2001 11 13 PC Minutes MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall
78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA
November 13, 2001 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 Abels who asked Commissioner Tyler to lead the flag
salute.
B. Present: Commissioners Richard Butler, Tom Kirk, Steve Robbins, Robert
Tyler, and Chairman Jacques Abels.
C. Staff present: Community Development Director Jerry Herman, City
Attorney Kathy Jenson, Interim City Engineer Steve Speer, Principal
Planner Stan Sawa, and Executive Secretary Betty Sawyer.
II. PUBLIC COMMENT:
III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: Confirmed
IV. CONSENT ITEMS:
A. Chairman Abels asked if there were any corrections to the Minutes of
October 23, 2001. Commissioner Tyler asked that Page 4, Item 5, be
corrected to read, "....wall on the east side..."; Page 7, Item 5, corrected
to read, "...he stated..."; Page 10, add a statement that Commissioner
Tyler was in favor of the park, but was voting no due to the inadequacy
of the restroom facilities proposed. Commissioner Kirk asked that Page
11, Item 29, the recommendation should be amended to show the
Commission was making a recommendation to the City Council that staff
should work with the High School to determine if the High School could
provide additional parking as a conjunctive use. There being no further
corrections, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Kirk/Tyler to
approve the minutes as corrected. Unanimously approved.
B. Department Report:
1. Staff reminded the Commission of the Joint meeting between the
City Council and Planning Commission on November 14, 2001,
regarding the General Plan Update.
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V. PRESENTATIONS: None.
VI. PUBLIC HEARING:
A. Environmental Assessment 2001-415, Tentative Tract Map 29963 and
Street Name Change 2001-013; a request of La Quinta Construction for
Certification of a Mitigated Negative Declaration of Environmental
Impact; subdivision of approximately 13.4 acres into six estate single
family lots that are 2.16 acres in size and larger; and initiation of a street
name change from Kirk Court to Coral Mountain Drive, for the property
located at the northwest corner of Kirk Court and Avenue 58.
1. Staff informed the Commission the applicant had requested this
item be continued to December 11, 2001.
2. There being no discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Kirk/Butler to continue Environmental Assessment
2001-415, Tentative Tract Map 29963 and Street Name Change
2001-01 3, to December 11, 2001. Unanimously approved.
B. Street Name Change 2001-012; a request of Lake La Quinta
Communities to change the name of a portion of Via Trieste to Via
Livorno within Lake La Quinta.
1. Chairman Abels opened the public hearing and asked for the staff
report. Community Development Director Jerry Herman presented
the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on
file in the Community Development Department.
2. Chairman Abels asked if there were any questions of staff.
Commissioner Tyler asked if the residents were in agreement with
the name change. Staff stated all were informed and had
submitted letters requesting the change.
3. Chairman Abels asked if the applicant would like to address the
Commission. The applicant was not present and there being no
one else who wished to speak on this project, the public
participation portion of the hearing was closed and open for
Commission discussion.
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4. There being no discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Tyler/Butler to adopt Planning Commission
Resolution 2001-138, recommending approval of Street Name
Change 2001-01 2, subject to the findings as recommended.
ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Butler, Kirk, Robbins, Tyler, and
Chairman Abels. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN:
None.
C. Site Development Permit 2001-716; a request of First Community Bank
for review of site plan and signs for the conversion of an existing
residence to a temporary bank for the property located at the southeast
corner of Jefferson Street and Avenue 52.
1. Chairman Abels opened the public hearing and asked for the staff
report. Community Development Director Jerry Herman presented
the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on
file in the Community Development Department.
2. Chairman Abels asked if there were any questions of staff.
Commissioner Tyler asked about the access for this parcel on a
temporary basis. Interim City Engineer Steve Speer explained
there is a double-double yellow line and the striping would have to
be revised to allow a full turn movement on a temporary basis.
Commissioner Tyler asked if it met City standards for the distance
from the corner. Staff stated that if the Specific Plan for the site
is approved it would be a right turn in and out with a median.
Commissioner Tyler asked why the project was conditioned so
heavily for a temporary bank building. Interim City Engineer Steve
Speer stated the items that are needed will not be required of the
applicant. Commissioner Tyler asked why this was being
considered before the specific plan. Community Development
Director Jerry Herman stated because the applicant is requesting
to be in operation before the specific plan is processed. It hasa
two year expiration date. Commissioner Tyler questioned whether
the pool would remain and if so would it be fenced.
3. Commissioner Butler stated his concern that if there is not
adequate staff, the Commission is not getting adequate
information. He is concerned and asked what the Commission
could do to support staff. Staff stated it is in the process and the
City will be hiring consultants to help in the interim.
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4. Chairman Abels asked if the applicant would like to address the
Commission. Mr. Lou Bishop, speaking for the applicant, gavea
presentation on the project. He stated that as they do not
anticipate a large amount of traffic, the driveway is not expected
to be an issue.
5. Chairman Abels asked if there were any questions of the
applicant. Commissioner Tyler asked if the site would meet the
ADA requirements. Mr. Bishop stated they would meet all
requirements.
6. Commissioner Butler asked if they could meet the parking
requirements. Mr. Bishop stated they meet all the requirements.
7. Commissioner Tyler asked if the existing trees would remain on
the permanent site. Mr. Bishop stated it was unknown at this
time. Commissioner Tyler asked if the pool would remain and if
so would it be fenced. Mr. Bishop stated that at the present the
pool would remain and it would be fenced. Commissioner Tyler
expressed his concern about allowing the pool to remain.
Commissioner Butler expressed his concern as well.
8. Commissioner Chairman Abels asked if anyone else would like to
speak regarding this project. There being no further discussion,
the public participation portion of the hearing was closed and open
for Commission discussion.
9. Commissioner Tyler questioned the need to allow a two year
approval. Staff explained the reasoning for the two year approval.
10. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Kirk/Robbins to adopt Planning Commission
Resolution 2001-1 39, approving Site Development Permit 2001-
716, as amended:
A. Condition #36: The City Engineer is given the authority to
remove conditions that are unwarranted.
ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Butler, Kirk, Robbins, Tyler, and
Chairman Abels. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN:
None.
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D. Village Use Permit 2001-010, Amendment //1; a request of Edwin G.
Cosek lor Andrew's Bar and Grill for review of design changes for an
existing one story commercial building located at 78-121 Avenida La
Fonda.
1. Commissioner Kirk excused himself due to a possible conflict of
interest due to his residency being within 500 feet of the project,
and withdrew from the dias.
2. 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.
2. Chairman Abels asked if there were any questions of staff.
Commissioner Tyler asked if the addition would abut the building
to the west. Community Development Director Jerry Herman
stated it would not. Commissioner Tyler expressed his concern
regarding the lack of parking.
3. Chairman Abels asked if the applicant would like to address the
Commission. Mr. Edwin Cosek, gave a presentation on the
project.
4. Chairman Abels asked if there were any questions of the
applicant. There being no questions of the applicant, Chairman
Abels asked if anyone else would like to speak regarding this
project. There being no ~urther discussion, the public participation
portion of the hearing was closed and open for Commission
discussion.
5. There being no discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Robbins/Butler to adopt Planning Commission
Resolution 2001-140, approving Village Use Permit 2001-010,
Amendment //1, as submitted.
ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Butler, Robbins, Tyler, and Chairman
Abels. NOES: None. ABSENT: Commissioner Kirk.
ABSTAIN: None.
Commissioner Kirk rejoined the Commission.
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E. Site Development Permit 2001-720; a request of Rancho Capistrano
Development Corporation for review of architectural and landscaping
plans for a new casitas prototype residential plan for the property located
north of Avenue 54 and east of Jefferson Street.
1. 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.
2. Chairman Abels asked if there were any questions of staff.
Commissioner Butler asked if either property owner could purchase
the casita room. It appears for this to be possible, the floor plan
would have to be flipped. Staff stated the applicant could explain
this without flipping the casita room.
3. Commissioner Tyler stated he did not understand the marketing
behind this plan. In addition, what was staff asking for in regard
to the lot lines adjustments. Staff stated the lot lines will depend
on which property owner purchases the casitas unit.
Commissioner Tyler asked how many parking spaces were
provided. Staff explained there would be 42 carport spaces and
showed their location on the site plan.
4. Chairman Abels asked if the applicant would like to address the
Commission. Mr. Robert Wilkinson, representing the applicant,
explained the proposed entrances to the casitas unit and how the
unit was being marketed.
5. Chairman Abels asked if there were any questions of the
applicant. Commissioner Tyler asked if any of the units would be
built without thecasita. Mr. Wilkinson stated it is possible.
6. Commissioner Chairman Abels asked if anyone else would like to
speak regarding this project. There being no further discussion,
the public participation portion of the hearing was closed and open
for Commission discussion.
7. Commissioner Kirk stated he thought the elevations for Plan A
were somewhat plain.
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8. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Kirk/Tyler to adopt Planning Commission
Resolution 2001-141, approving Site Development Permit 2001-
720, as submitted.
ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Butler, Kirk, Robbins, Tyler, and
Chairman Abels. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN:
None.
F. Conditional Use Permit 2001-063; a request of Sprint PCS to change
Condition #8 of Planning Commission Resolution 2001-127, substituting
two required 40-foot high palm trees adjacent to an approved 68-foot
high monopalm wireless antenna camouflaged as a palm tree with six 60-
foot high date palm trees along the street frontage for the property
located at 46-600 Adams Street within Storage USA.
1. 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.
2. Chairman Abels asked if there were any questions of staff. There
being no questions of staff, Chairman Abels asked if the applicant
would like to address the Commission. Ms. Linda Ennaba,
representing the applicant, gave a presentation on the project.
She stated they are having a lot of resistance from the property
owner in regard to trenching the site for the water and irrigation
lines. They had laid the electrical lines for the tower before the
storage site was constructed and therefore did not need to trench
for the installation of the tower. They did not put the irrigation
lines in at that time as they did not know they would need them.
3. Chairman Abels asked if there were any questions of the
applicant. Commissioner Kirk asked if trenching was done before
approval. Ms. Ennaba stated it was not trenched, the utilities
were installed before the s~orage expansion was built.
4. Commissioner Butler asked what trenching would be needed. Ms.
Ennaba stated it was needed to bring water lines to the site for the
palm trees. Commissioner Butler asked if they delayed the
trenching until a later date would the landlord be more favorable.
Ms. Ennaba stated the landlord has denied any trenching.
Commissioner Butler stated he could not support the applicant's
request.
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5. Commissioner Tyler asked how far the monopalm was from
Adams Street. Staff stated it was approximately 600 feet.
6. Commissioner Robbins stated he has a problem with the view from
the north looking south and the height of the palm trees and their
potential short life span. He understands the problem, but is not
satisfied with their solution. Ms. Ennaba asked if they would
prefer the six trees be placed on the CVWD property on the north
side. Discussion followed regarding alternatives.
7. Commissioner Chairman Abels asked if anyone else would like to
speak regarding this project. There being no further discussion,
the public participation portion of the hearing was closed and open
for Commission discussion.
8. Chairman Abels suggested the applicant work with staff to find an
alternative location for the monopalm.
9. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Kirk/Tyler to adopt Planning Commission
Resolution 2001-142, denying Conditional Use Permit 2001-063,
Amendment //1, as recommended by staff.
ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Butler, Kirk, Robbins, Tyler, and
Chairman Abels. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN:
None.
VII. BUSINESS ITEMS: None
VIII. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None.
IX. COMMISSIONER ITEMS:
A. Discussion regarding the Planning Commission meeting of December 25,
2001. It was moved and seconded by Commissioner Tyler/Robbinsto
go dark on December 25, 2001. Unanimously approved.
B. Commissioner Tyler gave a report on the City Council meeting of October
6, 2001.
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X. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Butler/Robbins to adjourn this regular meeting of the Planning Commission to the next
regular meeting of the Planning Commission to be held November 27, 2001, at 7:00
p.m. This meeting of the Planning Commission was adjourned at 8:23 p.m. on
November 13, 2001.
R~pectfully submitted,
¢
Exe ecretary
Cit~e~a Quinta, California
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