PCRES 1992-019PLANNING COMVIISSION RESOLUTION 92-019
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF LA QUINTA, RECOMMENDING TO THE CITY COUNCIL
AMENDMENTS TO THE MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING SECOND
UNITS, DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR ATTACHED OR
DETACHED GUEST HOUSES, AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
FOR NON -LIVABLE PERMANENT OR PORTABLE ACCESSORY
BUILDINGS AND OR STRUCTURES AND LANDSCAPING
REQUIREMENTS AND CONFIRMATION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL
DETERMINATION
ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT 92-024
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of La Quinta did on the
28th day of April, 1992, hold a duly noticed Public Hearing recommending to the City
Council amendments to the La Quinta Municipal Code regarding second units,
development standards for attached or detached guest houses, and development
standards for non -livable permanent or portable accessory buildings, and/or
structures and landscaping requirements; and,
WHEREAS, this Text Amendment 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
No. 5) , in that the Planning Director has conducted an updated initial study and has
determined that the proposed Text Amendment will not have a significant adverse
effect on the environment and that a Negative Declaration is hereby adopted for this
application; 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 to justify recommendation for approval of said Text
Amendment:
The Text Amendments to the Municipal Code are consistent with the La Quinta
General Plan.
Approval of the Amendments will not result in any significant adverse
environmental impacts.
The Amendments will provide for improved appearance to single-family
residential development which will in turn improve the neighborhood.
The Amendments will provide development flexibility.
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;
RESOPC.073
That it does hereby confirm the conclusion of Environmental Assessment 91-
201, indicating that the proposed Text Amendment will not result in any
significant environmental impacts and that a Negative Declaration should be
adopted;
That it does hereby recommend to the City Council approval of the above
described Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment request for the reasons set forth
in this Resolution, and as illustrated in Exhibit "A", attached hereto.
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the La
Quinta Planning Commission, held on this 28th day of April, 1992, by the following
vote, to wit:
AYES: Commissioners Ladner, Ellson, Marrs, Vice Chairman Mosher
NOES: None
ABSENT: Chairwoman Barrows
ABSTAIN: None
FRED MOSHER; Vice Chairman
City of La Quinta, California
TTEST:
Quinta, California
RESOPC.073
ZOA 92-024
EA 92-230
Add to the following Zoning Chapters appropriate:
R-1. SR. R-2. R-2A. R-V. R-3. R-4. A-1
Conditional uses. The following use may be allowed subject to obtaining a
Conditional Use Permit as provided by Chapter 9.172.
A. SECOND UNITS ("Granny Housing")
A second unit which provides for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation;
will only be allowed on a lot or parcel with a minimum of 7,200 square feet or larger.
A second unit may be attached, as part of the existing residential unit not to exceed
30% of the existing living area, or a unit may be detached with a square footage not
to exceed 1200 square feet. This unit is intended for the sole occupancy of one or
two persons who are 62 years of age or more, or a handicapped person of any age
(and spouse or care giver).
The following provisions are applicable:
1. The unit is not intended for sale and may be rented.
2. The lot is zoned for single family or multi -family use.
3. The lot contains an existing single family dwelling.
4. a. The second unit is attached to the existing residence and is
located within the living area of the existing dwelling.
b. Whenever an increase in floor area is involved, it shall not
exceed 30% of the existing living area.
C. Local building code requirements shall apply to attached
structures as appropriate.
5. a. The unit may be a detached unit which does not exceed 1200
square feet.
b. Any second unit shall conform to height, setback, lot coverage,
architectural review, site plan review, fees, charges, and other
zoning requirements applicable to residential construction in the
zone in which the property is located.
C. Local building code requirements shall apply to detached
dwellings, as appropriate.
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6. Approval by the local health officer where a private sewage disposal
system is being used, if required.
7. "Living area", means the interior habitable area of a dwelling unit,
including basements and attics (if permitted) and shall not include a
garage or any accessary structure.
8. A minimum of three off-street parking spaces must be provided (two car
garage for the primary residential unit and one space enclosed or open
for the second unit). Tandem parking does not qualify for this
provision.
9. No more than 60% of the lot can be covered with permanent/temporary
buildings (such as a single family home, second unit, accessory
buildings, garages, covered patios, guest house, gazebos etc). (In
ground pools, for this calculation, are not part of the 60%. )
Add to the following Zoning Chapters as appropriate:
R-1, SR, R-2, R-2A, R-V, R-3, R-4, A-1
B. DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR ATTACHED OR DETACHED GUEST HOUSES
These provisions regulate guest houses. All applications shall be reviewed utilizing
the administrative plot plan process. A deed restriction shall be required for
recordation against the property to prohibit the use or conversion of the unit to a
rental or for sale, or permit the addition of a kitchen or cooking facility.
A "guest house" means an attached or detached unit which does not have cooking
facilities, but has sleeping and sanitary facilities; is ancillary to a permanent
existing residence; is developed on the same parcel; complies with the design
guidelines of the zone it is located; is architecturally compatible with the existing
primary residential unit and adheres to the development standards of the zone it is
located. A detached guest house, in addition to the above, must comply with the
following minimum standards:
Height: Single story 17 feet
Setbacks: Front 25 feet
Rear 10 feet
Side (interior) 5 feet
Street side 10 feet
Parking: One open or enclosed space in addition to that
required for primary residence. Tandem parking is
not permitted.
Setback from permanent building: 6 feet
Maximum square footage: 300
Lot Coverage: Not more than 60% of the lot can be covered with
permanent/temporary buildings (such as a single
family homes, private garages, second units,
accessory buildings, covered patios, guest houses,
etc.).
DOCJH.052 2
C. DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR DETACHED NON -LIVABLE PERMANENT OR
Utilization of the provisions of this section preclude the request of a setback
adjustment as is provided for in Chapter _ of the Municipal Code. The building
shall be constructed in a manner so as to prevent roof top water from draining onto
any adjacent parcel. Examples of accessory buildings include; storage sheds,
gazebos, covered patios, above ground spas and cabanas. Carports and garages for
cars, recreational vehicles, motorhomes, etc. are not permitted to use these
standards. Not more than 60% of the lot can be covered with permanent/temporary
buildings (such as single family homes, garages, second units, accessory buildings,
covered patios, guest houses, etc.).
Setback from:
Interior
Street
Maximum
Roof area of
Permanent
Rear Yard
Side Yard
Front Yard
Side
Height
Building
Habitable Bldg
Setback
Setback
Setback
Limit
Limit
(Sq. Feet)
(Feet)
(Feet)
(Feet)
(Feet)
(Feet)
(Feet)
0- 100
5
2
3
20
10
8
101 - 199
5
4
3
20
10
10
200 - 250
6
6
5
20
10
12
251 - 400
6
10
5
20
10
14
D. ADD TO THE R-1, R-2, R-2A, R-V, R-3, R-4, AND A-1 ZONES
Landscaping for single family developments shall comply with the
following.
a) . The front yard of all lots, and in addition the street side yard of
corner lots, shall be landscaped to property line, edge of curb,
sidewalk, or edge of street pavement, which ever is furthest
from the residence.
b) . The landscaping shall include trees (minimum two 15-gallon trees
on interior lots and five 15-gallon trees on corner lots), shrubs,
and groundcover and/or hardscape of sufficient size, spacing,
and variety to create an attractive and unifying appearance.
Landscaping shall be in substantial compliance with the
standards set forth in the Manual on Architectural Standards and
the Manual on Landscaping Standards as adopted by the Planning
Commission.
c.) A permanent water -efficient irrigation system shall be provided
for all areas required to be landscaped.
d.) The landscaping shall be continuously maintained in a healthy
and viable condition by property owner.
DOCJH.052