2020 01 28 PCPLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA JANUARY 28, 2020
PLANNING COMMISSION
AGENDA
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBER
78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta
REGULAR MEETING on TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2020 AT 5:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL: Commissioners Bettencourt, Currie, Libolt Varner, McCune, Nieto,
Proctor and Chairperson Caldwell
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA
At this time, members of the public may address the Planning Commission on any
matter not listed on the agenda. Please complete a "Request to Speak" form and
limit your comments to three minutes. The Planning Commission values your
comments; however, in accordance with State law, no action shall be taken on
any item not appearing on the agenda unless it is an emergency item authorized
by GC 54954.2(b).
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA
ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRESENTATIONS AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS –
None
CONSENT CALENDAR
NOTE: Consent Calendar items are routine in nature and can be approved by one
motion.
1. APPROVE MINUTES OF JANUARY 14, 2020
BUSINESS SESSION - None
Planning Commission agendas and
staff reports are now available on the
City’s web page: www.laquintaca.gov
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PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA JANUARY 28, 2020
STUDY SESSION
1. RECREATIONAL AND LARGE VEHICLE PARKING IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS
PUBLIC HEARINGS - None
REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS - None
COMMISSIONERS’ ITEMS
STAFF ITEMS - None
ADJOURNMENT
The next regular meeting of the Planning Commission will be held on February
11, 2020, commencing at 5:00 p.m. with the Call to Order, at the City Hall Council
Chamber, 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, California.
DECLARATION OF POSTING
I, Wanda Wise-Latta, Commission Secretary, do hereby declare that the foregoing
Agenda for the La Quinta Planning Commission meeting of January 28, 2020 was
posted on the City’s website, near the entrance to the Council Chamber at 78-495
Calle Tampico, and the bulletin boards at the Stater Brothers Supermarket at 78-
630 Highway 111, and the La Quinta Cove Post Office at 51-321 Avenida Bermudas,
on January 23, 2020.
DATED: January 23, 2020
WANDA WISE-LATTA, Commission Secretary
City of La Quinta, California
Public Notices
The La Quinta City Council Chamber is handicapped accessible. If special equipment is needed for the hearing
impaired, please call the Planning Division of the Design and Development Department at 777-7118, twenty-
four (24) hours in advance of the meeting and accommodations will be made.
If special electronic equipment is needed to make presentations to the Commission, arrangements should be
made in advance by contacting the Planning Division of the Design and Development Department at 777-
7118. A one (1) week notice is required.
If background material is to be presented to the Commission during a Planning Commission meeting, please
be advised that ten (10) copies of all documents, exhibits, etc., must be supplied to the Executive Assistant
for distribution. It is requested that this take place prior to the beginning of the meeting.
Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the Commission regarding any item(s) on this agenda
will be made available for public inspection at the Design and Development Department’s counter at City Hall
located at 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, California, 92253, during normal business hours.
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PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2020
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, Commission
Secretary Wanda Wise-Latta and Administrative Assistant Mirta
Lerma
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner McCune 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 DECEMBER 10, 2019
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners
Bettencourt/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. ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE START TIME FOR PLANNING
COMMISSION REGULAR MEETINGS
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM NO. 1
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Commission Secretary Wise-Latta presented the staff report, which is on file in the
Design and Development Department.
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Currie/Libolt
Varner to approve Planning Commission Resolution 2020-001 amending the start
time for the Planning Commission regular meetings to 5:00 p.m. AYES:
Commissioners Bettencourt, Currie, Libolt Varner, McCune, Nieto, Proctor and
Chairperson Caldwell. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. Motion
passed unanimously.
STUDY SESSION - None
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. ADOPT A RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE
ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT ZOA 2019-0002 AMENDING SEVERAL
CHAPTERS OF TITLES 8, 9, AND 13 OF THE LA QUINTA MUNICIPAL CODE
Design and Development Director Castro presented the staff report, which is on file
in the Design and Development Department.
Staff responded to the Commission’s inquiries regarding daycare facilities and noted
that under California SB 234 daycare facilities are regulated by the state; and
maximum garage square footage.
Chairperson Caldwell declared the PUBLIC HEARING OPEN at 6:40 p.m.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Mr. Serko Khatchadourian, Los Angeles – spoke in support of
Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2019-0002 and stated he was more specifically in
support of removing the 20,000 square foot minimum lot size requirement for
subdivisions of 10 acres or less in Low Density Residential zones south of Avenue
52 and west of Monroe Street.
Chairperson Caldwell declared the PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED at 6:43 p.m.
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Proctor/Currie to
adopt Planning Commission Resolution 2020-002 recommending to the La Quinta
City Council approval of Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2019-0002 approving
amendments to Titles 8, 9, and 13 of the La Quinta Municipal Code and a finding of
exemption from environmental review under California Environmental Quality Act
pursuant to 15061(B)(3), Review for Exemptions – Common Sense Rule. AYES:
Commissioners Bettencourt, Currie, Libolt Varner, McCune, Nieto, Proctor and
Chairperson Caldwell. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. Motion
passed unanimously.
REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS - None
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COMMISSIONERS’ ITEMS
Commissioner Bettencourt spoke regarding the Washington Street Apartment
rehabilitation project and the status of the utilities which have not been
undergrounded.
Director Castro stated that the undergrounding infrastructure for the utilities is in
place and coordination with the Imperial Irrigation District is planned.
Commissioner Bettencourt spoke about the Community Workshop held on January
11, 2020.
Director Castro provided a recap from the Community Workshop and noted that a
formal update will be presented to the Planning Commission in the future.
Commissioner McCune inquired about the galvanized rooftop elements at the
Washington Street Apartments rehabilitation project.
STAFF ITEMS -None
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Proctor/Bettencourt to adjourn this meeting at 6:53 p.m. Motion passed
unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
WANDA WISE-LATTA, Commission Secretary
City of La Quinta, California
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City of La Quinta
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING: January 28, 2020
STAFF REPORT
AGENDA TITLE: REVIEW OF RECREATIONAL AND LARGE VEHICLE PARKING
IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS
RECOMMENDATION
Review regulations regarding recreational and large vehicle parking in residential
areas.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
• Planning Commission received a letter from a resident regarding their neighbor’s
storage of recreational and other vehicles in the Cove.
• Planning Commission reviewed regulations for parking of recreational and large
vehicles at a December 10, 2019 Study Session and asked that Staff bring the
item back with presentation of options on policies or regulations.
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS
Planning staff (Staff) received a letter from a resident regarding the storage of
recreational vehicles (RV) and other vehicles on their neighbor’s property in the Cove
(Attachment 1). The resident asked Staff to distribute the letter to the City Council
and Planning Commission (Commission) and has followed up with multiple letters with
the same message. At the October 22 meeting, the Commission asked staff to place
this item on the agenda for the following meeting and present the regulations for
parking RVs in residential areas. Staff presented these regulations at the December
10, 2019 Commission meeting. Commission suggested that the item come back for
further discussion at a later date.
Section 9.280.030 of the Municipal Code (Code) defines RVs as all trailers or any
vehicle placed on a trailer such as a boat, watercraft, or other vehicle, plus any vehicle
designed and used for temporary habitation, including motorhomes, travel trailers,
“5th wheels” and camper shells. RV Parking is allowed in the Very Low Density
Residential (RVL), Low Density Residential (RL) and Cove Residential (RC) zones as an
accessory use, subject to Section 9.60.130 of the Code. Accessory uses are permitted
only if they are accessory to the principal residential use on the site.
Section 9.60.130 provides standards for the orderly storage of RVs. RVs are not
allowed to be parked or stored on public streets for more than seventy-two consecutive
hours or for a combined total exceeding seventy-two hours in a seven-day period.
Storage on residential properties must comply with the following:
• RVL, RL, RM Zones
o Any RV or parts thereof may not be parked or stored in the front yard
area of any property zoned RVL, RL, or RM, but may be parked or stored
STUDY SESSION ITEM NO. 1
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in a side or rear yard, as long as they are screened from abutting property
and public right-of-way by a solid wall or fence six feet in height.
o The area in which the RV is parked or stored, must be paved with
concrete, asphalt, gravel, or similar materials, and must extend to the
width and length of the RV. Areas containing grass or native soil are not
approved for the parking or storage of RVs.
• RC Zone (Cove)
o RVs may be parked or stored in the front, side, or rear yards of any
property zoned RC, provided that the area in which the RV is parked or
stored is paved with concrete, asphalt, gravel, or similar materials, and
extends to the width and length of the RV.
o A property owner who owns a vacant lot immediately adjacent to their
permanent place of residence, may park only their RV on said lot with an
appropriate pad.
o Areas containing grass or native soil are not approved for the parking or
storage of RVs.
o RVs parked in the driveway or immediately adjacent to and parallel to the
driveway, may encroach into the right-of-way, provided that no part of
the RV extends over any sidewalk, curb, or travelway.
• RVs that are wrecked, dismantled, unregistered, inoperative or otherwise
unsightly are considered a public nuisance if they are parked, stored, or left in
public view, on public or private property. It becomes unsightly when body parts
rust or become corroded, paint becomes faded, chipped, or peeled, or the RV
exterior becomes otherwise dilapidated.
These standards do not specify the number of RVs that are allowed to be parked or
stored on residential property, setbacks from neighboring properties, or other private
vehicles such as large trucks or cars. These vehicles are allowed to be parked in the
driveways of residences or on public streets that allow parking. These policies and
regulations regarding RVs have been part of the City’s Code since 1997, after adoption
of Ordinance 301 which established Section 9.60.130.
Other large vehicles that may park in residential areas are commercial or construction
vehicles. These include utility body trucks, farming and construction tractors,
construction vehicles and towed equipment, semi-truck tractors, semi-truck trailers,
dump trucks, step van delivery trucks or any parts or apparatus of any of the above,
with certain exemptions. These vehicles must be screened from public view and
adjacent properties if they are parked on private property and on public rights-of-way.
Staff has reviewed existing regulations as well as regulations of other municipalities
to present options to modify the policies and regulations:
• Remove allowance of RVs in front yard within RC zone. This would restrict use
of RVs in the RC zone to the side and rear, similar to other residential zones in
the City. Historically, the Cove has allowed RV parking in the front yard since
at least 1997. Placing RVs in the side and rear yards of many Cove residences
can be difficult or not even possible due to typically smaller 5,000 sf lot sizes.
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Staff would need to work with Code Compliance on feasibility as well as
compile research and outreach to the Cove community to determine impact,
current utilization, and if restricting RVs from parking in the front yard is
desired.
• Establish a setback distance from the side yard property line. For example, a
setback distance of a minimum three feet may provide some relief from the
view of an RV or from concern of privacy from a neighboring property.
• Limit number of RVs in front yard within RC zone. For example, allowing only
one RV in the front yard per property. Staff would need to work with Code
Compliance on feasibility as well as compile research and outreach to the Cove
community to determine impact, current utilization, and if limiting the number
of RVs in the front yard is desired.
• Require a permit to have a RV in front yard. City of Palm Springs and Palm
Desert both have permit processes in place if a resident proposes having an
RV in their front yard. An application is approved if certain findings are met.
Staff would need to work with HUB team, Code Compliance, Finance, and City
Attorney’s office to determine feasibility, set up process, and compile research
and outreach to the Cove community to determine impact and current
utilization.
Depending on the direction from the Commission, Staff could begin working with
appropriate divisions and conducting research and outreach to try to fully understand
implications on possible resident complaints, compliance issues, creation of
nonconformities, and other issues that may arise. The Commission could also decide
to leave current policies and regulations as is. Current regulations could remain in
place, with Code Compliance continuing enforcement of current policies and
regulations.
Prepared by: Carlos Flores, Senior Planner
Approved by: Danny Castro, Design and Development Director
Attachment: 1. Resident’s letter
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ATTACHMENT 1
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HANDOUTS
PLANNING
COMMISSION
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HANDOUT:
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STUDY SESSION NO. 1
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POWERPOINTS
PLANNING
COMMISSION
JANUARY 28, 2020