2018 09 25 PC MinutesPLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 25 2018
CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the La Quinta Planning Commission was called to order at 6:01
p.m. by Chairperson McCune.
PRESENT: Commissioners Bettencourt, Caldwell, Currie, Proctor, Quill, Wright
and Chairperson McCune.
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Acting Assistant City Attorney Travis Van Ligten, Planning Manager
Gabriel Perez, City Engineer Bryan McKinney, Senior Planner Cheri L.
Flores, Consulting Planner Nicole Sauviat Criste, Commission
Secretary Wanda Wise -Latta and Administrative Assistant Mirta
Lerma
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA - None
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA - confirmed
ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRESENTATIONS AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS - None
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES DATED SEPTEMBER 11, 2018
MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Wright/Bettencourt to
approve the Consent Calendar as recommended with the following amendment to the
Planning Commission Minutes of September 11, 2018:
• Page 2, Study Session No. 1, Paragraph No. 4 to read:
"Commission discussion continued about restrictions regarding entertainment
establishments in certain shopping centers' CC&R's; economic viability of the
Highway 111 Corridor; potential "retailtainment" use; CV Link; potential for
commercial uses to the rear of buildings along the CV Link; big box vacancies;
pedestrian districts; landscaping; shade; and apartment housing. "
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 1 SEPTEMBER 25, 2018
AYES: Commissioners Bettencourt, Caldwell, Currie, Proctor, Quill, Wright and
Chairperson McCune. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: Commissioner Caldwell
(counted with the majority based on City Council adopted Rules of Procedure Resolution
No. 2015-023). Motion passed.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
DECLARATIONS REGARDING PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC CONTACTS
None to report.
1. SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 2018-0002 SUBMITTED BY BEAZER HOMES
HOLDINGS CORP. PROPOSING THE DEVELOPMENT OF 82 SINGLE-FAMILY
HOMES ON 20.8 ACRES. PROJECT: FLORESTAS. CEQA: PREVIOUSLY
ANALYZED UNDER ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 2014-638 AND
PROJECT IS ESSENTIALLY THE SAME AS THAT PREVIOUSLY REVIEWED,
CONDITIONS HAVE NOT CHANGED, PROPOSED PROJECT WILL BE
SUBJECT TO THE MITIGATION MEASURES IMPOSED IN EA 2014-638 AND
NO FURTHER ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW IS REQUIRED. LOCATION:
NORTHWEST CORNER OF JEFFERSON STREET AND AVENUE 52.
Consulting Planner Nicole Sauviat Criste presented the staff report, which is on file in the
Design and Development Department. Ms. Criste stated correspondence had been
received and distributed to the Planning Commission prior to the meeting requesting
Planning Commission consider a modification to the Conditions of Approval to designate
the westerly units within the project as single -story homes. Ms. Criste noted that the
phasing plan for the project is contained in the specific plan and a site development
permit does not require the submittal of a phasing plan.
Planning Commission questioned staff regarding the rough grading plan of the egress to
Jefferson Street on the east side of the project; revisions to the Final Tract Map; square
footage of homes; safety and site distance related to the egress onto Jefferson Street;
maintenance of common areas; providing redline version of original text when Planning
Commission is asked to consider revised site development permits; front yard
maintenance; rear yards; phasing plan; recreation area parking; on street parking;
perimeter units as single -story homes; egress and ingress at main entrance of the
project on Avenue 52; traffic; and rear yard drainage.
Chairperson McCune declared the PUBLIC HEARING OPEN at 6:31 p.m.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Loni Ellison, Beazer Homes Holdings Corp. - introduced himself,
thanked city staff, and provided additional information regarding the project. He
addressed comments from the Planning Commission regarding the possible access gate
to the Citrus Club on the northside of the project; construction phasing; HOA-maintained
front yards; off -site improvements; installation and maintenance of perimeter
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 2 SEPTEMBER 25, 2018
landscaping; egress to Jefferson Street; and project signage; and short-term vacation
rentals.
Staff addressed commissioner's comment regarding naming the City as a third -party
beneficiary with regards to the maintenance of the perimeter landscaping.
Chairperson McCune declared the PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED at 6:43 p.m.
MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Quill/Wright to adopt
Planning Commission Resolution 2018-011 approving Site Development Permit 2018-
0002, subject to the attached Findings and Conditions of Approval and adding the
following conditions of approval:
1. Homes abutting the western and northern boundaries of the site shall be
single -story models and provide architecutural enhancements on their
northern and western elevation facing the Citrus.
2. With regards to the perimeter landscaping, the City shall be listed as a third -
party beneficiary to the maintenance obligation to the Conditions, Covenants,
and Restrictions (CC&Rs).
AYES: Commissioners Bettencourt, Caldwell, Currie, Procter, Quill, Wright and
Chairperson McCune. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. Motion passed
unanimously.
2. SPECIFIC PLAN 2018-0001, SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 2018-0001 AND
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 2018-0001 SUBMITTED BY CCD HOTEL
AND RESORTS LLC PROPOSING A 160-ROOM HOTEL, 8,849 SQUARE FEET
OF RETAIL AND 25,778 SQUARE -FOOT INDOOR FOOD MARKET TO THE
EXISTING JEFFERSON SQUARE SHOPPING CENTER. PROJECT:
JEFFERSON SQUARE HOTEL. CEQA: MITIGATED NEGATIVE
DECLARATION. LOCATION: SOUTHWEST CORNER OF JEFFERSON STREET
AND FRED WARING DRIVE.
Senior Planner Cheri Flores presented the staff report, which is on file in the Design and
Development Department. Ms. Flores stated correspondence had been received and
distributed to the Planning Commission prior to the meeting.
Planning Commission questioned staff about the view corridors included in the staff
report as the relate to the homes south of the project.
Planning Commission discussed the challenges of understanding the aesthetics and
architecture of the hotel building based upon the information provided; exterior design
elements; proposed retail space; building height; use of shipping containers; patios on
the west side of the hotel; landscaping; and park.
Chairperson McCune declared the PUBLIC HEARING OPEN at 7:13 p.m.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 3 SEPTEMBER 25, 2018
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Jim Premro, La Quinta - spoke in opposition to the Jefferson Square
Hotel commercial project due to the architectural design of the hotel, traffic, hotel guests
using park, and noise.
Judy Premro submitted a Public Speaker Form opposed to the Jefferson Square Hotel
project but did not wish to speak.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Jeff Stahl, La Quinta - spoke in opposition to the Jefferson Square
Hotel commercial project due location next to homes and public park, hotel height, to
loss of scenic views, balconies facing the park, land use, and noise.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Tim Kemp, La Quinta - spoke in opposition to the Jefferson Square
Hotel commercial project due to noise, view from hotel into residential backyards,
architectural design, privacy, and proximity to homes.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Marian Stahl, La Quinta - spoke in opposition to the Jefferson Square
Hotel commercial project due to project being inconsistent with surrounding
development, hotel height, zoning, traffic, noise, and loss of scenic views.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Greg Cairns, La Quinta - spoke in opposition to the Jefferson Square
Hotel commercial project due to loss of scenic views and possible empty store fronts.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Diana Gardner, La Quinta - spoke in opposition to the Jefferson
Square Hotel commercial project due to architecture, noise, hotel deliveries, and hotel
height.
Jean Boldi submitted a Public Speaker Form opposed to the Jefferson Square Hotel
project but did not wish to speak.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Holly Sterling, La Quinta - spoke in opposition to the Jefferson
Square Hotel commercial project due to proximity to public park, privacy, and noise.
Chairperson McCune thanked the residents for sharing their comments regarding the
Jefferson Square Hotel commercial project.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Paul Mercer, CCD Hotel and Resorts LLC - introduced himself and
stated he appreciated the comments from the Planning Commission and residents. He
addressed comments regarding the block work on the exterior of the hotel, hotel building
elevations, height, courtyard configuration, landscaping, hotel and retail component of
the project, and hotel operator.
Commissioner Quill said that based upon the information provided he would not be able
to support the project as presented.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 4 SEPTEMBER 25, 2018
Commission discussed the structural components of the hotel building and use of the
shipping containers; aesthetics and design elements; size and height of project for the
site; retail component of project; hotel occupancy; and traffic.
Commissioners Wright and Proctor indicated that they could not support the project as
presented.
Chairperson McCune declared the PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED at 7:58 p.m.
Acting City Attorney Van Ligten suggested, that based upon comments made and before
a vote to deny or recommend denial, the hearing be continued to a date certain and
allow staff to present appropriate findings to support such a resolution.
MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Quill/Bettencourt to
continue Specific Plan 2018-0001, Site Development Permit 2018-0001, and
Environmental Assessment 2018-0001 submitted by CCD Hotel and Resorts LLC to the
October 23, 2018 Planning Commission meeting. AYES: Commissioners Bettencourt,
Caldwell, Currie, Procter, Quill, Wright and Chairperson McCune. NOES: None.
ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. Motion passed unanimously.
BUSINESS SESSSION - None
STUDY SESSION - None
REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS - None
COMMISSIONERS' ITEMS - None
STAFF ITEMS
Planning Manager Perez provided an
for Smartlink on behalf of AT&T; and
and Planning Commission is being
amendments, Highway 111 Visioning
Perez also announced his upcoming
City of San Clemente.
ADJOURNMENT
update about the appeal of Conditional Use Permit
noted that a Joint Study Session of the City Council
scheduled for October 2, 2018 regarding code
and the auto dealerships along Highway 111. Mr.
departure as he has accepted a position with the
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Wright/Proctor to adjourn this meeting at 8:05 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
WANDA WISE-LATTA, Commission Secretary
City of La Quinta, California
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 5 SEPTEMBER 25, 2018