PC Resolution 2018-008PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION 2018 - 008
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING THAT
THE CITY COUNCIL AMEND SECTION 9.50.090 OF THE LA
QUINTA MUNICIPAL CODE AND ADOPT SINGLE FAMILY
RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN GUIDELINES
CASE NUMBER: ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT 2017-0005
APPLICANT: CITY OF LA QUINTA
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of La Quinta, California, did on
the 12th day of June, 2018, hold a duly noticed Public Hearing for review of a Zoning
Ordinance Amendment to Section 9.50.090 of the La Quinta Municipal Code and
adoption of single family residential architectural design guidelines, 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 June 1, 2018, as prescribed by
the Municipal Code; 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 (Exhibit A) to the City Council:
1. Consistency with General Plan
The code amendment is consistent with the goals, objectives and policies of the
General Plan. The proposed amendments and design guidelines are supported
by Policy LU-1.2 for land use decisions to be consistent with General Plan
policies and programs and uphold the rights and needs of property owners and
the public; Policy LU-3.1 to encourage the preservation of neighborhood
character and assure a consistent and compatible land use pattern; Program
LU-3.1.a, to review land use designations for changes in the community and
marketplace; and Policy LU-5.2 to consider changes in market demand in
residential product type to meet the needs of current and future residents
Planning Commission Resolution 2018-008
Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2017-0005
Applicant: City of La Quints
Adopted: June 12, 2018
Page 2 of 3
2. Public Welfare
Approval of the code amendment and design guidelines will not create
conditions materially detrimental to the public health, safety and general
welfare. The amendment and design guidelines streamline the development
review process, clarifies language in the municipal code, provides guidelines on
preserving neighborhood character, and does not incorporate any changes that
affect the regulation and/or provision of public services, utility systems, or other
foreseeable health, safety and welfare considerations.
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 2017-0005, as set forth in attached Exhibit A, to the
City Council for the reasons set forth in this Resolution.
SECTION 3. That the Planning Commission does hereby recommend approval of the
single family residential architectural design guidelines, as set forth in attached
Exhibit B, 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 12th day of June, 2018, by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioners Bettencourt, Caldwell, Currie, Proctor, Wright and
Chairperson Quill
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner McCune
ABSTAIN: None
Planning Commission Resolution 2018-OOE
Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2017-0005
Applicant: City of La Quinta
Adopted: June 12, 2018
Page 3 of 3
City of La Quinta,
ATTEST:
, L ) .j'do
GABRIEL PF�REZ
Planning Manage
City of La Quinta, California
QUILL, Chairperson
California
EXHIBIT A
9.50.090 RC district development standards.
In addition to the requirements of Chapter 9.30 (Residential Districts) and Chapter 9.60
(Supplemental Residential Regulations) the following shall be required for homes built within
the RC district:
A. Requirements.
1. Architectural Design Guidelines. The City Council shall, by resolution, adopt
architectural design guidelines to be used as guidelines in reviewing landscape
materials, architectural style, exterior building materials, colors, and mass and scale;
2. Architectural Variety. Duplication of houses having the same architectural
design features on the front elevation of other houses located within two hundred
feet of each other shall make provisions for architectural variety by using different
colors, roof treatments, window treatments, garage door treatments, and methods;
3. Minimum Gross Livable Area. One thousand two hundred square feet, excluding
the garage, as measured from the exterior walls of the dwelling;
4. Bedroom Dimensions. A minimum ten -foot clear width and depth dimensions,
as measured from the interior walls of the room;
5. Bathrooms. There shall not be less than one and one-half baths in one- or two -
bedroom dwellings, and not less than one and three-quarter baths in dwellings with
three or more bedrooms;
6. Exterior walls shall be cement plaster and may be accented with stone, brick,
wood, or other similar materials;
7. Sloping roofs on new homes shall be constructed of clay, or concrete tile.
Replacement of existing roofs shall also require the use of clay, or concrete tile,
unless the director determines that the roof support structure will not support such
materials. Building additions and accessory structures may have roofs of the same
or similar materials as the existing home (All properties listed on the city's historic
building survey shall be exempt from this requirement);
8. Landscaping. All front and exterior side yards shall be landscaped to property
line;
9. The landscaping shall include trees, shrubs and ground cover of sufficient size,
spacing and variety to create an attractive and unifying appearance;
10. An irrigation system shall be provided for all areas required to be landscaped;
11. The landscaping shall be continuously maintained in a healthy and viable
condition;
12. Screening. Refuse containers and bottled gas tanks shall be concealed by view -
obscuring landscaping, fencing or walls;
13. Underground Utilities. All electric services, overhead wires, or associated
structures must be installed underground;
14. Lighting. All exterior lighting shall be located and directed so as not to shine
directly on adjacent properties and shall comply with the dark sky ordinance;
15. Fencing. Rear and side yards shall be completely enclosed and screened by
view -obscuring fencing, walls, or combinations;
16. Earth fill shall not exceed what is necessary to provide minimum required
drainage to the street;
17. When there is a combined retaining and garden wall, and the retaining wall
exceeds three feet, the garden wall shall not exceed five feet in height;
18. Parking shall be provided in accordance with Chapter 9.150, Table 9-11 (Parking
for Residential Land Uses). (Ord. 550 § 1, 2016)