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2010 02 25 CC MinutesLA QUINTA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING AND JOINT SESSION WITH THE PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 25, 2010 A special meeting of the La Quinta City Council was called to order at the hour of 5:00 p.m. by Mayor Adolph who led the audience in the pledge of allegiance. PRESENT: Council Members Evans, Franklin, Henderson, Sniff, Mayor Adolph ABSENT: None PUBLIC COMMENT -None STUDY SESSION 1. DISCUSSION OF FISCAL YEAR 2009-2010 CITY COUNCIL GOALS. Assistant City Manager-Management Services Plumlee presented the staff report. Council Member Henderson asked for an elaboration of the long-term Capital Improvement Program (CIP-. Assistant City Manager- Management Services Plumlee explained the plan is typically for afive- year period and is being expanded to 15 to 20 years. City Manager Genovese further explained the CIP correlates with the Financial Management Plan; staff is compiling a long-range capital improvement plan to take care of the Redevelopment Agency funding time limit; staff is not concentrating so much on years 6 to 15, but is providing the information to the City Council for long-range planning. Mayor Adolph noted many of the goals presented have already been completed and some continue to be addressed for accomplishment. Council Member Henderson conveyed a desire to keep a priority on legislation regarding funding of homeless shelters outside of city boundaries. Special City Council Minutes 2 February 25, 2010 Council Member Franklin stated she would like to see the City have a state-of-the-art exercise facility included within the goals, noting there is no facility for residents to use with long hours. City Manager Genovese explained there is a category in the Development Impact Fee (DIF) for a community center; and stated it can be added as a goal. Mayor Adolph stated the property west of the library would be an ideal location for this type of facility. Council Member Evans suggested partnering with Desert Recreation District to utilize the facility at La Quinta Community Park. Council Member Franklin stated staff has already tried that option to no avail. Community Services Director Hylton explained there is over 2,000 square feet of under-utilized space at the La Quinta Community Park facility and staff would like to make that space functional; if there is a need beyond that, an expansion for that facility can be considered. Council Member Evans stated the facility is a beautiful setting for a fitness center. Community Services Director Hylton stated something could be done with the current space available and staff can utilize the space on a short order. Council Member Franklin asked how such a project could be initiated. City Manager Genovese cautioned the City Council that the expansion of the Senior Center was deferred last year from the CIP. Community Services Director Hylton explained the project was deferred because of operation costs. Council Member Henderson agreed a CIP project is not initiated until funding is identified for operating the facility. City Manager Genovese stated this forum can be utilized to begin discussions of the project but cautioned the City Council when considering the operating budget due to the current deficit. Council Member Franklin suggested the Recreation District manage the facility. Council Member Evans referred to Goal No. 6 regarding maintaining and enhancing fiscal integrity, and suggested continuing to give the message of our financial stability and integrity. with all of the City Council goals. City Manager Genovese stated staff can craft that message into the goals. Special City Council Minutes 3 February 25, 2010 Council Member Sniff stated fiscal responsibility and safety continue to be most important; suggested staff look into doing something with the vacant Sam's Club building such as a theatre, etc.; continue to support local businesses; conveyed concern about accepting stimulus funding; continue working with the Arts Foundation and Chamber of Commerce in a meaningful way; continue looking at SilverRock Resort to keep expenses down and elevate revenue; be cautious in participating in "green" programs because of job instability; make an effort to follow through in obtaining a 40-acre park; look at a program for homeowners to replace inefficient air- conditioners and refrigerators. In response to Mayor Adolph, Council Member Sniff stated a small program could be implemented to help residents replace inefficient units. Mayor Adolph stated he has been asked by residents what the City will do to help with replacing air-conditioners. Council Member Franklin stated Imperial Irrigation District (IID) has a program. Assistant City Manager-Management Services Plumlee explained IID has rebates for energy products and free home and business energy audits that the City has been marketing; staff is also researching other programs under AB 811 and working with Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) and Riverside County on the possibility of establishing a regional AB 811 program. Council Member Sniff stated he has not been made aware of any programs. Mayor Adolph stated some residents cannot afford the balance after receiving a rebate from IID, and the City should look into implementing a program to assist those residents. Council Member Sniff addressed the possibility of using the vacant Sam's Club building as a theatre or entertainment center. Council Member Henderson cautioned the City Council about operating costs. City Manager Genovese stated staff will compile a list to bring back to the City Council for review, and indicated each goal will be addressed in one of the strategic plan documents. Mayor Adolph commented on a newspaper article regarding the financial stability of the City and its reserves amount. Special City Council Minutes 4 February 25, 2010 Mayor Adolph recessed the Special City Council meeting at 5:27 p.m. and reconvened it at 5:35 p.m. in joint session with the Planning Commission. Chairman Alderson called the Planning Commission meeting to order. PRESENT: Commissioners Barrows, Quill, Weber, Wilkinson, Chairman Alderson ABSENT: None PUBLIC COMMENT -NONE STUDY SESSION 2. JOINT DISCUSSION OF THE GENERAL PLAN UPDATE WITH MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION. Planning Director Johnson presented the staff report; and introduced Nicole Criste, consultant with Terra Nova. She then introduced the firm and consultants who will be working on the General Plan Update project. Planning Director Johnson, Consultant Criste, Public Works Director Jonasson, Assistant City Manager-Development Services Evans, and Community Services Director Hylton reviewed the land use, transportation, economic development, sustainability, and quality of life components of the General Plan, respectively. Council Member Franklin asked how sustainability is weaved into the General Plan. Planning Director Johnson explained it could be incorporated as a quality of life item by addressing various items such as providing connectivity of pedestrian traffic, upgrading air/heating units, and promoting other modes of transportation. Council Member Franklin asked if there is any way to encourage solar power under sustainability. Planning Director Johnson confirmed that solar would be covered and explained staff would also suggest design standards for heat reduction from the sun. Planning Commissioner Weber explained IID has partnered with the City to assist residents with implementing requirements from AB 811. Special City Council Minutes 5 February 25, 2010 Planning Director Johnson explained that sustainability would include adding policies to the General Plan and can be utilized by the City Council when reviewing programs for implementation; and further explained other staff members are working on the update process with the Planning Department. Planning Director Johnson reviewed the need to identify the General Plan Boundary as a preferred alternative during the update process, along with City limits and spheres of influences. Mayor Adolph turned the meeting over to Chairman Alderson for comments from the Planning Commission. Chairman Alderson asked if this would be an appropriate time to address specific questions the Planning Commission has regarding proposed trails and equestrian interaction. Planning Director Johnson stated staff would like to see comments focus on the General Plan boundary but is willing to answer any questions. Council Member Sniff suggested focusing on the future of City boundaries. Planning Commissioner Quill stated the boundaries are wide open to include any area. Planning Director Johnson explained the City is mandated by State law to establish a General Plan boundary that, at a minimum, includes the current City limits In response to Council Member Sniff, Planning Director Johnson confirmed we are looking at the boundaries for the next 25 years. Planning Commissioner Quill stated staff has discussed incorporating the Vista Santa Rosa (VSR) area, and although Indio has initiated annexation of that area, suggested including that area within the boundary; there will be activity along the Santa Rosa slopes to the southeast; and suggested considering making the area economically viable before annexing. Planning Commissioner Barrows requested an explanation of the difference between 'the General Plan and sphere of influence maps. Planning Director Johnson explained there is essentially no limit with the General Plan boundary and that other agencies are not prevented from annexing those areas until a sphere of influence is established. Planning Commissioner Barrows stated she does not understand how the General Plan land use map is established. Consultant Criste explained the General Plan boundary changed several times during the Special City Council Minutes 6 February 25, 2010 Fiscal Year 2000-2002 process; staff began with Planning Area No. t which was coterminous with the sphere of influence because LAFCO acted on the sphere of influence afterwards and the General Plan was updated; explained at the time the extension included up to what is now the current sphere of influence map, and then the Kohl Ranch Specific Plan was added in the stage expansion of the boundary. Planning Commissioner Barrows stated the Kohl Ranch is currently not in the sphere of influence. Consultant Criste confirmed. Council Member Henderson stated at one time both areas were referred as Planning Areas 1 and 2. Planning Director Johnson identified the Kohl Ranch area as being just south of the airport. Chairman Alderson stated the General Plan can be in any form we want it and asked if we are obligated to what we establish as the future City boundaries. Planning Johnson stated we are not obligated to annex properties within the General Plan boundary and explained there are two issues: we must include existing City limits within the boundary; and if the direction is given to include just a portion of the existing spheres of influence within the boundary, this would need to be addressed with LAFCO. Chairman Alderson stated VSR has been proven to not be financial feasible to annex and the sphere influence of the General Plan is separate from the inclusion of that area. Planning Director Johnson confirmed. Planning Commissioner Quill stated he believed the existing sphere of influence should be our boundary excluding Kohl Ranch. Planning Director Johnson explained if the VSR area is included in the General Plan boundary, staff would recommend the General Plan update process not include a detailed land use plan but that a comprehensive land use sub-area plan be created at a later date; and recommended City Council establish policy within the General Plan for a sub-area plan to be established prior to annexing VSR properties. Council Member Henderson asked if the land use designation for VSR would be left primarily residential and at the current density of four units per acre. Planning Director Johnson confirmed. Consultant Criste explained the intent is that the sphere of influence land use map would not change, but there would be policy direction to conduct master planning following the General Plan update; the General Plan is a vision for the future of La Quinta and is a policy Special City Council Minutes 7 February 25, 2010 document with expansion being easterly and southeasterly; and stated if it is the City's desire to include the eastern sphere as a placeholder for planning in the future. Planning Commissioner Barrows voiced concern about including VSR because of the fiscal impact and quality-of-life issues; she is not sure about any benefits in including it within the boundary; there have been many changes within the current boundaries and she expressed concern about including the area for the future. She further stated if the area is not included in the General Plan, the City will not be able to plan for it in the future. Council Member Henderson stated not including it at this time does not preclude the City from including it in the future and planning for it; the area is currently in our sphere and if the City of Indio wants to include it within their boundary, we would be involved with the annexation process with LAFCO. Consultant Criste stated the annexation would be a public process and includes public hearings. Council Member Henderson further explained the process conducted by LAFCO. Council Member Franklin asked if we are doing boundaries and have City limits, why wouldn't we want the sphere of influence included. Planning Director Johnson explained we have to plan for the properties included in the General Plan boundaries and take them into account as part of the update process; explained if. VSR is all residential the City would have some issues with land use and fiscal impact. Planning Commissioner Quill stated removing VSR from the General Plan boundary would send a message that we are done with that area. Council Member Franklin stated that was her question and asked for the worst case scenario. Consultant Criste explained the sphere of influence will not change but the perception of a lack of interest would have an effect if LAFCO proceedings occur. Council Member Henderson agreed removal would send a lack of interest message, and conveyed support for eliminating it from the General Plan by submission of an application to LAFCO for removal. Planning Commissioner Wilkinson expressed support for moving forward with the annexation of VSR, north of Avenue 54 and south of Avenue 52; include an area for park use; start working in areas outside the County's Redevelopment Project Area to eliminate the Special City Council Minutes 8 February 25, 2010 fiscal problem, create a barrier to the County, and then later annex the rest of the area. Planning Commissioner Weber stated the issue is whether or not we want to expand the City; expressed concern about the City growing too much; need to be cautious about what signal we send regarding the sphere of influence; must have a balanced mix and not be pigeon- holed into one lifestyle; should not release our sphere ot.influence and we would send the wrong signal if it is given up; stated there is potential for industrial use for the area; the City is able to balance land use within the sphere of influence; and stated it may make economic sense in the future. Chairman Alderson stated almost every election candidate addresses whether we want the City to be bigger; if the City released the VSR area, we would not have the opportunity to expand the areas or piece- meal annexation of the areas; if the General Plan is limited up to the sphere of influence, and the City of Indio annexes the area, we would give up that area. Council Member Henderson stated that. we eliminate our planning rights to the area if we eliminate the current sphere of influence; the purpose of this discussion is to figure out what makes sense for the future; stated the City should include the sphere of influence; and stated staff may be suggesting to exclude the Kohl Ranch and the area above Avenue 52. Planning Commissioner Quill stated his understanding is to make the General Plan boundaries the same as the sphere of influence. Council Member Henderson confirmed. Planning Commissioner Wilkinson asked if we have made any commitments with Kohl Ranch about inclusion of the sphere of influence. Consultant Criste stated staff has not contacted Kohl Ranch; and explained the area is under the County's specific plan and can be developed as such. Planning Commissioner Wilkinson stated people have made purchases in the area thinking it would be annexed into the City. Planning Commissioner Barrows asked if components of the General Plan update process will consider land use designation in the sphere of Special City Council Minutes 9 February 25, 2010 influence. Planning Director Johnson stated staff has not identified that effort being included in the General Plan update process as it is a sensitive matter and will not receive the attention and level of detail needed to properly plan for the future of this area. Planning Commissioner Barrows stated staff is looking at the visionary aspect and future impacts, and opportunities for the VSR area. Planning Director Johnson confirmed. Council Member Henderson stated there would be a connection if the City were going to design asix-lane road that connects to a two-lane road in that area, and that situation would create a connection in the land use between the City and sphere of influence. Planning Director Johnson stated staff will be looking at all the elements for the area and the basic land use pattern of low density residential, including whether the housing .element needs to be updated to reflect this. Council Member Henderson stated the residential land use includes the build-out density at three units per acre. Planning Commissioner Weber asked if that impacts the affordable housing numbers. Consultant Criste explained the housing numbers are based on City limits, not sphere of influence. Planning Director Johnson stated as long as the sphere of influence is included, the City will have to account for it when the Housing Element is updated as is now required by SB 375. Planning Commissioner Weber stated that would be a potential negative because we don't know if we will need to plan for that area. Planning Director Johnson explained it will only relate to the sphere of influence. Planning Commissioner Weber stated the other negative is we would have to utilize resources with the potential of it not being a part of the City; why would we want to remove it when planning for residential quality of life, we won't have our hand in the game; and stated he is not supportive of eliminating Kohl Ranch from the sphere of influence. Council Member Evans stated the City should not give up land for the potential of growth; asked if there is an optimum population number for which we can provide services. Special City Council Minutes 10 February 25, 2010 Consultant Criste explained there is no magic number; the California Housing Association establishes numbers and they are used as the basis for future growth, and in turn, the City needs to incorporate that information in the planning process; and stated there is a need to plan for the population yet balance the population growth with other land uses that fiscally tip the balance evenly. Planning Commissioner Barrows stated the residents have asked how it would affect them if the City were to annex VSR; she is not suggesting giving up the sphere of influence; and stated the City should clarify the impact to residents. Council Member Evans stated we should not change the sphere of influence or General Plan land use map, and possibly add to it. Council Member Henderson stated she assumes Council Member Evans might be thinking about the airport and explained we have had that discussion before; being through this process before stated she is willing to remove the Kohl Ranch area; conveyed support to .include the current sphere of influence as it is, eliminate Kohl Ranch to Harrison Street, and remove the area north of Avenue 52; and responded to comments made by Planning Commissioner Quill regarding significant growth in the slopes to the east. Council Member Henderson stated she is unsure if the City can consider including any properties to the north beyond the the Darby Road sphere. Consultant Criste explained that area abuts Bermuda Dunes, which is within the Palm Desert sphere boundary. Council Member Henderson stated staff would have to explore if the City wants that area. Consultant Criste confirmed. Council Member Henderson suggested staff research annexing the Darby Road area. Consultant Criste stated there was some investigation about the interest in that area but it was pushed back. Council Member Henderson stated she fully supports the current sphere of influence with the three units to an acre plan; and stated growth is going to happen and the City needs to be in the position to address it in the future. Council Member Sniff stated over the next 25 years there will be minor changes to the boundaries; will find changes are not as dramatic as in the past; suggested taking a good look at what is going on right now and how it will accelerate; need to be cautious and judicious; and 'recommends we deal with current boundaries and look at all adjacent Special City Council Minutes 1 t February 25, 2010 lands as to what could potentially happen with them. He asked if population is an issue for discussion tonight. Planning Director Johnson explained population is not an issue tonight. Planning Director Johnson further explained population and land use will be reviewed at a later time. Council Member Franklin conveyed support for the boundaries depicted on the General Plan map, which includes the sphere of influence. Mayor Adolph stated some residents feel we should not expand the City; he feels that is short-sightedness and that the City should plan for the future and maintain the current sphere of influence; the next 25 years is unknown and he hopes what the City Council decides now will be beneficial to the City. Mayor Adolph stated the consensus of the City Council and Planning Commission is to include the current spheres of influence and City limits within the General Plan boundary. Council Member Henderson stated the agreement between the Cities of La Quinta, Coachella and Indio was for Jackson Street to be the boundary of the sphere of influence, and the VSR remain intact; and further explained it was LAFCO's decision to include the entire VSR area in the sphere of influence. Planning Director Johnson thanked the City Council and Planning Commission for the discussion and the direction given; reviewed the next steps of providing a monthly status report; stated staff is planning a community meeting in April 2010; and announced the next joint City Council/Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for June or July 2010 wherein General Plan designations and population will be discussed. Commission Chairman Alderson adjourned the Planning Commission meeting. Special City Council Minutes 12 February 25, 2010 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, it was moved by Council Members Henderson/Evans to adjourn the Special City Council meeting. Motion carried unanimously.. ' Respectf fy submitted, ~/ VERONICA J. TECINO, City Clerk City of La Quinta, California