2019 11 12 PC MinutesPLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
TUESDAY NOVEMBER 122 19
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, City Attorney
William Ihrke, Planning Manager Cheri L. Flores, Senior Planner
Carlos Flores, Public Works Director and City Engineer Bryan
McKinney, Commission Secretary Wanda Wise -Latta and
Administrative Assistant Mirta Lerma
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Currie 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 COMMUNICATION -
None
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES DATED OCTOBER 12, 2019
MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Currie/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. APPROVE CANCELLATION OF REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINGS
OF NOVEMBER 26 AND DECEMBER 24, 2019
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 1 NOVEMBER 12, 2019
Planning Commission waived the presentation of the staff report which is on file in
the Design and Development Department.
MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Proctor/Currie to
cancel the regular Planning Commission meetings November 26 and December 24,
2019. Motion passed unanimously.
STUDY SESSION - None
PUBLIC HEARINGS
DECLARATIONS REGARDING COMMISSION PUBLIC CONTACTS
Commissioner Bettencourt disclosed that with respect to Public Hearing Item No. 1,
that he has a business relationship with LSA on unrelated business properties
located outside of the City of La Quinta.
City Attorney Ihrke stated that he met with Commissioner Bettencourt and that
there is no source of income or other financial interest on the part of Commissioner
Bettencourt with respect to Public Hearing Item No. 1.
Chairperson Caldwell disclosed that with respect to Public Hearing Item No.1,
visited project site and stated she had no public contact.
Commissioner Proctor disclosed that with respect to Public Hearing Item No.1,
visited project site and stated he had no public contact.
Commissioner Nieto disclosed that with respect to Public Hearing Item No.1, visited
project site and stated he had no public contact or conflict.
No other public contact to report.
1. SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 2019-0002, ZONE CHANGE 2019-0002,
VARIANCE 2019-0001 AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 2019-0002
SUBMITTED BY KAIDENCE GROUP PROPOSING A 2,790 SQUARE FOOT
DRIVE -THROUGH STARBUCKS. PROJECT: DRIVE -THROUGH STARBUCKS;
CEQA: PROJECT CONSISTENT WITH MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION
APPROVED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 91-187 PREPARED FOR PLOT
PLAN 91-456 AND APPROVED APRIL 16, 1991. LOCATION: NORTHWEST
CORNER OF WASHINGTON STREET AND CALLE TAMPICO. [RESOLUTION 2019-
011]
Senior Planner Carlos Flores presented the staff report, which is on file in the
Design and Development Department.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 2 NOVEMBER 12, 2019
Staff responded to the Commission's inquiries regarding the drive -through and
potential car -stacking impacts to ADA parking spaces; height of menu board; and
directional signage versus parking lot markings.
Senior Planner Flores stated that the applicant has not provided information
regarding direction signage and striping. He noted that the site design lends itself
to flexibility and changes in operation should, for example car -stacking impact
parking spaces during peak hours.
Staff continued to respond to the Commission's inquiries regarding barrier or
enclosure for the patio area; ADA accessibility; and outdoor speakers.
Senior Planner Flores said that noise standards would apply if there are outdoor
speakers. He noted that shrubs and landscaping are shown on the landscape plan
to buffer the patio area from the drive through.
Staff continued to respond to Commission's inquiries regarding proposed and
existing lighting standard heights; path of travel within the parking lot during high
peak hours; additional bike racks; electric vehicle parking and handicapped parking
locations; review of signage and striping plan; and canopy or trellis above the patio
area.
Chairperson Caldwell declared the PUBLIC HEARING OPEN at 6:36 p.m
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Kendall Beas, Kaidence Group - introduced herself and stated
she was available to answer questions. Ms. Beas clarified that the project is a
relocation of the current Starbucks located in the center; noted that the current
Starbucks and new Starbucks location are owned by the same majority owner of
the shopping center; stated that there would be an appropriate patio covering;
addressed location of the menu board and pickup window; vehicle stacking in the
drive -through area;
Senior Planner Flores clarified that any building, drive -through, directional and
monument signage including the menu board and its pedestal would be reviewed
under the center's sign program and approved by staff.
Ms. Beas noted that she will consult with the applicant regarding consideration of
lowering the height of the light standards.
Chairperson Caldwell declared the PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED at 6:48 p.m.
Planning Commissioners spoke in support of the project and regarding traffic
circulation; signage and wayfinding; additional bicycle racks; requested a condition
to review access and egress of traffic flow by Planning Commission; and adding a
condition to review the height of the lighting standard.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 3 NOVEMBER 12, 2019
City Attorney Ihrke suggested language, subject to the applicant's agreement, to
address the Commission's request to schedule a review the implementation of the
drive -through stacking, circulation, and directional signage.
Planning Commissioners Currie and Nieto spoke about adding a barrier, hedge, a
low wall or planters to serve as a barrier between patio users and vehicles.
Commissioner Nieto asked if the applicant would reconsider the wainscoting that
would be more consistent with the rest of the shopping center.
Senior Planner Flores suggested adding a condition of approval regarding some sort
of barrier or landscaping around the patio.
City Attorney Ihrke suggested adding additional wording to Condition of Approval
No. 60 regarding adding landscaping or a low wall or planter buffer to shield the
patio users from parking lot spaces.
MOTION: A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Currie/Libolt Taylor
to adopt Planning Commission Resolution 2019-011 recommending that the City
Council find the project consistent with Environmental Assessment 2019-0002 and
approve Site Development Permit 2019-0002, Zone Change 2019-0002, Variance
2019-0001, subject to the findings and conditions as amended adding:
Condition of Approval No. 60:
Add the following sentence at the end of the current paragraph: "The final
landscape plans shall include a low wall/barrier and planter -buffer between
the parking lot and outdoor patio.
Condition of Approval No. 69:
The applicant shall return to the Planning Commission within six (6) months
of receiving a certificate of occupancy to review the implementation of the
drive -through stacking, circulation, and directional signage and the Planning
Commission or applicant may propose any additional condition necessary or
proper to improve such operation.
AYES: Commissioners Bettencourt, Currie, Libolt Varner, McCune, Nieto, Proctor
and Chairperson Caldwell. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None.
Motion passed unanimously.
REPORTS AND -IN FORMATIONAL ITEMS - None
COM MISSIQNERS' ITEMS
1. Commissioner Bettencourt shared a newspaper article about 5G cell towers
and City Attorney Ihrke provided an update on 5G service.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 4 NOVEMBER 12, 2019
STAFF ITEMS
1. Planning Manager Cheri Flores provided an update regarding the Highway
111 Corridor Plan and noted that a Special Joint Meeting of the La Quinta
City Council and Planning Commission will be held on November 21, 2019
and the City of La Quinta Open House will be held at City Hall on December
3, 2019.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Proctor/McCune to adjourn this meeting at 7:20 p.m. Motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
WANDA WISE-LATTA, Commission Secretary
City of La Quinta, California
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 5 NOVEMBER 12, 2019