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2019 10 28 CC & PC Joint Special MeetingCITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OCTOBER 28, 2019 Page 1 of 5 SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2019 CALL TO ORDER – City Council and Planning Commission A Special Joint Meeting of the La Quinta City Council and Planning Commission was called to order at 6:03 p.m. by Mayor Evans. PRESENT: Councilmembers Fitzpatrick, Peña, Radi, Sanchez, Mayor Evans ABSENT: None PRESENT: Commissioners Bettencourt, Currie, McCune, Nieto, Proctor, Quill, Varner, and Chairperson Caldwell ABSENT: None RESIDENTS SIGNED IN: 34 CITY STAFF PRESENT: 13 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Evans 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 DRAFT PLAN PRESENTED BY CITY CONSULTANT RANGWALA ASSOCIATES Design and Development Director Castro, Planning Manager Flores, and City Consultant Kaizer Rangwala with Rangwala Associates presented the staff report, which is on file in the Clerk’s Office. General discussion followed regarding the draft plan’s (Plan) progress timeline from inception; ability to collaborate with neighboring cities to promote uses that will compliment La Quinta’s visioning plan for Highway 111 Corridor CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OCTOBER 28, 2019 Page 2 of 5 (Corridor), particularly at major intersections along Jefferson Street, and possible challenges; the Corridor’s connectivity to CV Link; the importance to initiate Staff discussions with neighboring cities from the very beginning (aka “now”); the City’s ability to make street improvements on other jurisdictions’ parcels that are immediately adjacent to City parcels, and seek cost reimbursement at a later time; incorporating public art to create experiences; possible landscape and sidewalk improvements to promote connectivity; creating a Cultural Trail on the north side of the Corridor to encourage pedestrian and recreational uses in close proximity of the Corridor; collective and uniform branding campaign to distinguish the City as a unique destination; the need for clear and effective signage and anticipated effects based on potential technological updates; California state regulations on speed limit changes and related requirements for speed surveys; and potential traffic circulation affects from large delivery trucks that services the existing large retailers. Council comments included: Rename “public art” to “public enhancements” to be inclusive of not only art, but also sidewalk treatments and the like; alternatives to requiring private developments to construct public art. [Sections A2.13(a) – (d)]; “Place-based code” may be appropriate now, but should also allow design flexibility because it may not be relevant 20 years from now [Section A1.5(b)]; The creation of a “Cultural Trail” may be more appropriate in the Cove as it is the birth place for art in La Quinta [Section A2.3(c)]; Importance to have a strategic and well-designed implementation plan that can address the existing Specific Plans, and allow a move towards space-oriented design guidelines; Support for the use green spaces along the Corridor and its connectivity to CV Link; Support for creating a “sense of place” to enhance the dining experience offered along the Corridor; Importance to foster strong partnerships with the Corridor’s business owners to help activate the vision; Commended the Consultant, Staff, and the community for their time and participation in preparing the Plan, which clearly identified the critical issues and offered strategies; “Unbundled parking for rental and for-sale residential, commercial space, and other uses” may pose unsolvable parking challenges for private owners, and must be carefully evaluated [Section A3.4(d)]; Parking needs must be discussed between land owners and tenants to ensure business needs are met; ability to lease “unbundled parking” temporarily instead of permanently to avoid long-term adverse affects; CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OCTOBER 28, 2019 Page 3 of 5 Younger demographics trends suggest a preference for ride-share and uber-type alternatives to driving, and more affordable mixed-use urban- style walkable living; The Plan’s implementation will take a lot of time, and substantial amount of economic resources that will primarily come from the business owners, and they must be allowed to manage their properties based on their individual business needs; The Plan will affect the upcoming generation; The City can take the lead with the property it owns by communicating the Corridor vision to developers who express interests in developing the land; Importance to promote the Corridor’s brand, and establish it as a desired destination point; Importance of practical and informative signage, for example, “Home Depot – 7 minute walk;” and Support for linking the Corridor to a Cultural Trail to provide enhanced experiences for multi-aged patrons – kids, active adults, families, etc.; Importance to incorporate a strong art and music element into the Corridor and Cultural Trail, to create a desired sense of place. Planning Commission comments included: Commended the Consultant and Staff on the quick turn-around in producing the Plan from being just a concept a year and a half ago; Support for use of green spaces to break up the unshaded, large parking lots and create a pedestrian connectivity between the business centers along the Corridor; Multi-use streets for pedestrians, alternative transportation, and vehicles might be better suited on the north side of the Corridor, instead of trying to incorporate them along the Corridor; Use the City-owned lots to set the Plan in motion and be the catalysts for the Corridor’s vision, and set the stage for others to follow; How would businesses along the Corridor be affected if parking along Highway 111 is not incorporated; Connecting CV Link to the Corridor and possible short transit loops to facilitate mobility along the Corridor; Support for creating a Cultural Trail to provide destination places such as parks, art, and open spaces to compliment the retail and dining experiences the Corridor offers; Concerns about allowing parallel parking along the Corridor; Place greater emphasis on the Santa Rosa Mountains which are integral to La Quinta; Improve the City’s entrance on the Corridor; Importance to maintain the Corridor as a major thoroughfare through the City; CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OCTOBER 28, 2019 Page 4 of 5 Efforts should be concentrated on the north side of the Corridor due to the availability of real estate which provides a more realistic avenue for implementation; Branding of the Corridor to create an image of destination should be initiated as soon as possible; Proposed the “Corridor” as one alternative for a brand name; Support for “place-based codes” that promote urban design and facilitate a pedestrian oriented environment by utilizing ground-floor retail, and active and vibrant streetscapes; Explore the practical implications of a “place-based code” to business owners; Importance of effective and tastefully designed signage; Importance to have well designed separation of places to ensure pedestrians’ safety; Explore implementing improvements to create “destination shopping” concept that provides opportunities for experiences while patrons are shopping; Explore launching an internal circular transportation loop along the Corridor to facilitate pedestrian movement; Potential challenges with repurposing the parking real estate along the Corridor; The Plan effectively identifies the catalytic points, the vision, and the practical items that can be accomplished tomorrow; and Support for open space network and the multi-model path incorporating active transportation. Mayor Evans said the Desert Healthcare District will review and consider its fiscal stability and obligations, including its funding commitment for CV Link, considering its recent expansion and resource expenses due to recent fires, on October 20, 2019. The following PUBLIC SPEAKERS provided comments on the Corridor Plan: Steve Weiss Steve Cherry Dale Tyerman Doriel Wyler Joshua Banner Elisa Guerrero Richard (Dick) Mills Karen Vielhaben Brandon Marley Yolanda Mills CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OCTOBER 28, 2019 Page 5 of 5 Public comments included: Support to increase connectivity between business centers along the Corridor and create a destination experience; Improve comprehensively the signage along the Corridor; Strategic implementation of the Plan is critical to ensure the City attracts new business that will help implement this vision, but also stimulate the growth and activity of existing business; Support for the build-out of CV Link and its connectivity to the Corridor; Highway 111 was designed for expediency and how will this redesign impact traffic flow; Support for designated pedestrian and alternative transportation paths to ensure safety; Private vehicles provide a level of convenience for the shoppers who don’t have to carry purchases; Today’s youth is attracted to urban-style walkable living; Support for creating a “sense of place” for the Corridor and for the La Quinta community; Importance to attract experiential businesses that offer engaging social opportunities for shoppers; and General support for roundabouts. MAYOR’S AND COUNCIL MEMBERS’ ITEMS – None ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, a motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Radi/Fitzpatrick to adjourn at 8:40 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, MONIKA RADEVA, City Clerk City of La Quinta, California