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2019 03 26 PC MinutesPLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 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, Assistant City Attorney Travis Van Ligten, City Engineer Bryan McKinney, Planning Manager Cheri L. Flores, Interim Senior Planner Carlos Flores, Commission Secretary Wanda Wise -Latta and Administrative Assistant Mirta Lerma PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Quill led the Planning Commission in the Pledge of Allegiance. PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA - None CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA - Confirmed ANNOUNCEMENT'S, PRESENTATIONS AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS - None CONSENT CALENDAR 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES DATED MARCH 12, 2019 MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Bettencourt/Currie to approve the Consent Calendar as submitted. 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 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 1 MARCH 26, 2019 DECLARATIONS REGARDING PUBLIC CONTACTS: Commission Proctor disclosed that prior to relocating to La Quinta, he looked at the site and the surrounding area on behalf of a business client. Commissioner Wright noted that he had dealt with the previous property owner. Assistant City Attorney Van Ligten indicated that no conflicts existed. No other public contacts to report. 1. SPECIFIC PLAN 2018-0003 SUBMITTED BY THE CITY OF LA QUINTA PROPOSING TO MODIFY LANDSCAPING AND SIGNAGE STANDARDS WITHIN PLANNING AREA 1 AND PERMITTING INDOOR SELF STORAGE AS AN ALLOWABLE USE IN PLANNING AREA 3 OF THE CENTRE AT LA QUINTA SPECIFIC PLAN. PROJECT: CENTRE AT LA QUINTA. CEQA: EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT ON THE BASIS THAT THE PROJECT WILL RESULT IN MINOR AMENDMENTS TO EXISTING FACILITIES AND THE REPLACEMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION OF SIDEWALKS AND LANDSCAPING (GUIDELINES SECTION 15301 AND 15302). LOCATION: SOUTHSIDE OF HIGHWAY 111, BETWEEN ADAMS STREET AND DUNE PALMS ROAD. [RESOLUTION NUMBER 2019-0051 Interim Senior Planner Carlos Flores presented the staff report, which is on file in the Design and Development Department. Staff responded to Planning Commissioners' inquiries regarding the possibility of additional indoor storage facilities within Planning Area 3 to which staff responded that there are limitations including a 500-foot setback from Highway 111 requirement that would preclude additional indoor storage facilities within the existing commercial buildings north of Walmart; and clarified that the area for the two-story indoor storage would be located within the existing building. Assistant to the City Manager Gilbert Villalpando addressed the Commission's inquiry regarding sales tax revenue. Staff continued to respond to Planning Commissioners' inquiries regarding vehicle storage in the self -storage area and stated that tenant improvements to the existing building would be subject to building and fire code review; explained that use of the existing building as a concert venue would be subject to use permit process as well as applicable building and fire code updates; and described the covenant held by Walmart which limits allowable uses of the building. Mr. Villalpando stated that Walmart has approved Floor and Decor as a tenant and that all proposed uses for the existing building would need to be approved by Walmart. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 2 MARCH 26, 2019 Staff continued to respond to Planning Commissioners inquiries about the maintenance of the landscaping; irrigation, and lighting of the site. At the request of Chairman McCune, Assistant to the City Manager Villalpando provided an update regarding the Auto Center. Staff continued to respond to Planning Commissioners inquiries regarding final landscaping plan and sign program that would both be approved at staff level; explained the ability for "call up review" of a staff decision by the Planning Commission; and clarified the areas in Planning Area 1 where car pads would be located. CHAIRPERSON MCCUNE OPENED THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:33 P.M. PUBLIC SPEAKER: David Rose, EPIC Management, Temecula, California - introduced himself and provided additional information about the project and addressed the Planning Commission's inquiries regarding security related to the indoor storage facility; anticipated sales tax revenue; landscaping; and inability to utilize space as an entertainment venue. Commission Proctor recommended that attention be paid to security aspects of the project. PUBLIC SPEAKER: Dale Tyerman, La Quinta - introduced himself and spoke in support of the proposed project, hoped that consideration would be given to improving the aesthetics of the proposed project including the parking lot and landscaping and that the improvements be consistent with the Highway 111 Corridor improvements. CHAIRPERSON MCCUNE CLOSED THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:42 P.M. The Commission discussed security for the indoor self -storage; upgrades to landscaping; parking lot pavement condition; landscaping and signage in Planning Area 1; and outdoor storage. Assistant to the City Manager Villalpando stated that as a condition of the lease, the parking lot will be slurry sealed and landscaping upgraded. MOTION: A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Caldwell/Wright to adopt Planning Commission Resolution 2019-005 and recommend to City Council that they find the project exempt from CEQA and approve Specific Plan 2018-0003 for Center at La Quinta subject to the attached findings and the following additional conditions of approval: 1. Any tenant for self -storage will present a security plan to be reviewed by staff. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 3 MARCH 26, 2019 2. Final landscaping plan and signage for Planning Area 1 will be considered by the Planning Commission. AYES: Commissioners Bettencourt, Caldwell, Currie, Proctor, Quill, Wright and Chairperson McCune. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. Motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Bettencourt disclosed that he has a business interest that is developing a self -storage facility on Highway 62 at Dillon Road. REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS - None COMMISSIONERS' ITEMS 1. Commissioners Bettencourt and Currie reported on their participation in the 2019 League of California Cities Planning Commission Academy held March 6-8, 2019 in Long Beach, California. Planning Manager Flores reported on her participation at the Academy. STAFF ITEMS 1. Planning Manager Flores reported on the community workshop about the Highway 111 Area Plan which was held on March 18, 2019 and spoke about the Corridor design charrettes scheduled for April 24-26, 2019. 2. Staff reminded the Planning Commission of the March 27, 2019 joint meeting of the City Council with City Boards and Commissions. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Bettencourt/Currie to adjourn this meeting at 7:12 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, WANDA WISE-LATTA, Commission Secretary City of La Quinta, California PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 4 MARCH 26, 2019