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2009 11 10 PC MinutesMINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA November 10, 2009 7:02 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 asked Commissioner Wilkinson to led the flag salute. B. Present: Commissioners Katie Barrows, Mark Weber, Robert Wilkinson, and Chairman Ed Alderson. Commissioner Quill joined the meeting at 7:19 p.m. Staff present: Planning Director Les Johnson, City Attorney Kathy Jenson, Planning Manager David Sawyer, Principal Planner Andrew Mogensen, and Executive Secretary Carolyn Walker. II. PUBLIC COMMENT: III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: Planning Director Johnson requested Item B be presented first, as the applicant was present. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR: Chairman Alderson asked if there were any changes to the minutes of October 27, 2009. There being no comments or corrections it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Barrows/Weber to approve the minutes as corrected. AYES: Commissioners Barrows, Weber, Wilkinson and Chairman Alderson. NOES: None. ABSENT: Commissioner Quill. ABSTAIN: None. V. PUBLIC HEARINGS: A. Sign Program 1997-383 Amendment No. 1; a request by Kerr Project Services, Inc. for consideration of a proposed Sign Program Amendment to increase the permissible sign area for Smart & Final, located in the Jefferson Plaza at the northwest corner of Jefferson Street and Highway 1 1 1 . Planning Manager David Sawyer presented the staff report on file in P:\Reports - PC\200901-24-09\PC MIN_71-10-09_Approved.doc Planning Commission Minutes November 10, 2009 the Planning Department. Chairman Alderson asked if there were any questions of staff. Commissioner Weber asked if the grand re-opening banner and temporary signs were handled through the proper channels. Staff said they were; showed what was currently on the building and explained what procedures were followed. Commissioner Weber asked if the temporary "extra" was to scale. Staff said the applicant was present and would provide more detail. Commissioner Weber referenced Attachment No. 1 showing the sign monument panel and asked if that panel will remain the same as the existing standards. Staff said yes. There being no further questions of the staff, Chairman Alderson asked if the applicant would like to address the Commission. Mr. ,George Adams, 16267 Crescent Moon Court, Riverside - introduced himself and stated he was not with Kerr Project Services who had been relieved of their responsibilities on this project. He stated he was Smart & Final's Account Manager and representative. He then responded to the question regarding scale and said the current "extra" banner was not the same scale as the planned permanent sign. This banner had been borrowed from another store just for the grand re-opening. The permanent sign would be the same as the one proposed and the temporary banner would removed after the 30-day permit period. The monument sign would also be the same size as before. Mr. Adams then explained how the company was changing, the need for updating signs, and the choice of this variation of the word "extra". Chairman Alderson re-confirmed that the company was changing their product line and needed the word "extra" in their signage. Mr. Adams said yes. Commissioner Wilkinson asked Mr. Adams if he had heard him say P:\Reports - PC\2009\l 1-24-09\PC MIN_l t-10-09_Approved.doc 2 Planning Commission Minutes November 10, 2009 the letters were smaller than those on the existing sign, when referring to the examples. Mr. Adams replied the letters on the building would be a little larger. He referred to the letters on the monument panel as being smaller to accommodate the word "extra". He added the building letter style had also been changed and went over some of the changes. Commissioner Wilkinson commented it not only looked better but was more proportionate than the current sign. Chairman Alderson asked if the word "extra" was going to be illuminated. Mr. Adams said it would be illuminated with white leds. Commissioner Weber asked about the illumination of the current sign and the specifications on the leds for the proposed sign. Mr. Adams said they were proposed to be low voltage leds and added the old sign had probably been illuminated by neon. He did not have the specifications on the leds, but he could get them. Chairman Alderson asked if there was any public comment. There being no public comment, he closed the public participation portion of the meeting and opened the matter for Commission discussion. Commissioners Barrows and Webers commented this sign was an improvement on the current signs and more to scale. Chairman Alderson said there were two arguments on behalf of approval of this sign. One was doubling the size of the sign for a building which was 400 feet from Highway 111. Two was the encumbrance of a future building to be placed in front of this site. He said making the sign larger would help the visibility of the building, as well as the inclusion of the word "extra" fit better in scale and scope. He stated this was a good idea and he supported it. There was no further discussion and it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Weber/Barrows to approve Minute Motion 2009-008 approving Sign Program 1997-383, Amendment No. 1 as submitted. AYES: Commissioners Barrows, Weber, Wilkinson and Chairman Alderson. NOES: None. ABSENT: Commissioner Quill. ABSTAIN: None. P:\Reports - PC\2009\1 I-24-09\PC MIN_11-10-09_Approved.doc 3 Planning Commission Minutes November 10, 2009 B. Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2009-099; a request by the City of La Quinta for consideration of an amendment to La Quinta Municipal Code Title 8, Chapter 13, updating the City's Water-Efficient Landscaping Ordinance affecting all locations City-wide. Principal Planner Andrew Mogensen presented the staff report on file in the Planning Department. Chairman Alderson asked if there were any questions of staff. Commissioner Barrows commented on her involvement with a landscape ordinance she was working on with Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) and Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) and stated this Ordinance would be going to the CVWD for their consideration. She referenced Page 9, 8.13.030 A. 1. which stated: "...all new construction and rehabilitated landscapes for public and private development projects with a landscape area equal or greater than 2,500 square feet." She said CVWD staff had determined they were going to remove the 2500 square foot minimum, necessitating any project that has to obtain a permit be subject to the Ordinance. That would be the recommendation they would be forwarding to their board for consideration. Commissioner Barrows further commented that the CVWD ordinance was 30% more water-conservative than the State Model and spoke well for the direction of the Coachella Valley. Commissioner Weber said it would appear the staff review time would be increased and asked what kind of impact that would have. He said La Quinta and CVWD have done a fine job in protecting resources but was concerned about unfunded mandates, the use of additional resources, and the costs involved. Staff responded that was something that still needed to be addressed as the issue of rehabilitated landscapes was a new item. There were a lot of homeowners' associations looking at reduction of interior and exterior turf areas and conversion to desertscape. The City's current P:\Iieports - PC\2009U 1-24-09\PC MIN_11-10-09_Approved.doc q Planning Commission Minutes November 10, 2009 concern was with the perimeter of these projects because of the publicly visibility. So, that would be the initial focus though the City would also be interested in the interior conversions. Staff was already talking about this prior to the State Model Ordinance matter coming up. Currently there is a fee schedule for final landscape review and staff has talked about utilizing that as well as the fact we are currently going through a major review of the fee schedule for both the Planning and Public Works Departments fees. The City does not want to be a deterrent to rehabilitation but there is a cost associated with review of these items. It will take some time to clearly define fees and propose them to the Council Commissioner Weber asked if the typical home in the Cove, or North La Quinta would fall under the 2500 square foot limit. Staff responded there was a provision noted on Page 9, Item 3.a. which included an exemption for landscaping of single family residential projects with a total project landscape area of less than 5,000 square feet. As an example, the typical single family home front yard conversion to a desertscape design would be exempt from review. However, all non-residential rehabilitation projects as well as larger homeowner association perimeter, and other community areas, would have to go through the review process. Commissioner Weber said he was pleased to see the definition of mulch included decomposed granite. Commissioner Weber asked for more information on the turf slope issue. Staff responded this is an issue because turf is occasionally used as stabilization to help prevent erosion. The current standard is a 3:1 slope. The State Model Water Ordinance limits it to a 4:1 slope. Commissioner Weber used the example of the slopes on the north side of Avenue 48 and said there were going to have to be some significant remediation efforts to occur to meet standards. Planning Director Johnson said certainly that example had a lot of issues with it and the rehabilitation of erosion-related matters are going to be an interest of staff as they review those plans. Chairman Alderson asked if the Planning Department staff would be doing the landscape plan checks. Principal Planner Mogensen responded they currently do landscape plan checks for all new P:\Reports - PC\2009\1 L24-09\PC MIN_l 1-10-09_Approved.doc 5 Planning Commission Minutes November 10, 2009 projects, but this will mean they will be doing rehabilitated projects as well. Chairman Alderson asked if the Architecture and Landscape Review Committee (ALRC) would be reviewing any of these projects. Planning Director Johnson said they would not be reviewing rehabilitated projects as that would only require administrative review. Staff also pointed out that plan check review requires CVWD review and approval. Chairman Alderson referenced the soils analysis as mentioned on Page 29, 8.C.iv. "The soil analysis report shall be submitted to the City as part of the Final Landscaping Plan." He said he looked upon this analysis as having the same importance as a soils report does to the structural aspects of the building which is submitted with the initial plans. He asked why staff would not want to see the soils analysis initially so the developer could design accordingly. He felt it was untimely to be part of the final landscape plans. Staff responded the landscape architect should be looking at that very early in the process. Staff then explained the difference between the soils report and the soil analysis and mentioned this language was taken directly from the State Model Ordinance. Staff would anticipate and expect that a landscape architect would be considering that soils report early in the process to make sure they are planting the proper plants to survive in that environment or if they need to make modifications to ensure a high succession rate that they are taking that into account. Chairman Alderson commented on the City codes coordinating with the CVWD requirements and asked if CVWD ever took into consideration any of the City's suggestions. He then gave the examples of the requirement of the option of alternative desertscape landscape plans, and the 18-inch sprinkler setback to eliminate nuisance runoff. Staff responded the first items was unique to La Quinta, by requiring a desertscape option to be available with model home complexes. The second item was in the previous Ordinance that the Commission considered, and was aCVWD-initiated matter which the City followed. Principal Planner Mogensen added it was a State P:\Reports - PC\2009\11-24-09\PC MINI I - ] 0-09_Approved.doc Planning Commission Minutes November 10, 2009 Model requirement which was 24-inches from the curb instead of 18. Commissioner Barrows commented on Page 17, item iv. Which stated: "Turf areas irrigated with spray/rotor systems must be set back at least 24 inches from curbs, driveways, sidewalks or any other area that may result in runoff of water onto streets..." She said water that runs off onto any hardscape was a problem whether it was a street or pavement and wanted to modify this section to read "...may result in runoff of water onto a hardscape, or paved surface...." or something as appropriate. Staff responded the text shown was taken out of the State Model Water Ordinance and there is a caveat that allows a wick irrigation system closer than 24 inches to the curb. The exception is an irrigation system that is actually underneath the turf. Commissioner Barrows wanted to point out that whether the water ran off onto the street, sidewalk, or other pavement, it was still nuisance water. She did not want the qualification of "onto streets" and wanted to change it to say "any other area that may result in runoff of water onto a hardscape" or words to that effect. Planning Director Johnson said they could certainly make that recommendation to the Council if directed. Staff gave an example and noted, for clarification, that the issue is that we don't want to be creating, be it onto a street or otherwise, any runoff-related matters relevant to overspray or nuisance water creation. Commissioner Barrows said that was right and this Ordinance references runoff. Staff said there was an existing wastewater prevention clause, on Page 33 B, that was approved by Council in 2008. That clause allows Code Enforcement to enforce water waste. Commissioner Barrows said she wanted to make the change so both sections would be consistent with this provision. Commissioner Weber asked if it was appropriate for the Planning Commission to make the adjustment. Staff said they would be making a recommendation to Council and could include the modification. Staff would make sure it was reflected in the ordinance P:\Reports - PC\2009\ I I -24-09\PC MIN_ ll - ] 0-09_Approved.doc 7 Planning Commission Minutes November 10, 2009 introduceii to Council. Commissioner Weber pointed out Item e, on Page 31- Maintenance Schedules. The Item states: "A regular maintenance schedule satisfying the following conditions shall be submitted as part of the landscape documentation package". He asked if staff could provide a more detail on that item. Principal Planner Mogensen said that was part of the State Model Water Ordinance. It would be part of the application items when final landscaping plans are submitted for approval and would be required to obtain a Certificate of Completion. The job card would not be signed off unless this item was submitted. Commissioner Weber asked if the applicant would have to go into detail on day-to-day maintenance. Commissioner Barrows said the applicant would have to provide the maintenance schedule, but the Ordinance doesn't describe the enforcement. Commissioner Weber was concerned about how the enforcement, of this clause, would be handled. Planning Director Johnson said they would not be going to every site asking for a maintenance schedule. However, if there were an issue with a system either in response to a complaint, or by observation of Code Enforcement personnel, the City would have the ability to correct that problem. Additionally, if, there continues to be an issue, the City can require a maintenance schedule to be reviewed and considered by staff. Chairman Alderson pointed out an item on Page 17.5.d.iii, referencing '...Landscape areas less than 8 feet in width shall not be designed with turf." He applauded the fact these small, confined, narrow areas would not include turf. There being no further questions of the staff, and with the applicant being the City, 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. P:\Reports - PC\2009\] 1-24-09\PC MIN_l 1-10-09_Approved.doc $ Planning Commission Minutes November 10, 2009 Commissioner Barrows complimented staff on their efforts to bring this forward after spending so much time on it. She said they did a great job and she appreciated it. There was no further discussion and it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Barrows/Wilkinson to approve Resolution 2009-031 recommending approval of Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2009-099 with the following amendment: "Turf areas irrigated with spray/rotor systems must be set back at least 24 inches from curbs, driveways, sidewalks or any other area that may result in runoff of water onto haidscape." "As per" the provision identified in item 8.13.040 B regarding Waste Water Prevention -include recommendation to Council. Unanimously approved. VI. BUSINESS ITEMS: None VII. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: A. Letter from William L. Puget and response from Ralph Wick (Managing Director of the La Quinta Resort & Club and PGA West-. Staff said that was provided as requested it be forwarded to you and no action was required. VIII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS: A. Report on City Council Meeting of November 3, 2009, from Chairman Alderson, with comments on the following items: • Placement of the Wayfinding signs and a letter of concern from Las Casuelas restaurant. • Comments on the Consent Calendar • Review of Second Quarter Service Grants • Introduction of an ordinance for allowance of golf carts and discussion of the rules. 1':~Reports- PC~2009111-24-09~PC MIN_t 1-10-09_Approved.doc 9 Planning Commission Minutes November 10, 2009 • Discussion of Councilwoman Henderson's term on the Santa Rosa/San Jacinto National Monument Advisory Committee and suggested that she not realign herself and question of future participation. • Discussion of Highway 111 and Washington artwork renovation and removal. • Time Extension request for consideration regarding the La Solana Boutique Hotel at Silverrock Resort. B. Commissioner Barrows reminded everyone of the La Quinta Trails Day on Saturday, November 215`. C. Commissioner Weber commented on the former Dodge, now Hyundai, dealership, the Commission's part in helping this move forward, and his hope for the dealership's success. Staff commented on a recent visit, the number of .people at the dealership and the owner's optimism about the future. D. Commissioner Weber stated he wanted to say thanks to staff for the clarification on the housing element item relating to guest houses, second units, and casitas. E. Commissioner Weber commented that he may possibly submit an application for position on the Santa Rosa/San Jacinto National Monument Advisory Committee that Mayor Pro Tem Henderson may be vacating. He would not be an official La Quinta representative but the City would have representation. F. Commissioner Weber commented on the Art in Public Places program covering the painting of the utility boxes. He wanted to point out those were only the City utility boxes and not those owned by the various utilities. Those utility boxes are the property of the utility companies are not to be painted or defaced in any way. This may change in the future, but there are no changes to that right now. P:\Reports - PC\2009\l 1-24-09\PC MIN_l 1-10-09_Approved.doc 10 Planning Commission Minutes November 10, 2009 IX: DIRECTOR ITEMS: A. Discussion of upcoming Holidays and their proximity to the Thanksgiving and Christmas meetings. Meeting dates of November 24 and December 22, 2009, were identified. Staff commented they did not currently have any agenda items for the November 24"' meeting, but were working on a possible Business Item, with a bit of urgency. If that were to occur, staff would advise the Planning Commission as early as possible. Staff's concern was in finding out if there were any potential conflices with Commission members' holiday schedules. After discussion, it was decided to leave both meetings on calendar. X. ADJOURNMENT: 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 December 8, 2009. This regular meeting was adjourned at 7:59 p.m. on November 10, 2009. Respectfully submitted, Carolyn Walker, Executive Secretary City of La Quinta, California P:\Reports - PC\2009V 1-24-09\PC MIN_l I-10-09_Approved.doc 11