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2017 02 28 PC MinutesCALL TO ORDER PLANNING COMMISSION -MINUTES TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2017 A regular meeting of the La Quinta Planning Commission was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chairperson Bettencourt. PRESENT: Commissioners Blum, Caldwell, Hansen, McCune, Quill, Wright and Chairperson Bettencourt ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Assistant City Attorney Morgan Gallagher, Planning Manager Gabriel Perez, Principal Engineer Bryan McKinney, Associate Planner Carlos Flores, Financial Analyst Rosemary Hallick, Executive Assistant Wanda Wise -Latta and Office Assistant Carley Votaw Commissioner Hansen led the Commission in the Pledge of Allegiance. PUBLIC COMMENT - None CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA - Confirmed Chairperson Bettencourt recused himself from the discussion and vote regarding the minutes of February 14, 2017 due to a possible conflict of interest. Vice Chairperson Blum sat as Presiding Officer. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Wright/Caldwell to approve the Planning Commission Minutes of February 14, 2017, as submitted with the following corrections: Page 3, paragraph 3, sentence 4 to read: He indicated that any application that came before the city would defer to state law on this issue until we have a new ordinance in place. Page 5, paragraph 4, sentence 1 to read: PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 1 FEBRUARY 28, 2017 Discussion continued regarding the water runoff from the mountains and adjacent properties near the site; providing hiking access for the public to the hillsides surrounding the site; providing an access way through the site between Legacy Villas and the La Quints Resort; future consideration of trails or recreation areas on the site in the areas that are not utilized by the proposed retention basin; and the impact on the La Quints Resort and adjacent neighborhoods. AYES: Commissioners Blum, Caldwell, Hansen, McCune, Quill, and Wright. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: Chairperson Bettencourt. Motion passed. Chairperson Bettencourt resumed the duty of Presiding Officer for the remainder of the meeting. PUBLIC HEARING 1. Conditional Use Permit 2016-0004 submitted by Home Depot U.S.A., Inc., proposing an outdoor displays and sales at the existing Home Depot. CEQA: exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15301 in that the proposed project can be characterized as an existing facility. Location: 79900 Highway 111. Associate Planner Carlos Flores presented the information contained in the staff report, which is on file in the Design and Development Department and stated the purpose of the proposal is to bring the outdoor displays and sales area into compliance, provide designated location and size of display areas, and ADA - accessible paths. General discussion followed regarding improved parking, the square footage of outdoor display area, walkways and fire lanes. Public Speaker: Howard Hardin, with Greenberg Farrow, Irvine, CA - introduced himself and stated that he represented the applicant. He addressed the Commission's question regarding display square footage and stated that should the proposal be approved a stripping plan would be submitted to designate location of display areas. Chairperson Bettencourt declared the PUBLIC HEARING OPEN at 6:19 p.m. Mr. Hardin clarified that the Shed Display area identified on the map is for marketing purposes only and no demonstrations would occur at the display site. Chairperson Bettencourt declared the PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED at 6:22 p.m. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 2 FEBRUARY 28, 2017 Motion - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Blum/Wright to adopt Resolution No. 2017-003 of the Planning Commission of the City of La Quinta, California to deem the project exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act and approve Conditional Use Permit 2016-0004 to allow for outdoor displays and sales at an existing Home Depot. AYES: Commissioners Blum, Caldwell, Hansen, McCune, Quill, Wright and Chairperson Bettencourt. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. Motion passed unanimously. BUSINESS SESSION 1. Sign Program Amendment 2016-0003 (SAPR 1997-383, Amendment 1) submitted by Global Sign Systems, LLC proposing to amend the Sign Program for Jefferson Plaza Shopping Center. CEQA: exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15301 in that the proposed project can be characterized as an existing facility in that this proposal includes the addition of on -premise signs. Location: 79-700 Highway 111. Associate Planner Carlos Flores presented the information contained in the staff report, which is on file in the Design and Development Department. Discussion followed regarding the sign program amendment process and signage visibility from Highway 111. Chairperson Bettencourt declared the PUBLIC HEARING OPEN at 6:42 p.m. Public Speaker: Michael Blakely, Global Sign Systems, Oxnard, CA - introduced himself and stated that he represented the applicant. Mr. Blakely provided clarification regarding Smart and Final Extra's main signage and the company's brand and sub -brand copy. Staff stated that there is a concern regarding setting a precedent if the applicant's proposed sign amendment should be approved. Mr. Blakely asked if the Commission approved the request would the specific size that the applicant is requesting be included in the approval. Staff stated that if there was full approval of the applicant's request Resolution Finding No. 2 Consistency with Zoning Code would be removed and Finding No. 7 would be added to address Additional Area. Motion - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Quill/Blum to approve Resolution No. 2017-004 of the Planning Commission of the City of La Quinta, California approving a sign program amendment for the Jefferson Plaza Center specific to the Smart and Final building and make modification to the PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 3 FEBRUARY 28, 2017 Conditions of Approval eliminating Finding No. 2 and add Finding No. 7 allowing for modification to the signage area to 328 square feet due to the fact that it is a significant set back from Highway 111 and with new construction occurring it is potentially less visible than it has been in the past. AYES: Commissioners Blum, Caldwell, Hansen, McCune, Quill, Wright and Chairperson Bettencourt. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. Motion passed unanimously. STUDY SESSION 1. Development Agreement Status Report Planning Manager Perez presented the Development Agreement Status Report which is on file in the Design and Development Department. He noted that there was an error on Attachment No. 2 and that as part of a subsequent development agreement amendment the Sanctuary Villas were removed from Center Point. He also introduced the City's Financial Services Analyst Rosemary Hallick. Financial Services Analyst Hallick introduced herself and answered the Commission's question regarding mitigation fees and when they apply. Planning Manager Perez said that this is the first time that this periodic review has been presented to the Planning Commission and a report will be presented to the Council in the near future noting that the applicants would be notified 30 days prior to the presentation to Council. Financial Services Analyst Hallick addressed the Commission's question regarding the impact of the mitigation fees on the City's budget and stated that this year's budget impact related to these TOT fees was approximately $390,000 and would probably end up collecting approximately $425,000. Chairperson Bettencourt encouraged staff to look at the possibility of self - certification on the part of the applicant whereby the developer/applicant would certify that they have performed and complied with their obligations under the development agreement. Assistant City Attorney Gallagher confirmed that the City has lien rights should the developer not perform. Planning Manager Perez stated that staff will complete its research as to whether there is mitigation payments owed to the City by Center Point and then be able to move forward in preparation of a report to the Council. In addition, he said that previously it was uncertain if there was an HOA for the Casitas at Center Point, but it was determined today that there is an HOA. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 4 FEBRUARY 28, 2017 Staff stated that no action is required of the Commission. 2. Discuss Amendments to the La Quinta Municipal Code Section 9.60.030 Fences and Walls. Planning Manager Perez presented the report regarding a discussion of possible amendments to the La Quints Municipal Code Section 9.60.030 Fences and Walls which is on file in the Design and Development Department. Public Speaker - Marie[ Swann, La Quinta -introduced herself and spoke in support of possible amendments to the La Quinta Municipal Code Section Fences and Walls that would provide greater flexibility in the City's fence and wall requirements. Public Speaker - David Hilts, La Quinta -introduced himself and spoke in support of possible amendments to the La Quinta Municipal Code Section Fences and Walls that would provide greater flexibility in the City's fence and wall requirements and include the use of corrugated metal. Commissioner Blum stated he is not in favor of the use of corrugated metal. Commissioners Quill, Wright and McCune were in favor of including the use of corrugated metal as an allowable fencing and wall material. Commissioner Quill suggested consideration be given to limiting its use to specific areas or neighborhoods. Commissioner Caldwell would like to see standards in place regarding the use of corrugated metal that would include appropriateness of use, compatibility with the design of the home, and the quality and grade of metal that can be used. Chairperson Bettencourt suggested a mini site plan review be considered with regards to the use of this material. Commissioners Quill and Hanson suggested consideration of other materials such as bamboo, glass, concrete panels and stacked stone. Commissioner Wright stated that materials should be sustainable and no maintenance and would not want to limit the use of materials to specific areas within the city. Assistant City Attorney Gallagher stated for the record that any comments made tonight were regarding the Study Session and not regarding any particular property. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL - None COMMISSIONER ITEMS - None PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 5 FEBRUARY 28, 2017 STAFF ITEM 1. Century La Quinta Theater Landscape Status Update was presented by Planning Manager Perez confirming completion of landscape improvements and regular landscape maintenance. The report is on file in the Design and Development Department. 2. Installation of the fence as part of the mitigation measure at SilverRock Resort began today and an initial meeting was held that included staff and various mitigation monitors. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Wright/Blum to adjourn this meeting at 8:01 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, vadj__. � �- 1 P7_ WANDA WISE-LATTA, Executive Assistant City of La Quinta, California PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 6 FEBRUARY 28, 2017