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PCMIN 12 12 1995 MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall 78495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA December 12, 1995 7:00 P.M. I. CALL TO ORDER A. This meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Vice Chairman Gardner who asked Commissioner Anderson to lead the flag salute. II. ROLL CALL A. Vice Chairman Gardner requested the roll call: Present: Commissioners Anderson, Barrows, Butler, and Vice Chairman Gardner. Absent: Commissioner Newkirk Chairman Abels. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Anderson/Barrows to excuse Chairman Abels and Commissioner Newkirk. B. Staffpresent: Community Development Director Jerry Herman, City Attorney Dawn Honeywell, Public Works Director Dave Cosper, Planning Manager Christine di Iorio, Senior Engineers Steve Speer and John Freeland, Principal Planner Stan Sawa, and Executive Secretary Betty Sawyer. III. PUBLIC COMMENT: None IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Tentative Tract 24890 - Time Extension 1. Staff explained that due to a lack of a quorum, this item was being continued as there were only four members of the Commission present at this meeting and two of the Commissioners must abstain, therefore there was no quorum of the Commission to review the item. The item was therefore continued to January 9, 1996. V. BUSINESS ITEMS m A. Special Advertising Device 95-090; a request of E. G. Williams Development Corporation for approval of a four-foot high by 22-foot long banner for temporary subdivision advertising to be placed don the exterior of the east perimeter wall facing Washington Street. PC12-12 1 Planning Commission Meeting December 12, 1995 1. Staff clarified this item would also be continued due to a lack of a quorum to review the item as Commissioner Butler would have to abstain due to a possible conflict of interest leaving only three Commissioners. Staff suggested this item be rescheduled to a special meeting of December 19, 1995, at 1:00 P.M. B. Median Island Landscaping for Highway 111; a request of the City for approval of a conceptual landscaping design for the Highway 111 medians. 1. Senior Engineer John Freeland presented the information contained in the staff report and gave a visual presentation of the proposed median landscaping. 2. Commissioner Anderson asked if the proposed hardscape, stamped concrete, rather than brick pavers was a function of maintenance. Senior Engineer Freeland stated this was true and also due to breakage, brick material is difficult to replace. 3. Commissioner Anderson asked if a similar pattern could be obtained with the concrete. Staff stated this was possible. 4. Commissioner Butler asked for clarification as to the location of the medians. Staff clarified the location and drainage breaks on the exhibit. 5. Commissioner Butler asked for clarification as to where the right turn-outs were to be located along the Highway 111 La Quinta Center. Staff stated they were to be as originally approved by the City and Caltrans for full median tums. The remainder would be right turn in/out only. 6. Commissioner Anderson asked if the plant palette was primarily shrubbery and did not include palm trees. Staff clarified that Caltrans would not allow the City to plant any trees in the medians. 7. Commissioner Barrows asked if the medians would be deSigned similar to those on 52nd Avenue as this designed in a regimental pattern. She stated the spacing needed to incorporate more rocks and spread out the Ocotillos. Public Works Director Dave Cosper explained the design was to back away. from the dense planting and have a more irregular planting. 8. Commissioner Anderson stated the landscaping which was organic and happenstance was more attractive. PC12-12 2 Planning Commission Meeting December 12, 1995 9. Commissioner Butler asked where the City monument sign was proposed to be located. Staff explained its location and stated it would not be located in any median. 10. Commissioner Barrows clarified that the median would block the left mm movement out of the Von's Shopping Center closest to Washington Street. Staff agreed and stated this was the purpose. 11. Commissioner Barrows asked if other native plants could be used such as the Brittlebush. She thought they would be more maintenance free. Public Works Director Dave Cosper explained that they had just received permission from the City Council to send out an Request for Proposals. The fn'm chosen could consider using this type of plant material. 12. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Butler/Anderson to adopt Minute Motion 95-054 approving the conceptual landscaping design for the Highway 111 medians, subject to non-regular spacing and inclusion of Brittlebush. Unanimously approved. C. Street Name Change 95-007; a request of the City for approval to change the name of the cul-de-sac portion of Calle Paloma to Paloma Court. 1. Principal Planner Stan Sawa presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. 2. Vice Chairman Gardner asked about the house numbering, especially on the west side of Calle Paloma. One side was in the 200's and the other 065; he asked if they would mn sequentially, or what? Staff stated they were unaware of the numbering system, but they would look into the matter. Vice Chairman Gardner stated he was concerned about emergency vehicles being able to locate houses due to the addresses. Community Development Director Jerry Herman stated staff would refer the matter to the Building and Safety Department for their review. 3. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Barrows/ to adopt Resolution 95-047 recommending approval of the cul-de-sac street name change from Calle Paloma to Paloma Court. ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Anderson, Barrows, Butler, and Vice Chairman Gardner. NOES: None. ABSENT: Commissioner Newkirk and Chairman Abels. ABSTAIN: None. PCl2-12 3 Planning Commission Meeting December 12, 1995 VI. CONSENT CALENDAR- None VII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS A. Commissioner Butler asked staff if the Planning Commissioners Attendance at Council Meeting list was ready. Staff stated they were waiting for the appointment of a new Commissioner by the City Council before scheduling the Commissioners to attend the meetings. B. Community Development Director Jerry Herman asked the Commission if they had any suggestions for dates for the joint meeting with the City Council. He went on to explain their options and stated the Council wished to have the meeting late January, 1996. January did have a fifth Tuesday which would be an option. Follo .wing discussion, it was determined that January 30, 1996, would be suggested to Council as a joint meeting date. Agenda discussion items would be discussed at the January 9th Commission meeting. VIII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Butler/Barrows to adjourn this meeting of the Planning Commission to a special meeting on December 19, 1996, at 7:00 P.M. This meeting of the Planning Commission was adjourned at 7:25 P.M. Unanimously approved. PC12-12 4