2017 10 10 PC MinutesCALL TO ORDER
PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES -
TUESDAY, OCTOBER -10, 2017
A regular meeting of the La Quinta Planning Commission was called to order at 6:00
p.m. by Chairperson Quill.
PRESENT: Commissioners, Caldwell, Currie, McCune, Proctor, Wright and
Chairperson Quill
ABSENT: Commissioner Bettencourt
STAFF PRESENT: Assistant City Attorney Morgan Gallagher, Planning Manager
Gabriel Perez, Principal Engineer Bryan McKinney, Senior Planner
Cheri Flores, Commission Secretary Wanda Wise -Latta and Office
Assistant Mirta Lerma
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner McCune led the Commission in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA - None
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA - Confirmed
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Approval of the Minutes of September 26, 2017
Motion - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Wright and Proctor to
approve the Planning Commission Minutes of September 26, 2017 as submitted. AYES:
Commissioners Caldwell, Currie, McCune, Proctor, Wright and Chairperson Quill. NOES:
None. ABSENT: Commissioner Bettencourt. ABSTAIN: None. Motion passed.
BUSINESS SESSION - None
PUBLIC HEARING
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 1 OCTOBER 10, 2017
1. Site Development Permit 2017-0013 submitted by SilverRock Development
Company, LLC. proposing a temporary golf course clubhouse within Planning
Area 10A of the SilverRock Specific Plan. CEQA: previously reviewed under
Environmental Assessment 2014-1003 and found consistent. Location:
southwest corner of Jefferson Street and Avenue 52.
Planning Manager Gabriel Perez presented the information contained in the
staff report, which was on file in the Design and Development Department. He
stated that a revised Attachment 2 to the staff report was distributed to the
Commission prior to the start of the meeting.
Chairperson Quill declared the PUBLIC HEARING OPEN at 6:12 p.m.
Commission discussion followed regarding a gate to secure the parking lot after
hours to which the applicant stated there are plans for a gate; and traffic
analysis regarding transitions and turn lanes related to the project.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: John Gamlin, SilverRock Development Company, LLC
introduced himself and was available to answer the Commission's questions.
Planning Manager Perez clarified that no comment letters regarding the
proposed project had been received.
Commission discussion continued and Mr. Gamlin provided information
regarding the asphalt entry driveway to the parking lot; proposed use of Class 2
aggregate -base on parking lot surface; stripping of parking lot surface; surface
materials used under the temporary clubhouse and cart barn; and rotation of
golf play. The Commission discussed the need for an asphalt parking lot;
proximity of the cart barn/staging area and temporary clubhouse to the driving
range; facility and parking lot lighting; recessing modulars below grade to
simplify access; structural retaining wall; orientation of the site to the west to
be distance the structures from the driving range; painting of the exterior and
the interior design of the modulars; modular complex versus spring structure
facility; screening along sides of modular facing the driving range; drainage
around and under the modular units; planting the box trees in the ground and -
provide adequate irrigation; completion timeline; and signage.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Andy Vossler, Landmark Golf, Indian Wells, CA - Mr. Vossler
introduced himself and stated he agreed with many of the comments made by
the Commission. He said that Landmark does not support the buffer between
the temporary clubhouse and driving range as referenced in the staff report
and the comments made during the Commission meeting; expressed concerns
regarding errant golf balls; was opposed to the use of screens; said that the
location of the cart path to driving range was not clear; stated that the cart
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 2 OCTOBER 10, 2017
path between the driving range practice tee to the first tee is unknown;
expressed concern regarding the impact of the cart path surface upon the golf
carts; expressed the need for sufficient night lighting for security and safety
purposes; and spoke in favor of recessing trailers.
Commission discussion continued regarding temporary clubhouse pro shop size
and merchandizing; screening between the practice range and the temporary
facilities to which Mr. Vossler explained his objections; moving the temporary
clubhouse and cart barns to the west to provide a greater buffer to which Mr.
Vossler he was in favor; the north and south tees on the driving to which Mr.
Gamlin explained the grading operation and haul route as it related to the
those tees.
Planning Manager Perez stated that a lighting plan had been provided by the
applicant earlier in the day and provided for the Planning Commission at the
dais.
Commission discussion continued; clarification regarding access by golf cart
from the clubhouse to the first tee; asked staff to look into the traffic analysis
related to the right turn into the project; skirting around the modular units;
create an ambience to maintain the SilverRock experience relating to the
temporary clubhouse facility; changing the proposed signage at the entrance to
say SilverRock Golf Course Entrance instead of Temporary Clubhouse Entrance
to which staff agreed; adding a monument sign at gate to the parking lot.
Principal Engineer McKinney advised the Commission that a change in the
parking lot surface requires the applicant to complete a water quality
management plan which would be reviewed by staff.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: John Gamlin, SilverRock Development Company, LLC - stated
that they would pave the parking lot and would like the overflow parking lot
surface to remain Class 2 aggregate -based. He addressed concerns regarding
errant golf ball risks and suggested querying the golf course architect and the
operating staff to determine an errant ball zone.
Planning Manager Perez addressed the Commission's question regarding
Condition of Approval No. 14 regarding materials to be used for parking lots and
driveways. The applicant has asked to use an AC base.
The Commission proposed modification to Condition of Approval No. 14 to state
that the parking lot must be an asphalt surface.
Mr. Gamlin addressed the Commission's question about golfers and carts return
to the first tee and stated that there is a staging and traffic control plan to
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cross SilverRock Way during construction. He said that the surface of the cart
paths will be a rolled, Class 2 base and compacted.
Staff advised the Commission that a PM 10 dust control plan would be
submitted and approved by staff.
Chairperson Quill declared the PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED at 7:24 p.m.
Motion - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Wright/Proctor
to adopt Resolution No. 2017-0015 of the Planning Commission of the City of La
Quinta, California, recommending that the City Council approve Site
Development Permit 2017-0013, including site and architectural plans for a
temporary golf course clubhouse within Planning Area 1A of the SilverRock
Specific Plan with the addition of the following recommended conditions and a
finding of consistency with Environmental Assessment 2014-1003:
1. Require asphalt pavement for 120 parking spaces and preparation of a
water quality management plan
2. Plant approved trees in the ground and provide required irrigation
systems
3. Review golf cart path with Landmark Golf, Arnold Palmer Group and
project architect and determine areas that can be constructed of asphalt
surface that will not interfere with SilverRock construction activities
4. Review clubhouse staging area and dining deck safety from errant golf
balls with Landmark Golf, Arnold Palmer Group and project architect and
implement safety measures
5. Paint clubhouse buildings a consistent color scheme.
YES: Commissioners Caldwell, Currie, McCune, Proctor, Wright and Chairperson
Quill. NOES: None. ABSENT: Commissioner Bettencourt. ABSTAIN: None.
Motion passed.
2. Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2017-0004 submitted by the City of La Quinta
recommending that the City Council amend several chapters of Titles 8 9, and
13 of the La Quinta Municipal Code. CEQA: Exempt from environmental review
pursuant to Section 5061 (b)(3) Review for Exemptions - General Rule.
Senior Planner Cheri Flores presented the information contained in the staff
report, which was on file in the Design and Development Department.
Commission discussion followed regarding lot line adjustments between
residential districts and golf course district in private communities; and
screening options of bottled gas tanks.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 4 OCTOBER 10, 2017
Staff shared that at the Joint Study Session with City Council and Planning
Commission, concerns were raised regarding items such as noise and cigarette
smoke in mixed-use areas in the Village. Staff said that those concerns could
be addressed in the conditions of approval.
Senior Planner Flores continued with the presentation of the staff report.
Commission discussion continued regarding impacts of bars and cocktail
lounges on residences within mixed use projects.
Chairperson Quill declared the PUBLIC HEARING OPEN at 7:48 p.m.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: none
Chairperson Quill declared the PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED at 7:48 p.m.
Motion - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Wright/Proctor
to adopt Resolution No. 2017-0016 of the Planning Commission of the City of La
Quinta, California, recommending that the City Council approve Zoning
Ordinance Amendment 2017-0004 amending several chapters of Titles 8, 9 and
13 of the La Quinta Municipal Code and include modification to the language
regarding propane tank screening to include: bottled gas tank screened so as
to not be visible from the street; screening materials be appropriate to the
residential unit; and a non -landscape material structural element be included
to act as a barrier between the tank and any vehicles; and a finding of
exemption from environmental review under the California Environmental
Quality Act.
AYES: Commissioners Caldwell, Currie, McCune, Proctor, Wright and Chairperson
Quill. NOES: None. ABSENT: Commissioner Bettencourt. ABSTAIN: None.
Motion passed.
STUDY SESSION - None
REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS - None
COMMISSIONERS' ITEMS - None
STAFF ITEMS
Code Compliance Supervisor Kevin Meredith was introduced to the Commission and
provided an update about the Code Compliance Division. The Commission shared
their concerns regarding the project located at the northwest corner of Jefferson
Street and Avenue 52.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 5 OCTOBER 10, 2017
Commission discussion followed regarding Go Request; condition of the landscaping at
Walgreen's; condition of the garden area adjacent to Kohl's store; residential front
yard landscaping; interest in meeting with Code Compliance Supervisor Meredith; and
the Code Compliance citation process.
League of California Cities 2018 Planning Commission Academy report was presented.
Staff suggested the newest Commission Members consider attending. Commissioners
Proctor, Caldwell and Currie expressed an interest in attending and Commissioner
McCune will notify staff as to his availability.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Wright/Proctor to adjourn this meeting at 8:12 p.m. AYES: Commissioners Caldwell,
Currie, McCune, Proctor, Wright and Chairperson Quill. NOES: None. ABSENT:
Commissioner Bettencourt. ABSTAIN: None. Motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
WANDA WISE-LATTA, Executive Assistant
City of La Quinta, California
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 6 OCTOBER 10, 2017