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PCMIN 12 10 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 December 10, 1991 7:00 P.M. I. CALL TO ORDER A. The meeting was called to order at 7:03 P.M. by Chairwoman Barrows. The Flag Salute was led by Commissioner Ladner. II. 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 Stan Sawa, Associate Planner Greg Trousdell, and Department Secretary Betty Anthony. III. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Continued - Building Moving Permit 91-001; a request of D & M Morgan to move a 1,200 square foot building presently located at 78-435 Cameo Dunes Place to 54-038 Avenida Bermudas. 1. Planning Director Jerry Herman presented the information in the Staff report and stated that Staff requested to table this matter until the Applicant had paid the fees and was ready to process the application. 2. It was moved by Commissioner Mosher and seconded by Commissioner Marts to table this matter till further notice. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Commissioners Mosher, Marrs, Ladner, Ellson, & Chairwoman Barrows. NOES: None. AB SENT: None. ABSTAINING: None. B. Preannexation Zoning 91-068 and General Plan Amendment 91-039; a request of Valley Land Development to change the boundaries for the zoning classification and a new zoning classification and land use designation for a portion of the property adjacent to Washington Street. -- PCMIN12-10 Planning Commission Minutes December 10, 1991 1. At the request of the Applicant, Commissioner El]son moved and Comn~ssioner Ladner seconded a motion to continue the Public Hearing to the meeting of January 14, 1992. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Commissioners Mosher, Marts, Ladner, Ellson, & Chairwoman Barrows. NOES: None. AB SENT: None. ABSTAINING: None. C. Plot Plan 91-466 and Variance 91-019; a request of Simon Plaza to develop a mixed use commercial complex which will include the development of multiple story buildings and a five level parking structure on 5.5+ acres zoned Scenic Highway Commercial. A variance is requested to reduce the on-site off-street parking standards and to deviate from the setback requirements of the Municipal 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. Assistant City Engineer Steve Speer presented the information contained in the traffic study and stated there was a correction relative to the turning movements. A copy of the report is on file in the Engineering Department. 3. Commissioner Mosher asked if the radius at the intersection would cut into the property. Mr. Speer stated it would and the property line would be closer to the octagonal restaurant/bank structure. 4. Commissioner Ellson asked if the bus turnout and turning lane would be in conflict. Mr. Speer stated there would not be a deceleration lane so as to cause a conflict. 5. Commissioner Marts asked if the radius would encroach in the setback. Mr. Speer stated it would encroach for about 37 feet. Discussion followed regarding the setbacks. 6. Commissioner Ellson asked if Simon Drive would be a full turning movement on Washington Street. Mr. Speer stated it would until the median was constructed. Discussion followed regarding the traffic flow and bus turnouts for this and the neighboring projects. 7. Chairwoman Barrows opened the Public Hearing. Mr. Fred Simon Sr., property owner/Applicant, addressed the Commission regarding his concern for a right turn in and out access only. He asked that a signal be allowed on Simon Drive that would be synchronized with the Highway 111 signal. PCMIN12-10 2 Planning Commission Minutes December 10, 1991 8. Mr. Philip Pead;:'ApPlicant, gave a description of what the project proposed. He introduced Mr. Rudy Leeway, Brunswick Bowling Center, who gave a presentation on the operational merits of the bowling alley. Commissioner Ellson asked if the bowling alley would be applying for a liquor license. Mr. Leeway stated they would be serving alcohol. Mr. Pead continued with his presentation. 9. Commissioner Mosher inquired about the original approvals in 1982 in regard to the 3.4 acres dedicated for the right-of-way. Mr. Pead stated that Mr. Simon had already spent a great deal of money for the original improvements to get it where it is today. 10. Mr. Pead then went on to discuss the conditions that he had objections to. Those conditions were: #14, #16, #18, #25.A., C., E., F., J., #38, #41-45, #49, #53, #64, and #65. 11. Commissioner Ellson asked how tall the existing Simon building is and how tall will the proposed building be. It was stated the existing Simon Motors building is between 35 and 38 feet high and the proposed buildings will be the same height. She then asked how the parcels were split and who owned them. Mr. Paul Seltzer stated the corner parcel was owned by Pomona Federal Savings and Loan. The remainder is owned by a partnership of Mr. Simon, Mr. Sanborn, and Mr. Seltzer. Commissioner Ellson asked if they would be developing the project. Mr. Pead stated they would be hiring a developer to build the project. 12. Commissioner Mosher asked where the 3.4 acres that was dedicated was located. Mr. John Sanborn, Sanborn & Webb, stated that 66 feet of Washington Street and the full width of Simon Drive was dedicated to the City. Discussion followed as to how much more land was being required by the City. Commissioner Mosher then asked who approved the preliminary and final map. Mr. Sanborn stated that the final map was processed through the City. Discussion followed as to who requested the dedications and how they came to be. 13. Mr. Paul Seltzer, attorney and part owner, addressed the Commission regarding the dedications imposed on the project. He stated they would be willing to dedicate to the City the additional right-of-way on Washington Street and the 65 foot radius required at the corner in return for the setback and height reductions. Discussion followed as the value of the property and the potential income from that property. 14. Commissioner Mosher questioned why any City or County would require the road improvements to be installed on Simon Drive. Mr. Simon stated that the County not only required a road but an PCMIN12-10 3 Planning Commission Minutes December 10, 1991 88 foot wide road and in addition they were forced to supply a water line from Dune Palms Road to Washington Street in order to supply the La Quinta Plaza shopping center with water. 15. Commissioner Ellson asked if the conditions imposed on them were greater than conditions imposed on any other developer. Mr. Simon stated this was a difficult question to answer but he felt they were excessive. 16. Commissioner Ellson asked Mr. Pead to expand on the medical services that were indicated on the plans. Mr. Pead stated they were working with a medical center to bring limited services to the area. Discussion followed as to possible tenants and also alternative site plans. 17. Commissioner Ellson stated her concern for the intensity of the building density. She asked if the project could be viable with a lower amount of building square footage. Mr. Pead stated they felt the square foot area was what they feel the property is worth. 18. Mr. Steve Robbins, Esco Engineering, spoke on behalf of the Washington Square owners to the south, expressing their concerns about a two story building within 150 feet of Washington Street and that it will be in conflict with other approved projects on Washington Street. Other objections were: a. The landscape setback reductions b. The stormwater retention basin (off-site) c. The full turn access at Simon Drive and Washington Street. d. The 8 foot bike lane should be the same along Washington as everyone else. He further stated that one half of the property dedicated for Simon Drive belonged to the Washington Square property owners. In addition, the water line extensions are required by Coachella Valley Water District as growth dictates development. 19. Mr. Pead addressed the issue of the stormwater retention and stated they are working with the City to solve this problem. 20. Commissioner Mosher inquired about the 154 parking spaces they are lacking. Mr. Pead stated they felt time share parking would be acceptable to the City and that they would submit their calculations soon. PCMIN12-10 4 Planning Commission Minutes December 10, 1991 21. Commissioner E]ls0n asked ~f the restaurant is proposed only to be a dinner house, what is to keep it from serving lunches and thereby changing the parking requirements. Mr. read stated this should be controlled through the Conditional Use Permit process. 22. Chairwoman Barrows stated her concern regarding the intensity of the proposed uses and the size of the parking structure. She asked if they had pursued any of the suggestions of the Design Review Board in regard to providing additional parking underground (sub-grade). Mr. Pead stated they were already one level below ground and in reality the structure is no higher than the proposed building. 23. Commissioner Ellson stated her concern for openness for a view through the project. Mr. MerLin Barth, architect for the project, addressed the design issues and further explained the layout of the buildings to show where there were views through the buildings. Discussion followed as to this location being a focal point entrance to the City. 24. There being no further comments, Chairwoman Barrows closed the Public Hearing. 25. Commissioner Mosher inquired of Staff regarding joint use of parking being provided for in the City ordinances. Staff stated that the Ordinance does provide for joint use but the Applicant has not provided Staff with the information to make this determination. 26. Commissioner Mosher asked how much land is in the setback on Washington Street right-of-way. It was stated approximately 20,000 square feet. Discussion followed as to methods the City could use to obtain the right-of-way. 27. Commissioner Ellson asked whether the bike path would fall within the setback area. Staff stated it would not. Discussion followed regarding the area to be used for bike paths and bus turnouts. 28. Commissioner Mosher asked the Applicant if they have a fitness center and bowling alley tenant. Mr. Pead stated they have both tenants secured. 9.9. Chairwoman Barrows asked the Commission to express their view on the Variance request. Commissioner Ladner stated she objected to making exceptions and felt the project should conform to the City requirements. Chairwoman Barrows, Commissioner Ladner, and Commissioner Ellson stated their objections to the PCMIN12-10 5 Planning Commission Minutes December 10, 1991 - building mass and project density. Commissioner Mosher would Hke to see the project conform to the requirement of all one story structures within 150 feet of a major arterial, the parking requirements being resolved, and the retention basin resolved with Engineering. Commissioner Ellson would like to see the square foot distribution of the buildings rearranged. Commissioner Marts expressed his appreciation to the Applicant for working with Staff and feels his project will be contribution to the community and would like to see these issues resolved. 30. Due to the above stated concerns of the Commission and their desire to see the project approved the Commission felt the project should be continued to allow Staff and the Applicant time to see if they could work out some of these problems. 31. There being no further discussion, it was moved by Commissioner Mosher and seconded by Commissioner Ladner to refer Plot Plan 91-466 and Variance 91-019 back to Staff to resolve the concerns of the Commission and bring this issue back to the Planning Commission at their meeting of January 14, 1992. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Commissioners Mosher, Ladner, Ellson, Marts, & Chairwoman Barrows. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINING: None. D. Public Use Permit 91-012; a request of the Boys and Girls Club for a 24,000 square foot clubhouse, administrative offices, and future outdoor swimming pool and pool building. 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 Ellson inquired if the schools went to year round attendance would there be a problem with the parking. Staff stated this was a possibility. 3. Chairwoman Barrows opened the Public Hearing. Mr. Reuel Young, architect for the project, gave a presentation of the project. He further stated that in the planning of the project year round school attendance was addressed and it was felt that the adjacent areas would provide enough parking. He asked that the one-way traffic condition be changed from east to west to west to east. He also asked for clarification of Conditions #1 and #12. PCMIN12-10 6 Planning Commission Minutes December 10, 1991 4. Assistant City Eh~n~i~ ~teve Speer addressed Condition of Approval #12 and stated that Park Avenue would need to be widened to allow a turning pocket and have a total width of 40 feet. It is presently 32 feet. Commissioner Ladner asked why Staff did not create additional lanes. Staff stated that by creating additional lanes you would probably be creating a problem of cars traveling at a greater speed. 5. Commissioners expressed their approval of the design and thanked Mr. Young for the work he had done. 6. Mr. Young asked for a clarification of Condition #17 as it could alter the landscape design if the citrus trees were to be removed. He asked if as they fill for the pad the playground would remain at the same level, could this serve as the retention basin. Staff stated this could be worked out with Engineering. Chairman Barrows asked the Applicant to retain as many trees as possible. 7. Commissioner Ellson asked if the future pool would be an olympic size pool. Mr. Young stated that the pool was designed to be six lanes and 25 meter long which is the standard race length. 8. Commissioner Ellson asked Mr. Young to familiarize the Commission on the heat transmission of a standing seam roof. Mr. Young stated they are a saucer in shape and in a desert climate they get hot fast and cool fast. The way it is constructed the heat would not be held in. In addition, it would be a great help on maintenance. 9. Mr. Bob Ross, financial consultant, addressed the Commission on the good results they were having with other Boys & Girls Clubs utilizing the standing seam roof. 10. There being no further public comment, Chairwoman Barrows closed the Public Hearing. Commissioner Marts stated that the Design Review Board approved of the project whole heartedly. 11. Mr. Young asked to clarify what the exterior material would be. He stated their preference would be to use concrete block due to maintenance and other considerations but they would Hke to have the option to use concrete block or stucco. The Commission had no objection as long as the color would remain the same. 12. There being no further discussion, it was moved by Commissioner Marts and seconded by Commissioner Mosher to adopt Minute Motion 91-050 approving Public Use Permit 91-012 subject to the amended Condition #3 and with the addition of a condition allowing the exterior material to be concrete block. Discussion followed as to the widening of Park Avenue. Unanimously approved. PCMIN12-10 7 Planning Commission Minutes December 10, 1991 E. Street Name Change 91-002; a request of Wilma Pacific for approval to change the street name of Via Marquessa to Lake La Quinta Drive. 1. Chairwoman Barrows opened the Public Hearing. Mr. Dennis LaMont, Wilma Pacific, addressed the Commission regarding the street name change. 2. There being no discussion, it was moved by Commissioner Ladner and seconded by Commissioner Ellson to adopt Planning Commission Resolution 91-062 recommending to the City Council approval of Street Name Change 91-002. 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. Sign Application 91-159; a request of Simon Plaza to install a shopping center identification sign, directional signs and multiple building signs for a future office/commercial facility planned on five and one half acres. 1. At the request of the Applicant, Commissioner Ladner moved and Commissioner Marts seconded a motion to continue this matter to January 14, 1992. Unanimously approved. VII. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Commissioner Ladner asked that the Minutes of November 26, 1991, be approve as submitted. Unanimously approved. VIII. OTHER A. Planning Director Jerry Herman explained that at the request of the Commission, he had contacted the Fire Marshal asking for their recommendation regarding their need for sideyard setbacks. Mr. Herman read the Fire Marshal's response regarding ratios and setback requirements. Discussion followed regarding setbacks and options the Commission could take. B. Planning Director Jerry Herman asked the Commission if they would like a preliminary review of major projects before they go to a public hearing. At the request of the Commission this would be placed on the January 14, 1992 agenda. PCMIN12-10 8 Planning Commission Minutes December 10, 1991 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 January 14, 1992, at 7:00 P.M. in the La Quinta City Hall Council Chambers. This meeting of the La Quinta Planning Commission was adjourned at 10:27 P.M., December 10, 1991. 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