2010 01 26 PC MinutesMINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall
78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA
January 26, 2010 7:02 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER
A. A regular meeting of the La Quinta Planning Commission was called to
order at 7:02 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, Principal Engineer Ed
Wimmer, Planning Manager David Sawyer,
Principal Planner Andrew Mogensen, and Executive
Secretary Carolyn Walker.
II. PUBLIC COMMENT: None
III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA:
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR:
Commissioner Weber requested Page 4, paragraph 4 be corrected to read:
Andi Spirtos, Chairperson of the Community Services Commission; instead
of Andy Spirtos. It was then moved by Commissioners Barrows/Weber to
approve the minutes of January 12, 2010, with that correction.
Unanimously approved.
V. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A. Site Development Permit 2006-866, Time Extension No. 2; a request
by Trans West Housing for consideration of a second one-year time
extension for Site :Development Permit 2006-866, for the construction
of an equestrian facility located on the east side of Monroe Street, '/4
miles south of Avenue 54.
Planning Commission Minutes
January 26, 2010
Principal Planner Andrew Mogensen presented the staff report, a copy
of which is on file in the Planning Department.
Chairman Alderson asked if there were any questions of staff.
Commissioner Barrows commented on the staff report comment on
the Commission's ability to add a condition for review of the final
landscaping plans. Staff said it was included because the original
landscape plans were drawn up when the water-efficient regulations
were less stringent and there could be changes from the original
conceptual plans.
Commissioner Barrows suggested the additional condition be
considered.
Commissioner Weber read Condition 36 (Page 19) regarding the
undergrounding of utilities. He asked 1) if that condition included all
existing utilities, including cable and telecommunications, 2) if it did,
why there was no requirement that attempts be made for those to be
undergrounded, and 3) if this was a standard condition which when
referencing "all existing utilities", meant existing "electric" utilities.
Planning Direction Johnson responded it applied to all utilities, and
explained the reasoning why the existing utilities were not required to
be undergrounded. The main concern being the cost-prohibitive
expense. He added, if the utilities were independent of the poles they
would have to be undergrounded.
Commissioner Weber expressed his concerns and suggested, for the
future, to seriously look to see if there was the opportunity to have
these utilities undergrounded. Staff said they would make note of that
for future reference.
Chairman Alderson asked staff to confirm that the project, and
application hadn't changed with the exception of -the additional terms
and conditions as noted in the staff report. Staff said yes.
There being no further questions of the staff, Chairman Alderson
asked if the applicant would like to address the Commission.
Mr. Chris McComic, Vice President, Trans West Housing, 81-006
Monarchos Circle, La Quinta, introduced himself and offered to answer
any of the Commissioners' questions.
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Planning Commission Minutes
January 26, 2010
Commissioner Barrows said she intended to recommend adding a
condition recommending the landscape plans come back for review.
She then referenced the new water-efficient landscape ordinance.
Mr. McComic said he did not have a problem with that since his
landscape architect was familiar with the necessary changes and, in
addition, anything that conserved water was fine.
Chairman Alderson commented on the project's past issues with dust
control and asked if Mr. McComic was aware of them.
Mr. McComic said they were aware of the situation and explained the
procedures they were following.
Commissioner Weber asked about the effects of the recent rain on the
treated surfaces. Mr. McComic said he recently inspected the site and
it looked just fine. He then commented on watering procedures for
the Saddle Club and added he believed the previous comments on dust
issues were actually in reference to Griffin Ranch and not the Saddle
Club.
Chairman Alderson asked if construction would begin soon.
Mr. McComic explained their banking situation and said they hoped to
get started before the September 26, 2010 date.
Chairman Alderson asked if there was any. public comment. There
being no further questions, or any public comment, Chairman Alderson
closed the public participation portion of the meeting and opened the
matter for Commission discussion.
Commissioner Barrows asked for clarification on whether this was a
resolution or a minute motion, as noted on the agenda. Staff clarified
it would be a minute motion and since the conditions were changing,
they needed to have the applicant's verbal acceptance of those
changes.
Mr. McComic said Trans West has, and does, accept the change of
conditions.
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Planning Commission Minutes
January 26, 2010
There was no further discussion and it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Barrows/Quill to approve Minute Motion 2010-002
recommending approval of the second extension of Site Development
Permit 2006-866 to include staff's additional conditions of approval as
well as a requirement that the final landscaping plans be returned to
the Planning Commission for approval as a Business Item.
Unanimously approved.
VI. BUSINESS ITEMS:
A. General Plan Consistency Finding; a request by the City of La Quinta
for consideration of a Finding of General Plan conformity for the City
of La Quinta's potential acquisition of property for approximately 0.90
acres of land for the construction and operation of an affordable
housing project to be located southeast of the intersection of Dune
Palms Road and Westward Ho Drive (APN: 600-030-005).
Planning Director Les Johnson presented the staff report, a copy of
which is on file in the Planning Department.
Chairman Alderson asked if there were any questions of staff.
Commissioner Weber and Chairman Alderson had questions
concerning the City's future intention of acquiring properties for
affordable housing. Staff provided an explanation of the City's
proposed acquisition of properties in the area.
There being no further questions of the staff, and the applicant being
the City Chairman Alderson asked if there were any public comments.
There being none, Chairman Alderson closed the public participation
portion of the meeting and opened the matter for Commission
discussion.
There was no further discussion and it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Quill/Wilkinson to approve Resolution 2010-002
recommending approval of the General Plan Consistency Finding for
acquisition of 0.90 acres of land as submitted. Unanimously approved.
VII. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None
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Planning Commission Minutes
January 26, 2010
VIII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS:
A. Report on City Council Meeting of January 19, 2010, from Chairman
Alderson. IA brief summary of the meeting was given followed by
discussion of several items.)
B. Chairman Alderson noted Commissioner Weber was scheduled to
report back on the February 2, 2010, Council meeting.
IX: DIRECTOR ITEMS:
A. Planning Director Johnson told the Commissioners there was the
potential of a joint meeting, with the City Council, to discuss the
General Plan update. The planned tentative meeting date was
February 25, 2010.
The intent of the meeting would be to introduce the Commission to
the General Plan process and to start discussion on 1). a target for
population and 2) boundaries. This would be the first of three
meetings. Additional information would be provided in advance of the
meeting.
X. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Weber/Barrows to adjourn this regular meeting of the
Planning Commission to the next regular meeting to be held on February 9,
2010. This regular meeting was adjourned at 7:37 p.m. on January 26,
2010.
Respectfully submitted,
~~?,~ ~(~v Ce~~r_e2~
Carolyn alker, Executive Secretary
City of La Quinta, California
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