PCMIN 11 09 1993 MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION - CITY OF LA QUINTA
A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall
78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, California
November 9, 1993 7:00 P.M.
I. CALL TO oRDER
..
A.' The meeting was called to order at 7:03 P.M. by Chairwoman Barrows and
Commissioner Adolph was asked to lead the flag salute.
H. ROLL CALI~
A. Chairwoman Barrows requested the roll call. Present: Commissioners Adolph,
Ellson, Man's, Abels, and Chairwoman Barrows.
C. Staff Present: Planning Director Jerry Herman, Principal Planner Start Sawa,
Associate Planner Greg Trousdell, Assistant City Engineer Steve Speer, and
Department Secretary Betty Sawyer.
IT1. PUBLIC HEARING~
A. Continued - Conditional Use Permit 93-008 and Variance 93-023; a request of
Agustin Martinez for 'approval to remodel and enlarge an existing 1,581 square
foot commercial building and a request to vary from the C-V-N Zoning District
standards (street sideyard setback) and modify the City's Off-Street Parking Code
requirements.
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 stated his concern regarding the legal issues of the
common driveway on Calle Tampico and the City Attorney's answer was
only 'iffy'. He asked if the City had determined that the area was posted.
Staff stated that the applicant intended to post the area. Discussion
followed regarding the problem.
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Plann£ng Commission M£nutes
November 9, 1993
3. Commissioner Abels stated hc was concerned about the Circle K Ic~ler and
their intention to "aggressively pursue their rights". Chairwoman Barrows
stated this problem was between the applicant and Circle K and not a City
concern. Staff stated that they had asked the applicant if he intended to
speak with Circle K and the applicant indicated he had no intentions of
speaking with them based on his discussion with his attorney.
4. Commissioner Adolph asked if Circle K had any intention of appearing
before the Commission on their own behalf. Staff stated they felt if they
intended to do so it would be at the City Council meeting.
5. There being no further questions of staff, Chairwoman Barrows opened
the public hearing. Mr. Martinez, the applicant, clarified his position in
· regards to pursuing any legal discussion with Circle K.
6. Commissioner Ellson asked the applicant how leaving the acr. e. ss as it is
would hurt his business. Mr. Martinez stated his concern was for the
potential danger to his customers because of the cars going all directions.
7. Commissioner Ellson asked if the parking lot was on the east side (90
degree parking) and the combined entrance with Circle K could be
maintained. Discussion followed regarding the driveway entrance.
8. Commissioner Ellson stated the whole strip along Calle Tampico was a
circulation problem and asked if it possible for the Planning Commission
to address the whole area at this time (e.g., common on-site driveway
aisles). Staff stated the City has no recourse to cause the other business
to comply. Discussion followed as to how to solve the problem.
9. Chairwoman Barrows suggested that the parking be slanted or angled on
the west side and construct a wall/planter half the distance and it would
still allow cars to enter from Avenida Bermudas. Discussion followed
regarding alternatives and the problems with truck deliveries.
10. Commissioner Ellson asked what staff would recommend. Staff stated
their recommendation was to continue with the existing shared parking and
access program. The Commissioners discussed slanting the parking to the
north and other circulation patterns.
11. There being no further public comment, Chairwoman Barrows closed the
public hearing and opened the matter for Commission discussion.
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Plann£n9 Co~aiss£on Ninutes
November 9, 1993
12. Staff discussed with the Commissioners which direction of angle parking
would work the best and the number of driveways needed to make it
work.
13. Commissioner Man's stated he felt the best alternative was to angle the
parking south with a sawtooth curb and planter (east property line) and
open up the Circle K driveway, and plant trees in the angles.
14. Following discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Marrs/Adolph to adopt Resolution 93-042 recommending approval of
Conditional Use Permit 93-008, subject to conditions and the deletion of
Condition #13 and the addition of Condition #41 requiring the sawtooth
planters.
ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Adolph, Ellson, Man's,
Abels, Chairwoman Barrows. NOES: None.
ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None.
15. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Marts/Adolph to adopt
Resolution 93-043 recommending approval of Variance 93-023, subject to
conditions and the amendment of Condition #6 requiring a one way aisle
and an 18-foot minimum driveway width.
ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Adolph, Ellson, Marrs,
Abels, Chairwoman Barrows. NOES: None.
ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None.
IV. PUBLIC COMMENT: None
V. BUSINESS SESSION:
A. Plot Plan 93-512; a request of TD Desert Developers (Chuck Strother) for
approval of preliminary landscaping plans, gated entrance, and administration
building for 48th Avenue.
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 asked if the
applicant wished to address the Commission. Mr. Chuck Strother
explained the project to the Commission and stated he had no objection to
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Planning Commission Minutes -
November 9, 1993
the Conditions of Approval except for the Design Review Board Condition
#1. He stated he was requesting using the Eucalyptus tree instead of the
Date Palm in order to make a transition from the landscape design on the
north side of 48th Avenue to the design used in his project.
3. Commissioner Ellson asked the applicant to clarify where the citrus would
be used and if there was any difference with the maintenance of the
Eucalyptus tree. Mr. Strother stated the Eucalyptus would be less
maintenance due to the variety of tree they were using.
4. Commissioner Ellson asked if the applicant had revised the
restroom/lunchroom location on his plans. Mr. Strother stated they would
be redrawn.
5. Chairwoman Barrows asked the applicant what the planting material would
be used on the chain link fence. Mr. Strother stated he would not make
that decision until the noise study had been completed as the fence
material used would be according to what the study required.
6. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Abels/Marts to adopt Minute Motion 93-051 approving
Plot Plan 93-512, subject to the recommended conditions amending
Condition #1 to recommend Eucalyptus trees in the place of the Date Palm
trees.
VI. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. There being no corrections to the Minutes of October 26, 1993, Commissioners
Abels/Marrs moved and seconded a motion to approve the Minutes as submitted.
Unanimously approved.
Vll. OTHER
Staff informed the Commission that a tentative date had been set for a joint meeting between the
City Council, Planning Commission, and Design Review Board for November 30, 1993, at 7:00
P.M.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Abels/Adolph to adjourn this regular
meeting of the Planning Commission to a regular meeting of the Planning Commission on
November 23, 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., November 9, 1993.
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