2007 04 24 PC Minutes
MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION MEElilNG
A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall
78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quints, CA
April 24, 2007
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 Paul Quill who asked Mr. Jerry Herman to lead the flag
salute
B. Present: Commissioners Ed Alderson, Katie Barrows, Rick Daniels, Jim
Engle and Chairman Paul Quill.
C. Staff present: Community Development Director Doug Evans, Assistant
City Attorney Michael Houston, Public Works Director Tim Jonasson,
Planning Manager Les Johnson, Principal Planner Andrew Mogensen, and
Executive Secretary Betty Sawyer.
II. PUBLIC COMMENT: Mr. Jack Berkwinn, 43-618 Selarno, stated he had
attended a meeting put on by the Mayer Corporation for their project proposed
at the northeast corner of Washington Street and Fred Waring Drive. The
concerns they have is whether or not anything can be done to have a different
market at this location than the proposed Wal-Mart. Community Development
Director Doug Evans explained a neighborhood meeting was held last night
regarding a project proposed for the northeast corner of Fred Waring Drive and
Washington Street. This project is currently being reviewed by the Community
Development Department and will be before the Commission at a future public
hearing. The applicant was directed to hold a neighborhood meeting and it was
staff's understanding the meeting was well attended and well received.
Chairman Quill informed Mr. Berkwinn that when the project is before the
Commission the neighboring communities will have the opportunity to speak
regarding the project at that time. A notice will be mailed to everyone within
500 feet of the project notifying them of the date and time of the hearing.
III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: Confirmed.
IV. CONSENT ITEMS:
A. Chairman Quill asked if there were any changes to the Minutes of April
10, 2007. Chairman Quill asked that Page 4, Item 13 be amended to
read, "As the east side of Madison Street between Avenue 58 and
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Planning Commission Minutes
April 24. 2007
Avenue 60... "; Page 5, Item 18.b. add, "...comer landscaping reduced to
50% turf... "; Page 9, B. more detail should be added as to what was
discussed regarding the Green Build items, and add that the Commission
directed staff to agendize a discussion regarding the trail along Avenue
58. There being no further changes, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Daniels/Barrows to approve the minutes as submitted.
Unanimously approved.
V. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A. Environmental Assessment 2006-562, General Plan Amendment 2006-
107, Zone Change 2006-127, Specific Plan 83-002 Amendment #6,
Tentative Tract Map 32266, Site Development Permit 2006-852, and
Development Agreement 2006-011; a request of Pacific Santa Fe
Corporation/Crowne Pointe Partners, LLC, for consideration of the
following application requests: recommend adoption of a Mitigated
Negative Declaration; an amendment to the General Plan Land Use
Element, from Tourist Commercial (TC) to Resort Mixed Use (RMU);
change the Official Zoning Map, from Tourist Commercial (CT) to Tourist
Commercial/Residential Specific Plan (CT/RSP); update the overall PGA
West Specific Plan to implement development principles and guidelines
for a 292-unit resort condominium project, with clubhouse building,
common pools and lighted tennis courts, an :!: 42 acres; the division of
:!: 42 acres into 97 residential lots, a 1.35 acre community center lot, and
other common area lots; a site plan and building design approval for 292
one, two and three-story condominium units, a 7,122 sJ. recreation
building with a 32 x 70-foot common pool and 43-foot 6-inch clock
tower feature, and a private entry gatehouse; and consideration of an
Agreement to implement a funding mechanism ensuring payment to the
City of certain fees to financially offset the conversion of the original
hotel/resort site to residential, for the anticipated potential for lost
revenue(s) associated with development of the Eden Rock project for the
property located within the PGA West development, bounded on the
north and east by the PGA West Stadium Course and Clubhouse and on
the south and west by PGA Boulevard.
1. Commissioner Daniels excused himself due to a potential conflict
of interest and left the dais.
2. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Barrows/Alderson
to continue the project to May 8, 2007. Staff asked that the
Chairman open the public hearing before a motion is made to
continue the project. Commissioners Barrows/Alderson rescinded
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Planning Commission Minutes
April 24, 2007
their motion.
3. Chairman Quill opened the public hearing and asked for the staff
report. Staff explained additional environmental review was
needed and requested a continuance to the May 8th Commission
meeting.
4. There being no public comment, Chai:rman Quill asked if there was
a motion to continue the project. It was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Barrows/Alderson to continue the project to May
8,2007. Unanimously approved.
Commissioner Daniels rejoined the Commission.
B. Site Development Permit 2006-872; a request of Trans West Housing,
Inc. for consideration of architecture amd landscaping plans for a
proposed 21,204 square foot clubhouse, entry gate, and recreational
parcel for the property located within proposed Tentative Tract Maps
32879 and 34642, south of Avenue 54, east of Madison Street, west of
Monroe Street, and north of the Greg Norman Course.
1 . Chairman Quill opened the public hearing and asked for the staff
report. Principal Planner Andrew Mogensen 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 if the 37-foot architectural feature
was allowed. Staff stated it is allowed.
3. Commissioner Daniels asked about the water feature. Staff
explained the water feature serves multiple purposes.
Commissioner Daniels asked the footprint of the water feature.
Staff asked that the applicant answer the question.
4. Commissioner Barrows asked if the multi-use trail was located
along Monroe Street. Staff stated yes.
5. Commissioner Daniels asked how this clubhouse plan compared to
the previous plan. Staff stated the original design did have a
hitching rail and horse amenities.
6. There being no further questions of staff Chairman Quill asked if
the applicant would like to address the Commission. Mr. Jerry
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Planning Commission Minutes
April 24, 2007
Herman, representing Trans West Housing, stated they were
available to answer questions. He' explained the location and
purpose of the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) water line in relation
to the water usage at the Saddle Club.
7. Commissioner Barrows asked the applicant to show where the
BOR line would run and how it would work. Mr. Herman stated it
will be a storage facility as well as a source of irrigation for the
Saddle Club pastures as well as neighboring property.
8. Commissioner Alderson asked if the water level would be low
enough to work as a retention basin. Mr. Herman stated yes.
9. Chairman Quill asked the applicant ta explain the irrigation system.
Mr. Chuck Shephard son, landscape architect, stated the water is
brought in from the BOR line and pressurized. It will fluctuate
during irrigation periods. The only time it will overflow is during a
major flood and they can open the gates to flood irrigate the
pastures to eliminate the overflow during that time. Chairman
Quill asked why it was not being used to irrigate anything other
than the Saddle Club. Ms. Marty Butler explained the pastures do
not belong to the Saddle Club, but to the property owner to the
north and they are leasing the pastures from them. Mr.
Shephard son stated they could look into increasing the use of the
water to the perimeter landscaping.
10. Commissioner Barrows asked if the landscaping at the secondary
entry could have the size of the turf reduced significantly. Mr.
Shephardson explained all the turf on the north side of the street
and significantly reduce the other side as well. He stated it could
be reduced as long as they retain the continuity with the other
entries of the Ranch.
11. Chairman Quill asked how the turf behind the walls at the entry
will be seen. Mr. Shephardson explained the stone walls are
uneven and will have an appearance of being broken down. They
will dip down to allow visual windows to the pasture. The area
has been overseeded currently with Bermuda grass and in the
winter tall Fescue and Rye grass will be planted to make it look
like a pasture.
12. Commissioner Barrows asked the purpose of the pasture area. Mr.
Shephardson stated it would be a day use area. Commissioner
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Planning Commission Minutes
April 24. 2007
Barrows asked if the grass would have a trampled look. Mr.
Shephard son stated it would have an appearance of being a
pasture.
13. There being no further questions of staff, the applicant or any
other public comment, Chairman Quill closed the public
participation portion of the hearing.
14. Commissioner Barrows asked if Condition No. 48 would apply to
the front entry. Staff stated yes. Commissioner Barrows asked
.
that the turf area be reduced by 50%.
15. Chairman Quill stated it was important to point out there are
specific differences between this project and the one reviewed at
the last meeting where they denied the applicant's water feature.
They are: 1) This is a lake that is adjacent to homes within the
view corridor of the existing homes; 2) It has a walking path which
has recreational uses for the homeowners; 3) it will be fed from a
BOR line so it is not using potable water from a water meter that
is a well water meter; 4) it will probably have fish which also
provides recreational uses; and 5) it :serves as a reservoir lake for
irrigate purposes as there will be a pump station to provide
pressurized water from the BOR line to specific irrigation sources
at the Saddle Club as well as other potential area.
16. Commissioner Barrows asked that the turf on the north side of the
water feature also be reduced.
17. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Alderson/Daniels to adopt Planning Commission
Resolution 2007-017 approving Site Development Permit 2006-
872, as recommended and modified:
a. Condition 48: Turf area shall be reduced by 50% at the
main entry.
b. Condition added: the turf area on the outer perimeter of
the water feature would be reduced.
C. Environmental Assessment 2006-578, General Plan Amendment 2006-
109, and Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2006-086; a request of the City
for consideration of a Negative Declaration of environmental impact and
General Plan Amendment and Zone Text Amendment to establish policies
and standards for the development of tentative tract maps on parcels of
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Planning Commission Minutes
April 24. 2007
ten acres or less in the southeastern portion of the City.
1. Chairman Quill opened the public hearing and asked for the staff
report. Planning Manager Les Johnson explained the request to
continue the application to May 8, 2007.
2. There being no discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Daniels/Alderson to continue the applications to
May 8, 2007. Unanimously approved
BUSINESS ITEMS: None.
CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None.
COMMISSIONER ITEMS:
A. Staff gave a review of the City Council meeting of April 17, 2007.
B. Commissioner Barrows asked that more background be included in the
staff reports in regard to water features special to their use and source.
C. Community Development Director Doug Evans informed the Commission
that the applicant, Mr. Hughes, for Tentative Tract Map 33597 appealed
the Commission's decision. Staff expects the Council to provide staff
with direction in regard to water features.
D. Commissioner Barrows asked about the tirneline for the Commission to
review the CVWD water requirements. Staff stated they would prepare a
timeline and bring it back to the Commission.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Alderson/Daniels
to adjourn this regular meeting of the Planning Commission to a regular meeting to be
held on May 8,2007. This regular meeting was adjourned at 7:51 p.m. on April 24,
2007.
Respectfully submitted,
~e~~ Secretary
City of La Quinta, California
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