2018 02 27 CC & PC Special Joint MinutesSPECIAL JOINT CITY COUNCIL
AND PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2018
Citv Hall. Studv Session Room. 78-495 Calle Tampico. La Ouinta
CALL TO ORDER
A special joint meeting of the La Quinta City Council and La Quinta Planning
Commission was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Evans.
PRESENT:
Councilmembers Fitzpatrick, Pena, Radi, Sanchez, Mayor Evans
Commissioners Bettencourt, Caldwell, Currie, McCune, Proctor, Wright, Chair Quill
ABSENT: None
Mayor Evans invited Chairperson Quill to act as Presiding Officer for the joint meeting.
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
CLOSED SESSION - None
ANNOUNCEMENTS. PRESENTATIONS AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS - None
CONSENT CALENDAR - None
BUSINESS SESSION - None
STUDY SESSION
1. DISCUSS HIGHWAY 111 CORRIDOR VISIONING
Planning Manager Perez presented the staff report, which is on file in the City Clerk's
Office.
Councilmembers and Commissioners discussed services available from the Urban
Land Institute (ULI); need for a long term vison; consistency in corridor landscape and
MINUTES - SPECIAL JOINT MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL & PLANNING COMMISSION 1 FEBRUARY 27, 2018
sign designs; possible mixed- and multi -use requirements on new construction as well
as covered parking; levying an assessment for improvements; property owners'
maintenance issues and accountability; City ownership of the 15' right-of-way
adjacent to the Highway and individual business ownership of the 50' landscape
buffer; initiating a parking study and repurposing lots if possible, e.g. parklets or event
space; need to identify property owners through title reports and discuss the
property's future with them, which is difficult with corporate owners and lessors;
providing property owners with a vision; installing traffic quieting measures and
remove auto displays to encourage pedestrian use; needs of pedestrians, including
pop-up events, hotels, interesting architecture and landscaping, traffic
synchronization, and enjoyable experiences; importance of retaining auto dealerships;
competition among all cities along Highway 111; driverless buses serving Highway
111, Silverrock, Old Town, La Quinta Resort, etc.; incentives to reduce asphalt;
connections to CV Link, Cliff House, Goldenvoice events and neighborhoods; adding
vibrancy such as rooftop activity, pubs, recreation and inclusive draws; revisiting the
architectural scale; ability to redesign from scratch and go big while retaining or
increasing tax revenue producers; balance investment with long-term vision and
revenue; and encouraging the formation of a Highway 111 business association and
engaging business immediately in the vision formation.
City Manager Spevacek explained the City's active economic development and
frequent code enforcement efforts along Highway 111.
PUBLIC SPEAKER - Steve Weiss, La Quinta - Mr. Weiss spoke in support of attracting
multiple small businesses, perhaps creating hubs in former big box stores which can
be nurtured and grow to fill vacancies. He suggested providing high-speed internet all
along Highway 111 to make it a destination.
Councilmembers and Commissioners continued to discuss the appropriateness of
using public funds versus private capital or a combination; use of the City's property on
Highway 111 for events; difficulty of leasing large buildings to one business; promoting
complementary, non -competing businesses under the same roof; and skills of the
Valley labor force.
PUBLIC SPEAKER - Steven Nieto, La Quinta - Mr. Nieto spoke in support of the Council's
and Commission's direction and said the Corridor has all the right components to be
an interesting place, e.g. the wash, views, multimodal, CVlink, etc. He said using the
services of ULI was a good decision.
PUBLIC SPEAKER - David Dinnel, Hawthorne - Mr. Dinnel spoke against the City taking
on risky projects and suggested a public -private partnership.
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OF THE CITY COUNCIL & PLANNING COMMISSION 2 FEBRUARY 27, 2018
PUBLIC SPEAKER - Luis Lopez, La Quinta - Mr. Lopez said that all cities catered to big
box and drive thru restaurants in past decades, but now, community -driven urban
design and unique features are the way to go to make La Quinta a special place.
Councilmembers and Commissioners continue to discuss involving all stakeholders in
plans and vision; discarding the old method of piecemeal development and creating a
total vision to bring the City to the next level; attraction of youth and diverse
workforce with nightlife, vibrancy, quaintness and a vortex of private spaces;
destinations and the common element - eclectic experiences; and drawing from the
existing talent pool of La Quinta residents.
Chairperson Quill confirmed that there was consensus among Councilmembers and
Commissioners to move forward with the ULI option detailed in the staff report.
COUNCILMEMBER PENA LEFT THE MEETING AT 8:20 P.M. WITHOUT RETURNING
2. DISCUSS NON -BEDROOM CONVERSION LIMITATIONS
City Manager Spevacek presented the staff report, which is on file in the City Clerk's
Office.
Councilmembers and Commissioners discussed reviewing San Diego's college area
ordinance on this matter; effect on group home facilities; effect on homeowners
ability to add bedrooms; short-term vacation rental (STVR) licenses application to the
original configuration of the home only; mitigation of impacts on neighbors; problems
arising from investors circumventing regulations; changing parking standards to help
elevate non-compliance; and balancing homeowners' STVR revenue with neighbors'
rights.
Mayor Evans summarized the consensus of Councilmembers and Commissioners to
continue the moratorium and to refer the matter to the Planning Commission to work
with staff to develop new regulations.
PUBLIC HEARINGS - None
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS - None
MAYOR'S AND COUNCIL MEMBERS' ITEMS - None
CHAIRPERSON'S AND COMMISSIONERS' ITEMS - None
REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS - None
MINUTES - SPECIAL JOINT MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL & PLANNING COMMISSION 3 FEBRUARY 27, 2018
ADJOURNMENT OF JOINT MEETING
There being no further business, a motion was made and seconded by Commissioners
Wright/Bettencourt to adjourn at 8:30 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Digitally signed y Susan Maysels
DN: cn=Susan Maysels, o=City of La Quinta, ou=City
Clerk's Office, email=smaysels@la-quinta.org, c=US
Date: 2018.03.21 07:59:26-07'00'
SUSAN MAYSELS, City Clerk
City of La Quinta, California
MINUTES - SPECIAL JOINT MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL & PLANNING COMMISSION 4 FEBRUARY 27, 2018