PCMIN 09 22 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
September 22, 1992 7:00 P.M.
I. CALL TO ORDER
A. The meeting was called to order at 7:08 P.M. by Chairwoman Barrows.
Commissioner Mosher led the flag salute.
II. ROLL CALL
A. Chairwoman Barrows requested the roll call. Present: Commissioners Mosher
Ellson, Marrs, Adolph, and Chairwoman Barrows.
B. Staff Present: Planning Director Jerry Herman, Principal Planner Stan Sawa,
Principal Planner Fred Baker, Associate Planner Wallace Nesbit, Associate
Planner Greg Trousdell, and Department Secretary Betty Anthony.
C. Consultants: Jon McNamara, Tim Campbell, Kate May, Mark Peterson, and
Matt Burt.
m. PUBLIC HEARINGS
Chairwoman Barrows excused herself due to a possible conflict of interest and turned the
meeting over to Vice Chairman Mosher.
A. Draft General Plan and Final EIR; a request of the City to approve the FEIR and
General Plan for the La Quinta General Plan.
1. Mr. Jon McNamara, Mr. Tim Campbell, and Ms. Kate May presented the
information relative to the General Plan and FEIR. A copy of which is
on file in the Planning and Development Department.
2. There being no questions of consultants, Vice Chairman Mosher opened
the Public Hearing. Mr. Forrest Haag, representing Landmark Land
Company addressed the Commission regarding Landmark's concern of
having their property on the southeast and northeast comer of Jefferson
and 52nd Avenue and the northwest comer of Jefferson and 50th Avenue
remain commercial.
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Planning Commieeion Minutee
September 22, 1992
3. Commissioner Ellson questioned Mr. Haag if these changes had not been
at the request of Landmark in exchange for other zoning consideration.
She further asked how the commercial zoning at 50th Avenue and
Jefferson fit in with Landmark's long range plans. Mr. Haag stated there
plans were for a variety type of commercial area with possibly a home
improvement and office use.
4. Ms. Mary Francis Fenedy, property owner on Tampico west of the new
City Hall site, addressed the Commissioner regarding commercial zoning
for her residentially zoned property that was "sandwiched between
commercial property and the new Civic Center. She had made application
to rezone the property but the cost was too excessive. Discussion
followed as to the location of the property, the size of the property and the
shape of the lot.
5. Mr. D. G. Saad, property owner on Tampico, shared the same concerns
as Ms. Fenedy. Commissioner Adolph asked if Mr. Saad had plans to
develop the property. Mr. Saad stated that if it were zoned commercial
he would move to develop it immediately as a retail use.
6. Mr. Hank Hohenstein, representing the City of Indio, read a letter from
Mrs. Dorothy Papazian (Sternberg) into the record regarding her concern
to maintain low density zoning along the border with Indio. He further
stated their concerns regarding the Transportation Uniform Mitigation
Fee. Discussion followed regarding the fee and the number of lanes
planned for Madison Street.
7. Ms. Audrey Ostrowski, stated her concern over the amount of land that
was being zoned commercial.
8. Mr. Tim Bartlett, speaking for different land owners, stated his concern
that a number of people who own property were unaware of the changes
that are proposed to their property. Discussion followed relative to the
notifying process and the Commercial/Park zoning.
9. Mr. Michael Bangeter, asked the Commission to consider keeping the
commercial zoning on the property he was representing at 52nd Avenue
and Jefferson
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September 22, 1992
10. Mr. Ray Hanes, representing A. G. Spanos Company property at the
southeast corner of Miles Avenue and Washington Street. He asked the
zoning remain consistent with what was approved on the tentative tract
map. In addition, their property at Lake La Quinta be retained as
commercial. Discussion followed as to the exact location of the request.
11. There being no further discussion, Commissioner Adolph stated his
concern that each of these requests needed to be reviewed separately. He
felt it was unfair to group all the requests together and approve the
General Plan without independently identifying these requests and
evaluating them.
12. Vice Chairman Mosher stated his agreement regarding these requests and
asked Staff if they could prepare an informational packet to the
Commission showing the respective properties as they are zoned now and
what is proposed.
13. There being no further comment it was moved by Commissioner Marrs
and seconded by Commissioner Adolph to continue the matter to a special
meeting to be held September 28, 1992, at 7:00 P.M. at the La Quinta
YMCA Child Care Development Center. Unanimously approved with
Chairman Barrows abstaining.
Chairman Barrows returned to the meeting. Vice Chairman Mosher moved to reorganize
the Agenda and place Item #3, Public Use Permit 92-013 The La Quinta Senior Center,
as Item g2, and Item #2, Change of Zone 92-072 and Tentative Tract 27613, as Item #3.
Unanimously approved.
Break: 8:25 - 8:35 P.M.
B. Public Use Permit 92-013; a request of the La Quinta Senior Center for approval
of a public use permit to allow the construction and operation of a 10,600 square
foot senior 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.
2. Commissioners Adolph and Ellson questioned different uses in relation to
the floor plan.
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September 22, 1992
3. Mr. John Walling, architect for the project, gave a description of the
project and went over the floor plan.
4. Mrs. Madlyn Smith, Senior Center Director, addressed the Commission
regarding their concern about Meals on Wheels and the logistics of
operating the different programs. DisCussion followed relative to the way
the different programs function.
5. There being no further discussion, Chairwoman Barrows opened the
Public Hearing. There being no one wishing to speak, the Public Hearing
was closed.
6. There being no further comments, it was moved by Commissioner Ellson
and seconded by Commissioner Man's to adopt Minute Motion 92-031A
approving Public Use Permit 92-013, subject to the attached conditions.
Unanimously approved.
Chairwoman Barrows excused herself due to a possible conflict of interest and turned the
meeting over to Vice Chairman Mosher.
C. Change of Zone 92-072 and Tentative Tract Map 27613 - The Tradition of La
Quinta; a request of J. B. Gold to redesignate from R-I*++10,000 and R-2*
20,000 to R-2 Multiple Family Dwellings and redesignate from Hillside
Conservation to R-2 (Multiple Family Dwellings) and approve the development
of +446 acres of a 746.6 acre site into 399 single family lots and an 18 hole golf
course.
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. Vice Chairman Mosher asked if two story units would be allowed. Staff
stated they would not be allowed near Avenida Bermudas.
3. Commissioner Adolph asked what the developer planned to do with the
Hacienda Del Gato house and who would actually own it. Staff stated it
would be best if the Applicant answered these questions.
4. Vice Chairman Mosher asked how the Applicant planned on enforcing the
'No Parking' with the minimum width roads as planned. Where do the
maintenance and utility service people park? Discussion followed relative
to the street width, and the problems caused by narrower widths.
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September 22, 1992
5. Vice Chairman Mosher questioned the cul-de-sac turning radius being
reduced from 90-feet to 76-feet. Staff stated this was actually the same
size radius when its provided in private streets.
6. Vice Chairman Mosher opened the Public Hearing. Mr. J. B. Gold
addressed the Commission and gave a brief summary of the project. Vice
Chairman Mosher asked if the Applicant agreed with the conditions as
Staff had prepared. Mr. Gold stated that most of them were acceptable.
7. Commissioner Adolph asked what the Applicants intentions were for
Hacienda Del Gato. Mr. Gold stated it was their intent to refurbish and
restore the building and use it as a sales office presently and in the future
it would be his home or one of the partners in the project. Commissioner
Adolph agked if he had any objections to deed restrictions being placed on
the property. Mr. Gold stated he had no objections.
8. Mr. Ronald Gordon, resident to the north of the project, stated his
concern for the water drainage from the project to his property. He stated
a berm had been started but needed to be finished. He also stated his
concefi~ regarding noise. He understood a wall was to be constructed and
asked if it would be completed with this project. Also would the two
story tennis units block his view? Mr. Mike Smith, engineer for the
project, stated two story units were probably over a 1000-feet away and
should not block their view. He also stated they would be required to
have a noise study completed on the project.
9. Mr. Carl Cox, stated his concern about redesignating any hillside area.
Mr. Smith clarified the rezoning and stated it was not actually rezoning
but realigning to follow the toe of the mountain.
10. Ms. Sandy Swan, resident to the north of the project stated her concerns
regarding the following:
a. How many full time residents?
1.) Approximately 1/3.
b. The berm and bicycle path?
1.) To be completed.
c. What type of lighting will the tennis court have?
1.) Will conform with Dark Sky Ordinance.
d. The flood control lakes?
e. The drainage system on Rondo?
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Planning Commieeion M£nutee
September 22, 1992
f. The improvement landscaping, wall, and berm.
1.) Assistant City Engineer Steve Speer gave a description of
the drainage system.
g. The height of the clubhouse, and the height of the two story units.
1.) 28-feet maximum
h. A noise study/abatement.
1.) Will be completed before project is finished.
i. The square footage of the homes to be built.
1.) 1200 square feet minimum, but probably much larger.
j. What was the key punch system for the Fire Department on the
gates.
1.) This is a requirement of the Fire Department.
k. The rezoning of the hillside.
1.) There was no rezoning only realigning to follow the toe of
the mountain.
11. Mr. Gordon asked how they could be kept informed on the project.
Planning Director Jerry Herman stated that City Council hearing notices
would be mailed.
12. There being no further comments, Vice Chairman Mosher closed the
Public Hearing.
13. Commissioners discussed the street widths and how best to control the
"No Parking' problem. Following discussion it was recommended that
an additional condition be added stating, U Any changes to the 'No Street
Parking' requirements must have the approval of the City Engineer and
Fire Marshal on all streets less than 36-feet.'
14. Associate Planner Greg Trousdell asked the Commission to clarify
whether they wanted Conditions 80 and 81 added with the wording
changed regarding retaining the citrus trees and having Palo Verde trees
added to the street frontage. The Commission stated they wanted them
added, as amended.
15. There being no further comments, it was moved by Commissioner Adolph
and seconded by Commissioner Ellson to adopt Planning Commission
Resolution 92-030 recommending approval of Change of Zone 92-072 and
concurrence with the Environmental Analysis Planning Commission
Resolution 92-031 approving Tentative Tract Map 26713, subject to the
amended conditions.
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September 22, 1992
ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Commissioners Mosher, Ellson,
Marrs, Adolph. NOES: None. ABSENT:
None ABSTAINING: Chairwoman
Barrows.
IV. PUBLIC COMMENT: - None
V. BUSINESS SESSION
A. Minor Temporary Outdoor Event 924345; a request of Thunderbird Artists (Judi
Combs) for approval of fine art shows at the Plaza La Quinta Shopping Center
from November, 1992, to March, 1993.
1. Principal Planer Start Sawa presented the information contained in the
Staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Planning and Development
Department. He also stated that Staff would require the relocation of the
pon-a-toilets as well as prohibiting the loading/unloading of vehicles next
to Washington Street. Discussion followed as to possible traffic problems.
_ 2. Planning Director Jerry Herman stated that Condition #13 allowed the
City to shut down and review any problems that may occur during the
shows.
3. Following the discussion it was suggested that a condition be added
requiring the artists to use the south side of' the parking lot for loading and
unloading and to discourage patrons from parking there and causing traffic
problems.
4. There being no further discussion, it was moved by Commissioner Mosher
and seconded by Commissioner Man's to adopt Minute Motion 92-032
approving MTOE 924)45, subject to the amended conditions.
Unanimously approved.
VI. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. There being no corrections Commissioner Man's moved that the Minutes of
September 8, 1992 be approve as submitted. Commissioner Adolph seconded the
motion and it carried unanimously.
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Planning Commiesion Minutee
September 22, 1992
Planning Director Jerry Herman notified the Commissioners of the Coachella Valley Association
of Governments Conference at the Indian Wells Hyatt Grand Champions on October 30, 1992.
Anyone interested in attending was to notify the office at their earliest convenience.
Vlll. ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Commissioner Mosher and seconded by Commissioner Adolph to
adjourn this regular meeting of the Planning Commission to a special meeting on September 28,
1992, at 7:00 P.M. at the La Quinta YMCA Child Care Development Center. This meeting of
the La Quinta Planning Commission was adjourned at 10:41 P.M., September 22, 1992.
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