2004 03 09 PC Minutes
I MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall
78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA
March 9, 2004 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 Abels to lead the flag
salute.
B. Present: Commissioners Jacques Abels, Rick Daniels, Paul Quill, Robert
Tyler, and Chairman Tom Kirk.
C. Staff present: Interim Community Development Director Oscar Orci,
Assistant City Attorney Michael Houston, Assistant City Engineer Steve
Speer, Principal Planner Stan Sawa, Associate Planner Martin Magaña,
and Executive Secretary Betty Sawyer.
I II. PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: Confirmed.
IV. CONSENT ITEMS:
A. Chairman Kirk asked if there were any corrections to the Minutes of
February 24, 2003. Commissioner Tyler asked that Page 1 #4, A. be
corrected to read: "There being no corrections...."; Page 2, #2
" ...adopted sign program does allow a second sign on the face...."; Page
8, #F.3 "...parking spaces for the hotel.."; Page 9 #F.9 "...signal at
Seeley Drive and Miles Avenue.."; Page 12 #G.2 "...asked about the
chart in the staff report"; Page 13 #3 "...assurance from Caltrans that
the lights would be synchronized"; Page 16 add "Commissioner Tyler
asked if there were any substantive changes to the tract map other than
those directly related to . the revised entry. Staff stated no."
Commissioner Abels asked that Page 16 be corrected to note he was not
in attendance. There being no further corrections, it was moved and
seconded by Commissioners Abels/Tyler to approve the minutes as
I corrected.
8. Department Report: Interim Community Development Director Oscar Orci
reported the Request for Proposals for commercial development
guidelines had been approved by Council and distributed to potential
firms.
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Planning Commission Minutes I
March 9, 2004
V. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A. Street Name Change 2003-015; a request of La Quinta polo Partners for
consideration of a street name change from Beth Circle to Norris Drive for
the street located west of Madison Street, south of Avenue 51
1. Staff informed the Commission the applicant had requested a
continuance of the project. It was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Abels/Tyler to continue Street Name Change
2004-015, as recommended. Unanimously approved.
B. Street Name Change 2003-016; a request of ND La Quinta Partners for
consideration of a street name change from Village Club Drive to
Hideaway Club Drive and Village Club Place to Via Mirasollocated within
the Hideaway project on the east side of Jefferson Street, north of
Avenue 54.
1. Chairman Kirk opened the public hearing and asked for the staff
report. Principal Planner Stan Sawa presented the information I
contained in the report a copy of which is on file in the Community
Development Department.
2. Chairman Kirk asked if there were any questions of staff. There
being no questions of staff, Chairman Kirk asked if the applicant
would like to address the Commissioner. The applicant stated he
was available to answer any questions.
3. There being no further questions, and no other public comment,
Chairman Kirk closed the public participation portion of the
hearing.
4. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners QuilllTyler to adopt
Planning Commission Resolution 2004-018 approving Street Name
Change 2003-016, as recommended.
ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Abels, Daniels, Quill, Tyler, and
Chairman Kirk. NOES: None. ABSENT: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
C. Environmental Assessment 2004-499 and Tentative Tract Map 32117; a I
request of Quarry Ranch LLC. for consideration of certification of a
Mitigated negative Declaration of environmental impact and the re-
subdivision of 6.32 acres into 13 residential lots for the property located
on the west side of Jefferson Street, south of Quarry Lane.
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I Planning Commission Minutes
March 9, 2004
1. Chairman Kirk opened the public hearing and asked for the staff
report. Principal Planner Fred Baker presented the information
contained in the 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 Quarry Lane had been constructed.
Staff stated it is still under construction. Commissioner Tyler
asked that Page 51, #47 should be corrected to stated "all gaps".
Chairman Kirk asked if the applicant would like to address the '
3.
Commission. Mr. John Shaw, representing the applicant, stated
the road is rough graded and the curb is currently being laid. He
supported the recommended conditions.
4. There being no questions of the applicant and no other public
comment, Chairman Kirk closed the public participation portion of
the hearing.
I 5. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners AbelslTyler to
adopt Planning Commission Resolution 2004-019, certifying a
Mitigated Negative Declaration of environmental impact for
Environmental Assessment 2004-499, as recommended:
ROLL CALL: A YES: Commissioners Abels, Daniels, Quill, Tyler, and
Chairman Kirk. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN:
None.
6. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Abels//Daniels to
adopt Planning Commission Resolution 2004-020, approving
Tentative Tract Map 32117, as amended:
a. Condition #47: corrected to read: "AII gaps... "
ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Abels, Daniels, Quill, Tyler, and
Chairman Kirk. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN:
None.
E. . Village Use Permit 2004-021; a request of Coronel Enterprises for
I consideration of a request to construct a two-story, 15,525 square foot
office building on a .30 acre site located at the southwest corner of Calle
Tampico and Avenida Navarro.
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Planning Commission Minutes I
March 9, 2004
1 . Chairman Kirk opened the public hearing and asked for the staff
report. Associate Planner Martin Magaña presented the
information contained in the 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 asked the land uses surrounding the site.
Staff stated the adjacent land is currently vacant. Discussion
followed regarding the advantages of the zero lot line.
3. Commissioner Quill asked if there would be any change to the
structure if it was shifted five feet from the lot line. Staff stated
that the only change would the access driveway to the building. If
you move it back it increases the slope to the parking garage from
the street.
4. Chairman Kirk asked where staff was recommending the building
be setback. Staff stated this is a verbal update to the report.
Interim Community Development Director Oscar Orci stated that if I
they propose the windows on the west and south facades, they
will have to comply with the UBC requirements. Chairman Kirk
asked the height requirement in the Village district. Staff stated
40 feet. This building is 34 feet.
5. Commissioner Tyler stated he was concerned with the parking.
He ask~d if the ADA requirements were met. Staff stated the
Code does not specifically state how many there shall be.
Commissioner Tyler was concerned about the trash enclosure as it
will not fit through the pedestrian gates. There does not appear to
be adequate room. He asked about the depth of the underground
parking in regard to drainage. Assistant City Engineer Steve Speer
stated it has to be sunken four feet into the ground with no more
than four feet above ground. You can raise the ground level and
berm it up next to the building to hide the height. If you move the
building five feet, you only have to berm up nine inches. It
depends upon how much berming is allowed next to the face of
the building to hide the height.
6. Chairman Kirk asked if there were any concerns with the drainage
and underground parking. Staff explained the drainage plan and I
stated there were no concerns if the plan was followed. Chairman
Kirk stated the concern about it being underparked. Assistant City
Engineer Steve Speer stated he is aware there is less spaces than
normal, but there is parking in close proximity. Staff stated that
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Planning Commission Minutes
I March 9, 2004
as long as there is a high point on the driveway of at least a foot
above the flow line of the street the drainage in the underground
parking is all right. The only water that will drain into their garage
will be from the drip line at the edge of the roof and there will be a
drain inlet with a pump in the garage. There should be no, or very
minimal amount of water in the underground parking lot. In regard J
to the site being under parked, but this is generally an issue the
Community Development Department would handle. Interim
Community Development Director Oscar Orci stated the City is
currently studying the Village parking to identify where parking is
needed and what is available.
7. Chairman Kirk asked if the applicant would like to address th~
Commission. Mr. ZekeCoronel, the applicant, gave a presentation
on the project. He stated they are requesting the zero lot line with
no windows.
8. Chairman Kirk asked if there were any questions of the applicant.
I Commissioner Quill asked if the windows were eliminated, would
the suites on that elevation have any windows. Mr. Coronel
stated all the suites would have windows on the front. Two suits
will have windows on both sides and the rest would be on the
front.
9. Mr. David Brudvik, 78-120 Calle Estado, Santa Rosa Development,
stated he owns the property adjacent to this site and he is
concerned with the overhangs and setbacks. His lots equal 5,200
square feet and most of the parking is already street parking in
front of his property. They would like to see a better parking plan.
10. Commissioner Daniels asked Mr. Brudvik to identify which lots
were his on the map. Mr. Brudvik stated he owns property on two
sides of this site and he'is uncertain what he will build. He is
concerned about setbacks and what impacts this project will have
on his project. He knows he will have to have underground
parking to meet the demand.
11 . Commissioner Quill asked if it was his intent to have the ability to
optimize the zero lot line. Mr. Brudvik stated they will have to, but
I they want to have the same style as Old Town. He would want to
see the recessed windows on this building.
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Planning Commission Minutes I
March 9, 2004
12. Mr. Lucas Coronel, representing the applicant, stated they could
add some articulation to the side of the building on the zero lot
line. The parking is an issue, but the street is for public parking
and anyone can park there. In regard to delaying their approval, he
believes this is unfair as they have gone through the process and
notified all the adjoining neighbors in a timely manner.
13. Commissioner Tyler noted the existing building was not using its
parking spaces, but using the street.
14. Commissioner Daniels stated they could control their employees
parking locations. The Planning Commission is not in the habit of
delaying a project, but they are concerned with approving a project
that is appropriate in regard to the zero lot lines. The issue is
I whether or not the two buildings can match with zero lot lines or
need setbacks. The Commission is trying to have a cohesive
block.
15. Commissioner Daniels asked if they could break the issue into two I
parts. First the building. He would prefer to see the treatment all
around the building. Mr. Brudvik has stated he will not be building
the same type of architecture so this is not going to match.
Which leads him to believe this builidng should have the five foot
setback.
16. Commissioner Quill noted this building could not be a zero lot line
with the plans as submitted. The roof line would extend beyond
the property line. The building as proposed is designed for a
setback. He would like to see this continued for at least two
weeks and ask the applicant to redraw the plans.
17. Commissioner Tyler asked if this body had the ability to differ from
the zero lot line 'or five foot setback. Assistant City Attorney
Michael Houston asked if the rafters would extend over the
property line. Commissioner Tyler stated they intrude over.
Assistant City Attorney Michael Houston stated they cannot do
this unless there is an agreement with the adjoining property
owner. Staff stated the development standards are flexible to
allow up to a zero lot line. The applicant can chose an alternative.
The Uniform Building Code requires a five foot setback. The I
Commission ,may want to consider that if a zero lot line is agreed
upon, the applicant can provide some architecture treatment on
the blank walls.
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Planning Commission Minutes
I March 9, 2004
18. Chairman Kirk stated he would prefer to have a zero lot line, but
on two elevations create an atrium or vaulted area with windows,
or skylights coming into the suites. It should be possible to do
both the zero lot line and a treatment that would blend with the
neighboring building.
19. Commissioner Quill stated the plans submitted here do not work
on a zero lot line that cannot drain onto the adjacent property.
The whole roof plan does not work with a zero lot line. We can
suggest the five foot setback and ideas to improve the look. He
likes the underground parking and the elevations are good and in
keeping with the neighborhood.
20. Commissioner Tyler stated it is a nice building but wonders if it is
too much.
21. Chairman Kirk stated he has no issue with the parking, but the
building needs something. The tower element is appealing and
I they may want to improve on this. In the parking area they may
want to create two driveways with one in and one out on different
streets. This would create less activity coming out of each. He
asked staff if access off of Calle Tampico was allowed. Assistant
City Engineer Steve Speer stated it is an Arterial street; you have
to be 200 feet from the corner.
22. Mr. Steve Nieto, the architectural designer of the building, stated
the building was designed knowing their would be buildings
adjacent. When they found out they had to go to a zero lot line, it
was evident the building needed to be pushed back into the zero
lot line. The windows. should have been eliminated. They are
willing to treat the wall and give it some appeal; It was his
understanding that Mr. Brudvik was going to go to the zero lot line
as well. Therefore he designed this building to merge the two
buildings. He agrees it is zero for both or setback for both.
23. Chairman Kirk asked the applicant to explain the circulation plan.
Mr. Lucas Coronel stated they initially wanted the traffic to enter
off of Calle Tampico and exit onto Avenida Navarro. Chairman
Kirk asked about the use of the patio area. Mr. Nieto stated it is
I designed with interlocking concrete pavers and it has no intended
use other than public use.
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Planning Commission Minutes
March 9, 2004 I
24. Commissioner Quill stated it would be to their advantage to
elevate the landscape in a rendering. Mr. Neito stated the corner
treatment could be done in elevations. Discussion followed
regarding potential designs.
25. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Tyler/Abels to
continue Village Use Permit 2004-021 to March 23, 2004, asking
the applicant to:
a. Work with neighbor to come to an agreement on what both
will be doing; and
b. Come back with a rendering showing some visual relief on
the two side elevations.
Unanimously approved.
VI. BUSINESS ITEMS: None
VII. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None. I
VIII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS:
A. There was no City Council report on the March 2, 2004 meeting.
IX. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Quill/Daniels to adjourn this regùlar meeting of the Planning Commission to a regular
meeting of the Planning Commission to be held on March 23,2004, at 7:00 p.m. This
meeting of the Planning Commission was adjourned at 8:20 p.m., on March 9, 2004.
Respectfully submitted,
~ç1~~secretary
City of a Quinta, California
I
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