2018 12 11 PCPLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA 1 DECEMBER 11, 2018
PLANNING COMMISSION
AGENDA
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta
REGULAR MEETING on TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2018 AT 6:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL: Commissioners Bettencourt, Caldwell, Currie, Proctor, Quill, Wright and
Chairperson McCune.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA
At this time, members of the public may address the Planning Commission on any matter
not listed on the agenda. Please complete a "Request to Speak" form and limit your
comments to three minutes. The Planning Commission values your comments; however,
in accordance with State law, no action shall be taken on any item not appearing on the
agenda unless it is an emergency item authorized by GC 54954.2(b).
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA
ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRESENTATIONS AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS – None
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVE MINUTES DATED NOVEMBER 27, 2018
BUSINESS SESSION - None
STUDY SESSION
1. REVIEW THE SILVERROCK VENUE SITE MASTER PLAN
PUBLIC HEARINGS – None
REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS - None
Planning Commission agendas and
staff reports are now available on the
City’s web page: www.laquintaca.gov
PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA 2 DECEMBER 11, 2018
COMMISSIONERS’ ITEMS
STAFF ITEM
1. PROJECT UPDATES (VERBAL PRESENTATION)
ADJOURNMENT
The next regular meeting of the Planning Commission will be held on January 8, 2019,
commencing at 6:00 p.m. at the City Hall Council Chambers, 78-495 Calle Tampico, La
Quinta, California.
DECLARATION OF POSTING
I, Wanda Wise-Latta, Commission Secretary, do hereby declare that the foregoing
Agenda for the La Quinta Planning Commission meeting was posted on the outside entry
to the Council Chamber at 78-495 Calle Tampico, and the bulletin boards at 78-630
Highway 111, and the La Quinta Cove Post Office at 51-321 Avenida Bermudas, on
December 7, 2018.
DATED: December 6, 2018
WANDA WISE-LATTA, Commission Secretary
City of La Quinta, California
Public Notices
The La Quinta City Council Chamber is handicapped accessible. If special equipment is needed for the
hearing impaired, please call the Planning Division of the Design and Development Department at 777-7118,
twenty-four (24) hours in advance of the meeting and accommodations will be made.
If special electronic equipment is needed to make presentations to the Commission, arrangements should
be made in advance by contacting the Planning Division of the Design and Development Department at 777-
7118. A one (1) week notice is required.
If background material is to be presented to the Commission during a Planning Commission meeting, please
be advised that eight (8) copies of all documents, exhibits, etc., must be supplied to the Executive Assistant
for distribution. It is requested that this take place prior to the beginning of the meeting.
Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the Commission regarding any item(s) on this agenda
will be made available for public inspection at the Design and Development Department’s counter at City
Hall located at 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, California, 92253, during normal business hours.
CONSENT 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.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 2 NOVEMBER 27, 2018
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 3 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,
WANDA WISE-LATTA, Commission Secretary
City of La Quinta, California
STUDY SESSION ITEM NO. 1
City of La Quinta
PLANNING COMMISSION: December 11, 2018
STAFF REPORT
AGENDA TITLE: REVIEW THE SILVERROCK VENUE SITE MASTER PLAN
RECOMMENDATION
Discuss the changes to the SilverRock Venue Site Master Plan that address the
recommendations of the Financial Advisory Commission, the Planning
Commission, and the Community Services Commission.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
• In February 2018, City Council assigned an Ad Hoc Committee to develop a
Master Plan for the SilverRock Venue Site. The resulting Master Plan
(Attachment 1) was then shared with the Financial Advisory Commission, the
Planning Commission, and the Community Services Commission.
• The Finance Advisory Commission (FAC) provided a letter of recommendations
(Attachment 2) for the Venue Site Master Plan that was supported by the
Planning Commission and the Community Services Commission.
• On August 7, 2018, City Council approved the SilverRock Venue Site Master
Plan and adopted a resolution to approve the site development permit 2018-
0006, including site architectural and landscape plans for an approximately 14-
acre passive park venue within planning area 11 of the SilverRock Specific
Plan; Project: SilverRock Event Site; CEQA: Consistent with environmental
assessment 2014-1003.
• The Ad Hoc Committee revised the Venue Site Master Plan to address the
recommendations of the FAC and reconvened on November 13, 2018 for
review.
• The SilverRock Venue Site Master Plan is again being presented to the
commissions before going to City Council for approval to bid the final plans and
specifications.
FISCAL IMPACT
Construction costs are projected to be $6.0 million. This includes soft costs such
as design, inspection, and contingency. If approved, the amended project budget
would include the following funding sources:
Funding Source Current Adjusted
Measure G Reserves - 1,300,000
Quimby Fund 3,550,000 2,000,000
Park & Recreation DIF Fund - 2,400,000
Art in Public Place DIF Fund 100,000 300,000
TOTAL PROJECT BUDGET 3,650,000 6,000,000
An estimated $3.4 million in development impact fees are expected from the
SilverRock Development Company. The annual maintenance and operations cost
is estimated to be $149,700; offset by $100,800 of revenue for a net General
Fund expense of $48,900.
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS
In July 2006, City Council approved the Specific Plan (SP) for the SilverRock
development which designates 35 acres as a community park for passive use. No
conceptual park design was considered when the SP was approved. Special
events described in the SP include public parking, automobile displays, art
festivals, and corporate events in conjunction with the on-site hotel. As with all
City Parks and facilities, each of these types of events will be subject to a
temporary use permit from the City.
A Purchase, Sale and Development Agreement, along with a statutory
Development Agreement with SilverRock Development Company (SDC), both
dated November 19, 2014, were approved by City Council to construct two hotels,
a conference center, a new golf clubhouse, retail space, and resort residential
uses adjacent to the event site. An estimated $3.4 million in development impact
fees are expected to be generated from this development.
With the desire to create an event space that could accommodate events larger
than the Civic Center Campus, the City Council established an Ad Hoc Committee
in February 2018. The Committee consisted of a Council Member, a Community
Services Commissioner, Planning Commissioner, and representatives from
Montage International and SilverRock Development Company. The Committee
then worked with Hermann Design Group and Staff to create a site plan, budget,
and construction timeline for the event site. The goal is to complete construction
and have the event site operational for the 2020 La Quinta Arts Foundation’s
(LQAF) Arts Festival. The LQAF would like to continue holding the event at the
Civic Center Campus, but access to the Campus will be restricted during the
spring of 2020 due to scheduled street and intersection improvements and
concurrent storm drain system improvements. The Committee prepared a master
plan for approximately 14-acres of park space with walking paths, turf areas,
sloped event lawn, a water feature, public art, a restroom building, and a modular
building (Alongi).
The proposed Master Plan was presented to the Financial Advisory Commission
(FAC) on June 13, 2018. The FAC then submitted a letter to City Council on June
21, 2018 requesting consideration for additional park amenities that include
restrooms, storage facilities, shade structures, and additional shade trees
(Attachment 2).
The FAC also requested a 10-year revenue projection of the Venue Site. Staff
consulted with Montage International and reviewed previous City events. A 10-
year projection is difficult to determine because it is unknown what new groups
and uses will be attracted to the new Venue Site. We do know the La Quinta Arts
Festival currently generates approximately $66,000 in sales tax and business
license revenue. Additionally, the Venue Site operations cost is estimated to be
$149,000 annually. Based on these two numbers, the La Quinta Arts Festival can
cover 44% of the annual Venue Site operations cost during their four-day event.
The Planning Commission held a public hearing for the Venue Site Master Plan site
development permit (SDP 2018-0006) on June 26, 2018. The Planning
Commission recommended City Council approval of the project and consideration
for the FAC’s request for additional park amenities. The Master Plan was then
presented to the Community Services Commission who also supported the
Planning Commission and the FACs’ recommendations.
On August 7, 2018, City Council approved the SilverRock Venue Site Master Plan
and adopted a resolution to approve the site development permit 2018-0006.
Council provided direction to revise the Master Plan to address the
recommendations provided in the letter from the FAC.
The revised Master Plan includes one restroom facility and additional trees in the
base bid design. An additional restroom, storage building, amphitheater, and
more shade structures are listed as an add alternate. These items are not in the
base bid to stay within the $6,000,000 approved budget. However, if project
bidding is favorable, then many of these items may be included without going
over the project budget amount.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Parking:
A total of 1,156 venue parking spaces are proposed and include 210 designated
spaces with a Class II road base surface, 330 spaces on a decomposed granite
surface, 265 overflow spaces in the retention basin, and 351 at the adjacent
Montage conference center. The 1,032 parking spaces the City provides for the
LQAF Art Festival was the benchmark for this venue’s parking.
Operations Cost:
Based on the similar size to the Civic Center Campus, staff used the 2017/18
Campus operations costs to project the following operating costs for the event
park:
Landscape Maintenance
$53,000 Electricity
30,000 Water
24,000 Personnel
19,000 Lake Service
8,400 Materials-Irrigation
3,600 Janitorial Service
3,000 Vehicle Operations
2,500 IT
2,400 Plant Replacement
1,400 Graffiti
1,400 Tree Replacement
300
TOTAL $149,000
Development Costs: Based on Masterplan and not final drawings. Grading cost
will be adjusted because of SDC providing the rough grading.
Site Preparation
$488,350
Site Construction/Amenities
1,912,900
Site Electrical
524,000
Landscape
428,400
Landscape Irrigation
565,000
Maintenance Establishment
18,000
Contractor Admin./Costs
590,498
Professional Services (9.5%)
430,079
Inspect./Test./Survey(9.75%)
441,397
Contingency (10%)
539,862
TOTAL $5,938,486
Add Alternates: Currently not approved.
Amphitheater: $420,000
Restroom: 300,000
Shade Structures (3) 500 sq. ft: 135,000
Storage Building: 120,000
Additional Trees (52): 88,000
TOTAL $1,063,000
Soft Costs: 361,381
Project Schedule:
Bid Documents Complete: December 30, 2018
Bidding Period / Award Contract: February 2019
Construction Start: March 2019
Grassing Start: July 2019
Construction Complete: September 2019
Over-seeding: October 2019
Project Final Acceptance: December 2019
LQ Arts Festival: March 2020
Prepared by: Steve Howlett, Facilities Director
Approved by: Danny Castro, Design and Development Director
Attachments: 1. SilverRock Venue Site Master Plan
2. Finance Advisory Committee comment letter
ATTACHMENT 1
June 21, 2018
To; City of La Quinta Madame Mayor and City Council Members
From: City of La Quinta Financial Advisory Commission
Subject: SilverRock Event Site – Phase 1 Enhanced Plan
At the Financial Advisory Commission (“FAC”) Special Meeting on June 13, 2018, City
Staff provided a presentation of the SilverRock Event Site – Phase 1 Enhanced Plan
(“Enhanced Plan”) proposed by the Ad Hoc SilverRock Event Site Committee (“Ad Hoc
Committee”). FAC Commissioners were asked to approve the Enhanced Plan, which
utilizes $2.4M of Measure G Funds. This was the first time the FAC was consulted on
this matter.
One of the responsibilities of the FAC is oversight for the use of Measure G Funds.
After much discussion, the FAC Commissioners are unanimous and enthusiastic in
support of the concept for the Event Site. However, we expressed concern there was
insufficient information for us to approve the Enhanced Plan. Our main areas of
concern are as follows:
Lack of information to determine whether the Enhanced Plan provided a
state-of-the-art event site in one Phase.
Lack of information on projected annual operating costs and potential
revenues.
FAC Commissioners requested additional information and selected fellow
Commissioners Mills, Rosen and Batavick to meet with City Staff, and for one of these
Commissioners to attend the next Ad Hoc Committee Meeting.
On June 18, 2018, the three Commissioners met with City Staff. They were provided
additional information on the Enhanced Plan, including details of both the capital
expenditure and annual operating expense components. They also received
additional information addressing other areas of FAC concern including; turf
mitigation, Coachella Valley Water District issues, adequacy of Event Site to hold
ATTACHMENT 2
various entertainment events, ingress and egress options for people and vehicles and
potential future Phases of the Event Site.
Commissioner Mills attended the AD Hoc Committee meeting on June 18th. During
the meeting he commented that the FAC felt the proposed Enhanced Plan may be
“under built”. He further remarked that the proposed plan should NOT be restricted by
any hypothetical budget but rather should be guided by amenities that insure the
Event Site is a first class facility from the outset with the ability to accommodate
multiple types of events. The City needs to take advantage of this once in a lifetime
opportunity. Accordingly, the FAC supports additional shade structures, as well as
providing adequate restroom facilities taking into account the demographics of our
citizens and potential event attendees. The FAC would also recommend a 10-year
revenue and expenditure projection.
Based on our review of the Enhanced Plan, the FAC has the following
recommendations:
1) Revise the current Event Site Enhanced Plan to include additional restroom and
storage area facilities, a shade structure over the stage, more shade trees, and
more shade structures, such as gazebos. Additional Measure G funds are
available. Consider integrating the recently approved purchase of a modular
building into a new Enhanced Plan.
2) Develop a plan for using Art in Public Places funds. Some art should be
“children friendly.”
3) Obtain specific recommendations and suggestions from potential users and
sponsors of events. During the Ad Hoc Committee Meeting, it was mentioned
GoldenVoice expressed an interest in the Event Site. This opportunity should
be explored.
4) Investigate the potential of obtaining grant funds from the recently passed
Proposition 68 or other public sources.
5) With estimated annual operating expenses of $150,000. prepare a 10-year
projection showing estimated revenues derived from the La Quinta Arts
Festival, other art shows, concerts, food-related events, etc.
6) Highlight the planned Event Site in the City’s continuing marketing efforts. This
addition of a new multi-purpose public park is very notable to our residents
and to others outside our community.
The Planning Commission will be meeting on June 26th for final review and their
approval of an Enhanced Plan. The FAC requests the Planning Commission consider
our applicable recommendations in their final review.
The FAC will hold a Special Meeting on July 18th to review, for our approval, the
Enhanced Plan approved by the Planning Commission at their June 26th Meeting.
Other additional information will also be reviewed.
We are prepared to answer any questions you may have on our observations and
recommendations.
Respectfully,
The Financial Advisory Commission
Cc: City of La Quinta Planning Commission
City of La Quinta Community Services Commission
Frank Spevacek, Chris Escobedo, Steve Howlett, Monika Radeva, Karla Campos,
Marcie Graham
Bcc Financial Advisory Commissioners Mills, Rosen, Johnson, Twohey, Turbow, Lopez,
and Chairperson Batavick