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2011 01 11 PC MinutesMINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall 78 -495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA January 11, 2011 7:04 P.M. CALL TO ORDER A. A regular meeting of the La Quinta Planning Commission was called to order at 7:04 p.m. by Chairman Alderson. PRESENT: Commissioners Barrows, Quill, Wilkinson, and Chairman Alderson. ABSENT: Commissioner Weber STAFF PRESENT: Planning Director Les Johnson, Planning Manager David Sawyer, Principal Engineer Ed Wimmer, Assistant Planner Eric Ceja, and Executive Secretary Carolyn Walker. II. PUBLIC COMMENT: III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: Confirmed. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR: There being no comments, or suggestions, it was moved by Commissioners Wilkinson /Barrows to approve the minutes of December 14, 2010, as submitted. AYES: Commissioners Barrows, Quill, Wilkinson, and Chairman Alderson. NOES: None. ABSENT: Commissioner Weber. ABSTAIN: None. V. PUBLIC HEARINGS: A. Site Development Permit 2010 -914 a request by the Rancho La Quinta Master Association - for consideration of a private dog park for the Rancho La Quinta community, to be located at the southeast corner of Orchard Lane and Mission Drive West — within Rancho La Quinta. Assistant Planner Eric Ceja presented the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Planning Department. Planning Commission Minutes January 11, 2011 Chairman Alderson asked if there were any questions of staff. Chairman Alderson asked if there were any concerns expressed by the neighbors. Staff said they had only received phone calls and letters in support of the project. Chairman Alderson asked what were the hours of operation and if the site, owned by CVWD, was not currently in use. Planning Director Johnson responded there was only a perimeter wall established and this was not an active well site. Chairman Alderson asked about long -term access for the applicant. Staff responded there was an arrangement between the applicant and CVWD that allowed this activity, but staff did not know the extent of time. There being no further questions of staff, Chairman Alderson asked if the applicant would like to speak. Mr. Bill Ivey — 78 -665 Descanso Lane, La Quinta CA Board Liaison for the Rancho La Quinta Dog Park Committee - introduced himself and said the hours of operation would be from sunup to sunset as the park was not going to be lit. He added that they have entered into a lease with the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) for a number of years. Mr. Ivey continued, saying there were many advantages to having a dog park at Rancho La Quinta, such as: • Providing an area where dogs can play and owners can socialize. • Providing a reduction of the number of homeowners and dogs walking on the private streets. • The consolidation of animals in an area where they can be controlled and their waste can be more efficiently handled. • The provision of an amenity to Rancho La Quinta in order to compete with nearby developments and enhance re -sales by the continuous upgrading of the value of the homes. Mr. Ivey encouraged the Commission to approve the park and then offered to answer any questions the Commissioners might have. -2- Planning Commission Minutes January 11, 2011 General discussion followed on the Tipuana Tipu (Tipu) tree and its appropriateness for this environment. General discussion followed on the fountains, bike racks, sod, seating, and shade umbrellas being used (until the Tipu trees matured). There being no further questions of staff, or comments from the applicant, Chairman Alderson asked if there was any public comment. No one in the audience requested to speak; however Chairman Alderson noted there were five letters of support included in the packet. There being no public comment, Chairman Alderson opened the matter for Commission discussion and closed the public hearing. Planning Director Johnson pointed out there was a memorandum from the Public Works Department given to the Commissioners prior to the meeting. Chairman Alderson asked if there was anything, in the memo, that would have any significant impact; construction -wise. Principal Engineer Ed Wimmer said the conditions of approval were actually more advantageous for the applicant; as the City was trying to foster and encourage recreational opportunities, and they were written to try to forward that goal. Commissioner Barrows asked for clarification of the new conditions from those submitted in the staff report. Principal Engineer Wimmer responded there were two elements. One involved the Building Code that went into effect on January 2, 2011 which required a stormwater pollution prevention plan for any project below one acre, if it qualified for a building permit; which this project did. He added that even though the most recent national pollution discharge program requirements didn't require the stormwater pollution prevention plan, the brand new building code did. Principal Engineer Wimmer continued that the second major item was that when conditions were normally done for a project that had 50 -3- Planning Commission Minutes January 11, 2011 cubic yards of earth work or more, a precise grading plan was required, and that entailed hiring a civil engineer licensed in the State of California. He said the applicant had hoped their project would qualify to be under that, allowing them an exemption, so that they wouldn't have to hire a civil engineer to do a precise grading plan. These updated conditions could afford them the opportunity to not hire the engineer unless it was absolutely required. He added that the City was complying with all the federal, state and local laws, but was trying to give as much consideration, as possible, to the applicant. There being no further questions or discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Quill /Wilkinson to adopt Resolution 2011- 001 recommending approval of Site Development Permit 2010 -914 as conditioned in the staff report; and with the inclusion of the Public Works conditions noted in the memo submitted at the meeting. AYES: Commissioners Barrows, Quill, Wilkinson, and Chairman Alderson. NOES: None. ABSENT: Commissioner Weber. ABSTAIN: None. VI. BUSINESS ITEM: None VII. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: A. Final Coachella Valley Association of Governments — Non - Motorized Transportation Plan (NMTP) Update, September 2010. General discussion followed about the size of the area involved and the plan providing the ability to seek grant funds for future projects. Planning Director Johnson gave some background on the NMTP report and stated the matter would be going before the City Council, for consideration, on February 1, 2011. Commissioner Quill asked if staff had looked at this plan to make sure it wasn't in conflict with the general plan. Staff responded because the general plan was being updated, this plan would be taken as a base line. General discussion followed on what would follow once this plan was adopted by Council, as well as the possibility of funding opportunities. Planning Director Johnson said he would welcome any comments Planning Commission Minutes January 11, 2011 from the Commissioners for inclusion in the staff report to the Council for the February 1, 2011 meeting. He said, if they had comments, please get them to staff right away. VIII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS: A. Report of the City Council Meeting of December 21, 2010 presented by Planning Director Johnson. B. Report of the City Council meeting of January 4, 2011 by Planning Director Johnson. C. Chairman Alderson noted Commissioner Wilkinson was scheduled to report back on the January 18, 2011 Council meeting. IX: DIRECTOR ITEMS: A. Discussion of the California League of Cities Conference, March 9 -11, 2011, Pasadena CA — car pooling and costs. X. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, it was moved by Commissioners Quill /Wilkinson to adjourn this regular meeting of the Planning Commission to the next regular meeting to be held on January 25, 2011. This regular meeting was adjourned at 7:49 p.m. on January 11, 2011. Respectfully submitted, Carolyn aV� Iker, Executive Secretary City of La Quinta, California -5-