2019 03 12 PC MinutesPLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2019
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: Design and Development Director Danny Castro, City Attorney
William Ihrke, City Engineer Bryan McKinney, Planning Manager
Cheri L. Flores, Interim Senior Planner Carlos Flores,
Administrative Assistant Mirta Lerma and Commission Secretary
Wanda Wise -Latta
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Caldwell led the Planning Commission in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA - None
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA -
It was noted that Study Session appeared twice on the agenda. At the concurrence
of the Planning Commission, the second Study Session was deleted.
ANNOUNCEMENTS PRESENTATIONS AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS -
None
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES DATED JANUARY 26, 2019
MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners
Bettencourt/Proctor to approve the Consent Calendar as submitted with the
following amendments:
Page three, second paragraph , fifth line to read:
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 1 MARCH 12, 2019
"the City Manager's Office oversight of cell facility lease agreements on City
property; "
Page three, Staff Item No. 1 to read:
"The 2019 Village Parking Survey report was presented by Associate Planner
Carlos Flores and is on file in the Design and Development Department. "
AYES: Commissioners Bettencourt, Caldwell, Currie, Proctor, Quill, Wright and
Chairperson McCune. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. Motion
passed unanimously.
BUSINESS SESSION - None
STUDY SESSION - None
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Declarations regarding Public Contacts - None to report.
SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 2018-0007AND TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP 37683
(TPM 2018-0003) SUBMITTED BY SUNRIDGE PROPERTIES PROPOSING A
108-ROOM HOTEL, PROJECT: RESIDENCE INN. CEQA: PREVIOUSLY
REVIEWED UNDER ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 2018-0005 AND NO
FURTHER REVIEW IS REQUIRED. LOCATION: SOUTH OF HIGHWAY 111 AND
NORTH OF VISTA CORALINA LANE.
Interim Senior Planner Carlos Flores presented the staff report, which is on file in
the Design and Development Department. He stated that three handouts were
distributed to the Planning Commission prior to the meeting: updated conditions of
approval for Site Development Permit 2018-0007 and Tentative Parcel Map 37683;
and a letter of support for the proposed project from Marriott International.
Staff responded to Planning Commissioners' inquiries regarding access to the site
from Highway 111 and Vista Coralina Lane; possible access east and west of the
project site; parking; emergency access; image corridor; color palette; drive aisle;
landscape setback along Highway 111; lighting; deceleration lane along Highway
111; and landscaping along Highway 111.
CHAIRPERSON MCCUNE OPENED THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:33 P.M.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Paul Welker, CEO, Sunridge Properties - introduced himself and
provided additional information about the proposed project and responded to the
Commission's inquiries about the building's color palette; placement of project
within the site; building signage and the size of the property purchased from the
City.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 2 MARCH 12, 2019
Planning Manager Flores noted for the record that the applicant will be required to
submit a sign package and complete a sign application.
CHAIRPERSON MCCUNE CLOSED THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:52 P.M.
Chairperson McCune proposed that along Highway 111, between the sidewalk and
the fire lane, a 4-foot wall could be placed there; and soil could be sloped against
the wall to give the appearance of a landscape buffer.
Commissioner Bettencourt proposed removing the two parking stalls located on the
northeast corner of the project site directly abutting Highway 111 and converting
the space to a landscaped area.
Commissioner Quill stated he had no issues regarding the design or height of the
proposed hotel building, shared his concern regarding the visioning for the Highway
111 Corridor which has not been determined and the impact of the proposed
project on the Highway 111 Corridor. He opposed the drive aisle within the
landscape setback of the project and could not support the project. He stated he
was opposed to drive aisles within landscape setbacks within the current or future
Highway 111 Corridor.
Commissioners Caldwell and Currie supported the project.
Commissioner Proctor supported the project but shared his thoughts about the
close proximity of the hotel to Highway 111 and hoped there would be sensitivity
about placing future projects so close to Highway 111.
Commissioner Wright noted that only certified, locally -grown Phoenix Roebellini
palms can be used in the landscape plan and staff stated that the applicant would
be directed to the Riverside County Agricultural Commission to obtain certification.
MOTION: A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners
Bettencourt/Caldwell to adopt Planning Commission Resolution 2019-004 finding
the project consistent with Environmental Assessment 2018-0005 and approving
Site Development Permit 2018-0007 and Tentative Parcel Map 37693 as presented
with the addition of the following Conditions of Approval:
Planning Commission approval of Final Landscape Plan for all landscaping
abutting Highway 111, including the converted landscaped area.
• Removal of two parking stalls located on the northeast corner of the project
site directly abutting Highway 111 and converting the space to a landscaped
area.
AYES: Commissioners Bettencourt, Caldwell, Currie, Proctor, Wright and
Chairperson McCune. NOES: Commissioner Quill. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN:
None. Motion passed.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 3 MARCH 12, 2019
REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS - None
COMMISSIONERS' ITEMS - Nine
Commissioner Wright stated that on March 19, the City Council will recognize La
Quinta High School's Blackhawk Girls' Water Polo Team for their CIF -championship
season.
STAFF ITEMS
1. Planning Manager Flores provided information about the Highway Ill
Corridor Plan Community Workshop that will be held on March 18, 2019, at
6:00 p.m. in the Study Session Room at City Hall.
2. Staff provided information regarding the Joint Meeting of the City Council
with Boards and Commissions that will be held on March 27, 2019, at 5:30
p.m. in the Multi -Purpose Room at the Wellness Center.
3. Staff advised the Commission that the Ironman event will be discussed at the
March 19, 2019 City Council meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Proctor/Quill to adjourn this meeting at 7:01 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
WANDA WISE-LATTA, Commission Secretary
City of La Quinta, California
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 4 MARCH 12, 2019