PCMIN 10 12 1993 PLANNING COMMISSION- CITY OF LA QUINTA
A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall
78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, California
October 12, 1993 7:00 P.M.
I. CALL TO ORDER
A. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Chairwoman Barrows who led
the flag salute.
II. ROLL CALL
A. Chairwoman Barrows requested the roll call. Present: Commissioners Adolph,
Ellson, Marrs, Abels, and Chairwoman Barrows.
C. Staff Present: Planning Director Jerry Herman, Principal Planner Stan Sawa,
Associate Planner Greg Trousdell, Assistant City Engineer Steve Speer, Parks and
Recreation Manager Clint Bohlen, and Department Secretary Betty Sawyer.
III. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Continued - Change of Zone 91-066. Specific Plan 92-023. Tentative Tract
27854. and Plot Plan 93-022; a request of JASCORP for approval of a change of
zone designation for from R-l, R-2'8,000, and C-P to R-2; a specific plan to
develop design and architectural standards for a 124 unit planned unit
development project; a tentative tract map to subdivide 12+ acres into 124 single
family lots; and a plot plan to develop a low and moderate income zero lot line
single family home project.
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. Staff stated the number of units had been
reduced to 116 from the original plan of 124, and the applicant had
submitted two options. Option B deleted a few units which were adjacent
to the Washington Street bridge which was a concern of the Planning
Commission on September 28, 1993, because of the City's future street
widening plans.
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Planning Commission Minutes
October 12, 1993
2. Commissioner Ellson questioned Condition//13 of the specific plan. She
requested that wood for the garage doors be omitted. Commissioner
Abels questions the possibility of requiting automatic garage door openers.
3. Commissioner Ellson asked if Condition #13 of the tentative tract needed
to be amended to add Sheriffs Department for providing access to the
gate. Discussion followed regarding the different type of gate keys, etc.,
as well as on-street parking.
4. Chairwoman Barrows asked if the security lighting proposed met the Dark
Sky Ordinance requirements. Staff stated they would be reviewed when
they were submitted for plan check. Commissioner Adolph asked if staff
recommended the high pressure lights. Discussion followed regarding the
different type of lights.
5. Chairwoman Barrows asked about Condition #8 and how the recycling
plan would fit in with the City. Staff stated the City was in the process
of setting up a recycling program with Waste Management of the Desert,
but a recycling area would be added to the refuse area abutting the
clubhouse.
6. Commissioner Ellson asked if the recreation building was still going to be
a day care center and if so would the swimming pool be relocated and will
it be reviewed by the Planning Commission again. Staff stated the
recreation building would go back to the Design Review Board for their
approval. Discussion followed regarding relocating the building and/or
the swimming pool.
7. There being no further questions of staff, Chairwoman Barrows opened
the public hearing. Mr. Joe Swain, representing JASCORP, spoke
regarding the project. He stated the recreation building use had not been
determined as of yet. He went on to introduce Mr. Joe DeCoster architect
for the project.
8. Mr. DeCoster went over the floor plans of the different units.
Commissioner Adolph asked what the size of the patio slabs would be.
Mr. DeCoster stated they would be no less than 6' X 8'.
9. Commissioner Adolph asked if landscaping was going to be provided for
the affordable housing units. Mr. DeCoster stated the backyards would
be landscaped.
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Planning Commission Minutes
October 12, 1993
10. Ms. Rosaline Davis, resident of Paloma Court, asked the Commission to
explain what affordable housing meant. Staff stated affordable housing
was based upon the income of the purchaser. A certain percentage would
be medium income, a percentage low income, and a percentage very low
income. The County would determine who and how people would
qualify. Discussion followed regarding how affordable housing is
determined.
11. Ms. Davis asked if association fees were going to be charged how would
these people be able to pay it. In addition, she expressed concern for a
one car garage unit. Commissioner Marrs explained that the developer
would provide a two car garage option on the largest unit if the future
owner was interested and the lot could accommodate the additional garage.
12. There being no further public comment, Chairwoman Barrows closed the
public hearing.
13. Chairwoman Barrows stated that the affordable housing locations in La
Quinta were limited and the City was required by the State to provide
affordable housing. There are some affordable houses in the Cove but
more are needed. She further stated that this was a good location and the
tract would be attractive when completed.
14. Commissioner Adolph asked how the City would control the CC & R's.
Staff stated the City does not enforce CC & R's but if the City's
Redevelopment Agency gets involved, the City will see that the houses are
maintained by the contracts that are drawn up between the homeowner and
the City. All other units are subject to control by the homeowners'
association. The Planning Commission will review the final CC & R's
before they are recorded.
15. Commissioner Adolph asked how many of the units the developer would
be affordable. Staff stated that number had not been determined yet.
Discussion followed regarding affordable housing requirements.
16. Commissioner Ables stated he felt the project was needed in La Quinta
but it was hard to find a location to accommodate such a project. He
further stated that with the changes that had been made to the project, that
homeowner pride of ownership would help to dictate the maintenance of
the project. Commissioners Marrs and Ellson agreed.-
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Planning Commission Minutes
October 12, 1993
17. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Ellson/Marrs to adopt Planning Commission Resolution
93-035 recommending to the City Council approval of Change of Zone
91-066 and recommending concurrence with the proposed Negative
Declaration.
ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Commissioners Adolph, Ellson,
Man's, Abels, Chairwoman Barrows.
NOES: None. ABSENT: None.
ABSTAINING: None.
Commissioners Ellson/Marrs moved to adopt Planning Commission
Resolution 93-036 and 93-037 recommending to the City Council approval
of Specific Plan 93-023 and Tentative Tract 27854 and recommending to
the City Council concurrence with the approval of the Negative
Declaration of the Environmental Impact subject to the attached
Conditions of Approval with the modification of Condition #13 of the
specific plan to delete the use of wood doors, and Condition #13 of the
tentative tract to read "Fire and Police access", as shown in Exhibit "B".
Exhibit "B" has 116 units and a reduction in the number of units at the
Washington Street bridge.
ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Commissioners Adolph, Ellson,
Marrs, Abels, Chairwoman Barrows.
NOES: None. ABSENT: None.
ABSTAINING: None.
Commissioners Ellson/Adolph moved to adopt Minute Motion 93-046
approving Plot Plan 93-0 2~ subject to the Conditions of Approval and as
shown in Exhibit "B". Unanimously approved.
IV. PUBLIC COMMENT: None
V. BUSINF3S SESSION:
A. Minor Temporary Outdoor Event 93-057; a request of Thunderbird Artists (Judi
Combs) for approval of fine art shows at Plaza La Quinta from November 6,
1993 through April, 1994.
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.
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October 12, 1993
2. There being no questions of staff, Commissioners Abels/Ellson moved and
seconded a motion to adopt Minute Motion 93-047 approving Minor
Temporary Outdoor Event 93-057, subject to conditions. Unanimously
approved.
B. palm Royale Park Desi~,n; a request of the City for review and approval of a park
design.
1. Parks and Recreation Manager Clint Bohlen 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 if this design satisfied the neighbors. Staff
stated this was what the homeowners who attended the meetings wanted.
Commissioner Adolph asked if this design met the Parks and Recreation
Master Plan. Staff stated it was more passive than what was planned for.
3. Commissioner Abels asked if a basketball court could be added at a later
date. Staff stated other amenities could be added later.
4. Commissioner Ellson stated the park was not very far from the North La
Quinta Park and the High School was within walking distance for courts
and ball fields. This park seemed to be designed more for the smaller
child.
5. Commissioner Adolph asked if the existing trees would remain. Staff
stated they would and discussion followed regarding size and species of
trees to be added.
6. Commissioner Ellson asked what the streamer effect was on the site plans.
Staff stated they were decorative walkways. Staff went on to explain the
decomposed granite jogging path.
7. Commissioners discussed with staff restroom facilities and whether the
ground work should be laid at the time of construction for future
construction of the restrooms. Staff stated that the construction of the
restrooms would be 1/3 of the cost of building the entire park and
therefore, it was felt they would not build the restrooms. In addition, the
community did not want any since they wre in close proximity to their
house.
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Planning Commission Minutes
October 12, 1993
8. Chairwoman Barrows asked about solar lighting for the project.
Discussion followed regarding the kind of lighting and the costs.
9. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Abels/Ellson to adopt Planning Commission Resolution
93-038 recommending approval of Palm Royale Park design as submitted.
ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Commissioners Adolph, Ellson,
Marrs, Abels, Chairwoman Barrows.
NOES: None. ABSENT: None.
ABSTAINING: None.
C. Discussion of R-1 Standards; a request of the Commission for discussion with
staff.
1. Commissioner Ellson would like some input into the R-1 requirements
before staff submitted the changes to the City Council. She felt the
minimum house size should be 1200 square feet and the minimum lot size
8,000 square feet. In addition, the total minimum sideyard should be 15-
feet. Each side could be any combination. Discussion followed regarding
sideyard setback combinations.
2. Commissioner Adolph stated this should be restrictive to planned tracts
and not for single family dwellings such as the Cove.
3. Staff went on to explain the problems that could be incurred with Fire
Code requirements.
4. Commissioner Ellson suggested that the minimum sideyard setback be 5-
feet with a total setback of 15-feet for both sides. Discussion followed
regarding different alternatives.
5. Commissioner Adolph asked if there should be any restrictions on the size
of units being built adjacent to larger units. Chairwoman Barrows felt
there should be a preservation of the neighborhood. Staff stated this was
one of the directives given them by the Council.
6. Commissioner Ellson asked if there should be any differential within the
R- 1 requirements.
7. There being no further comment, Commissioners asked staff to bring their
conclusions back to them before presentation to the City Council.
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__ Planning Commission Minutes
October 12, 1993
VI. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. There being no corrections to the Minutes of September 28, 1993, Commissioners
Abels/Marrs moved and seconded a motion to approve the Minutes as submitted.
Unanimously approved.
VII. OTHER- None
vm. ADJOURNMENT
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
October 26, 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 8:33 P.M., October 12, 1993.
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