PCMIN 06 25 1991 JOINT MINUTES
JOINT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AND
PLANNING COMMISSION
June 25, 1991
Mayor Pena called the adjourned meeting of the City Council and continued regular
meeting of the Planning Commission together at 7:05 P.M. Mayor Pena led the flag
salute.
ROLL CALL: Councilman Bohnenberger, Sniff, Rushworth, and Mayor Pena
Planning Commissioners Mosher, Ladner, Dowd, and Vice
Chairperson Barrows
Councilman Bohnenberger moved and Councilman Sniff seconded the motion to excuse
Councilwoman Franklin. Unanimously approved. Commissioner Mosher moved and
Commissioner Dowd seconded the motion to excuse Chairperson Steding from the
meeting. Unanimously approved
Mayor Pena expressed his thanks to members of the community for attending and
explained this was the beginning of the process to update the City's General Plan.
He then introduced Principal Planner Fred Baker who gave a brief description of the
General Plan process and introduced the Mr. John McNamara of the consulting firm
of BRW, Inc. whose responsibility it was to update the General Plan.
Mr. McNamara give an overview of the General Plan process and summarized the
results of the first phase of information gathering. He then explained the contents
of the Master Environmental Assessment (MEA) which contained information on land
use, zoning, circulation, public facilities and services and infrastructure, natural
resources, environmental hazards, and economic development opportunities. The
key issues addressed in the MEA will be opportunities and constraints for the
future.
The second phase will be to develop visions, goals and objects in the six areas
mentioned above. These will be based on a 20 year span and will provide a "guiding
light" for the City.
The third phase will be the General Plan alternatives. These alternatives include the
existing General Plan and two new alternatives that review current economic
forecasts in terms of potential population and employment growth and try to make a
determination at to how the City will grow.
The final phase, the Environmental Impact Report will be a draft of the final plan and
look at the potential impacts both positive and negative of developing out the City
in accordance with the new General Plan. Lastly will be the public hearings and
adoption of the General Plan.
Mr. McNamara introduced Mr. Tim Campbell who spoke on general planning, land use
existing zoning, and some major circulation issues. Mr. Campbell then went on to
explain the different graphs and the information contained on those graphs. The
following is a breakdown of that information:
La Quinta is composed of 17,000 - 18,000 acres in the incorporated area
Open Space (mostly mountains) is composed of 6,000 acres 30%
Residentially planned land uses, composed of 2,00 acres 60%
700 acres of commercially planned land 6.2%
He went on to explain the different specific plans within the City as well as different
commercial classifications and those uses within the classifications. At the present
time there are 700 acres of commercial zoned land of which 10 acres, (or 20%) are
developed. Compared to 10,000 area of residentially zoned land of which 2000 acres
is developed. All this information helps to determine how much traffic will be on the
streets, how many schools will be needed, and how to address the infrastructure
system.
One of the areas of concern is the amount of commercially designated acreage and
lack of development and how to encourage development of that land. Secondly
refining existing commercial land use classifications to be more consistent to achieve
a desired tenant mix and appropriate scale and location of those uses. Third is the
net residential density versus the growth which is important in establishing the
planning base so as not to over design the types of infrastructure or circulation
systems. Fourthly is the residential density mix. Most of La Quinta is planned for
medium and low density developments. The City may want to look at high density
to provide housing close to employment. Fifth is to address the open space issue.
Lastly, any issues of concern expressed by the audience, Council, or Commission
at this meeting.
The existing circulation system is developed with either 4, 3, or 2 lane streets. The
current General Plan identifies various street configurations from 6 to 2 lanes. The
General Plan process wili text to see if these street designs are needed based upon
future traffic needs.
Mr. John Vlaming addressed the issue of open space, slopes, and alluvial fans. He
stated the visual assessment is based upon an anaiysis of ridge lines, vegetation,
and view sheds in the La Quinta area. By doing this identification it could be
determined which areas are of high sensitivity in terms of their visuainess to La
Quinta and should be addressed. Vegetation is set up in three areas, native,
agriculturai (south and to the east of the City), and non-native (golf courses &
other man-made improvements within the City). Again trying to preserve a 360
degree view.
The geographic/topographic features of the City should be addressed as well as the
number of endangered and threatened species of plant life as well as animals. Mr.
Vlaming explained where the Santa Rosa Mountain Game Refuge, the Santa Rosa
Mountain Wilderness Study area, Principal Big Horn Sheep Habitat area, Habitat for
the Magic Gecko, areas are located and should be retained as open space for
preservation and propagation of these species.
Public services or police and fire, schools, parks and recreation facilities are
addressed and are adequate for the City. The new public administrative facilities
will provide more centralized facilities for the City as well as space for growth.
Health facilities are basically covered by two hospitals located in Indio and Rancho
Mirage. Parks and Recreation parks and facilities are addressed by the number of
existing facilities as well as the number of parks proposed. Schools exiting locations
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and proposed facilities were discussed. The infrastructure, or portable water,
water supply, waste water services, natural gas, electrical facilities, and storm
water improvements all will be addressed during the General Plan review, but service
the City adequately at the present time.
The soil and mineral resources located within the City, hydrological resources
(stormwater system), seismic zones, blowsand hazard zone, and the effect of
liquefaction were explained during the presentation.
The meeting was opened for questions and answers from the community as well as the
Council and Commission. The result of these questions were that the following
concerns be addressed during the General Plan review:
Land Use
1. Need for neighborhood retail/services in Village
2. Economic justification for art-related development
3. Infrastructure needs in downtown
4. Child-care facilities located adjacent to employment areas and in Cove (medium
and high density residential areas)
5. Agricultural preservation to retain character and sense of history
6. Open Space preservation of natural areas on public and private properties
Circulation
1. Potential traffic impact of High School site
2. Bridge crossing at Adams and Dune Palms (High School access) and other
major streets
3. Upgrading of Highway 111 and Washington
a. Bus stop locations
b. Dual left turns
c. Access to commercial projects
4. Ingress/egress on Washington (Highway 111 and 52nd Avenue)
5. Sagebrush intersection with Washington
6. Cul-de-sac improvement on Saguaro and Bottlebrush
7. Increase pedestrian circulation (children/illumination)
8. Need exclusive right turn lanes on:
a. Highway 111
b. Jefferson Street
c. Major commercial areas
Naturai / Cultural / Infrastructure / Environmentai
1. Reinforce mini-parks in Cove
2. Protection of slopes outside of City to the west
3. Bedrock Mortars - historic/archaeological site preservation
a. Laguna de la Paz
b. Near 52nd Avenue Fire Station
4. General Historic preservation
5. Plan schools for pedestrian access
6. Parks need toilets
7. Planned parks for neighborhood walking
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8. Need additional access to parks at 50th Avenue complex
9. Bike paths in Cove cause security problems
10. Potential elementary school located in revised floodplain area
11. Need for increased water conservation
12. Need landscaped (Palm trees, uplighting, Xeriscope) medians:
a. Washington Street
b. Jefferson Street
c. Eisenhower Avenue
d. Highway 111
13. Reduce above ground utilities and require burial of new utilities
This adjourned meeting of the City Council and continued regular meeting of the
Planning Commission was adjourned at 9:30 P.M.
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