PC Resolution 2018-005PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION 2018 - 005
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING THAT
THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE ZONING ORDINANCE
AMENDMENT 2018-0003 TO AMEND TITLE 9 BY THE
ADDITION OF SECTION 9.50.100 AND AMENDMENT TO
SECTION 9.60.100 OF THE LA QUINTA MUNICIPAL CODE
RELATING TO STANDARDS FOR MODIFICATION OF
EXISTING SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLINGS THAT RESULT IN
ADDITIONAL BEDROOMS AND FIND THE ZONING
ORDINANCE AMENDMENT EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
CASE NUMBER:
ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT 2018-0003
APPLICANT: CITY OF LA QUINTA
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of La Quinta, California, did on
the 24th day of April, 2018, hold a duly noticed Public Hearing for review of a Zoning
Ordinance Amendment to amend Title 9 with the addition of Section 9.50.100 and
amendment to Section 9.60.100 of the La Quinta Municipal Code, as identified by Title
of this Resolution; and
WHEREAS, said Zoning Ordinance Amendment has complied with the
requirements of "The Rules to Implement the California Environmental Quality Act of
1970" (CEQA) as amended (Resolution 83-63). The Design and Development
Department has determined that the proposed amendment is exempt from
environmental review pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3), Review for Exemptions -
General Rule, in that it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility for this
action to have a significant effect on the environment, and individual development
plans will be reviewed under CEQA as they are proposed; and
WHEREAS, the Design and Development Department published a public hearing
notice for this request in The Desert Sun newspaper on March 30, 2018, as prescribed
by the Municipal Code; and,
WHEREAS, the proposed amendments are the result of the code amendments
requested by the City Council at their regular meeting on January 16, 2018 to develop
standards that address non -bedroom conversions for single-family dwellings within
residential districts; 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 to recommend approval of
said Zoning Ordinance Amendment to the City Council:
Planning Commission Resolution 2018 - 005
Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2018-0003
Applicant: City of Lo Quints
Adopted: April 24, 2018
Page 2 of 3
Consistency with General Plan
The zoning ordinance amendment is consistent with the goals, objectives and
policies of the General Plan. The proposed amendments are supported by
Program LU-1.1.b, that the Zoning Ordinance will include design standards in all
zoning districts that assure high quality development and Policy LU-3.1, to
encourage the preservation of neighborhood character and assure a consistent
and compatible land use pattern.
2. Public Welfare
Approval of the zoning ordinance amendment will not create conditions
materially detrimental to the public health, safety and general welfare. The
amendments assist in implementation of the General Plan 2035 to maintain
neighborhood character by ensuring residential occupancies and land uses
densities are not increased beyond those intended for residential districts.
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 constitute the findings of the
Planning Commission in this case.
SECTION 2. That the Planning Commission does hereby recommend approval of
Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2018-0003, as set forth in attached Exhibit A, to the
City Council for the reasons set forth in this Resolution.
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the La Quinta
Planning Commission held this 24th day of April, 2018, by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioners Bettencourt, Caldwell, Currie, McCune, Proctor, Wright
and Chairperson Quill
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Planning Commission Resolution 2018 - 005
Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2018-0003
Applicant: City of La Quinta
Adopted: April 24, 2018
Page 3 of 3
City of La Quinta,
ATTEST:
GABRIEL PERE , Plan nl onager
City of La Quinta, Cad' nia
Chairperson
California
EXHIBIT A
9.50.100 Additional Bedrooms
This section provides the following minimum developmental standards applicable to
the addition to an existing single-family dwelling or modification to the floor plan
configuration of an existing single-family dwelling that results in additional bedrooms.
A. Existing single-family dwelling units may not exceed maximum bedrooms as
follows:
SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLINGS
LIVABLE AREA IN SQ. FT.
BEDROOMS MAX. No
2,000 or less
4
2,001-2,850
5
2,851-3,500
6
greater than 3,500
8
B. The total area of all bedrooms shall not exceed 35% of the total livable area of
the dwelling. The calculation of bedroom area shall not include closets or bathrooms.
C. When as a result of new construction or modification of a single-family
dwelling the number of bedrooms is proposed to equal or exceed four (4), an
additional garage space of ten by 20 feet shall be provided. Access to the additional
garage space shall be from existing driveways and not result in new street curb cuts.
D. Bedrooms added as a result of new construction or modification of a single-
family dwelling shall be used only by the occupants of the main residence, their non-
paying guests, or domestic employees. No additional bedrooms may be rented or used
as a short term vacation rental ("STVR") except upon application and issuance of a
STVR permit pursuant to Chapter 3.25 of this code.
9.60.100 Guesthouses.
A. Purpose. This section provides standards and criteria for the establishment of
guesthouses where such units are permitted in accordance with Section 9.40.040
and are not detached accessory dwelling units subject to Section 9.60.090(D).
B. Definitions. See Chapter 9.280
C. Limitations. One guesthouse may be established on any single-family
residential lot as a permitted accessory use. In the cove residential, medium density
residential, medium -high density residential and high density residential zones, only
one guesthouse may be permitted on a lot, unless otherwise approved through a
specific plan. In the very low density residential and low density residential zones,
more than one guesthouse may be permitted with director approval.
D. Standards for Guesthouses. Guesthouses shall not be permitted when duplexes,
triplexes, or apartments occur on the lot. All guesthouses shall conform to the
following standards:
1. Detached guesthouses shall conform to all applicable building code
standards and all development and design standards of the zoning district in
which they are located. In addition, the height of the guesthouse shall not
exceed seventeen feet and shall not be more than one story.
2. Guesthouses shall be architecturally compatible with the main unit.
3. The floor area of the guesthouse shall not exceed thirty percent of the
existing living area of the principal residence.
4. The placement of a guesthouse on a lot shall not result in violation of the
lot coverage maximums set forth in Section 9.50.030.
5. If a private sewage disposal system is used, approval of the local health
officer shall be required.
6. When constructed with tract homes or prototypical residential units,
guesthouse location and design shall be reviewed and approved as a part of the
site development permit process. On an individual single-family lot of record,
guesthouses shall be reviewed and approved for conformance with these
provisions during the building permit plan check process.
7. Guesthouses shall have no more than two bedrooms.