PCMIN 02 25 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
February 25, 1992 7:00 P.M.
I. CALL TO ORDER
A. The meeting was called to order at 7:04 P.M. by Chairwoman Barrows.
The Flag Salute was led by Commissioner Ellson.
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, and Department Secretary Betty Anthony.
III. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Plot Plan 91-466; a request of Simon Plaza, Inc., Mr. Philip Pead, to
modify a previously reviewed plot plan application for a mixed use
commercial complex.
1. Principal Planner Start Sawa presented the information contained
in the Staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Planning and
Development Department. Staff recommended modification to
Condition #13 regarding Art in Public Places and addition of a
new condition #78 regarding voiding of the original approval.
2. Chairwoman Barrows asked Staff what the height limit of the four
story building was. Staff stated it was 50 feet. Chairwoman
Barrows asked Staff to explain what the arcade concept was along
Washington Street. Discussion followed regarding the arcade.
3. Chairwoman Barrows opened the public hearing. Mr. Philip
Pearl, applicant, gave a presentation on his proposal.
4. Commissioner Marrs asked the Applicant if the parking structure
where it fronts on Highway 111 was one story. Mr. Pead stated
it was with roof parking in order to comply with the Highway 111
restrictions.
5. Mr. Pearl asked that the Commission revise proposed Conditions
of Approval: 25.C., 25.E., 25.F., 57, 60, 68, 71, 72, 73, 74,
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and 75. In addition, Mr. Pead pointed out the number of jobs the
project would bring to the City.
6. Commissioner Ellson inquired regarding the water retention site
and made a suggestion. Mr. Pead stated the project would use
storm drains to take the water off-site and therefore there would
be none.
7. Commissioner Ellson asked if the restaurant would have valet
parking. Discussion followed regarding parking spaces and
valet parking.
8. Commissioner Ellson asked the Applicant to indicate on the plans
where the elevator entrances were and inquired if the parking in
the structure could be angle parking. Discussion followed as to
the elevator entrances, the trash enclosures, and the place for
the art work.
9. Chairwoman Barrows questioned the lack of roof overhangs and
discussion followed as to how to handle the sun exposure and
aesthetics.
10. Commissioner Ellson questioned the amount of landscaping on
Highway 111 in front of the parking lot. Mr. Fred Simon, Simon
Motors gave a description of the location of the landscaping.
11. There being no further comment, Chairwoman Barrows closed the
public hearing and opened the matter for Commission discussion.
12. Commissioner Ladner asked that the Commission go through each
of the questioned Conditions of Approval. The following was
determined:
a. Condition 25. C. and 25. E. would be deleted (addressed in
Conditions #40 and #44.
b. Condition 25.F. would be changed to 28 feet.
c. Condition 57 would stay.
d. Condition 60 would remain the same.
e. Condition 68 would be reworded to eliminate rooftop
landscaping on the parking structure.
f. Condition 71 would remain the same.
g. Condition 72 would be deleted.
h. Condition 73 would be reworded to provide for window
shading and Design Review Board approval.
i. Condition #74 would remain the same (since the Applicant
agreed).
j. Condition 75 would be changed to 47 feet back to the start
of the ramp structure.
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13. Commissioner Ells°n inquired how the proposed Genera] Plan
policy of 35% of the land area must be commercial would apply.
Planning Director Jerry Herman stated that the project must be
reviewed in light of the present General Plan.
14. There being no further comment, Commissioner Fred Mosher
moved to adopt Minute Motion 92-008 approving Plot Plan 91-466
(Revised) subject to the amended conditions and with the
addition of Condition #13 amended and the addition of Condition
78 as recommended by Staff. Commissioner Ladner seconded the
motion and it passed unanimously.
B. Zoning Ordinance Amendment 92-023; a request of the City to add Title
7 entitled "Historic Preservation" to the La Quinta Municipal Code.
1. Planning Director Jerry Herman 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 what the term of the Commissioner
serving on the Committee would be. Planning Director Jerry
Herman stated it would be at the discretion of the Council but
_ probably a minimum of one year. She further asked if there was
any benefit to the owner of the historical buildings. Discussion
followed.
3. Chairwoman Barrows opened the public hearing. Mr. Fred Rice,
President of the Historical Society of La Quinta, addressed the
Commission regarding historical sites within La Quinta, problems
with developers, and discussed how to preserve some of the
existing sites.
4. There being no further comment, Chairwoman Barrows closed the
public hearing. Following discussion regarding some of the
historical sites, Commissioner Ladner moved to adopt Planning
Commission Resolution 92-006 recommending to the City Council
approval of Zoning Ordinance Amendment 92-023 and the
Environmental Determination. Commissioner Ellson seconded the
motion.
ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Commissioners Mosher,
Ladner, Ellson, Marts, & Chairwoman
Barrows. NOES: None. AB SENT:
None. ABSTAINING: None.
C. Zoning Ordinance Amendment 99~-099; a request of the City to revise
-- Chapter 9. 212, Sign Regulations, of the La Quinta Municipal Code.
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1. Planning Director Jerry Herman 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 semi-permanent signs
could be bonded for.
3. Commissioner Ellson asked if there was a need to have signs on
public property and how realtor signs would be handled.
Discussion followed as to the different problems that needed to
be worked out within the Ordinance.
4. Chairwoman Barrows opened the public hearing. Ms. Judith
Owens Burns, Chairwoman of the Local Government of Real
Estate Agents, addressed the Commission regarding their desire
to work with the Commission to formulate new to working
regulations.
5. There being no further comment, Chairwoman Barrows closed the
hearing. Following discussion among the Commissioners,
Commissioner Mosher moved and Commissioner Marts seconded a
motion to continue the matter for thirty days. Unanimously
approved.
V. PUBLIC COMMENT: - None
VI. BUSINESS SESSION
A. General Plan Consistency; a request of Coachella Valley Water District
for review of General Plan consistency for the installation of sewer
lines.
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 of Staff where the lines were to be
installed.
3. Following discussion, it was moved by Commissioner Marts and
seconded by Commissioner Ladner to adopt Minute Motion 92-009
determining that the project proposed by CVWD within the City
of La Quinta is consistent with the La Quinta General Plan.
Unanimously approved.
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VII. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Commissioner Ladner asked that the NHnutes be amended on page 3 #15
to show that Commissioner Ladner asked the question instead of
Commissioner EHson. Chairwoman Barrows asked that Page 4, #3 be
amended to read "she" not "he". There being no further corrections,
Commissioner Marts move and Commissioner El!son seconded a motion to
approve the Minutes of the regular meeting of February 11, 1992, as
amended. Unanimously approved.
VIII. OTHER - None
A. Planing Director Jerry Herman reminded the Commission to respond to
a memo from the Parks and Recreation Manager Clint Bohlen.
B. The Commission discussed a letter received from Mr. Gary Hopkins
regarding a practice golf range, course, and school. At the
conclusion, it was recommended that Staff give the Applicant al! the
encouragement possible.
C. Commissioner Ellson asked Staff to check on the lighting at the entrance
to the Cliffhouse Restaurant.
D. Commissioner ElIson also inquired about the fencing for the Art Shows
at Plaza La Quinta. Staff stated it was required by the Conditions of
Approval.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Commissioner Mosher and seconded by Commissioner EHson to
adjourn this regular meeting of the Planning Commission to a regular meeting on
March 10, 1992, at 7:00 P.M. in the La Quinta City HaH Council Chambers. This
meeting of the La Quinta Planning Commission was adjourned at 9:12 P.M., February
25, 1992.
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