2015 06 09 PC MinutesCALL TO ORDER
PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015
A regular meeting of the La Quinta Planning Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
by Chairperson Wright.
PRESENT: Commissioners Bettencourt, Blum, Fitzpatrick, Wilkinson, and
Chairperson Wright
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Community Development Director Les Johnson, Principal Engineer
Bryan McKinney, Consultant Principal Planner Nicole Criste, and
Executive Assistant Monika Radeva
Commissioner Wilkinson led the Commission in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT - None
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA - Confirmed
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Blum/Bettencourt to
approve the Planning Commission Minutes of May 12, 2015, as submitted. Motion passed
unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Site Development Permit 2014-1007 and Minor Adjustment 2015-0003 submitted by
Peter J. Pitassi proposing the development of 57 single-family homes on 20.18 acres.
Project: The Estate Collection at Coral Mountain. CEQA: previously analyzed under
Environmental Assessment 2005-541; no further review is required. Location:
southwest corner of Avenue 60 and Madison Street.
Consultant Principal Planner Nicole Criste presented the information contained in the
staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department.
Chairperson Wright declared the PUBLIC HEARING OPEN at 7:12 p.m.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 1 JUNE 9, 2015
Public Speaker: Mr. Peter J. Pitassi, AIA, LEED AP with Diversified Pacific, Rancho
Cucamonga, CA - introduced himself, gave a detailed presentation of the project,
said there were no objections to the proposed Conditions of Approval, and answered
the Commission's questions with regards to the use of synthetic versus natural turf
for the common area, the phasing of the project, the use of domestic water for the
existing lake, architectural design, elevations, and fire access requirements.
The Commission expressed concerns with regards to the use of an excessive amount
of turf for the dog park and the use of potable water for the existing lake merely for
aesthetics and the likelihood of it meeting the water district's requirements in the
current state of drought. The applicant asked the Commission for an opportunity to
work with the water district and staff to reduce the amount of the proposed turf and
to explore the possibility of draining the existing lake and landscaping the area.
Discussion followed regarding the already approved 24 lot community as part of The
Estates at Coral Mountain development located across the street on the north side of
Avenue 60.
The Commission asked if the CC&Rs would impose any restrictions to prevent the
construction of new pools within this development, and to comply with the water
district's water use reduction regulations for rear and front yard landscaping. The
applicant replied that front yard landscaping would be installed and each
homeowner would be subject to the new water use regulations; however, there was
no intention to prohibit future homeowners from the ability to construct a pool
through the master homeowners association.
The Commission inquired if the water district currently had any mandates prohibiting
the construction of new pools. Staff replied there were none at this time.
Discussion followed regarding the potential street and landscaping improvements
that would be required at the time of build -out and in the future along Madison
Street.
Chairperson Wright declared the PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED at 8:15 p.m.
Commission discussion followed expressing a concern to move for approval of any
project that contained a merely aesthetic potable water feature and decorative use
of turf in the common areas.
Motion - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners
Bette ncourt/Fitzpatrick to adopt Resolution 2015-006 approving Site Development
Permit 2014-1007 and Minor Adjustment 2015-0003 as submitted with staffs
recommendations and the addition of the following two Conditions of Approval:
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 2 JUNE 9, 2015
Site Development Permit 2014-1007 - Exhibit A
20. The Final Landscape Plan shall be amended as follows.
A. Turf in the central common area (Lot I) and the mailbox area shall be
eliminated and replaced with drought tolerant landscaping.
B. The water feature in Lot G shall be eliminated (unless converted to a non -
potable water source).
C. The plant palette shall be revised to include more drought -tolerant, desert
plants, and shall not include California Pepper.
40. Prior to the issuance of building permits for lots 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 or
15, a notification, in a form acceptable to the City Attorney, shall be attached to
each legal lot, notifying initial and future buyers of the height and extent of the
berm along Madison Street and the future location of Madison Street adjacent
to their property. The notification shall include a provision that every buyer be
required to acknowledge receipt of the notification by their signature through
escrow.
Motion passed unanimously.
BUSINESS SESSION - None
CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL - None
COMMISSIONER ITEMS
1. Report on City Council meetings of May 19 and June 2, 2015.
2. Commissioner Bettencourt is scheduled to attend the June 16, 2015, City Council
meeting.
3. The Commission complimented staff on the efforts put towards the Community
Outreach Workshops held on May 21, 2015 for the La Quinta Village.
DIRECTOR'S ITEMS
1. Community Director Johnson said Mr. Gabriel Perez has been appointed as Planning
Manager and he would be starting with the City on June 15, 2015.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 3 JUNE 9, 2015
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Bettencourt/Fitzpatrick to adjourn this meeting at 8:45 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
MONIKA RADEVA, xecutive Assistant
City of La Quinta, California
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 4 JUNE 9, 2015