2002 02 27 PC Minutes MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
A Special meeting of the Planning Commission
held at the La Quinta City Hall
78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, California
February 27, 2002 7:00 P.M.
I. CALL TO ORDER
A. This meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order at 7:04
p.m. by Chairman Abels who asked Commissioner Tyler to lead the flag
salute.
B. Present: Commissioners Richard Butler, Steve Robbins, Robert Tyler, and
Chairman Jacques Abels. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Tyler/Robbins to excuse Commissioner Kirk. Unanimously approved.
C. Staff present: Community Development Director Jerry Herman, City
Attorney Kathy Jenson, Senior Engineer Steve Speer, Planning
Consultant Nicole Criste, Principal Planner Fred Baker, and Executive
Secretary Betty Sawyer.
II. PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: Confirmed.
IV. CONSENT ITEMS' None
V. PUBLIC HEARING
A. Environmental Impact Report for the General Plan Update, Annexation
No. 12 and Sphere of Influence Amendment {Sch#2000091023), and
General Plan Update and Master Environmental Assessment; a request ot
the City for Certification of an Environmental Impact Report for the
Comprehensive General Plan, Annexation No. 1 2 and Sphere of Influence
Amendment, and for adoption of the General Plan Update and Master
Environmental Assessment.
1. Chairman Abels opened the public hearing and requested the staff
report. Planning Consultant Nicole Criste 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. Chairman Abels asked if there' were any questions of staff.
Commissioner Tyler asked the location of the property referred to
by A&M in their letter of request. Community Development
Director Jerry Herman noted the area on the map.
3. Commissioner Butler asked if any of the property owners wanted
to come back at a later date to request a Zone Change would they
be able to do so? Staff stated yes.
4. Chairman Abels asked if there was any other public comment.
Pomelos Ranch, LLC, 201 Ocean Avenue, Apartment #1009B,
Santa Monica, stated he supported the annexation.
5. Mrs. Gayle Cady, 82-831 Avenue 54, Vista Santa-Rosa, stated
she would like the Vision Statement of the Annexation Plan
regarding the current Land Use Map to keep the continuity of their
rural agricultural life style. On Page 17, the buildout dwelling units
and population totals, for Planning Areas No. 1 and 2 are
dramatically out of context for what the' residents of their
community would like to see. She requested this be reduced. On
Map 3.6 referring, to the Agrarian Corridor, there is no Agrarian
Corridor provision for Madison Street or Avenue 58 to Lake
Cahuilla. She requested this be added. Additionally, she
requested a provision be added for the connection of trails to
include Avenue 52. Also on Map 3.10 Multi-purpose trails are not
included on Avenue 52, Avenue 54 east and west, or on Madison
Street to Avenue 64. These need to.be added'before any decision
is made. Program 12.3 indicates the Agrarian Image Corridor shall
include Madison Street, Jackson Street, Harrison Avenue, Avenue
54, Avenue 58, Avenue 62 and Avenue 66. She would like this
to also include Avenue 52, which is the heart and center of the
equestrian living and activity.
6. Mr. Jesse McKeever, 82-550 Avenue 60, stated he does not
support annexation. His concern is the amount of water that is
being wasted and the drop in the water table.
7. Mr. Jeff Harrison, 54-102 Avenida Bermudas, representing the La
Quinta Cove Neighborhood Organization, gave a' presentation on
their desire to preserve the quality of life in the Cove and
throughout the City of La Quinta.
8. Mr. Joe Hammer, 74-757 North Cove Area, Indian Wells, stated
he and/or his family own three parcels of property. On the 40 acre
parcel at Avenue 65 and Tyler, in Planning Area No. 2, his concern
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is that the Coachella Valley Unified School District will be building
a new school facility consisting of 80 acres at Avenue 66 and
Tyler which has generated a lot of interest in their property. He
noted that all the land to the south of Avenue 65 is within the
Torres Martinez Indian Reservation. At a public meeting, one of
the Tribal members included his 40 acre parcel on Avenue 65 as
part of their land and it is not. He requested the Commission
consider annexing the non-Reservation lands. The second parcel
is between Avenue 62 and Avenue 63 on Jackson Street. This
parcel is also surrounded by Tribal Land. Their request is to ask
that this parcel be included in the Annexation. The third parcel is
40 acres located at Avenue 59 and Monroe Street. This parcel
they would like to develop as Neighborhood Commercial and/or
High Density Residential to develop apartments.
9. Mr. Don Recktor, 46-450 Cameo Palms, requested the Dark Sky
Ordinance be included as part of the General Plan Policy. His
concern is to retain the open space and preserving Point Happy
Ranch as a wildlife preserve or open space.
10. Ms. Judy Schenkman, 53-540 Avenida Villa, stated she was
interested seeing that a Golf Cart Transportation Plan was
implemented for the residents in the Cove.
11. Mr. Brent Lance, Diamantina LLC, 84-401 Avenue 61, stated he
owns 40 acres at 84-041 Avenue 61, stated he would like to
request a change to the Agricultural/Equestrian Overlay to be more
meaningful. He would like a change to Exhibit 2.1, the Legend
which still only refers to a Agricultural Overlay, to refer also to
Equestrian and Agricultural. This would clarify that the changes
made on Page 11 to incorporate reference to equestrian uses were
intended to apply to the entire area in Planning area 1 and 2.
12. Mr. Robert Kull, 54-721 Monroe Street, stated he owns 40 acres
east of Monroe Street and supports the annexation and asks they
maintain the ranch style.
13. Mrs. Kay Wolff, 77-227 Calle Ensenada, member of Cove
Neighborhood Group, stated she agrees with Mr. McKeevor and
Mr. Harrison. One of their issues was to allow golf course
privileges for all residents to the existing golf courses. The
residents do not want another golf course, they would either like
privileges to the existing golf courses or have the City assume one
after it is no longer viable. Her own concerns are that the
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anticipated population growth for the Planning Areas is too large.
The EIR makes no reference to the total cost of services to
maintain Planning Areas 1 or 2. The Draft EIR gave these figures
and stated the deficient was to be balanced out by the businesses,
assessments and taxes of the residents of the current City
boundaries. This is unacceptable. She would also request that
the request of A & M Construction to rezone the park area along
the Bear Creek Storm Channel be denied. She would like to
request a philosophy of slow growth, very very Iow density, and
high quality commercial development be adopted. The City needs
to be "picky", charming and small. Mitigate the negative effects
of water, noise, and traffic and keep La Quinta small and
charming.
14. There being no further public comment, the public participation
portion of the public hearing is closed and open for Commission
discussion.
15. Planning Consultant Nicole Criste reviewed the comments that
were made. Regarding Ms. Cady's request for Agrarian Image
Corridors and Trails to General Plan maps and on Page 16 of staff
report, it is suggested that multi-use trails be designated on
Avenue 62, Avenue 54 and Van Buren Street in addition to those
already designated. On Page 19 of the staff report, it is suggested
Agrarian Image Corridors be placed on Airport Boulevard, Avenue
60, Monroe Street, and Van Buren Street and that the program be
amended. Mr. Hammer's first two properties were included in the
Planning Areas; now they are both out of the area. The third
property is Item A.3 of the staff-report along with the analysis.
Mr. Rector referred to the Dark Sky principals. There were
discussions between the Commission and Council recommending
that it not be added. However, Policy #10 of the General Plan
states the City will maintain the Dark Sky Ordinance. Mr. Lance's
suggestion regarding the Agricultural Overlay being changed to
Agricultural/Equestrian and on Page 18 of staff report it is
recommended the term Agricultural Overlay be changed to
Agricultural/Equestrian Overlay. Ms. Wolff's question regarding
the cost revenue analysis for Planning Area No. 1 and No. 2,
Planning Area No. 1 was analyzed in the EIR under the heading of
Annex No. 12 and Planning Area No. 2 under the Sphere of
Influence. The Tables regarding cost revenue analysis are located
on Page 3-206 of Draft EIR Table 47 and Table 48 on Page 3-207.
Ms. Criste went over the revisions that had been made.
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Chairman Abels recessed the meeting at 8:16 p.m. and reconvened at 8:25
16. Planning Consultant Nicole Criste stated there were two approvals
that needed to be made. Attachment "A" which dealt with Land
Use changes and Attachment "B" which dealt with the other Text
Changes that had been requested. In addition, staff is
recommending a designation of Multi-purpose Trails on the even
numbered streets on Avenues 50 through 60 in addition to the
trails recommended in the staff report.
17. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Butler/Robbins to
accept Attachment "A" as recommended by staff. Unanimously
approved.
18. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Butler/Tyler to
accept Attachment "B" as recommended by staff including the
Multi-purpose Trails on the even numbered streets on Avenues 50
through 60. Unanimously approved.
19. It was moved and seconded by commissioner Butler/Robbins to
adopt Planning Commission Resolution 2002-032 recommending
to the City Council certification of the Environmental Impact
Report for the General Plan Update, Annexation No. 12, and
Sphere of Influence Amendment and amend the General Plan by
adopting an Updated General Plan and Master Environmental
Assessment, as recommended.
ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Butler, Kirk, Robbins, Tyler, and Chairman
Abels. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: None.
VI. ADJOURNMENT:
It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Tyler/Butler to adjourn this special
meeting of the Planning Commission to a regular meeting of the Planing Commission
on March 12, 2002. This special meeting of the Planning Commission was adjourned
at 8:30 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
yer, Executive Secretary
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