1990 09 11 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 11, 1990 7: 00 P.M.
I. CALL TO ORDER
A. The meeting was called to order at 7:04 P.M. by Acting Chairman
Zelles. The Flag Salute was led by Acting Chairman Zelles.
II. ROLL cAr.r,
A. Acting Chairman Zelles requested the roll call. Present:
Commissioners Barrows, Mosher and Acting Chairman Zelles.
B. It was moved by Commissioner Barrows and seconded by Commissioner
Mosher to excuse Chairman Moran and Vice Chairman Steding from the
meeting.
C. Staff Present: Principal Planner Stan Sawa and Department Secretary
__ Betty Anthony.
III. HEARINGS
A. Tentative Tract 26251; a request of Landmark Land Company to
subdivide +3.3 acres within Specific Plan 121-E into two single family
lots for detached custom homes.
1. Associate Planner Wallace Nesbit presented the information
contained in the Staff report, a copy of which is on file in the
Planning and Development Department.
2. Acting Chairman Zelles asked if this project had been approved
prior. Mr. Nesbit explained that in 1981 the specific plan with
zoning was approved that would allow up to 15 units.
3. Acting Chairman Zelles opened the public hearing. Mr. Forrest
Haag, Landmark Land Company, addressed the Commission
concerning the building height referred to in the Mitigation
Measures under "Traffic/Circulation". He asked that this be
changes to read "building height shall be limited to 22-feet at
average pad elevation". He explained that in the Enclave they
-- are limited to a two story limitation at 22-feet, and with the type
of terrain it would be better to stagger the units rather than
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Planning Commission Minutes - September 11, 1990
carve the hillside out to achieve a square footage to obtain an
estate size home. This would allow a two leveled terraced house
built into the hillside rather than one big huge flat pad. Acting
Chairman Zelles asked if this had been proposed to Staff. Mr.
Haag stated that only briefly right before the meeting. Staff
explained that they would recommend staying with the 17-foot
maximum height. Mr Haag asked if the Commission would
consider wording the condition to say "not to exceed 17-feet from
finished lot pad or as approved by Planning Staff". The
Commission felt this was acceptable.
4. Secondly, Condition #16.b. requests a 28" high wall be
constructed on the southerly side of the street. They would like
to ask for the condition to read "...potential for run-off road
accidents or other approved means by the Planning Staff". Their
reasoning for this was that they felt there were other methods of
obtaining the same thing such as a shoulder that is a run-off in
a horizontal dimension.
5. Thirdly, Condition #9 if the wording in the last sentence be
changed to read, "These may include but not be limited to:",
again there are other alternatives that will accomplish the same
purpose. Also Condition #10 gives the strength to Condition #9
by requiring approval of the Planning and Public Works
Department.
6. Lastly, in the Mitigation Measures under "Water"the requirement
of an easement for drainage, Mr. Haag felt this should be
granted by La Quinta Joint Venture. He went on to explain why.
Also Condition #19, which states that Landmark Land Company
shall obtain a access easement from La Quinta Joint Venture to
allow access. They would like this changed from Landmark Land
to "the Developer of the property", as they are not going to
develop the land. They are only mapping the property for
development. The home builder/owner should be required to do
this.
7. There being no one else wishing to speak, Acting Chairman Zelles
closed the hearing.
8. Acting Chairman Zelles asked if Staff had objections to the
requests made of the applicant. Associated Planner Wallace
Nesbit stated that for the most part they had no objection as
there were other conditions to back up most of the changes.
Condition #12 is not written to burden the Applicant, it is a
means of solving the access point and drainage problem. Steve
Speer, Senior Civil Engineer for the City, stated that the reason
for the condition was to secure the easement rights as the
drainage channel is on Landmark's land not La Quinta Joint
Venture. Mr. Haag stated that he understood the channel was on
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Planning Commission Minutes - September 11, 1990
La Quinta Joint Ventures tentative map. Mr. Speer stated that
according to all the tentative maps it still showed the Channel on
property belonging to Landmark.
9. Regarding Condition #16.b Mr. Speer stated that the reason for
the wall is to prevent veh/cle run-off, and the Engineering
Department would be opposed to any changes to th/s condition.
10. In reference to Condition #19, changing the corporate name to a
generic name is of no problem, as whoever finals the map wil! be
the provider of that easement.
11. Commissioner Barrows questioned Staff re~arding the building
height. Principai Planner Sawa explained that if acceptable to
the Commission the Condition could be changed to read "to a
maximum height of ]7-feet but if additionai height is desired it
would be reviewed by the Planning Commission". Discussion
followed regarding the retaining wall, Condition #16.b..
12. Commissioner Mosher expressed his concern about having
requested revisions brought before the Commission at the last
minute. He does not want to cause added delay to the
Applicants, but it is difficult to evaluate a proposal in the time
allotted when brought in at the last minute. Discussion followed.
13. Commissioner Barrows asked if there was a possible option such
as stated by the Applicant to the 28-inch wall. Steve Speer
stated that yes it would be advisable to disguise-it on the
downhill side so you do not have unattractive wall. Also when
your in the street you do not have easy access to go over the
side.
14. There being no further discussion, it was moved by
Commissioner Mosher to adopt Resolution 90-034 recommending
approval to the City Council of Tentative Tract 26251 subject to
the following conditions:
a. Condition #9: the wording be changed to "These may
include but not be limited to".
b. Condition #16.b. "a 28-inch high approved protective
banner or wall designed to blend with the surrounding
terrain.
c. Condition #19: changing the corporate name of Landmark
Land Company to Developer/Applicant.
d. Condition #23: add to end of condition: higher building
elevations, not to exceed 22 feet may be approved by the
Planning Commission..
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Planning Commission Minutes - September 11, 1990
15. Commissioner Barrows seconded the motion. ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Commissioners Barrows, Mosher, Acting Chairman Zelles.
NOES: None. ABSENT: Commissioners Moran and Steding.
ABSTAINING: None.
B. Tentative Tract 26139; a request of Sunrise Company for approval to
subdivide +81 acres into 37 residential condominium lots to allow for
development of 601 condominium units.
1. Acting Chairman Zelles read a letter from the Applicant
requesting a continuance of the public hearing.
2. There being no objections of Staff or Commission, it was moved
by Commissioner Barrows to approve Minute Motion 90-035
continuing Tentative Tract 26139 to the next Planning
Commission meeting. Commissioner Mosher seconded the motion
and it carried unanimously.
IV. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Glen Cole, 55-587 Riviera, La Quinta, addressed the Commission
regarding who is watching Sunrise Company to make sure they are not
exceeding their density requirements at PGA West. Staff reassured Mr. Cole
that this was being closely monitored by Staff. In addition, Sunrise Company
is coming in again with a two story unit and everyone remembers the upset
that was caused the last time they presented a two story unit. Principal
Planner Stan Sawa suggested that Staff request a total build out map of the
project. -Commission stated they would appreciate it. Applicant to supply
Staff with map.
V. BUSINESS ITEMS
A. New unit types at PGA West; a request of Sunrise Company for review
of seven new unit types for use in the PGA West project area.
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. Mr. Allan Levin, Sunrise Company briefly described the product
type and stated that they would be adhering to Code
requirements and gave the general location of the houses to be
built. The two story units are not proposed for the Jack
Nickalaus private course, because of their commitment to the
community not to build any two story units on this course. All
two story units will be built on the Jack NicKalaus resort course,
in a location that any future units coming in would be aware of
the two story units.
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Planning Commission Minutes - September 11, 1990
3. Mr. Ben Rover, Sunrise Company, went over each of the new
types and gave a description of each.
4. Acting Chairman Zelles informed the Commission that the Design
Review Board had no objections to the new types except to agree
with Staff that more detail is needed on the side elevations.
5. Mr. Rover went into explaining the Z-lot blind walls
configuration and how it will be landscaped.
6. There being no further discussion Commissioner Mosher moved
to adopt Minute Motion 90-036, seconded by Commissioner
Barrows to approve the new unit types at PGA West subject to
providing some additional treatment to the side elevations of the
units where feasible.
VI. CONSENT CALENDAR
Commissioner Barrows moved to approve the Minutes of August 14, 1990,
subject to a correction on page 6, item 18 "Councilwoman Barrows" should be
changed to "Commissioner Barrows". Commissioner Mosher seconded the
motion and it passed unanimously.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Commissioner Barrows and seconded by Commissioner
Mosher to adjourn to a regular meeting on September 25, 1990, at 7:00 P.M.
in the La Quinta City Hall, 78-105 Carte Estado, La Quinta, California. This
meeting of the La Quinta Planning Commission was adjourned at 8:00 P.M.
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