2007 02 27 PC Minutes
MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall
78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA
February 27, 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 Quill who asked Commissioner Barrows 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: Planning Manager Les Johnson, Associate Planner Andrew
Mogensen, Assistant Planner Jay Wuu, and Secretary Carolyn Walker
II. PUBLIC COMMENT: None
III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: Confirmed.
IV. CONSENT ITEMS: Chairman Quill asked if there were any changes to the
Minutes of February 13, 2007. There being no changes, it was moved and
seconded by Commissioners Alderson/Barrows to approve the minutes as
submitted. Unanimously approved.
V. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A. Sign Application 2003-720, Amendment No.1; Consideration of an
Amendment to an existing Sign Program allowing the placement of
special event banners.
1. Chairman Quill opened the Public Hearing. 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 if the sign exhibits were computer
generated. Staff said yes.
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Planning Commission Minutes
February 27, 2007
3. Commissioner Engle asked about the, proportions of the sign. Ms.
Leslie Locken, Property Manager of Old Town La Quinta, 78-150
Main Street, La Quinta, stated there was a discrepancy in the
measurements used and they have been corrected. She showed
an example of a five by 18-foot banner, and a 30-foot long banner.
Copies were given to the Commission. Ms. Locken said she had
two issues. The first issue was the size of the lettering on the five
by 18-foot banner which was 11-inches high and not easily
readable as well as limited in how much verbiage could be
accommodated. She requested a five by 30-foot banner as it
would be more proportionate. She stated the banners at Desert
Club Drive and Calle Tampico would be double-sided and a five by
1 8-foot banner could not be easily read. The banners have been
more effective than media advertising in attracting customers to
Old Town. The second issue was whether the banners could
remain for three weeks prior to their Grand Opening event in late
March.
4. Commissioner Alderson asked if the banner, which was noted as
20-feet off the street was at a safe height. Ms. Locken replied
truck height was 16-feet and the 20-foot height should be safe.
5. Commissioner Engle said he was in favor of the special event
banners, as long as there was no clllltter. He agreed five feet by
18-feet was too small. He said the five by 30-foot would be better
as long as it was not offensive and in good taste. He had
hesitations about the three week time period and thought one
week should be enough. He agreed with the Conditions of
Approval as stated by staff for the time period.
6. Commissioner Alderson asked if a compromise of two weeks
would be acceptable. Staff said they recognized this was Phase II
and a new addition to Old Town and understood the need for
special signage for the Grand Opening event.
7. Commissioner Alderson asked about measuring from curb to curb
as opposed to street width. Staff clarified the distinction.
8. Commissioner Alderson asked about the difference between the
original size requested versus what staff was recommending. Staff
clarified the difference.
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Planning Commission Minutes
February 27, 2007
9. Chairman Quill said he did not have a problem with the five by 30-
foot banner or the three week time period. He said he wanted to
do anything necessary to help Old Town be successful. He said
the signs were large, but if done properly and maintained they
would be acceptable. The City needs to do all it can to help the
vendors.
10. Commissioner Barrows concurred and stated it was an opportunity
to help the vendors.
11 . Chairman Quill asked about the tree signs. Ms. Locken said she
was working with staff to use a kiosk or alternate display method
instead of the tree signs.
12. Chairman Quill asked if there was any other public comment.
There being none, Chairman Quill closed the Public Hearing.
13. There being no further discussion, it Was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Barrows/Alderson to adopt Minute Motion 2007-
006 recommending approval of Sign Application 2003-720,
Amendment No.1, as recommended and amended:
A. The total square footage for e'ach of the banners that span
across Main Street shall be no greater than 1 50 square feet
(30-feet x 5-five). The applicant shall install the approved
banners at the approved locations.
B. The event-specific banners shall be erected no sooner than
three weeks (21 days) prior to the event (which shall have
an approved Temporary Use Permit or Village Use Permit),
and removed no later than two days after the conclusion of
the event. Each special event sign/banner shall be applied
for as part of the TUP/vUP application for the subject
event.
C. The use of the special event banners in Old Town La Quinta
shall be limited to 180 days per calendar year.
D. Letters shall not be closer than six inches to the edge
(top/bottom/sides) of banners. Maximum letter size shall be
1 8 inches in height.
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Planning Commission Minutes
February 27, 2007
ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Alderson, Barrows, Engle, and
Chairman Quill. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT:
Commissioner Daniels.
B. Environmental Assessment 2006 -575 and Zone Change 2006 -129;
Consideration to certify a Negative Declaration and a zone change from
RM/17/1 Medium Density Residential, 17 foot height, single story to
RM(20/5/10)17/1 in order to reduce the existing 15 foot rear yard
setback to ten feet. Located south of Avenida La Fonda, north of Avenida
Nuestra, west of Washington Street, and east of Calle Guatemala.
1. Chairman Quill opened the Public Hearing. Associate Planner
Andrew Mogensen presented the staff report which is on file in
the Community Development Department.
2. Mr. Mark Green, 51 -420 Calls Jacumba, spoke in favor of
changing the setback and said this change would provide more
opportunities for better home design on these lots.
3. Chairman Quill asked if anyone else wanted to speak on this
project, there being none, the public hearing was closed.
4. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Barrows /Alderson to adopt Planning Commission
Resolution 2007 -009 recommending to the City Council
certification of a Negative Declaration for Environmental
Assessment 2006 -575 as submitted.
ROLL CALL:AYES: Commissioners Alderson, Barrows, Engle, and
Chairman Quill. NOES: None. ABSENT: Commissioner
Daniels. ABSTAIN: None.
5. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Barrows /Alderson
to adopt Planning Commission Resolution 2007 -009A
recommending to the City Council approval of Zone Change 2006-
129 as submitted.
ROLL CALL:AYES: Commissioners Alderson, Barrows, Engle, and
Chairman Quill. NOES: None. ABSENT: Commissioner
Daniels. ABSTAIN: None.
VI. BUSINESS ITEMS: None
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Planning Commission Minutes
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VIII. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL:
IX. COMMISSIONER ITEMS: Commissioners discussed the upcoming Planning
Commissioner Conference. Commissioners Engle, Alderson and Chairman Quill
stated they would be attending. Commissioner Barrows was unsure at this
time.
X. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Alderson/Engel to adjourn this regular meeting of the Planning Commission to a regular
meeting of the Planning Commission to be held on March 13, 2007. This meeting of
the Planning Commission was adjourned at 7:36 p.m. on February 27, 2007.
Respectfully submitted,
c~t!s~~
City of La Quinta, California
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