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1990 10 23 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 October 23, 1990 7: 00 P.M. I. CALL TO ORDER A. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Chairman Steding. The Flag Salute was led by Commissioner Zelles. II. ROLL CALL A. Chairman Steding requested the roll call. Present: Commissioners Barrows, Mosher, Zelles, and Chairman Stealing. B. Staff Present: Principal Planner Stan Sawa and Department Secretary Betty Anthony. III. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Preannexation Zoning 90-061, General Plan Amendment 90-033; a request of Valley Land Development for preannexation zoning and amendment to the General Plan for the area identified in this annexation. 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 Zelles inquired if the owners of the medical clinic had responded with any opinion. Principal Planner Sawa stated that they had been notified but Staff had not received any correspondence from them. 3. Chairman Steding asked what was bordering on the property. Principal Planner Sawa stated that a senior citizen apartment complex was on the north beyond a vacant strip, Starlight Dunes, a single family development is to the east as well as vacant land. 4. Commissioner Zelles asked Principal Planner Sawa to explain the difference between the Staff recommendation and the Applicant's request. PCMIN10/23 1 5. Commissioner Mosher asked what would be used as a buffer _ between the residential and commercial. Principal Planner Sawa explained that normally a block wall and landscaping would be required. 6. There being no further questions of Staff, Chairman Steding opened the continued hearing. 7. Mr. Tom Thornburgh, P. O. Box 750, La Quinta, spoke on behalf of the Applicant. He gave the background of the property, discussed how they came to the present layout of the commercial property, the egress and ingress of traffic flow, and possible signalization locations. 8. Chairman Steding inquired if the Applicant's had considered how they would buffer between the commercial and residential. Mr. Thornburgh stated that at present they had not completed any design layouts, but the use of landscaping or berming with landscaping would be more desirable than a block wall. 9. Mr. Robert Metkus, La Quinta Palms, addressed the Commission regarding the need to have the development in La Quinta. He stated that he did not think commercial development was wanted or needed at this intersection. He felt it would cause heavy traffic problems as well as increase the crime problems. Mr. Metkus felt the commercial should be left on the Highway 111 frontage. 10. There being no one else wishing to address the Commission on this issue, Chairman Steding closed the public hearing and opened the matter up for discussion among the Commissioners. 11. Commissioner Zelles stated that he advocated the development of commercial in this area. He felt this would alleviate the heavy traffic movement to Highway 111 by offering residents an alternative place to shop. 12. Chairman Steding inquired of Staff regarding the County zoning. It was noted that it is all residential. Discussion followed as to the density request of the Applicant, the discrepancy between what the Resolution states and what the Exhibit "B" showed. Staff recommends Median High Density (8-12 du/ac), the Applicant would like to request 14 dwelling units per acre for the R-2 property. Chairman Steding stated that there were two issues, 1.) should there be commercial and if so how much; 2. ) the General Plan Amendment medium density, median high density, or high density in the R-2 zone recommendation. 13. Commissioner Mosher inquired of the Applicant what type of commercial businesses were planned for the commercial area. Mr. Thornburgh stated that they planned a supermarket with quality office space. Commissioner Mosher asked what the size of the PCMIN10/23 2 commercial area would be. Mr. Thornburgh stated that it would be larger than the Von's shopping center. Commissioner Mosher also inquired of Mr. Thornburgh why extend the commercial area so far down Fred Waring Drive. Mr. Thornburgh stated that if the commercial was laid out in this way, it would reach the Palm Royale and created a natural area for a signal to be installed helping to alleviate any traffic problems. Discussion followed as to traffic flow, signalization and median breaks. 14. Chairman Stealing indicated a concern for commercial in this area due to our lack of information we have as to how this will impact the Highway 111 commercial; the size of the commercial at 23 acres and what type of statement they would be making by allowing this size of commercial in this area; she prefers the Staff recommendation concerning 18 acres of commercial and also the configuration would be more conducive on Washington Street and puts the traffic on Washington Street; the access to the smaller acres would be better along Washington Street and is consistent with what is to the north and west on Washington Street and has a less impact to the La Quinta Palms residential along Fred Waring Drive. With respect to the density issue, her preference would be medium high density. In regard to the traffic impact, Chairman Stealing felt there was not information to suggest that this development would help to alleviate any traffic problems or whether it would create a problem. 15. Commissioner Barrows inquired whether another market was needed in this area. Questions were directed to Principal Planner Sawa as to market studies. Principal Planner Sawa stated that it would be difficult for Staff to do. 16. Commercial Mosher stated his concern of having this size of commercial in this area and felt that more information was needed in regard to traffic and feasibility. Perhaps the commercial should be more of a convenience store type center. 17. Commissioner Zelles reiterated his feelings that commercial being developed in this area would help to alleviate the traffic at Highway 111. He stated that he felt this annexation should take place in order to allow continue the growth of La Quinta in a natural direction. 18. Following discussion Commissioner Mosher moved and Commissioner Zelles seconded the motion to adopt Planning Commission Resolution 90-039 confirming the Environmental Assessment and recommending a Negative Declaration and recommending Preannexation Zoning 90-061 subject to the condition that it be annexed to the City of La Quinta and General Plan Amendment 90-033, attached with Exhibits A and B, Exhibit "B" amended to read Medium High Density for the R-2 area. PCMIN10/23 3 ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Commissioners Mosher, Barrows, Zelles, Chairman Steding; NOES: None; ABSTAINING: None; ABSENT: None B. Tentative Tract 25462; a request of George Berkey for division of_+20.4 acres into 63 lots for single family dwellings. 1. Principal Planner Stan Sawa noted that this item should be continued since a revised plan is being prepared. 2. There being no one wishing to speak, Chairman Steding asked for a motion to continued the public hearing. Commissioner Zelles moved and Commissioner Barrows seconded the motion to continue the hearing to November 13, 1990. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Commissioners Mosher, Barrows, Zelles, Chairman Steding; NOES: None; ABSTAINING: None; ABSENT: None C. Tentative Tract 25700; a request of Steve Brummel for division of +16.5 acres into 53 lots for single family dwellings. 1. Principal Planner Stan Sawa noted this item should be continued since a revised plan is being prepared. 2. There being no one wishing to speak, Chairman Steding asked for a motion to continued the public hearing. Commissioner Mosher moved and Commissioner Barrows seconded the motion to continue the hearing to November 13, 1990. IV. PUBLIC CO~T - None V. BUSINESS ITEMS A. Sign Adjustment 90-127; a request of Williams Development for an additional subdivision sign for Tract 24517. 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 Mosher inquired if this was just one sign for each Tract. Principal Planner Sawa stated yes, each Tract would have one sign. 3. There being no further questions, it was moved by Commissioner Mosher and seconded by Commissioner Barrows to adopt Minute Motion 90-040 approving the sign adjustment subject to the attached conditions. Unanimously approved. PCMIN10/23 4 B. Eisenhower Drive Medians; a request of the City of La Quinta for approval of landscaping plans for center medians between Avenida Bermudas and Calle Colima. 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 Zelles stated that the Design Review Board had reviewed the median plans and had highly approved the project as submitted. 3. There being no questions, it was moved by Commissioner Barrows and seconded by Commissioner Mosher to adopt Minute Motion 90-041 approving the plans as submitted. Unanimously approved. C. Plot Plan 89-411; a request of Mario Lalli for minor modification to the site plan for the La Quinta Garden Cafe. 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 questions, it was moved by Commissioner Zelles and seconded by Commissioner Barrows to adopt Minute Motion 90-042 approving the minor modification as submitted. Unanimously approved. VI. CONSENT CALENDAR Commissioner Mosher asked that the Minutes of October 9th be corrected as follows: under item III. Agenda Reorganized, Section A., l lth line be amended to read "... Council made the recommendation to delay the vote, we should do so." The top of page 3, second sentence. "...the frustration of not having the Engineering Department represented at the meeting." With the amendment of these corrections, Commissioner Mosher moved and Commissioner Barrows seconded the motion to approve the Minutes of October 9, 1990 as submitted. Unanimously approved. VII. OTHER Chairman Steding brought the issue of the election of the Chairman and Vice Chairman before the Commission. Commissioner Zelles reiterated his concern for having the Commission continue to meet without a Vice Chairman, and the difficulty they would have should the Chairman be absent. Chairman Steding stated that the procedure in the past had been to have the senior Commissioner serve as Chairman when the Chairman and Vice Chairman were not available. Following discussion Commissioner Mosher moved and Commissioner Barrows seconded the motion to continue the matter to the November 27, 1990 meeting. Unanimously approved. PCMIN10/23 5 VII. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Commissioner Mosher and seconded by Commissioner Barrows to adjourn to a regular meeting on October 23, 1990, at 7:00 P.M. in the La (~uinta City Hall, 78-105 Calle Estado, La (~uinta, California. This meeting of the La (~uinta Planning Commission was adjourned at 8:24 P.M. tPCMIN10/23 6