2018 11 13 PC MinutesPLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
TUESDAY NOVEMBER 13 2Q18
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, Wright and
Chairperson McCune.
ABSENT: Commissioner Quill
STAFF PRESENT: Assistant City Attorney Morgan Gallagher, Design and Development
Director Danny Castro, City Engineer Bryan McKinney, Associate Planner
Carlos Flores, Commission Secretary Wanda Wise -Latta and
Administrative Assistant Mirta Lerma
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Caldwell led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Dale Tyerman, La Quinta, CA - introduced himself and spoke regarding
Avenue 60 street improvements and landscaping adjacent to the Andalusia development
between Monroe and Madison Streets.
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA - Confirmed
ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRESENTATIONS AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION - None
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES DATED OCTOBER 23, 2018
MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Bettencourt/Currie to
approve the Consent Calendar as recommended with the following amendment to the
Planning Commission Minutes of October 23, 2018 to page 3, adding to the end of paragraph
3:
and he stated that generally there are no property rights to views, light or air and that
there may be certain limited exceptions, but they may not apply to this specific
question about whether there is a right to control siting of a building to project views
without specific ordinances to that effect.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 1 NOVEMBER 13, 2018
AYES: Commissioners Bettencourt, Caldwell, Currie, Proctor, Wright and Chairperson
McCune. NOES: None. ABSENT: Commissioner Quill. ABSTAIN: None. Motion passed.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
DECLARATIONS REGARDING PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC CONTACTS
Commissioner Bettencourt stated that he has a working relationship with the Hermann
Design Group on unrelated properties outside of the City of La Quinta.
No other public contacts to report.
SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 2018-0003, SIGN PROGRAM 2018-0001, MINOR
ADJUSTMENT 2018-0008, CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2018-0004 AND
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 2018-0003 SUBMITTED BY SOUTH WEST
CONCEPTS, INC. PROPOSING A 18,695 SQUARE -FOOT ART MUSEUM.
PROJECT: CALIFORNIA DESERT MUSEUM OF ART. CEQA: EXEMPT FROM
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW UNDER CEQA, PURSUANT TO SECTION 15332
(CLASS 32) IN THAT THE PROPOSED PROJECT CAN BE CHARACTERIZED AS
IN -FILL DEVELOPMENT. LOCATION: 47705 CALEO BAY. [RESOLUTION NO. 2018-
0141
Associate Planner Carlos Flores presented the staff report, which is on file in the Design and
Development Department.
Planning Commission asked staff about the shared parking agreement and access to the
shared parking; if any comments had been received from adjacent commercial businesses
and residents to which staff responded none had been received; and the vacant property
north of the Caleo Bay Alzheimer's Special Care Center and south of the museum site which
is owned by the Caleo Bay Alzheimer's Special Care Center.
Chairperson McCune declared the PUBLIC HEARING OPEN at 6:24 p.m.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Stephen R. Nieto, South West Concepts - introduced himself, stated he
was available to answer any questions and spoke about their client, Christian Title's vision for
the museum. Mr. Nieto addressed Commission inquiries regarding parking and signage.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Stephen T. Nieto, South West Concepts - introduced himself and the
design team. He provided additional information regarding the proposed project and the
anticipated relationship and accessibility between the museum and the Caleo Bay Alzheimer's
Special Care Center.
Chairperson McCune declared the PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED at 6:34 p.m.
MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Bettencourt/Currie to adopt
Planning Commission Resolution 2018-014 approving Site Development Permit 2018-0003,
Sign Program 2018-0001, Minor Adjustment 2018-0008, and Conditional Use Permit 2018-
0004; and deem the project exempt from the California and Environmental Quality Act.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 2 NOVEMBER 13, 2018
AYES: Commissioners Bettencourt, Caldwell, Currie, Procter, Wright and Chairperson
McCune. NOES: None. ABSENT: Commissioner Quill. ABSTAIN: None. Motion passed.
2. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2017-0004 (CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2016-
0004 AMENDMENT 1) SUBMITTED BY HOME DEPOT U.S.A., INC. PROPOSING
OUTDOOR DISPLAY AND SALES AT AN EXISTING HOME DEPOT. CEQA: THE
DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT HAS DETERMINED THAT THE
PROJECT IS EXEMPT FROM ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PURSUANT TO
SECTION 15301 OF THE CALFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT IN THAT
THE PROPOSED PROJECT CAN BE CHARACTERIZED AS AN EXISTING
FACILITY. LOCATION: 79900 HIGHWAY. [RESOLUTION NO. 2018-015]
Associate Planner Carlos Flores presented the staff report, which is on file in the Design and
Development Department.
Planning Commission inquired of staff about pedestrian and ADA accessibility along the
southside of the building. Staff explained the purpose of truncated domes which are to be
placed underfoot to warn the vision impaired that they are entering a vehicle traffic area.
Staff stated planning, building, code compliance and fire personnel will conduct periodic
inspections of the site to assure the applicant is maintaining the site and are adhering to the
site plan and conditions of approval.
Planning Commission spoke about proper site management; inquired about potential traffic
congestion on the eastside of the project for egress and ingress out of and into the site;
vehicle circulation within the site; and shared concerns for pedestrians in areas where trucks
are loading and unloading.
Chairperson McCune declared the PUBLIC HEARING OPEN at 6:51 p.m.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Diana McKay, La Quinta, CA - introduced herself as the La Quinta Home
Depot store manager and addressed the Commission's inquiries about contractor truck
parking in front of the building, current delivery area on the westside of the building and
relocation of delivery area; and location of sheds currently on display and the possibility of
relocating them to the parking lot.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Doug Couper, Irvine, CA - introduced himself as a staff member of
Greenberg Farrow and provided additional information regarding the project.
Chairperson McCune declared the PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED at 7:03 p.m.
Commission discussion followed regarding pedestrian safety, storage on eastside of building,
outdoor retailing, new Home Depot store management staff, traffic, parking, placement of
sheds, containment of outside sales, and possible six-month review of conditional use permit.
MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Bettencourt/Caldwell to
adopt Planning Commission Resolution 2018-015 approving Conditional Use Permit 2017-
0004 (Conditional Use Permit 2016-0004, Amendment 1) for Home Depot U.S.A., Inc., as
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 3 NOVEMBER 13, 2018
submitted with staff's recommendations; and deem the project exempt from the California
and Environmental Quality Act with the following additions to the Conditions of Approval:
• Conditional Use Permit 2017-0004 shall be reviewed in six months.
• Parking lot display for Tough Sheds shall not be authorized.
AYES: Commissioners Bettencourt, Caldwell, Currie, and Chairperson McCune. NOES:
Commissioners Proctor and Wright. ABSENT: Commissioner Quill. ABSTAIN: None. Motion
passed.
BUSINESS SESSION - None
STUDY SESSION - None
REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS -- None
COMMISSIONERS' ITEMS
Commissioner Bettencourt stated that he had been contacted by potential bidders for the
City's Development Area Plan for the Highway 111 Corridor Request for Proposals. Mr.
Bettencourt stated that he respectfully declined to offer any recommendations.
STAFF ITEMS
Design and Development Director Danny Castro shared that the City and the Design and
Development Department will host a Developer and Contractor Workshop on November 15,
2018.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Proctor/Caldwell to adjourn this meeting at 7:21 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
WANDA WISE-LATTA, Commission Secretary
City of La Quinta, California
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 4 NOVEMBER 13, 2018