PCMIN 03 24 1992 CC
MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION - CITY OF LA QUINTA
A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall
78-105 Calle Estado, La Quinta, California
March 24, 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 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, and Department Secretary Betty Anthony.
III. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Tentative Parcel Map 27131; Consideration of an appeal by Mr. John
Megay and Mr. Frank Goodman of the Planning Director's approval
which subdivides 104+ net acres into four parcels and remainder parcel.
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 questions of Staff, Chairwoman Barrows opened
the Public Hearing. Mr. Tom Thornburgh, applicant, gave a
detailed report on the evolution of the project.
3. Mr. Frank Goodman, Bermuda Dunes Community Council and
resident, stated his objection to the project as no Environmental
Impact Report had been completed on the project. Further he
felt it was not exempt from the CEQA requirement and was thus
an illegal subdivision. The project is not consistent with the
prior zoning and there had been boundary changes. He went on
to discuss the existing land that is already zoned commercial and
the number of existing apartment complexes in the vicinity.
4. Mr. John Megay, Committee for the Environmental Preservation
of Bermuda Dunes, California, stated his objections in addition
to those stated above primarily this was a subdivision and not a
parcel map.
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March 24, 1992
5. Mr. G. A. Holmes, Desert Breezes property owner, stated that
none of the property owners in th~s complex had been notified of
the prezoning public hearings and they requested time to
consider the proposal before rendering an opinion. He
expressed h/s concern having to deal with three governmental
agencies (Indian Wells, Riverside County, and La Quinta)
rewarding development in the area. He further stated that h/gh
density and commercial were inconsistent with the present
conditions.
6. Mr. Dan MilHn~on, Palm Royale property owner, discussed the
changes that had taken place since moving here and the amount
of increased traffic. He expressed concern relative to the new
elementary school in the area and the increased traffic.
7. There being no further comment, Chairwoman Barrows closed the
Public Hearing and opened the matter for Commission discussion.
8. Chairwoman Barrows asked Staff to clarify the public hearing
noticing process. Staff explained that with any public hearing
notices are mailed out ten days in advance of any hearing and are
mailed to those property owners who the applicant has supplied
addresses for. These addresses are usually obtained from a title
company for everyone within 300 feet of the proposed project.
9. Commissioner Mosher asked for clarification of what the
Commission was being asked to act upon. Planning Director
Jerry Herman stated that the matter before the Commission was
the appeal of his decision which approved the parcel map. All
zoning and other land use matters were approved in 1991 during
the annexation process.
10. Discussion followed regarding the noticing process.
Commissioner Ellson asked if an EIR would be required in the
future. Planning Director Jerry Herman stated this could not be
determined until a project was submitted. He went on to explain
how a project could require an EIR.
11. Commissioner Mosher inquired if public hearings will be held
when the commercial project is submitted. Staff stated that as
the project develops it will come before the Planning Commission
and probably City Council for public hearing.
12. Chairman Barrows stated that for those who spoke regarding
their concern for commercial uses proposed in this area, that
during the public hearing process it would help to have their
input to design the best use for this project. She further stated
that the Commission wrestled with this project when it was
proposed and did decrease the amount of Commercial and it was
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March 24, 1992
overturned by CoUnCil'., .'
13. Commissioner Mosher expressed his agreement with Chairwoman
Barrows regarding the project and encouraged the property
owners to participate during the public hearing process.
14. Discussion followed between the Commission and Staff regarding
the notification process and making sure to obtain current
property owners.
15. There being no further discussion, it was moved by
Commissioner Mosher and seconded by Commissioner Marts to
adopt Minute Motion 92-012 denying the appeal. Unanimously
approved
B. Tentative Tract 23519, Minor Change #1, Second Extension of Time; a
request of Santa Rosa Developers for a one year extension of time.
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 questions of Staff, Chairwoman Barrows opened
the Public Hearing. Mr. Brian Esgate, applicant, spoke on
behalf of the request.
3. There being no further comment, Chairwoman Barrows closed the
Public Hearing.
4. There being no comment by the Commission, Commissioner
Ladner moved and Commissioner Ellson seconded a motion to
adopt Planrdng Commission Resolution 92-011 approving the one
year extension of time.
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. Specific Plan 84-003, (Amendment #2); a request of Cusack Radaker
Development Company, Inc. for approval of a one year extension of time
for a specific plan which allows an 86 room hotel (The Orchard) on 37.5+
acres.
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March 24, 1992
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. Mr. Byron Radaker, applicant addressed the Commission on the
status of the project and the reason for the time extension
request.
3. Commissioner Ellson asked if the original plans would be
developed. Mr. Radaker stated at the present time this was their
plan. Discussion followed as to which parcels were being
developed.
4. Mr. Gary Lohman, representative of the applicant, asked if he
could go on record as clarifying two of the Conditions of
Approval. He stated Condition #29 had been met and Condition
#28 regarding the landscaping plans had been approved. Staff
stated and noted his comments, but stated the project would be
reviewed again as the Design Review Board did not exist at the
time of the project approval.
5. There being no further comment, Commissioner Ladner moved
and Commissioner Mosher seconded a motion to adopt Minute
Motion 92-013 approving the one year extension of time.
Unanimously approved.
B. Minor Temporary Outdoor Event 91-032; a request of Judi Combs,
Thunderbird Artists for approval of a time extension for her art shows.
1. Planning Director Jerry Herman presented the information
contained in the letter of request, a copy of which is on file in
the Planning and Development Department.
2. Commissioner Ellson asked if any changes could be made to the
Conditions of Approval. Staff stated they could not be done at
this time.
3. There being no further questions, it was moved by Commissioner
Mosher and seconded by Commissioner Ellson to adopt Minute
Motion 92-014 approving the time extension for MTOE 92-032.
Unanimously approved.
VII. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Commissioner Ellson asked that the Minutes of March 10, 1992, be
amended on Page 4, under Business Item A, #3 to show the spelling of
Mr. Rover's first name as "Vin". There being no other corrections,
Commissioner Marts move and Commissioner Ellson seconded a motion to
approve the Minutes of the regular meeting of March 10, 1992, as
corrected. Unanimously approved.
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March 24, 1992
VllI. OTHER- None
IX. ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Commissioner Mosher and seconded by Commissioner Ellson to
adjourn this regular meeting of the Planning Commission to a regular meeting on
April 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 8:12 P.M., March 24,
1992.
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