2014 01 28 PC MinutesCALL TO ORDER
PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2014
A regular meeting of the La Quinta Planning Commission was called to order at 7:04
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, Public Works
Director Tim Jonasson, Community Services Director Edie Hylton,
Planning Manager David Sawyer, and Secretary Monika Radeva
Commissioner Weber 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 Wright/Wilkinson to
approve the Planning Commission Minutes of January 14, 2014 as submitted. Motion
passed unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Site Development Permit 2013-935 submitted by the City of La Quinta for the
consideration of architectural and landscaping plans for the expansion of the
existing Senior Center by approximately 6,000 square feet, and a determination of
exemption per the California Environmental Quality Act guidelines sections 15301
and 15332, Existing Facilities and Infill Development. Location: 78450 Avenida
La Fonda, Civic Center, current Senior Center building.
Revised plan set exhibits for this project were distributed to the Commission
before the Planning Commission meeting was called to order.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 1 JANUARY 28, 2014
Community Development Director Les Johnson presented the staff report, a copy
of which is on file in the Community Development Department.
Mr. Jesse Frescas Jr., Team Member with Person Architects, Inc. and Certified
Construction Manager with Doug Wall Construction, Inc., La Quinta, CA -
introduced himself and answered the Commission's questions.
Mr. Craig Pearson, Principal Architect, President and CEO with Pearson Architects,
Inc., Palm Desert, CA - introduced himself and answered the Commission's
questions.
Community Services Director Edie Hylton gave a brief description of the project,
its goals, different types of programs that would be offered, and answered the
Commission's questions.
Chairperson Barrows declared the PUBLIC HEARNG OPEN at 7:38 p.m.
Public Speaker - None.
Chairperson Barrows declared the PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED at 7:42 p.m.
Motion - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Weber/Wright to
adopt Resolution 2014-003 approving Site Development Permit 2013-935 as
submitted with staff's recommendations. Motion passed unanimously.
BUSINESS SESSION - None
CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL - None
COMMISSIONER ITEMS
1 . Report on City Council meeting of January 21, 2014.
DIRECTOR'S ITEMS
1 . Presentation on proposed Landscape Enhancements and Assessments for north La
Quinta.
Public Works Director Jonasson gave a presentation on the proposed Landscape
Enhancements and Assessments for north La Quinta and explained the fiscal
challenges encountered in the City's efforts to maintain the quality landscaping
that currently exists and the proposed solutions to these challenges.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 2 JANUARY 28, 2014
Commissioner Wilkinson suggested establishing an end date to the proposed
increased assessment district fees which will be reflective of the
infrastructure improvements and savings to be realized from the conversion
of turf into desertscape. Thus, identifying a more reasonable amount that
would cover the estimated costs for maintenance and upkeep, but would not
result in a surplus for the City. He mentioned that the proposed increase to
the fees could be lessened if the identified improvements and conversions are
phased out and completed over a longer period of time. He noted that a few
residents have expressed concerns to him that once the fees are raised then
even if no longer needed in the future they will remain at the same amount.
Public Works Director Jonasson explained the City's established yearly review
and audit process for all assessment districts and stated that a few years ago
the City Council had in fact reduced the yearly assessment rate to the current
amount of $35.60 because there was a surplus of funds at the time.
Public Speaker: Mrs. Kay Wolf, La Quinta resident, CA — introduced herself and
spoke in favor of the proposed landscape enhancements and assessments for
north La Quinta.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Wright/Blum to adjourn this meeting at 8:42 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
MONIKA RADEVA, Secretary
City of La Quinta, California
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 3 JANUARY 28, 2014