2013 10 08 PC MinutesCALL TO ORDER
PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2013
A regular meeting of the La Quinta Planning Commission was called to order at
7:00 p.m. by Chairperson Barrows.
PRESENT: Commissioners Blum, Weber, Wilkinson, Vice Chair Wright, and
Chairperson Barrows
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Community Development Director Les Johnson, Community
Services Director Edie Hylton, Planning Manager David Sawyer,
Golf and Park Manager Steve Howlett, Recreation Supervisor
Robert Ambriz, Principal Engineer Ed Wimmer, Associate
Planner Jay Wuu, and Secretary Monika Radeva
Commissioner Wilkinson 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 Weber /Wilkinson to
approve the Planning Commission Minutes of September 24, 2013, as submitted.
AYES: Commissioners Weber, Wilkinson, Vice Chair Wright, and Chairperson
Barrows. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: Commissioner Blum.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Continued from July 23, 2013 - Conditional Use Permit 2011 -139 submitted by
Crown Castle, Susan Makinson, for a single distributed antenna system (DAS)
within the public right -of -way in the La Quinta Cove. Location: near the
southeast corner of Avenida Obregon and Calle Temecula.
Staff stated that the applicant had requested to have this item removed from
the calendar as they needed additional time to consult with staff and conduct
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 1 OCTOBER 8, 2013
additional neighborhood community meetings. The application would remain
active; however, it would be re- published in the paper and re- noticed prior to
rescheduling it for the Commission's review and consideration at a future date.
Public Speaker: None
Chairperson Barrows declared the PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED at 7:04 p.m.
Motion - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners
Wright /Wilkinson to remove Conditional Use Permit 2011 -139 from the
calendar. Motion passed unanimously.
2. Site Development Permit 2013 -929 submitted by Monterra Properties, LLC. for
the consideration of architectural and landscaping plans for Monterra (Tract
32742), a 14 -acre tract, consisting of 40 single - family residential lots.
Location: on Monroe Street, between Avenue 54 and Airport Boulevard.
Associate Planner Jay Wuu presented the staff report, a copy of which is on file
in the Community Development Department.
Mr. Mark Ladeda, President of Desert Coastal Developers, La Quinta, CA -
introduced himself as the developer of the project and answered the
Commission's questions.
Chairperson Barrows declared the PUBLIC HEARNG OPEN at 7:13 p.m.
Public Speaker: None
Chairperson Barrows declared the PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED at 7:14 p.m.
Motion - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Weber /Wright to
adopt Resolution 2013 -018 approving Site Development Permit 2013 -929 as
submitted and conditioned in the staff report with the addition of the following
condition:
50. All California Pepper Trees (Schinus molle) shall be removed from the
plant palette. The applicant shall propose a replacement tree to be
reviewed and approved by the Community Development Department as
part of review of the Final Landscaping Plan.
Motion passed unanimously.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 2 OCTOBER 8, 2013
3. Conditional Use Permit 2013 -153 submitted by the City of La Quinta for the
rehabilitation and expansion of field lighting for the La Quinta Sports Complex.
Location: 78 -900 Avenue 50.
Associate Planner Jay Wuu presented the staff report, a copy of which is on file
in the Community Development Department.
Mr. Ralph Raya, Principal with MRC Engineering, Inc., Palm Desert, CA -
introduced himself as the City's lighting consultant for the project along with
Victor Leon, Lead Project Engineer. Mr. Raya presented in detail the specifics of
the proposed rehabilitation and expansion of the field lighting and answered the
Commission's questions.
Chairperson Barrows declared the PUBLIC HEARNG OPEN at 7:46 p.m.
Public Speaker: Mr. Dave Branconier, President of the Palm Desert -La Quinta
Junior All American Football League, La Quinta, CA - introduced himself,
expressed his support for the project, and said the proposed improvements
would be of great benefit to the ever - growing junior football league as it would
allow more room for practice for the La Quinta youth.
Public Speaker: Mr. James Brownyard deferred his comments to Mr. Danny
Dorfman.
Public Speaker: Mr. Danny Dorfman, President of the La Quinta Youth and
Sports Association ( LQYSA), La Quinta, CA - introduced himself, noted this
project would be of great benefit to the La Quinta youth since currently there
were not enough fields to accommodate practices and the existing lighting
system was antiquated. He said LQYSA was expecting an increase of
approximately 300 -400 children this year and the proposed additional fields and
improved lighting would be able to accommodate the projected growth and
solve the majority of the difficulties the Association was currently faced when
coordinating practices.
Public Speaker: Ms. Kathleen Fitzpatrick, Chairperson of the Community
Services Commission, La Quinta, CA - introduced herself and said the
Community Services Commission unanimously supported the project. She
noted that the makeup of the City's residents is not only growing, but also
changing, attracting a lot of families with children as well as active adults that
would benefit from the proposed improvements.
Public Speaker: Ms. Celeste Reid, resident of La Quinta, CA - introduced herself
and expressed her strong support for the project which in turn would allow for
growth in the youth athletic programs offered within the City.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 3 OCTOBER 8, 2013
Public Speaker: Mr. Larry Sanders, Rancho La Quinta resident, La Quinta, CA -
introduced himself as the President of the Rancho La Quinta Master Association
and said that he felt the Ventanas community within Rancho La Quinta was not
properly notified of the proposed improvements and he felt those residents
would be most affected. He asked the Commission to consider postponing the
project for 30 days to allow the residents of the Ventanas to voice their
opinions. He expressed concerns that the additional fields would increase noise
and traffic levels, the amount of ambient light, and have a reverse effect on
property values for the homes located in proximity to the fields.
Chairperson Barrows asked if Mr. Sanders if Rancho La Quinta residents were
aware of the neighborhood informational workshop held at the Boys & Girls
Club on April 11, 2013. Mr. Sanders replied the notice for the meeting was sent
to Ms. Mary Walker who was the Community General Manager for Rancho La
Quinta at that time; however, she failed to notify the residents.
Public Speaker: Mr. Morgan Timberlake, Rancho La Quinta resident within the
Ventanas community, and Board Member of the Rancho La Quinta Association,
La Quinta, CA - introduced himself and expressed concerns that the proposed
additional fields and improvements to the lighting system would result in a
decrease in property value and increase in noise levels and ambient light. Mr.
Timberlake suggested that a possible adjustment to the fields operations time to
an earlier hour than identified 10:00 p.m. closing time would mitigate some of
his concerns regarding noise. He showed a photograph of the existing field
lights as viewed from the back yard of his residence.
Commissioner Weber asked Mr. Timberlake if the Ventanas community at
Rancho La Quinta or any section of homes within Rancho La Quinta were a
retirement community. Mr. Timberlake replied the Ventanas was not a
retirement community and neither was Rancho La Quinta as part or as a whole.
Discussion followed regarding the ambient light the additional and improved
light fixtures would generate. Mr. Raya explained the benefits of the new
lighting system due to the state of the art technology being used, the glare
shields which would reduce ambient light and would directly channel it over the
fields, and would allow control of the lights for each field individually.
Discussion followed regarding the distance between the height of the existing
light poles, the height of the proposed light poles and the homes located in their
proximity within Rancho La Quinta.
Mr. Jeff Brant, Rancho La Quinta resident, La Quinta, CA - introduced himself
as a realtor and said the proposed additional field lighting would adversely affect
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 4 OCTOBER 8, 2013
property values across the entire Rancho La Quinta community and require
disclosure during any real estate transaction. He noted the improved lighting
could affect even more homes than currently identified and those residents
might not even be aware of this project. He asked the Commission to consider
postponing this item for 30 days to give the seasonal residents of Rancho La
Quinta an opportunity to express their concerns.
Mr. Nick Homer, Rancho La Quinta resident, La Quinta, CA - introduced himself
and said he was not in support of or opposition of the project. He thanked staff
for answering his inquiries prior to the hearing. He suggested that 9:00 p.m.
would be an appropriate time to end field operations, especially during the
weekdays. Mr. Homer inquired about the no amplification restrictions imposed
to the football field. He asked if alternative lighting options were considered.
Chairperson Barrows noted that Mr. Homer had submitted a comment to staff
regarding the project prior to the public hearing and verified that staff had
addressed his questions and concerns. Mr. Homer confirmed.
Mr. Andy Lorenz, Rancho La Quinta resident, La Quinta, CA - introduced
himself and expressed concerns regarding the nuisance ambient light and the
noise levels pass 9:00 p.m.
Commissioner Weber asked Mr. Lorenz if a 9:00 p.m. restriction to the hours of
operation would mitigate his concern. Mr. Lorenz replied it would.
Commissioner Weber asked Mr. Lorenz if he felt that this project would have an
adverse effect on his property value. Mr. Lorenz replied he would like not to
comment on property values and felt his residence was located at a sufficient
distance from the fields.
Chairperson Barrows declared the PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED at 8:32 p.m.
Chairperson Barrows noted for the record that the additional comments received
by staff from Rancho La Quinta residents after the dissemination of the Planning
Commission packet were distributed to the Commission.
Chairperson Barrows declared the PUBLIC HEARNG OPEN at 8:43 p.m.
Commissioner Weber asked staff if the hours of operations could be adjusted to
mitigate some of the residents' concerns. Staff replied that an adjustment to
the hours of operations was acceptable.
Discussion followed regarding the following items:
• Retrofitting and rewiring of the existing lights
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 5 OCTOBER 8, 2013
• Individual light field control
• Levels of fields usage
• Substantial ambient light reduction due to the proposed improvement to
the lighting system
• The placement of ballasts on the existing light fixtures
Public Speaker: Mr. Dave Branconier said that staff's willingness to modify the
fields' hours of operation to an 8:00 p.m. closing time would mitigate a lot of
the residents' concerns.
Public Speaker: Mr. James Brownyard, Vice President of the La Quinta Youth
and Sports Association, La Quinta, CA — introduced himself and said the
proposed expansion of the sports complex was very much needed as the
Association could not meet the current demand for youth sports. He noted that
reducing the hours of operations to only 8:00 p.m. would not allow for any
future growth of the league. He said there was minimal nuisance ambient light
from the existing lights.
Discussion followed regarding the lighting schedule, the opportunity for the
users to turn off the lights themselves after the end of the use, the lack of field
space availability within the City to accommodate the demands for youth
sports, different types of lighting fixtures considered, etc.
Chairperson Barrows declared the PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED at 8:54 p.m.
Motion — A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Weber /Wright to
adopt Resolution 2013 -019 approving Conditional Use Permit 2013 -153 as
submitted with staff's recommendations and amending conditions of approval
No. 4 and No. 6 to read as follows:
4. Hours of operation for the field lights shall not extend beyond 10:00
p.m. for the existing field lights, 9:00pm for Field #5 and Field #7, and
8:00pm for the football field. Field lights shall only be operated as
needed and shall be turned off when not in use.
6. Use of amplified sound generators (speakers, megaphones, etc.) is
prohibited on or in immediate proximity to Field #5, Field #7, and the
football field area.
Motion passed unanimously.
BUSINESS SESSION — None
CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL — None
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 6 OCTOBER 8, 2013
COMMISSIONER ITEMS
1. Report on City Council meetings of October 1, 2013.
DIRECTOR'S ITEMS
1. Staff distributed the 2014 — 2021 Draft Housing Element Update to the
Commission for review and said the item has been scheduled to be presented
for their consideration during the regularly scheduled Planning Commission
meeting on October 22, 2013.
2. 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.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Wright /Wilkinson to adjourn this meeting at 9:35 p.m. Motion passed
unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
J" U04-
MONIKA RADEVA, Secretary
City of La Quinta, California
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 7 OCTOBER 8, 2013