Loading...
2006 10 24 PC Minutes MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA October 24, 2006 7:00 P.M. I. CALL TO ORDER A. This meeting of the Planning Commission was reconvened at 7:00 p.m. by Chairman Quill who asked Commissioner Engle to lead the flag salute. B. Present: Commissioners Ed Alderson, Katie Barrows, Jim Engle and Chairman Paul Quill. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Barrows/Alderson to excuse Commissioner Daniels. C. Staff present: Community Development Director Doug Evans, Development Services Principal Engineer Ed Wimmer, Assistant Planners Jay Wuu and Eric Ceja, Planning Consultant Nicole Criste, and Executive Secretary Betty Sawyer. II. PUBLIC COMMENT: None. III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: IV. CONSENT ITEMS: A. Chairman Quill asked if there were any corrections to the minutes of September 26, 2006. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Alderson/Engle to approve the minutes as submitted. Unanimously approved. B. Chairman Quill asked if there were any corrections to the minutes of October 10, 2006. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Alderson/Engle to approve the minutes as submitted. Unanimously approved. V. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None. A. Sign Application 2006-1015; a request of PrestIVuksic Architects for consideration of a Sign Program to serve Caleo Bay, for the property located on the west side of Caleo Bay, north of Avenue 48. 1 . Chairman Quill opened the public hearing and asked for the staff report. Staff informed the Commission a request to continue the project had been received by the applicant. r..\wpnnrc:\p(' Uin'd""",\?nn~\1n_?4..(l~ AnI' Planning Commission Minutes October 24, 2006 2. There being no discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioner Barrows/Alderson to continue the project to November 14, 2006, as requested by the applicant. Unanimously approved. B. Sign Application 2006-1022; a request of Travis Design Group for consideration of a Sign Program for permanent business identification signage for La Quinta Medical Center located at 47-647 Caleo Bay Drive, east of Washington Street, north of Avenue 48, south of Lake La Quinta Drive. 1 . Chairman Quill opened the public hearing and asked for the staff report. Assistant Planner Jay Wuu presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. 2. Chairman Quill asked if there were any questions of staff. Commissioner Alderson asked why staff did not want signage on the east side. Staff stated it was due to the residents on the east side. 3. There being no further questions of staff, Chairman Quill asked if the applicant would like to address the Commission. Mr. Travis, representing the applicant, gave a presentation on the project. He had a concern that if the signs were installed on the first floor they would be blocked by the trees and the lighting would be so low it will be hard to see the signs. As far as options, as they do not know what tenants will occupy what space, they prefer the option of two signs at 25 square feet. 4. Commissioner Barrows asked how important illuminated signs would be for a medical building that will not be open at night. Mr. Travis stated it is more of a public service for the clients to find the building. It will give the tenants some visibility. 5. Commissioner Alderson asked if the intent for the second sign was to identify a specific tenant. Mr. Travis said that if no tenant took it, the building sign would be there. Commissioner Alderson asked why they would not want to lower the signs to the first floor. Mr. Travis stated they would prefer the upper level as there is more space and no obstructions. It is a visibly preferred position. 6. Commissioner Engle agreed the trees would obstruct the lower level signs. They are trading off by lowering the lighting wattage. Planning Commission Minutes October 24, 2006 He asked what color neon would be used. Mr. Travis stated it would be the off-white or soften white. Commissioner Engle asked if it was non-illuminated. Mr. Travis stated that was correct. 7. Commissioner Engle stated he had no objection with the sign being at the higher elevation and it is proportionally signed. 8. Commissioner Barrows asked why staff was requesting the sign be lowered; was it due to the illumination. Staff stated the illumination was a concern in regard to the residents as well as the height of the sign. 9. Commissioner Alderson stated he has no problem with the higher elevation sign. He did go to the site and does not believe the signs will be offensive and at the lower level they will not be seen. 10. Chairman Quill asked where the "Tarbell" sign was located on the La Quinta Professional Plaza building. Commissioner Engle stated it was on the upper level, but a completely different type of building. Chairman Quill stated that if approved, it should be the beige white and not to exceed 30 miliamp level to ensure it is soft light. 11. There being no further public comment, the public participation portion of the public hearing was closed and open for Commission discussion. 12. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioner Alderson/Engle to adopt Minute Motion 2006-026 approving Sign Application 2006-1022, as recommended and amended: a. Condition 1: Deleted b. Condition 2: Not to exceed a 30 miliamp level Motioned carried with Commissioner Barrows voting no. C. Environmental Assessment 2006-576, General Plan 2006-108, Zone Change 2006-130 f.or Annexation 18; a request of the City for consideration of a Negative Declaration, General Plan Amendment and Zone Change to High Density Residential for 12.29 acres of land north of the City limits. The action will lead to a Sphere of Influence Amendment and Annexation request before the Local Agency Formation Commission. Planning Commission Minutes October 24, 2006 1. Chairman Quill opened the public hearing and asked for the staff report. Planning Con'sultant Nicole Criste presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. Community Development Director Doug Evans noted the land proposed for annexation will be reduced due to some encumbrances on, the southerly piece of land. 2. Chairman Quill asked if the tenants would have any voting rights. Staff stated the registered voters make the final decision as to the annexation. Chairman Quill asked what the City's motivation was. Staff stated to fulfill the City's affordable housing requirement and after staff's analysis it did meet the zoning requirements. 3. Chairman Quill asked if there were any questions of staff. Commissioner Alderson asked where the City stood in regard to meeting its goal. Staff stated the goal was approximately 1,900 units and we currently are at about 1,100 with another 300 under construction. Commissioner Alderson asked if the land that is not included would be land locked. Staff stated they have access to the east. 4. Commissioner Barrows asked if there would be a lot split. Staff stated there would be a parcel map to have two distinct parcels. Commissioner Barrows asked the location of the school in relation to this parcel. Staff indicated the location on the map. Commissioner Barrows asked if there could be any work-force housing. Staff stated they would be looking at all types once the property is acquired. Staff clarified they had checked'with LAFCO to determine whether this property was within any other city's sphere and found that it was not. The Bermuda Dunes Community Council has told the City they would like the City to take all of Bermuda Dunes or none of it, but not to take pieces. Nicole Criste indicated another annexation that was in process just east of the City limits within the City's Sphere of Influence. 5. Chairman Quill asked if any of the other property owners along Darby Road were interested in annexation. Staff stated the survey that was taken showed a very strong mix of those in favor and those opposed. Chairman Quill asked if the Bermuda Dunes Community of Interest still existed. Ms. Criste stated it still exists and the proposed annexation is within the Bermuda Dunes Community of Interest, and a representative from the community of interest was in attendance. Planning Commission Minutes October 24, 2006 6. There being no further questions of staff, Chairman Quill asked if there was any public comment. Mr. Robert Farrow, stated he is a member of the Bermuda Dunes Community Council (BDCC) and is opposed to this annexation. He asked if the residents were the only ones who had the voting right to determine whether this is annexed or not. Ms. Criste stated as regards the protest hearing only those who reside within the area will be asked to vote. As regards the annexation itself, the annexation hearing is public and members of the community can speak to the LAFCO Board in favor, or opposition to the annexation. Mr. Farrow stated the BDCC were certain there was a vote taken whereby the majority of those indicated they wanted to be a part of Palm Desert. Ms. Criste stated a survey was taken and it was determined that most wanted to be annexed into Palm Desert. The City of Palm Desert determined it was not fiscally possible for them to annex the area. 7. Chairman Quill stated his understanding of a Community of Interest was a "hands off" period for five years where a city could not process any annexation. Ms. Criste stated that has since changed to pre-annexation boundaries. 8. Commissioner Barrows asked if the opposition was because it is a piece of Bermuda Dunes. Mr. Farrow stated it was to keep Bermuda Dunes as it is. It is his understanding that over the years it has been shrunken down to what it is currently. He asked if this annexation was part of a greater plan for more annexation. Staff stated they did look at the property east of this annexation. That property owner was not interested. Staff has no thoughts of extending any further north. This annexation is only an opportunity to extend our housing program. Commissioner Barrows asked if the remainder parcel would remain in the County. Staff stated it will probably ultimately develop in the County. It does not make economic sense to annex it into the City. 9. Mr. John Brohas, 42-901 Lima Hall, stated they own the adjoining property and do not oppose the annexation. Their objection is only the high density that is proposed as this is a low density area. They would like to develop this area into large estate lots. 10. There being no further public comment, the public participation portion of the hearing was closed and open for Commission discussion. Planning Commission Minutes October 24, 2006 11 . Commissioner Alderson stated he has driven by the area and the senior homes are in need of help and the assistance the City will offer will only be an improvement. This can only be an asset to our seniors. 12. Commissioner Engle stated he would not want this annexation to cause any interruption to Mr. Brohas's operation. He does agree that this will be an asset. 13. Commissioner Barrows asked about setbacks. Ms. Criste stated there are considerations in our Code for setbacks to buffer outside developments. Commissioner Barrows stated that due to the location to schools and commercial development she believes this will be a good location. 14. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioner Barrows/Alderson to adopt Planning Commission Resolution 2006-037 recommending approval of a Mitigated Negative Declaration for Environmental Assessment 2006-576, as recommended. ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Alderson, Barrows, Engle, and Chairman Quill. NOES: None. ABSENT: Commissioner Daniels. ABSTAIN: None. 15. It was moved and seconded by Commissioner Barrows/Alderson to adopt Planning Commission Resolution 2006-038 recommending approval of General Plan Amendment 2006-108, as recommended. ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Alderson, Barrows, Engle, and Chairman Quill. NOES: None. ABSENT: Commissioner Daniels. ABSTAIN: None. 16. It was moved and seconded by Commissioner Barrows/Alderson to adopt Planning Commission Resolution 2006-039 recommending approval of Zone Change 2006-130, as recommended. ROLL CALL: A YES: Commissioners Alderson, Barrows, Engle, and Chairman Quill. NOES: None. ABSENT: Commissioner Daniels. ABSTAIN: None. BUSINESS ITEM: None Planning Commission Minutes October 24, 2006 VIII. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None. IX. COMMISSIONER ITEMS: A. Staff informed the Commission of the Lighting Ordinance Workshop being held on October 27,2006. Commissioners Guill and Engle volunteered to attend. Commissioner Barrows asked if the study would address safety lighting in regard to concerns raised by the Sheriff's Department. B. Review of City Council meeting of October 17, 2006. X. ADJOURNMENT: There _being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Barrows/Alderson to adjourn this regular meeting of the Planning Commission to a regular meeting of the Planning Commission to be held on November 14, 2006. This meeting of the Planning Commission was adjourned at 8:13 p.m. on October 10, 2006. Respectfully submitted, Be y . awyer, Executive Secretary City of La Guinta, California