2005 08 09 PC Minutes
MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall
78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA
August 9, 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 Ladner to lead the flag
salute.
B. Present: Commissioners Ed Alderson, Richard Daniels, Kay Ladner, Paul
Quill and Chairman Kirk.
C. Staff present: Community Development Director Doug Evans, Assistant
City Attorney Michael Houston, Assistant City Engineer Steve Speer,
Planning Manager Les Johnson, Principal Planner Fred Baker, Associate
Planner Andrew Mogensen, Assistant Planner Jay Wuu, and Executive
Secretary Betty Sawyer
II. PUBLIC COMMENT:
A. Ms. Kay Wolff, Ensenada, commended the City on the public
Li,brary that opened today.
III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA:
A. Chairman Kirk asked if there were any corrections to the Minutes of July
·26, 2005. There being none, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioner Alderson/Quill to approve the minutes as submitted.
IV. CONSENT ITEMS: None.
V. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A. Tentative Tract Map 30138, Extension #1; a request of La Quinta
Developers, LLC for consideration of a one-year time extension for a
subdivision of approximately 14.7 acres into 47 single-family and other
common lots for the property located at 80-600 Avenue 52, on the north
side of Avenue 52, approximately 2,588 feet east of Jefferson Street and
south of the All American Canal.
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Planning Commission Minutes
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1 . Chairman Kirk opened the public hearing and asked for the staff
report. Assistant Planner J~y Wuu presented the information
contained in the staff report, a copy of which was on file in the
Community Development Department
.._.. t.
2. Chairman Kirk asked if there were any questions of staff.
Commissioner Quill asked which conditions had been modified.
Staff noted the conditions.
3. Commissioner Daniels asked if the applicant had seen the
conditions and agreed with them. Staff stated they had received
them and agreed. with the changes.
4. Commissioner Alderson asked if the findings were contained in the
conditions. Community Development Director Doug Evans
explained these were the findings necessary to approve the
project.
5. Chairman Kirk asked if the applicant would like to address the
Commission. Mr. Gabriel Papp, 39-755 Berkey Drive, Suite A,
Palm Desert, gave a presentation on the project and explained the
reason for the continuance.
6. Chairman Kirk asked if there were any questions of the applicant.
There being none, Chairman Kirk asked if there was any other
public comment. There being none, the public participation portion
of the hearing was closed and open for Commission discussion.
7. Chairman Kirk asked why the map was approved with two access
points. Assistant City Engineer Steve Speer explained the Fire
Department requested the secondary access. It was a
determination of the applicant to add the second access.
8. Commissioner Alderson stated the site is an eyesore and needs to
be cleaned up. He asked if the frontage was the responsibility of
the applicant or the City. Community Development Director Doug
Evans stated stÇiff would review the issue with Code Compliance
and determine how it could be resolved.
9. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Daniels/Ladner to
adopt Planning Commission Resolution 2005-035 recommending
to the City Council approval of Tentative Tract Map 30138,
Extension #1, as recommended.
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August 9, 2005
ROLL CALL: A YES:Commissioners Alderson, Daniels, Ladner, Quill and
Chairman Kirk. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN:
None.
B. Site Development Permit 2003-765, Amendment #l--ànå Sign Application
2002-629, Amendment #2; a request of Madison/P.T.M. La Quinta,
L.L.C. for consideration of modifications to development plans for a two-
story parking structure and to add three illuminated signs on the north
elevation of the parking structure and allowing non-illuminated signs on
the awnings which are attached to the commerciaL building for the
property located at the northwest corner of Washington Street and
Highway 111, within Point Happy Commercial Center.
1 . Commissioner Alderson stated he had a potential conflict of
interest with this project due to his employment and withdrew
from the dais.
2. Chairman Kirk opened the public hearing 'and asked for the staff
report. Principal Planner Fred Baker presented the information
contained in the staff report, a copy of which was on file in the
Community Development Department.
3. Chairman Kirk asked if there were any questions of staff.
Commissioner Quill confirmed there were no structural changes to
the elevations. Staff stated that wa.s correct.
4. Chairman Kirk asked why the applicant was not aware of the
Building Code requirements in regard to the building. . Staff
explained the history. Community Development Director Doug
Evans explained this type of structure does not allow any
combustible materials. He went on to explain the Building Code
issues that had come up during the plan check process. Chairman
Kirk asked staff to explain what elements were combustible, which
staff explained.
5. Commissioner Quill confirmed there were no changes to the
colors. Staff stated that was correct.
6. Chairman Kirk asked if the applicant would like to address the
Commission. Mr. Rick Wilkerson, representing Madison/P.T.M. La
Quinta, gave a presentation on their request.
7. Chairman Kirk asked if there were any questions of the applicant.
There being none, Chairman Kirk' asked if there was any other
public comment. There being none, the public participation portion
of the hearing was closed and open for Commission discussion.
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8. Commissioner Quill'stated his concern regarding the finish look of
the parking structure. It needs to be hidden from view as you are
traveling south on Washington Street.
9. Chairman Kirk stated his disappointment with the direction the
applicant has had to go redesigning the building. He would rather
review the Building Code definition rather than redesigning the
building. Discussion followed regarding alternatives available to
the Commission and/or the applicant.
10. Chairman Kirk asked if there were any comments on the sign
application. There being none, discussion followed regarding how
the Commission could resolve the design issue of the parking
structure.
11 . Chairman Kirk reopened the public comment portion of the hearing.
Commissioner Quill asked if any Certificates of Occupancy had
been issued. Mr. Wilkerson stated yes, and went on to explain the
phasing plan of the project.
12. Chairman Kirk asked if it was possible to allow the phasing of the
parking structure to salvage the original design. Community
Development Director Doug Evans stated staff is reviewing the
applicant's ability to utilize part of the parking structure. If the
applicant goes through 'the appeal process he will not be able to
meet his tenant obligations. Staff is not sure the phasing pr~gram
would achieve the architectural objective; it will . create an
operational problem.
13. Commissioner Quill stated he had no objection to the shade
structure on the second story. His concern is how it impacts the
facades. He noted the areas of concern. Discussion followed
regarding the changes between the old and new elevations and the
need for more articulation. Community Development Director
Doug Evans clarified that the Commission wanted to see the level
of detail along the first floor plan is equivalent to the original
structure with the exception of the popouts and windows.
14. Chairman Kirk closed the public participation portion of the
hearing.
1 5. It was moved by Commissioners Quill/Daniels to adopt Planning
Commission Resolution 2005-036, approving Site Development
Permit 2003-765, as amended:
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a. Condition added: The level of detail on the first floor of the
parking structure shall be equal to the originally-approved
design.
Chairman Kirk stated he would be voting no because he supported
the original design of the structure.
ROLL CALL: A YES:Commissioners Daniels, Ladner, and Quill. NOES:
Chairman Kirk. ABSENT: Commissioner Alderson.
ABSTAIN: None.
16. It was moved and seconded by Commissioner Daniels/Ladner to
adopt Minute Motion 2005-010 approving Sign Application 2002-
629, Amendment #2, as recommended. The motio~ was
approved on a 3-1-1 vote, with Chairman Kirk voting no and
Commissioner Alderson being absent.
VI. BUSINESS ITEMS:
A. Sign Application 2005-898; a request of Imperial Sign Company for EI
Ranchito Mexican restaurant for consideration of the use of neon signage
in regard to Chapter 9.160 of the Zoning Ordinance and consideration of
a sign application for the property located at 78-039 Calle Estado.
1 . Chairman Kirk opened the public hearing and asked for the staff
report. Associate Planner Andrew Mogensen presented the
information contained in the staff report, a copy of which was on
file in the Community Development Department.
2. Chairman Kirk asked if there were any questions of staff.
Commissioner Quill asked if there were any other neon signs in the
City. Staff stated no.
3. Chairman Kirk asked if the applicant would like to address the
Commission. Mr. Jim Engle, Imperial Sign Company, stated his
reasoning for the requested sign.
4. Chairman Kirk asked if there was any other public comment, there
being none, the public participation portion was closed and open
for Commission discussion.
5. Commissioner Quill stated he was not in favor of neon, especially
in the Village; however he did not object to a similar sign on the
west side hanging from the overhang.
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6. It was moved by Commissioners Daniels to adopt Minute Motion
2005-011, denying Sign Application 2005-898.
7. Commissioner Alderson asked for clarificatioh on what the
applicant was requesting. The applicant clarified there were two
requests, one for the additional sign and secondly, the use of
neon.
8. Commissioner Daniels clarified his motion was to deny the use of
neon, but allow the second sign on the west ~igl} in a form similar
to the existing sign. Commissioner Alderson seconded the motion.
Unanimously approved.
9. Community Development Director Doug Evans asked for
clarification on the Code text clarification. Commissioner Daniels
asked that staff bring this back with the next Zoning Code update.
VII. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None.
VIII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS:
A. Review of City Council meeting of August 2, 2005.
IX. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Daniels/Ladner to adjourn this regular meeting of the Planning Commission to a regular
meeting of the Planning Commission to be held on September 13, 2005, at 7:00 p.m.
This meeting of the Planning COmmission was adjourned at 8:05 p.m. on August 9,
2005.
Respectfully submitted,
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