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PCMIN 09 24 1996 MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA September 24, 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 Woodard to lead the flag salute. B. Chairman Abels requested the roll call: Present: Commissioners Butler, Newldrk, Tyler, Woodard, and Chairman Abels. C. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Abels/Tyler to excuse Commissioner Gardner. Unanimously approved. Chairman Abels asked that the Minutes reflect that a letter had been received from Commissioner Gardner asking to be excused _ from the meeting. D. Staff'present: Community Development Director Jerry Herman, City Attorney Dawn Honeywell, Planning Manager Christine di Iorio, Acting Public Works Director Steve Speer, Principal Planner Stan Sawa, Associate Planner Leslie Mouriquand, and Executive Secretary Betty Sawyer. II. CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA- Confirmed III. PUBLIC COMMENT: None IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Chairman Abels asked if there were any corrections to the Minutes of August 13, 1996. Commissioner Tyler asked that the Minutes be amended on Page 2, Item #2 deleting the word "what"; Item g4, deleting the word "by"; Page 3, Item 7 add the wording "...the number of cart corrals was still inadequate and must be wide enough to accommodate .... "and eliminate the word "not" in the sentence," .... landscaping must not be too high so as not to not block traffic view...". There being no further corrections, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Butler/Tyler to approve the minutes as corrected. Unanimously approved. B. Department Report: None V. PUBLIC HEARINGS PC9-24 1 Planning Commission Meeting September 24, 1996 A. Conditional Use Permit 96-025; a request of Pacific Bell Mobile Services for approval of the installation of six personal communication services antennas and two radio equipment cabinets with two alternative sites being considered. 1. Associate Planner Leslie Moufiquand presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. Staff recommended Alternative Site #2 be approved. 2. Commissioner Butler questioned whether this was correctly called a cell site. Associate Planner Leslie Mouriquand suggested the applicant answer this question to be specific. She went on to explain the two different site locations. 3. Commissioner Woodard asked how the applicant would obtain access to the tower for Alternate Site 2. Staff explained there was a roof hatch available from the interior of the building. 4. There being no further questions of staff, Chairman Abels opened the public heating. Mr. Darrell Daugherty, representing the applicant, Pacific Bell Services, stated he had no questions and was available to answer any questions from the Commission. 5. Commissioner Tyler questioned Condition #5 regarding the color of the antenna. Would it heat up in the summer causing any complications. Mr. Daugherty stated he was not concemed with the antennas' heat retention, but rather the radio cabinets themselves. Commissioner Tyler asked what the applicant what the stock color was for the antennas. Mr. Daugherty stated they were bright white and the color choice was normally left up to the individual jurisdictions. Commissioner Tyler suggested the applicant have a sample of one of the elements available for the demonstration to the City Council. 6. Commissioner Newkirk asked who the clientele would be that would be serviced by this installation. Mr. Daugherty stated they were trying to adapt the wireless communications to accommodate everyday use. Commissioner Newkirk asked if it would accommodate the cellular phone customers. Mr. Daugherty stated it would as it was a competing technology. 7. Commissioner Tyler asked if the applicant had any preference between the two sites. Mr. Daugherty stated they had no preference, although Site 2 would be more affordable. PC9-24 2 planning Commission Meeting September 24, 1996 8. Commissioner Butler asked if other communication companies coming into the Valley would cause their installations any problems. Mr. Daugherty stated they would never look to have exclusive rights as they understand they are one of many companies and there should be no problems of interference. Commissioner Butler asked if this service would give a greater service area than the cellular communication systems. Mr. Daugherty stated there were more of these sites and they tend to be smaller in terms of their height and the area they cover. Currently they have 14 sites throughout the Valley. The network is determined by the technical need. Commissioner Butler asked if their customers have access from areas outside the Valley. Mr. Daugherty stated they did. 9. Chairman Abels asked what the value would be to him as a cell phone user. Mr. Daugherty stated they would have a system similar to those currently marketed. Their phone will be smaller and the coverage would be as good if not better, than those currently being used. 10. Chairman Abels asked if he radio cabinets would be seen from the street. Mr. Daugherty stated they would not be seen as they would be sunken into a well. 11. There being no further public comment, Chairman Abels closed the public hearing. 12. Commissioner Woodard stated he was in favor of Alternative Site #2 as Alternative Site #1 required the increase in the tower height and would not be architecturally compatible or in scale with the mass of the shopping center. 13. Commissioners Butler, Newkirk, and Tyler concurred as well as Chairman Abels. 14. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Tyler/Newkirk to adopt Planning Commission Resolution 96- 033 certifying a Mitigated Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact for Environmental Assessment 96-322 for Pacific Bell Mobile Services. ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Butler, Newkirk, Tyler, Woodard, and Chairman Abels. NOES: None. ABSENT: Commissioner Gardner. ABSTAIN: None. 15. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Butler/Newkirk to adopt Minute Motion 96-030 approving Alternative Site 2 for Conditional Use Permit 96-025, subject to conditions as amended. Conditions #3 and #4 being deleted and Condition #5 replacing the color from black to dark grey. Unanimously approved. PC9-24 3 Planning Commission Meeting September 24, 1996 16. Commissioner Woodard stated staff should be commended on the quality of the report. B. Conditional Use Permit 96-026; a request of Pacific Bell Mobile Services for certification of a Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact for Environmental Assessment 96-323 and approval of the installation of six personal communications system wireless roof-mounted antennas and two radio equipment cabinets. 1. Associate Planner Leslie Mouriquand presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. Staff asked that Conditions #3 and #4 be deleted and Condition #5 be modified replacing the color of black with gray. 2. Commissioner Tyler asked what the significance of Mr. Simon's letter was in regards to what was before the Commission. Staff stated they were uncertain as to what Mr. Simon was asking. Community Development Director Jerry Herman stated that Mr. Simon would be leasing the space for the antennas to the applicant and if he did not approve the location, he would not have to lease the space. It is not an issue for the Commission. 3. There being no further questions of staff, Chairman Abels opened the public hearing. Mr. Darrell Daugherty stated he had spoken with Mr. Simon regarding the location and was working with him to solve the problem. They could construct a stucco screen around the antennas extending the box up five and a half feet as requested by Mr. Simon. 4. Community Development Director Jerry Herman stated staff does support this design and this is the proposal, before the Commission. 5. Commissioner Woodard stated this was an aesthetic question and had no effect on the workings of the antennas. Staff stated this site was within a viewshed designated in the General Plan and in staff's opinion leaving the parapet box height as it is existing and allowing the three antenna clusters to rise above it, was the lesser of the potential negative impacts. 6. There being no further public comment, Chairman Abels closed the public heating. 7. Commissioner Tyler inquired about the Commission's latitude regarding the approval. City Attorney Dawn Honeywell explained that the decision of the Planning Commission was to determine what was in the City's best interest and if Mr. Simon was not satisfied, he would resolve this with the applicant. Discussion followed as to the alternatives available to the Commission. Planning Commission Meeting September 24, 1996' 8. Commissioner Woodard stated he would be opposed to extending the stucco box. He preferred a thicker, darker fascia of about a foot to detract from the visual impact. Discussion followed regarding the parapet and possible solutions. 9. Commissioner Woodard asked that a 12-16 inch fascia be applied to the top of the existing structure. 10. Commissioner Tyler asked if the antennas could be gathered together. Mr. Daugherty stated that a nine foot separation is required. 11. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Woodard/Butler to adopt Planning Commission Resolution 96-034 certifying a Mitigated Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact for Environmental Assessment 96-323. ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners BUtler, Newkirk, Tyler, Woodard, and Chairman Abels. NOES: None. ABSENT: Commissioner Gardner. ABSTAIN: None. 12. It Vas moved and seconded by Commissioners Woodard/Newkirk to adopt Minute Motion 96-031 approving Conditional Use Permit 96-026, subject to conditions as modified. Conditions #3 and g4 being deleted; Condition #5 changed to require that a dark grey color shall be applied .to the antennas; adding a new condition to require the addition of a 16 inch high fiberglass or metal fascia, to be painted a dark color, shall be added to the top of the existing structure. 13. Commissioner BUtler asked if the modification to the building was an issue between the applicant and the building owner and not the responsibility of the Commission, and if the Commission required any changes, would it require the applicant to come back to the Commission? Mr. Daugherty stated he understood the direction of the Commission and would work the issue oUt with the building owner. Community Development Director Jerry Herman stated the Commission had the choice of asking the applicant to enclose the towers, or add the 16-inches to the parapet. 14. There being no further discussion, the motion was unanimously approved. -- C. Tentative Tract 73773 ~hases 7.-7) and Site Development Permit 96-589; a request of Starlight Estates, Inc. for approval of a subdivision of 28.4 acres into 101 single -family and other lettered private street lots pursuant to provisions of the Subdivision Ordinance, and a compatibility review of new house plans under Chapter 9.60.290 of the Zoning Code. PC9-24 5 Planning Commission Meeting September 24, 1996 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. Staff recommended that if the proposed streets Meridian Way and Skyward were to be joined they should have the same name; streets ending with "Way" shall be replaced with "Court". In addition, the Public Works Department is recommending a change to Condition//14 regarding AutoCad requirements for the improvement plans. Community Development Director Jerry Herman clarified that if the streets are not connected and if they had the same name, it could cause a health and safety problem for any emergency agency trying to find a certain address. 2. Commissioner Woodard asked staff to delineate between the fight-of-way line and the property line on the site plan for the cul-de-sac bulb. Acting Public Works Director Steve Speer explained the difference and stated that it would only occur in the cul-de-sac bulb area. 3. Commissioner Woodard asked staff to explain who owned the seven foot section and who would maintain it. Staff explained where the fight-of-way became the property line in the cul-de-sacs. Discussion followed regarding the fight-of-way line and cul-de-sac property line on the site plan. 4. There being no further questions for staff, Chairman Abels opened the public hearing. 5. Mr. Robert Vatcher, VS Associates, engineers for the project, spoke regarding the questions that had been raised. He stated that they-had no problem with the changes as recommended by staff. Regarding the Site Development Plan, they expect to have the plans to staff for the Planning Commission meeting of October 8. 6. Commissioner Tyler asked if the house plans were basically the same design only brought up to Code. Mr. Jim Deane, the owner, stated the house plans are different than those already existing. One plan is similar to those built in the La Quinta Del Oro project and consist of approximately 3,400 square feet. Some Code requirements have changed since these houses were built and the new plans are being modified to conform, as well as being designed to fit the lot sizes. The homeowner will maintain the seven foot strip between the curb and property line and the color of the homes will blend in with the existing homes. PC9-24 6 Planning Commission Meeting September 24, 1996 7. Commissioner Woodard asked what market the homes were designed to accommodate. Mr. Deane stated the homes are larger than the normal, starting at 2,600 square feet and going up to 3,000 with three and four bedrooms. Starlight Dunes are mostly occupied with permanent residents/families. Commissioner Woodard questioned why the applicant was not including sidewalks. Mr. Deane stated the streets are private and they find that families prefer no sidewalks. 8. There being no further discussion, Chairman Abels closed the public hearing. 9. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Tyler/Butler to adopt Planning Commission Resolution 96- 035 recommending to the City Council approval of Environmental Assessment 96-327 for Tentative Tract 23773 (Phases 2-7). ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Butler, Newkirk, Tyler, Woodard, and Chairman Abels. NOES: None. ABSENT: Commissioner Gardner. ABSTAIN: None. 10. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Butler/Woodard to adopt Planning Commission Resolution 96-036 recommending to the City Council approval of Tentative Tract 23773 (Phases 2-7), subject to Findings and the Conditions of Approval as modified; Condition # 14 will read: "Prior to approval of final map(s) the applicant shall furnish accurate AutoCad files of the approved map(s) on storage media acceptable to the Director of Public Works. The files shall utilize standard AutoCad menu choices so they may be 'fully retrieved into a basic AutoCad program." 11. In addition, a condition was added requiring that if the proposed streets Meridian Way and Skyward were to be joined they shall have the same name; · streets ending with "Way" shall be replaced with "Court". ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Butler, Newkirk, Tyler, Woodard, and Chairman Abels. NOES: None. ABSENT: Commissioner Gardner. ABSTAIN: None. 12. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Tyler/Newkirk to adopt Minute Motion 96-032 continuing the public hearing for Site Development Permit 96-589 to October 8, 1996, to permit the applicant time to complete the architectural drawings for the project. Unanimously approved. PC9-24 7 Planning Commission Meeting September 24, 1996 VI. BUSINESS ITEMS: A. Sign Permit Application 96-356; a request of Coachella Valley Recreation and Park District for approval of on- and off-site signs and banners for the Oktoberfest Festival on October 11-13, 1996, at the Frances Hack Park pursuant to Chapters 9.100.140 and 9.160 of the Zoning Code and Conditions of Approval for Minor Temporary Outdoor Event Permit 96-120. 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. There being no questions of staff, Chairman Abels asked if the applicant would like to address the Commission. Ms. Laura McGalliard of the Coachella Valley Parks and Recreation District stated they had submitted their application for a banner prior to the adoption of the new Zoning Ordinance and felt the banner which extended across Avenida Bermudas, was a beneficial necessity for the event, and would only be up for five days. If _ required they could move it to the Park, but would prefer to have it on Avenida Bermudas. 3. Commissioners stated they supported the project and saw no reason to not allow the banner. City Attomey Dawn Honeywell stated that in order to allow the banner the Commission must cite a provision in the Zoning Code that allows them to deviate. She further stated the application was originally applied for under the Special Advertising Device application on August 13, 1996, under the old Zoning Code. The new Zoning Code took affect September 6, 1996. The old Code would allow the banner. 4. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Butler/Tyler to adopt Minute Motion 96-033, approving Sign Permit Application 96-356, subject to conditions and the findings to allow the banner. Condition #5 was modified to read "it may be used." Unanimously approved. B. Temporary Outdoor Event Permit 96-126; a request of La Quinta Arts Foundation for approval of a three day outdoor event (JazzART '96) and sign program to be held at the Frances Hack Park fn November 8-10, 1996, according to provisions of the Zoning Ordinance pursuant to Chapter 9.100.140. 1. Commissioner Woodard asked to be excused due to a possible conflict of interest and left the dais. 2. Planning Manager Christine di Iorio presented the information contained in PC9-24 8 Planning Commission Meeting September 24, 1996 the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. 3. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Tyler/Newkirk to adopt Minute Motion 96-034 approving the JazzART '96 Festival and signs for the November event, subject to Findings and the Conditions of Approval. Unanimously approved with Commissioners Gardner and Woodard being absent. Commissioner Woodard rejoined the Commission. C. Plot Plan 96-543; a request of Sesame Restaurant for approval of a Minor Amendment to allow a wrought iron fence around the outdoor seating area of the Sesame Restaurant within the La Quinta Village Shopping Center. 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. Mr. Alibaba Farzaneh, the owner/applicant spoke explaining the reason for his request. 3. Commissioner Tyler stated his concern for the emergency egress from the establishment. Are the gates to remain unlocked during business hours? Mr. Farzaneh stated the fence will have a lock but during business hours it will remain open. 4. Commissioner Newkirk stated he would like to commend Mr. Farzaneh for the facilities and what it has brought to La Quinta. 5. Commissioner Woodard asked if the gate out to Washington Street would require any Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. Mr. Farzaneh stated that the sidewalk and width of the gate are proposed to be four feet wide and there is a handicapped access on both sides. 6. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Butler/Tyler to adopt Minute Motion 96-035, approving the request for an exterior fence with the provision that the final plans be reviewed by the Community Development Department prior to issuance of a building permit. Unanimously approved. PC9-24 9 Planning Commission Meeting September 24, 1996 D. General Plan Update; a request of the City for a recommendation of approval of a draft "Request for Proposals" (RFP) to Update the General Plan. 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. Commissioners discussed the proposal with staff and recommended: a. Using the same process that was used in the 1992 General Plan Update in which the City held joint Planning Commission/City Council workshops. b. Add a work item to the Scope of Services requiring the Consultant to prepare a community survey and an analysis of the survey; c. Appoint a Planning Commissioner to be a participant in the Consultant Selection Committee; and d. Have staff initiate the consultant selection process to update the General Plan. VII. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None A. Chairman Abels informed the Commissioners of various conferences that were available for the Planning Commission. B. Planning Manager Christine di Iorio informed the Commission of the Historical Preservation Workshop hosted by the Historic Preservation Commission, to be held on November 2, 1996, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the La Quinta Hotel regarding topics relevant to historic preservation in the desert communities, including the California Quality Act, design review and historic surveys. The City will pay the lunch costs for each Commissioner. VIII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS A. CommisSioner Tyler reported on the City Council meeting of September 17, 1996. IX. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Butler/Tyler to adjourn this meeting of the Planning Commission to a regular meeting on October 8, 1996. This regular meeting of the Planning Commission was adjourned at 8:47 P.M. Unanimously approved. PC9-24 10