PCMIN 07 14 1992 PLANNING COMMISSION - CITY OF LA QUINTA
A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall
78-105 Calle Estado, La Quinta, California
July 14, 1992 7:00 P.M.
I. CALL TO ORDER
A. The meeting was called to order at 7:06 P.M. by Chairwoman Barrows.
Commissioner Adolph led the flag salute.
H. PRESENTATION BY 10TH ANNIVERSARY COMMITrEE:
A. Committee members Cheryl Ward and Sheila Hatfield presented the
Commissioners with 10th Anniversary plaques for their work.
III. ROLL CALL
A. Chairwoman Barrows rexluested the roll call. Present: Commissioners Mosher,
Ella)n, Adolph, and Chairwoman Barrows. Commissioner Ellson moved and
Commissioner Mosher seconded a motion to excuse Commissioner Marts.
Unanimously approved.
B. Staff Present: Planning Director Jerry Herman, Principal Planner Start Sawa,
Associate Planner Greg Trousdell, and Department Secretary Betty Anthony.
IV. ELECTION OF OFFICERS:
A. Commissioner Ellson nominated Katie Barrows as Chairwoman. Commissioner
Mosher seconded the motion. There being no other nominations Commissioner
Mosher moved to close the nominations. Katie Barrows was elected Chairwoman
unanimously.
B. Commissioner Barrows nominated H. Fred Mosher as Vice Chairman.
Commissioner Ellson seconded the motion. There being no other nominations
Commissioner Adolph moved to close the nominations. H. Fred Mosher was
elected Vice Chairman unanimously.
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July 14, 1992
V. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Draft Environmental Impact Report 91~233; public comment on the Draft EIR for
the construction of a regional shopping complex consisting of approximately
1,800,000 square feet of retail and office space on approximately 160 acres.
1. Planning Director Jerry Herman stated that Staff was requesting a tabling
of this item until further notice, but Staff will continue to take written
comments until August 20, 1992, at 5:00 P.M.
2. There being no further discussion, it was moved by Commissioner Ellson
and seconded by Commissioner Adolph to adopt Minute Motion 92-024
tabling the Draft Environmental Impact Report 91-233. Unanimously
approved.
B. Zoning Ordinance Amendment 92-025; a continued hearing on a request of the
City to amend the Municipal Code regarding fencing standards in an R-1 Zone
District and confn'mation of the environmental determination.
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 Adolph asked staff if there were any potential problems
that could be incurred regarding street setbacks with future street
construction taking place. Staff stated the street right-of-way is the same
as the property line and the only potential area for a problem would be in
the older areas. All current tracts are required to install the streets and
conform to the right-of-way as planned.
3. Commissioner Adolph asked if Item 3.A. could have added to it "Support
posts and bottom rail shall be a minimum of 4" X 4"...". He also asked
why in Item 3.D. staff was recommending "bottom one-half be
constructed of a masonry material". He felt this could detract from the
appearance of the property. Following discussion it was suggested that
wording be "Support posts and bottom portion shall be a minimum 4" X
42.
4. Commissioner Ellson asked if Cedar was as termite resistant as the
Redwood. Staff stated it was.
5. Following discussion by the Commissioners it was further stated that Item
3.A. and 3.E. by amended to read, ~ ..... #1 Cedar or Redwood, no less
than 1-inch thick ..... ".
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July 14, 1992 '
6. There being no further discusSion, it was moved by Commissioner Mosher
and seconded by Commissioner Adolph to adopt Planning Commission
Resolution 92-025 recommending to the City Council approval of Zoning
Ordinance Amendment 924)25 as amended above.
ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Commissioners Mosher, Ellson, Adolph,
Chairwoman Barrows. NOES: None. ABSENT:
Commissioner Marrs. ABSTAINING: None.
IV. PUBLIC COMMENT:
A. Mr. Joseph Davies, Cathedral City, addressed the Commission regarding new
construction in the City. He requested the City pass legislation requiring
contractors to hire at least 50% of their work force from local people. He then
introduced Gerald Jennings.
B. Mr. Gerald Jennings, representing Local Jobs for Local People, addressed the
Commission regarding the same issue. He elaborated further and explained to the
Commission the purpose for his organization. Following his presentation, the
Commissioners expressed their approval of what the group was trying to do, but
stated this was the responsibility of the City Council.
V. BUSINESS SESSION
A. Plot Plan 92-488; a request of Transpacific Development Company for approval
of plans for a portion of Phase II of the One Eleven La Quinta Center.
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. Staff noted the Applicant submitted a revised drawing for
treatment along the front of Phar-Mor.
2. Mr. Thomas Childers, representing TDC stated they concurred with Staff
on their recommendations and went on to describe the changes they had
made and displayed a mural rendering of the project.
3. Commissioner Ellson asked if bench seating could be provided to help off-
set the blank walls in front of Phar-Mor. Mr. Childers stated the
Conditions of Approval for the specific plan require seating, but he did
not feel Phar-Mor wanted it adjacent to their exit.
4. Commissioner Adolph asked Mr. Childers why the color turquoise had
been chosen. Mr. Childers stated the architect was trying to obtain a
Southwestern look along the line of a "Pueblo Deco" look.
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5. Commissioner Adolph asked if the Wal-Mart sign on the rendering was
the sign that was requested in the original sign approval, or could the
Commission be approached by Wal-Mart for additional size? Staff stated
this was the original request. Staff noted that Wal-Mart may request
additional signage in the future.
6. Planning Director Jerry Herman asked the Applicant if the City had
required more detail on the front of Wal-Mart. Mr. Childers stated there
would be more detail than shown on the rendering.
7. Chairwoman Barrows asked if the landscaping would help to break up the
lineal look of the stores. Staff stated that it would as well as the parking
lot trees.
8. Principal Planner Sawa asked Mr. Childers if he knew if Phar-Mor stored
their carts inside or outside the building. Mr. Childers stated he did not
know, but he did understand the Conditions of Approval required the
storage be inside the building.
9. Commissioner Ellson thanked Mr. Childers for the elevation of the overall
center. Mr. Childers stated it had helped the developers to visualize the
center and they realized there needed to be some vertical relief and they
intended to add additional tile between the Phar-Mor store and the theaters
to help alleviate this.
10. There being no further discussion, it was moved by Commissioner Mosher
and seconded by Commissioner Adolph to adopt Minute Motion 92-025
approving Plot Plan 92-488 subject to the amended conditions (requiring
additional treatment to the front of the Phar-Mor building). Unanimously
approved.
VI. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. There being no corrections to the Minutes, Commissioner Mosher moved and
Commissioner Adolph seconded a motion to approve the Minutes of the regular
meeting of June 23 1992, as submitted. Unanimously approved.
VII. OTHER-
A. Planning Director Jerry Herman explained the revised schedule of Planning
Commissioner attendance at City Council and Design Review Board meetings that
had been passed out.
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A motion was made by Commissioner Ellson and seconded by Commissioner Mosher to adjourn
this regular meeting of the Planning Commission to a regular meeting on July 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 7:56 P.M., July 14, 1992.
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