2017 04 11 PC MinutesCALL TO ORDER
PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES -
TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 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, Executive Assistant Wanda Wise -Latta and
Office Assistant Carley Votaw
Commissioner McCune led the Commission in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT - None
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA - Confirmed
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Blum/Quill to approve
the Planning Commission Minutes of March 28, 2017, with the following correction:
Page 2, paragraph 5:
The spelling of the word track to be changed to tract.
AYES: Commissioners Blum, Caldwell, Hansen, McCune, Quill, Wright, and Chairperson
Bettencourt. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. Motion passed
unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARING
1. Specific Plan 2016-0004 (SP 2001-052 Amendment 1) and Conditional Use
Permit 2016-0005, submitted by Wash St. Urology Property, LLC requesting a
specific plan amendment and conditional use permit to convert an existing
building to medical offices. CEQA: exempt pursuant to Section 15301 in that
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 1 APRIL 11, 2017
the proposed project can be characterized as an existing facility. Location:
47474 Washington Street.
Associate Planner Carlos Flores presented the information contained in the staff
report, which is on file in the Design and Development Department. It was
previously noted by Planning Manager Gabriel Perez that correspondence was
received from Dr. Lance Walsh and distributed to the Commission prior to the
beginning of the meeting.
Commission discussion followed clarifying the address and name of the facility;
and parking analysis to which staff stated that there was sufficient parking on
site for the proposed two-story medical office use.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Maggie Montez, Lee & Associates, Palm Desert, CA -
introduced herself.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Craig Pearson, Pearson Architects, Inc., Palm Desert, CA -
introduced himself.
Commission discussion continued regarding the landscaping on the site and
staff stated the final landscape plan will address concerns including the
landscaping and the silt build up in the retention areas along Washington
Street.
Chairperson Bettencourt declared the PUBLIC HEARING OPEN at 6:40 p.m.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: None.
Chairperson Bettencourt declared the PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED at 6:40 p.m.
Motion - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Wright/Quill to
adopt Resolution No. 2017-006 of the Planning Commission of the City of La
Quinta, California recommending that the City Council approve a Specific Plan
Amendment 2016-0004 (Specific Plan 2001-052, Amendment 1) and
Conditional Use Permit 2016-0005 to convert an existing building to medical
offices and add a condition of approval of the Conditional Use Permit requiring
Planning Commission review of exterior and landscape improvements, and find
the project exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act. AYES:
Commissioners Caldwell, Hansen, McCune, Quill, Wright and Chairperson
Bettencourt. NOES: Commissioner Blum. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None.
Motion passed.
CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL - None
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 2 APRIL 11, 2017
COMMISSIONER ITEMS
Commissioner Wright provided an update regarding the Salton Sea Tour held earlier in
the day.
Chairman Bettencourt shared his observations regarding the Home Depot site.
Commissioner Blum expressed his observations of the condition of the former Sam's
Club site.
STAFF ITEMS
1. Planning Manager Perez provided a verbal update regarding the temporary
fence at SilverRock stating that it was completed on March 30, 2017 and staff is
conducting post -construction monitoring.
2. Planning Manager Perez provided a verbal update regarding the Wireless
Telecommunication Facilities Inventory.
3. Planning Manager Perez provided an update regarding the March 29, 2017 Vista
Santa Rosa Community Council meeting.
4. Assistant City Attorney Gallagher provided an update on the subject of chickens
permitted on residential properties of a certain size.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Blum/Wright to adjourn this meeting at 6:59 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
1
WANDA WISE-LATTA, Executive Assistant
City of La Quinta, California
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 3 APRIL 11, 2017