2005 01 25 PC Minutes
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MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall
78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA
January 25, 2005
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 Alderson to lead the flag
salute.
B. Present: Commissioners Ed Alderson, Rick Daniels, Paul Quill and
Chairman Tom Kirk. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Daniels/Alderson to excuse Commissioner Ladner. Unanimously
approved.
C. Staff present: Community Development Director Doug Evans, Assistant
City Attorney Michael Houston, Associate Planners Wallace Nesbit and
Martin Magaña, and Executive Secretary Betty Sawyer.
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 the
regular meeting of January 11, 2005. Commissioner Quill asked that
Page 11, Item 28 be modified to read, "Commissioner Quill stated there
is no nexus for the cost of the signal and he cannot support the Avenue
53 cost of the signal to be born by the applicant"; Page 12, Item D of the
Specific Plan and Tentative Tract Map Condition #43 be changed to read,
"Prior to any site grading or regrading that would raise or lower any
portion of the site, the grading shall be consistent with the specific plan
amendment # 1 and the applicant shall submit the proposed grading
changes to the City staff to ensure they were revised on the rough
grading plans". Chairman Kirk asked staff to verify what was stated by
Assistant City Engineer on Page 2, Item 5 and correct if necessary. Staff
has reviewed the tape and made the necessary changes. There being no
further corrections, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Quill/Daniels to approve the minutes as submitted.
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Planning Commission Minutes
January 25, 2005
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V. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A. Site Development Permit 2004-820; a request of Ehline Company for
consideration of four single-family prototypes, each with three different
elevation treatments, and certain landscape design plans within a
residential tract development for the property located within Tract
31249, on the south side of Avenue 58% mile west of Madison Street.
1 . Chairman Kirk opened the public hearing and 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 Kirk asked if there were any questions of staff.
Commissioner Alderson asked about Plan 2, that whether it was a
garage or casita the setback would vary. The setback requirement
for a casita is 20 feet and a garage is 15 feet. Staff explained the
difference. Commissioner Alderson asked if the applicant would
have to establish whether it was a garage or casitas before the
setback could be determined. Staff stated the site layout would
have to be determined. Commissioner Alderson stated the color
samples have little resemblance to what was submitted in the
package.
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3. Commissioner Quill asked if a casita is habitable space, the
setback must be 20 feet and if it is a non-habitable space side
entry garage it can be 1 5 feet. Staff stated it has to be designed
as a garage space with a side entry. Some specific plans do allow
the different setbacks. Discussion followed as to how this is
determined.
4. Commissioner Alderson stated that the staff report refers to
tandem parking as being an illegal use. Staff clarified the Code
requires that each garage space be 10 foot clear for each vehicle.
A tandem design with a three car garage would have to have a 10
by 40 foot space.
5.
Commissioner Daniels asked if conditions were added to
accommodate the Architecture and Landscape Review Committee
conditions and the issues raised about the setbacks. Staff stated
yes.
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Planning Commission Minutes
January 25, 2005
6. Chairman Kirk asked if the applicant would like to address the
Commission.
7. Mr. Patrick O'Dowd, owner of the property adjoining this tract to
the east stated his issue is with respect to the 1 50 foot setback
along Avenue 58, they would like the same consideration. That
no homes would be within 22 feet of its adjacent property line.
8. Commissioner Alderson stated the site plan does not show the
circulation into the site and he believes they will enter into the
model complex through both entrances off of Avenue 58; if this is
true, will they be constructing the full street at both entrances.
The applicant, Natasha King, representing Ehline Company stated
she believes they are.
9.
Commissioner Quill asked Mr. O'Dowd to clarify his request. Mr.
O'Dowd stated his concern was addressed in Condition #81 of the
Tentative Tract Map. They do not want homes 28 feet in height
within 20 feet of their property line. Assistant City Attorney
Michael Houston stated this condition is part of our Zoning Code
to protect our Arterial roads not between tracts. As to whether or
not it can be imposed at this stage, the tentative tract map unless
there is something contradictory on the tentative tract map, there
is nothing to keep the Commission from imposing this condition at
this time. Although there is no legal right to a view corridor
according to California law.
10. Commissioner Quill asked Mr. O'Dowd if they were building
houses or golf courses adjacent to this tract. Mr. Q'Dowd stated
this is in review at this time, but they are uncertain as to whether
it will be residential, street, or landscaping. They would prefer the
22 foot height limit no matter what.
11 . Chairman Kirk as'ked the applicant if she had any suggestions
regarding Mr. O'Dowd's questions. Ms. King stated not at this
time, but they were meeting with them to discuss the issues.
12. There being no further public participation, the public hearing was
closed and open for Commission discussion.
13. Commissioner Quill stated it is a great looking product and a nice
asset to the community. In respect to the two story height
limitation, it appears it would impact 32 lots of this project. He
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does not believe the difference between the single story and 28
feet is a great difference and he would not want to change the
condition at this time.
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14. Commissioner Alderson agreed and complemented the applicant on
the design of the homes.
15. Commissioner Daniels stated he agrees with the design but has an
issue agreeing to the height limitations when we do not know
what the property to the south will be constructing and hopefully
the two developers can work this out.
16. Chairman Kirk concurs the homes are well designed and although
they have restricted heights in regard to compatibility, this is the
first development in the site and believes it is up to the adjoining
project to design their product in cooperation with this tract.
17. It was moved by Commissioners Quill/Daniels to adopt Planning
Commissioner Resolution 2005-006 approving Site Development I .
Permit 2004-820, as recommended by staff.
ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Alderson, Daniels, Quill, and
Chairman Kirk. NOES: None. ABSENT:. Commissioner
Ladner. ABSTAIN: None.
B. Conditional Use Permit 2004-089: a request of Target for consideration
of the placement of temporary metal storage bins at the rear of the
building located at 78-935 Highway 111.
1 . Chairman Kirk opened the public hearing and asked for the staff
report. Staff explained this item should to be continued to
February 8, 2005. __
2. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Daniels/Quill to
continue this item to February 8, 2005.
3.
Chairman Kirk asked if there were any questions of staff.
Commissioner Daniels asked that a larger policy regarding
containers be brought back to the Commission regarding all big
box businesses.
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4.
Commissioner Quill gave a history of the issues the Planning
Commission has with these containers. His biggest issue is safety
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Planning Commission Minutes
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and aesthetics. He would like to come to a conclusion to address
how to screen these containers. Discussion followed. Community
Develop Director Doug Evans stated he would like to keep this
application for Target on calendar because this is a way to keep
the discussion before the Commission. Building and Safety has
given staff the information necessary to address the issue from a
safety standpoint and staff will address this at the next meeting.
Staff will push the other companies to get their applications in at
the earliest possible time.
VI. BUSINESS ITEMS: None
VII. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None.
VIII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS:
IX.
A. Department report: Community Development Director Doug Evans gave
a report on the Department's activities and commended staff on their
dedication.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Quill/Alderson to adjourn this regular meeting of the Planning Commission to a regular
meeting of the Planning Commission to be held on February 8, 2005, at 7:00 p.m.
This meeting of the Planning Commission was adjourned at 7:47 pm., on January 25,
2005.
Respectfully submitted,
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