2010 02 09 PCfla���o City of La Quinta
Planning Commission Agendas are now
available on the City's Web Page
@ www.la-guinta.org
9
of
PLANNING GOMMISSION
AGENDA
A Regular Meeting to be Held at the
La Quinta City Hall Council Chamber
78-495 Calle Tampico
La Quinta, California
FEBRUARY 9, 2010
7:00 P.M.
**NOTE**
ALL ITEMS NOT CONSIDERED BY 11:00 P.M. WILL BE CONTINUED TO THE NEXT
REGULAR MEETING
Beginning Resolution 2010-003
Beginning Minute Motion 2010-003
CALL TO ORDER
A. Pledge of Allegiance
B. Roll Call
II. PUBLIC COMMENT
This is the time set aside for public comment on any matter not scheduled for
public hearing. Please complete a "Request to Speak" form and limit your
comments to three minutes.
III. CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR
Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of January 26, 2009.
V. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
For all Public Hearings on the Agenda, a completed "Request to Speak" form must
be filed with the Executive Secretary prior to the start of the Planning Commission
consideration of that item. The Chairman will invite individuals who have
requested the opportunity to speak, to come forward at the appropriate time.
Any person may submit written comments to the Planning Commission before a
public hearing, may appear and be heard in support of, or in opposition to, the
approval of the project(s) at the time of the hearing. If you challenge any project(s)
in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised
at the public hearing or in written correspondence delivered to the City at, or prior
to the public hearing.
A. Item .................. CONTINUED - CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2009-122
Applicant........... WFI, Inc. for Sprint
Location............ 77-865 Avenida Montezuma; Desert Recreation District -
La Quinta Community Park
Request ............. Consideration to Allow for the Co -Location of Three Panel
Antennas, Three Microwave Antennas and One
Equipment Cabinet for an Existing Telecommunication
Monopalm Tower.
Action ................. Recommendation for Continuance to March 9, 2010.
B. Item .................. CONTINUED - 2008 LA QUINTA HOUSING ELEMENT
UPDATE
Applicant........... City of La Quinta
Location............ City-wide
Request ............. Consideration of a Recommendation for Adoption of the
Proposed Draft of the 2008 La Quinta Housing Element
Update Document.
Action ............... No Action; Item to be Removed From Calendar.
VI. BUSINESS ITEM:
VII. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL:
Vill. COMMISSIONER ITEMS:
A. Report on City Council meeting of February 2, 2010, by Commissioner
Weber.
B. Commissioner Wilkinson is scheduled to attend the February 16,
2010, City Council meeting.
IX. DIRECTOR ITEMS:
X. ADJOURNMENT:
This meeting of the Planning Commission will be adjourned to a Regular Meeting to be
held on February 23, 2010, at 7:00 p.m.
DECLARATION OF POSTING
I, Carolyn Walker, Executive Secretary of the City of La Quinta, do hereby declare that
the foregoing Agenda for the La Quinta Planning Commission meeting of Tuesday,
February 9, 2010 was posted on the outside entry to the Council Chamber, 78-495 Calle
Tampico and the bulletin board at the La Quinta Cove Post Office, 51-321 Avenida
Bermudas, on Friday, February 5, 2010.
DATED: February 5, 2010
CAROLYfV WALKER, Executive Secretary
City of La Quinta, California
Public Notices
The La Quinta City Council Chamber is handicapped accessible. If special equipment is
needed for the hearing impaired, please call the City Clerk's office at 777-7123, twenty-
four (24) hours in advance of the meeting and accommodations will be made.
If special electronic equipment is needed to make presentations to the Planning
Commission, arrangements should be made in advance by contacting the City Clerk's
office at 777-7123. A one (1) week notice is required.
If background material is to be presented to the Planning Commission during a Planning
Commission meeting, please be advised that eight (8) copies of all documents, exhibits,
etc., must be supplied to the Executive Secretary for distribution. It is requested that this
take place prior to the beginning of the 7:00 p.m. meeting.
MINUTES
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 suggestedthe 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.
2
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.
3
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
M
Planning Commission Minutes
January 26, 2010
VIII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS:
A. Report on City Council Meeting of January 19, 2010, from Chairman
Alderson. (A 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,
Carolyn Walker, Executive Secretary
City of La Quinta, California
G
PH #A
PLANNING COMMISSION
STAFF REPORT
DATE: FEBRUARY 9, 2010
CASE NO.: CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2009-122
APPLICANT: WFI, INC. for SPRINT
REQUEST: CONSIDERATION TO ALLOW FOR THE COLLOCATION OF
THREE PANEL ANTENNAS, THREE MICROWAVE
ANTENNAS AND ONE EQUIPMENT CABINET FOR AN
EXISTING TELECOMMUNICATION MONOPALM TOWER.
LOCATION: 77-865 AVENIDA MONTEZUMA; DESERT RECREATION
DISTRICT - LA QUINTA COMMUNITY PARK
(ATTACHMENT 1)
PROPERTY
OWNER: DESERT RECREATION DISTRICT (DRD)
GENERAL PLAN: PARKS AND RECREATION (P)
ZONING: PARKS AND RECREATION (PR)
ENVIRONMENTAL
DETERMINATION: THE LA QUINTA PLANNING DEPARTMENT HAS
DETERMINED THAT THIS PROPOSAL IS CATEGORICALLY
EXEMPT FROM ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PURSUANT TO
PROVISIONS OF SECTION 15332 (CLASS 32) OF THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA), IN
THAT THIS IS AN IN -FILL PROJECT SURROUNDED BY
URBAN SERVICES AND EXISTING IMPROVEMENTS
SURROUNDING
LAND USES:
NORTH: VILLAGE COMMERCIAL (VC) (VACANT)
SOUTH: VILLAGE COMMERCIAL (VC) (VACANT/CITY
MUSEUM)
EAST: VILLAGE COMMERCIAL (VC) (VACANT)
WEST: VILLAGE COMMERCIAL/ COVE RESIDENTIAL
(VC/RC) (DUPLEXES)
BACKGROUND:
This item was previously heard by the Planning Commission on January 12, 2010.
At that time, the Desert Recreation District requested a continuance of the
application to allow time to discuss the lease agreement with the applicant. The
Planning Commission granted the continuance and re -scheduled the hearing date to
February 9, 2010. On February 3, 2010, The Planning Department received
correspondence from the Desert Recreation District, stating that they are meeting
with TowerCo to address site and lease issues and request that the item be
continued for another thirty (30) days to finalize their agreements with TowerCo.
Staff is supportive of this request (Attachment 1 A).
La Quinta Community Park is a diamond shaped park in the center of the La Quinta
Village (Attachment 1). The park occupies 4.71 acres and was established prior to
city incorporation. In 2001, Nextel Communications received Conditional Use
Permit (CUP 2001-054) approval to establish a sixty (60) foot high monopalm
antenna and associated unmanned equipment shelter on the site (Attachment 2).
REQUEST:
WFI is requesting to install and co -locate three (3) panel antennas on existing
antenna arrays, three (3) microwave antennas, one GPS antenna, and one
additional equipment cabinet on the existing monopalm tower on behalf of their
client Sprint (Attachment 3). The tower currently has three (3) antenna arrays, with
one (1) empty slot per antenna array. The applicant is proposing to place an
additional panel antenna in each empty slot, and to suspend three (3) new
microwave antennas below each array.
Each panel antenna is approximately four (4) feet in length, thirteen (13) inches in
width and will be painted to match the existing monopalm towers' antennas. The
panel antennas are approximately the same dimensions of the three (3) existing
panel antennas on each array. Each microwave antenna is twenty-six (26) inches in
diameter. The microwave antennas will be suspended below the existing antenna
array, with a separation of six (6) inches between the panel antenna and the
microwave antenna. The proposed antennas will increase service options in and
around this portion of the City (Attachment 4).
In addition to the co -location of antennas on the existing tower arrays, the applicant
has proposed two improvements to the existing unmanned equipment shelter at the
site (Attachment 3, pg. A-1). The applicant has proposed to place an additional
GPA antenna to be mounted on the equipment shelter. The applicant has also
proposed to place an additional equipment cabinet within the existing equipment
shelter. The shelter can accommodate both the GPS antenna and equipment
cabinets without a need for re -design or expansion of the facility.
4
ANALYSIS:
Chapters 9.170 of the Zoning Code, regulates the use of Communication Towers
and Equipment. This section encourages the co -location of antennas on existing
towers as a means of limiting the number of new towers within the City. The
applicant has met the intent of this code section and has complied with the
requirements set forth in this section.
The proposed equipment cabinet and GPS antenna will be placed on the existing
equipment shelter. The interior of the equipment shelter can accommodate the
additional equipment cabinet. There are no aesthetic, visual, or functional impacts
caused by the placement of the additional equipment cabinet. The GPS antenna will
be placed along the roof -line of the existing equipment shelter (Attachment 3, pg.
A-2.1). The GPS antenna will be placed on the equipment shelter similar to the
existing GPS antennas on the equipment shelter. GPS antennas are regulated by
Section 9.100.070 of the La Quinta Municipal Code. The section permits GPS
antennas in this zoning district and requires that the antenna be below the roof -line
and be painted a matching color to the building. The plans show that the GPS
antennas are in compliance with this code section, and staff has added conditions
to ensure compliance of the GPS antenna location and building improvements.
The proposed panel antenna co -location will not cause a significant or recognizable
difference in the appearance of the monopalm tower. The panel antennas are
placed on the existing antenna arrays and will not impact the function or aesthetic
of the existing tower. The microwave antennas are suspended six (6) inches below
the panel antennas. Because the antennas will be attached securely below the
existing screening material, it is recommended that further screening of the
microwave antennas be established. The applicant has proposed to screen the
microwave antennas by placing additional palm fronds on the tower that extend
below and beyond the microwave antennas (Attachment 5). The proposed
microwave antenna location is a new design and few examples of this design are
available. There are concerns that additional palm fronds will not adequately screen
the microwave antennas as proposed; therefore, staff has recommended that the
applicant place the microwave antennas within the tower's "bulb" (Condition 19).
The proposed height for the attachment of the antennas will not cause significant
radio frequency (RF) interference with existing and approved telecommunication
services. The proposed co -location of antennas will increase service options for
customers within this portion of the community. Attachment 4 provides visual
representation of how services are expected to increase; green areas show the
greatest amount of service improvement, while blue shows area expected to
receive marginal service improvements.
The existing monopalm tower and equipment building were established in 2001.
The appearance of the tower and equipment building has diminished over the years,
3
as the park location offers easy access for vandals. The existing tower's faux bark
has peeled near the base and has exposed the tower (Attachment 6). Staff has
addressed the tower's condition with the applicant and has placed a condition
(Condition 15) to improve the tower's faux palm appearance as part of the proposal
to improve the site. Additionally, staff has placed a condition (Condition 16) for the
extension of the existing wrought -iron fencing around the equipment building. As
conditioned, the wrought -iron fence will extend around the monopalm's base,
helping to protect the tower from vandals. The equipment building has also suffered
from vandals, and the building is in need of some improvement (Attachment 7).
Staff has added conditions of approval calling for the re -painting and maintenance
of the equipment building.
Public Notice
This request was published in the Desert Sun newspaper on December 27, 2009,
and mailed to all affected property owners within 500 feet of site as required by
Section 9.200.110 of the La Quinta Municipal Code.
Public Agency Review
A copy of this request has been sent to all applicable public agencies and City
Departments on November 20, 2009. All written comments received are on file
with the Planning Department. Applicable comments received have been included
in the recommended Conditions of Approval.
STATEMENT OF MANDATORY FINDINGS:
Findings to approve this request per Section 9.210.020.F of the City of La Quinta
Zoning Code can be made and are contained in the attached Resolution.
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt Planning Commission Resolution 2010- , approving Conditional Use
Permit 2009-122, for the collocation of three (3) panel antennas, three (3)
microwave antennas and one equipment cabinet for an existing telecommunication
tower for WFI, subject to the attached Findings and Conditions of Approval.
Prepared by:
+itoant
ERIC CEJA, Planner
L,
Attachments:
1 A. Desert Recreation District Letter (Feb. 3, 2010)
1. Location
2. Original Approval
3. Improvement Plans (for Commission only)
4. Coverage Map
5. Screening of Microwave Antennas
6. Existing Tower Physical Condition (Photos)
7. Existing Building Physical Condition (Photos)
N
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February 3, 2010
Les Johnson, Planning Director
City of La Quinta
78-495 Calle Tampico
La Quinta, CA 92253
ATTACHMENT 9A
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Cit;, of La 0,4nla
Pi�r;ning Dadwdm8rr
Hand Delivered
Re: Project Name: Sprint Monopalm Collocation
Case No.: CUP 2009-122 (Sprint)
Location: La Quinta Community Park
Dear Mr. Johnson:
This letter follows up on the continuance of this item at the January 12, 2010
Planning Commission meeting and our subsequent visit to the site on January
27, 2010. During that visit, we discovered a number of serious maintenance
deficiencies which constitute a violation of our lease (now transferred to Tower
Co. by Sprint) and probably of the existing CUP for the site.
We suggest that these deficiencies need to be addressed before the amended
CUP is issued. We are meeting with Daneen Wilder, Tower's Co' representative,
at the site February 4, 2010 at 1:00 pm. This was the earliest possible meeting
we could get after we tracked down the correct Tower Co representative. At that
meeting we also will discuss modification of the lease terms. Therefore, we
request an additional continuance for 30 days.
Sincerely,
14:�
Stan Ford, General Manager
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RECREATioN 01c.T11
February 3, 2010
Les Johnson, Planning Director
City of La Quinta
78-495 Calle Tampico
La Quinta, CA 92253
FEB - 3 2010
Cit/ of La 611AN71
Planning Dei>011"r4
Hand Delivered
Re: Project Name: Sprint Monopalm Collocation
Case No.: CUP 2009-122 (Sprint)
Location: La Quinta Community Park
Dear Mr. Johnson:
This letter follows up on the continuance of this item at the January 12, 2010
Planning Commission meeting and our subsequent visit to the site on January
27, 2010. During that visit, we discovered a number of serious maintenance
deficiencies which constitute a violation of our lease (now transferred to Tower
Co. by Sprint) and probably of the existing CUP for the site.
We suggest that these deficiencies need to be addressed before the amended
CUP is issued. We are meeting with Daneen Wilder, Tower's Co' representative,
at the site February 4, 2010 at 1:00 pm. This was the earliest possible meeting
we could get after we tracked down the correct Tower Co representative. At that
meeting we also will discuss modification of the lease terms. Therefore, we
request an additional continuance for 30 days.
Sincerely,
Stan Ford, General Manager
SF/dg
My Documents\la quints\Planning Department\Letters\2010 — 1 Ofe603 - Les Johnson - Spring Monopalm - LQ Park
45-305 Oasis Street, Indio, CA 92201 • Tel: 760.347,34846 Fax: 760.347.4660
NOWNRde ertreer- -o
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CASE NO.:
REQUEST:
APPLICANT:
LOCATION:
BACKGROUND:
STAFF REPORT
PLANNING COMMISSION
FEBRUARY 9, 2010 (CONTINUED FROM 1/12/10)
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 2008-599
GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT 2008-118
MOVE CONSIDERATION OF THE DRAFT LA QUINTA
HOUSING ELEMENT OFF CALENDAR
CITY OF LA QUINTA
CITY-WIDE
The Planning Commission has considered staff reports and related materials for the La
Quinta Housing Element Update over the course of several past meetings. At the last
meeting of January 12, 2010, the Planning Commission continued further
consideration under open public hearing to the regular meeting of February 9, 2010.
Staff has continued to meet via conference calls conducted between HCD, City staff
and its consultant, The Planning Center (TPC). HCD continues to express their inability
to support the draft element, based on concerns about adequate capacity and the
density assumptions for the land inventory. Staff is working to develop other
alternatives in order to gain HCD support, but there is presently no definitive timetable.
RECOMMENDATION:
Close the public hearing and move consideration of Environmental Assessment 2008-
599 and General Plan Amendment 2008-118 off -calendar, and re -advertise a new
public hearing at the appropriate time.
Prepared by:
�cJ�f, lei�Y�
Wallace Nesbit
Principal Planner