2018 11 27 PC MinutesCONSENT CALENDAR ITEM NO. 1
PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 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, Quill, Wright and
Chairperson McCune.
ABSENT: Commissioner Proctor
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 Quill led the audience in 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 NOVEMBER 13, 2018
MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Currie/Caldwell to
approve the Consent Calendar with a correction to the spelling of Commissioner Proctor's
name at the top of Page 3.
AYES: Commissioners Bettencourt, Caldwell, Currie, Quill, Wright and Chairperson
McCune. NOES: None. ABSENT: Commissioner Proctor. ABSTAIN: None. Motion
passed.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
DECLARATIONS REGARDING PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC CONTACTS - None to
report.
1. ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT 2018-0005, SUBMITTED BY CITY OF LA
QUINTA PROPOSING TO AMEND SEVERAL CHAPTERS OF TITLES 3,6,8,9,11
AND 13 OF THE LA QUINTA MUNICIPAL CODE TO STREAMLINE
DEVELOPMENT PROCESSES AND STANDARDS. CEQA: EXEMPT FROM
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW UNDER CEQA, PURSUANT TO SECTION 15061
(B)(3), REVIEW FOR EXEMPTIONS - GENERAL RULE. LOCATION: CITY-
WIDE. [RESOLUTION NO. 2018-016]
Associate Planner Carlos Flores presented the staff report, which is on file in the Design
and Development Department. He stated a handout related to certain changes proposed
in the Municipal Code had been provided to the Planning Commission prior to the
meeting.
The Planning Commission discussed concerns regarding designating the City Manager or
his/her designee as the decision -making authority on waivers for undergrounding of
utilities and side yard setback exemptions for pool equipment; and hotel and motel
definition consistency with reference to cooking facilities.
Chairperson McCune declared the PUBLIC HEARING OPEN at 6:37 p.m.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: None
Chairperson McCune declared the PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED at 6:37 p.m.
Commission discussed the designation of the Planning Commission as the decision -
making authority on waivers for undergrounding of utilities (Title 8 Section 8.03.020)
and for approving exemptions of side yard setback for pool equipment (Title 9 Section
9.60.070(B)(2); and suggested making references to pool equipment consistent with
ground mounted equipment.
MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Quill/Caldwell to adopt
Resolution 2018-016 of the Planning Commission of the City of La Quinta, California
finding the project exempt from the environmental review under CEQA, pursuant to
Section 15061 (b)(3), Review for Exemptions - General Rule and recommending to the
City Council approval of Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2018-0005, approving
amendments to Titles 3, 6, 8, 9, 11 and 13 of the La Quinta Municipal Code with the
following recommendations:
• Establish Planning Commission as the decision -making authority for waivers of
undergrounding utilities and side yard setback exemptions for pool equipment.
• For consistency, designate Planning Commission as the decision -making authority
for side yard setback exemptions for all other ground -mounted mechanical
equipment, such as air-conditioning units.
• Remove references to cooking facilities for motel definition, similar to hotel
definition.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 2 NOVEMBER 27, 2018
AYES: Commissioners Bettencourt, Caldwell, Currie, Quill, Wright and Chairperson
McCune. NOES: None. ABSENT: Commissioner Proctor. ABSTAIN: None. Motion
passed.
BUSINESS SESSION - None
STUDY SESSION - None
REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS - None
COMMISSIONERS' ITEMS
Commissioner Bettencourt suggested that staff provide an update on projects that may
be coming before the Planning Commission in 2019.
Chairperson McCune requested staff to check the placement of a sign located at the
southeast corner of Washington Street and Avenue 50 regarding the CVWD roadwork
occurring on Washington Street.
STAFF ITEMS
Staff updated the Planning Commission regarding:
• Holiday Open House on December 4, 2018;
• City Hall and City Yard closures from December 24, 2018 through January 1,
2019;
• Wellness Center closure December 25 through 28, 2018;
• Cancellation of the December 25, 2018 Planning Commission meeting; and
• March 6-8, 2019 League of California Cities Annual Planning Commission Academy
being held in Long Beach.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Bettencourt/Wright to adjourn this meeting at 6:51 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Wttk' -.11 -
WANDA WISE-LATTA, Commission Secretary
City of La Quinta, California
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 3 NOVEMBER 27, 2018