PCMIN 04 09 1996 MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall
78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA
April 9, 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 City Attorney Dawn Honeywell to lead the flag salute.
II. ROLL CALL
A. Chairman Abels requested the roll call: Present: Commissioners Anderson, Butler,
Gardner, Newkirk, Tyler, and Chairman Abels.
B. Commissioners Anderson/Newldrk moved and seconded a .motion to excuse
-- Commissioner Barrows. Unanimously approved.
C. 'Staff present: City Attomey Dawn Honeywell, Planning Manager Christine di Iorio,
and Executive Secretary Betty Sawyer. "
III. PUBLIC COMMENT:
Ms. Barbara Irwin, a representative of the Human Resources Commission, informed the
Commission that on April 18, 1996, at 7:00 P.M., at the La Quinta Senior Center, the Human
Resources Commission would be hosting a Community Visioning Workshop. Mr. Robert
Tylerbaum, Palm Springs Theater Sports will be the facilitator and students from the La
Quinta High School will be illustrators. The purpose of the workshop is to identify
community issues and set goals and determine how to accomplish those goals as they pertain
to the elements of the Work Plan. The City of La Quinta is being considered for a Healthy
City Grant; a grant program funded by the State and local governments. The Chairman of
the Planning Commission and all Commissioners are invited to attend. Chairman Abels
thanked Ms. Irwin for her announcement and encouraged all Planning Commissioners to
attend.
Chairman Abels informed the Commission that a request had been received from Radio Station
KLCX-FM, Ms. Learma Hofman to add an item to the agenda. Commissioner Gardner asked why
the applicant, was unable to meet the application deadlines. Planning Manager Christine di Iorio
explained that due to an illness of the applicant, they were unable to meet the deadlines. Following
discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Buffer/Tyler to accept the request to
consider Special Advertising Device 96-095. Due to the event taking place before the next Planning
Commission meeting, it was reasonable to. place the item on the agenda. Unanimously approved.
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April 9, 1996
IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Continued - Conditional Use Permit 96-024. Variance 96-024. and Environmental
Assessment 96-313; a request of KSL Recreation Corporation, Inc. for certification
of the Mitigated Negative Declaration of environmental impact; approval to expand
the existing La Quinta Resort & Club Golf Course Maintenance Facility onto the
adjoining lot to the east; and approval of a variance from the development standards
of the Special Residential Zone District to allow a six-foot high wall instead of a
four-foot high wall along Avenida Carranza.
Commissioners Anderson and Gardner withdrew due to a possible conflict of interest.
1. Chairman Abels stated the applicant requested a continuance of this item to
· the Planning Commission meeting of May 28, 1996.
2. Chairman Abels asked staff why the item was being continued so long. Staff
clarified that the applicant had submitted a letter explaining they needed the
additional time to address the noise assessment.
3. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Butler/Tyler to continue the
item to May 28, 1996. Unanimously approved.
Commissioners Anderson and Gardner rejoined the meeting.
VI. BUSINESS ITEMS
A. Snecial Advertising Device 96-095; a request of Ms. Leanna Hofman, promotions
director ofKLCX FM Radio Station for approval of a 32-foot high cold air balloon
for a one-day outdoor event in the One Eleven La Quinta Shopping Center parking
lot.
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 Butler asked why this was being brought before the Planning
Commission so late. Planning Manager Christine di Iorio stated it was before
the Commission at the request of the applicant. Further requests of this
nature under the updated Zoning Ordinance, would be approved by staff. '
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April 9, 1996
3. Commissioner Newkirk asked if the balloon would cause any traffic hazards.
Staff stated they did not expect any traffic problems. Commissioner Newkirk
asked about the height of the balloon. Discussion followed regarding the
balloon structure.
4. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Anderson/Butler to adopt Minute Motion 96-014 approving
Special Advertising Device 96-095, subject to the attached conditions and
with the request that the applicant be notified that the Planning Commission
did not appreciate the late request. Unanimously approved.
VI. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Chairman Abels asked if there were any corrections to the Minutes of March 26,
1996.
1. Commissioner Gardner asked that the Minutes be amended to include the
discussion regarding the 4" X 4" posts being "nominal". Staff stated the
comments had been added to the ordinance, but as the discussion took place
-- during the Study Session they would not be reflected in the minutes. In
addition, Commissioner Gardner asked that Page 3, Item 11, the 'first
sentence be changed to read, "...clarified that the proposed changes be
recommended..."
2. Commissioner Tyler asked that the minutes be corrected on Page 11, Item #2
to read, "...that the logo be eliminated or relocated to...", and on Item #5,
eliminate the last sentence.
3. There being no further corrections to the minutes, it was moved and seconded
by Commissioners Gardner/Butler to approve the Minutes as corrected
Unanimously approved.
VII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS
A. City Attorney Dawn Honeywell stated that the City Council had directed staff to
inform all the Commissions that the City Council was reviewing all the Commissions
and Board and asking each to review their purpose and membership number. As the
Planning Commission was a State mandated Commission, Council was asking that
they review the necessity of having a five or seven member Commission.
1. Chairman Abels stated it was his understanding that the City Council had no
intention of making any changes regarding this body. The issue was with
other commissions/board who had created committees and the number of
meetings and staff time was getting out of control.
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April 9, 1996
2. Commissioner Tyler stated he understood the Planning Commission was
exempt from this. review.
3. Commissioner Newkirk stated he thought the Planning Commission was
important and seven members was necessary due to the number of members
who had to dismiss themselves due to a possible conflict of interest on some
of the matters brought before the Commission.
4. Commissioner Gardner stated that if natural attrition would cause the first
two people whose terms would expire to be removed, the Commission would
lose Commissioner Barrows and Chairman Abels. If this happened the
Commission would be making a lot of decisions based on three members. It
was an asset to the Commission to have a strong diversity in its members
backgrounds. He strongly thought the Commission should remain seven
members.
5. Commissioner Butler stated he concurred with Commissioner Gardner. In
addition, he stated that when members of the Design Review Board were
added to the Commission it created a mix that could make good sound _
judgements for the commission.
6. Commissioner Anderson stated he concurred with the comments that had
been made.
7. Chairman Abels stated he agreed with the comments made and further he
thought it.took three years as a member to understand the planning process
and became beneficial to the Commission. Therefore, Council should keep
the membership at seven members.
B. Commissioner Butler reported on the City Council meeting of March 19, 1996.
C. Department updates: Chairman Abels stated that Community Development Director
Jerry Herman had stated the City was expecting to hear from the Metropolitan
Theaters within the month regarding the construction of the theater within the One
Eleven Shopping Center.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Anderson/Newldrk
to adjourn this meeting of the Planning Commission to a regular meeting on April 23, 1996. This
meeting of the Planning Commission was adjourned at 7:33 P.M. Unanimously approved.
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