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PCMIN 01 23 1996 MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA January 23, 1996 7:00 P.M. I. CALL TO ORDER A. This meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order at 7:03 P.M. by Chairman Abels who asked Commissioner Gardner to lead the flag salute. II. ROLL CALL A. Chairman Abels introduced new Commissioner Robert Tyler and welcomed him to the Commission. .B. Chairman Abels requested the roll call: Present: Commissioners Anderson, Barrows, Butler, Gardner, Newkirk, Tyler, and Chairman Abels. C. Staff present: Community Development Director Jerry Herman, City Attorney Dawn Honeywell, Planning Manager Christine di Iorio, and Executive Secretary Betty Sawyer. III. PUBLIC COMMENT: None IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Continued - Tentative Tract ?4890; a request of KSL Recreation Corporation, Inc. For approval of a third one year time extension for Phase 9 to create 37 lots consisting of three single family, 37 duplexes, and five lettered lots on ten acres within Specific Plan 85-006. 1. Chairman Abels informed the Commission that a request had been received from the applicant requesting another continuance. There being no discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Anderson/Butler to continue the project to the Planning Commission meeting of February 13, 1996. V. BUSINESS ITEMS A. Special Advertising Device 95-070; a request of the La Quinta Arts Foundation for approval of temporary advertising for the 1996 La Quinta .Arts Festival at the Frances Hack Park in March. PC1-23 Planning Commission Meeting January 23, 1996 1. Planning Manager Christine di Iorio presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. 2. Commissioner Anderson asked if there were any significant changes in this request from the prior years. Staff stated there were none. 3. There being no discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Butler/Newkirk to adopt Minute Motion 96-003 approving Special Advertising Device 95-070, subject to conditions. Unanimously approved. VI. CONSENT CALENDAR A. There being no corrections to the minutes of January 9, 1996, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Anderson/Gardner to approve the minutes as submitted. Unanimously approved. VII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS A. Chairman Abels asked who would be attending the League of California Cities Planners Conference in Long Beach, March 20-22, 1996. Commissioner indicating they were attending were: Commissioners Abels, Anderson, Barrows, Butler, Gardner, Newkirk, Tyler. Chairman Abels asked that the Expense forms with instructions be included in the Commissioner's packets for the conference. B. Chairman Abels reminded the Commission of the joint meeting with the City Council on January 30th at 7:00 P.M. in the Session Room at City Hall. He stressed the importance of everyone attending. Community Development Director Jerry Herman clarified that this meeting would be for the purpose of general discussion on the items listed on the Joint Meeting Agenda. Council would be attending their own work session to determine their priorities. A second joint meeting with the Planning Commission to discuss issues in detail will be scheduled in the future. 1. Commissioner Butler asked staffto define the geographic area of the Village. Community Development Director Jerry Herman explained it encompassed about 100 acres and gave the street boundaries. Commissioner Butler asked if there would be any purpose to adding any other properties to the district. Staff stated it could be done, but the problems with adding additional area has been that when you expand the Village area, it creates more vacant land and devalues the properties within the boundaries. Commissioner Butler asked if there were any advantages to property owners to be included in the Village area. Staff stated that the Village property is zoned commercial instead of residential thus increasing the property value. PC 1-23 Planning Commission Meeting January 23, 1996 C. Chairman Abels reminded the Commissioners to attend the Workshop Brown Act that would be given by the City Attorney. City Attorney Dawn Honeywell stated it was primarily for new Commission members. There had been no changes since the last seminar and if the Commissioners are attending regular update meetings regarding the Act, then there was no reason to attend. 1. Commissioner Newkirk asked how long the meeting will last. City Attorney Dawn Honeywell stated it would take about an hour. D. Chairman Abels stated that each Commissioner had received their list indicating which Commissioner is to attend City Council meetings. A report would be given at the next meeting. E. Chairman Abels gave a report of the American Planning Association Planning Commissioners Session in Redlands. Of particular interest was the dissention that exists within other cities between the commissioners. Chairman Abels commended his fellow Commissioners for being a working body that does their homework. He A reaffirmed that each Commissioner needed to make commitment to attend all the Commission meetings as well as study sessions. He indicated there were times when it would be necessary to miss, but it was important to attend all the meetings. 1. Commissioner Newkirk stated he too had attended the meeting in Redlands. He now realizes how important it is to know as much as possible about the project that is to be reviewed. He had never thought to talk with staff, prior to the meeting, regarding the project. Another important issue that was pointed out at the meeting, was to never embarrass staff at a meeting. Commissioners should ask questions before the meeting to be informed about the project. Give the applicant time to make his case; don't make promises you can't keep; and don't be afraid to state your opinion. 2. Commissioner Tyler stated that having just been sworn in as a Commissioners, everything at the meeting was interesting. It was an interesting introduction regarding what happens in other cities. 4. Chairman Abels stated it was important not to alienate the staff. Don't be afraid to voice your opinion. Commissioners need to let it be known at the meetings if they had met with an applicant prior to the meeting so that it is .__ entered into the minutes. PC 1-23 Planning Commission Meeting January 23, 1996 5. Chairman Abels asked that the Commissioners at their next meeting, be prepared to state which sessions at the LCC Conference they wish to attend. This would ensure all sessions would be attended. 6. Commissioner Barrows welcomed Mr. Tyler to the Commission. She shared her history and experiences during her five years on the Planning Commission. E. Department update - staff stated there was nothing new to report. VIII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Gardner/Barrows to adjourn this meeting of the Planning Commission to a special meeting on January 30, 1996, at 7:00 P.M. This meeting of the Planning Commission was adjourned at 7:25 P.M. Unanimously approved. PC1-23