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2006 04 04 RDA Minutes LA QUINTA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MINUTES APRIL 4, 2006 An adjourned meeting of the La Quinta Redevelopment Agency was called to order by Chairman Osborne at 1 :00 p.m. PRESENT: Board Members Adolph, Henderson, Kirk, Sniff, Chairman Osborne ABSENT: PUBLIC COMMENT - None CLOSED SESSION 1 . Conference with the Agency's real property negotiator, Thomas P. Genovese, pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8 concerning potential terms and conditions of acquisition and/or disposition of a portion of 525 ± acres located at the southwest corner of Avenue 52 and Jefferson Street. Property Owner/Negotiator: Theodore Lennon, DDC Desert Development, Inc. 2. Conference with the Agency's real property negotiator, Thomas P. Genovese, pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8 concerning potential terms and conditions of acquisition and/or disposition of real property located at the southwest corner of Miles Avenue and Washington Street. Property Owner/Negotiator: CP Development La Quinta, LLC. 3. Conference with the Agency's real property negotiator, Douglas R. Evans, pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8 concerning potential terms and conditions of acquisition and/or disposition of real property regarding ENA negotiations with CVHC for property located at the northwest corner of Dune Palms and Avenue 48. Property Owners/Negotiators: Coachella Valley Housing Coalition. The Redevelopment Agency recessed to Closed Session to and until the hour of 7:00 p.m. Redevelopment Agency Minutes 2 April 4, 2006 7:00 P.M. PUBLIC HEARINGS The Agency convened into Joint Session with the La Quinta City Council. 1 . JOINT PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION ON: 1) AFFORDABLE HOUSING AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE LA QUINTA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AND THE COACHELLA VALLEY HOUSING COALITION FOR THE SALE AND DEVELOPMENT OF 14.8 ACRES OF AGENCY PROPERTY LOCATED AT THE NORTHWEST INTERSECTION OF DUNE PALMS ROAD AND AVENUE 48 IN LA QUINTA PROJECT AREA NO.2; AND 2) AUTHORIZE THE AGENCY CHAIR AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS; AND APPROPRIATE $30,153,435 FROM THE 2004 LOW AND MODERATE-HOUSING BOND FUND. APPLICANT: COACHELLA VALLEY HOUSING COALITION. Community Development Director Evans and Planning Manager Johnson presented the staff report. Consultant Frank Spevacek gave a brief overview of the housing agreement and funding issues. In response to. Chairman Osborne, Mr. Evans stated the parking structure posts would be located near the rear of the vehicle away from vehicle doors. He noted not allowing the six-inch clearance would substantially increase the costs of the parking structure because of the requirement for greater spans. The developer feels the tradeoff is a substantial cost difference, which the Agency would probably have to cover. He indicated the project architect would address the width of the parking stalls. Regarding the square footage of the units, he stated the reduction would provide some flexibility in the final design. In regard to the day care center, he reviewed the requested setbacks, and stated he doesn't feel any safety issues are involved. Chairman Osborne stated he appreciates how the design maintains the privacy of the neighboring residential developments. He inquired about the number of trees along the perimeter as depicted during the presentation. Mr. Evans stated the project will probably have more trees than what is shown in the preliminary landscape plans. ----.--.-- ~-_..~_...- - .-.-- ------ --- ------ - _ ~ __---.J Redevelopment Agency Minutes 3 April 4, 2006 Board Member Kirk asked about the proposed drainage solution and how the alternatives might affect the site plan. Mr. Evans noted the traditional solution would be a one-acre retention basin that would result in a reduction of approximately 1 5 units on the site. An alternative solution would be to connect to the Evacuation Channel. He indicated there has been some discussion about the potential of neighboring commercial properties participating in a storm drain master plan to free up some commercial land in the area. He indicated CVWD seems supportive of connecting to the evacuation channel, and staff believes it will work. Board Member Kirk inquired as to how staff would feel about the requested changes if proposed . by a private applicant instead of another agency. Mr. Evans indicated he would still consider the changes on this par~icular site if the proposal was for an affordable housing project. He noted Rancho La Quinta expressed more comfort with this type of development than with the potential of more commercial on the site. Board Member Kirk asked if staff is aware of any literature that suggests affordable housing units generate less demand for parking. Mr. Evans indicated he conducted a parking survey of multi-family residential projects in Southern California just before he came to the City, and' it is those multipliers that were used in designing this project. He feels the City standard of an average of three parking spaces per unit for rental housing is very high, and is very comfortable with the requested change. He noted the survey he conducted was for market-rate, multi-family units, which was a worse-case scenario because those residents could afford two or more vehicles. Board Member Kirk asked if staff is proposing ultimate changes to the Zoning Code for multi-family parking requirements and the spacing requirements for parking structures. Mr. Evans responded not at this time unless so directed by Council. Board Member Henderson asked if the reduction to 650 square feet could be addressed as an allowance where the flexibility is needed. Redevelopment Agency Minutes 4 April 4, 2006 Mr. Evans confirmed the reduction could be approved only to accommodate the design of the buildings in this site development permit. Should this project not go forward, the specific plan would still be held to the 750 square feet. In response to Board Member Henderson, Public Works Director Jonasson confirmed the only left-in turn allowed would be the northerly entrance on Dune Palms Road. He further confirmed residents of the development would have to make a U-turn at Avenue 48 or go to Adams Street to get to the Sam's Club or Wal-Mart commercial area. Board Member Adolph commented on the grade difference between the top of the curb and the footing for the first building. He asked about the distance between the wall and the building and between the meandering sidewalk and the building. Mr. Evans ~tated both are approximately 10 feet, and noted the preliminary plans are not to scale. In response to Board Member Adolph, Mr. Evans confirmed evergreen trees of sufficient size will be used around the perimeter to sufficiently screen the area year-round. He indicated the final landscape plan will be reviewed by the Architecture and Landscape Review Committee and approved by the Planning Commission. Board Member Adolph voiced concern about allowing a minimum 650 square-foot unit, and stated he feels it is too small. Mr. Evans noted the project, as cùrrently designed, complies with the 750 square-foot minimum size. If Council wishes to stand by that standard, the developer will have to hold to it in their working . drawings. Chairman Osborne asked about a pedestrian walkway to the commercial area. Mr. Evans stated they have discussed it but it has some challenges because of truck traffic from the Wal-Mart and Sam's Club loading zones. A walk-through gate would also be a security issue. Providing access next to the CVWD well site keeps pedestrians in public spaces as opposed to loading zones. _. -_. -------- _.~ - -~--~-- - ---- --- Redevelopment Agency Minutes 5 April 4, 2006 Chairman Osborne suggested the possibility of using a self-locking gate that residents would have a key to. He stated he appreciates the safety concerns but would like to see a walkway to provide residents better access to the commercial center. Board Member Adolph voiced concern about mixing pedestrians with truck traffic, and about pedestrians using the access at night. John Mealey, representing Coach ell a Valley Housing Coalition, requested approval of the project. The Chairman declared the PUBLIC HEARING OPEN at 8:01 p.m. Reuel Young, architect with Interactive Design Corporation, stated a minimum square footage of 650 feet would allow them some latitude, if needed, for unique constraints. He indicated a maximum of three or four units would be below 750 square feet, and he would be comfortable with a percentage allowance. He explained they would like some flexibility in the design in case they run into problems with some of the vertical chases, stairways, etc. Board Member Adolph stated he wouldn't want to change the aesthetics of the buildings but doesn't want the units to be too small either. Mr . Young stated he would be comfortable with a condition allowing no more than 25 % of the one-bedroom units to be a minimum of 700 square feet. In regard to the request for a six-inch clearance allowance on the parking structure posts, he stated the City's standard width would have a significant impact on the cost of the parking structure. He added the six-inch clearance would be outside the 9-foot parking stall. Redevelopment Consultant Frank Spevacek presented the staff report on the Affordable Housing Agreement and project financing. Board Member Kirk asked how much funding is available in the housing set-aside account. Mr. Spevacek stated there is $76 million in the housing fund currently, and $ 8 to 10 million is added each year. Board Member Kirk asked how this subsidy compares with other projects in the Valley that are very-low and low-income categories. Redevelopment Agency Minutes 6 April 4, 2006 Mr. Spevacek stated this subsidy is $154,258 per unit. Mr. Mealey stated there is not much for comparences, and indicated the senior project in the City of Indian Wells was over $200,000 per unit. Mr. Spevacek referenced a senior housing project in the City of Coronado with a subsidy of $370,000. Mr. Mealey noted all of the rents are targeted at 50% or below of median income because of the City's need to comply with State requirements. He added a higher subsidy is due to the rent structure being low and the people being served having very low incomes. In response to Board Member Henderson, Mr. Spevacek stated Section II (203) Agency MHP Gap Loan has been revised to read, IIln the event that, after diligently pursuing receipt of the MHP Loan, and due to no fault of the Developer, the Developer does not receive the MHP Loan, the Agency agrees to consider, in its sole and absolute discretion, providing Developer with additional funding assistance, in the maximum amount of Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,OOO). In the event that the Agency agrees to provide the Developer with the MHP Loan, the Agency Note shall be modified to address disbursement and repayment of same. Developer shall use the proceeds of the Agency MHP Loan only for costs incurred by the Developer in the performance of work described in this development. 11 Marvin Roos, project engineer with MSA Consulting, spoke regarding grading and drainage issues. He stated they don't anticipate a problem utilizing the evacuatiQn channel. He noted staff is requesting deceleration lanes at all three driveways but they feel they can propose a solution without having to add another 8-10 feet of asphalt. Board Member Henderson asked about a bus turnout and how it would affect the five-foot setback for the child-care center. Mr. Evans stated there will not be a bus turnout, and school buses will stop at the edge of the curb. SunUne will probably provide a bus stop at the corner of Highway 111 . There being no further requests to speak, the Chairman declared the PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED at 8:32 p.m. - '~'--'-""--'-'-'-- - --_.._-_.__._-~. --~- - ---- Redevelopment Agency Minutes 7 April 4 , 2006 RESOLUTION NO. RA 2006-004 A RESOLUTION OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF LA QUINT A, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE AGENCY AND COACHELLA VALLEY HOUSING COALITION FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF AVENUE 48 AND DUNE PALMS ROAD. It was moved by Board Members Kirk/Adolph to adopt Resolution No. RA 2006-004 as submitted. Motion carried unanimously. MOTION - It was moved by Board Members Sniff/Kirk to authorize the Agency Chair and the Executive Director to execute the necessary documents and appropriate· $30,153,435 from the 2004 Low and Moderate-Income Housing Bond Fund. Motion carried unanimously. PUBLIC COMMENT - None CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA - Confirmed APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION - It was moved by Board· Members Sniff/Kirk to approve the Redevelopment Agency Minutes of March 21, 2006 as submitted. Motion car'ried unanimously. CONSENT CALENDAR 1. APPROVAL OF DEMAND REGISTER DATED APRIL 4, 2006. MOTION -It was moved by Board Members Sniff/Adolph to approve the Consent Calendar as recommended. Motion carried unanimously. BUSINESS SESSION - None STUDY SESSION - None Redevelopment Agency Minutes 8 April 4, 2006 CHAIR AND BOARD MEMBERS' ITEMS - None .. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, it was moved by Board Members Sniff/Adolph to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. Chairman Osborne advised the Agency meeting was closed in error and should be reopened to continue consideration of Closed Session items. MOTION - It was moved by Board Members Sniff/Adolph to reopen the Redevelopment Agency meeting. Motion carried unanimously. The Agency recessed into Closed Session as delineated on Page 1. The Redevelopment Agency meeting was reconvened with no decisions being made in Closed Session which require reporting pursuant to Section 54957.1 of the Government Code (Brown Act). ADJOURNMENT There being no further' business, it was moved by Board Members Henderson/Kirk to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, 8:r- -4. ~ JUNE S. GREEK, Secretary City of La Ouinta, California ---------- --" ---