PCMIN 09 24 1991 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 24, 1991 7:00 P.M.
I. CALL TO ORDER
A. The meeting was calied to order at 7:00 P.M. by Chairwoman Barrows.
The Flag Salute was led by Commissioner Marts.
II. PRESENTATION OF RESOLUTION OF RECOGNITION
A. Commissioner Mosher moved and Commissioner Marts seconded a motion
to continue this matter to October 8,. 1991, when Ms. Dowd could be
present.
ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Commissioners Mosher, Ladner,
Ellson, Marts, & Chairwoman Barrows.
NOES: None. ABSENT: None.
ABSTAINING: None.
III. ROLL CALL
A. Chairwoman Barrows requested the roll call. Present: Commissioners
Mosher, Ladner, Ellson, Marts, and Chairwoman Barrows.
B. Staff Present: Planning Director Jerry Herman, Principal Planner Start
Sawa, Associate Planners Wallace Nesbit, Glenda Lairds, Greg
Trousdell, and Department Secretary Betty Anthony.
IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Tentative Tract 27187; a request of Gary L. Pudney for approval of a
tentative tract map to subdivide 4.98 acres into 8 single family lots.
1. Associate Planner Greg Trousdell presented the information
contained in the Staff report, a copy of which is on file in the
Planning and Development Department.
2. Chairwoman Barrows questioned Staff regarding the percentage
of citrus trees that were retained on Tentative Tract 26524.
Staff determined that approximately 25%-30% had been retained.
3. Commissioner Marts stated that reference to the CC & R's should
be eliminated from the Conditions of Approval.
4. Chairwoman Barrows opened the Public Hearing. Mr. George
Stearns, 51-425 Madison, addressed the Commission regarding
his objection to the density of the proposed project. He asked
the Commission to approve the 1.5 acre site as recommended by
Staff.
5. Mr. Mike Rowe, Keith Companies, engineers for the project,
asked that Condition #9 be deleted. He further stated that the
Applicant had no objection to the retention of 25%-30% of the
citrus trees. He strongly objected to the Staff recommendation
for the 1.5 acre lots. He stated there was no economical market
for this size of lot. They had no objection to disclosing the
equestrian surroundings nor to the equestrian trail requested by
Staff, but feels the City should adopt a system for the Developer
to follow.
6. Mr. Morgan Ward, 48-800 San Pedro, real estate consultant for
~ the project, stated he supported the originally submitted
= project.
7. Mr. Robert Jones, 80-748 Vista Bonita Trail, stated he supported
Staff's recommendation and hoped the Commission would also.
8. There being no further public comment, Chairwoman Barrows
closed the public hearing.
9. Commissioner Marts asked Staff if the utilities had been
conditioned to be undergrounded. Staff replied they were.
10. Commissioner Ellson questioned Staff as to how the equestrian
trail had come into existence. Planning Director Jerry Herman
stated that it was being incorporated into the Generai Plan
Update as part of the Circulation Element.
11. Chairwoman Barrows questioned Staff as to what part of the
street would be set aside for the trail. Discussion followed as to
what the City was considering as well as what the City of Indio
was proposing for the polo grounds area.
12. There being no further discussion, it was moved by
Commissioner Mosher and seconded by Commissioner Ladner to
adopt Planning Commission Resolution 91-038 recommending to
the City Council approval of Tentative Tract 27187, as
recommended by Staff and subject to conditions.
ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Commissioners Mosher,
Ladner, Ellson, Marts, & Chairwoman
Barrows. NOES: None. ABSENT:
None. ABSTAINING: None.
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Planning Commission Minutes
September 24, 1991
B. Zonin~ Ordinance Amendment 91-020; a request of the City for approval
to establish a new office/medical zoning district which will include
provisions for medical facilities, offices, limited retail, public and
quasi-public uses, and other land uses deemed permissible by the
Planning Commission and an Amendment to Section 9.160, Off-Street
Parking Code.
1. Associate Planner Greg Trousdell presented the information
contained in the Staff report, a copy of which is on file in the
Planning and Development Department.
2. Commissioner Ladner questioned Staff as to the need for another
commercial zone to allow a hospital. Staff explained that this
zone would limit the retail uses that would be allowed.
3. Chairwoman Barrows inquired if other areas in the City that are
C-P-S would benefit from this zone change. Staff replied it
would be beneficial for other areas as well.
4. Chairwoman Barrows opened the Public Hearing. Mr. Phillip
Taylor, Vice President of. Architecture for the Desert Hospital
project, added suggestions to the proposed wording of the
Amendment to help clarify different needs of the developers.
Discussion followed as to these suggestions and in particular the
number of parking spaces needed.
5. Commissioner Ellson asked why business colleges were the only
colleges allowed. Discussions followed as to other uses that could
be included. Staff stated they would research the uses.
6. Following the discussion and with the obvious need to study
these suggestions, it was moved by Commissioner Ladner and
seconded by Commissioner Mosher to continue this matter to the
next meeting of October 8, 1991.
ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Commissioners Mosher,
Ladner, Ellson, Marts, & Chairwoman
Barrows. NOES: None. ABSENT:
None. ABSTAINING: None.
C. Plot Plan 91-465, General Plan Amendment 91-037, ChanKe of Zone 91-
065, and Tentative Parcel Map 27267; a request of Desert Hospital for
approval of a plot plan to permit a three story medical/office complex.
1. Associate Planner Greg Trousdell presented the information
contained in the Staff report, a copy of which is on file in the
Planning and Development Department. Staff requested a
continuance to give the Engineering Department time to review
the just submitted traffic study.
Planning Commission Minutes
September 24, 1991
2. Commissioner Marts discussed with the members the response
from the St. Francis of Assisi Church. In addition the issue of
recessing the windows on the second and third floors. Staff
stated that the Design Review Board had required that the
windows be recessed 6-inches to 1-foot as well as requiring
awnings and glass to address the sun exposure.
3. Chairwoman Barrows opened the Public Hearing. Mr. Peter
Bergmann, Administrative Officer for Desert Hospital, addressed
the Commission on the overall aspects of the project.
4. Commissioner Marts questioned Mr. Bergmann regarding parking
being central to ali the buildings. Mr. Bergmann stated that at
the present time, there plans were to provide enough parking
during the construction of Phase I that would provided for all
three phases.
5. Ms. Barbara Rentle, 54-120 Diaz, spoke in support of the project
and stated it would provide an opportunity to have health care in
La Quinta which would benefit the City.
6. Mr. Gary Avise, 78-710 Via Sonata, spoke in favor of the project
in hopes that this would solve the problem of the La Quinta Little
School site.
7. Ms. Linda McClintock, 78-748 Via Sonata, spoke in favor of the
project as it allowed medical services and job opportunities to the
residents of La Quinta as well as a tax base for the City.
8. There being no further discussion it was moved by Commissioner
Mosher and seconded by Commissioner Ellson to continue Plot
Plan 91-465, General Plan Amendment 91-037, Change of Zone 91-
065, and Tentative Parcel Map 27267 at the request of the
Applicant to the meeting of October 8, 1991.
ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Commissioners Mosher,
Ladner, Ellson, Marts, & Chairwoman
Barrows. NOES: None. ABSENT:
None. ABSTAINING: None.
D. Specific Plan 84-004, Amendment #1 and Tentative Tract 25154,
Amendment #1; a request of North Star California Corporation and
Valley Land Development to amend the Specific Plan by adding
approximately 30 contiguous acres and subdividing it into 75 lots with
private streets and common area with access from the Pyramids project.
1. Chairwoman Barrows opened the Public Hearing. Staff noted a
request of the Applicant to continue the matter. There being no
one who wished to address the Commission, Commissioner Ellson
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Planning Commission Minutes
September 24, 1991
moved and Commissioner Mosher seconded the motion to continue
the matter to October 8, 1991, at the request of the Applicant.
ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Commissioners Mosher,
Ladner, Ellson, Marts, & Chairwoman
Barrows. NOES: None. ABSENT:
None. ABSTAINING: None.
V. PUBLIC COMMENT - None
VI. BUSINESS SESSION
A. Tract 25389; a request of M. J. Brock for a one year time extension.
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. Mike Rowe, spoke on behalf of the Applicant and requested
approval.
3. There being no further discussion, it was moved by'
Commissioner Mosher and seconded by Commissioner Marts to
adopt Planning Commission Resolution 91-039 recommending to
the City Council approve of a One Year Time Extension for
Tentative Tract 25389.
ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Commissioners Mosher,
Ladner, Ellson, Marts, & Chairwoman
Barrows. NOES: None. ABSENT:
None. ABSTAINING: None.
B. Sign Application 91-152; a request of Jesse Cross, Best Signs, Inc. for
approval of a monument and two directional signs for the Cliffhouse
Restaurant.
1. Associate Planner Greg Trousdell presented the information
contained in the Staff report, a copy of which is on file in the
Planning and Development Department.
2. Commissioner Ellson questioned whether westbound traffic would
have clear visibility of the sign in order to make the turn.
Discussion followed as to why the Applicant had decided on the
location of the sign.
3. There being no further discussion, it was moved by
Commissioner Marts and seconded by Commissioner Ellson to
adopt Minute Motion 91-035 approving Sign Application 91-152
subject to conditions. Unanimously approved.
Planning Commission Minutes
September 24, 1991
C. Si~n Application 91-151; a request of Shell Oil, Mr. Don Adolph for
approval of a sign program to allow an additional number of signs and
square footage for their signs.
1. Associate Planner Greg Trousdell presented the information
contained in the Staff report, a copy of which is on file in the
Planning and Development Department.
2. Commissioner Ladner inquired as to the colors that were being
used. Discussion followed as to the blending of the colors.
3. Mr. David Prest, architect for the Applicant, stated he had no
objections to the recommendation of the Design Review Board and
further discussed the colors used and their location.
4. There being no further discussion, it was moved by
Commissioner Ladner and seconded by Commissioner Marts to
adopt Minute Motion 91-036 approving Sign Application 91-151 as
conditioned by Staff. Unanimously approved.
D. General Plan consistency review of the proposed Coachella Valley Water
District capital improvement program for the next three to five years.
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 Ellson
and seconded by Commissioner Mosher to adopt Minute Motion 91-
037 approving the General Plan consistency for the proposed
Coachella Valley Water District capital improvement program.
Unanimously approved.
VII. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Commissioner Ellson asked that the Minutes of September 10, 1991, be
amended to change the dates of the adjournment to September 24, 1991,
and the date and time for adjounrment to September 11, 1991 at 12:10
A.M. There being no further corrections, it was moved by
Commissioner Ladner and seconded by Commissioner Ellson to approve
the Minutes as corrected. Unanimously approved.
VIII. OTHER
A. Planning Director Jerry Herman stated that the joint meeting of the City
Council and Planning Commission on the General Plan Update would be
October 9, 1991, at 7:00 P.M. at the La Quinta Middle School. More
information would be forwarded to the Commission.
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September 24, 1991
B. Discussion took place between the Csmmissioners regarding whether to
have a policy on Commissioners meeting individually with applicants out
of Planning Commission meetings. Following discussion, it was
determined that this would be a matter of decision made by each
Commissioner and it would not be to the benefit of the Commission to
adopt a policy.
D. Commissioner Mosher brought the issue of commercial projects within
the City being required to ha~e visible street addresses. Staff stated '
they would look into the matter and report back to the Commission.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Commissioner Ladner and seconded by Commissioner Marts to
adjourn this regular meeting of the Planning Commission to a regular meeting on
October 8, 1991, at 7:00 P.M. in the La Quinta City Hall Council Chambers. This
meeting of the La Quinta Planning Commission was adjourned at 9:43 P.M.,
September 24, 1991.