2019 11 21 CC & PC Joint Special MeetingCITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION NOVEMBER 21, 2019
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING MINUTES Page 1 of 4
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND
PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2019
CALL TO ORDER – City Council and Planning Commission
A Special Joint Meeting of the La Quinta City Council and La Quinta Planning
Commission was called to order at 6:02 p.m. by Mayor Evans.
PRESENT: Councilmembers Fitzpatrick, Peña, Radi, Sanchez, Mayor Evans
ABSENT: None
PRESENT: Commissioners Bettencourt, Currie, Libolt Varner, McCune, Nieto,
and Vice Chair Proctor
ABSENT: Chairperson Caldwell
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Planning Commission Vice Chair Proctor led the audience in the Pledge of
Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA – None
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA – Confirmed
BUSINESS SESSION
1. RECEIVE AND FILE HIGHWAY 111 CORRIDOR (CORRIDOR) PLAN
(PLAN) AND DISCUSS IMPLEMENTATION ACTIONS
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.
Discussion followed regarding form-based code, which is defined as a means
of regulating land development to achieve a specific urban form or vision; it
is a step further from conventional zoning, by comprehensively taking into
consideration the building form and its relationship to the street, public realm,
character form, street scale, etc. to realize a sense of place; form-based code
has been in place for quite some time, and was predominantly used prior to
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the automobile age; any code is comprised of three components – 1) Use –
the type and number of uses allowed for a specific land, 2) Managing the
performance of the use – by establishing standards for landscaping, screening,
parking, etc., and 3) Form – establishing standards for setbacks, height, etc.;
conventional zoning code regulations are primarily focused on the use (or
private realm), versus form-based code focuses on the public realm and
regulates the use more broadly through precise standards that “define the
realm” instead of “setting minimum requirements,” this provides flexibility in
that it does not regulate the “form,” but rather the “place” where the form
exists to create a sense of place; historically, specific plans (SPs) were used
to provide developers with flexibility.
Further discussion followed regarding whether or not the Plan would become
required development standards or suggested design guidelines; potential
funding sources to help the City fund the ambitious tasks identified in the
implementation plan based on the Corridor’s vision; ability to implement
gradually through a phased-in incremental approach as opportunities present
themselves, or comprehensively throughout the entire Corridor; mirror the
development code tune-up project action team approach for the Corridor’s
vision implementation; the Plan does not override the existing 11 SPs; form-
based code can be incorporated into the City’s Municipal Code; transforming
the look of the Corridor with a continuous tree line; feasibility of overhead
pedestrian walkways across the Corridor; the Plan is a living document and
can be amended to include elements not foreseen today, but demanded by
the future; the Plan’s implementation will require a variety of funding sources
and a substantial amount of funds not only to implement, but to maintain as
well; having a business improvement district and securing tax bond
increments should be part of the discussion to ensure the City has funding
sources for the necessary infrastructure improvements; and establish a
process to ensure all Departments continuously contribute to the internal and
external analysis of the Plan to keep it up-to-date.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Dale Tyerman, La Quinta – said the Plan’s development has
been a well-run process, has involved all stakeholders, and he has had the
opportunity to participate at every stage; and commended Staff for their hard
work. Mr. Tyerman expressed his enthusiasm about the Plan’s vision of the
Corridor aiming to address the changing face of retail, and new emerging
demands for a sense of place versus transaction. He said many of the
proposed design elements outlined in the Plan and the greening of the Corridor
will provide shade, encourage walkability, create a sense of community, and
enhance the sense of experience; it is a bold Plan and a long-term vision for
the community; execution will require strong leadership and open and
proactive cross-community communication.
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Mayor Evans said Desert Health Care District’s prior allocation of $10 million
dollars to fund the regional CV Link project headed by the Coachella Valley
Association of Governments (CVAG) is still under discussion; CVAG anticipates
securing all easements, over the next few months, for the CV Link portion
within La Quinta’s boundary, and could potentially start building it in 2020;
and City of Indian Wells City Council will consider La Quinta’s proposed
boundary adjustment, intended to accommodate the CV Link project, during
their regular meeting of January 16, 2020.
Staff said the Corridor Plan aims to ensure the Corridor’s business viability
based on changes in shopping trends, as well as provide the community with
a sense of place and experiences; and it is important to note that although
the CV Link project will complement the Plan, the Corridor enhancement is not
dependent on it.
Further discussion followed regarding compliance with the existing 11 SPs has
been challenging; importance to have a mechanism that engages business
and property owners to collaborate and work cohesively; events held at
centers along the Corridor promote residents integration from south and north
La Quinta; explore anticipated technological improvements, such as
expanding broadband and other smart-city components; the City can lead the
way by developing city-owned land in the Corridor’s vision; available grant-
based funding mechanisms are listed in the Plan; keeping the community
engaged in the Corridor’s vision as it progresses is key to ensure that future
Councils will continue to carry it forward; a comprehensive marketing and
branding campaign for the Corridor is critical in carrying out the vision; Staff’s
institutional knowledge is critical to the vitality of the Plan; form-based codes
do not take rights away from developers and business owners, instead it
provides more options and flexibility, and creates a larger framework where
each participant contributes for the collective benefit of all.
Council directed Staff to include the Corridor Plan as a discussion topic during
the City’s annual Community Workshop scheduled for January 11, 2020.
Council directed Staff to create a visual guide of the Corridor Plan projecting
out the anticipated objectives for 30 years from now, in order to identify the
implementation objectives and milestones needed to be accomplished in the
next 5 years to stay on track, help guide the community on what is to come,
ascertain the estimated costs, and provide an overall concept of how the Plan
will be implemented long-term; and to apply for available grant funding
opportunities.
Staff provided an update on the landscaping, sidewalk, and sign
improvements in front of the La Quinta auto dealerships along the Corridor.
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Council commended the community, Consultant, and Staff for their efforts in
creating the Corridor Plan and vision.
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers
Radi/Sanchez to receive and file the Highway 111 Corridor Plan and discuss
implementation actions to carry out the vision as recommended. Motion
passed: City Council – unanimously; Planning Commission – ayes 6, noes 0,
absent 1 (Caldwell).
COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION – None
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, a motion was made and seconded by
Councilmembers Radi/Fitzpatrick to adjourn at 7:22 p.m. Motion passed
unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
MONIKA RADEVA, City Clerk
City of La Quinta, California