2019 08 13 PC MinutesPLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
TUESDAY AUGUST 13 2O19
CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the La Quinta Planning Commission was called to order at
6:00 p.m. by Chairperson Caldwell.
PRESENT: Commissioners Bettencourt, Currie, Libolt Varner, McCune,
Nieto, Proctor, and Chairperson Caldwell
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Design and Development Director Danny Castro, Planning
Manager Cheri L. Flores, City Engineer Bryan McKinney,
Consulting Planner Nicole Sauviat Criste, Commission Secretary
Wanda Wise -Latta and Administrative Assistant Mirta Lerma
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner McCune led the Planning Commission in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA - None
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA
Staff announced that there were three introductions to be made under
Announcements, Presentations and Written Communications.
Agenda confirmed.
ANNOUNCEMENTS PRESENTATIONS AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
1. Design and Development Director Danny Castro introduced City Manager Jon
McMillen.
2. Senior Planner Carlos Flores introduced Associate Planner Siji Fernandez and
Planning Summer Intern Adrian Moreno
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES DATED JULY 9, 2019
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 1 AUGUST 13, 2019
MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners
Bettencourt/Proctor to approve the Consent Calendar as submitted. AYES:
Commissioners Bettencourt, Currie, Libolt Varner, McCune, Nieto, Proctor and
Chairperson Caldwell. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. Motion
passed unanimously.
BUSINESS SESSION
1. ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE A FINAL LANDSCAPE PLAN (FLP 2019-
0002) AND SIGN PROGRAM (SAPR 2019-0001) TO RENOVATE THE HIGHWAY
111 FRONTAGE WITHIN THE CENTRE AT LA QUINTA SPECIFIC PLAN AREA.
CEQA: DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT REVIEWED THE PROJECT
IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) AND HAS DETERMINED THAT THE
PROJECT IS CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT UNDER CEQA GUIDELINES 15301,
MINOR ALTERATIONS TO EXISTING FACILITIES. LOCATION: HIGHWAY 111,
BETWEEN ADAMS STREET AND LA QUINTA DRIVE. APPLICANT: THE CITY OF
LA QUINTA AND AUTO COLLECTION DEALERS.
Consulting Planner Nicole Sauviat Criste presented the staff report, which is on file
in the Design and Development Department.
Commissioner Bettencourt stated that the Hermann Design Group has provided
professional design services to him on his properties located outside of the City of
La Quinta. Commissioner Nieto said that he had collaborated with Chris Hermann
and the Hermann Design Group on an art gallery in La Quinta, but not on any
personal property. There were no other declarations by Planning Commissioners
regarding public contact or conflicts of interest.
Staff responded to Planning Commissioners' inquiries regarding consistency of
proposed plan with the Highway 111 design standards; integration of the proposed
plan into the Highway 111 Corridor Plan; clarified that the City will continue to
maintain the sidewalks and that each auto dealer would be responsible for the
maintenance of the landscaping, drainage, water control plan and lighting within
their individual properties; noted the review of proposed landscaping plan by
Coachella Valley Water District to assure that water calculations are correct and
that the plan is consistent with water allocations; addressed display vehicle access
to display pads and noted that the Planning Commission could condition the project
in order to limit access points to the display pads and limit the use of the sidewalks;
the cohesiveness of landscaping from one dealership to next; possible inclusion of
conditions of approval regarding landscape and signage maintenance; and
maintenance of other facilities that are part of the proposed project.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Jim Cross, Best Signs, Inc., Palm Springs, CA - introduced
himself and addressed Commissioner's inquiry regarding signage lighting.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 2 AUGUST 13, 2019
Staff continued to respond to Planning Commissioners' inquiries regarding access to
and from display pads indicating that a condition can be added to address access
and noted that it is not possible to access the display pads from the south.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Jim Cross, Best Signs, Inc., Palm Springs, CA - stated that if a
dealership changed, the signs can be modified to reflect the new dealership.
Staff continued to respond to Planning Commissioners' inquiries regarding the
location of future signs on the east and west sides of Auto Center Drive at Highway
111 and staff shared that signs at those locations are not part of the project; low-
lying landscaping and provisions for shade indicating that the concept was to
increase the lushness of the landscaping without adding bulk and height; clarified
the number of cars that each dealership would be allowed to exhibit on the display
pads; limit the maneuverings of cars in public right-of-way in order to access
display pads; and possible future enhancement of bus stop located adjacent to
project.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Chris Hermann, Hermann Design Group - introduced himself
and presented additional information regarding the landscaping design; signage
lighting; and maintenance of landscaping.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Jim Cross, Best Signs, Inc., Palm Springs, CA - addressed a
Commissioner's inquiry regarding the ability to adjust the intensity of the lighting
on the signs.
Staff responded to Commissioners' inquiry regarding the dealerships' use of
temporary signs and indicated the Commission could add a condition of approval to
the project requiring temporary sign permits.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Jim Cross, Best Signs, Inc., Palm Springs, CA - explained the
materials to be used for the signs; assured the Commission that should a vehicle
collide with and damage the signs; then the signs could be duplicated and replaced.
Commissioner Nieto commended the design team for their efforts; spoke about the
access to display pads adjacent to public right-of-way and near the bus stop; and
supported the dimmability of signage lights.
Commissioner Currie indicated that she supported the project.
Commissioner Proctor complimented the project design team; spoke about
conditioning the project requiring dealerships to obtain temporary sign permits;
discussed access to display pads; suggested the creation of a timetable for vehicle
accessibility to display pads; and would like to see display vehicles not be allowed
to drive on the public sidewalks to access display pads; and thanked staff for their
efforts.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 3 AUGUST 13, 2019
Commissioner McCune mentioned that code compliance could address access
concerns, temporary signage, and maintenance in lieu of conditions of approval
being added to the project. He thanked the design team for their efforts.
Commissioner Bettencourt supported staff's recommendation; spoke about the
municipal code and protocol to address concerns shared by Commissioners; and
suggested that at another time the Commission could revisit current regulations
dealing with the management of seasonal signs or temporary signs.
Commissioner Libolt Varner praised the design and appreciated the design team
and staff being available to answer questions.
Chairperson Caldwell spoke about the proposed access to the display pads; and
asked if a condition of approval regarding temporary signage was needed.
Staff noted that it is up to the Planning Commission to determine if conditions of
approval should be added to the project. Staff noted that conditions of approval
can be added to act as a reminder and reinforcement to the applicant.
Chairperson Caldwell supported the proposed signage and landscaping plans.
Planning Commissioner Proctor spoke about conditioning the project regarding
temporary use signage and compliance on the part of the applicant.
MOTION: A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Bettencourt/Currie
to adopt Planning Commission Resolution 2019-010 finding the project exempt
under CEQA Section 15301, Minor Alterations to Existing Facilities and approving
Final Landscape Plan 2019-0002 and Sign Program 2019-0001, subject to the
attached findings.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Gilbert Villalpando, Assistant to the City Manager, City of La
Quinta - provided additional information regarding the working relationship with the
Auto Collection Dealers.
Planning Commission discussion ensued with staff providing clarification regarding
access to the display pads with as minimal travel on the city sidewalk and by using
the connectors between the display pads.
AYES: Commissioners Bettencourt, Currie, Libolt Varner, McCune, Nieto, Proctor,
and Chairperson Caldwell. NOES: None. ABSENT: ABSTAIN: None. Motion
passed unanimously.
STUDY SESSION - None
PUBLIC HEARING - None
REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS - None
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 4 AUGUST 13, 2019
COMMISSIONERS' ITEMS
Commissioner McCune and Proctor noted that they would not be available to attend
the Special Joint Meeting of the City Council and Planning Commission on
September 23, 2019; and be absent from the September 24, 2019 Planning
Commission Meeting as they would be out of town.
Commissioner Bettencourt asked if the Planning Commission would be interested in
revisiting temporary sign regulation protocol. Senior Planner Carlos Flores who was
in the audience provided information about current regulations for temporary signs.
Commissioner Bettencourt commented on the SilverRock Update presentation made
by John Gamlin of SilverRock Development Company at the August 6, 2019 City
Council meeting. Staff stated they would provide to the Planning Commission the
link to the City's website where the presentation can be viewed.
Commissioner Bettencourt requested if staff could check the status of the
undergrounding of the power lines adjacent to the Washington Street Apartments
Rehabilitation Project. City Manager McMillen stated that as part of the original
project the underground conduits are in place and he would check with the
developer and IID regarding the status.
STAFF ITEM - None
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Proctor/Currie to adjourn this meeting at 7:24 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
WANDA WISE-LATTA, Commission Secretary
City of La Quinta, California
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 5 AUGUST 13, 2019