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2010 11 09 PC MinutesMINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA November 9, 2010 I. CALL TO ORDER 7:02 P.M. 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 Manager David Sawyer, City Attorney Kathy Jenson, Assistant Planner Yvonne Franco, and Executive Secretary Carolyn Walker. II. PUBLIC COMMENT: None III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: Confirmed IV. CONSENT CALENDAR: There being no further comments, or suggestions, it was moved by Commissioners Quill/Wilkinson to approve the minutes of October 12, 2010 as submitted. Unanimously approved. V. PUBLIC HEARINGS: A. Site Development Permit 2010-916; a request by Michael Andersen for consideration of a Site Development Permit for the construction of a 5,309 square foot private fitness center within the Tradition Golf Club on 5.69 acres located at the north end of the existing golf club parking lot between Entry Drive and Citation Court along Peerless Place. Assistant Planner Yvonne Franco presented the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Planning Department. Planning Commission Minutes November 9, 2010 Chairman Alderson asked if there were any questions of staff. Chairman Alderson had a concern about the parking and asked if the applicant had experienced any history of parking problems. Planning Manager Sawyer noted that staff conducted a parking study and found the parking area was under-utilized and that was the basis for the recommendation. General discussion followed regarding the definition of a golf cart and the use of NEV's (neighborhood electric vehicles. Commissioner Barrows expressed her concern over the choice of (Pennisetum Setaceum 'Cupreum') and the invasive qualities of fountain grass, in general. She suggested another type of grass be used, such as Muhlenbergia rigens (a local deer grass) to replace the Pennisetum. Discussion followed regarding the invasiveness of fountain grass and the submittal of future landscape plans. There being no further questions of the staff, Chairman Alderson asked if the applicant would like to speak. Mr. John W. Hopkins, from Traditions Golf Club, 52-620 Del Gato Drive, La Quinta CA, introduced himself and offered to answer any questions the Commissioners might have. Commissioner Weber commented on the Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee's (ALRC) concerns about the varieties of palm trees and asked if the applicant's intent was to match the existing palm trees. Mr. Hopkins said that was correct. He said they had directed their landscape architect to save as many of the existing trees as possible and any new trees would have to match the remaining trees as closely as possible. Commissioner Weber noted the ALRC's comments on the proposed plant list being excessive. -2- Planning Commission Minutes November 9, 2010 Mr. Hopkins explained he had a very difficult time understanding those comments and explained why this particular plant palette was chosen. He also said if there was some specific reason, such as the invasiveness of a type of grass, they would be willing to take a look at changing it. However, it did not seem logical to make changes because one Committee Member thought there were too many plant materials. Commissioner Barrows expressed her concerns about water conservation and the City's efforts to reduce turf. She noted this site had more turf than seemed necessary. Discussion followed regarding the amount and placement of turf and areas of possible reduction. There being no further questions of staff, or comments from the applicant, Chairman Alderson asked if there was any public comment. There being no public comment, Chairman Alderson opened the matter for Commission discussion and closed the public hearing. Positive comments followed on the aesthetics of the project. After a tentative motion was made, Commissioner Barrows suggested the Commission encourage the applicant, to the extent possible, to reduce the amount of turf and take into account the issue of the invasive plant material. General discussion followed regarding possible wording of the motion with regards to less-invasive plant materials. Chairman Alderson re-opened the public comment portion of the meeting to allow response to the comments. Mr. Hopkins said he would need some evidence that the Pennisetum was invasive. Mr. Art Gardner, Essi Engineering, 78-080 Calle Amigo, Suite 102, La Quinta CA -introduced himself (acting on behalf of the client) and commented on the amount of turf. He said the entire area, except for -3- Planning Commission Minutes November 9, 2010 the portion that was covered by asphalt, was currently turf. The project would include an overall 45-50% reduction of turf. Commissioner Barrows commented that the area is currently a turfed, open space. Mr. Gardner responded it currently contains trees with a planter area, at the corner, and the remainder in grass. This project would create an overall reduction with more planter area and controlled irrigation than at present. Commissioner Quill commented on his concerns about turf up against sidewalks and curbs and the possibility of overspray. He suggested it would be beneficial if the applicant could do something to keep the sprinklers 18 inches off the curb; thereby eliminating water running into the parking lot, and .reduce a small quantity of turf. General discussion followed regarding the size of the decomposed granite border, next to the curb, which staff stated was 24-inches. Chairman Alderson asked the applicant about the amount of water being used by the fountain at the front entry and the one at the front corner. Staff responded the fountain at the back end of the building was a decorative (waterless) feature. There being no further public comment, Chairman Alderson opened the matter for Commission discussion and closed the public hearing. There being no further questions or discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Quill/Wilkinson to adopt Resolution 2010- 022 recommending approval of Site Development Permit 2010-916 as submitted, with the recommendation that the applicant be encouraged to use aless-invasive species of plant material such as Muhlenbergia rigens, instead of the Pennisetum Setaceum listed. AYES: Commissioners Quill, Weber, Wilkinson, and Chairman Alderson. NOES: Commissioner Barrows. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. VI. BUSINESS ITEMS: None -4- Planning Commission Minutes November 9, 2010 VII. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None. VIII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS: A. Report of the City Council Meeting of October 19, 2010 presented by Chairman Alderson. B. Report of the City Council Meeting of November 2, 2010 presented by Chairman Alderson. C. Chairman Alderson noted he was scheduled to report back on the November 16, 2010, Council meeting. D. Commissioner Quill then had a question in reference to the Joint Meeting and the Council's statement that they would take up the issue of the adoption of the Non-Motorized Transportation Plan at the recommendation of the Planning Commission. He asked if that item had to be agendized or could the Commission make the recommendation at this meeting. General discussion followed regarding: • Placing this item on a future agenda. • Allowing staff to look further into the matter since they were currently working on a feasibility study for the trail portion within the City of La Quinta. • The Planning Commission's options, as noted by the City Attorney. • Inclusion of the Non-Motorized Transportation Plan (NMTP) regulations into the General Plan Update, and the steps necessary to make sure they were compatible • Whether a General Plan Amendment was necessary. • The need to adopt the NMTP as soon as possible. IX: DIRECTOR ITEMS: A. Planning Manager David Sawyer introduced the subject of the Holiday Meeting Schedule. After discussion, it was decided the Planning Commission would go dark for the meeting of December 28, 2010. However, if items -5- Planning Commission Minutes November 9, 2010 needed to be scheduled before the end of the year, the Planning Commission would hold the December 28t'' meeting. X. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, it was moved by Commissioners Barrows/Wilkinson to adjourn this regular meeting of the Planning Commission to the next regular meeting to be held on November 23, 2010. This regular meeting was adjourned at 7:43 p.m. on November 9, 2010. Respectfully submitted, Carolyn Walker, Executive Secretary City of La Quinta, California -6-