner Steding, Commissioner Moran
seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
B. Staff _Present: Planning Director Jerry Herman,
Principal Planner Stan Sawa, Department Secretary
Betty Anthony.
III. HEARINGS
A. Specific Plan 90-018, Tentative Tract 26008 and
Tentative Tract 26009; a request of Vista
Development for approval of a specific plan and two
tentative tracts: TT 26008 to divide 15.4 gross
acres into 14 custom single family residential
lots; TT 26009 to divide 21.49 gross acres into 50
single family lots.
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. Commissioner Moran questioned Staff about the
five foot differential on pads, the standards
and guidelines, signage, and the distances
between median breaks and whether the
Engineering Department had reviewed the
project. Staff responded to the pad
elevations in that the conditions only allow
a maximum of 3 feet.
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3. Commissioner Bund questioned the layout for
gates. Staff stated that detailed plans
would have to be submitted to the Planning
Commission at a later date.
4. Chairman Walling inquired as to approving
ll00-foot cul-de-sac. Staff stated that the
Fire Marshal had no objections. Discussion
followed.
Chairman Walling opened the PUBLIC HEARING.
1. John Criste, Terra Nova Planning, spoke for
the Applicant. He stated their concerns on
the Conditions of Approval Nos. 18 and 40 (TT
26009) and #40 (TT 26008) and finding #7 of
the tract resolution.
2. Commissioner Moran questioned the Applicant
on the signage. Staff recommended that a
condition be added to the Conditions of
Approval to assure compliance with the Dark
Sky Ordinance.
3. Steve Speer, Senior Civil Engineer, spoke
concerning the median breaks. Commissioner
Moran questioned the distance between the
breaks and if they were in compliance with
the General Plan. Mr. Speer explained- that
it was feasible as proposed and conditioned.
3. Mr. Steve Blitz, representing Mr. Merv
Griffin, inquired of the Commission what the
size of the westerly subdivision was and
density. In addition, Mr. Griffin wanted to
know if there were any plans to widen 54th
Avenue to 100-feet as this would affect the
Tamarisk trees that front his property.
Chairman Walling closed the PUBLIC HEARING and opened the
discussion to the Commission.
1. Commissioner Bund stated that he approved of
the project and felt that Condition #13 for
Tract 26009 should have some flexibility in
regard to the number of trees required. He
also asked if the CC & R's are more
restrictive than the Conditions of Approval
which takes precedence? Planning Director
Jerry Herman stated that the City requires
that the developer meet the Conditions of
Approval no matter which one is more
restrictive.
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2. Commissioner Moran reiterated her concern
about approving a project when the median
break distance do not strictly conform to
what the General Plan called for. Chairman
Walling explained the need for flexibility
because breaks would not fall at reasonable
locations for the developments if held to the
letter of the General Plan. Discussion
followed as to what had been done in the past
and what was planed for the surrounding
properties.
3. Commissioner Zelles stated that there was a
need for better definition of what the
General Plan was stating.
4. Planning Director Jerry Herman gave
description of acreage and described the
access points which would fall at the
1/4-mile points. Discussion followed.
5. Senior Civil Engineer Steve Speer explained
where the median breaks would fall if they
were held to the letter of the General Plan
and explained how this would not work for the
development of the project.
6. Planning Director Jerry Herman read from the
_
General Plan the exact wording. It stated
"should be at least".
7. Following discussion, it was moved by
Commissioner Bund and seconded by
Commissioner Zelles to adopt Planning
Commission Resolutions 90-023, 90-024,
90-025, recommending to the City Council
concurrence with the Environmental Analysis
and approval of Specific Plan 90-018,
Tentative Tract 26008 and Tentative Tract
26009, subject to revision to Finding #7 in
both tracts, revision to Condition #40 (TT
26008), Condition #18 and #40 (TT 26009) and
addition of a condition requiring compliance
with the Dark Sky Ordinance.
ROLL CALL VOTE: Ayes, Commissioners Bund, Zelles,
and Chairman Wall. Noes, Commissioner Moran for
the reasons stated above. Absent; Commissioner
Steding. Abstaining, none.
B. Tentative Tract 26152 - Wilma Pacific; a request
to resubdivide a portion of Tract 24230 to allow
increased lot sizes and reduce street right-of-way
for the residential single family lot areas.
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Chairman Walling excused himself due to a conflict
of interest and turned the meeting over to Vice
Chairman Moran.
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. Vice Chairman Moran asked if the Fire Marshal
had any problems with the request or street
widths. Planning Director Herman stated none
had been received.
Vice Chairman Moran OPENED the PUBLIC HEARING.
1. Bob Smith, Mainiero Smith & Associates, spoke
for the Applicant and requested approval.
Vice Chairman Moran CLOSED the PUBLIC HEARING.
1. Commissioner Zelles moved and Commissioner
Bund seconded the motion to adopt Planning
Commissioner Resolution 90-026 recommending
to the City Council approval of Tentative
Tract 26152 subject to conditions.
ROLL CALL VOTE: Ayes, Commissioners Bund, Zelles,
Vice Chairman Moran. Noes, none. Abstaining,
Chairman Walling, Absent, Commissioner Steding.
C. Tentative Tract 25500, Amendment #1 - Sunrise
Company; a request for approval of an amendment to
a tentative tract map to add five acres to the
tract, increasing the number of residential lots
from 18 to 20 and the number of dwelling units from
295 to 346.
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.
Chairman Walling OPEN the PUBLIC HEARING.
1. Allan Levin, Sunrise Company, spoke for the
Applicant. He asked for a clarification on
the Fire Marshal's Condition of Approval #2
in regard to temporary water prior to
occupancy. He further stated that the
Madison entrance was for property owners only.
2. Discussion followed regarding the temporary
water system. It was determined that the
condition did not apply.
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Chairman Walling CLOSED the PUBLIC HEARING.
1. Commissioner Moran moved and Commissioner
Zelles seconded the motion to adopt Planning
Commissioner Resolution 90-027 recommending
approval to the City Council of Tentative
Tract 25500, Amendment #1 with a modification
to the Fire Department Condition #4 to allow
the Madison Street entry to be built prior to
occupancy of first unit.
ROLL CALL VOTE: Ayes, Commissioners Bund, Zelles,
Moran, Chairman Walling. Noes, none. Absent,
Commissioner Steding. Abstaining, none.
D. Chanqe of Zone 90-057 - Thomas Schmidt; a request
for a change of zone from R-i-ll000/PD and
R-I-12000/PD to R-l; Tentative Tract 25953 -
Thomas Schmidt; a request to subdivide 38.4 gross
acres into 139 single family lots, a well site,
park and retention basin lots.
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. Staff noted a needed
modification to Condition #6.
--
2. Commissioner Moran asked what the pad
elevation differential was between La Quinta
Palms and this tract. Principal Planner Sawa
explained that it was two to three feet with
the new tract being higher.
3. Discussion followed regarding Conditions #6
and #43 regarding a second access into the
project. It was determined Condition #43 was
a duplicate of #42 and could be deleted.
4. Commissioner Moran asked that when the tract
to the west comes in for an extension of time
they are to be required to immediately
dedicate the street to allow access to this
tract.
Chairman Walling OPENED the PUBLIC HEARING.
1. Mr. Jim Humberd, resident of La Quinta Palms
to the north, spoke to the Commission
regarding his concern about the elevation
difference between the two tracts, problems
with the existing wall, problems with the
CVWD well site and the potential problems
that could be incurred if CVWD continues to
build future well sites as the one in La
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Quinta Palms. He also asked if Dune Palms -
Road could be completed at the time of this
development.
2. Chairman Walling clarified for Mr. Humberd
that the development could not exceed the
3-foot maximum pad elevation difference
between the two tracts. He inquired of Staff
if the City had any jurisdiction as to the
location of the well sites. Planning
Director Jerry Herman stated they did not.
3. Mr. Joe Sonegi, Advanced Engineering Group,
spoke for the Applicant, stated that the
drainage would be contained within the tract
and the design for the wall would be
addressed upon the final engineering process.
4. Mr. Robert Metkus, resident of La Quinta
Palms, spoke to the Commission regarding the
wind tunnel that has been created due to the
high walls on Fred Waring on both sides of
his residence. He discussed the construction
of the walls, drainage problems and the well
site problems. He stated that the wall on
the southwest corner was not reinforced and
was a potential problem.
5. Mr. Tom Schmidt, owner/developer Of the
project, invited the Commission and residents
to view his project in Palm Desert to see the
quality he planned for this tract.
6. Ms. Carol Vankeeken, J. F. Davidson, asked
the Commission to consider Conditions of
Approval #42 regarding secondary access for
the models on Dune Palms. Discussion
followed regarding the number of units to be
built before a second access is to be built.
Following discussion, it was recommended to
amend Condition #42 to read, "prior to final
building inspection of the 30th unit two
publicly maintained roads shall be provided
connecting this subdivision to Dune Palms
Road, Miles Avenue or Adams Street".
Additionally, Fire Department Condition #5
should be amended to reflect the change.
Chairman Walling CLOSED the PUBLIC HEARING.
1. Discussion followed among the Commissioners
regarding the CVWD well site.
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2. Steve Speer, Senior Civil Engineer, stated
that he had spoken to CVWD Engineering
Department and they had depressed the tank
and their future plans were to depress the
tank further. Walls were to be installed to
help with the noise.
3. Commissioner Bund stated that there should be
some correspondence between CVWD and the City
in regard to their proposals for these lots.
4. Commissioner Moran asked if there were to be
any two story units on Miles. Staff stated
that the 25% rule did apply here and
Conditions of Approval #37 would be modified
to read that only 25% of the lots on the
north property line would be allowed to have
two story and that there would be no two
story units side by side.
5. Planning Director Jerry Herman stated that a
siting plan would be before the Planning
Commission for review and approval as part of
Condition #37.
6. Discussion followed as to the wall and
grading. It was suggested by the Commission
that a condition be added that the developer
be required to continue a dialog with the
Homeowner's Association for the La Quinta
Palms regarding these issues.
7. There being no further discussion, it was
moved by Commissioner Zelles and seconded by
Commissioner Bund to approve Planning
Commission Resolutions 90-028 and 90-029,
recommending to the City Council concurrence
with the environmental analysis and approval
of Change of Zone 90-057, subject to the
revised conditions as discussed.
ROLL CALL VOTE: Ayes, Commissioners Moran, Bund, Zelles,
Chairman Walling. Noes, none. Absent, Commissioner
Steding. Abstaining, none.
E. Internally illuminated addresses for all new
residential dwellinqs.
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.
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2. Commissioner Moran asked if the City Attorney
could draft an emergency ordinance to make
this effective immediately.
3. Chairman Walling stated that the size needed
to be amended. Planning Director Jerry
Herman informed the Commission that in order
to do this the Sign Ordinance would need to
be amended.
Chairman Walling OPENED the PUBLIC HEARING.
1. Mr. Allan Levin, Sunrise Company, asked that
the Commission consider some variable in
regard to design and method of lighting. He
stated that PGA West had street illuminated
addresses that were tied into the common area
lighting system.
Chairman Walling CLOSED the PUBLIC HEARING.
1. Following discussion regarding alternatives
and size, it was recommended that Staff
review and give the Commission
recommendations regarding design, size and a
method of allowing alternatives, and
advertise for public hearing for July 23,
_ 1990~ City Council meeting.
2. Based upon more needed information, the
Chairman reopened the Public Hearing.
3. Commissioner Bund moved and Commissioner
Zelles seconded a motion to continue the
matter to the July 10, 1990, meeting.
ROLL CALL VOTE: Ayes, Commissioners Zelles, Moran,
Bund, Chairman Walling. Noes, None. Absent,
Commissioner Steding. Abstaining, none.
IV. BUSINESS ITEMS
A. Plot Plan 90-445 - Edward Niqq.
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. There being no questions, Commissioner Zelles
moved and Commissioner Moran seconded the
motion to approve Minute Motion 90-021
approving Plot Plan 90-445. Unanimously
approved.
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-- B. Tentative Tract 24950 - Chonq Lee; a request for
approval of architectural elevations.
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. Discussion followed regarding what was
discussed at the last meeting, and the
request of the Design Review Board.
3. Following discussion it was moved by
Commissioner Zelles and seconded by
Commissioner Moran to approve Minute Motion
90-022, recommending approval of
architectural elevations for Tentative Tract
24950. Unanimously approved.
C. Recreation Lot at Lake La Quinta - Wilma Pacific;
a request for architectural and landscape concept
plans.
Chairman Walling excused himself due to a conflict
of interest. Vice Chairman Moran asked for the
Staff report.
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. There being no discussion it was moved by
Commissioner Zelles and seconded by
Commissioner Bund to approve Minute Motion
90-023,- approving the architectural
elevations and Landscaping concept plans for
the recreation lot at La Quinta. Unanimously
approved. ~
D. Street Vacation - General Plan Consistency
Findinq.
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. There being no questions, Commissioner Zelles
--- moved and Commissioner Moran seconded the
motion to approve Minute Motion 90-024
recommending approval of the street
vacation. Unanimously approved.
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E. Siqn Proqram for Plaza De La Fuente - Warren
Johnson; a request for establishment of location
and design approval for overall sign program.
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. Following discussion regarding whether this
was a monument sign, freestanding signs, and
location, it was moved by Commissioner Bund
and seconded by to continue the matter to
the next meeting and have the Applicant at
the study session to discuss the matter.
IV. PUBLIC COMMENT - None
V. CONSENT CALENDAR
Commissioner Moran moved and Commissioner Zelles seconded the
motion to approve the Minutes of June 12, 1990. Unanimously
approved.
VI. OTHER
A. Bear Creek Bicycle Path
1. John Curtis, Kicak AsSociates, presented the
information contained in the Staff report, a
copy of which is on file in the Planning and
Development Department.
2. Discussion followed as to the possible
alternatives presented by Mr. Curtis. Also
discussed was the material to be used, how it
could possible be maintained, possible
problem areas.
3. Following the discussion it was stated that
the Commission felt the 3rd alternative would
be their first choice for the Bicycle Path
route.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
--
A motion was made by Commissioner Moran and seconded by
Commissioner Bund to adjourn to a regular meeting on July 10,
1990, 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 9:46 P.M., June 26, 1990.
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