2002 11 12 PC Minutes MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall
78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA
November 12, 2002 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 Butler who asked Commissioner Abels to lead the flag
salute.
B. Present: Commissioners Jacques Abels, Tom Kirk, Steve Robbins, Robert
Tyler, and Chairman Richard Butler.
C. Staff present: Community Development Director Jerry Herman, City
Attorney Kathy Jenson, Assistant City Engineer Steve Speer, Planning
Manager Oscar Orci, and Executive Secretary Betty Sawyer.
II. PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: Confirmed
IV. CONSENT ITEMS:
A. Chairman Butler asked if there were any corrections to the Minutes of
October 22, 2002. There being no corrections, it was moved and
seconded by Commissioners Robbins/Abels to approve the minutes as
submitted. Unanimously approved.
B. Department Report: None
V. PRESENTATIONS: None
VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A. Variance 2002-031 and Parcel Map 30892' a request of Lench Design
Group for review of a variance to the lot width and size standards and
subdivision of a lot into two lots located at 53-220 and 53-240 Avenida
Rubio.
G:\WPDOCS\PC Minutes\l 1-12-02.wpd ]
Planning Commission Minutes
November 12, 2002
1. Chairman Butler opened the public hearing and asked for the staff
report. Commissioner Robbins moved that the staff report be
waived. Unanimously approved.
2. There being no questions of staff, Chairman Butler asked if the
applicant would like to address the Commission. Mr. Skip Lench,
applicant, stated he was available to answer any questions.
3. There being no questions of the applicant and no other public
comment, Chairman Butler closed the public participation portion
of the hearing and opened the matter up for Commission
discussion.
4. Chairman Butler asked why this was not caught by the Title
Company. Mr. Lench stated one caught it and the other didn't.
5. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Robbins/Kirk to adopt Planning Commission
Resolution 2002-105 approving Variance 2002-031, as
recommended.
ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Abels, Kirk, Robbins, Tyler, and
Chairman Butler. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN:
None.
6. It was moved and seconded by Commissioner Tyler/Abels to adopt
Planning Commission Resolution 2002-106 approving Tentative
Parcel Map 30892, subject to the findings and conditions as
recommended.
ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Abels, Kirk, Robbins, Tyler and
Chairman Butler, NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN:
None.
VII. BUSINESS ITEMS: None.
VIII. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None.
IX. COMMISSIONER ITEMS:
A. Discussion regarding Planning Commission Study Sessions.
G:\WPDOCS\PC Minutes\l 1-12-02.wpd 2
Planning Commission Minutes
November 12, 2002
1. Commissioner Tyler stated he was reintroducing the subject to see
if it would be appropriate to start having study sessions again.
2. Commissioner Abels/Robbins noted other cities that held study
sessions and how informative they could be.
3. Commissioner Kirk stated study session can be used to work out
the deals and the public hearing becomes only a formality and
public input becomes an after thought.
4. City Attorney Kathy Jenson stated the City Council has set the
procedures for Planning Commission meetings. There is no Brown
Act violation by having a study session. It is more of a due
process issue. The problem is that during study sessions
statements are made that shows a determination has been made
prior to the public hearing. Any person can speak on the agenda
items, but study sessions lend itself to statements being made
that show a decision preference.
5. Chairman Butler asked how a study session could be defined to
information only and not discussion. City Attorney Kathy Jenson
stated the public hearing could be opened at 3:00 p.m., discuss
the issues and then continue the hearing to 7:00 p.m.
6. Commissioner Tyler stated the study session could be held a week
or two before the pubic hearing to gather information.
7. Commissioner Robbins stated that on larger issues, such as the
General Plan update, it would help to have study sessions before
the public hearing.
8. Chairman Butler stated it appeared the consensus of the
Commission was to not have regular study sessions, but hold
them only as a need occurred. City Attorney Kathy Jenson stated
it could be held on a one time basis. She would recommend that
if the Commission believes there is not enough time to consider a
project, it can be continued and that would be a more defensable
stance to have a study session.
B. Discussion regarding canceling the regularly scheduled meeting of the
Planning Commission on December 24, 2002. It was moved and
seconded by Commissioners Tyler/Ables to cancel the meeting of
December 24, 2002. Unanimously approved.
G:\WPDOCS\PC Minutes\l 1-12-02.wpd 3
Planning Commission Minutes
November 12, 2002
C. Commissioner Tyler gave a report on the City Council meeting of
November 5, 2002.
X. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Abels/Kirk to adjourn this regular meeting of the Planning Commission to a regular
meeting of the Planning Commission to be held November 26, 2002, at 7:00 p.m.
This meeting of the Planning Commission was adjourned at 7:21 p.m. on November
12, 2002.
Respectfully submitted,
B~'J.-S~v-yer, Execdtive Secretary
City o~l~e-Quinta, California
G:\WPDOCS\PC Minutes\l 1-12bO2.wpd 4