PCMIN 09 09 1991 MINUTES
JOINT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AND
PLANNING COMMISSION
September 9, 1991
Mayor Pena called the joint meeting of the City Council and Planning Commission
together at 7:06 P.M. Mayor Pena led the flag salute.
ROLL CALL: Councilman Bohnenberger, Sniff, Rushworth, Franklin, and
Mayor Pena
Planning Commissioners Mosher, Ladner, Ellson, Marts
Chairwoman Barrows
Principal Planner Fred Baker introduced the consultants for the General Plan
update, Mr. Tim Campbell and Mr. Jon Vlaming of BRW, Inc. to the Council,
Commission and audience.
Mr. Campbell passed out a booklet containing the "Visions, Goals, and Objectives
Workshop" to everyone. He then proceeded to review the items that were discussed
at the last meeting. Those items were:
Land Use - Commercial and Residential
Open Space
Urban Development - Hillsides
Environmental Issues
Circulation
Historical
At this point, Mr. Campbell explained the purpose of this meeting. He explained
what visions, goals, and objectives are and how they hoped to obtain this
information. Some topics to consider which he felt needed to be addressed were:
Existing Visions, Goals, & Objectives
Hazards - Natural and Manmade
Natural Resources
Cultural Resources
Commercial Development
Infrastructure
Housing
Mr. Campbell broke the group into three groups at 7:50 P.M. in order to get more
input and. direction from those present.
The meeting reconveyned at 9:00 P.M. and each group addressed the issues
discussed in their respective groups.
RED GROUP - JON VLAMING
1. Land Use: A balance and harmony of residential and employment land uses;
Convenience; well located park and recreational facilities; reduce pollution by
reducing automobile trips; address need for Hght industrial uses.
2. Transportation: Well functioning vehicular circulation system meeting land
use needs; transit that provides good facilities for patrons that does not
impede traffic; off-street bicycle path system needed; a well functioning
pedestrian path system is highly desirable.
3. Economic Development: Market the City in a proactive manner; Economic
Development Department to attract large and small companies; development to
meet needs of the community; develop strategies for Highway 111 Corridor
(community retail) and downtown (neighborhood commerciai/municipal
center).
4. Open Space: Keep mountains undeveloped; address equestrian needs of
community (riding trails) in most advantageous capacity for City residents.
5. Natural Resources Conservation: Conserve/protect mountains and drainage
areas; groundwater protection - effluent uses for large landscaping areas
(golf courses); interpretive area for history (museum).
6. Environmental Hazards: No imported refuse; no businesses that generate
hazardous waste products or obnoxious odors; quantify generation of waste
and type.
7. Infrastructure and Public Service: Curb all roads - create comprehensive
treatment; law enforcement - create adequate levels of service for residents;
evaluate creative financing of utility construction for employment.
8. Water Conservation: Use drought tolerant plant species for landscaping; use
gray water.
9. Parks and Recreation: Hierarchy of park types; develop parks within close
proximity of users; establish a benefit assessment district for parks.
10. Air Quality: Encourage mass transit; encourage employees to locate in
residential areas which are in close proximity to their areas of employment.
GREEN GROUP - TIM CAMPBELL
1. Land Use: Maintain the City's low density residential character with the
necessary supportive commercial and community facilities; the City's unique
and attractive character stems from a combination of its environmental setting
near the mountains, its existing resort image, the ethnic diversity in the
Cove, Village and other areas and the positive and culturally-oriented attitude
· of its residents. Preserve the diversity and type of uses as in the Cove.
Commit to a preservation of the high quality of life. Encourage regional
commercial and employment uses along the Highway 111 Corridor. Do not allow
PCMIN9-9JT 2
the type of strip commercial development along Highway 111 that has occurred
in Palm Desert (cluster commercial development in nodes or centers similar to
the Von's Center at Washington/Highway 111). Locate major employment uses
and regional commercial uses outside of neighborhoods within the Highway 111
Corridor. Locate other types of commercial and employment uses only along
arterial streets and not within neighborhoods. Locate high density residential
uses in aesthetic settings which give them the appearance of a low density
character.
2. Economic Development: Pursue high tax revenue generating types of users,
specifically high end retail, hotel uses and "clean" industry or corporate
headquarters, offices. Attract the types of uses which require an employment
base of skilled workers and then entice the employees to live in La Quinta.
Attract the types of specialty/boutique shops that typically are located in
exclusive, tourist towns. Locate these boutique types of uses in the Village.
Economic development efforts should be targeted to market opportunities and
should respect the desired type, location, and design criteria established by
the citizens of La Quinta.
3. Circulation: Provision of a balanced circulation system accommodating ali
modes of transportation. Encourage non-vehicular modes (e.g., integrated
system and network of bikepaths, sidewalks as in Ojai, David, California.
Encourage development of a private shuttle system funded and operated by
the private sector. The shuttle would circulate between tourist attractions.
Discourage high automobile speeds through residential areas through the use
of street design and design geometrics. Maintain the existing level of transit
service to La Quinta, and specifically the Cove.
YELLOW GROUP - FRED BAKER
1. Land Use: Develop the Village in a character like Laguna Beach - an upscale
mall or village environment with pedestrian access. Attract a balance of land
uses. One-haft of the yellow group wants apartments and the city should
provide opportunities for them to be located in La Quinta. The other one-haft
do not want apartments, but ff apartments are located in the City the design
and open space should be regulated, also provide facilities and amenities.
Address urban design of uses such as uniform architecture and height
standards.
2. Circulation: Model alternatives; golf carts, bicycles, safe streets.
3. Economic Development: Balance of medium upscale, clean industries with high
tax revenue generating capability. Destination hotels/resorts properly sited.
No Motel 6 type of hotel development. Employment for youth; services for the
community; economic development key is the attraction of a commercial,
financial base of businesses.
4. Open Space: Area south of Cove should be "Natural Open Space"; school
.... south of Cove; open space west of "Yucatan Peninsula".
PCMIN9-9JT 3
5. Natural Resources Conservation: Protect views of mountains (building height
restriction).
6. Cultura! Resources: Adult education; concerts; visua! and performing arts.
7. Environmental Hazards: Light (illumination) pollution enforcement; air and
noise pollution; air traffic patterns/noise.
8. Infrastructure and Public Services: More police protection; adult education
(C. O. D. ); place utilities underground as streets are built.
9. Source Reduction and Recycling: Composting from golf courses.
10. Water Conservation: Eliminate use of water trucks; use recycled water on golf
courses.
11. Parks and Recreation: An affordable La Quinta municipal golf course for
residents; parks for al1 ages (similar to Santa Barbara, California); park
activities for young people, band shell, events and outdoors activities.
12. Air Quality: Dust control from development activity; "No Smoking"
ordinance.
Following this recap, Mayor Pena thanked Mr. Campbell and Mr. Vlaming for their
presentation and thanked the members of the community for taking the time to
participate and give their input. This joint meeting of the City Council and Planning
Commission was adjourned at 9:21 P.M.
PCMIN9-9JT 4