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2003 01 14 PC Minutes MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA January 14, 2003 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, Associate Planner Wallace Nesbit, 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 December 10, 2002. There being no corrections, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Abels/Robbins to approve the minutes as presented. Unanimously approved. B. Department Report: Community Development Director Jerry Herman informed the Commission about the upcoming League of California Cities Planners Institute to be held March 20-22, 2003 in San Diego. V. PRESENTATIONS: None VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None A. Site Development Permit 2002-757; a request of La Quinta Developers for consideration of development plans for construction of a _-1:_5,O00 square foot commercial office building in an approved commercial office complex located on the south side of Avenue 47 at Caleo Bay Drive, east of Washington Street. Planning Commission Minutes January 14, 2003 1. Chairman Butler asked for the staff report. Associate Planner Wallace Nesbit presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. 2. Chairman Butler asked if there were any questions of staff. Commissioner Tyler asked if the elevators were located only on the center portion of the building. Staff noted the location of the elevators on the site plan. 3. There being no further questions of staff, Chairman Butler asked if the applicant would like to address the Commission. The applicant was available to answer any questions. 4. There being no questions of the applicant and no other public participation, Chairman Butler closed the public participation portion and opened the matter up for Commission discussion. 5. There being no discussion, it- was moved and seconded by Commissioners Kirk/Abels to adopt Resolution 2003-001, approving Site Development Permit 2002-757, subject to the · conditions as recommended. ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Abels, Kirk, Robbins, Tyler, and Chairman Butler, NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. B. General Plan Amendment 2002-088; a request of the City for consideration of an Amendment to the City's General Plan Circulation Element by changing the existing classification for the following streets: Fred Waring Drive, Adams Street, and Dune Palms Road. 1. Chairman Butler 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 Butler asked if there were any questions of staff. Commissioner Robbins asked if this change would mean a restriping of the street to make it into six lanes. Staff noted it would still require some widening in the County. Commissioner Robbins asked about the potion that is still in the County. Staff G :\WPDOCS\PC Minutes\ 1 - 14-03.wpd 2 Planning Commission Minutes January 14, 2003 stated there is enough room to have six lanes, but not enough area for curb. Commissioner Robbins stated he had a concern regarding those homes who take direct access onto Fred Waring Drive. Staff stated on-site turn-arounds may have to be provided for those homes that back directly onto Fred Waring Drive. 3. Commissioner Tyler asked if that portion of Fred Waring Drive across from Palm Royale was part of the proposed development to provide six lanes, or will it remain vacant. Staff stated Fred Waring Drive is one of the must build streets, but is not part of the current discussions. Jefferson Street has the priority. The City may have to use public funds to finish Fred Waring Drive. 4. Chairman Butler asked if the speed limit would be changed on any of these streets. Staff stated the speed limits are set by the motoring public with statistical analysis used to determine if a change needs to be made. '. 5. There being no further questions of staff and no other public participation, Chairman Butler closed the public participation portion and opened the matter up for Commission discussion. 6. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Tyler/Abels to adopt Resolution 2003-002, approving General Plan Amendment 2002-088, as recommended. ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Abels, Kirk, Robbins, Tyler, and Chairman Butler, NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. VII. BUSINESS ITEMS: A. Site Development Permit 2002-758, a request of Cornerstone Developers for review of architectural and model home landscaping plans for four new prototype residential units located at the northeast corner of Washington Street and Miles Avenue. 1. Commissioner Robbins stated he may have a potential conflict of interest as this project abuts his property and removed himself from the dias. Chairman Butler asked for the staff report. Planning Manager Oscar Orci presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. · G:\WPDOCS\PC Minutes\l - 14-03.wpd 3 Planning Commission Minutes January 14, 2003 2. Chairman Butler asked' if there were any questions of staff. Commissioner Tyler.asked if this would need a compatibility review. Staff indicated it would not, as it is a separate tract and not a part of any of the other existing tracts. 3. Commissioner Tyler asked for an explanation of the Architecture 'and Landscaping Review Committee (ALRC) recOmmendation. Staff explained the conditions imposed by the ALRC on the site map. Commissioner Tyler asked for an explanation of the air conditioning pads. Staff explained the condition would ensure they provide the appropriate distance on the side yard. Commissioner Tyler asked staff to explain the requirements of the Zoning Code in regard to sideyard setbacks. Staff stated the provisions in the Zoning Code and reminded the Commission this subject would be before the Commission on January 28, 2003 for discussion and to provide staff with direction. If any Code changes are made, this developer may be required to meet the new requirements. 4. Commissioner Kirk asked for clarification on the elimination of the windows on the garage doors. Staff explained it was a recommendation of the ALRC. Commissioner Kirk asked if one of the models would contain water efficient plants. Staff stated it was a standard conditions. Commissioner Kirk asked the status of the CVWD Water Efficient Ordinance. Staff would report on the status at the next meeting. Commissioner Kirk asked if a provision could be drafted in the interim. 5. Commissioner Tyler asked if the street names noted on the tract map were approved, or suggestions. Staff stated the normal process is for them to be submitted for approval. Staff would review and see if they were approved. 6. There being no further questions of staff, Chairman Butler asked if the applicant would like to address the Commission. Mr. Joe Swain, representing Cornerstone Developers gave a presentation on the project, and explained the "shaded" area on the roof as requested by Commissioner Kirk. 7. Commissioner Kirk asked if there was any objection to the ALRC . recommendation on the curvilinear landscaping. Mr. Ray Lopez, landscape architect for the project, stated the area of concern is so small it is not an issue with them. In regard to the drought tolerant landscaping they do encourage it, but it is still a hard sell. ,G :\WPDOC S\PC Minutes\ 1 - 14-03.wpd 4 Planning Commission Minutes January 14, 2003 8. Commissioner Tyler stated there seems to be a similarity between these models and those proposed for the Esplanade project. Mr. Swain stated they are, but larger. .. 9. Mr. Brad Phoenix, 44-290 Via Coronado, asked for an explanation about a rumor regarding gating this project. Planning Manager Oscar Orci stated there is a portion of the lots that will be connected to the northern tract and the applicant is exploring the option of constructing gates at this location. The streets are public and they would need to be vacated before it could be approved. Mr. Swain indicated the southerly gate and northern entrances on the map. They have tried to encourage some dialog .with the residents to introduce a gate at the entrance off Washington Street, but after reviewing all the implications, they decided it would be better to review it further at a later date and not make it a part of this process 10. Mr. D. J. Ryan, 44-265 Via Coronado, asked what percentage of the homeowners would be required to make this happen. City Attorney Kathy Jensen stated the streets are currently public and in order for them to become private streets, the City Council would have to adopt findings determining the streets are no longer necessary. A homeowners' association would have to be formed along with a maintenance agreement for the roads. 11. There being no further questions of the applicant, Chairman Butler closed the public participation portion and opened the matter for Commission discussion. 12. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Abels/Kirk to adopt Minute Motion 2003-001, approving Site Development Permit 2002-758, as am'ended: a. Windows on the garages allowed as an option. Unanimously approved VIII. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None. G:\WPDOCS\PC Minutes\ 1 - 14-03.wpd .5 Planning Commission Minutes January 14, 2003 IX. COMMISSIONER ITEMS: A. Chairman Butler asked for participation on who would be the Commission's representative to the City Council meetings. It was determined to be a rotational attendance by the Commission. Commissioner Abels offered to attend the meeting of January 21, 2003, and staff would prepare a rotational list for the remainder meetings. X. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Abels/Tyler to adjourn this regular meeting of the Planning Commission to a regular meeting of the Planning Commission to be held January 28, 2003, at 7:00 p.m. This meeting of the Planning Commission was adjourned at 7:51 p.m. on January 14, 2003. Respectfully submitted, · '~~y)~_S~Wl;~er, ~ecut~e Secretary City of ~uinta, California G:\WPDOCS\PC Minutes\ 1 - 14-03.wpd (~