2017 05 23 PC MinutesCALL TO ORDER
PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
TUESDAY, MAY 23, 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 and
Chairperson Bettencourt
ABSENT: Commissioner Wright
STAFF PRESENT: Assistant City Attorney Morgan Gallagher, Planning Manager
Gabriel Perez, Associate Planner Carlos Flores, Executive Assistant
Wanda Wise -Latta and Management 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/Caldwell to
approve the Planning Commission Minutes of April 11, 2017. AYES: Commissioners
Blum, Caldwell, Hansen, McCune, Quill, and Chairperson Bettencourt. NOES: None.
ABSENT: Commissioner Wright. ABSTAIN: None. Motion passed.
BUSINESS SESSION
1. Modification of Application 2017-0003 submitted by Washington Street Urology
Property, LLC proposing exterior improvements to an existing building and site.
CEQA: exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15301 in that
the proposed building modifications can be characterized as minor alterations
to 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. He stated
that the applicant provided a materials board for the Commission's review and
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 1 MAY 23, 2017
noted that the photos in Attachment No. 3 are different from the photos
presented in the PowerPoint as the applicant had recently cleaned up the site.
Discussion followed regarding the City's Art in Public Places program and the
reestablishment of the original grades of the retention basin as approved in the
precise grading plan.
Public Speaker: Craig Pearson, Pearson Architects, Inc., Palm Desert, CA. -
Introduced himself and provided clarification regarding the materials and color
palette to be used on the exterior of the project.
Chairperson Bettencourt apologized and recused himself from the remainder of
the discussion and vote on this item due to his wife's affiliations with an
adjacent business.
Commissioner Blum sat as presiding officer in the Chairperson's absence.
Motion - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Caldwell/Quill to
adopt Resolution No. 2017-007 of the Planning Commission of the City of La
Quinta, California approving a modification by applicant to approve the design
of exterior improvements to an existing building and site, and find the project
exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act. AYES: Commissioners
Blum, Caldwell, Hansen, McCune, and Quill. NOES: None. ABSENT:
Commissioner Wright and Chairperson Bettencourt. ABSTAIN: None. Motion
passed.
Chairperson Bettencourt returned to the dais and resumed the duty of presiding
officer for the remainder of the meeting.
STUDY SESSION
1. Discussion regarding amendment to Section 9.60-030 Fences and Walls.
Associate Planner Carlos Flores presented the information contained in the
report, which is on file in the Design and Development Department
Discussion followed regarding arched entries, setbacks from curb, right-of-
ways, and wall height in relationship to finish grade.
There were no objections expressed by the Commission regarding bringing a
zoning ordinance amendment related to height and materials for fences and
walls before the Commission in the future.
CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL - None
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 2 MAY 23, 2017
COMMISSIONER ITEMS
Discussion of the Commission's Summer Schedule - the Commission will be dark
August 8, 2017.
STAFF ITEMS
1. Home Depot Conditional Use Permit Compliance
Associate Planner Carlos Flores presented the information contained in the staff
report, which is on file in the Design and Development Department.
2. Village Parking Surveys
Planning Manager Perez presented the information contained in the staff
report, which is on file in the Design and Development Department.
Commission discussion followed regarding wayfinding signs; vendor and
employee parking; relaxed parking standards.
3. Planning Manager Perez introduced Senior Planner Cheri Flores to the
Commission.
4. Upcoming events to honor retiring Design and Development Director/City
Engineer Timothy R. Jonasson.
5. Announcement of the Developer Roundtable scheduled for Thursday, June 1,
2017 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
6. Announcement of a Joint meeting between the City Council and the City's
Boards and Commissions scheduled for Tuesday, July 18, 2017, at the La Quinta
Library.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Blum/McCune to adjourn this meeting at 7:17 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
MU404- -Unvb - JWT,
WANDA WISE-LATTA, Executive Assistant
City of La Quinta, California
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 3 MAY 23, 2017