PC Resolution 2012-015PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION 2012 -015
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING TO
THE CITY COUNCIL CERTIFICATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACT REPORT (SCH #2010111094) AND APPROVAL OF
THE GREENHOUSE GAS INVENTORY AND REDUCTION
PLAN PREPARED FOR THE GENERAL PLAN UPDATE, AND
ADOPTION OF AN UPDATED GENERAL PLAN
CASE NO.: GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT 2010 -121
APPLICANT: CITY OF LA QUINTA
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of La Quinta did on
the 11` day of September, 2012, hold a duly noticed Public Hearing to consider
the proposed General Plan Amendment 2010 -121, for an update to the La Quinta
General Plan (hereinafter, "Project "); and,
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of La Quinta, California did, on
the 20` day of March 2002, adopt Resolution 2002 -44, approving a
comprehensive update of the City of La Quinta General Plan, pursuant to Sections
65000 et seq. of California Planning and Zoning Law; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of La Quinta, California did, on
the 2n day of August 2011, adopt Resolution 2011-071, approving the Housing
Element of the La Quinta General Plan, which is not being amended at this time;
and,
WHEREAS, an update of the General Plan has been drafted which
reflects the values and principles of the City of La Quinta and contains the goals,
policies, and programs deemed necessary to responsibly guide the future growth
and development of the City; and,
WHEREAS, the City's unique population characteristics, economic
conditions, development patterns, environmental setting, natural and cultural
resources, transportation network, financial resources, community health, and
public safety, as well as the interests, concerns, and well -being of the people of
the City of La Quinta were all considered in the preparation of the General Plan
update; and,
WHEREAS, said General Plan update has complied with tribal
consultation requirements as set forth in Government Code Section 65352 (SB 18
I requirements); and,
Planning Commission Resolution 2012 -015
General Plan Amendment 2010 -121
Environmental Assessment 2012 -622
La Quinta General Plan Update
September 11, 2012
WHEREAS, an Environmental Impact Report (SCH #2010111094) has
been prepared for this project as prescribed by the California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA); and,
WHEREAS, a Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Reduction Plan has been
prepared for the General Plan Update in accord with the Global Warming Solutions
Act of 2006, also known as AB 32, and,
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission has read and considered all
environmental documentation comprising the EIR, and has found that the EIR
considers all potentially significant impacts of the proposed project, fully complies
with all the requirements of CEQA, and reflects the independent judgment of the
Planning Commission and the City; and,
WHEREAS, at said Public Hearing, upon hearing and considering all
testimony and arguments, if any, of all interested persons wanting to be heard,
said Planning Commission did make the following mandatory findings to justify a
recommendation for approval of said Amendment updating the General Plan of the
City of La Quinta:
1. The elements of the General Plan, as proposed, are internally consistent and
reflect updated statistics and information regarding the City's current
conditions and anticipated future growth.
2. The proposed General Plan Update will not negatively impact the public
welfare, insofar as its policies and programs consider and address Geologic
Hazards, Noise, Air Quality, Flooding and Hydrology, and other
environmental and manmade hazards, in order to minimize and prevent these
potential hazards for the health, safety, and well -being of the residents and
visitors of the community.
3. The proposed General Plan Update is compatible with the historic and
anticipated land use patterns in the City, and will continue to support the
orderly and responsible development of the City in the future.
4. The land uses proposed on the Land Use Map are suitable for the lands on
which they are proposed, insofar as the majority of the City's developable
lands are generally flat, and those lands with significant slope and
Planning Commission Resolution 2012 -015
General Plan Amendment 2010 -121
Environmental Assessment 2012 -622
La Quinta General Plan Update
September 11, 2012
environmental resources are proposed for preservation as Natural Open
Space.
5. The Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Reduction Plan is consistent with the
requirements of California's Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, as
codified under California Health and Safety Code sections 38500 et seq.
6. The update is consistent with the Housing Element of the General Plan and
State housing law, as revisions to land use standards as identified in the
current Housing Element have been studied and included as part of this
General Plan Update process.
7. The General Plan Update will not create conditions materially detrimental to
the public health, safety, and welfare in that the resulting programs and
policies are designed to protect, improve, and enhance the health, safety,
and well -being of the people of the City of La Quinta.
8. The General Plan Update complies with the provisions of California's
Planning and Zoning Law, as codified under California Government Code
sections 65300 et seq.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Planning Commission of
the City of La Quinta, California, as follows:
1. That the above recitations are true and correct and constitute the findings of
the Planning Commission in this case; and,
2. That it does hereby recommend that the City Council certify the
Environmental Impact Report prepared for the General Plan Update; and,
3. That is does hereby recommend adoption of the Greenhouse Gas Inventory
and Reduction Plan prepared for the General Plan Update; and,
4. That it does hereby recommend that the City Council amend the General
Plan, with the exception of the Housing Element, by adopting the General
Plan Update consisting of the maps, text, and appendices which are
incorporated into and part of this Resolution by reference herein, for the
reasons set forth in this Resolution.
Planning Commission Resolution 2012 -015
General Plan Amendment 2010 -121
Environmental Assessment 2012 -622
Le Quints General Plan Update
September 11, 2012
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the La
Quinta Planning Commission, held on this 11 m day of September, 2012, by the
following vote, to wit:
AYES: Commissioners Alderson, Weber, Wilkinson, Wright, and Chairwoman Barrow
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
KATIE BARRO S hairwoman
City of La Quinta, California
HNSON, Planning Director
La Quinta, California