PCMIN 11 14 1995MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall
78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA
November 14, 1995
I. C'AL.L• TO ORDER
7:00 P.M.
A. This meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by
Chairman Abels. Community Development Director Jerry Herman led the flag
salute.
II. ROLL CALL
A. Chairman Abels requested the roll call: Present: Commissioners Adolph, Barrows,
Butler, Gardner, Newkirk, and Chairman Abels.
B. Commissioners Barrows/Gardner moved and seconded a motion to excuse
Commissioner Anderson. The motion died on a 4-2 vote.
B. Staff Present: Conununity Development Director Jerry Herman, City Attorney
Dawn Honeywell, Senior Engineer Steve Speer, Planning Manager Christine di Iorio,
Principal Planner Stan Sawa, Associate Planner Leslie Mouriquand, and Executive
Secretary Betty Sawyer.
III. ['nxFruMATION OF THE AGENDA
IV. PITRi.iC COMMENT: None
V. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
VI, RIISiNESS ITEMS:
A. Special Advertisine Device 95-083; a request of Diners Club Matches (Ms. Kelly
Hyne, Tournament Coordinator) for approva] of temporary advertising for the Diners
Club Matches Golf Tournament at PGA West Resort in December, 1995.
1. Principal Planner Stan Sawa presented the information contained in the staff
report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development
Department.
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November 14, 1995
'>. Commissioner Gazdner asked if there was a limit to the number of directional
signs. Staff stated the applicant was asking for eight and staff is
recommending 15 signs. Community Development Director Jerry Herman
explained this was the number set last year by the Commission.
Commissioner Gazdner stated he was concerned that there were enough signs
to direct the traffic.
3. There being no further comment, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioner BarrowsButler to adopt Minute Motion 95-048 approving
Special Advertising Device 95-083, subject to conditions. Unanimously
approved.
B. special Advertising Device 95-076; a request of West Coast Artists (Ronda Mills)
for approval of temporary advertising for a Fine Arts Festival to be held at
Sculptureland on February 24-25, 1996.
1. Principal Planner Stan Sawa presented the information contained in the staff
report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development
Department.
2. There being no questions of staff or the applicant, it was moved and seconded
by Commissioners ButlerBarrows to adopt Minute Motion 95-049 approving
Special Advertising Device 95-076, subject to conditions. Unanimously
approved.
C, rP *al Plan Consistency Fin ing~'or Coachella Vallev~T/ater Dis rict Proiects; a
request of Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) fora General Plan
determination for consistency.
1. Principal Planner Stan Sawa presented the information contained in the staff
report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development
Department.
2. Commissioner Butler asked if the City could require CVWD to use local
businesses to do the construction. Staff stated they are unaware of their
hiring practices. City Attorney Dawn Honeywell stated the City was unable
to make any such requirement.
3. Commissioner Adolph asked if the City would have an opportunity to
comment on the design or installation of the above-ground facility near Lake
Cahuilla. Staff stated that if their projects aze in the City right-of--way, the
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Planning Commis:~ion Meeting
November 14, 1995
City would review plans and issue permits. This project however, is within
the Bureau of Reclamation azea and the City would have no opportunity to
review the plans for the facility.
~l. Commissioner Adolph asked about the pump plant (Sheet I-2). Senior
Engineer Steve Speer explained that the City has no rights to the land and
therefore has no control except for standazd requirements for compliance with
building codes. City Attorney Dawn Honeywell explained this was beyond
the scope of the project before the Commission at this time. She further
stated that for a lazge project, there would have to be an environmental
review conducted by CVWD that the City could follow and give comment
and participate in the design. It is difficult when dealing with another public
entity as one authority does not have any control over the other except for
public comment discussions.
5. Commissioner Adolph stated his concern about the use of chain link fences,
etc., being installed without any commitment from CV WD to screen them
off. There were still some facilities that were not screened and this could
affect property values of those in the azea.
6. Commissioner Newkirk stated he too was concerned as to what type of
reservoir they would be installing. Staff stated the Commission did review
the particular installation they were referring to.
7. Commissioner Barrows asked if this installation was to be on the Bureau of
Land Management (BLM) land. Staff stated the land was managed by BLM.
8. Commissioner Adolph asked staff to notify CVWD that the City would like
to review the design plans for any above ground structure. City Attorney
Dawn Honeywell stated they could request this, but there was no way to
enforce it.
9. Commissioner Barrows stated this request was consistent with the City's
General Plan Policies and read those policies. Discussion followed regazding
different CV WD projects.
10. Commissioner Barrows asked about the Lower La Quints Zone Reservoir and
the two reservoirs south of the Cove. These appeaz to be in locations where
there are existing reservoirs and which to date have not been screened.
Senior Engineer Steve Speer stated the new installations did appear to be in
azeas where there are existing reservoirs. Community Development Director
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Planning Commission Meeting
November 14, 1995
Jerry Herman stated he believed these were second reservoirs. Commissioner
Barrows asked that these be brought before the Commission for their review.
11. Community Development Director Jerry Herman clarified that the
Commission was asking staff to inform CVWD that they would like any
structure installed above ground, including storage, for the Commissions
review. City Attorney Dawn Honeywell stated that in light of the Policies
mentioned by Commissioner Barrows, the General Plan Policy would require
the issue to be brought back to the Commission for their review.
12. Commissioner Gazdner asked if these projects are brought to staff before they
are constructed. His concern was that one of the projects is currently under
construction. Staff stated they hoped they would receive it before, but they
have no way of requiring this.
13. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Bazrows/Butler to adopt Minute Motion 95-050 finding that
the projects proposed by CVWD aze in compliance with General Plan
Polices, provided that all above ground facilities and storage tanks be brought
before the Commission prior to construction for their review as contained in
Policy 7-1.1.10 of the General Plan. Unanimously approved.
D. 'nor Telllporarv Outdoor Event 95-108; a request of the Boys and Girls
Club/Pacific Coast Shows for afoot-day carnival with adult and kiddie rides and
game booths at the northeast corner of Simon Drive and Washington Street.
Commissioner Butler withdrew due to a possible conflict of interest.
1. Associate Planner Leslie Mouriquand presented the information contained in
the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development
Department.
2. Commissioner Adolph asked if the entire Carnival would be fenced as he was
concerned about children playing in the immediately adjacent toxic waste
mounds. Staff suggested that the applicant answer these questions.
3. Mr. Jim Ducatte, Executive Director Boys & Girls Club, stated he was
working with Pacific Coast Shows to put this event on. He stated there were
no plans to fence the entire azea. The area needed for the Carnival is 125' X
400'. The carnival will consist of only 14 rides including those for adults and
small children with no food or game booths. Mr. Lopez, who runs the
carnival, is awaze of the toxic materials and will set up in such a way that
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November l4, 1995
there is a midway running between the rides. The azea behind the rides will
be blocked by their trucks limiting access to the toxic waste mounds.
4. Chairman Abels felt the mounds should be fenced off. Mr. Ducatte stated he
agreed.
S. Commissioner Adolph asked about the hours of operation. Mr. Ducette
stated it would be open from 4:00-10:00 on weekdays and on weekends
12:00 noon to 10:00 PM.
6. Commissioner Gardner stated that if the trucks were pazked to block the
mounds combined with the rides to entertain the kids, the toxic mounds
should not interest the children.
7. Commissioner Adolph stated he did not want to take the chance of only using
trucks to keep the children away from the mounds as most of the children
would have no supervision.
8. Commissioner Barrows asked if the property owner was responsible for the
toxic waste material. Staff stated the waste was the property of Simon Motors
and the City has not been involved. This is an issue between the owner and
the County Environmental Health Department.
9. Commissioner Adolph asked if Simon Motors could install a plastic tarp to
secure it. Mr. Ducette stated he felt Mr. Simon would do this. Discussion
followed.
10. Commissioner Adolph asked about security. Mr. Ducatte stated there would
be security, however, he was unaware who it would be at this time. Mr.
Ducette stated the reason they were working with this organization was due
to their reputation. He had a background investigation conducted on this
organization and he was impressed with the results.
11. Discussion followed regazding employees sleeping in their trucks on the site.
Staff stated this could be regulated as part of the permit process.
12. Associate Planner Leslie Mouriquand stated she had contacted the
Department of Occupational Safety and Health (Elevator, Ride, and Tramway
Unit) regarding inspections and they assured staff that this company has an
excellent reputation.
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Planning Commission Meeting
November 14, ]995
13. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Barrows/Newkirk to adopt Minute Motion 95-051 approving
Minor Temporary Outdoor Event 95-108, subject to the conditions as
amended and adding a condition requiring the mounds to be covered with a
plastic tarp. Condition #4 would be modified to allow employees to stay on-
site overnight for security purposes. Unanimously approved.
Commissioner Butler rejoined the meeting.
VII. CONSENT CALENDAR;
A. 'There being no corrections to the Minutes of October 24, :1995, it was moved and
seconded by Commissioners Adolph/Newkirk to approve the minutes as submitted.
Unanimously approved.
VIII.
A. Chairman Abeis congratulated Commissioner Adolph on his election to the City
Council and expressed his appreciation for his work on the Planning Commission.
B. No report of the City Council meeting of November 7, 1995 was given.
C. Community Development Director Jerry Herman gave a report of the Department
activities and stated that the next agenda would include a recommendation that the
Commission cancel their December 26, 1995 meeting.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Adolph/Barrows
to adjourn this meeting of the Planning Commission to a regular meeting on November 28, 1995.
This meeting of the Planning Commission was adjourned at 7:40 P.M.
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