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2011 06 04 PC MinutesMINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall 78 -495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA June 14, 2011 CALL TO ORDER 7:03 P.M. A. A regular meeting of the La Quinta Planning Commission was called to order at 7:03 p.m. by Chairman Alderson. PRESENT: Commissioners Barrows, Quill, Wilkinson, and Chairman Alderson. ABSENT: Commissioners Weber. STAFF PRESENT: Planning Director Les Johnson, City Attorney Kathy Jenson, Principal Engineer Ed Wimmer, Planning Manager David Sawyer, Principal Planner Andrew Mogensen, Associate Planner Jay Wuu, and Executive Secretary Carolyn Walker. II. PUBLIC COMMENT: III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: IV. 'CONSENT CALENDAR: There being no comments, or . suggestions, it. was moved by Commissioners Wilkinson /Barrows fo approve the minutes of April 26, 2011 as submitted. AYES: Commissioners Barrows, Wilkinson and Chairman Alderson. NOES: None. ABSENT: Commissioners Quill, and Weber. ABSTAIN: None. V. PUBLIC HEARINGS: A. Environmental Assessment 2010 -610 Specific Plan 2004- 071 Amendment No 1 Site Development Permit 2003 -762, Extension No. 4, and Amendment No. 1 a request by WSL La Quinta, LLC, for consideration of development plans for La Paloma, a 208 -unit senior living community located on the northeast corner of Washington Street and Avenue 50. Planning Commission Minutes June 14, 2011 • Driveway alignment on Avenue 50 • Left in /left out movements • Improvements on Avenue 50;_east of their proposed entry • Direct discharge.into the evacuation channel • A u turn lane southbound on Washington' • A uniform wall on the northern boundary • Dropping the site and including-a retaining wall. General discussion then followed regarding dropping the site, importing fill, and the design of the retaining wall. Mr. Roos •also stated the letter requested that the site development permit approval be for two years, rather than one, and explained why. Mr. Ron Gregory – Project Landscepe"'Architect with RGA Landscape Architects 74020 Alessandro Drive, Palm Desert, CA — introduced himself and commented on'the earlier statements made regarding the multitude of fountains within the project, as well as the mention of the lawn area. He explained how they have to figure water calculations, as required by the State, the -Water District, and the City. He said they have to use a water factor for different types of plant materials, and that is also used for fountains. He explained how the factors were utilized for any body of water as well as all landscaping. He continued by saying water, and especially in smaller recirculating water features, will be very important to people who will be living there. So, he hoped that would- be taken into consideration. He told how a question was brought up, at ALRC, regarding the use of turf for the putting green and the pool area. The turf that is being used on the putting green is all faux turf', and will require no water. The turf that is being used in the pool area is real turf and is cooler. Faux turf is actually as hot as a paved surface would be. He added that even with the use of real turf, they still fit within the maximum water use guidelines. The rest of their landscaping was all water- efficient and desert -type material. Commissioner Wilkinson asked about recovering the condensation off of air conditioning and using it to fill fountains; etc, Mr. Gregory said their Firm was currently working on two projects taking that into account and the problem • was that it was extraordinarily expensive. Planning Commission Minutes June 14, 2011 General discussion followed regarding the recovery of air conditioning condensation and various components of LEED certification. General discussion followed on faux turf versus real turf, and under what circumstances their individual uses are appropriate. Commissioner Barrows asked for Mr. Gregory's comments on why more native species are not being used and gave some examples of non - native species that are used frequently in their place. Mr. Gregory gave anecdotal evidence of projects he was currently working on using native species. He said one of the problems with native plants was that some of them had a very short shelf life. A plant such as brittle bush requires a fair amount of maintenance and doesn't tend to last as long as some of the non - native species. The other problem was that the native plants typically put on a great show in late winter and early spring, then they weren't at their best the rest of the year. He said they were trying to introduce more of them, especially as they are being encouraged to do so in the pursuit of higher LEED scores. He added there was a problem with finding a sufficient quantity of native plants for projects of this size. Commissioner Barrows said this project seemed like a really good opportunity to use native plants. She then asked about the water features and commented on staff's recommendations that the smaller water features seemed appropriate but they were concerned about the entry water feature. The entry water feature only provided an aesthetic benefit and no other usage, such as folks walking over and sitting around the feature. She asked for Mr. Gregory for his perspective on that feature. Mr. Gregory said, at first, he didn't understand what was meant by more than just an aesthetic feature, but he now understood about people gathering around and enjoying the benefits of the water feature. General discussion followed on: • What other purposes the water feature could /should serve. • The current design of the water feature • Additional discussion of the recycling of air conditioning condensation and its possible uses. -5- Planning Commission Minutes June 14, 2011 Chairman Alderson asked if there were any more questions of the applicant. There being none he asked if there was any public comment. Mr. David Pendergrass, representative for James A. Shirley Construction Co., 5462 Jurpe Avenue, Riverside CA introduced himself and commented on how much he appreciated the fact that staff, and the developer, worked with him to have an opportunity to competitively bid on a project like this. He said it was just such a difference from what he had previously experienced in other communities. He wanted to take the opportunity to say thank you and added that it was good that the City apparently was working with local contractors and because of that his firm supported a project like this. Chairman Alderson said it was very good to hear that local people were being considered. Mr. Mark Irving- Urban Housing Communities, 2000 East Fourth Street, Suite 205, Santa Ana CA 92705 — introduced himself and said he was at the meeting for several purposes. First, he was representing the owners of the property to the south of this project, who were also part of the specific plan originally approved in 2004. He stated they were still under that specific plan. He continued, with his second point, saying he was at the meeting to try to protect the left in on their property, currently within the specific plan. The ingress into the property would be on Avenue 50, otherwise they just have right ins and right outs. So, it is very important to make sure they maintain that. Third, his firm was in support of the applicant's project. Fourth, they were asking staff to review the condition of approval regarding realigning the driveways and providing ingress and egress. He said they were supportive of that effort. Fifth, he agreed with the location and use of the entry fountain. He explained a similar situation where the fountain acted as a noise buffer and he agreed with the current design. Chairman Alderson asked if there was any further public comment. There being none, Chairman Alderson did not close the public hearing since the matter was going to be continued. He suggested a Planning Commission Minutes June 14, 2011 continuation of two weeks to allow time for staff to review this as the letter had not been received until late afternoon on the day of the meeting. Planning Director Johnson asked the Chairman if either he, or any of the other Commissioners, had any items for staff to discuss with the applicant, prior to the continued meeting, to bring them forward so staff would have that opportunity. Chairman Alderson said he would like staff to clarify the alignment of the driveways and confirm whether the project on the south was still included in the specific plan. Commissioner Quill commented on several items: • This was a more viable project than the previous one. • He agreed with the approval of the Site Development Permit for two years, instead of one. • There should be real turf where there is a recreational component (i.e., swimming pools). • He agreed with Commissioner Barrows' comments regarding the use of native species. • He agreed with direct discharge, into the channel, if there were no issues involved, it was done under an SWPPP, and the water was cleaned up as it went out. There being no further questions or discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Barrows /Wilkinson to continue the public hearing recommending approval of Specific Plan 2004 -071, Amendment No. 1, to June 28, 2011. AYES: Commissioners Barrows, Quill, Wilkinson and Chairman Alderson. NOES: None. ABSENT: Commissioner Weber. ABSTAIN: None. B. Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2011 -103 a request by the City of La Quinta for consideration of the following amendments to the La Quinta Municipal Code: A clarification regarding the location of certain landscaped parkways ( §9.50.100), Correcting an error regarding guest houses and secondary units ( §9.140.070 ), Adjusting the time extension period for development review permits ( §9.200.080 ), Deletion of obsolete language referencing guesthouse examples -7- Planning Commission Minutes June 14, 2011 ( §9.210.010), Revised definitions of child day care uses to be consistent with State Law ( §9.280.030) and Extend the maximum permitted cul -de -sac length to 1320 feet (§ 13.24.070) : to be effective City -Wide. 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 Quill had no questions but commented on the positive nature of the change for the permitted cul -de -sac length going from 660 to 1320 feet. Chairman Alderson said he had no further questions, but did mention staff did a good job of analysis in clearing up these items. There being no further questions of staff, Chairman Alderson noted the City was the applicant and asked if there was any public comment. There being none, Chairman Alderson closed the public hearing and opened the matter for Commission discussion. There being no' further questions or discussion,. it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Barrows /Wilkinson to adopt Resolution 2011 -004 recommending approval of Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2011 -103 as submitted in the staff report. AYES: Commissioners Barrows, Quill, Wilkinson and Chairman Alderson. NOES: None. ABSENT: Commissioner Weber. ABSTAIN: None. There being no further questions or discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Barrows /Wilkinson to adopt ,Resolution 2011 -005 recommending approval of Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2011 -103, cul -de -sac amendment as submitted in the staff report. AYES: Commissioners Barrows, Quill, Wilkinson and Chairman Alderson. NOES: None. ABSENT: Commissioner Weber. ABSTAIN: None. WE Planning Commission Minutes June 14, 2011 VI. BUSINESS ITEMS: None VII. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None VIII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS: A. Discussion of the recent City Council Meetings. It was decided the meetings of June 7, and June 21, 2011 would be discussed at the next regularly scheduled Commission meeting. B. Commissioner Wilkinson is scheduled to attend the June 21, 2011, City Council meeting. C. The new City Council Meeting Attendance Schedule will be included in the June 28, 2011, packet. D. A brief discussion of the Summer Schedule was held. It was decided it would be discussed further, and date(s) chosen, at the next regularly scheduled Commission meeting. IX: DIRECTOR ITEMS: None X. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, it was moved by Commissioners Wilkinson /Barrows to adjourn this regular meeting of the Planning Commission to the next meeting to be held on June 28, 2011. This meeting was adjourned at 8:09 p.m. on June 14, 2011. Respectfully submitted, ( Ft Glad( "tl Carlker, Executive Secretary City of La Quinta, California IRE