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2005 02 08 PC Minutes I I I MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA February 8, 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 Associate Planner Martin Magaña to lead the flag salute. B. Present: Commissioners Ed Alderson, Kay Ladner, Paul Quill and Chairman Tom Kirk. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Ladner/Alderson to excuse Commissioner Daniels. Unanimously approved. C. Staff present: Community Development Director Doug Evans, Assistant City Attorney Michael Houston, Assistant City Engineer Steve Speer, Principal Planner Stan Sawa, Associate Planner 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 25 2005. Commissioner Alderson asked that Page 5, under Adjournment the vote should be changed to reflect that Commissioner Ladner did not make the motion to adjourn. There being no further corrections, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Quill/Alderson to approve the minutes as amended. V. PUBLIC HEARINGS: A. 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. G:\ WPDOCS\PC Minutes\2-8-05.doc Planning Commission Minutes February 8, 2005 I 1 . Chairman Kirk opened the public hearing and asked for the staff report. Associate Planner Martin Magaña 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 the applicant was present.· Staff noted they were not, but they were informed of the meeting. Chairman Kirk asked staff how the Building and Safety Department's condition applies to the other big box users. Staff explained and noted it applies to all of them. 3. Chairman Kirk asked if there was any other public comment. There being none, the public participation was closed and open for Commission discussion. 4. Commissioner Quill thanked the Building and Safety Department for the information they provided on Building Codes relating to the use. I 5. Commissioner Alderson stated his concern about setting a precedent for other users. 6. It was moved by Commissioners Quill/Alderson to adopt Planning Commission Resolution 2005-007 denying Conditional Use Permit 2004-089, as recommended by staff. ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Alderson, Ladner, Quill, and Chairman Kirk. NOES: None. ABSENT: Commissioner Daniels. ABSTAIN: None. B. Conditional Use Permit 2004-087; a request of Desert Oasis Fellowship for consideration of a request to allow a church in an existing light industrial/commercial building located at 79-440 Corporate Center Drive, Suite 116. 1. Chairman Kirk opened the public hearing and 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. I G:\WPDOCS\PC Minutes\2-8-05.doc 2 I I I Planning Commission Minutes February 8, 2005 2. Chairman Kirk asked if there were any questions of staff. Commissioner Alderson asked where the Church was presently meeting. Staff stated in the City's Senior Center. 3. Chairman Kirk asked if the applicant would like to address the Commission. Pastor Tom stated he was available to answer any questions. 4. Commissioner Alderson stated he had no objections and supported the project. 5. Chairman Kirk asked if there was any other public comment. There being none, the public participation was closed and open for Commission discussion. 6. It was moved by Commissioners Alderson/Ladner to adopt Planning Commission Resolution 2005-008 approving Conditional Use Permit 2004-087, as recommended by staff. ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Alderson, Ladner, Quill, and Chairman Kirk. NOES: None. ABSENT: Commissioner Daniels. ABSTAIN: None. C. Site Development Permit 2004-819; a request of Ehline Company for consideration of architectural and landscaping plans for three new single- family prototype residential units with three different elevations located at the southwest corner of Avenue 52 and Monroe Street. 1 . Chairman Kirk opened the public hearing and asked for the staff report. Associate Planner Martin Magaña presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. Staff noted the color samples in their packet were inaccurate and passed out the correct color scheme. 2. Chairman Kirk asked if there were any questions of staff. Commissioner Alderson asked staff to explain the setback from the curb for the casita or garage. Staff stated the setback was governed by the Specific Plan. G:\WPDOCS\PC Minutes\2-8-05.doc 3 Planning Commission Minutes February 8, 2005 I 3. Chairman Kirk asked staff if the Code required one model unit to provide a desert landscape option. Staff stated not to his knowledge. They are required to meet the water efficient landscape standards of the City and CVWD. 4. Chairman Kirk asked if the applicant would like to address the Commission. Ms. Natasha King, representing Ehline Company, questioned whether the setback from the curb was for the models or the entire project. They would prefer it to look as it is proposed. The 18 inch irrigation head setback for the entire tract is not an issue, but it is on the models. 5. Commissioner Quill stated he too would like to have clarification on this. He would like to know that this approval was for the models only and not the entire tract. Staff stated this is the typical landscape plan for the tract. Commissioner Quill stated his concern in approving a plan when the driveways were not even shown on the plans. He would not be in favor of approving the front yard landscaping as shown, if this is for the entire tract. One unit should have desert landscaping and he does not want water running off into the streets. Staff stated the landscaping could be brought back. Discussion followed regarding the landscaping. I 6. Chairman Kirk asked for legal counsel's opinion. Assistant City Attorney Michael Houston stated the Commission has the authority to direct staff to add it to the conditions. Community Development Director Doug Evans stated he is working with staff regarding the best location of the turf strips. Staff may come back with some policy changes in regard to this issue. 7. Chairman Kirk asked if the applicant had any objection to having the turf being pushed back on the production units. Ms. King stated she had no objection to pushing the turf back on the production units, but not the models. She also would have an objection to offering the desert landscape as an option as it is not what they want aesthetically. 8. Commissioner Alderson asked if staff was stipulating an 18" decomposed granite strip be installed behind the curb. Staff stated it is a condition of the tract map. I G:\WPDOCS\PC Minutes\2-8-05.doc 4 I I I Planning Commission Minutes February 8, 2005 9. Ms. King asked if a Minor Use Permit is required for a custom home with a casita. Staff stated no, it is permitted under the Specific Plan without a Minor Use Permit. 10. Chairman Quill asked if staff had found the Code section regarding a model to offer a drought tolerate landscape. Community Development Director Doug Evans stated there was some question as to whether it was in the General Plan or Zoning Code. He would suggest the Commission add a condition requiring the developer to provide a desert landscape as stipulated in the General Plan or any other ordinances of the City. 11 . Commissioner Quill asked if the Specific Plan calls out any typical landscaping for the site. Staff stated it does not refer to the landscape ordinance and showed the exhibits. It does specify the use of drought tolerant plants. 12. Chairman Kirk asked if there was any other public comment. There being none, the public participation was closed and open for Commission discussion. 13. Commissioner Alderson stated if the Specific Plan requires the desert landscape, there is no option. Staff stated it is a condition of the Specific Plan and tract map. 14. Commissioner Ladner asked if other tracts had been conditioned to require the 18 inch decomposed granite (DG) strip. Staff stated this was the first tract to be conditioned in that manner. 15. Commissioner Quill stated he is willing to approve the landscape as proposed for the models as presented. When the production units are built, the 18 inch DG strip will have to be included. 16. Chairman Kirk asked that if the Commissioners agreed that if the Code does require the desert landscape, this project must comply with a desert landscape and asked if the Commissioners agree. All agreed. 17. Commissioner Quill asked if the Commission wanted to have the production landscape plan brought back to the Commission. Following discussion it was determined staff would make the G:\WPDOCS\PC Minutes\2-8-05.doc 5 Planning Commission Minutes February 8, 2005 decision on the production units. I 18. It was moved by Commissioners Quill/Ladner to adopt Planning Commission Resolution 2005-009 approving Site Development Permit 2004-819, as recommended by staff and amended: a. Condition added: If the General Plan or Zoning Code require the desert landscaping for one typical landscape plan option, it shall be provided. b. The front yard landscaping for the models is approved as shown on the drawings for the model units. All subsequent production front yard landscaping plans shall be approved by the Community Development Department. The applicant shall adhere to all conditions of the specific plan in regard to any desert landscaping. All model front yard landscaping units shall be converted to match the production units. ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Alderson, Ladner, Quill, and Chairman Kirk. NOES: None. ABSENT: Commissioner I Daniels. ABSTAIN: None. Chairman Kirk asked staff to follow up with a report to the Commission as to whether or not the Code contains language regarding desert landscaping. D. Tentative Tract Map 33220; a request of The Greystone Group for consideration of a one lot condominium project with 19 buildings with 149 units, located on the south side of Avenue 52, east of Jefferson Street. 1. Chairman Kirk opened the public hearing and asked for the staff report. Staff stated the applicant had submitted a request for continuance to February 22, 2005. 2. It was moved by Commissioners Ladner/Alderson to continue Tentative Tract Map 33220 to February 22, 2005, as requested. Unanimously approved. VI. BUSINESS ITEMS: None A. Sign Approval 2003-735, Amendment #1; a request of Sign-A-Rama for Kleine Building and Development, Inc., for consideration of an Amendment to an approved Sign Program for a seven building I G:\WPDOCS\PC Minutes\2-8-05.doc 6 I I I Planning Commission Minutes February 8, 2005 commercial complex with 63-440 square feet of floor area located onthe north side of Highway 111, 331 feet west of Dune Palms Road. 1 . Chairman Kirk asked for the staff report. Principal Planner Stan Sawa Staff 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. There being none and no further public comment, the public participation was closed and open for Commission discussion. 3. It was moved by Commissioners Quill/Ladner to adopt Minute Motion 2005-001 approving Sign Approval 2003-735, Amendment #1, as recommended by staff. Unanimously approved. VII. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None. VIII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS: A. Department report: Community Development Director Doug Evans gave a report on the City Council meeting of February 1, 2005. Staff will write a report and bring it back to the Commission for discussion regarding street standards. B. Staff discussed the League of California Cities Planners Institute with the Commission. IX. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Ladner/Alderson to adjourn this regular meeting of the Planning Commission to a regular meeting of the Planning Commission to be held on February 22, 2005, at 7:00 p.m. This meeting of the Planning Commission was adjourned at 7:52 pm., on February 8, 2005. Respectfully submitted, aw~e Secretary La Quinta, California G:\WPDOCS\PC Minutes\2-8-05.doc 7