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2008 09 09 PC MinutesMINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA September 9, 2008 7:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER A. This meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by Chairman Ed Alderson who led the flag salute. B. Present: Commissioners Katie Barrows, Paul Quill, Mark Weber, Robert Wilkinson, and Chairman Ed Alderson. C. Staff present: Planning Director Les Johnson, Planning Manager David Sawyer, Assistant City Attorney Michael Houston, Principal Engineer Ed Wimmer, Associate Planner Jay Wuu, and Executive Secretary Carolyn Walker. II. PUBLIC COMMENT: None III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: Confirmed IV. CONSENT CALENDAR: Chairman Alderson asked if there were any changes to the Minutes of August 26, 2008. Commissioner Weber requested the following amendment: A. Page 9, paragraph one, last sentence shall read: Commissioner Weber said once Corporate Center Way goes through the Commission should not anticipate any application for additional signage on the east facing side. Currently Corporate Center was configured for a west entrance, but eventually it would be a thoroughfare, going all the way through. Right now the signs are appropriate because of the proximity of the World Gym, but he wanted to confirm that with the completion of Corporate Center Way, the applicant would not anticipate additional requests for signs on the east side. P:\Reports - PC\2008\9-23-OS\Final Minutes 309-08.doc Planning Commission Minutes September 9, 2008 There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Barrows/Wilkinson to approve the minutes as amended. Unanimously approved. V. PUBLIC HEARINGS: A. Site Development Permit 2004-821, Extension No. 1; a request of Mega Dealer, LLC for consideration of a one-year extension of time for construction of an approximately 30,000 square foot auto dealership facility, located at the southeast corner of Adams Street and Auto Centre Drive. Chairman Alderson opened the public hearing and asked for the staff report. Associate Planner Jay Wuu presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Planning Department. Chairman Alderson commented on the fact that several Commission members had not seen this project before and were welcome to ask questions. Commissioner Weber asked if the main entrance to the site would be on the north side on Auto Center Drive. He also asked about the landscape buffer on Adams Street and the elevation changes. He said parking stalls, on the west facing side, were not to be display areas. Staff replied there were no new landscaping plans, this landscaping already existed. Commissioner Weber asked for clarification on the type of trees which were noted as canopy/shade trees which were proposed to be the buffer on the south side Iby the proposed JC Penney property. Commissioner Weber was concerned about the lighting and signage; because of the site's proximity to Lake La Quinta. Staff replied the landscaping was not reviewed under the new water efficiency standards when it went through the entitlement process. However when this project does eventually go through the final landscaping plan check, staff will work with the applicant and make sure all the trees and landscaping do meet the current standards. P:\Reports - PC\2008\9-23-OB\Pinal Minutes &09-OB.doc 2 Planning Commission Minutes September 9, 2008 Staff said no signs have been proposed with this Site Development Permit and the applicant would have to submit a sign application, for signage, at a later date. Commissioner Weber noted on page three, of the staff report, the landscaping was to include the Palo Verde, Acacia, and Mexican Fan Palms. He asked if the landscaping would be brought back to the Planning Commission. Staff said as recommended , it would not come back to the Planning Commission but they are recommending that it go to the ALRC with final approval by the Planning Director. Planning Director Johnson said that was a standard condition. Typically the final landscape plan review was checked by the ALRC, prior to Director approval, but only after the plans were reviewed by the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD). Commissioner Wilkinson had a question regarding the elevations and colors shown. He asked if the green color shown was the one originally approved. Chairman Alderson also asked if that was the correct color and referred to the color name listed on the plans. Commissioner Wilkinson asked if the contrast of the green on a field of white was just for conceptual purposes to show spaces and dimensions. Commissioner Quill echoed the same questions and asked to what extent was the Commission able to modify the project. He wanted to know if they could also have a second look at the color, at a future date, if the building was constructed in the manner presented. Planning Director Johnson said the Municipal Code provides the opportunity for consideration of the entire project during the Site Development/Time Extension process. Since the Commission was reviewing the entire project they had the ability to make changes or modifications, with justification. He said in the transition between the previous and current owners a lot of the original information was lost, except what the City had on file. The current owner did provide some additional exhibits but they were fairly limited and more focused on the site design itself versus the elevations of the buildings. If the application were approved, as presented, the applicant could proceed forward within the one-year period. He also said there was a better description, in the original staff report, regarding colors and landscaping but staff was fairly limited in what could be presented from the standpoint of exhibits. He added, there was also the P:\Reports - PC\2008\9-23-OS\Final Minutes &09-08.doc 3 Planning Commission Minutes September 9, 2008 potential this would likely be slightly modified and would have to come back to the Commission. It would then be a matter of having to understand the extent of the changes to ascertain whether it would be either an administrative change through the modification by applicant procedure or if it could be directed back to the Commission for further consideration. At this point in time, the owner of the property is not interested in a Mazda dealership which is what was presented. It would be some other dealership which is currently unknown. There is the potential there would be some changes, but neither the City nor the owner know the extent of those changes at this time. Commissioner Wilkinson asked if the Planning Commission were going to look at the plans again. Planning Director Johnson replied the Commission could modify it if they wanted, but if they were to grant the extension for one year the applicant would have the ability to proceed with the entitlement as conditioned and approved. There was the possibility that something could be modified. That modification, depending on the extent of it, could either be done as a modification by applicant, administratively, or it would be required to come back to the Commission for further consideration. Chairman Alderson asked if the Commission could approve the project and hold the colors and landscaping in abeyance and approve them at a later date. Commissioner Quill also asked the question of whether the Commission could modify them. Staff said the Commission could require further information to be brought back, as a Business Item if desired, or approve it as submitted. The Commission had more than one option for consideration. There being no further questions of staff, Chairman Alderson asked if there were any applicant representatives or comments. Mr. Gregory Oleson, 78-100 Main Street, Suite 205, La Quinta, California (Counsel for the applicant) was introduced and said he would be happy to answer any questions. Chairman Alderson asked Mr. Oleson to comment on the colors and landscaping. P:\Reports - PC\2008\9-23-08\Final Minutes 9-09-OS.doc Q Planning Commission Minutes September 9, 2008 Mr. Oleson responded, with regard to the color, his understanding was as Commissioner Willkinson stated, that it was more for the purpose of depth perception issues, not color. While Mr. Oleson was not in a position to represent his client he did comment they would absolutely not be developing what was presented. The likelihood of that happening was remote due to the current economic times and it most likely will not be a Mazda dealership. He said the chance of not coming back either administratively or to the Planning Commission for changes was not significant. He was unable to answers any questions regarding landscaping. He said it was something that would have to be submitted to CVWD for approval and then come back before the City. There being no further applicant comments Chairman Alderson asked if there was any public comment. There being no further questions, or public comment, Chairman Alderson closed the public participation portion of the meeting and opened the matter for Commission discussion. Commissioner Quill said it appeared all the applicant was requesting was securing entitlement for another year. It did not appear there was any intention of developing exactly what was shown on the current plans. He said he would be fine with approving it as is, with the exception of the fact the landscape plans would have to be reevaluated by CVWD and comply with the new standards. He didn't see any other issues except to comment that he hoped staff would take a look at the colors if the applicant decided to do exactly what was shown. He would like to see colors that blended in with the surrounding neighborhood. Commissioner Weber commented that on page 2 of the staff report, under Architectural Design, it was stated: "The front elevation will be a steel frame front with heavy gauge metal, stuccoed block, and glass....The principle facade elements will be painted black and parrot green with blue doors and orange accented aluminum window frames. " Commissioner Weber said since it is specific, it would behoove the Commission to make sure that the colors do come back and are addressed formally. Commissioner Quill added if they came through with this same structure. Commissioner Weber said that was correct. P:\Reports - PC\2008\9-23-OS\Final Minutes 109-08.doc 5 Planning Commission Minutes September 9, 2008 Commissioner Barrows commented on the landscape saying she would like to see a different species in the parking area. It appeared the parking lot trees were all Washingtonian palms and it was important to include shade trees since palms offer virtually no shade. She asked if they could be switched to Palo Verdes, or a tree that offers more shade, to provide more benefit in the parking lot. She did not know if the palms were included for architectural purposes and wasn't sure if she was supposed to comment on that item now or when the landscaping came back to the Commission or to the ALRC. Planning Director Johnson said it would go to ALRC as currently identified, but he had the following comments, for Planning Commission consideration. Quite often car dealers don't have shade trees in their display area; however there are customer and service parking areas that could benefit from shade trees. He suggested shade-type trees such as the Palo Verde be used in the non-display parking areas and the palms remain in the display areas. Commissioner Barrows said that would make sense. She felt there were too many palms and the landscaping could be softened in other areas and particularly along the Highway with additional Palo Verde. She suggested they consider the use of the native Blue Palo Verde, and requested that suggestion be forwarded to the ALRC. There was no further discussion, and it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Wilkinson/Quill to approve Resolution 2008-024 recommending approval of Site Development Permit 2004-821, Extension No. 1. with the following comments/recommendations: • The landscaping be reviewed by the Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee (ALRC) at the appropriate time, as is standard protocol. • If the current structure is built, the color palette be re-evaluated and approved administratively (at staff level. Unanimously approved. VI. BUSINESS ITEMS: None VII. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None P:\Reports - PC\2008\9-23-08\Final Minutes 309-OS.doc Planning Commission Minutes September 9, 2008 VIII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS: Reminder of Council attendance and report -Staff offered to send a reminder to the Commissioners. A. Comments about the CV Trails Map distributed by Commissioner Quill. Commissioner Weber commented on the fact it was nice to have this map. Commissioner Quill said this was produced by the County of Riverside Parks and Recreation Department, through the Health Department, to promote healthy communities. The map shows existing bikeways and trails throughout the Coachella Valley. There were a few errors in the first printing, so those would be distributed free to bike shops, hotels, etc. They will be collecting donations for the next printing as it can be used as afund-raiser. Commissioner Weber said it was helpful, from a planning perspective, as it would provide everyone in the Coachella Valley the understanding of the direction we need to be going in. It's nice to see something on paper and so nicely done. Commissioner Quill said it was a really great start. IX: DIRECTOR ITEMS: A. Commissioners Weber and Wilkinson, Johnson, will be attending the Planning week. X. ADJOURNMENT: as well as Planning Director Commissioners training next There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Barrows/ Wilkinson to adjourn this regular meeting of the Planning Commission to the next regular meeting to be held on September 23, 2008. This regular meeting was adjourned at 7:29 p.m. on September 9, 2008. Respectfully submitte®d/, G/t,/J~'-~~~r/ Carolyn alker, Executive Secretary City of La Quinta, California P:\Reports - PC\2008\9-23-OS\Final Minutes 9-09-08.doc