PCMIN 12 23 1997 MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
A Regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall
78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, California '
December 23, 1997
I. CALL TO ORDER
A. This meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by
Chairman Butler who asked Commissioner Kirk to lead the flag salute.
B. Chairman Butler requested the roll call: Present: Commissioners Abels, Gardner,
Kirk, Seaton, Tyler, Woodard, and Chairman Butler.
C. Staff Present: Planning Manager Christine di Iorio, City Attomey Dawn Honeywell,
and Executive Secretary Betty Sawyer.
II. PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA:
A. Commissioner Tyler requested that Agenda Items D and E be reversed as Items C
and E were for the same applicant. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Tyler/Abels. Unanimously approved.
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR:
A. Chairman Butler asked if there were any corrections to the Minutes of November 12,
1997. Commissioner Tyler asked that Page 14, Item 34 be amended as follows:
" ..... but the living area is in the rear and designed to take their view ..... ". There being
no other changes, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Tyler/Abels to
approve the minutes as corrected. Unanimously approved with Commissioner
Seaton abstaining.
B. Chairman Butler asked if there were any corrections to the Minutes of November 25,
1997. Commissioner Gardner asked that the minutes be amended to show who made
the motion to excuse the absent Commissioners. There being no other corrections,
it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Tyler/Gardner to approve the minutes
as corrected. Unanimously approved with Commissioners Abels, Seaton, and
Woodard abstaining.
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December 23, 1997
C. Chairman Butler asked if there were any corrections to the Minutes of December 9,
1997. Commissioner Tyler asked that the minutes be amended on Page 4, Item 11
to read," ...... is why they are requesting to keep the four foot bank on Winged
Foot .... "; Page 7, Item 25, "....a low landscape area at the corner to solve the
problem."," .... KSL had agreed with the six foot wall, then maybe the City should
agree.", and Page 10, Item 5 "Vice Chairman Woodard asked Commissioner Tyler
if he thought the repetitiveness of the garage elevations ..... ". There being no other
corrections, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Seaton/Tyler to approve
the minutes as corrected. Unanimously approved with Commissioner Kirk
abstaining.
D. Commissioner Abels asked why there is a discrepancy in the minutes when they are
being taken and are on tape. Why are they having to take time to make the
corrections.
1. Chairman Butler stated he has read the minutes and in listening to the
motions as they are made at the meetings, and reading the minutes, he
believes that some of the comments that are made by the Commissioners, are
either not included in the final resolution or he is misunderstanding the
process. Commissioners have made changes and he is wondering if those
changes become a part of the final resolution that is passed on to the City
Council. Staff stated the minutes are action minutes, not verbatim.
Therefore, the action that is taken in regard to the changes to the conditions
and general conversation are recorded in the minutes. Chairman Butler
confirmed that the changes made by the Commission are recorded in the
resolution and conditions that are forwarded on to the City Council. Staff
noted that once the action has been taken by the Commission, staff amends
the resolutions/conditions before they are signed, filed, and sent to the City
Council.
V. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A. Specific Plan 85-906. Amendment #2. and Conditional Use Permit 97-037; a request
of KSL Land Company for approval to allow the construction and operation of
interim polo/sports fields with lighting.
1. Chairman Butler noted that a request had been received from the applicant to
continue this item to January 27, 1998. It was moved and seconded by
Commissioner Abels/Tyler to continue the item to January 27, 1998.
Unanimously approved. ·
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VI. BUSINESS ITEMS:
A. Sign Permit 97-411; a request of Century-Crowell Communities to approve one
permanent project identification sign for the Marbella Development pursuant to the
provisions of Chapter 9.160 (Signs) of the Zoning Code.
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 Gardner asked for clarification as to whether or not the sign
was freestanding. The report reads freestanding, but affixed to the wall.
Staff explained that the freestanding is the structure and that is the wall, and
this is the way it is identified in the Zoning Ordinance.
3. Commissioner Seaton stated the sign is 17 square feet and the sign
regulations allow up to 24 square feet; is there any problem with this sign in
regard to those regulations. Staff stated they were within the City's
regulations.
4. There being no further questions, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioner Abels/Kirk to adopt Minute Motion 97-017 approving Sign
Permit 97-411, as submitted.
5. Commissioner Tyler stated this sign is not located at the entrance to the tract,
but at the comer. Can the applicant, at some furore time, asked for another
sign at the entrance; would this be allowed. Staff explained they are allowed
to have one sign per street frontage. However, this is a one-sided sign and is
identified in the sign regulations that they can have another sign at the
entryway. It would be an interpretation to be made by the Planning
Commission. They would be allowed to have one sign on the walls flanking
the entry. The applicant has chosen to have one, one-sided sign at the comer.
6. Chairman Butler asked if the lighting would come back to the Commission
for approval. Staff stated it was to be approved by staff as it is indirect
lighting permitted by the Code.
7. Commissioner Tyler asked if the applicant intended to use a material for the
letter that was more stable than the plastic proposed. Mr. Ed Knight, the
applicant stated this was what was recommended by their sign company.
8. Following the discussion, the motion was unanimously approved.
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B. Site Development Permit 96-590; a request of Lapis Energy Organization for
approval of a revision to the design and materials to be used for the pump island
canopy and approval of a change for both the canopy and service station/mini-mart
building.
1. Chairman Butler noted that a request had been received from the applicant to
continue this item. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Abels/Kirk to continue this item to a future date.
2. Commissioner Tyler asked if there was any reason why this applicant
continues to request a change to this project. Staff stated they were unable
to answer the question. Commissioner Tyler stated that in his opinion, each
request degrades the project.
3. There being no other discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Abels/Kirk to continue this matter to a later date.
Unanimously approved.
C. Street Name Change 97-009; a request of the City for consideration of a street name
change for a portion of Via Carmel to Carmel Circle within Rancho La Quinta, east
of the intersection of Mission Drive West of Via Carmel.
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 Tyler asked if Lots 33 and 34, in the islands, were buildable,
or is it to be a green space. Staff noted it was the potential, but one has been
designed as a pool lot. The rest have not been determined.
3. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioner Abels/Seaton to adopt Planning Commission Minute Motion
97-018, as requested. Unanimously approved.
D. Tract 27952; a request of TD Desert Development for approval of a new prototype
unit for construction within Rancho La Quinta.
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.
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2. Commissioner Tyler asked if the buyer opts for the extra guest suit "E", are
the lots big enough that they can meet the building setbacks. Staff stated
there is an easement for each property on the side yard, similar to a zero lot
line.
3. Commissioner Woodard asked how they share the land. Who owns the
property. City Attorney Dawn Honeywell stated the easement gives certain
rights where normally one property owner owns the land and the adjoining
has an easement. She would have to read the easement to understand what
is allowed. Staff noted this is the practice that has been developed throughout
Rancho La Ouinta.
4. Commissioner Woodard stated the Fire Marshal will normally not approve
this as there are no openings with the zero lot line for a wall. Therefore, the
property line goes against that one wall. Commissioner Kirk asked why the
Fire Marshal would care as there is access. Commissioner Woodard
explained that normally there is a five foot sideyard setback and a wall and
another five foot setback between the two houses. When you go to a zero
side yard, the Fire Marshal requires one of the two walls be fire protected as
there is only five feet between the two houses. Commissioner Woodard
asked that this item be agendized for the next Commission meeting.
5. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioner Tyler/Abels to adopt Minute Motion 97-019 approving the
new prototype for construction within Tract 27952, as recommended.
6. Commissioner Woodard stated he would like to go on record as stating that
Pekarek Crandell, Inc. is a very fine architectural firm and he appreciates
seeing such excellent plans submitted for Commission review. They are
excellent plans and architecture and he applauds the development and the
architecture.
7. There being no further discussion, the motion was approved unanimously.
E. Sign Permit 92-186, Amendment # 1; a requested of Integrated Sign Associates for
Auto Club of Southern California for approval of a revision to the sign program for
east and west facing signs for the northeast comer of Highway 111 and Washington
Street.
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.
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December 23, 1997
2. Commissioner Tyler asked if developer of the Center had any objections.
Staff noted that a letter had been received from Mr. Mike Shovlin stating his
approval.
3. Commissioner Abels asked if this was the same sign as the one on their
offices in West Covina. Mr. Jandt, the applicant representing the Auto Club,
stated it was not.
4. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Abels/Tyler to adopt Minute Motion 97-020 approving Sign
Permit 92-186, Amendment # 1, as recommended. Unanimously approved.
VII. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None
VIII. COMMISSIONERS ITEMS:
A. Chairman Butler asked who would like to attend the Third Annual Planning
Commission Meeting in Rancho Cucamonga on Saturday, January 24, 1998.
Discussion followed regarding the conference. Those wishing to attend need to
contact staff as soon as possible.
B. Chairman Butler asked if anyone would like to attend the New Years Real Estate
Forecast put on by the UCLA Extension in January, 1998. If anyone wanted to
attend, they are to contact staff.
C. Commissioner Tyler gave a report of the City Council meeting of December 16,
1997.
D. Commissioner Seaton asked that the Department Report be included in the agenda
packet.
E. Chairman Butler asked what was to be on the Commission agenda for January 13,
1998, and was there a need to start the meeting at 3:00 p.m. instead of 7:00 p.m. to
allow time to discuss the items. Discussion followed between the Commission and
staff regarding alternatives to allow a study period whereby the Commissioners
would haVe an opportunity to discuss with staff and the applicant, any outstanding
issues relating to the project.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Gardner/Tyler to
adjourn this regular meeting of the Planning Commission to a regular meeting of the Planning
Commission to be held on January 13, 1998, at 7:00 p.m. This meeting of the Planning Commission
was adjourned at 8:06 p.m. on December 23, 1997.
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