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2000 09 26 PC Minutes MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA September 26, 2000 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 Robbins who asked Commissioner Kirk to lead the flag salute. B. Present: Commissioners Jacques Abels, Richard Butler, Tom Kirk, Robert Tyler, and Chairman Steve Robbins. C. Staff present: Community Development Director Jerry Herman, Assistant City Attorney John Ramirez, Planning Manager Christine di Iorio, Senior Engineer Steve Speer, Principal Planner Stan Sawa, and Executive Secretary Betty Sawyer. II.' PUBLIC COMMENT: None. III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: Confirmed. IV. CONSENT ITEMS: A. Chairman Robbins asked if there were any corrections to the Minutes of joint meeting of September 12, 2000. Commissioner Kirk asked that Page 6, Item 24 be reworded to note that the facility should be classified as a building. Chairman Robbins asked that the spelling of xeriscape be corrected on Pages 10 and 12 There being no further corrections, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners AbelsTyler to approve the minutes as amended. B. Department Report: None. V. PUBLIC HEARINGS: _ A. Environmental Assessment 2000-396. General Plan Amendment 2000- 067, Zone Change 2000-093, Specific Plan .;)000-045, and Site Development Permit 9000-677; a request of Evergreen, La Quinta Limited Partnership for certification of a Mitigated Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact, amend the General Plan Land Use Element from Commercial Office to Neighborhood Commercial, change the Zoning Designation from Commercial Office to Neighborhood Commercial, design C:\My Documents\WPDOCS\PC9-26-OO.wpd Planning Commission Minutes _ September 26, 2000 guidelines and development standards for a 7.63 acre commercial/office complex, and development plans for a one story 14,490 square foot drug store. 1. Staff informed the Commission that the applicant had requested a continuance to allow more time to meet with the adjoining developments. 2. There being no discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Kirk/Abels to continue this item to the meeting of October 10, 2000, as requested by the applicant. Unanimously approved. B. Environmental Assessment 7000-401, General Plan Amendment 2000- 068, Zone Change 2000-094. Specific Plan 2000-048, and Tentative Tract Map 29858; a request of RJT Homes for a recommendation to certify a Mitigated Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact, approval of a General Plan Amendment and Zone Change from Tourist Commercial to Low Density Residential, approval of a Specific Plan allowing up to 178 single family detached and attached dwellings on 73 acres, and approval of a Tentative Tract Map subdividing 73 acres into 1 72 residential and miscellaneous lots to be located at the southwest corner of Jefferson Street and 50th Avenue. 1. Chairman Robbins stated the applicant had requested a continuance to a future Planning Commission meeting. 2. There being no discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Abels/Kirk to continue this application to the October 24, 2000, Planning Commission meeting. C. Site Development Permit 2000-684; a request of R.C. Hobbs Company, Inc. for approval of architectural and landscaping plans for three new prototype residential houses to be constructed in La Quinta Del Oro on Via Del Sol, Via Sevilla and Via Coronado. 1. Chairman Robbins and Commissioner Tyler excused themselves from discussion and left the dias due to a potential conflict of interest. 2. Vice Chairman Abels 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. C:\My Documents\WPDOCS\PC9-26-00.wpd 2 Planning Commission Minutes September 26, 2000 3. Vice Chairman Abels asked if there were any questions of staff. Commissioner Kirk asked about Item //4, regarding trees and lush landscaping as to whether or not this was required under the compatibility review. Staff stated it is based on the existing landscaping at the site. Commissioner Kirk asked if the Commission had ever included landscaping as part of compatibility review. Staff stated it had been, but not in as much detail as this. 4. Vice Chairman Abels asked if the applicant would like to address the Commission. Mr. Roger Hobbs, President of R.C. Hobbs, stated he had no concerns and was available for questions. 5. Commissioner Kirk asked if they had any objections to the conditions. Mr. Hobbs stated no. 6. Vice Chairman Abels commended the applicant on his designs as they were an asset to the community. 7. Mr. Brian Handover, 44-245 Villeta, stated his property borders this site at the end of the cul-de-sac, and his concern is that a two story house will be constructed to the rear of his property that will destroy his view and lower his property values. 8. Mr. Jon Dunlevie, 78-585 Sanita, stated he was in favor of the project and lives at the end of street where the pads are to be lowered and wanted to know how much. Senior Engineer Steve Speer stated the north-south street is already built so the lots that are on the north-south cul-de-sac street were graded several years ago and were at the maximum grade. Staff considered the difference in the grades and decided that to drain to the street the lots would have to be lowered .3 of a foot. Mr. Dunlevie stated that the last house to the south is noted to be lower than the street. Staff explained how the pad height would be determined. Mr. Dunlevie asked how far the houses would be from the rear property line. Staff stated the minimum rear setback is ten feet. Mr. Dunlevie requested they be as Iow as possible and set back as far as possible. 9. Ms. Linda Broom 78-380 Via Seville, stated she informally represents the existing homeowners of La Quinta Del Oro, and they have surveyed all the homeowners and ask that a gate be constructed at the entrance to their tract to slow the traffic. Or at least at the Forbes Street entrance. C:\My Documents\WPDOCS\PCg-26-OO.wpd 3 Planning Commission Minutes September 26, 2000 10. Mrs. Slavin 78-355 Via Caliente, stated she likes the project, but when the tennis stadium opened, it was a nightmare as people attending the event were parking on their street and taking sponge baths in front of their home. She could not get either Indian Wells or La Quinta's Code Enforcement to assist with this problem and wants someone to find a solution. The other question is that she backs up to the other property that is not developed yet and asked what would be developed on this site. Community Development Director Jerry Herman stated the City is Currently not processing any applications for this property and is still zoned as Medium Density. Ms. Slavin asked who was responsible for the fence. Vice Chairman Abels suggested Ms. Slavin direct her questions to the proper City departments as this was not an issue that was before the Commission. 11. Mr. Mike Renny 78-360 Via Norte, questioned whether or not this project would have to go through a compatibility review. Staff stated it would not as it is a different tract and not part of an existing tract. It will have to maintain the same, if not more restrictive design guidelines as what is existing in the neighborhoood. Via Caliente goes through and joins with Forbes and he would like to close this street off and make it a cul-de-sac and he was informing staff of their plans. They do understand this would cause a drainage issue but will work with staff to resolve any problems. Vice Chairman Abels reassured Mr. Handova that the Planning Commission was very concerned with compatibility issues. Mr. Handova asked what the process would be to establish a HOA. Vice Chairman Abels stated it was not an issue before the Commission. 12. Vice Chairman Abels asked if there was any other public comment. There being no further public comment, Vice Chairman Abels closed the public participation portion of the hearing and opened the project for Commission discussion. 13. Commissioner Butler stated he likes the project and believes it will be an asset to the community. He understands the homeowners concern regarding the pad height, but the existing grading is already established. 14. Commissioner Kirk stated he agrees with Commissioner Butler. He apologizes for not being able to address some of the concerns raised, but they are not issues the Commission can address. C:\My Documents\WPDOCS\PC9-26-OO.wpd 4 Planning Commission Minutes September 26, 2000 1 5. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Kirk/Butler to adopt Planning Commission Resolution 2000-066 approving Site Development Permit 2000- 684, subject to the Findings and Conditions of Approval as submitted. ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Butler, Kirk, Vice Chairman Abels. NOES: None. ABSENT: Commissioners Robbins and Tyler. ABSTAIN: None. Chairman Robbins and Commissioner Tyler rejoined the Commission. VI. BUSINESS ITEMS: A. Sign Application 2000-515; a request of 1st Choice Signs for Verizon Wireless for approval of a deviation to an approved sign program to permit corporate signs for a business located on the north side of Highway 111 in the One Eleven La Quinta Shopping Center, west of Simon Drive entry. 1. Chairman Robbins 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 Robbins asked if there were any questions of staff. Commissioner Kirk asked how the applicant was not in compliance. Staff stated the proposed letter style and height were not in conformance. 3. Commissioner Tyler asked staff to explain how many signs the applicant was asking for. Staff stated two. 4. Chairman Robbins asked if the applicant would like to address the Commission. Mr. Robby Seeds stated only if there were any questions. There being no questions, Chairman Robbins asked if there was any other public comment. There being none, Chairman -- Robbins asked if there was any further Commission discussion. 5. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Abels/Kirk to adopt Minute Motion 2000-014 approving Sign Application 2000-515, as recommended by staff. Unanimously approved. C:\My Documents\WPDOCS\PC9-26-OO.wpd 5 Planning Commission Minutes September 26, 2000 VII. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None. VIII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS: A. Commissioner Tyler gave a report of the City Council meeting of September 19, 2000. IX. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Tyler/Abels to adjourn this regular meeting of the Planning Commission to the next regular meeting of the Planning Commission to be held October 10, 2000, at 7:00 p.m. This meeting of the Planning Commission was adjourned at 7:44 p.m. on September 26, 2000. Respectfully submitted, ~Xec~utive~ecretary City of La Quinta, California C:\My Documents\WPDOCS\PC9-26-00.wpd 6