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2011 11 08 PC MinutesMINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall 78 -495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA November 8, 2011 CALL TO ORDER 7:00 P.M. A. A regular meeting of the La Quinta Planning Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairman Alderson. B. PRESENT: Commissioners Barrows, Weber, Wright, and Chairman Alderson. ABSENT: Commissioner Wilkinson STAFF PRESENT: Planning Director Les Johnson, Planning Manager David Sawyer, Principal Engineer Ed Wimmer, Principal Planner Andy Mogensen, and Executive Secretary Carolyn Walker. II. PUBLIC COMMENT: None III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: None IV. CONSENT CALENDAR: There being no comments, or suggestions, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Wright /Barrows to approve the minutes of October 11, 2011 as submitted. Unanimously approved. V. PUBLIC HEARINGS: A. Conditional Use Permit 2011 -133; a request by Joe Moore Construction, Inc. DBA Windsun Energy Systems for consideration of a Conditional Use Permit to allow for the. construction of a 30 -foot tall, 1 K Off -Grid demonstration vertical axis wind turbine, to be located at 81 -600 Avenue 58 (Imperial Irrigation District's La Quinta Office). Planning Commission Minutes November 8, 2011 Chairman Alderson pointed out the memo included in the Commission packet and noted the applicant, had requested withdrawal of the application. No further action was needed. B. Development Agreement 2011-022, and Right -Of -Way Vacation 2008 -042 a request by Dr. Kathryn Carlson, Village Park Animal Hospital for consideration of a Development Agreement for parking management and a Report of Finding Under California Government Code Section 65402 that a proposed Right -of -Way Vacation of a ±535 square foot portion of Eisenhower Drive is consistent with the General Plan for an 8,752 square foot veterinary office to be located at 51 -230 Eisenhower Drive (northeast corner of Avenida Montezuma and Eisenhower Drive). Planning Director Johnson noted there was no public in attendance and instead of a full staff report, gave a brief summary. The full staff report is on file in the Planning Department. Commissioner Wright asked staff for the amount of the in -lieu parking fee. Planning Director Johnson responded the fee for the development agreement was approximately $15,800. He then gave a brief explanation of how that figure was calculated. Commissioner Wright asked if these funds could be used for parking structures. Planning Director Johnson said that was correct and explained that the funds being collected were to be used for parking improvements within the Village boundaries. Chairman Alderson asked if there was an in- lieu fee threshold allowed before the City was required to build a municipal parking lot. Planning Director Johnson responded by commenting on a recent parking analysis done on the Village. The study showed there was a tremendous amount of parking currently available; even though those parking spaces might not be in the most convenient locations. There were still a significant number in existence, both on- and off - street. He added that the study also took into consideration the potential for -2- Planning Commission Minutes November 8, 2011 future improvements and a parking structure was at least generally analyzed and assessed with that analysis. He explained, further, that as development progresses the parking study would have to be re- visited and explained some of the possible solutions staff could consider. He said that with this particular site, and with the inclusion of future development around the park, staff did not see a significant parking concern in the near- or long -term. He then said the applicant had just arrived and suggested the Commission might want to consider hearing public comments. Commissioner Weber asked if the applicant had agreed to all the stated conditions. Chairman Alderson opened the public hearing portion of the meeting and asked if the applicant would like to respond. Dr. Kathryn Carlson, 80 -900 Calle Conchita, introduced herself and said the only question she had was about the use of Palo Verde trees, She said Commissioner Barrows had previously mentioned something about the use of Palo Verde or other desert species, but that was not included in the final conditions; only the mention of the Palo Verde trees. She asked if she could work with staff to possibly use another desert species. Staff said they would be happy to work with the applicant and offered to provide a letter clarifying the issue of the use of desert species as well as Palo Verde trees. Commissioner Wright mentioned the possible use of acacia trees. Chairman Alderson asked if there was any further public comment. There being none, Chairman Alderson closed the public hearing and opened the matter for Commission discussion. Commissioner Weber said it was nice there would be reciprocal use of the parking spaces, after 6:00 p.m. Planning Director Johnson said it was on a first -come, first - served basis and provided examples. ME Planning Commission Minutes November 8, 2011 Commissioner Wright asked Dr. Carlson if this was going to be a 24- hour veterinary clinic or if they were only going to maintain standard office hours. Chairman Alderson re- opened the public portion of the meeting to allow the applicant to address Commissioner Wright's question. Dr. Carlson responded that at present it would not be an emergency clinic but that might be a future possibility. Commissioner Wright stated he was concerned about the proximity of parking if there were going to be emergency clinic clients. Dr. Carlson explained that an emergency clinic was not as densely booked as an everyday clinic and the five stalls would be adequate. Commissioner Wright asked staff if this could be re- addressed if the use should change to include emergency service. Staff said yes and pointed out the additional parking available on both Avenidas Martinez and Montezuma as shown on the overhead exhibit. It was also noted that there was quite a bit of off -site parking in close proximity to the proposed site. Dr. Carlson said she did not desire to have a 24 -hour emergency clinic of her own but, from a business perspective, someone else could approach her with a proposal to provide that service. She just wanted that option left open. There being no further questions or discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Barrows /Weber to adopt Resolution 2011 -017 recommending approval of Development Agreement 2011- 022 as submitted in the staff report. AYES: Commissioners Barrows, Weber, Wright and Chairman Alderson. NOES: None. ABSENT: Commissioner Wilkinson. ABSTAIN: None. There being no further questions or discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Barrows /Weber to adopt Resolution 2011 -018 recommending approval of Right -Of -Way Vacation 2008- 042 as submitted in the staff report. AYES: Commissioners Barrows, Weber, Wright and Chairman Alderson. NOES: None. ABSENT: Commissioner Wilkinson. ABSTAIN: None. Planning Commission Minutes November 8, 2011 VI. BUSINESS ITEMS: None VII. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None VIII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS: A. Report on City Council Meetings of October 18, and November 1, 2011, given by Planning Director Johnson. B. Commissioner Weber is scheduled to attend the November 15, 2011, City Council meeting. C. Commissioner Barrows asked about the current status of the Trails Feasibility Study. Staff provided the Commission with an update. D. Chairman Alderson commented on the CVRM (Coachella Valley Rescue Mission) Ribbon Cutting Event and thanked all those in the City and the community who participated. He commented on how supportive everyone has been on this project. IX: DIRECTOR ITEMS: A. Planning Director Johnson said with all the changing of the staff, the Planning Department was now responsible for preparing the Green and Sustainable Quarterly Council Reports. He stated the Commission would be receiving copies of those reports, in the future, and gave a brief rundown of what was included in the Report. X. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Barrows /Wright to adjourn this regular meeting of the Planning Commission to the next meeting to be held on November 22, 2011. This meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m. on November 8, 2011. Respectfully submitted, Carolyn Walker, Executive Secretary City of La Quinta, California -5-