Loading...
2018 10 23 PC MinutesPLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES TUE DAY OCTOBER 23 2018 CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the La Quinta Planning Commission was called to order at 6:00 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, Design and Development Director Danny Castro, City Engineer Bryan McKinney, Senior Planner Cheri L. Flores, Commission Secretary Wanda Wise - Latta and Administrative Assistant Mirta Lerma PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Wright led the 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 25, 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 25, 2018: • Page 3, Condition of Approval No. 1 to the Motion: "and provide architectural enhancements on their northern and western elevation facing the Citrus. " AYES: Commissioners Bettencourt, Caldwell, Currie, Proctor, Quill, Wright and Chairperson McCune. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 1 OCTOBER 23, 2018 PUBLIC HEARINGS DECLARATIONS REGARDING PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC CONTACTS None to report. 1. SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 2018-0008 SUBMITTED BY T.D. DESERT DEVELOPMENT PROPOSING TO AMEND SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 2003- 787 TO ALLOW A 45% INCREASE IN SQUARE FOOTAGE OF THE PROPOSED RESIDENCE ON LOT 191. CEQA: THE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT HAS DETERMINED THAT THE PROJECT IS CONSISTENT WITH ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 2003-048, WHICH WAS PREPARED FOR GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT 2003-093, ZONE CHANGE 2003-116, SPECIFIC PLAN 2003-067 AND SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 2003-787, AND CERTIFIED ON DECEMBER 16, 2003. LOCATION: 59895 SEVILLE. [RESOLUTION NO. 2018-0121 Senior Planner Cheri L. Flores presented the staff report, which is on file in the Design and Development Department. Planning Commission asked staff if any homeowner comments had been received and responded none were received; asked staff how many public hearing notices had been mailed and responded that notices were mailed to those within 500 feet of the project. Staff explained that the item was before the Commission for consideration because the increase in square footage was over the allowable 10% under a modification by the applicant and requires consideration by the original approving body as a site development permit amendment. Several Commissioners recommended that staff look into different avenues to simplify this process in the future. Chairperson McCune declared the PUBLIC HEARING OPEN at 6:10 p.m. PUBLIC SPEAKER: Nolan Sparks, T.D. Desert Development, La Quinta - stated he was available to answer questions. Chairperson McCune declared the PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED at 6:11 p.m. MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Wright/Quill to adopt Planning Commission Resolution 2018-012 recommending City Council approval of Site Development Permit 2018-0008 subject to the attached Findings and Conditions of Approval and find the project consistent with Environmental Assessment 2003-483. AYES: Commissioners Bettencourt, Caldwell, Currie, Procter, Quill, Wright and Chairperson McCune. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. Motion passed unanimously. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 2 OCTOBER 23, 2018 2. SPECIFIC PLAN 2018-0001, AMENDMENT 3 TO JEFFERSON SQUARE SPECIFIC PLAN, SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 2018-0001 AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 2018-0001 SUBMITTED BY CCD HOTEL AND RESORTS LLC PROPOSING A THREE-STORY HOTEL WITH UP TO A 160-ROOM HOTEL AND FOOD MARKET WITH OR WITHOUT RETAIL SHOPS. PROJECT: JEFFERSON SQUARE HOTEL. CEQA: THE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT HAS PREPARED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 2018-0001 FOR THIS PROJECT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT AND HAS DETERMINED THAT ALTHOUGH THE PROPOSED PROJECT COULD HAVE A SIGNIFICANT EFFECT ON THE ENVIRONMENT, THERE WILL NOT BE A SIGNIFICANT EFFECT BECAUSE MITIGATION MEASURES HAVE BEEN INCORPORATED INTO THE PROJECT [RESOLUTION NO. 2018-0131 Senior Planner Cheri Flores presented the staff report, which is on file in the Design and Development Department. Planning Commission questioned staff about the project's infringement upon views; commented about whether there is government regulation of private property to protect public or private views; noted that the revised plan eliminated one row of parking spaces directly north of the homes to the south of the project; asked about the height of project; and asked Acting Assistant City Attorney Van Lighten to provide enlightenment to the Commission regarding the right to a view. Chairperson McCune declared the PUBLIC HEARING OPEN at 6:34 p.m. PUBLIC SPEAKER: Marc Yeber, El Segundo, CA - introduced himself and stated he represented the applicant. Mr. Yeber presented additional information regarding the project including changes made; explained how they addressed some of the concerns raised at the September 25, 2018 Planning Commission meeting; and stated he was available to answer questions. Mr. Yeber clarified for a Commissioner that the row of parking spaces that were eliminated immediately north of the homes in Monticello and south of the hotel will be replaced by additional landscaping. PUBLIC SPEAKER: Paul Mercer, CEO of CCD Hotel and Resorts LLC - introduced himself and confirmed for the Commissioners that all facilities would be open to hotel guests and the public. Commission discussion continued regarding the new entry feature and tower height; food and beverage service; special event space; the proposed hotel as a destination; hotel occupancy rates and market research related occupancy rates; hotel operator; and if there was an alternative plan to food court concept. PUBLIC SPEAKER: Jeff Stahl, La Quinta - spoke in opposition to the Jefferson Square Hotel commercial project due to incompatibility in a residential neighborhood and park; PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 3 OCTOBER 23, 2018 loss of scenic views from park; nuisance noise from hotel and proposed wedding party deck; unstudied traffic flow issues; parking capacity issues; project size too large for property; and aggressive development plan. PUBLIC SPEAKER: Brian Potter, La Quinta - spoke in opposition to the Jefferson Square Hotel commercial project due to proximity to homes and park; and loss of scenic views. PUBLIC SPEAKER: Tim Kemp, La Quinta - spoke in opposition to the Jefferson Square Hotel commercial project due to proximity of hotel to homes and park; and noise. PUBLIC SPEAKER: Greg Cairns, La Quinta - spoke in opposition to the Jefferson Square Hotel commercial project due to proximity to homes, traffic, parking concerns, and proximity to schools. PUBLIC SPEAKER: Matt Garchensky, La Quinta - spoke in opposition to the Jefferson Square Hotel commercial project due to proximity of project to homes, lighting concerns, traffic, and noise. PUBLIC SPEAKER: Jim Cullinan, La Quinta - spoke in opposition to the Jefferson Square Hotel commercial project due to architecture, height, proximity to homes, noise, loss of views, incompatibility with residential neighborhood and project size. PUBLIC SPEAKER: Holly Sterling, La Quinta - spoke in opposition to the Jefferson Square Hotel commercial project due to proximity to homes and park; and noise. PUBLIC SPEAKER: Diana Gardner, La Quinta - spoke in opposition to the Jefferson Square Hotel commercial project due to proximity to homes, inappropriate location for the project. The following people submitted Public Speaker Forms opposed to the Jefferson Square Hotel commercial project but did not wish to speak: • Cary and Terry Lee, La Quinta, CA • Cynthia Bailey, La Quinta, CA • Julie Cullinan, La Quinta, CA • Chris Bailey, La Quinta, CA • Marian Stahl, La Quinta, CA Chairperson McCune declared the PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED at 7:11 p.m. Chairperson McCune thanked the residents and applicant for attending the meeting. Commission discussion followed in support of and in opposition to the Jefferson Square Hotel commercial project. Senior Planner Flores advised the Commission that there was a correction to the resolution identified for the Commission as No. 4 and the title should read as follows: PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 4 OCTOBER 23, 2018 A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING TO THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE JEFFERSON SQUARE HOTEL AND MARKET LOCATED AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF JEFFERSON STREET AND FRED WARING DRIVE CASE NUMBER: ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 2018-0001 Senior Planner Flores advised the Commission that there was a correction to the resolution identified for the Commission as No. 6 as to the room count and should read as follows: WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of La Quinta, California did, on the 23rd day of October, 2018, hold a duly noticed Public Hearing to consider a request by CCD Hotel and Resorts, LLC for approval of a 141-room, three-story, 86,833 square -foot hotel and 20,172 square -foot food and beverage market, generally located at the southwest corner of Jefferson Street and Fred Waring Drive, more particularly described as: APN 604-521-010, 604-521-012, 604-521- 013 MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Quill/Wright to adopt Planning Commission Resolution 2018-013 recommending to the City Council denial of Specific Plan Amendment 2018-0001 and Site Development Permit 2018-0012 for Jefferson Square Hotel and Market located at the southwest corner of Jefferson Street and Fred Waring Drive and with the revisions by staff with reference to the 141-room hotel. Commission discussed the motion regarding CEQA findings for denial of the project. Nicole Sauviat Criste with Terra Nova Planning and Research clarified that if the Planning Commission took no action on the CEQA document, the document would move on to the City Council for consideration as they are the decision -making body. AYES: Proctor, Quill, Wright and Chairperson McCune. NOES: Commissioners Bettencourt, Caldwell, and Currie. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. Motion passed. BUSINESS SESSSION - None STUDY SESSION - None REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS - None COMMISSIONERS' ITEMS At the request of Commissioner Caldwell, Design and Development Director Castro provided an update regarding Morrow Ranch. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 5 OCTOBER 23, 2018 Commissioner Proctor requested staff to provide an update regarding SilverRock. STAFF ITEMS - None ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Wright/Bettencourt to adjourn this meeting at 7:42 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, WANDA WISE-LATTA, Commission Secretary City of La Quinta, California PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 6 OCTOBER 23, 2018