PCMIN 07 27 1993 MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION- CITY OF LA QUINTA
A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall
78-105 Calle Estado, La Quinta, California
July 27, 1993 7:00 P.M.
I. CALL TO ORDER
A. The meeting was called to order at 7:01 P.M. by Chairwoman Barrows.
Commissioner Ellson led the flag salute.
H. ROLL CALL
A. ChairWoman Barrows requested the roll call. Present: Commissioners Adolph,
Ellson, Man's, Abels, and Chairwoman Barrows.
B. Staff Present: Planning Director Jerry Herman, Principal Planner Stan Sawa,
Associate Planner Greg Trousdell, Associate Planner Leslie Mouriquand-Cherry,
and Department Secretary Betty Sawyer.
IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Public Use Permit 93-015; a request of Pactel Cellular to allow the attachment
and operation of a cellular antenna to an existing tower structure and the
construction of a 484 square foot equipment support building.
1. Associate Planner Leslie Moufiquand-Cherry 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 if the chainlink fence was in compliance
with the City regulations. Planning Director Jerry Herman stated the
Imperial Irrigation District 0ID) site was constructed under the County
regulations and when it was annexed into the City the fence was
grandfathered. Commissioner Ellson asked if it was landscaped. Staff
stated it was not.
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July 27, 1993
3. Chairwoman Barrows opened the public hearing and asked if the applicant
had any comment. The applicant stated he was available to answer any
questions of the Commission.
4. There being no questions of the applicant, Chairwoman Barrows closed
the public hearing.
5. There being no comment, Commissioners Abels/Ellson moved to adopt
Minute Motion 93-037 approving Public Use Permit 93-015 subject to
conditions. Unanimously approved.
B. Tentative Tract 23995 (3rd Extension of Time) and Parcel Map 26860 (lst
Extension of Time; a request of A. G. Spanos Construction, Inc. for approval of
a one year time extension for two previously approved subdivision maps.
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 Marts asked if there were overhead power lines going
through the middle of Parcel 1. Staff stated there were.
3. Commissioner Adolph asked if this was the last extension that could be
requested. Staff stated this was the last extension for the tentative tract
and specific plan as the two relate to each other and if one expires then
both expire. The parcel map would remain and they would have to
reapply for a development plan for the property.
4. Commissioner Ellson asked if the entire Parcel 3 is designated for a park
site. Staff stated no, it would probably be modified sometime in the
future to conform with the General Plan. Whoever develops the property
will probably file a plot plan to reconfigure the project as only 1.4 acres
is required for parkland.
5. Commissioner Ellson asked staff to explain the remainder lot. Staff
explained the process.
6. There being no further questions of staff, Chairwoman Barrows opened
the public heating. Mr. Ray Hanes, representing the applicant, addressed
the Commission and stated they had a buyer for the project and asked for
clarification of Condition # 16. Staff stated this applied to the grading plan
and asked the Engineering Department to address the question. Steve
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Speer, Assistant City Engineer stated this condition should apply to all
plans prepared for the project. Mr. Bruce Maize, Vista Development the
prospective buyers of the project stated he was asking for clarification
because the condition applied to requirements regarding grading and now
it applies to the whole project. He stated he would like it to be reworded
to comply with the original condition. Mr. Speer stated that most of the
condition was Sta~ law and the City does require supervision during
construction and will also require this supervision. Commissioner Marrs
asked for clarification. Mr. Speer stated this requirement was to augment
City inspections as the City did not have the staff to handle all the
necessary inspections. Therefore, the City has required the condition in
order to obtain the necessary certification of the project. Discussion
followed.
7. Commissioner Ellson asked if the buyer was purchasing the entire project
or part. Mr. Hanes stated they were purchasing the entire project.
Commissioner Ellson asked if they were planning to build the plan as
shown or would they be revising the project. Mr. Hanes stated he could
not speak for the prospective buyers.
8. Commissioner Adolph asked if there was any type of schedule for the
project. Mr. Maize stated that the purchase will close in September and
based on a timely process of the mapping and design they expected it to
take 6-9 months to deliver a final map. All things are conditioned on the
market but their position was to start in the second quarter of 1994.
9. Mr. Maize asked if Condition//24 had been addressed regarding the street
setback for Adams Street. Staff stated that it had been revised to a ten
foot setback.
10. There being no further questions, Chairwoman Barrows closed the public
heating.
11. Commissioner Ellson questioned Condition//29 in that she felt more trees
were required. Staff stated that they were required to meet the R-1
standards according to Condition #25. Chairwoman Barrows asked that
the Condition be amended to show five trees are required on a comer.
12. Commissioner Ellson asked what should be done to bring the map into
compliance with the General Plan. Staff stated that the project has been
conditioned to comply with the General Plan. Commissioner Ellson stated
she still had a problem with the density of the project. She felt that a
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multi-family project was needed in this area but the density was to much.
Discussion followed regarding the density.
13. There being no further questions, Commissioners Adolph/Abels moved to
adopt Planning Commission Resolution 93-029 approving Tentative Tract
23995, 3rd extension of time, subject to conditions.
ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Commissioners Adolph,
Ellson, Marrs, Abels & Chairwoman
Barrows. NOES: None.
ABSENT: None. ABSTAINING:
None.
14. Commissioners Marrs/Adolph moved to adopt Planning Commission
Resolution 93-030 approving Parcel Map 26860, 1st extension of time,
subject to conditions.
ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Commissioners Adolph,
Ellson, Marrs, Abels & Chairwoman
Barrows. NOES: None.
ABSENT: None. ABSTAINING:
None.
IV. PUBLIC COMMENT: None
V. BUSINESS SESSION:
A. Plot Plan 93-504; a request of Winchester Asset Management for La Quinta Golf
Properties for approval of a maintenance building and security guardhouse.
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 asked if there was adequate drainage due to the
location of the building. Staff stated this would be reviewed and approved
by the Engineering Department.
3. Chairwoman Barrows asked if the applicant wished to address the
Commission. Mr. Craig Bryant, applicant, stated that the maintenance
facility was below grade and would not be visible. If any portion was
visible, it would be landscaped to hide it. Mr. Bryant showed samples of
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the stone to be used. He went on to explain that the guardhouse was
designed to be quiet and make a simple statement. Mr. Bryant asked that
he be given permission to leave in or take out the columns that were
required by the Design Review Board.
4. Commissioner Adolph stated his concern for the lack of shade for the
project's customers. Mr. Bryant pointed out that most of the guardhouses
throughout the Valley were not covered and he showed several pictures
of guardhouses throughout the Valley and in other states. Commissioner
Adolph stated La Quinta was not concerned with what other cities were
requiring, but only what La Quinta wanted and he felt additional shade
was needed. Discussion followed regarding overhangs.
5. Commissioner Marrs stated he did not think other country clubs had
overhangs at their guardhouses. Commissioner Marrs stated he had no
problem with the plans as presented. Commissioner Abels stated he
concurred. Chairwoman Barrows stated she was in support of the
understatement philosophy and she additionally felt the columns should be
removed.
6. Commissioner Ellson stated she agreed with the understatement. She
initially felt the shade was necessary but understood the reason for not
having it. Additionally, she preferred the columns be removed. Her
concern was for the use of grey stones and plants that are grey in color
and there would be a lack of color contrast to make the building more
colorful.
7. Commissioner Adolph asked the applicant why he did not use a mansard
to tie the clubhouse and maintenance buildings together. Mr. Bryant
stated he felt it would be a waste of money as the building will never been
seen.
8. There being no further comment, Commissioners Marts/Abels moved to
adopt Minute Motion 93-038 approving Plot Plan 93-504 as submitted,
subject to a condition that the columns be deleted. Unanimously
approved.
8. Mr. Bryant asked for clarification as to which conditions the Commission
was approving. Staff stated they were the last three pages of the staff
report, Conditions 1-22, with the addition of a condition to remove the
columns.
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¥I. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Commissioners Ellson/Marrs moved and seconded a motion to approve the
Minutes of July 13, 1993 as corrected. Unanimously approved.
VII. OTHER -
A. Commissioner Ellson asked staff if the newsletter "Livable Places Update" was
available to the Commissioners. Staff stated they would order the newsletter.
B. Commissioner Ellson asked if staff could acknowledge Mr. Levin from Lake La
Quinta and thank him for his comments regarding the landscaping at the One
Eleven La Quinta Center. Staff stated they would do so.
C. Commissioner Adolph asked for clarification regarding the memo they received
concerning the roles and responsibilities of the Design Review Board and
Planning Commission concerning the wording "conditional recommendation".
Planning Director Jerry Herman explained this only applies to a condition that
will cause any action to take place after the City Council approves a project.
Commissioner Adolph asked for clarification on the word "major redesign".
Planning Director Jerry Herman explained the Council wanted to approve the
project in its final form. Discussion followed regarding examples. Staff stated
the object was to get the project through in a timely manner.
D. Commissioner Ellson asked if there was any additional City processing cost to the
applicant for continuing the project. Staff stated there was no cost unless it was
an appeal of the applicant.
VIII. AD.IOURNMENT
A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Adolph/Abels to adjourn this regular
meeting of the Planning Commission to a regular meeting of the Planning Commission on
August 24, 1993, at 7:00 P.M. at the La Quinta City Hall Council Chambers. This meeting of
the La Quinta Planning Commission was adjourned at 8:22 P.M., July 27, 1993.
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