PCRES 1991-048PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION 91-048
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, ANNOUNCING FINDINGS AND
GRANTING A VARIANCE FROM THE DWELLING UNIT SIZE
REQUIREMENTS AND OFF-STREET PARKING PROVISIONS
CASE NO. VAR 91-017 - DESERT VILLAS, LTD.
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of La Quinta, California,
did on the 22nd day of October, 1991, hold a duly -noticed Public Hearing to consider
the request of Desert Villas, Ltd. for a Variance to Section 9.160 (Off -Street
Parking) La Quinta Municipal Code (LQMC), to permit a parking ratio reduction,
tandem parking garages, and a Variance to Section 9.156.040 to permit dwelling unit
sizes less than the 750 square feet minimum or any other items deemed necessary by
the Planning Commission, more particularly described as:
SOUTH 1/2 NORTHWEST SECTION 6, T.6.S., R.7.E.
S.B.B.M. APN: 769-030-032 (PORTION)
WHEREAS, said Variance request has complied with the requirements
of "The Rules to Implement the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970" (County
of Riverside, Resolution 82-213, adopted by reference in City of La Quinta Ordinance
5) , in that the Planning Director conducted an initial study, and has determined that
the proposed project will not have a significant adverse impact on the environment;
and
WHEREAS, upon hearing and considering all testimony and arguments,
if any, of all interested persons desiring to be heard, said Planning Commission did
find the following facts and reasons to justify the granting of said Variance:
The strict application of the off-street parking requirements and design
standards to the subject property will deprive the Applicant of providing an
innovative design solution (tandem parking spaces) for their senior project.
The tandem spaces will help the developer achieve their on -site parking needs
for this single story development request without having to pursue a two
story development plan.
In order to maintain the affordability of the project for low and moderate
income seniors, it is necessary to reduce the unit sizes of some of the units to
about 200 square less than the minimum requirement of 750 square feet to
reduce the construction cost.
3. There are no physical constraints which prohibit development of the site.
The mitigation measures of the Environmental Assessment will insure long-
term environmental impacts will not affect the community or abutting
properties.
The Conditions of Approval will assure that the project is designed in an
orderly fashion.
RESOPC.054
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Planning Commission of the
City of La Quinta, California, as follows:
1 . That the above recitations are true and correct and constitute the findings of
the Commission in this case.
2. That it does hereby confirm the conclusion of the Environmental Assessment
91-212 which indicated that approval of the Variance would not constitute a
significant impact on the environment and hereby approves a Negative
Declaration of environmental impact.
3. That it does hereby grant said Variance 91-017 for the reasons set forth in
this Resolution and subject to the attached conditions (Exhibit "A").
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the La
Quinta Planning Commission, held on this 22nd day of October, 1991, by the
following vote, to wit:
AYES:
Commissioners Ladner, Marrs, and Chairwoman Barrows
NOES:
None
ABSENT:
Commissioners Mosher & Ellson
ABSTAIN:
None
KATIE BARROWS, Chairman
City of La Quints, California
ATTEST:
JERRY HERMAN, Planning Director
City of La Quinta, California
RESOPC.054 2
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION 91-048 EXHIBIT "A"
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL - APPROVED
VARIANCE 91-017 - DESERT VILLAS, LTD.
CONDITIONS:
1 . Senior apartment units within the project will be allowed to have dwelling unit
sizes less than 750 square feet but in no case less than 550 square feet. The
units shall be rented to low and very low income seniors for permanent
housing. The units shall not be rented as second homes. A deed restriction
shall be recorded against the property describing this requirement.
2. The approval shall remain active as long as Plot Plan 91-467 is in effect.
3. The tandem parking garages shall have internal access provided from inside
the garage to the inside of the dwelling unit without having to go outside,
provided the Uniform Building Code provisions can be maintained.
4. All senior apartment units required by the City shall maintain a parking izatio
of one on -site covered garage space per unit plus 0.5 space per unit open
guest parking.
5. Approval of the Variance is subject to approval of Change of Zone 91-066 and
Plot Plan 91-467.
RESOPC.054 3