PC Resolution 2014-018PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION 2014 - 018
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A CONDITIONAL
USE PERMIT FOR THE PLACEMENT OF A FIFTY-FOUR (54)
FOOT TALL MONOPALM TOWER AND EQUIPMENT
ENCLOSURE WITHIN THE LA QUINTA COUNTRY CLUB
CASE NO.: CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2012-148
APPLICANT: VERIZON WIRELESS
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of La Quinta, California, did,
on the 22nd day of July, 2014, hold a duly noticed Public Hearing to consider a
revised request by Verizon Wireless, to allow the placement of a fifty-four (54) foot
tall monopalm tower and equipment enclosure within the La Quinta Country Club,
located at 77750 Avenue 50, in the GC (Golf Course) zoning district, more
particularly described as:
APN: 658-190-002;
17.18 ACRES M/L IN POR SE 1 /4 OF SEC 36 T5S R6E
WHEREAS, a public hearing notice was published in The Desert Sun
newspaper on the 11 t" day of July, 2014, for the 22nd day of July, 2014, Planning
Commission meeting as prescribed by Section 9.200.110 (Public Notice Procedure)
of the Zoning Code, and by mailing a copy of said public hearing notice to all
property owners and residents within 500 feet of the site; and
WHEREAS, a public hearing was originally held on on the 14t" day of May,
2013, to consider the original request by Verizon Wireless, said hearing
subsequently being continued to June 25, July 23, and August 27, at which time
the subject item was tabled by the Planning Commission; and
WHEREAS, the placement of the monopalm tower near an existing
maintenance building and surrounding landscape areas, with a requirement for
additional landscape enhancements, within the La Quinta Country Club, will
minimize adverse visual effects of the tower and equipment on the surrounding
area; and
WHEREAS, the telecommunication facility will improve telecommunication
service options within this portion of the City of La Quinta; and
WHEREAS, at said Public Hearing, upon hearing and considering all
testimony and arguments, if any, of all interested persons desiring to be heard, said
Planning Commission did make the following mandatory findings pursuant to
Planning Commission Resolution 2014 - 018
Conditional Use Permit 2012-148
Applicant: Verizon Wireless
Adopted: July 22, 2014
Page 2 of 3
Section 9.210.020 of the Zoning Code to justify approval of said Conditional Use
Permit:
1. Consistency with the General Plan: The design and improvements of the
proposed monopalm tower and equipment enclosure are consistent with the
La Quinta General Plan (Chapter 5) that requires utilities and communication
facilities to be available, adequate and convenient for all residents. The
applicant has determined that a need for this type of service, in this general
area, exists and providing such a facility will ensure that the public has
access to such services. The placement of the monopalm tower at this site
will have a negligible impact on the surrounding public thoroughfares and
land uses.
2. Consistency with the Zoning Code: The placement of the monopalm tower
and equipment enclosure are consistent with current standards of the Zoning
Code (Chapter 9.90 and 9.170) in that the potential adverse visual effects
have been mitigated, and all perimeter setback requirements have been met.
3. Compliance with CEQA: The placement of the monopalm tower and
equipment enclosure have been determined to be exempt from CEQA, under
Guidelines Section 15332 (Infill Development), in that the site is currently
developed as a private maintenance facility that is surrounded by urban
infrastructure improvements (e.g., roads, water, sanitation, etc.).
4. Compatibility with Surrounding Uses: The proposed improvements are
located on an existing built site. The proposed monopalm and equipment
enclosure are consistent with the surrounding architectural theme and public
facility improvements. Adequate provisions for screening have been provided
for in the proposed development plan, and through conditions placed on the
application.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Planning Commission of the City
of La Quinta, California, as follows:
SECTION 1. That the above recitations are true and correct and constitute the
findings of the Planning Commission for this Conditional Use Permit;
SECTION 2. That it does hereby approve Conditional Use Permit 2012-148 for the
reasons set forth in this Resolution and subject to the attached Conditions of
Approval;
Planning Commission Resolution 2014 - 018
Conditional Use Permit 2012-148
Applicant: Verizon Wireless
Adopted: July 22, 2014
Page 3 of 3
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the La Quinta
Planning Commission held on this 22nd day of July, 2014, by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioners Bettencourt, Fitzpatrick, Wilkinson and Chairperson
Wright
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner Blum
ABSTAIN: None
ROBE T WRI HT, Chairperson
City of La Quinta, California
ATTEST:
VES IOHNSON, Community Development Director
City of La Quinta, California
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION 2014 - 018
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2012-148
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL - FINAL
JULY 22, 2014
Page 1 of 6
GENERAL
1. The applicant agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the City of La
Quinta ("City"), its agents, officers and employees from any claim, action or
proceeding to attack, set aside, void, or annul the approval of this Conditional
Use Permit. The City shall have sole discretion in selecting its defense counsel.
The City shall promptly notify the applicant of any claim, action or proceeding
and shall cooperate fully in the defense.
2. This Conditional Use Permit shall comply with the requirements and standards of
the La Quinta Municipal Code ("LQMC"). The La Quinta Municipal Code can be
accessed on the City's Web Site at www.la-guinta.org.
3. This permit shall expire on July 22, 2016, unless a time extension is applied for
and granted by the Planning Commission pursuant to Section 9.200.080 of the
Zoning Code.
4. Prior to the issuance of any grading, construction, or building permit by the City,
the applicant shall obtain any necessary clearances and/or permits from the
following agencies, if required:
Riverside County Fire Marshal
La Quinta Public Works Department (Grading Permit, Green Sheet
(Public Works Clearance) for Building Permits, Water Quality
Management Plan(WQMP) Exemption Form — Whitewater River Region,
Improvement Permit)
La Quinta Building Division for Building Permits
La Quinta Planning Division
Riverside Co. Environmental Health Department
Imperial Irrigation District (IID)
Federal Communication Commission
Federal Aviation Administration
The applicant is responsible for all requirements of the permits and/or clearances
from the above listed agencies. When the requirements include approval of
improvement plans, the applicant shall furnish proof of such approvals when
submitting those improvements plans for City approval.
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION 2014 - 018
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2012-148
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL - FINAL
JULY 22, 2014
Page 2 of 6
5. Approval of this Conditional Use Permit shall not be construed as approval for
any horizontal dimensions implied by site plans or exhibits unless specifically
identified in the conditions of approval.
6. Developer shall reimburse the City, within thirty (30) days of presentment of the
invoice, all costs and actual attorney's fees incurred by the City Attorney to
review, negotiate and/or modify any documents or instruments required by these
conditions, if Developer requests that the City modify or revise any documents or
instruments prepared initially by the City to effect these conditions. This
obligation shall be paid in the time noted above without deduction or offset and
Developer's failure to make such payment shall be a material breach of the
Conditions of Approval.
7. Developer shall reimburse City, within thirty (30) days of presentment of invoice,
all costs and actual consultant's fees incurred by City for engineering and/or
surveying consultants to review and/or modify any documents or instruments
required by this project. This obligation shall be paid in the time noted above
without deduction or offset and Developer's failure to make such payment shall
be a material breach of the Conditions of Approval.
PROPERTY RIGHTS
8. Prior to issuance of any permit(s), applicant shall acquire/confer easements and
other property rights necessary for construction or proper functioning of the
proposed development. Conferred rights shall include irrevocable offers to
dedicate or grant access easements to City for emergency services,
maintenance, construction and reconstruction of essential improvements. Said
conferred rights shall also include grant of access easement to City of La Quinta
for the purpose of graffiti removal by City staff or assigned agent in perpetuity
and agreement to the method to remove graffiti and to paint over to best match
existing. The applicant shall establish the aforementioned requirements in the
CC&R's for the development or other agreements as may be approved by the
City Engineer. Pursuant to the aforementioned, the applicant shall submit and
execute an "AUTHORIZATION TO REMOVE GRAFFITI FROM PRIVATE
PROPERTY" form located at the Public Works Department Counter prior to
Certificate of Occupancy.
9. The applicant shall cause no easement to be granted, or recorded in the public
right of way unless such easement is approved by the City Engineer.
IMPROVEMENT PLANS
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION 2014 - 018
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2012-148
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL - FINAL
JULY 22, 2014
Page 3 of 6
As used throughout these Conditions of Approval, professional titles such as
"engineer," "surveyor," and "architect," refer to persons currently certified or licensed to
practice their respective professions in the State of California.
10. Improvement plans shall be prepared by or under the direct supervision of
qualified engineers and/or architects, as appropriate, and shall comply with the
provisions of LQMC Section 13.24.040 (Improvement Plans).
11. The submitted preliminary plans appear to propose no or minimal grading and
may not require a grading permit (see exceptions in Municipal Code Section
8.80.040). If a grading permit is required, a precise grading plan prepared by a
Civil Engineer registered in California and a Soils Report prepared by a
professional registered in California must be approved by the City Engineer prior
to the commencement of grading.
Other engineered improvement plans prepared for City approval that are not
listed above shall be prepared in formats approved by the City Engineer prior to
commencing plan preparation.
The applicant shall prepare an accessibility assessment on a marked up print of
the building floor plan identifying every building egress and note the applicable
California Building Code accessibility requirements associated with each door.
The assessment must comply with submittal requirements of the Building
Division. A copy of the reviewed assessment shall be submitted to the Public
Works Department in conjunction with the Site Development Plan when it is
submitted for plan checking.
"On -Site Precise Grading" plans shall normally include all on -site surface
improvements including but not necessarily limited to finish grades for curbs &
gutters, building floor elevations, parking lot improvements, and ADA
requirements including ADA accessibility from public right of way to the proposed
equipment.
12. Upon completion of construction, and prior to final acceptance of the
improvements by the City, the applicant shall furnish the City with reproducible
record drawings of all improvement plans which were approved by the City.
Each sheet shall be clearly marked "Record Drawing" and shall be stamped and
signed by the engineer or surveyor certifying to the accuracy and completeness
of the drawings. The applicant shall have all approved mylars previously
submitted to the City, revised to reflect the as -built conditions. The applicant shall
employ or retain the Engineer Of Record during the construction phase of the
project so that the FOR can make site visits in support of preparing "Record
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION 2014 - 018
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2012-148
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL - FINAL
JULY 22, 2014
Page 4of6
Drawing". However, if subsequent approved revisions have been approved by
the City Engineer and reflect said "Record Drawing" conditions, the Engineer Of
Record may submit a letter attesting to said fact to the City Engineer in lieu of
mylar submittal.
UTILITIES
13. The applicant shall comply with LQMC Section 13.24.110 (Utilities).
MAINTENANCE
14. The applicant shall comply with the provisions of LQMC Section 13.24.160
(Maintenance). Any disturbed areas including landscaping shall be replaced in -
kind.
BUILDING
15. The applicant shall obtain a building permit from the Building Division prior to
construction. During the permitting process the applicant will submit
documentation to address the following items:
A. A structural analysis that demonstrates that the monopalm and equipment
shelter structures comply with the current California Building Codes.
B. An analysis of any openings in the existing exterior wall of the existing
maintenance building and the proposed equipment shelter shall comply
per CBC Table 705.8 (Maximum area of wall openings). When two
structures are on the same lot, an assumed property line shall occur
between the structures to determine the separation distance.
C. An analysis of the fire rating of the exterior walls (existing Maintenance
Building & proposed shelter) shall be performed to determine compliance
to the minimum requirements per 2010 CBC Section 602.1 and Tables
601 and 602.
UWAIMMOW
16. The applicant is permitted to install a single fifty-four (54) foot tall monopalm
tower consistent with the revised plans, as approved and on file as part of this
Conditional Use Permit approval. The monopalm tower is permitted for three (3)
antenna arrays, attached to the tower at a height of forty-five (45) feet. Each
array shall accommodate up to four (4) panel antennas.
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION 2014 - 018
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2012-148
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL - FINAL
JULY 22, 2014
Page 5 of 6
Any deviation from the approved Conditional Use Permit must be brought
forward for Planning Commission approval.
17. The panel antennas shall be mounted securely to the monopalm tower. All
antennas and antenna arrays shall be painted to match the faux palm fronds and
shall be shielded from view by the tower's faux palm fronds.
18. The applicant shall install a total of four (4) live palm trees in accordance with the
approved landscape plans. The applicant shall also work with the homeowner
and other affected properties to present alternative sight -line screening options
(i.e. tree type, size and location) for the Skip Boone residence in the Haciendas
development (50095 Valencia Court). If feasible and agreeable to all parties
involved, the applicant shall install the appropriate landscape material(s). Prior
to final inspection(s), the applicant shall provide the City with written
confirmation, that either, such improvements have been completed to the
satisfaction of all parties, or reason and evidence that such improvements are
considered infeasible.
The CDD or his designee may act as mediator between the two parties, and
shall have the final determination as to whether or not this Condition of Approval
has been satisfied.
19. The equipment enclosure shall architecturally match the existing maintenance
building, including stucco finish and paint color, roof tiles and faux windows.
20. The applicant shall secure the lease area with installation of eight (8) foot high
wrought iron fence. The fence enclosure shall conform to the plans on file as part
of this application. The wrought iron fence shall have a black painted finish.
21. The applicant shall plant additional shrubs and/or climbing vines, around the
wrought iron fence.
22. The applicant shall submit a landscape plan showing irrigation improvements
and plant schedule, in accordance with Conditions 21 and 24, prior to issuance
of a building permit.
23. The applicant shall negotiate in good faith for shared use by third parties; an
owner generally will negotiate in the order in which requests for information are
received, except an owner generally will negotiate with a party who has received
an FCC license or permit before doing so with other parties.
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION 2014 - 018
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2012-148
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL - FINAL
JULY 22, 2014
Page 6 of 6
24. Verizon Wireless shall have a continuing obligation to respond to and resolve
any and all complaints associated with any potential interference with
frequencies related to residential and/or life safety communications and
operations. Response shall be within 48 hours of receipt of notice of any such
complaints.
25. The placement of the monopalm pole shall not interfere with the existing
infrastructure and improvements at this location. The pole shall not be placed on
public paths -of -travel and must be located in the proposed lease enclosure.
26. The entire facility shall be maintained in a condition consistent with the
conditions of this approval and, if the facility is not so maintained this approval is
subject to revocation or other correcting actions as determined appropriate by
the City.
27. The wireless facility approved under CUP 2012-148 shall be installed and
maintained in compliance with the requirements of the Uniform Building Code,
National Electrical Code, and other applicable codes, as well as other restrictions
specified in the permit and the La Quinta Municipal Code. Plans as submitted for
plan checking shall include detailed specifications/dimensions for the eighty (80)
palm fronds, dead frond skirting (DFS), and antenna socks. The Community
Development Director shall have authority to require any revisions to the plans
as submitted as part of the plan check review in evaluation of compliance with
the intent of the approval.
The facility operator and the property owner shall be responsible for maintaining
the entirety of the facility in good condition, which shall include, but not be limited
to, regular cleaning, painting, frond replacement and other general upkeep and
maintenance of the site consistent with the facility's original approval.