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PCMIN 01 14 1992 MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION - CITY OF LA QUINTA A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall 78-105 Calle Estado, La Quinta, California January 14, 1992 7'00 P.M. I. CALL TO ORDER A. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Chairwoman Barrows. The Flag Salute was led by Commissioner Marts. 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. 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. 1. At the request of the Applicant, Commissioner Ellson moved and Commissioner Ladner seconded a motion to table the applications. The matter would be re-noticed at the request of the Applicant. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Commissioners Mosher, Marts, Ladner, Ells on, & 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 four 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. PCMINi-14 Planning Commission Minutes January 14, 1992 l. Associate Planner Greg Trousdell presented the information contained in the Staff report, and presented the information contained in the shared parking study received that day, a copy of which is on file in the Planning and Development Department. 2. Assistant City Engineer Steve Speer explained to the Commission the amount of right-of-way needed for the radius at Highway ] 11 and Washington Street (r=55' curb radius return). 3. There being no questions of Staff, Chairwoman Barrows opened the Public Hearing. Mr. Philip Pead, applicant, addressed the Commission regarding his project. Mr. John Sanborn gave a review of the computer architectural renderings presented to the Commission at the meeting. 4. Commissioner Marts asked the Applicant what the setback was for the office complex on the renderings. Mr. Sanborn stated it is shown as it exists today. 5. Mr. Pead continued his presentation and stated his concern regarding conditions #14, #16, #18, #25.C, 25.E, 25.J, #38, #40- #45, #49, #53, #60, #64, and #65. 6. Commissioner Mosher asked how much acreage would be required to widen Washington Street. Mr. Pead clarified that if the City were to just widen Washington Street it would cause the existing corner parcel to be undevelopable thus requiring the City to buy the entire parcel. 7. Commissioner Ellson asked what the original acreage of the property was. Mr. Pead stated it was originally 13 acres. Mr. Fred Simon, owner, stated that Simon Motors was on 5.2 acres, the corner parcel was originally 9.7 acres and 5.66 after the dedication. He further stated that the construction of Simon Drive was done at the request of the County. Commissioner Ellson asked if the road was required in order to give Simon Motors an entrance off Highway 111. Mr. Simon stated it was not. Commissioner Ellson asked the Applicant to explain how the drainage was to be handled. Mr. Sanborn stated the original project had dry wells installed. He stated they would allow the City to install storm drains to accommodate the entire area. The water would egress into an underground system. 8. There being no further questions of the Applicant and as no one else wished to address the Commission regarding this matter, Chairwoman closed the Public Hearing. PCMINi-14 2 Planning Commission Minutes January 14, 1992 9. Commissioner Lad'~i-a~i(ed Staff to clarify what they were recommending in Condition #38 regarding setbacks. Staff explained that the landscape setbacks are a standard Engineering Department condition. Commissioner Ladner then asked Staff to explain the Redevelopment funding process. Planning Director Jerry Herman explained that the disbursement of Redevelopment funds was at the total discretion of the Redevelopment Agency which is made up of the members of the City Council. Funds are distributed at the discretion of the Agency. Commissioner Ladner asked if the Variance addressed the two story building or is it addressed in Condition #25 of the plot plan. Staff stated it was covered in Condition #25.F. 10. Commissioner Ellson asked how the servicing of the restaurants, etc. would be handled. She suggested that the Applicant consider moving the building next to Simon Motors to the west allowing a back alley access to the buildings. Discussion followed relative to truck deliveries and trash enclosure location alternatives. Commissioner Ellson then asked if the parcels presently subdivided would have to comply with the current setbacks. Planning Director Jerry Herman stated they would have to comply. Discussion followed as to the density of this project versus the project to the north. 11. Chairwoman Barrows inquired as to what the Applicant would be doing for the Art in Public Places display. Mr. Pead stated it was planned to be in the area of the octagon restaurant. Discussion followed as to alternative locations. 12. Commissioner Ellson stated she felt the design needed to have some additional architecture elements (e. g. fountain) to make it stand out because the project is located at the City's main entrance. 13. Chairwoman Barrows stated her concern that the project landscaping should include the use of a desert tolerant plant pallet. 14. Commissioner Mosher stated his concern regarding the proposed landscaping setbacks and proposed building heights on Washington Street. He felt the planning integrity of Washington Street would be violated if this project were allowed to proceed as proposed. He further stated he did not feel the Applicant addressed the concerns expressed to them at the last meeting. 15. There being no further discussion it was moved by Commissioner Mosher to adopt Planning Commission Resolution 92-001 denying Variance 91-019. Commissioner Ellson seconded the motion. PCMINi-14 3 Planning Commission Minutes January 14, 1992 ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Commissioners Mosher, Ladner, Ellson, & Chairwoman Barrows. NOES: CommissionerMarrs. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINING: None. Commissioner Mosher moved and Commissioner Ellson seconded a motion to adopt Minute Motion 92-001 approving Plot Plan 91-466 subject to the amended conditions as follows: #37. b. Be corrected to read 55 foot curb return and 45 foot right-of-way. #70. To be added: Provide truck delivery and trash pick up facilities subject to Planning Staff approval. The motion carried with Commissioner Marts voting No. Commissioner Ellson stated she felt the Commission was upholding their past actions by restricting building heights along Washington Street to one story and that the Planning Commission should be more restrictive on their conditions and City Council should make changes if they feel they are warranted. Chairwoman Barrows stated her agreement. The Commission recessed for a ten minute break. C. Tentative Tract 25154, Extension #1: a request of Valley Land Development for approval of a First One Year Time Extension of Time to create 98 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. Commissioner Mosher asked Staff to explain how much of the street right -of-way was on private property and what procedures were available to acquire the land. 3. Commissioner Ladner asked if the City was still in negotiations with the Bangeters for a land swap. Planning Director Jerry Herman stated the Bangeters were still working on an alternative location. 4. Assistant City Engineer Steve Speer explained to the Commission that Sagebrush currently has a private easement for the street and the City would like to have a public ownership. 5. There being no further questions of Staff Chairwoman Barrows opened the Public Hearing. Mr. Tom Thornburgh, applicant, stated the project was three to four weeks from recording and would be starting construction in 30-40 days. PCMINi-14 4 Planning Commission Minutes January 14, 1992 6. Commissioner Ladner~'~Sked Mr. Thornburgh if he would be selling homes or lots. Mr. Thornburgh stated lots only. 7. Mr. Gary Arise, Parc La Quinta Homeowner's Association, spoke concerning the problem of blowsand. The Association would like to see the condition regarding controlling the sand enforced. He further stated they were working with the Applicant regarding the emergency access through Parc La Quinta. 8. Ms. Rosie Zamarripa, Sagebrush resident, stated her concern regarding Sagebrush being the only access for the project. Discussion followed regarding access on Date Palm Drive and the City Council's past action on Tentative Tract 26148. It was noted that the Date Palm Drive connection to 50th Avenue was deleted because the neighbors in the area were opposed. 9. Commissioner Ladner asked if the Applicant would be required to participate in the cost of the signal at Sagebrush and Washington Street. Staff stated it was included in the Conditions of Approval. 10. There being no further discussion, Chairwoman Barrows closed the Public Hearing and opened the matter for Commission discussion. 11. Discussion followed relative to how Tract 26148 to the south, could be conditioned to require Date Palm to be continued to 50th Avenue. 12. There being no further discussion, it was moved by Commissioner Mosher and seconded by Commissioner Marts to adopt Planning Commission Resolution 92-002 approving a First One Year Time Extension of Time for Tentative Tract 25154. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Commissioners Mosher, Ladner, Ellson, Marts, & Chairwoman Barrows. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINING: None. V. PUBLIC COMMENT: 1. Mr. Gary Avise, Parc La Quinta Homeowner's Association, addressed the Commission regarding the problem of satellite dishes in their tract. 2. Ms. Audrey Ostrowsky, Cove resident, addressed the Commission regarding guest house problems in the Cove. PCMINi-14 5 Planning Commission Minutes January 14, 1992 VI. BUSINESS SESSION A. Si~n 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. ]. At the request of the Applicant, Commissioner Ladner moved and Commissioner Marts seconded a motion to continue this matter until the City Council has reviewed their actions on Plot Plan 91- 466. Unanimously approved. B. Street Vacation 91-019; a request of the City for determination of the La Quinta General Plan consistency with a proposed street vacation. ]. 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 asked Staff who would obtain ownership of the land. Staff stated it would be divided between the four adjacent property owners. 3. Assistant City Engineer Steve Speer stated the triangular lot would be the recipient of the majority of the land but would not get full entitlement. Discussion followed regarding the shape of the lots and the proposed wall on Washington Street to close off Avenida La Fonda. 4. There being no further discussion, Commissioner Marts moved and Commissioner Ladner seconded a motion to adopt Minute Motion 92-002 adopting the findings that the vacation of the portion of Calle Paloma and Washington Street is in compliance with the Circulation Element of the General Plan. C. General Plan Consistency of Proposed Whitewater River Slope Construction Program: A request of the City for General Plan consistency. 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 Marts asked Staff if the height of the concrete Stormwater Channel by the Cliffhouse Restaurant was excessive. Staff explained that the Coachella Valley Water District determines the height and it is probably based on 100 year flood design standards. PCMINi-14 6 Planning Commission Minutes January 14, 1992 3. Commissioner Ladner asked who was financially responsible. Staff stated that CVWD was responsible. 4. There being no further discussion, it was moved by Commissioner Ellson and seconded by Commissioner Mosher to adopt Minute Motion 92-003 approving the Genera! Plan consistency of the proposed Whitewater River Slope Construction Program. Unanimously approved. VII. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Commissioner Ellson asked that the Minutes of December 10, 1992, be amended as follows: Page 6, Item D.2. the word their be there; Page 7, Item #8, the word soccer be saucer. There being no further correction, Commissioner Mosher moved and Commissioner Marts seconded a motion to approve the Minutes as corrected. Unanimously approved. VIII. OTHER A. Planning Director Jerry Herman asked the Commissioners for their input regarding the development of Annexation #5 area. The following concerns were expressed by the Commissioners: 1. Provide narrower streets to enhance rural feeling. 2. Provide larger minimum lot sizes for R-1 zones (i.e., R-1 10,000, R-1 15,000, R-1 20,000 etc.). 3. Maintain a rural atmosphere. 4. Provide new planned development overlay (PD) which can be utilized in R-1 zones. This would allow normal detached lots with common areas and facilities such as an equestrian center and trail system throughout the subdivision. 5. Provide subdivisions with larger perimeter landscape areas adjacent to major arterials. These landscaping areas could vary in size from 50 feet to 100 feet or more. 6. Provide through the PUD process developments having smaller lots in conjunction with large open space areas spread out throughout the subdivision. 7. Create additional land use density categories. Presently there is a very low (0-2) and low density (2-4) categories. Additional categories such as 0-1 dwelling units per acre, 1-2 dwelling units per acre, 2-3 dwelling units per acre, 3-4 dwelling units per acre could be created. PCMINi-14 7 Planning Commission Minutes January 14, 1992 -- B. Overview of Specific Plan 91-012 and Change of Zone 91-070, the Tucker Development. 1. Planning Director Jerry Herman presented a brief overview of the proposed project and the Commission asked questions regarding the ownership of the land and the timing of the project. C. Discussion of accessory structures. 1. The Commissioners identified what accessory structures were and instructed Staff to contact other cities to determine possible alternative to solving the problem. D. Planning Director Jerry Herman informed the Commissioners there would be a joint meeting of the City Council and Planning Commission on Wednesday, February 12, 1992, for the Genera! Plan Update. 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 28, 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 10:00 P.M., January 14, 1992. PCMINi-14 8