PCRES 2001-066PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION 2001-066
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING TO
THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF THE GENERAL PLAN
AMENDMENT TO MODIFY GENERAL PLAN POLICY 7-1.4.3
TO ALLOW EXISTING OVERHEAD UTILITY LINES TO
REMAIN ON TRANSMISSION LINES OF 92 KILOVOLTS
ALONG ARTERIAL STREETS IN THE CITY
CASE: GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT 2000-073
APPLICANT: T.D. DESERT DEVELOPMENT
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of La Quinta, California,
did, on the 81h day of May, 2001, hold a duly -noticed Public Hearing to consider
amending the City of La Quinta General Plan Infrastructure and Public Services Element
(Policy 7-1.4.3) to allow existing overhead utility lines to remain on joint -use 92 Kv
transmission lines adjacent to Arterial Streets in the City of La Quinta.
WHEREAS, at said Public Hearing, upon hearing and considering all
testimony and arguments, if any, of all interested persons wanting to be heard, said
Planning Commission did make the following mandatory findings pursuant to Section
9.230.020 of the Zoning Ordinance to justify a recommendation for approval of said
General Plan Amendment:
1 . The proposed Amendment is consistent with the goals, objectives, and policies
of the General Plan Circulation Element which defines the design standards for
the primary circulation system for the City stating that vertical landscaping (i.e.,
palms) shall be used with trees to create landscape themes on Image Corridors
to reduce the visibility of overhead transmission lines.
2. The proposed Amendment is consistent with the policies of the City to allow
high voltage lines to remain along arterial thoroughfares it that maintenance
costs in the long term will be less for IID and its contractors.
3. The proposed change to allow the existing overhead utility lines to remain in
place does not change the visual character of the City in that the high voltage
lines would exist regardless of this proposed change.
4. Approval of the Amendment will not create conditions materially detrimental to
the public health, safety, and general welfare in that the utility lines already
exist and where installed to state and federal standards and requirements.
5.
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
Planning Commission in this case; and
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A:\RESOPC GPA73 Ranchompd - Greg
Planning Commission Resolution 2001-066
General Plan Amendment 2000-073 (City-wide)
May 8, 2001
Page 2
2. That it does hereby recommend to the City Council certification of
Environmental Assessment 2001-421 for the reasons set forth in this
Resolution and as stated in the Environmental Assessment Checklist and
Mitigated Negative Declaration on file with the Community Development
Department; and
3. That it does hereby recommend approval of the above -described General Plan
Amendment request for the reasons set forth in this Resolution per attached
Exhibit "A."
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the La
Quinta Planning Commission, held on this 8`h day of May, 2001, by the following vote,
to wit:
AYES: Commissioners Abels, Butler, Kirk and Chairman Robbins
NOES: Commissioner Tyler
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
S EVE ROBBINS, Chairman
City of La Quinta, California
ATTEST:
IY H[PMAN, Community Development Director
of La Quinta, California
Al.
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GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT 2000-073
EXHIBIT "A"
Existing General Plan Policy (7-1.4.3)
The City shall require the under -grounding of all existing and proposed overhead electric
lines, less than 12.5 kilovolts, to enhance the visual quality of the City.
Proposed General Plan Policy (7-1.4.3)
The City shall require the under -grounding of all existing and proposed overhead electric
lines, less than 12.5 kilovolts, to enhance the visual quality of the City. All existing utility
lines attached and parallel to joint -use 92 Kv transmission power lines are exempt from the
under -grounding requirement. Should under -grounding costs become conductive in the
future for high voltage transmission lines, the City, in conjunction with other public agencies
and private property owners, shall explore ways to remove the overhead lines from Image
Corridors through such methods as an assessment district, etc. Until removal can take place,
vertical landscaping shall be installed outside the utility easement corridor to screen the
power poles and guyed wires pursuant to the policies prescribed in Chapter 2 (Circulation
Element) of the General Plan.
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