2014 07 08 PC MinutesCALL TO ORDER
PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
TUESDAY, JULY 8, 2014
A regular meeting of the La Quinta Planning Commission was called to order at 7:00
p.m. by Commissioner Blum.
PRESENT: Commissioners Bettencourt, Blum, and Fitzpatrick
ABSENT: Commissioner Wilkinson and Vice Chair Wright
STAFF PRESENT: Community Development Director Les Johnson, Planning Manager
David Sawyer, Principal Engineer Ed Wimmer, Principal Engineer
Bryan McKinney, Principal Planner Wally Nesbit, and Executive
Assistant Monika Radeva
Commissioner Blum led the Commission in the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS
Staff stated that Commissioner Wilkinson and Vice Chair Wright were not able to
attend this meeting and had requested the Commission's consent to reschedule the
Appointment of Officers to the next regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting
of July 22, 2014. The Commission consented to the request.
PUBLIC COMMENT
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA - Confirmed
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion — A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Bettencourt/Blum to
continue the approval of Planning Commission Minutes of June 10, 2014, to the next
regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting on July 22, 2014. AYES:
Commissioners Bettencourt, Blum, and Fitzpatrick. NOES: None. ABSENT:
Commissioner Wilkinson and Vice Chair Wright. ABSTAIN: None.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 1 JULY 8, 2014
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1 . Conditional Use Permit 1995-020, Amendment 1, and Site Development Permit
2013-931 submitted by LLQ Partners, LLC, proposing the expansion of an existing
hotel, from 11 existing rooms to 24 rooms. Project: The Chateau at Lake La
Quinta. CEQA: exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15332
(Class 32, Infill Development). Location: east side of Caleo Bay, immediately
south of Lake La Quinta Drive (78-120 Caleo Bay).
Principal Planner Wally Nesbit presented the staff report, a copy of which is on file
in the Community Development Department.
Commissioner Blum declared the PUBLIC HEARING OPEN at 7:07 p.m.
Public Speaker: Mr. Ken Marts, resident of Lake La Quinta, La Quinta, CA -
introduced himself and said he was in support of the proposed project. He noted
he had seen several events held at the property and they were always well
managed and in compliance with the established end time of 10:00 p.m. He said,
in his opinion, the project would add value to the surrounding communities.
Public Speaker: Mr. Jon Legarza, Applicant, Las Vegas, NV - introduced himself
and acknowledged the Commission's concerns regarding parking along Caleo Bay
Drive and said that management will work with City staff on obtaining a
Temporary Use Permit approval for special events that will address any parking
challenges. He gave a detailed description of the project and answered the
Commission's questions.
Commissioner Blum declared the PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED at 7:33 p.m.
Motion - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners
Fitzpatrick/Bettencourt to adopt Resolution 2014-016 approving Conditional Use
Permit 1995-020, Amendment 1, as submitted with staff's recommendations.
AYES: Commissioners Bettencourt, Blum, and Fitzpatrick. NOES: None. ABSENT:
Commissioner Wilkinson and Vice -Chair Wright. ABSTAIN: None.
Motion - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners
Fitzpatrick/Bettencourt to adopt Resolution 2014-017 approving Site Development
Permit 2013-931 as submitted with staff's recommendations. AYES:
Commissioners Bettencourt, Blum, and Fitzpatrick. NOES: None. ABSENT:
Commissioner Wilkinson and Vice Chair Wright. ABSTAIN: None.
BUSINESS SESSION - None
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 2 JULY 8, 2014
CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL
1 . Memorandum from Vice Chairperson Robert Wright.
2. Memorandum from Commissioner Wilkinson.
COMMISSIONER ITEMS
1 . Report on City Council meetings of July 1, 2014.
2. Commissioner Blum stated he will not be able to attend the July 15, 2014, City
Council meeting. Commissioner Bettencourt will attend the meeting in his place.
DIRECTOR'S ITEMS
1. Community Development Director Johnson said there would be a change of the
staff representative for the Commission from the City's Public Works Department.
Principal Engineer Ed Wimmer said it has been his pleasure to serve as the
engineering technical advisor for the Commission; however, Principal Engineer
Bryan McKinney will be taking over the development services division and will be
replacing him.
2. Staff said that the City Council would like to recognize and thank all outgoing
Commission and Board Members for their service. This was originally anticipated
to occur during the July 15, 2014, meeting; however, it was been postponed to a
future date that has not yet been determined. Staff will ensure that the
Commission is notified when this item is rescheduled.
3. Staff said that as part of the City's ongoing efforts to improve its permit and
application process, on June 30, 2014, the Community Development Department
launched Phase I of a new permit tracking software program. The new system
allows staff to electronically submit, process, review, and issue permits. The City
continues to work towards implementation of Phase 11, scheduled for late August,
2014, which will include an online Customer Service portal and Business Licenses
processing.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Bettencourt/Fitzpatrick to adjourn this meeting at 7:43 p.m. AYES: Commissioners
Bettencourt, Blum, and Fitzpatrick. NOES: None. ABSENT: Commissioner Wilkinson
and Vice -Chair Wright. ABSTAIN: None.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 3 JULY 8, 2014
Respectfully submitted,
MONIKA RADEVA, Executive Assistant
City of La Quinta, California
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 4 JULY 8, 2014