2013 09 24 PC MinutesCALL TO ORDER
PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013
A regular meeting of the La Quinta Planning Commission was called to order at
7:02 p.m. by Chairperson Barrows.
PRESENT: Commissioners Weber, Wilkinson, Vice Chair Wright, and
Chairperson Barrows
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Community Development Director Les Johnson, Planning
Manager David Sawyer, Principal Engineer Ed Wimmer,
Associate Planner Jay Wuu, and Secretary Monika Radeva
Commissioner Weber led the Commission in the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS
1 . Appointment of Planning Commission Chairperson
Chairperson Katie Barrows was nominated and approved for the position of
Chairperson. Unanimously approved.
2. Appointment of Planning Commission Vice - Chairperson
Vice Chairperson Robert Wright was nominated and approved for the position of
Vice Chairperson. Unanimously approved.
PUBLIC COMMENT - None
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA - Confirmed
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Wright /Wilkinson to
approve the Planning Commission Minutes of August 27, 2013, as submitted.
AYES: Commissioners Weber, Wilkinson, and Vice Chair Wright. NOES: None.
ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: Chairperson Barrows.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 1 SEPTEMBER 24, 2013
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Specific Plan 2004 -074, Amendment No. 2, and Site Development Permit
2006 -872, Amendment No. 1, submitted by IOTA Griffin, LLC. proposing to
construct an approximately 10,000 square -foot clubhouse, parking areas, and
recreational amenities for the Griffin Ranch residential community. Location: Lot
No. AW of Tract 32879 - Griffin Ranch - southeast corner of Madison Street
and Avenue 54.
Associate Planner Jay Wuu presented the staff report, a copy of which is on file
in the Community Development Department.
Chairperson Barrows declared the PUBLIC HEARNG OPEN at 7:12 p.m.
Public Speaker: Mr. Paul DePalatis, AICP, Director of Planning with MSA
Consulting, Inc., Rancho Mirage, CA - introduced himself, gave an overview of
the proposed project and expected timeline of build -out, and answered the
Commission's questions.
Public Speaker: Mr. Tim Jachlewski, President of In -Site Landscape
Architecture, Inc., San Diego, CA - introduced himself, noted the recreational
facilities for the Clubhouse included a golf course, putting green, dog -park,
event lawns, pedestrian walkways, etc., and answered the Commission's
questions.
Public Speaker: Mark Longstaff, Architect with McKinley Associates, San Diego,
CA - introduced himself, stated that the proposed plans had been unanimously
approved by all residents, enumerated some of the proposed facilities, and
answered the Commission's questions.
Public Speaker: Mr. George Batavick, President of Griffin Ranch Homeowners
Association and homeowner, Griffin Ranch, La Quinta, CA - introduced himself,
spoke in favor of the project, and noted that the Association unanimously
supported the proposed plans.
Chairperson Barrows declared the PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED at 7:24 p.m.
Motion - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners
Wilkinson /Wright to adopt Resolution 2013 -015 approving Specific Plan 2004-
074, Amendment No. 2, as submitted with staff's recommendations. Motion
passed unanimously.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 2 SEPTEMBER 24, 2013
Motion - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Wilkinson /Weber
to adopt Resolution 2013 -016 approving Site Development Permit 2006 -872,
Amendment No. 1 , as submitted with staff's recommendations, and the
addition of Condition of Approval No. 82:
"82. All water features shall be in accordance with LQMC Section 8.13
(Water efficient Landscape)"
Motion passed unanimously.
2. Village Use Permit 2012 -045 submitted by Tower Energy Group proposing to
expand the Village Market. Two existing buildings will be demolished and
replace with an approximately 4,700 square -foot building. Location: southwest
corner of Avenida Bermudas and Avenida Montezuma.
Associate Planner Jay Wuu presented the staff report, a copy of which is on file
in the Community Development Department.
Chairperson Barrows declared the PUBLIC HEARNG OPEN at 7:43 p.m.
Public Speaker: Mr. Tim Rogers, Owner of Tower Energy Group, La Quinta, CA
- introduced himself, asserted that the wall of the post office building will be
adequately landscaped, explained the reasoning behind the proposed parking,
and answered the Commission's questions.
Chairperson Barrows declared the PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED at 7:46 p.m.
Motion - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Weber /Wright to
adopt Resolution 2013 -017 approving Village Use Permit 2012 -045 as
submitted with staff's recommendations. Motion passed unanimously.
BUSINESS SESSION - None
CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL - None
COMMISSIONER ITEMS
1 . Report on City Council meetings of September 3 and 17, 2013.
2. City Council will be conducting interviews to fill the vacant Commissioner
position on October 1 , 2013.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 3 SEPTEMBER 24, 2013
3. A joint meeting between the Planning Commission and the Architectural and
Landscaping Review Board has been tentatively scheduled for October 22,
2013, at 6:00 p.m.
DIRECTOR'S ITEMS - None
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Wright /Weber to adjourn this meeting at 7:51 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
MONIKA RADEVA, Secretary
City of La Quinta, California
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 4 SEPTEMBER 24, 2013