2003 09 23 PC Minutes MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall
78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA
September 23, 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 Daniels to lead the flag
salute.
B. Present: Commissioners Rick Daniels, Paul Quill, Robert Tyler, and
Chairman Tom Kirk. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Tyler/Quill to excuse Commissioner Abels. Unanimously approved.
C. Staff present: Community Development Director Jerry Herman, Assistant
City Attorney Michael Houston, Assistant City Engineer Steve Speer,
Planning Manager Oscar OrCi, Principal Planner Stan Sawa, Associate
Planner Wallace Nesbit, and Executive Secretary Betty Sawyer.
II. PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: Confirmed
IV. CONSENT ITEMS:
1. Chairman Kirk asked if there were any corrections to the Minutes of
September 9, 2003. Commissioner Tyler asked that Page 16, Item 14 be
corrected to read, ~He recommended moving the signs along Washington
Street further north". There being no further corrections, it was moved
and seconded by commissioners Tyler/Quill to approve the minutes as
amended. Unanimously approved with Commissioner Daniels abstaining.
2. Department Report: None.
V. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A. 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 Y2 mile west of
Washington Street.
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September23, 2003
1. Chairman Kirk noted this item required no action and continued
with the public hearing.
B. Sign Application 2002-618~ Amendment #1; a request of Stamko
~evelopment Co. for consideration of an amendment to a planned sign
program for the shop buildings sign regulations for the property located
on the south side of Highway 111, between Adams Street' and west of
Dune Palms Road.
1. Chairman Kirk 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.
3. Chairman Kirk asked if there were any questions of staff.
Commissioner Tyler asked if by adding two lines and with the
reduction in letter size, would the sign still be readable? Staff
stated yes.
4. Chairman Kirk asked if it changed the overall square footage and
staff stated no.
5. Chairman Kirk asked if the applicant would like to address the
Commission. Mr. Russ Beckner, representing the applicant, gave
an explanation of the request, and stated he was available to
answer any questions.
6. Chairman Kirk asked if there were any questions of the applicant.
Commissioner Tyler asked for clarification as to whether or not the
white could be used. Staff stated it was not being eliminated, it
was just allowing other colors.
7. There being no further questions of the applicant, Chairman Kirk
asked if there was any other public comment. There being none,
Chairman Kirk closed the public hearing and opened the matter for
Commission discussion.
8. There being no further discussion, It was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Tyler/Quill to adopt Minute Motion '2003-013
approving Sign Application 2002-618, Amendment #2 as
recommended. Unanimously approved.
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C. Village Use Permit 2003-018; a request of Patrick and Monica Adams for
~onsideration of a request to construct a two-story, 4,066 square foot
commercial office building with one caretaker unit located at the
southwest corner of Calle Tampico and Avenida Mendoza.
1. Chairman Kirk opened the public hearing and asked for the staff
report. Associated 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 Kirk asked if there were any questions of staff.
Commissioner Tyler asked if the trees were existing and would
they be retained as it appeared one would be removed. Staff
stated they would be retained. Commissioner Tyler asked staff to
explain the conditions requested by the Architecture and
Landscaping Review Committee (ALRC). Staff explained the
changes requested by the ALRC. Commissioner Tyler discussed
the parking issues and stated he would like to see a more
definitive explanation of what the ALRC is requesting. Discussion
followed regarding the ALRC requests.
3. Chairman Kirk asked if the applicant would like to address the
Commission. Mr. Patrick Adams, the applicant, gave a
presentation on the project.
4. Chairman Kirk asked if there were any questions of the applicant.
Commissioner Tyler asked if the trees would be retained and the
appliCant described the landscaping plan.
5. Chairman Kirk asked if Mr. Adams had a design of the waterfall.
Mr. Adams displayed a picture of the waterfall. Chairman Kirk
asked if he knew the uses planned for the site. Mr. Adams stated
he Would be living in the upstairs and using one of the tenant
spaces. He anticipates the downstairs would have no more than
two tenants.
6. There being no further questions of the applicant, Chairman Kirk
asked if there was any other public comment. There being none,
Chairman Kirk closed the public hearing and opened the matter for
Commission discussion.
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7. Commissioner Quill stated he likes the changes as proposed and
the only issue is the type of window to be used. He would prefer
the mullion windows as they are consistent with the downtown
look.
$. Commissioner Daniels stated he does not agree with requiring a
certain type of window. The applicant should have the option of
determining his own style.
9. Commissioner Tyler agreed.
10. Chairman Kirk stated he agrees and appreciates the changes made
by the applicant. A mixed use is a good addition to the Village.
11. There being no further discussion, It was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Tyler/Daniels to adopt Planning Commission
Resolution 2003-075 approving Village Use Permit 2003-0180as
recommended by staff and amended by the Commission:
a. Condition #10: amended to read, UDirect vehicular access
from any portion of the site with frontage along Avenida
Mendoza and Calle. Tampico is restricted..."
b. Condition #17.J.: deleted
c. Condition #42.F.: amended to read, "Windows in the upper
and lower building levels shall match between the upper and
lower trim."
ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Daniels, Quill, Tyler, and Chairman
Kirk. NOES: None. ABSENT: Commissioner Abels.
ABSTAIN: None.
D. Environmental Assessment 2003-479~ General Plan Amendment 2003-
094, Zone Change 2003-115~ and Tentative Tract Map 31348 - Point
Happy Ranch; a request of Madison Development LLC for consideration
of: 1) certification of a Mitigated Negative Declaration of environmental
impact; a change in the land use and zoning designations from Low
Density Residential, Medium Density Residential, Community Commercial
and Open Space to Low Density Residential and Open Space; and 3) the
subdivision of 37.70 acres into 75 lots for the property located at 46-
201 Washington Street.
1. Chairman Kirk opened the public hearing and asked for the staff
report. Planning Manager Oscar Orci informed the Commission
about the request by the applicant to continue the item.
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2. Chairman Kirk asked if there was a motion to continue the project.
3. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Tyler/Quill to
continue the project to October 28, 2003. Unanimously approved.
VII. BUSINESS ITEMS:
A. Site Development Permit 2003-785; a request of Trans West for
consideration of development plans for six prototype residential plans for
the property located on the north side of Eisenhower Drive, west of
Washington Street.
1. Chairman Kirk 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 Kirk asked if there were any questions of staff.
Commissioner Tyler asked if staff had verified the perimeter wall
had been previously approved. Staff stated it had been approved.
Commissioner Tyler asked why staff had not added the ALRC
condition about the rock veneer matching the mountains. Planning
Manager Oscar Orci stated this was a statement not a condition.
3. Chairman Kirk asked if the apPlicant would like to address the
Commission.- Mr. Geoff McComic, the applicant, stated he was
available to answer any questions and gave a brief explanation of
the project.
4. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Tyler/Daniels to adopt Minute Motion 2003-014,
approving Site Development Permit 2003-785, as recommended
by staff. Unanimously approved.
B. Sign Application 2003-720; a request of Old town La Quinta LLC for
consideration of a sign program for "Old Town" located on the south side
of Calle Tampico, east of Avenida Bermudas.
1. Chairman Kirk 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.
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2. Chairman Kirk asked if the signs conform with the existing sign
program. Staff stated some do, but there are some Changes. Mr.
Wells Marvin, the applicant, stated he was directed to sUbmit a
sign program that indicated the changes he was proposing.
Community Development Director Jerry Herman explained the
applicant was proposing more changes than staff was able to
approve administratively, therefore the request is before the
Commission for consideration.
3. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Quill/Tyler to adopt Minute Motion 2003-015,
approving Sign Application 2003-720, as recommended.
Unanimously approved.
IX. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL:
A. Mr. Wells Marvin spoke to the Commission regarding the Zoning Code in
regard to overhangs and covered walkways. The way the Code is
written now, the way you do a covered walkway, the Building and Safety
Department charges you a permit as if it were an interior space.
Therefore, the permit cost is higher than it would be if it were a trellis.
This contributes to bad architecture; people designing buildings that are
two feet deep archways to mimic an old archway/walkway. As they
designed real archways, they were required to pay extra on their permits
as if this was an interior space. They, in turn are not able to charge a
tenant for this space, yet it cost them to build it. This process
unnecessarily penalizes people who are trying to do aUthentic
architecture. Staff explained this was an issue for the Building and
Safety Department.
X. COMMISSIONER ITEMS:
A. Discussion regarding Planning Commission meeting dates.
a. Community Development Director Jerry Herman informed the
Commission of the Joint Meeting with the Council.
b. Community Development Director Jerry Herman asked the
Commission's pleasure in regard to the regularly scheduled
Planning Commission meeting date of November 11~, as it was a
holiday and City Hall would be closed. Following discussion, it
was determined to cancel the meeting unless.there is a need to
reschedule one.
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XI. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Tyler/Quill to adjourn this regular meeting of the Planning Commission. to a regular
meeting of the Planning Commission to be held on October 14, 2003, at 7:00 p.m.
This meeting of the Planning Commission was adjourned at 8:03 p.m.
RespectfUlly submitted,
er, Executive Secretary
City of La Quinta, California
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