2010 01 12 PC MinutesMINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall
78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA
January 12, 2010 7:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER
A. A regular meeting of the La Quinta Planning Commission was called to
order at 7:03 p.m. by Chairman Ed Alderson.
PRESENT: Commissioners Barrows, Quill, Weber, Wilkinson, and
Chairman Alderson
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Planning Director Les Johnson, Assistant City
Attorney Michael Houston, Planning Manager David
Sawyer, Principal Planner Andrew Mogensen,
Assistant Planner Eric Ceja, and Executive
Secretary Carolyn Walker.
II. PUBLIC COMMENT: None
III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: Confirmed
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR: It was moved by Commissioners Barrows!
Wilkinson to approve the minutes of December 8, 2009, amending a portion
of Page 3, Paragraph 1, to read "proposed was within La Quinta's allowable
lighting and decibel limits...". Unanimously approved.
V. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A. Continued -Conditional Use Permit 2008-1 16; a request by the City of
La Quinta for consideration of a Conditional Use Permit to allow for
the use of lighted play fields, located in the Colonel Mitchell Paige
Middle School at the southeast corner of Washington Street and Palm
Royale Drive (43-395 Palm Royale Drivel.
Principal Planner Andrew Mogensen presented the staff report.
Chairman Alderson asked if there were any questions of staff.
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Commissioner Wilkinson asked about the cost of the lighting. Staff
deferred the question to Community Director Edie Hylton.
Planning Director Johnson noted the addendum presented and stated
he and Director Hylton had met and discussed the proposal with the
Palm Desert staff resulting in the Attachment 2 letter. He pointed out
the cohcern of pole height and explained the impacts as referenced in
the memo and letter presented.
Community Service Director Hylton responded the lighting would cost
approximately 5240,000 and explained what that included. She
confirmed Director Johnson's comments about lighting impacts and
confirmed that the lighting was appropriate for the level of activity.
Commissioner Wilkinson asked about studies on traffic distractions.
Staff said they did not know of any definitive study but this level of
traffic activity was not uncommon.
Commissioner Wilkinson asked for comparable examples, which staff
provided.
Commissioner Weber asked Director Hylton asked if the lighting
engineer's (Ralph Raya) study indicated that the lighting quality was
sufficient for this use and if that was in accommodation to the City of
Palm Desert's previous comments. He also asked about the type of
shielding being used. Community Services Director Hylton said the
shielding was specifically designed for sports-type equipment and was
adequate for this use.
Commissioner Weber asked staff if the City of Palm Desert had
provided studies on lumens and decibel levels. Staff responded they
received the letters which the Commissioners now had. Staff did add,
in the second letter, the focus was on minimizing the pole height.
After staff's discussion and research, it was concluded the Palm
Desert noise and lighting standards vvere comparable to the City's.
Commissioner Weber asked about studies for the Palm Desert High
School lumens. Staff responded school districts are not required to
adhere to city standards.
Commissioner Weber asked about the school district's position on this
project's system. Director Hylton said the school responded positively
and referenced the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that the
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City and School District will enter into for the shared use of the lights
and field.
Chairman Alderson asked if the field was to be used for soccer only or
could it be used all year long. Director Hylton said it would initially be
used for soccer, but could be used for additional youth sports
throughout the year, if needed.
Chairman Alderson invited Ralph Raya, MRC Engineering, Palm Desert
CA to address the Commission.
Chairman Alderson asked about the lowering of the poles and asked if
public safety would be compromised in any way. Mr. Raya said no.
Chairman Alderson asked about the light pollution. Mr. Raya
explained about the shielding of the lighting and its affect upon the
field and the neighbors. He then went over the items included in the
memo and letter provided to the Commissioners.
Commissioner Quill requested an explanation of the photometric
sheets which Mr. Raya provided.
Commissioner Weber requested information on the foot candles and
light spillover comparisons which Mr. Raya provided.
Chairman Alderson asked if the City would save on costs in reducing
the poles from 90 to 75 feet. Mr. Raya said yes.
There being no further questions of the staff and the applicant being
the City of La Quinta, Chairman Alderson asked if there was any
public comment.
Michele Lawrence - 43-100 Palm Royale Drive #1621, La Quinta CA
(resident of Mediterra Apartments). She said she was aware of the
concerns and explained the amount and types of noises she hears.
She explained she was a former AYSO coach and was acutely aware
of the need for fields in the City. She fully supported the move to
more and better fields. She added this was a very good field.
Tony Bagato; Principal Planner for the City of Palm Desert, 73-510
Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert CA 92260, wanted to thank the
Commission for allowing them to continue to work with the staff. He
explained the reason for their request and the fact they understood the
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need for recreational facilities within the community. He gave a
comparison of light spill from Hovley Soccer Park and said they were
comfortable with the request and the 90 foot pole height but happy to
hear the 75 foot poles met the recreational needs and lowered the
light spill. He stated they also had requested the opportunity to
review noise impacts and understood there would be less activity in
the evening compared to other times and usages and believed that
even though there would be a slight increase it would not have a
significant impact.
Commissioner Weber asked if it was correct that Mr. Bagato did not
believe there was going to be a negative impact to the Palm Desert
residents. Mr. Bagato said he did not believe there would be.
Kathleen Fitzpatrick, 81-824 Contento, La Quinta CA - (a
Commissioner for Community Services) was in full support of this
project. She said had gone by the La Quinta Park to see how
impacted it was. She said it was overwhelmed with kids in the late
afternoon and into the evening and this project was really needed.
Andi Spirtos, 53-415 Avenida Obregon, La Quinta CA - (Chairperson
of the Community Services Commission) said this is project was in
concert with the master plan, but more importantly she was
concerned about the safety of our young people. She added lighting
at Colonel Mitchell Paige would be a short term solution and pointed
out how many AYSO students played on those fields, most of them at
La Quinta Park. She also visited the park and confirmed Commissioner
Fitzpatrick's comments. She commented on the overuse of the fields
and the possibility of young people being hurt. She also added the
consideration of obesity in children today and the City's opportunity to
help with recreational activities. She said this was a good short-term
solution and she supported it.
Mr. Andrew Nielson, 78-900 Galaxy Drive, La Quinta CA - on the
Commission for AYSO, La Quinta, and a school neighbor. He gave the
background of his work and his family and said his primary concern
was overuse of the La Quinta Park. He gave examples of the overuse
of the park and the number of children/teams using it. He also
commented on the parking being out of control. He added the lighting
at the Colonel Mitchell Paige field would allow 400 children to move
immediately. from the La Quinta Park for practice during the week and
Saturday games. He said this was a significant space, not for
expanding the league, .but to alleviate the burden currently existing at
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the park. He explained what this additional space could mean to the
recreational needs of the soccer league. He added they had an
agreement with the City that there would always be a board member
there to provide oversight and they have executive board members
who make sure the lights are turned off as soon as possible in order to
be good neighbors. He was in support of the approval.
Chairman Alderson asked when the program could be implemented, if
approved. Mr. Nielson said they could implement it next season and
explained the dates for the upcoming soccer season.
There being no further public comment, Chairman Alderson closed the
public participation portion of the meeting and opened the matter for
Commission discussion.
Commissioner Weber commented he was a former AYSO Coach and
had first-hand experience of the overcrowding issue.
There was no further discussion and it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Quill/Weber to approve Resolution 2010-001
approving Conditional Use Permit 2008-116 as submitted.
Unanimously approved.
B. Conditional Use Permit 2009-122; a request by WFI, Inc. for Sprint for
consideration to allow for the co-location of three panel antennas,
three microwave antennas and one equipment cabinet for an existing
telecommunication monopalm tower located at 77-865 Avenida
Montezuma; Desert Recreation District - La Quinta Community Park.
Assistant Planner Eric Ceja explained that the City received last-minute
correspondence from the property owner, Desert Recreation District,
who asked for a continuance while the lease agreement was
negotiated.
Chairman Alderson asked if there were any questions of staff. There
being none, he opened the public hearing and invited Mr. Stan Ford to
speak.
Stan Ford -Desert Recreation District, 45-305 Oasis Street, Indio CA,
introduced himself and explained why he had received a late notice of
the meeting. He then gave his reasons for requesting the continuation;
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as outlined in Director Johnson's memo as presented to the
Commission. Mr. Ford then detailed his concerns.
Chairman Alderson commented on Mr. Ford's concerns regarding the
maintenance agreement and the current lease. Mr. Ford clarified why
these were concerns and requested additional time to work on
resolution of these items.
Commissioner Quill made an ex parte disclosure stating he had a
telephone conversation earlier that day with the Desert Recreation
District attorney regarding this matter and the need for the
continuance.
Mr. Ford also commented he was not familiar with the Commission
and its process and stated he would like to spend a little more time
with staff on clarification of this and any future items.
Chairman Alderson asked if the equipment would be placed on a new
pole or the current pole. Staff responded it would go on the existing
pole.
Commissioner Weber expressed concern regarding the plantings in the
area, their maintenance and the need for any remaining plants to blend
in. Staff said they would follow up with Mr. Ford on that and other
maintenance issues at that location.
Chairman Alderson and Commissioner recommended representatives
from Sprint and TowerCo be present at the next meeting. Staff said
they would pass that information on.
Chairman. Alderson commented on the addition of conditions and staff
responded if there were condition changes, they would work with Mr.
Ford to make sure they were properly addressed and brought forward
to the Commission.
Chairman Alderson asked if there was any public comment.
Mr. Leonard Jensen representing Wireless Facilities, Inc. as agent for
Sprint/Clearwire (WFI-, 6170 Cornerstone Court East, Suite 200, San
Diego CA 92121 introduced himself and said he had .been working
with staff and was unaware there were any problems.
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Chairman Alderson clarified some of the issues for Mr. Jensen and
said he would have an opportunity to work on their resolution.
Mr. Jensen asked if the whole project was going to be tabled for two
weeks. Assistant City Attorney explained this would be continued to a
date certain, not tabled, if that was the Commissions' direction.
Chairman Alderson asked if Mr. Jensen understood the request for
continuance and he responded that he did.
There being no further public comment, Chairman Alderson closed the
public participation portion of the meeting and opened the matter for
Commission discussion.
Commissioners Wilkinson and Quill were concerned about the
ownership of the tower, as well as the original design. Mr. Jenson
gave an explanation of the tower design and explained it had been
sold to TowerCo, a tower management company, which was
independent of Sprint. He said Sprint/Nextel owned everything on the
ground, in the equipment shelter, the cabling, and antennas.
Mr. Ford commented on TowerCo being the company they were
having difficulty reaching.
Commissioner Quill asked if Sprint/Nextel had any responsibility for
the tower. Mr. Jensen said they did not, other than to forward
information to TowerCo and encourage them to correct the problems
since a building permit cannot be issued until all these items are
addressed.
Commissioner Wilkinson asked if there would now be three users. Mr.
Jensen explained that Clearwire was a subsidiary of Sprint, but was
owned separately.
Commissioner Wilkinson was concerned about a situation that had
previously occurred with a tower having to put wires on the outside
due to lack of space inside.
Planning Director Johnson explained the situation and the fact that
they were adding a microwave dish and there would be no issues with
exterior wiring. Mr. Jensen confirmed that and explained how many
and what type of antennas/dishes would be included and their
mounting.
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Commissioner Wilkinson said he was also concerned about
weight/strength and whether the pole was designed for this capacity.
Mr. Jensen said the structural analysis allowed this use.
Commissioner Wilkinson also asked about studies of power output and
negative impacts on the surrounding areas. Mr. Jensen explained the
FCC website, test levels and studies. He added there was no danger
to anyone on the ground, but tower climbers should exercise caution.
Chairman Alderson asked about possible improved reception in the
cove area. Mr. Jenson explained why this would be of benefit in the
long-term, when the network was completed.
Chairman Alderson and Commissioner Quill expressed their interest
that the representatives of the various companies are in attendance at
the next meeting.
Chairman Alderson asked Mr. Ford how much time he needed to work
on resolution of these issues. Mr. Ford said he would prefer four
weeks. Chairman Alderson asked Mr. Jensen if he had a problem with
that and he did not.
There was no further discussion and it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Quill/Weber to continue Conditional Use Permit 2009-
122 the February 9, 2010 meeting. Unanimously approved.
C. Continued - 2008 La Quinta Housing Element; a request by the City
of La Quinta for consideration of a recommendation for adoption of
the proposed draft of the 2008 La Quinta Housing Element Update
document.
Planning Director Les Johnson explained the continuing problems with
State approval and requested a continuance of this item to February
9`h.
Chairman Alderson asked, after reading the staff report, that would be
the last request for continuance. Staff said yes.
Chairman Alderson asked if there were any questions from the
Commissioners.
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The Commissioners discussed the City's successful affordable housing
programs and their concern about the delays for approval.
Staff explained the changes in State law, the City's move towards
build-out and the push to maximize densities on certain properties.
Examples of density districts and what the state was requesting were
given and it was noted staff was consistently dialoging with the State.
There being no further questions or comments by the Commissioners,
it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Barrows/Weber to
continue this item to the February 9`h meeting. Unanimously
approved.
VI. BUSINESS ITEMS:
A. Consideration to Become a Healthy Eating Active Living City; a
request by staff for the consideration of a recommendation to
encourage the City Council to adopt the League of California Cities
Healthy Eating Active Living City (HEAL) Program.
Planning Director Les Johnson presented the staff report.
Chairman Alderson asked if there were any questions of staff.
Chairman Alderson commented the Planning Commission was already
following the Planning Related Policies and asked about direct costs.
Staff responded this campaign would be in partnership with the
League of California Cities; of which the City is a member. Also, there
did not appear to be any direct costs but there would be some indirect
costs for additional capital improvements to emphasize and strengthen
the walkability of La Quinta, as well as additional services through the
Community Services Department.
Commissioner Quill asked if that could include trails. Planning Director
Johnson said that was one example.
Commissioner Quill asked about the impact of this resolution on
businesses and his concern about mandates. Staff explained the
changes this program could bring about, especially with new
development.
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Commissioners Quill and Weber expressed their concern about the
City dictating the types of foods and activities planned by outside
organizations.
Staff explained the sample resolution did not mandate anything from a
food or service standpoint. The only potential mandates could be to
add requirements for certain amenities and features to be established
into future developments and those would have to be approved by
Council
Commissioner Quill said that was what the Commission had wanted.
Staff said the City is already doing a lot of this, but this was just
reinforcing that. Staff commented on the appropriateness of the
timing, if Council supported the resolution, as the General Plan is being
updated.
Commissioner agreed Weber with Chairman Alderson's previous
reference, but echoed some of the concerns by Commissioner Quill,
on mandates. He had questions/concerns on some resolution points
dealing with 1) the commitment to decrease the rate of obesity and
the implementation of laws to create healthier work, school and
neighborhood environments; 2) the appropriateness of the promotion
of the California Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights; 3) zoning to support
community gardens; and 31 the City's pledge to implement an
employee wellness program and Community Services involvement
because this was a part of their financial model. He was in support of
the concept of healthy living, but wanted to make sure the
Commissions' concerns were addressed.
Commissioner Barrows spoke on behalf of the Community Services
Department's efforts on some of these issues and explained the
California Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights which had been promoted
by the City. She also commented on 1) walkability; 2) possible
revisions to the General Plan; and 3) zoning for community gardens.
Chairman Alderson pointed out the resolution was only a sample and
suggested staff pass on the Commissions' comments.
Planning Director Johnson said he and Community Services Director
Hylton would be crafting the resolution, for Council's approval, and
their would be considering the Planning Commission and Community
Services Department concerns in that process.
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There was no further discussion and it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Weber/Wilkinson to approve Minute Motion 2010-001
recommending approval of the League of California Cities Healthy
Eating Active Living City (HEAL) Program adding comments from the
Planning Commission. Unanimously approved.
VII. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL:
VIII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS:
A. Reports on City Council Meetings of December 15, 2009, and January
5, 2010, from Chairman Alderson; along with additional comments
from Commissioner Weber. Commissioner Barrows thanked them for
their attendance on her behalf.
B. Chairman Alderson noted Commissioner Quill was scheduled to report
back on the January 19, 2010, Council meeting.
C. Quarterly Attendance Report
IX: DIRECTOR ITEMS:
A. Planning Director Johnson gave a brief update of the League of
California Cities, 2010 Planner's Institute, March 24 - 26, 2010,
Monterey, CA. All Commissioners had responded and three would be
attending the conference.
X. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Chairman
Alderson/Commissioner Barrows to adjourn this regular meeting of the Planning
Commission to the next regular meeting to be held on January 26, 2010. This
regular meeting was adjourned at 8:37 p.m. on January 12, 2010.
Respectfully submitted,
~1~~+~=~icl G~,~Zu~
Carolyn W~Iker, Executive Secretary
City of La Quinta, California
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