2019 04 23 PC MinutesPLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 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, Planning
Manager Cheri L. 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
ANNOUNCEMENTS,__ PRESENTATIONS AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES DATED APRIL 9, 2019
MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Caldwell/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
DECLARATIONS REGARDING PUBLIC CONTACTS:
There were no public contacts to report regarding Business Session Item No. 1 and
Public Hearing Item No. 1 before the Planning Commission for consideration. It was
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noted that Commissioners Bettencourt, Caldwell, Currie, Proctor and Chairperson
McCune participated in a progress tour of SilverRock Resort earlier in the day.
ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT
2019-0001, PROPOSING TO AMEND SECTION 9.60.340 OF THE LA QUINTA
MUNICIPAL CODE TO CLARIFY LANGUAGE REGARDING FLAGPOLES.
APPLICANT: CITY OF LA QUINTA. CEQA: EXEMPT FROM ENVIRONMENTAL
REVIEW UNDER CEQA, PURSUANT TO SECTION 15061 (B)(3), REVIEW FOR
EXEMPTIONS - GENERAL RULE. LOCATION: CITY-WIDE.
Planning Manager Cheri L. Flores presented the staff report, which is on file in the
Design and Development Department.
Staff responded to Planning Commissioners' inquiries regarding regulating the
information on flags that can be flown.
MOTION: A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Bettencourt/Currie
to find the project exempt from environmental review under the California
Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section 15061 (b)(3), Review for Exemptions
- General Rule and adopt Planning Commission Resolution 2019-006
recommending to the City Council approval of Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2019-
0001, approving an amendment to Section 9.60.340 of the La Quinta Municipal
Code. AYES: Commissioners Bettencourt, Caldwell, Currie, Proctor, Quill, Wright
and Chairperson McCune. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None.
Motion passed unanimously.
STUDY SESSION - None
PUBLIC HEARING
ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2018-0006
TO CONSTRUCT A 90-FOOT MONOPALM WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION
FACILITY. APPLICANT: EUKON GROUP FOR AT&T. CEQA: EXEMPT FROM
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW UNDER CEQA, PURSUANT TO SECTION 15303
(CLASS 3), NEW CONSTRUCTION OR CONVERSION OF SMALL STRUCTURES.
LOCATION: SOUTHWEST CORNER OF AUTO CENTRE WAY AND AUTO CENTRE
DRIVE.
Chairperson McCune noted that the applicant was not present.
Planning Manager Flores presented the staff report, which is on file in the Design
and Development Department.
Staff responded to Planning Commissioners' inquiries regarding concerns staff may
have had with the application to which staff noted that the height of the monopalm
was a concern, but allowable per the La Quinta Municipal Code; small cell
telecommunication facilities and their possible impact on monopalm
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telecommunication facilities; height of other cell towers located in the City; 90-foot
height of proposed monopalm; impact of proposed project on surrounding
properties and adjacent future development; ownership of the monopalm wireless
telecommunication facility; materials used to construct the wall enclosure of
telecommunication facility; 24-hour contact information for those who would be
responsible for the maintenance of the proposed telecommunication facility; and
adequate detailing regarding the design of the live palms.
CHAIRPERSON MCCUNE OPENED THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:23 P.M.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Karen Kowalewski, Housing Administrator, Hadley Villas, La
Quinta - spoke in opposition to the project due to concerns about the impacts of
radio frequencies and the proximity of the proposed project to residential
properties.
MOTION: A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Wright/Proctor to
continue Conditional Use Permit 2018-006 to the May 14, 2019 Planning
Commission meeting. AYES: Commissioners Bettencourt, Caldwell, Currie, Proctor,
Quill, Wright and Chairperson McCune. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN:
None. Motion passed unanimously.
REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL. ITEMS - None
COMMISSIONERS' ITEMS
Commissioner Bettencourt commented on his visit to the Floresta development by
Beazer Homes located near Avenue 52 and Jefferson Street.
STAFF ITEMS
Staff provided an update regarding the timelier distribution of staff level decisions
for special events that occur soon after staff approval.
Staff provided information about the Highway 111 Corridor Area Plan Charrettes
being held April 24, 25 and 26, 2019.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Bettencourt/Wright to adjourn this meeting at 6:42 p.m. Motion passed
unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
{1 t
WANDA WISE-LATTA, Commission Secretary
City of La Quinta, California
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 3 APRIL 23, 2019