2015 07 14 PC MinutesCALL TO ORDER
PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015
A regular meeting of the La Quinta Planning Commission was called to order at 7:04 p.m.
by Chairperson Wright.
PRESENT: Commissioners Bettencourt, Blum, Fitzpatrick, Wilkinson, and Wright
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STAFF PRESENT: Community Development Director Les Johnson, Planning Manager
Gabriel Perez, Principal Engineer Bryan McKinney, Associate Planner
Jay Wuu, and Executive Assistant Monika Radeva
Commissioner Wilkinson led the Commission in the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS
1. Appointment of Planning Commission Chairperson
Motion - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Bettencourt/Blum to
nominate Vice Chairperson Wilkinson as Chairperson. Motion passed unanimously.
2. Appointment of Planning Commission Vice Chairperson
Motion - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Fitzpatrick/Wilkinson
to nominate Commissioner Bettencourt as Vice Chairperson. Motion passed
unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENT - None
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA - Confirmed
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Fitzpatrick/Blum to approve
the Planning Commission Minutes of June 23, 2015, as submitted. AYES: Commissioners
Blum, Fitzpatrick, and Chairperson Wilkinson. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN:
Commissioners Bettencourt and Wright.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 1 JULY 14, 2015
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Continued from June 23, 2015 - Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2015-0001
submitted by the City of La Quinta proposing to amend Title 9, Section 9.150.060,
Spaces Required by Use, of the La Quinta Municipal Code to allow for the a reduced
number of required parking spaces for properties within the Village Commercial
Zoning District. CEQA: exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15061
(B)(3), Review for Exemptions of the CEQA Guidelines.
Associate Planner Jay Wuu presented the information contained in the staff report, a
copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department.
Associate Planner Wuu noted that Marvin Investments, Inc. had submitted a letter
dated July 14, 2015, copies of which were distributed to the Commission, expressing
Mr. Marvin's support of the proposed reduced parking requirements for properties
located within the Village Commercial Zoning District.
Commissioner Blum said he was supportive of a village -type concept for the Village
and it would likely be beneficial to the existing businesses in the area. He expressed
a concern that a 50% reduction in parking requirements might be excessive and that
a 25% reduction might be more appropriate.
Community Development Director Johnson explained the different options of parking
reduction that were originally proposed and said that based on the comments
received from several business owners, Council had directed staff to move forward
with the 50% reduction.
Commissioner Bettencourt said he was in support of the proposal as it was only for
an interim period of time and the City was already working alternative options to
amend the existing parking requirements permanently.
Commissioner Fitzpatrick said that she was in support of the proposal as long as it
was being monitored.
General discussion followed regarding the existing and proposed parking
requirements and the undergoing Village Build Out Plan.
Public Speaker: Mr. Robert Novello, La Quinta, CA - introduced himself and said he
was very much in support of the proposed reduction in parking requirements for the
Village Commercial Zoning District. He noted he would like to have an opportunity to
expand his business and this change would allow him to proceed with such
expansion. He said the Village currently had sufficient parking available and could
accommodate possible future expansions.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 2 JULY 14, 2015
Chairperson Wilkinson declared the PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED at 7:29 p.m.
Vice Chair Bettencourt said he would like for the parking reduction period to begin
from the day the ordinance goes into effect.
Commissioner Wright said he thought a 75% reduction would be more appropriate,
but he was in support of the proposed 50% reduction.
Motion - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners
Bettencourt/Fitzpatrick to adopt Resolution 2015-007 recommending to the City
Council approval of Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2015-0001 as submitted with
staff's recommendations. Motion passed unanimously.
BUSINESS SESSION - None
CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL - None
COMMISSIONER ITEMS
1. Discussion of the Commission's Summer Schedule - the Commission will be dark
during the month of August.
2. Report on City Council meeting of July 7, 2015.
3. Commissioner Wright is scheduled to attend the July 21, 2015, City Council
meeting.
DIRECTOR'S ITEMS
1. Electronic distribution of the Planning Commission packet.
2. Community Development Director Johnson introduced Planning Manager Gabriel
Perez to the Commission.
3. Upcoming development code review and update through the collaboration of staff
and an Ad-hoc Committee.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Wright/Fitzpatrick to adjourn this meeting at 8:10 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 3 JULY 14, 2015
Respectfully submitted,
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MONIKA RADEVA, Executive Assistant
City of La Quinta, California
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 4 JULY 14, 2015