2003 08 12 PC Minutes MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall
78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA
August 12, 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 Kirk who asked Commissioner Tyler tb lead the flag
-salute.
B. Present: Commissioners Jacques Abels., Rick Daniels, Robert Tyler, and
Chairman Tom Kirk. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Abels/Tyler to excuse Commissioner Quill.
C. Staff present: Community Development Director Jerry Herman, Assistant
City Attorney Michael Houston, Public Works Director Tim Jonasson,
Planning Manager Oscar Orci, Associate Engineer Brian Ching, Associate
Planner Greg Trousdell, and Executive Secretary Betty Sawyer.
II. PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
II1. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: Confirmed
IV. CONSENT ITEMS:
1. Chairman Kirk asked if there were any corrections to the Minutes of July
29, 2003. Commissioner Tyler asked that Page 4, Item 7, be corrected
by spelling the word "sight"; Page 5, Item 8, add to the last sentence,
"for compatibility with the apartment complex across the street"; Page
7, Item 7, corrected to read, "Staff stated it was probably going to be
; moved."; and Item 8.d., change Monroe Street to Avenue 58. There
being no further corrections, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Abels/Daniels to approve the minutes as corrected.
Unanimously approved.
2. Department Report: None.
V. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A. Tentative Tract Map 31239; a request of Madison/58th Partners, LLC for
consideration of a subdivision of 33 acres into 85 single family lots
located on the south side of Avenue 58, approximately Y2mile west of
Madison Street.
Planning Commission Minutes
August 12, 2003
1. Planning Manager Oscar Orci informed the Commission the
applicant had requested a continuance to the Planning Commission
meeting of September 9, 2003.
2. There being no discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Abels/Daniels to continue the project to September
9, 2003. Unanimously approved.
B. Tentative Tract Map 29436 -Extension #2; a request of Trans-West
Housing for consideration of a one year time extension to file a final map
for a subdivision of 190 acres into 1269 single family lots located on the
north side of Eisenhower Drive, approximately Y2mile west of Washington
Street
]. Planning Manager Oscar Orci informed the Commission the
applicant had requested a continuance to the Planning Commission
meeting of September 9, 2003.
2. There being no discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Abels/Daniels to continue the project to September
9, 2003. Unanimously approved.
C. Environmental Assessment 2003-478, Specific Plan 2003-065, Tentative
Tract Map 31379, and Site Development Permit 2003-778 - Villa La
Quinta; a request of Centex Destination Properties for consideration of
certification of a Mitigated Negative Declaration of environmental impact;
review of development guidelines and standards for a residential resort
consisting of 280 units on 44.61 acres;, a subdivision map for an 18
development and other common lots for streets and retention basins; and
review of multiple housing units plans for one and two story buildings
ranging in size from 1,300 square feet to 2,090 square feet and a
clubhouse building to be located on the west side of Eisenhower Drive at
Coachella Drive.
1. Planning Manager Oscar Orci informed the Commission the
applicant had requested a continuance to the Planning Commission
meeting of September 9, 2003.
2. There being no discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Abels/Daniels to continue the project to September
9, 2003. Unanimously approved.
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D. Site Development Permit 2003-782; a request of Madison Estates, LLC
for consideration of architectural and landscaping plans for three
prototype rosidential units that rango in size from 3,:321 square feet to
3,762 square feet for a 76-1ot single family subdivision to be located on
the north side of Avenue 58, approximately 2,640 feet west of Madison
Street.
1. Chairman Kirk opened the public hearing and asked for the staff
report. Associate Planner Greg Trousdell presented the
information contained in the staff report, a copy of whiCh is on file
in the Community Development Department.
2. Chairman Kirk asked if there were any questions of staff.
Commissioner Tyler asked if Avenue 58 was a Major Arterial and if
the gatehouse would be located in the setback. Staff stated the
street was changed to a Secondary Arterial during the General Plan
Update and the gatehouse would not be within the setback as it
was more than 20 feet from the street. Commissioner Tyler asked
about the parcel that was northeast of the tract. Staff stated the
owner, Dr. Baumann, had an approved four lot subdivision, so the
two tracts are sharing the private driveway. Commissioner Tyler
asked if Condition #10 should be modified to require an upgrade to
the concrete due to the soil content in this area. Staff stated the
applicant had completed a soils test of the area and a different
material would be used, as requested by the Architecture and
Landscaping Review Committee (ALRC).
3. Chairman Kirk asked what concern the ALRC had with the
stamped concrete. Staff stated the stamped concrete can crack
and may not be the best long term material to use. The rubber
stamp is consistently a better material.
4. There being no further questions of staff, Chairman Kirk asked if
the applicant would like to address the Commission. Mr. Steve
Cameron, South Point Construction, developer for the project,
stated they would rather use bands with pavers in between, than
the stamped concrete. Their studies show they have a good soil
base which would not create a problem with the concrete.
5. There being no other questions of the applicant and no other public
comment, Chairman Kirk closed the public participation portion of
the hearing and opened it to Commission discussion.
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6. Commissioner Tyler stated it was a nice project. He would
request that the second half 'of Condition #10 be deleted.
7. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Abels/Tyler to adopt Minute Motion 2003-012
approving Site Development Permit 2003-782, as recommended
by staff and amended.
a. Condition #10: delete second sentence.
Unanimously approved.
E. Tentative Tract Map 31627 and Site Development Permit 2003-779; a
request of MDS Consulting for NADADOR, LLC. for consideration of the
subdivision of 21.31 acres into 32 single family and other common lots
within PGA West, and review of architectural and landscaping plans for
one prototype residential unit and private clubhouse structure to be
located on the southeast corner of Avenue 54 and PGA Boulevard.
1. Chairman Kirk opened the public hearing and asked for the staff
report. Associate Planner Greg Trousdell presented the
information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file
in the Community Development Department.
2. Chairman Kirk asked if there were any questions of staff.
Commissioner Daniels stated he lived outside the 500 foot radius
of this project, but due to the proximity of his residence, he
thought it best to excused himself due to a potential conflict of
interest and left the dias.
3. Chairman Kirk asked if there were any questions of staff.
Commissioner Tyler questioned why there were only two floor
plans. In addition, this project has golf course accessibility and
golf cart parking should be available. He then asked about the
street names. Staff stated the applicant would speak to this.
Commissioner Tyler asked for an explanation of the access off
PGA Boulevard. Staff stated there are two in lanes and one exit
lane. Commissioner Tyler asked if the City standard for a cul-de-
sac was 45 feet. Staff stated they are proposing the minimum
required, or 35 feet. Commissioner Tyler asked about Condition
#40 of the Tract Map regarding walls around the retention basin.
He questioned whether it was appropriate as the retention basins
were surrounded by homes. He thought there was a conflict
between Conditions #42.B.3 and #76. One calls for a minimum of
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a two car stacking and the other states the Fire Department wants
a minimum of 35 feet. He also asked that Condition #3.A. of the
Site Development Permit be corrected by removing the word
UFuture".
·
4. There being no further questions of staff, Chairman Kirk asked if
the applicant would like to address'the Commission. Mr. Chris
Bergh, MDS Consulting, engineers for the project, stated the
access off PGA Boulevard is currently being used as an exit for the
welcome center. There are two curb cuts at the site and the
northerly curb cut will be closed and the southerly cut will be
used.
5. Chairman Kirk stated he welcomed the changes that were being
proposed and asked why the lake had been removed. Mr. Bergh
stated the applicant has wanted a different look arid product.
Chairman Kirk asked if there are walls in the back yard. Mr. Bergh
stated no, they will be open to the retention/landscaped areas.
6. Mr. Mark Bales, representing NADADOR, LLC, explained the
concept of the project. He stated there is currently one floor plan
with two elevations and they may change as the project evolves.
In regard to the lake, they wanted to remove the water feature to
create a pedestrian way that could be accessed by all the
backyards. It is their intention to use one of the houses for a
community center until it is built out and they are able to construct
the center at the entrance. It would be converted back to a home
later after the project is built out.
7. Chairman Kirk asked if they would agree to a restriction that no
more than a certain percentage of the houses can be built with the
one elevation. He suggested no more than 25 percent. Mr. Bales
stated as long as he had the option to come back to the
Commission and request additional units. He agreed the project
needs to have different colors, texture, materials, etc. Chairman
Kirk stated they would have the opportunity to come back with
more elevations or to convince the Commission they did not need
additional elevations. Mr. Bales stated they would like to have as
muCh flexibility as possible to uSe the same floor plan, if it is a
success. In regard to street names, they have no Preference.
8. Commissioner Tyler asked why they were not providing the third
garage for the golf carts. Mr. Bales stated they are buying a
Heritage membership that will go along with the sale of each
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house which will give them access to five golf courses. It is their
intention to have them use the guest parking area.
9. There being no further questions of the applicant, and no other
public comment, the public participation portion of the hearing was
closed and open for Commission discussion.
10. Commissioner Abels suggested staff work with the applicant on
the street names.
11. Commissioner Tyler asked about Condition //11 of the Site
Development Permit in regard to the ALRC recommendation about
the windows.
12. Chairman Kirk stated the Commission does want to promote
streetscape diversity. He believes this is a very good redesign of
the project. He would want a requirement that no more than 30
percent of the development can be the one plan being approved.
13. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seConded by
Commissioners Tyler/Abels to adopt Planning Commission
Resolution 2003-057, approving Tentative Tract Map 31627, as
recommended by staff and amended:
a. Conditions #52.B.3 and #76 be clarified by the Public
Works Department to make them consistent with each
other.
b. Condition added regarding the applicant working with
staff in regard to street names.
ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Abels, Tyler, and Chairman Kirk.
NOES: None. ABSENT: Commissioners Daniels and Quill.
ABSTAIN: None.
14. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Tyler/Abels to adopt Planning Commission
Resolution 2003-058, approving Site Development Permit 2003-
779, as recommended by staff and amended:
a. Condition #3.A.: delete the word "Future".
b. Condition #11: delete the last sentence.
c. Condition added: The applicant shall construct a
maximum of 30 percent of the homes with the proposed
elevations.
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ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Abels, Tyler, and Chairman Kirk.
NOES: None. ABSENT: Commissioners Daniels and Quill.
ABSTAIN: None
Commissioner Daniels rejoined the Commission.
VII. BUSINESS ITEMS:
A. General Plan Consistency Finding 2003-004; a request of the City for a
finding of General Plan conformity for the City potential acquisition of
property for'the widening of Jefferson Street.
1. Chairman Kirk asked for the staff report. Planner Manager Oscar
Orci presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy
of which is on file in the Community Development Department.
2. Chairman Kirk asked if there were any questions of staff.
Commissioner Tyler asked about the ultimate design of the street
and what will happen to the extra land that is being acquired.
Public Works Director Tim Jonasson stated they are still reviewing
the City's options. One idea may be extra landscaping on both
sides of the street. They are in need of additional well sites that
may be accommodated in this area. Discussion is still taking place
regarding potential ideas.
3. Commissioner Daniels asked what the time schedule was for the
project. Staff stated they hoped to be in construction by the end
of 2004. This time next year the City may be ready to go out to
bid. The design work is about to start. The environmental
process is going to the City Council next week. Commissioner
Daniels asked if this was again a split jurisdiction project. Staff
stated that on this segment the majority of the takings are in La
Quinta, but again the City of Indio and the County of Riverside are
both involved in the entire project.
4. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Abels/Daniels to adopt Planning Commission
Resolution 2003-059, making a finding of General Plan conformity
for the potential acquisition of property for the widening of
Jefferson Street.
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ROLL CALL: AYES' Commissioners Abels, Daniels, Tyler, and
Chairman Kirk. NOES' None. ABSENT: Commissioner
Quill. ABSTAIN: None
IX. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None.
X. COMMISSIONER ITEMS:
1. There was no report of the City Council meeting of AUgust 5, 2003.
Xl. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Tyler/Daniels to adjourn this regular meeting of the Planning Commission to a regular
meeting of the Planning Commission to be held on September 9, 2003, at 7:00 p.m.
This meeting of the Planning Commission was adjourned at 7:54 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
~xe~:2~ t~ive Secretary City of'L'~Quinta, California
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