PCMIN 06 22 1999 MINUTES
PLANNING'COMMISSION MEETING
A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall
78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA
June 22, 1999 7:00 P.M.
I. CALL TO ORDER
A. This meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by
Chairman Tyler who asked Commissioner Abels to lead the fl0g salute.
B. Chairman Tyler requested the roll call: Present: Commissioners Abels, Butler, Kirk
Robbins, and Chairman Tyler.
C. Staff present: Community Development Director Jerry Herman, Planing Manager
Christine di Iorio, Senior Engineer Steve Speer, Principal Planners Fred Baker and
Stan Sawa, and Executive Secretary Betty Sawyer.
II. PUBLIC COMMENT: None
III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA:
A. Chairman Tyler asked that Agenda Business Item C become Item B and Item B
become Item C. There being no further changes, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Abels/Butler to confirm the Agenda as modified. Unanimously
approved.
IV. CONSENT ITEMS:
A. Chairman Tyler asked if there were any corrections to the Minutes of June 8, 1999.
Commissioner Abels asked that the Minutes be elaborated on regarding how staff
reaches justification for their recommendation as contained in the staff report.
Commissioner Butler noted that he was recOrded as voting on Business Item A and
he was absent. This needed to be corrected. Commissioner Kirk asked that Page 6,
Item B. 1. be corrected to read, "...suggested that someone obtain an overall education
regarding this issue.", and Page 6, Item B.3., be revised. There being no further
corrections, it was moved and seconded by Commissioner Butler/Abels to approve
the Minutes as corrected. Unanimously approved.
B. Department Report: None.
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V. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A. Continued - Specific Plan 83-001, Amendment #5; a request of Century-Crowell
Communities for approval of an amendment to increase the total unit count, revise
the boundaries to separate the Seasons from Duna La Quinta, and add a new
grading/unit type requirement necessitating retaining walls higher than four feet
along the 50 foot elevation of the channel berm.
1. Chairman Tyler opened the public hearing and asked for the staff report.
P1 .anning Manager Christine di Iorio informed the Commission the applicant
had not completed the plans proposed for the split-level units along the south
side of Calle None, within Duna La Quinta. Staff was therefore requesting
this item be tabled until such time as the applicant submitted new plans. The
item will then be readvertised for a new hearing date.
2. There being no discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Abels/Kirk to table this item. Unanimously approved with Commissioner
Butler abstaining.
B. Tentative Tract 28409. Extension #1; a request of Mr. Charles B. Murphy and Mr.
Lynn R. Kunkle for a recommendation of approval for a one year time extension for
a previously approved subdivision of 9.15 acres into 19 custom single family and
other common or priVate street lots for the property located on the north side of
Avenida Montezuma, east of Bear Creek Channel and west of the Yucatan Peninsula
residential neighborhood.
1. Chairman Tyler opened the public hearing and asked for the staff report.
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. Chairman Tyler asked how many extensions could be granted. Staff stated
three. There being no further questions of staff, Chairman Tyler asked if the
applicant would like to address the Commission. Mr. Lynn Kunkle,
representing the applicant, stated they were working on the fmal map and had
no objection to the conditions as recommended by staff. They have
completed their grading plan and on- and off-site improvements. They are
requesting approval of their time extension.
3. There being no questions of the applicant nor any other public comment,
Chairman Tyler closed the public participation portion of the heating and
opened the case for Commission discussion.
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4. There being no discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
· Abels/Robbins to adopt Planning Commission Resolution 99-049
recommending approval of a one year time extension for Tentative Tract Map
28409, Extension # 1, as recommended.
ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Abels, Butler, Kirk, Robbins, and Chairman
Tyler. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None.
C. Site Development Permit 99-652; a request of T. D. Desert Development for
approval of design plans for a 13,400 square foot golf maintenance facility south of
48~ Avenue and east of Dune Palms Road within Rancho La Quinta Country Club.
1. Chairman Tyler opened the public hearing and asked for the staff report.
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 Kirk asked if the applicant had submitted a line of site exhibit
for the facility. Staff explained the plans that had been submitted. Landscape
-- drawings were also discussed and the landscape architect was asked to
provide enough trees to block the view of the facility from the street.
3. Chairman Tyler asked how CVWD would gain access to their well site. Staff
stated the access is located on the south side and there was a possibility the
well site may be moved. Discussion followed regarding how vehicles would
enter/leave the well site.
4. Chairman Tyler asked Senior Engineer Steve Speer if the south leg of the
Dune Palms signal would be dedicated for the maintenance facility and if the
control for that signal would be cycled. Staff explained how the signal would
operate. Traffic hitting the loop will continue to trip the light up to 40
seconds.
5. Chairman Tyler asked about the chain link fencing that will be installed
across the storm channel and if it would be visible from 48~h Avenue. Mr. Art
Gardner, representing the applicant, stated that when they spoke with CVWD
they were informed they would accept wrought iron in place of the chain link.
6. Commissioner Robbins stated wrought iron would be 'acceptable to CVWD.
-- Mr. Gardner stated the channel would be planted with grass and possible
palm trees. Staff recommended a condition be added requiring the wrought
iron fence and that. it be subject to approval by CVWD.
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7. There being no further questions of staff, Chairman Tyler asked if anyone
else would like to address the Commission. Mr. Grady Sparks, representing
T. D. Desert Development, stated they had no objections to the conditions as
recommended.
8. There being no questions of the applicant nor any other public comment,
Chairman Tyler closed the public participation of the heating and opened the
case for Commission discussion.
9. There being no discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Kirk/Abels to adopt Planning Commission Resolution 99-050 approving Site
Development Permit 99-652, subject to the Findings and Conditions of
Approval as modified:
a. The chain link fencing proposed within the channel shall be replaced
with wrought iron fencing.
10. Chairman Tyler stated he had a hard time understanding why the applicant
would even propose an industrial metal building that would be visible from
the street. He suggested the applicant look at the maintenance building
constructed at the Tradition Country Club as an example. As submitted, he
could not support this metal building.
ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Abels, Butler, Kirk and Robbins. NOES:
Chairman Tyler. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None.
VI. BUSINESS ITEMS:
A. Continued - Sign Application 99-466; a request of Airtouch Communications for
approval of a deviation to an approved sign program to permit corporate signs for a
new business located at 78-742 Highway 111 within the One Eleven La Quinta
Shopping Center.
1. Chairman Tyler stated a request had been received from the applicant to
continue this item.
2. There being no discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioner
Abels/Robbins to continue Sign Application 99-466 to July 13, 1999.
Unanimously approved.
B. Master Design Guidelines; a request of Four Season Homes for approval of Master
Design Guidelines.
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1. Chairman Tyler asked for the staff report. 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 Kirk asked if the "Gardena" plan was the only plan that would
be appropriate for a comer lot. Staff stated yes, as submitted.
3. There being no further questions of staff, Chairman Tyler asked if anyone
else would like to speak on this case.
4. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Abels/Robbins to adopt Minute Motion 99-011 approving
Master Design Guidelines 99-005, subject to Findings and Conditions of
Approval as submitted.
5. CommissiOner Robbins noted the front elevation of the "Gardena" plan was
no more than a great big garage door. Community Development Director
Jerry Herman stated that on a 50 foot wide lot, 20 feet of the frontage is
garage, with a 10 foot exterior sideyard and five foot interior sideyard setback
it leaves only 15 feet for front elevation.
6. Chairman Tyler stated he agreed with Commissioner Robbins, but there are
already several houses with the same problem.
7. Commissioner Kirk asked staff to define the options within the plan.
Planning Manager Christine di Iorio stated that in the "Gardenia" plan there
are three design proposals and staff was requesting the columns on one of the
two options have a different architectural design treatment.
8. Chairman Tyler asked what roofing material was proposed for the Santa Fe
plan. Staff stated it was to be hot mopped.
9. The motion was approved with Commissioner Robbins voting no.
C. Capital Improvement Project 99-05; a request of the City for review and
recommendation to the City Council regarding a roundabout at the intersection of
Jefferson Street and Avenue 52.
1. Chairman Tyler asked for the staff report. Senior Engineer John Freeland
presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on
file in the Community Development Department. Staff noted changes to the
staff report and introduced Mr. Peter Doctors, consultant, who gave a history
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of roundabouts. He explained the three basic concepts, yielded entries,
circulation, and right of way. Second was the deflection design which would
cause all cars to slow down to less than 25 miles per hour to provide safety.
Roundabouts are twice as safe as a traffic signal with less injury and
fatalities. The third concept is the flair which consists of one or two lanes
around with a flair to three or four lanes which gives a lot of capacity. He
went on to site examples. He further stated that in a 20 year forecast, during
the peak hours, the intersection of Jefferson Street and 52na Avenue, 3200
cars are expected. He went on to explain the plan.
2. Chairman Tyler asked if there were any questions of staff. There being no
questions of staff, Chairman Tyler asked if anyone else would like to speak
regarding this subject.
3. Commissioner Robbins stated that at buildout it would be just less than
60,000 trips per day or 5,000 per hour at peak flow, and Caltrans states that
roundabouts are inappropriate for intersections in excess of 5,000 per hour.
Mr. Doctors stated Caltrans was not considering roundabouts for any
locatiOns that exceeded 5,000 cars per hour. This is their comfort level. In
reality roundabouts can handle up to 7,200 cars per hour.
4. Commissioner Kirk asked how much more land was needed. Mr. Bob Ross
stated 1,600 square feet.
5. Commissioner Abels stated the City needs to think down the road and to the
future. He was experienced roundabouts and finds them very convenient and
this is an ideal location.
6. Commissioner Robbins asked if anyone had looked at the traffic counts
during a golf tournament and whether or not a roundabout would cause a
problem. Senior Engineer John Freeland stated staffhad not looked into this,
but it should not be a problem. Commissioner Robbins stated his experience
with traffic circles had not been pleasant and he was concerned that Avenue
52 and Jefferson Street would be a major intersection in the City.
7. Public Works Director Chris Vogt stated that most special events do not take
place during the week day peak traffic. The City of Vail, Colorado has a
roundabout and on peak weekends it works well. In addition, traditionally
the golf classics do not generate that much traffic.
8. Commissioner Robbins asked what would be in the center of the roundabout.
Public Works Director Chris Vogt stated it could be a number of different
things.
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9. Commissioner Robbins stated another concern was the existing utilities to
reconfigure them would create issues. Mr. Ross stated that most of the utility
lines could be relocated and there would be more angle points.
Commissioner Robbins asked if the utility lines would be realigned or go
around the roundabout, and will it add to the cost. Also, there is a federal
easement which will add problems to the relocation issues. Mr. Ross stated
they were not proposing to relocate the federal easements, but prefer to keep
them as they are.
10. Commissioner Kirk asked about the cost difference between the standard
intersection design and a roundabout. Mr. Ross stated that a standard
intersection is approximately $150,000. A roundabout would be
approximately $10,000 less. Public Works Director Chris Vogt stated that
Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) would be funding
75% ofthe improvements from Highway 111 to Avenue 54. There was some
question as to whether or not CVAG would support the roundabout, but both
committees would fund up to 75% of a standard intersection. However, this
does not include the right of way purchase.
11. Commissioner Kirk asked about the pedestrian access with the dedicated
right turn. Mr. Doctors stated it would not be a safety issue. The same
concerns are realized for a signalized intersection. The roundabout becomes
one single lane of traffic to cross.
12. Chairman Tyler asked about the fight mm. Mr. Doctors stated it has its own
lane so it does not have to merge into the other lanes.
13. Commissioner Kirk asked if the right mm lane was a separate lane that would
later flair. Mri Doctors stated that if there was heavy traffic in the right turn
lane later on the exclusive right mm lane would go away and they would flair
it out more. The idea is to give flexibility.
14. Commissioner Robbins asked how they would work with bicycle traffic and
what about equestrian uses. Community Development Director Jerry Herman
stated that equestrian uses would go down Madison Street, not Jefferson
Street. The roundabout would have bicycle traffic on both sides of the street.
Mr. Doctors stated that bicycle lanes would lead up to the roundabout and
then, in the case of the recreational bicyclist, they would walk across the
street. In the case of the "seasoned" cyclist, they would enter the roundabout
with the vehicular traffic. Public Works Director Chris Vogt stated in a
standard crossing the bicyclist would be crossing in front of vehicles and the
chances that a driver isn't paying attention are high. With a roundabout a
driver is paying attention to the pedestrian.
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15. Chairman Tyler asked why this intersection was chosen. Public Works
Director Chris Vogt stated because they are building down to Avenue 54 and
the right of way is available at this location and currently there is no
landscaping to disturb. Staff is looking at sites where roundabouts may be
suitable at the request of the city Council who is asking for alternatives to
traffic signals. Chairman Tyler stated pedestrians were not a strong element
in this case.
16. Chairman Tyler stated he was concerned that neither Caltrans nor CVAG had
traffic standards. No one knows if they work until they are built and then it
is too late. The Design Bulletin mentioned in the staff report does not
support it. He too is concerned about bicyclists. Also, there are no traffic
lane markings painted on the street. Mr. Doctors stated that if you mark the
street, people concentrate on the lanes and get trapped and can't get out.
Lack of striping works because the majority of the time people are driving at
staggered levels, or single file.
17. Commissioner Butler stated he is comfortable going forward with the
proposal as it shows the City has some foresight. It is controllable and if, or
when, the City outgrows it, it can be changed.
18. Commissioner Abels stated it was a great idea and he supported the project.
19. Commissioner Kirk stated this was a good idea and location and the City
Should take a chance.
20. Mr. Doctors stated federal highways will be coming out with guidelines and
these guidelines are even more conservative than before.
21. Commissioner Robbins stated he would like to believe in them, but his
personal experience has not been with the modem roundabout. He would
rather see this experience take place in a less prominent location, such as an
intersection in the Village area. It is worth the try, but he is not sure it is the
best location.
22. There being no discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Abels/Kirk to. adopt Minute Motion 99-012 recommending approval to the
City Council and applauding staff for looking, at alternatives to address
traffic. The motion passed with Commissioners Robbins and Chairman Tyler
abstaining.
VII. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None.
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VIII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS:
A. Chairman Tyler gave a report on the City Council meeting of June 15, 1999.
IX. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Butler/Abels to
adjourn this regular meeting of the Planning Commission to the next regular meeting of the Planning
Commission to be held July 13, 1999, at 7:00 p.m. This meeting of the Planning Commission was
adjourned at 8:00 P.M. on June 22, 1999.
!ly submitted,
~~d~,lif~i~tive Se cretary
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