2017 11 14 PC MinutesCALL TO ORDER
PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
TUESDAY NOVEMBER 14 2017
A regular meeting of the La Quinta Planning Commission was called to order at 6:01
p.m. by Chairperson Quill.
PRESENT: Commissioners Bettencourt, Caldwell, Currie, McCune, Proctor,
Wright and Chairperson Quill
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Assistant City Attorney Morgan Gallagher, Planning Manager
Gabriel Perez, Senior Planner Cheri Flores, Associate Planner Carlos
Flores, Commission Secretary Wanda Wise -Latta and Office
Assistant Mirta Lerma
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Proctor led the audience in the pledge of allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA - None
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA - confirmed
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Approval of Minutes of October 10, 2017
Motion - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Wright/Proctor to
approve the Planning Commission Minutes of October 10, 2017 as submitted. AYES:
Commissioners Caldwell, Currie, McCune, Proctor, Wright and Chairperson Quill. NOES:
None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: Commissioner Bettencourt. (Abstention counted with
the majority based on City Council adopted Rules of Procedure Resolution No. 2015-
023). Motion passed.
BUSINESS SESSION - None
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 1 NOVEMBER 14, 2017
PUBLIC HEARING
1. Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2017-0003 submitted by the City of La Quinta
recommending that the City Council adopt amendments to Section 9.100.210
of the La Quinta Municipal Code relating to the exemption of golf course
maintenance noise. 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 is on file in the Design and Development Department.
Planning Commission discussion followed regarding blower mowers.
Chairperson Quill declared the PUBLIC HEARING OPEN at 6:09 p.m.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Wayne La Blanc, La Quinta, CA - introduced himself and spoke in
support of the proposed ordinance amendment.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Jon Maddern, Director of Agronomy for PGA West and the La Quinta
Resort and Club, La Quinta, CA - introduced himself and spoke in support of the
proposed ordinance amendment.
Senior Planner Flores stated that the correct end time of the proposed allowable golf
course maintenance noise is 8:00 p.m.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Christopher Valenti, La Quinta, CA - introduced himself and spoke in
support of the ordinance amendment.
Commission discussion continued regarding mowing and maintenance schedules of
golf courses; impact of golf course maintenance schedules on tournament play;
allowable maintenance -equipment use until 10:00 p.m. subject only to allowable
noise levels; and CEQA.
Chairperson Quill declared the PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED at 6:27 p.m.
Motion - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Bettencourt/Currie to
adopt Resolution No. 2017-017 of the Planning Commission of the City of La Quinta,
California, recommending to the City Council certification of a Negative Declaration
and approval of Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2017-0003 approving amendments to
Section 9.100.210 of the La Quinta Municipal Code. AYES: Commissioners Bettencourt,
Caldwell, Currie, McCune, Proctor, Wright and Chairperson Quill. NOES: None. ABSENT:
None. ABSTAIN: None. Motion passed unanimously.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 2 NOVEMBER 14, 2017
2. Zoning Text Amendment 2017-0005 submitted by the City of La Quinta
recommending that the City Council adopt amendments to Section 9.50.090 of
the La Quinta Municipal Code and adopt single-family residential architectural
design guidelines. CEQA: Exempt from environmental review pursuant to
Section 15061 (b)(3) Review for Exemptions - General Rule.
Associate Planner Carlos Flores presented the information contained in the staff
report, which is on file in the Design and Development Department and stated that
Staff recommended the Public Hearing be continued to the January 9, 2018
Commission meeting to allow additional time for further staff analysis of guidelines.
Commission discussion followed regarding design standards versus design guidelines;
the intent of the City-wide design guidelines; incorporating elements of the Cove
design guidelines into the new guidelines; and the use of graphics to reflect the City's
branding efforts.
Staff indicated that a draft document was available for the Commission's review.
Commission discussion continued regarding neighborhoods where the proposed
guidelines would apply.
Staff clarified that the intent of the guidelines are not to restrict architecture, but to
give guidance on how to architecturally enhance a house. Staff clarified that any
specific plan, site development permit or master design guidelines applicable to a
community would guide the review of any new proposals within those communities.
Commission discussion continued regarding the use of a design professional or
architect in the creation of the design guidelines.
Planning Manager Perez explained that staff received direction to proceed with the
design guidelines internally. He stated that an architect or design professional did not
participate in the development of the guidelines and stated that staff would rely on
the Commission's expertise when the guidelines are brought before them in January.
He said staff appreciated the Commission's comments regarding the use of a design
professional and would take them under advisement.
Commission indicated they would like to see landscape guidelines reviewed.
Chairperson Quill declared the PUBLIC HEARING open at 6:51 p.m.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: None
Motion. - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Caldwell/Wright to
continue Zoning Text Amendment 2017-0005 submitted by the City of La Quinta to
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 3 NOVEMBER 14, 2017
the January 9, 2018 Planning Commission meeting. AYES: Commissioners Bettencourt,
Caldwell, Currie, McCune, Proctor, Wright and Chairperson Quill. NOES: None. ABSENT:
None. ABSTAIN: None. Motion passed.
STUDY SESSION - None
REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS - None
COMMISSIONERS' ITEMS - None
STAFF ITEMS
1. Village Make Event
Planning Manager Perez presented an update regarding the November 18, 2017
Village Make event.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Wright/Proctor to adjourn this meeting at 7:09 p.m. AYES: Commissioners
Bettencourt, Caldwell, Currie, McCune, Proctor, Wright and Chairperson Quill. NOES:
None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. Motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
WANDA WISE-LATTA, Executive Assistant
City of La Quinta, California
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 4 NOVEMBER 14, 2017