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PCMIN 07 09 1996 MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA July 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 Commissioner Tyler to lead the flag salute. · - ' · H. ROLL CALL A. Chairman Abels requested the roll call: Present: Commissioners Anderson, Butler, Gardner, Newkirk, Tyler, and Chairman Abels. B. Staff present: Community Development Director jerry Herman, City AttomeYDawn Honeywell, Planning Manager Christine di Iorio, Principal Planners Start Sawa and Fred Baker, and Executive Secretary Betty Sawyer. Commissioner Anderson asked that an item be added to the. agenda. He had written a letter to the City Council regarding the updated Zoning Ordinance and he would like to clarify the contents of the letter. City Attorney Dawn Honeywell stated that in order to add an item to the Agenda, findings must be made showing the importance of the item to be added after the Agenda is posted. Commissioner Anderson clarified he did not want, or expect any, action of the Commission, it was only tO clarify why the letter was written. 'City Attorney Dawn Honeywell stated as long as no action was taken and the item was only for clarification, it could be discussed during Commissioner Items. Commissioner Tyler stated he too would like to make a comment during Commission Discussion relative to the "Lube Shop" sign. Both items were added to the Agenda for Commission Discussion. III. PUBLIC COMMENT: None IV. PUBLIC HE~GS -- A. Plot Plan 96-579; a request of The Woodard Group for certification of a Negative Declaration of environmental impact and approval of a plot plan to allow the construction of a 24,400 square foot two-story medical office building. PC7-9 1 Planning Commission Meeting July 9, 1996 1. Principal Planner Fred Baker presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. 2. Commissioner Anderson questioned staff as to the location of the pond and retention basins. Principal Planner Fred Baker explained the retention system and stated the pond was to be a permanent feature. Discussion followed by the Commissioners regarding the location of the ponds and retention basins. 3. Commissioner Anderson clarified that he was asking how a retention pond that is holding water could serve as a retention basin. Staff stated that the on- site retention basins would con, in a filtration system to take water underground for absorption over time. In addition, not all the on-site retention was to be located in the pond area. 4. There being no further questions of staff, Chairman Abels opened the public hearing. Mr. Stewart Woodard, representing his client, spoke on behalf of the applicant. He went on to explain how the project was designed. He stated the architecture was designed to encircle the entire building. In regard to commissioner Anderson's question concerning the 100-year flood, the applicant will have an extensive water filtration system located under the parking lot that would be capable of retaining water fi.om a 100-year flood as well as work as a pond. He went on to describe the project. 5. Commissioner Anderson asked Mr. Woodard to explain the pond filtration system as to how it would retain water during a 100-year flood. Mr. Woodard explained how the underground system is able to retain flood water while being utilized as a pond system. 6. Commissioner Anderson asked about the roof vegetation, especially the west elevation, and the ability to maintain the vegetation. Mr. Woodard stated the landscape architect was aware of this and expected no problems. 7. Commissioner Anderson asked if the penthouse that was to house the mechanical equipment was to be located in the skylight slope of the east ', elevation. Mr. Woodard stated the skylights would be centered over the . atrium and the mechanical equipment would not intrude into the skylights. Commissioner Anderson asked if the brick band located between the block courses, was to be recessed. Mr. Woodard stated it would be recessed. The band was designed to give personal detail. PC7-9 2 Planning Commission Meeting July 9, 1996 8. Commissioner Gardner stated his concern about the Pond going under the building and the amount of evaporation that would take place. Mr. Woodard stated the water goes up to the glass height and not under it and both smactu~es had different foundation systems and protections are in place to keep the building and pond separate. · 9. Commissioner Tyler stated he was highly impressed with the drawings. He noted that the name identifying the city was incorrect and needed to be changed. He also stated his concern that the success rote of medical buildings in the area was not high~ Mr. Woodard stated that his client had completed mfirket studies and felt confident that the project would reach completion and be successful. 10. Chairman Abels stated he too was concerned that the medical facilities · already in existence were having difficulties making it through the economic bonditions. Mr. Woodard stated the applicant felt confident with his project. 11. Chairman Abels asked about the grading of the project. Mr. Woodard stated the grading would be minimal and would, for the most part, keep the existing grade. 12. Commissioner Newkirk stated the design appeared to be an office building for doctors, but in studying the plans discovered it was more and asked Mr. Woodard what the concept of the building would be. Mr. Woodard stated it was to be a full service medical facility to address the entire needs of the patient. It would be an outpatient facility with no overnight stays. Surgery would be performed as well as meeting the dental needs of the patients. 13. There being no further public comment, the public hearing was closed and opened for Commission discussion. 14. Commissioner Tyler questioned the turning lanes onto Washington Street. He felt there should be a fight turn in/right turn out only as a median was eventually planned for this area. 15. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by ', Commissioners Anderson/Gardner to adopt Planning Commission Resolution · 96-026 approving a Mitigated Negative Declaration of environmental impact (Environmental Assessment 96-320), based on the findings. ROLL CALL: AYES' Commissioners Anderson, Butler, Gardner, Newkirk, Tyler, and Chairman Abels. NOES' None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. PC7-9 3 Planning Commission Meeting July 9, 1996 16. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Anderson/Newkirk to adopt Minute Motion 96-025 approving Plot Plan 96-597 to allow construction of a 24,400 square foot two-story medical office at 43-567 Washington Street, subject to the conditions as presented by staff. Staff asked if the motion contained the revision to Condition #2 to show the Plot Plan must be used within "two" years of the approval date. Commissioners Anderson/Newkirk 'stated the motion included the revision to Condition #2. UnanimoUSly - approved (6-0). V. BUSINESS ITEMS: None VI. CONSENT CALENDAR ' ' -~-:7:"~; '~" ~--:-" - A. Chairman Abels asked if there were any COrrections to the Minutes of June 25, 1996. There ~ing no changes or COrrection, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Tyler/Newkirk to approve the minutes as submitted. Unanimously approved. VII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS A. Commissioner Anderson explained the purpose of his letter to the City Council was regarding accessory structures restrictions in the proposed updated Zoning Code. B. Commissioner Tyler pointed out that the sign for the east elevation for the Lube Shop was not installed and the temporary sign was still in place. He asked what the procedure was for having the temporary sign removed. Discussion followed regarding the sign. Staff stated they would contact the owner and have the temporary sign removed. C. Commissioner Tyler reported on the City Council meeting of July 2, 1996. D. Department update 1. Community Development Director Jerry Herman informed the Commission that their next meeting would consist of welcoming a new Commissioner, election of chair and vice chair, and a presentation of a Resolution to ', Commissioner Katie Barrows, who had retired from the Commission. VIII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Gardner/Butler to adjourn this meeting of the Planning Commission t° a regular meeting on July 23, 1996. This regular meeting of the Planning Commission was adjourned at 7:40 P.M.. Unanimously approved.