2014 02 25 PC MinutesCALL TO ORDER
PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014
A regular meeting of the La Quinta Planning Commission was called to order at 7:02
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, Planning Manager
David Sawyer, Attorney Peter Howard with Rutan and Tucker, LLP.,
Associate Planner Jay Wuu, and Secretary Monika Radeva
Commissioner Blum led the Commission in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Public Speaker: Thomas Allen Worthy, former Palm Springs resident, CA - introduced
himself and referenced an article published in The Desert Sun on February 19, 2014
titled "Critics Blast Loitering Solution" in regards to a new law passed in the City of
Palm Springs prohibiting loitering which in his opinion has a negative impact on the
homeless population in the city. He stated that he hopes that the City of La Quinta
does not follow in the same footsteps regarding the issue of homeless individuals.
Commissioner Wilkinson joined the meeting at 7:05 p.m.
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA - Confirmed
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Wright/Blum to approve
the Planning Commission Minutes of January 28, 2014 as submitted with the following
addition:
Commissioner Wilkinson asked
Director's Items No. 1 on page 3:
for the following comments to be included to
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 1 FEBRUARY 25, 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.
Motion passed unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Conditional Use Permit 2013-155 submitted by Leah and Patrick Swarthout for
the establishment of Bella Cristia Bed and Breakfast Inn in an existing 2,100
square -foot, three-bedroom, three -bathroom, and three -car garage single-family
residence. Location: within the Desert Club Estates (78-705 Avenida Torres).
Additional letters of support and opposition received after the distribution of the
staff report were provided to the Commission before the Planning Commission
meeting was called to order.
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 7:20 p.m.
Public Speaker: Mr. Brian S. Harnik, Esq., Attorney with Roemer & Harnik, LLP.
and a representative of the applicant, Indian Wells, CA - introduced himself and
gave a brief description of the project. He addressed some of the concerns
identified in the letters opposing the proposal, including the use of the pool, the
number of rooms available for rent, the maximum number of guests, the total
square -footage of the residence, the potential fiscal impacts to the surrounding
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 2 FEBRUARY 25, 2014
property values, and the findings stated in the staff report, and answered the
Commission's questions.
Public Speaker: Mr. Patrick Swarthout, Applicant, La Quinta, CA - introduced
himself and answered the Commission's questions in regards to the floor plan of
the residence.
Public Speaker: Mr. John Melvin, General Counsel with JCM Farming, Inc., owner
of the adjacent property, La Quinta, CA - introduced himself, noted that he has
submitted three opposing letters to the proposal dated February 18, February 24,
and February 25, 2014, asked the Commission to deny the project and answered
the Commission's questions.
Public Speaker: Mrs. Kay Wolf, La Quinta resident, CA - introduced herself, spoke
favorably of the proposed project and said that she and her late husband had run a
successful bed and breakfast in the La Quinta Cove for many, many years. She
noted that a private bed and breakfast is far less disturbing to the neighboring
residences than vacation rentals in which cases the owner(s) are absent and
typically the renters are likely to engage in loud parties.
Public Speaker: Mr. Ronald Villa, La Quinta resident, CA - introduced himself and
spoke in favor of the proposal. He asked if the La Quinta code identified a
limitation to the number of bed and breakfast uses that can be approved within a
certain area. Staff replied that although the code has a 300 feet limitation, since
the use requires the approval of a Conditional Use Permit application, the Planning
Commission would have the opportunity to review each application on a case-by-
case basis and determine whether or not there might be an overconcentration of
the same use within the proposed area.
General discussion followed regarding the very limited historical interest for bed
and breakfast uses within the La Quinta community.
Chairperson Barrows declared the PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED at 7:58 p.m.
Motion - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Blum/Wright to
adopt Resolution 2014-004 approving Conditional Use Permit 2013-155 as
submitted with staff's recommendations. AYES: Commissioners Blum, Wilkinson,
Vice Chair Wright, and Chairperson Barrows. NOES: Commission Weber.
ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None.
BUSINESS SESSION - None
CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL - None
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 3 FEBRUARY 25, 2014
COMMISSIONER ITEMS
1. Report on City Council meetings of February 4 and 8, 2014.
2. Reminder that the joint meeting between the City Council and the City's Boards
and Commissions has been re -scheduled to Wednesday, February 26, 2014 at
5:30 p.m. at the La Quinta Library.
DIRECTOR'S ITEMS — None
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Blum/Wilkinson to adjourn this meeting at 8:04 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
MONIKA RADEVA, Secretary
City of La Quinta, California
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 4 FEBRUARY 25, 2014