2019 02 12 CC Minutes CC & PC Joint Special MeetingSPECIAL JOINT MEETING Page 1 of 3 FEBRUARY 12, 2019
CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND
PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2019
CALL TO ORDER – City Council and Planning Commission
A special joint meeting of the La Quinta City Council and La Quinta Planning
Commission was called to order at 6:01 p.m. by Mayor Evans.
PRESENT: Councilmembers Fitzpatrick, Peña, Radi, Sanchez, Mayor Evans
ABSENT: None
PRESENT: Commissioners Bettencourt, Caldwell, Currie, Wright, Quill, and
Chairperson McCune
ABSENT: Commissioner Proctor
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Planning Commission Chairperson McCune led the audience in the Pledge of
Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA – None
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA – Confirmed
STUDY SESSION
1. DISCUSS THE HIGHWAY 111 CORRIDOR AREA PLAN AND
INTRODUCE CONSULTANT TEAM
Planning Manager Flores presented the staff report, which is on file in the
Clerk’s Office; and introduced Mr. Kaizer Rangwala, AICP, Principal with
Rangwala Associates, Woodland Hills, who gave a brief overview of the
company’s background, mission, experience, and introduced the members of
the team:
Juan Gomez-Novy, Associate with Moule & Polyzoides Architects &
Urbanists, Pasadena, California;
Gary Lai, ASLA, RLA, Leed AP, Principal with AHBE Landscape
Architects, Los Angeles, California; and
Zachary Zabel, Associate with Nelson Nygaard, Los Angeles, California.
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CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION
Mr. Rangwala said Rangwala’s team is very excited about the opportunity to
work with the City; understands the importance of the Corridor for La Quinta’s
fiscal health; the team members’ experience and competencies are very well
aligned with the scope of the project; and spoke about recent projects the
firm has completed.
General joint discussion followed regarding the components necessary to
realize connectivity and walkability along the Highway 111 Corridor (Corridor);
creating brand identity and experience through landscape and architectural
plan and design; importance of shade because of the hot desert weather;
strategically phasing shade structures with landscape design; use of lights as
an affordable and creative option to create visually appealing effects; access
to CV Link; alternative transportation options and depot areas; partnering with
local transit agencies to explore solutions for first-mile – last-mile challenges
to increase use of public transportation; need to improve signage along the
Corridor; utilize the seas of asphalt to create positive experiences; the
experience defines the brand and establishes the City’s identity; and the
importance to keep an open mind and be innovative, engage the community
and business owners, and balance regulations with the ability to stay flexible.
Mr. Rangwala said a step in developing the Area Plan is to meet with the
Planning Commission and Council to introduce Rangwala’s team, provide a
forum for engagement, and seek input, which will be incorporated in the
development of the Area Plan; the design process includes holding a
community workshop in March, followed by a three-day charrette in April, an
intensive planning session where citizens and other interested community
members share ideas, give feedback to the designers, and collaborate on the
vision of the Corridor.
General joint discussion followed regarding the scope of work Rangwala
Associates would conduct, which would include an analysis of the existing 11
Specific Plans along the Corridor and how they would interact with the
visioning and design of the Area Plan; schedule of performance; and total
contract amount.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Bradon Welker, Development Team with Sunridge
Properties, Arizona – said Sunridge Properties has a pending application with
the City for a hotel development along Highway 111 and spoke in support of
developing an Area Plan for the Corridor.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Dale Tyerman, La Quinta – commended the City for
initiating the revisioning of the Corridor; said he avoids Highway 111 because
signage is not very good and stores are set back so far in that it is difficult to
determine where to turn to get to where you are going; the Corridor is
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CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION
utilitarian – it’s functional, but it does not feel like La Quinta, the branding of
the City’s image needs to be integrated in the Corridor.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Leila Namvar, La Quinta – said the Corridor is very
functional and it offers a lot of variety within a single mile, but because of the
high concentration of business, it lacks the experience; revisioning the
Corridor can bring magic into the experience, make it more urban and inter-
connected; suggested looking into designating land uses for the City’s streets;
and noted she was pleased with the discussion tonight and the plan going
forward.
The following City Staff provided comments regarding the Corridor’s economic
development opportunities; need for redesign to incorporate new trends of
connectivity to accommodate pedestrians and alternative transportation uses;
integrate the City’s brand and image; and strike a balance between business
and regulations to ensure safety and compliance, and go-away from being
only auto-centric:
Gilbert Villalpando, Assistant to the City Manager;
Danny Castro, Design and Development Director;
Cheri Flores, Planning Manager;
Bryan McKinney, City Engineer.
COUNCIL AND COMMISSION MEMBERS’ ITEMS – None
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, a motion was made and seconded by
Councilmembers Fitzpatrick/Radi to adjourn at 8:02 p.m. Motion passed
unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
MONIKA RADEVA, City Clerk
City of La Quinta, California