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2005 05 10 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 May 10, 2005 I. CALL TO ORDER 7:00 P.M. A. This meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Vice Chairman Quill who asked Commissioner Ladner to lead the flag salute. B. Present: Commissioners Ed Alderson, Rick Daniels, Kay Ladner, Paul Quill and Chairman Kirk. C. Staff present: Assistant City Engineer Steve Speer, Principal Planner Stan Sawa, Associate Planner Wallace Nesbit, and Executive Secretary Betty Sawyer. II. PUBLIC COMMENT: A. Ms. Kay Wolff, 77-227 Calle Ensenada, asked to address the Commission on some issues of concern to her. Some of those concerns are water, noise, traffic, view, security, and safety. She asked where the planning for the future begins in regard to City staff, boards and/or commissions. It should be contained in the General Plan. The community does not understand its meaning and how it affects their City. When the City updated the General P.lan she did not see any evidence that the City was going to keep the density low to retain the unique nature La Quinta has been known for. She would like to know who is responsible to oversee these issues. Is it the Council level or Planning Commission, or staff; is there a vision for the City of La Quinta and if so, who has it. It isn't in the General Plan. Why are we talking about turf at Commission instead of the bigger picture? How are we going to keep La Quinta from urban sprawl and differentiate ourselves from other cities? She realizes these are rhetorical questions, but she would like to bring it to the Commissions attention. 1 . Commissioner Quill thanked Ms. Wolff for her diligence in maintaining the Bear Creek Bike Path. He agrees with her comments and understands her concerns. 2. Commissioner Ladner stated she too agrees, but at the same time she realizes what their parameters are as Commissioners. G:\ WPDOCS\PC Minutes\5-10-05.doc Planning Commission Minutes May 10, 2005 I 3. Commissioner Alderson stated as the newest member of the Commission he is just getting an understanding what the General Plan is and how it applies to the City. 4. Chairman Kirk thanked her for coming and providing her insight. He would like to believe the General Plan is the City's vision and hopes it can be addressed more if annexation to the east is considered. It may be an opportunity to lower the density and preserve the rural lifestyle. He asked that Ms. Wolff keep watching the Planning Commission and City Council and reminding them there needs to be a "grand plan" and not get caught up in the little issues. They have gone from approving every project that requests water intensive landscaping to observing very strict landscaping requirements. III. CONFIRMATIOt-J OF THE AGENDA: A. Staff asked that the approval of the minutes be deleted from the agenda. IV. CONSENT ITEMS: None. I V. PUBLIC HEARINGS: VI. BUSINESS ITEMS: A. Continued - Site Development Permit 2004-820; a request of Ehline company for Coral Ridge L.L.C. for consideration of a condition review of landscaping plans for Tract 31249 (Village at Coral Mountain), located 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 Daniels asked if the primary concern was the distance of the sprinklers from the curb. Staff stated yes and explained moving them back was to keep the back spray from out of the street. I 3. Commissioner Alderson asked if the sprinklers were to be 18 inches from the curb or whether or not it was a water G:\ WPDOCS\PC Minutes\5-1 0-05 .doc 2 I I I Planning Commission Minutes May 10, 2005 conservation issue. Staff stated yes, to keep it from draining into the street. By moving it back 18 inches the turf does not erode and cause drainage into the street where decomposed granite (DG) could allow the water to go into the street. 4. Commissioner Quill stated he had just attended a meeting where a discussion was held on keeping the water from draining into the street. This was the reason the Commission continued this item. The models were agreed to and the remaining units would be restricted from using the turf at the curb. 5. Mr. Chris Hermann, landscape architect, stated they have addressed this concern before and have had success with moving the sprinklers back 18 inches and using turf to the curb. The issue is not just irrigation, but engineering, curb and gutter designs, and grading. He believes the better solution is to reduce the grade up against curb. He does not believe the gravel strip is the best solution. He also has concerns about the DG strip and the maintenance. Bermuda grass is aggressive and will grow into anything. The best solution to him would be to move the sprinklers in the 18 inches with turf. This meets CVWD requirements. 6. Chairman Kirk asked if there were any questions of the applicant. Commissioner Quill asked if they had any detail drawings to ensure the grass would not grow over, etc. Mr. Hermann stated they could provide them, but did not have any with him. Commissioner Quill stated it should be in the fine grading plan as well as the landscaping plan. Mr. Hermann stated they could do this. 7. Commissioner Daniels asked if there was a qualified landscape architect on the site to inspect the installation. Mr. Hermann stated no. It is the general superintendent who is responsible to handle the grading and the irrigation system, etc. 8. Commissioner Alderson asked if the Bermuda grass is a hybrid. Mr. Hermann stated it is. 9. Commissioner Quill displayed a hand drawing showing the sod planted two inches below the curb, at the back of the curb, sloping down into a swale at 2%, and then the sprinkler head installed at 18 inches from the back of the curb. Mr. Hermann stated he would agree with this design. G:\ WPDOCs\PC Minutes\5-1 0-05.doc 3 Planning Commission Minutes May 10, 2005 10. Commissioner Ladner asked if he had any pictures of where this design had been successful. Hermann stated no. I 11 . Chairman Kirk asked if he could confirm they had met the CVWD standards; if so, by how much. Mr. Hermann stated they met them confidently. The calcs are on the front of the landscaping plans. Discussion followed regarding the calcs. 12. Chairman Kirk asked if there was any other public comment. There being none, it was open for Commission discussion. 13. Commissioner Ladner stated she agrees with the high maintenance this puts on the HOA. She would agree with the sprinkler heads being moved back 18 inches, but she is still concerned with what the grass will look like. 14. Commissioner Quill stated he believes the 18 inches will be sufficient. His concern is that after time the grass will still grow and water will still end up in the gutter. He would like to see the swale. I 15. Commissioner Ladner stated she was concerned with someone tripping in the swale. Mr. Hermann stated it is a CC&R issue. 16. Commissioner Daniels stated the 1 % grade is sufficient. 17. Commissioner Alderson stated the two inches below the curb will help. 18. Commissioner Daniels stated there is a conflict between the City standards and this application. He agrees with Commissioner Quill's drawing but, he would like to see the final grading certified by the landscape architect that it meets these parameters. Lastly, he would like to see staff look into changing the Code to add this drawing standard to the Code. 19. Chairman Kirk stated the solution he would like to see is very little turf. It is not fair to put it on this applicant because the landscape Ordinance does not require it. Another problem is the faulty irrigation systems. He would encourage tightening up the I Landscape Ordinance, but there still remains a problem if there is faulty equipment. G:\ WPDOCs\PC Minutes\5-1 0-05.doc 4 I I Planning Commission Minutes May 10, 2005 20. It was moved by Commissioners Daniels/Quill to adopt Minute Motion 2005-007 approving Site Development Permit 2004-820, as recommended by staff and as amended: a. Sprinklers shall be located 18 inches from the back of the curb. The turf shall be recessed below the back of curb two inches. The area between the back of curb and 18- inch sprinkler line shall be lowered 1 %. b. The grading shall be certified by the landscape architect. 21 . Commissioners Alderson and Ladner stated their concern about going overboard on the conditions. 22. Following discussion, the motion was unanimously approved. VII. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None. VIII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS: A. Commissioner Daniels asked that staff have a work session for the Commission to discuss the Landscape Ordinance and CVWD requirements. He asked if the Commission was being effective adding this type of standards to the Ordinance. Chairman Kirk asked if Mr. Hermann would like to help with the drafting of the amendment. Mr. Hermann stated he would be happy to volunteer. Chairman Kirk asked that staff invite CVWD as well as Mr. Hermann, and Kay Wolff to the work session. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Quill/Ladner to have this item placed on the agenda. Unanimously approved. IX. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Daniels/Quill to adjourn this regular meeting of the Planning Commission to a regular meeting of the Planning Commission to be held on May 24, 2005, at 7:00 p.m. This meeting of the Planning Commission was adjourned at 7:49 p.m. on May 10, 2005. Respectfully submitted, I ~~e~e Secretary City of La Quinta, California G:\ WPDOCS\PC Minutes\5-1 0-05 .doc 5