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2010 03 23 PC MinutesMINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA March 23, 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 Alderson. PRESENT: Commissioners Barrows, Quill, Weber, Wilkinson, and Chairman Alderson ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Planning Director Les Johnson, Planning Manager David Sawyer, Assistant Planner Yvonne Franco, 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 March 9, 2010, as submitted. Unanimously approved. V. PUBLIC HEARINGS: A. Continued -Conditional Use Permit 2009-124; a request by T-Mobile West Corporation for consideration to allow the placement of a fifty- seven (57) foot tall monopalm tower and equipment enclosure within the Family Heritage Church parking lot located at 78-998 Miles Avenue. Planning Manager David Sawyer presented the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Planning Department. He also noted that staff recommended continuation of this item to the April 13, 2010 meeting. Chairman Alderson asked if there were any questions of staff. Planning Commission Minutes March 23, 2010 Commissioner Wilkinson asked about listening to comments from the public in attendance. Staff explained it was at the Commission's discretion as to whether or not they would prefer to hear comments, but staff's recommendation would still be for a continuance. Commissioner Wilkinson asked for confirmation that the T-Mobile application would return to the Commission in two weeks. Staff said they anticipated it would be back in two weeks, but that was predicated on the receipt of some additional information from the applicant. There being no further questions of the staff, Chairman Alderson asked if there was any public comment. Mr. Graeme Donaldson, 79-115 Camino Rosada, La Quinta CA -said he had previously spoken in opposition to this project. He said he took a further look at the site, and the cell towers in the vicinity, and came to the conclusion that even at fifty-seven 157) feet the cell tower would still stand out. He said cell towers tended to show their age, after a couple of years, and would be even more noticeable. He emphasized this was a residential, not commercial, neighborhood and there were no two-story homes allowed on the edge of any nearby development. He said the fire station and the church were engineered well and blended in, but the cell tower did not. He suggested the cell tower could be relocated to an area near the wash, near Kohl's, or somewhere in that vicinity as there were currently cell towers there. He commented that arrangements could possibly be made to co-locate or add equipment to a existing cell tower rather than putting up another one. An additional cell tower was just not required. There being no additional questions, or public comment, Chairman Alderson (did not close the public hearing, but) opened the matter for Commission discussion. There being no further questions or discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Wilkinson/Weber to approve continuation of Conditional Use Permit 2009-124 to the April 13, 2010 meeting. Unanimously approved. -2- Planning Commission Minutes March 23, 2010 B. Conditional Use Permit 2009-126; a request by Yamaha Golf Cars of Palm Springs for consideration to allow the outdoor display of golf cars in the Komar Desert Center parking lot. Assistant Planner Yvonne Franco 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 asked if the entire development belonged to Komar. Staff responded it was Komar Desert Center. Commissioner Weber asked if Mr. Jim Brockman was the Property Manager for Komar Desert Properties and staff responded he was. Commissioner Weber asked if Komar was agreeing with the whole plan as proposed by the applicant and staff said yes. Commissioner Weber asked if there was any anticipation of issues with Costco and did the site hinder, or impact, any ADA requirements. Staff responded no to both questions. Commissioner Quill asked about the property line on the parking lot exhibits. Staff confirmed where it was. Commissioner Quill asked if the parking spaces were actually on C:ostco; not Komar, property. Staff said yes. Chairman Alderson asked if the applicant had seen, and was in agreement with, the conditions of approval. Staff said yes; but pointed out the applicant had a couple of questions which they would direct to the Commission. There being no further questions of the staff, Chairman Alderson asked if the applicant would like to speak. Mr. Robert Forsythe, 79-785 Highway 111, Suite 103, La Quinta CA - commented on Conditions 2 and 7. He stated they originally asked for more golf cars to be placed in the parking lot, and it had been reduced. to two. He preferred the original number of three. He said this would produce no impact on the site and they had ariticipated that display number when they originally leased this site. -3- Planning Commission Minutes March 23, 2010 Chairman Alderson asked for confirmation of the display layout which staff provided. Mr. Forsythe said they would like one golf car on the sidewalk and three in the parking lot. Mr. Forsythe also commented on Condition 7, requiring Costco Corporate approval. He said he thought the Store Manager's signed permission was adequate and did not see why they would need more than that. He added that corporate approval could be quite hard to obtain. Chairman Alderson asked why and Mr. Forsythe said it was a big company and easier to deal with the local, rather than corporate staff. Staff responded, if the CUP was approved, they would review what was submitted by the Store Manager, on the appropriate letterhead, and see if it was adequate. If it was, it would be accepted. Commissioner Weber asked if the applicant had seen a recent Desert Sun article with comments from a golf cart dealer regarding seat belts and the use of golf carts on streets, bike lanes and sidewalks. Mr. Forsythe said he had not. Commissioner Weber encouraged Mr. Forsythe, and his staff, to become familiar with the local regulations so the public would not be misled as to where and when the golf carts could be used. The drivability of the golf carts would be different if they are registered/licensed, with the City and the State; than if they were not. Commissioner Weber wanted to make sure that Mr. Forsythe was very pro-active about providing that information. Mr. Forsythe said they would as they wanted to be good partners with the City. Commissioner Barrows asked Commissioner Weber if he was referring to the new City Golf Cart Program and requesting the applicant make sure, that when he sells a golf cart, it meets those requirements. Commissioner Weber said he wanted to make sure the sales staff did not mislead the general public with statements such as those published recently in The Desert Sun regarding where, and what type of, vehicles could be driven. He said there was a lot of incorrect information in the article. -4- Planning Commission Minutes March 23, 2010 Staff responded the article made reference to the cart (or car) equipment and the ability to use bike lanes, and sidewalks throughout the community which was inconsistent with the City's Golf Cart Program. Commissioner Barrows asked for clarification on what the concern was and Commissioner Weber responded sidewalks, and bike lanes are not for golf carts. Chairman Alderson asked about hours of operation. Mr. Forsythe outlined the hours for both summer and winter operation. There being no further questions of the staff, Chairman Alderson asked if there was any public comment. There being no additional questions, or public comment, Chairman Alderson opened the matter for Commission discussion. Commissioners Quill said he felt the Costco Store Manager's authorization was sufficient. Commissioners Wilkinson and Weber did not have any issues with the additional parking spaces; however, they did feel staff could adequately address the issue of the proper authorization from Costco. Chairman Alderson asked about setting a precedent with the recommendation of an additional space to the parking lot display. Staff explained their recommendation was based on a previous decision made by the Commission, on a similar application; but noted it was the Commission's prerogative to adjust the number of cars displayed. There was no further discussion and it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Weber/Wilkinson to approve Resolution 2010-009 for approval of Conditional Use Permit 2009-126 as submitted with the addition of the following amendments: Condition 2 be amended to read "...a maximum of four (4) outdoor golf car displays, one (1) on the sidewalk location and three (3) in the adjacent Costco parking spaces;.." instead of three (3) outdoor displays. -5- Planning Commission Minutes March 23, 2010 Condition 7 be amended to read "...Written authorization by Costco Wholesale as reviewed and accepted by staff..." in order for the applicant to obtain approval on Costco letterhead and staff to review the approval for appropriateness. Unanimously approved. VI. BUSINESS ITEMS: None VII. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None VIII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS: A. Report on City Council Meeting of March 16, 2010, from Commissioner Barrows. IA brief summary of the meeting was given followed by discussion of several items.) B. Chairman Alderson noted Commissioner Quill was scheduled to report back on the April 6, 2010, Council meeting. C. Commissioner Weber asked if staff had received any comments on the Draft EIR for the Dune Palms and Highway 11 1 (Specific Plan). Staff responded they had received comment from a State agency and did not anticipate many further comments. It was added that they had tried to be as current as possible with the latest environmental requirements. It was anticipated to be heard by the Planning Commission on April 27, 2010, unless additional comments were received and needed to be more adequately addressed. IX: DIRECTOR ITEMS: A. Staff announced the first Community Workshop for the General Plan Update will be held on April 21, 2010, from 5:30 p.m.. to 8:00 p.m. at the La Quinta Library. It will be an interactive environment with the objectives of educating the public on the update process and obtaining more of the public's input into that process. Staff added the Commission would be receiving a more detailed report in their April 13, 2010, packet. (General discussion followedl. -6- Planning Commission Minutes March 23, 2010 X. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Wilkinson/Alderson to adjourn this regular meeting of the Planning Commission to the next regular meeting to be held on April 13, 2010. This regular meeting was adjourned at 7:38 p.m. on March 23, 2010. Respectfully submitted, WG Carol n Wal er y ,Executive Secretary City of La Quinta, California -7-