PCRES 2005-057PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION 2005-057
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A ONE-
YEAR TIME EXTENSION TO ESTABLISH USE OF A 60-
FOOT HIGH MONO -PALM COMMUNICATION ANTENNA
AND 230 SQUARE FOOT, ONE-STORY UNMANNED
EQUIPMENT BUILDING ON A PORTION OF A 1.95-ACRE
FIRE STATION SITE, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS
CASE NO.: CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2004-085, EXTENSION #1
APPLICANT: NEXTEL OF CALIFORNIA
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of La Quinta,
California, did on the 81h day of November, 2005, hold a duly noticed Public
Hearing to consider the request of Nextel of California, for a one-year time
extension to establish a 60-foot high mono -palm communication antenna and
unmanned one story equipment building of 230 sq. ft., located on the southwest
corner of Avenue 54 and Madison Street, more particularly described as:
PER DEED RECORDED JULY 9, 1985 AS DOCUMENT # 149778
RECORDS OF RIVERSIDE COUNTY
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of La Quinta,
California, did on the 14`h day of September, 2004, adopt Planning Commission
Resolution 2004-063, approving the above said mono -palm communication antenna
and equipment building, subject to conditions; and,
WHEREAS, the extension of time for Conditional Use Permit 2004-085
is hereby determined to be exempt from CEQA review, based on the original
determination under Guidelines Section 15332 (Infill Development); and,
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 find the following facts and reasons to justify approval of
a one-year extension of time for Conditional Use Permit 2004-085, pursuant to
Section 9.210.020 of the Zoning Code:
1. Consistency with General Plan. The design and improvements of the
proposed mono -palm are consistent with La Quinta General Plan (Chapter 7)
that requires utilities and communication facilities to blend in with the
surrounding improvements and insures residents have access to reliable
services such as wireless telephones. This communication antenna is
Planning Commission Resolution 2005-057
Conditional Use Permit 2004-085, Extension #1
November 8, 2005
Page 2
designed to replicate a palm tree to be compatible with existing mature
landscaping thereby limiting its visibility from surrounding public
thoroughfares and land uses. The proposed antenna is located over 150-feet
from existing PGA West residential units, ensuring adequate space
separation between both land uses. Approval of the time extension does not
affect or alter any provisions of the original application as approved under
Planning Commission Resolution 2004-063.
2. Consistency with Zoning Code. The proposed mono -palm antenna and
equipment building are consistent with current standards of the Zoning Code
(Chapters 9.130 and 9.170) in that potential adverse visual effects have
been mitigated by design of the structures through the integration of palm
trees, fencing, and other man-made structures. Approval of the time
extension does not affect or alter any provisions of the original application as
approved under Planning Commission Resolution 2004-063.
3. California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The mono -palm antenna and
equipment building have been determined to be exempt from CEQA, under
Guidelines Section 15332 (Infill Development), in that the site is fully
developed as a public service land use (fire station) that is surrounded by
urban infrastructure improvements (e.g., water, sanitation, etc.). Approval of
the time extension does not affect or alter any provisions of the original
application as approved under Planning Commission Resolution 2004-063.
4. Compatibility with Surrounding Uses. The proposed improvements are
located over 150-feet from the closest existing PGA West residential units,
ensuring adequate space separation between both land uses and compliance
with the requirements of Chapter 9.170. The mono -palm will be camouflaged
by multiple stands of existing palm trees. Approval of the time extension
does not affect or alter any provisions of the original application as approved
under Planning Commission Resolution 2004-063.
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 constitute the findings of the
Planning Commission in this case; and,
Planning Commission Resolution 2005-057
Conditional Use Permit 2004-085, Extension #1
November 8, 2005
Page 2
2. That the extension of time for Conditional Use Permit 2004-085 does not
affect the original exemption under Section 15322 (Class 32) of the
California Environmental Quality Act; and,
3. That it does hereby approve a one-year extension of time for Conditional Use
Permit 2004-085, for the reasons set forth in this Resolution, subject to the
Conditions attached hereto.
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the La
Quinta City Planning Commission, held on the 81h day of November, 2005, by the
following vote, to wit:
AYES: Commissioners Alderson, Daniels, Ladner, Quill, and Chairman Kirk
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
TO KIR , Chairman
City o Quinta, California
ATTEST:
Qt
DOUGLAS .EVANS
Community Development Director
City of La Quinta, California
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION 2005-057
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL — FINAL
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2004-085, EXT. #1
NEXTEL OF CALIFORNIA
NOVEMBER 8, 2005
GENERAL
1. This extension permit shall expire on September 14, 2006, unless a
subsequent time extension is applied for and granted by the Planning
Commission pursuant to Section 9.200.080 of the Zoning Code. A request
for a time extension shall be filed with the Community Development
Department on, or before, August 14, 2006. This condition shall supercede
Condition 19 of Planning Commission Resolution 2004-063.
2. All other conditions of approval pertaining to Conditional Use Permit 2004-
085, as approved by adoption of Planning Commission Resolution 2004-063
on September 14, 2004, are hereby retained and incorporated under this
extension approval, except as modified herein and where determined to have
been complied with.
3. Applicant shall install a minimum of two Washingtonia Robusta palm trees
along with the Monopalm structure. Trees shall be of a height so as to
provide a variable height between the existing palms and the Monopalm
structure, and arranged so as to appear in a random, natural pattern. Trees
shall generally be between 45 and 50 feet in height, and not be of the same
height.
P:\Reports - PC\2005\11-08-05\CUP 085 Ext 1\coaCUP085X1.doc