2020 05 26 PC Minutes
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 1 MAY 26, 2020
PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
TUESDAY, MAY 26, 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.
This meeting was held by teleconference pursuant to Executive Orders N-25-20, N-
29-20, N-33-20, and N-35-20, executed by the Governor of California in response
to the state of emergency relating to novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
and enabling teleconferencing accommodations by suspending or waiving specified
provisions of the Ralph M. Brown Act (Government Code § 54950 et seq.).
PRESENT: Commissioners Bettencourt, Currie, McCune, Nieto, Proctor and
Chairperson Caldwell
ABSENT: Commissioner Libolt Varner
STAFF PRESENT: Design & Development Director Danny Castro, Planning Manager
Cheri L. Flores, Senior Planner Carlos Flores, Associate Planner
Siji Fernandez, Consulting Planner Nicole Sauviat Criste, Public
Works Director/City Engineer Bryan McKinney, Building Official
Anthony Ortega and Commission Secretary Wanda Wise-Latta
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Chairperson Caldwell led the Planning Commission (Commission) in the Pledge of
Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA
There were no requests to speak under the ‘Public Comment on Matters Not on the
Agenda’ section of the meeting and Staff will continue to monitor emails should
written comments or requests for verbal comments be received.
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners
Bettencourt/Proctor to approve the Consent Calendar as submitted. AYES:
Commissioners Bettencourt, Currie, McCune, Nieto, Proctor and Chairperson
Caldwell. NOES: None. ABSENT: Commissioner Libolt Varner. ABSTAIN: None.
Motion passed.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 2 MAY 26, 2020
ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRESENTATIONS AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
1. SILVERROCK MODIFICATIONS BY APPLICANT (MBA2020-0005 AND -0006)
Consulting Planner Criste presented the staff report which is on file in the Design
and Development Department.
Staff responded to the Commission’s inquiries and comments regarding the number
of modifications by applicant allowed under the Municipal Code; and shared factors
that might result in plan changes.
Commissioners shared their thoughts regarding the substance of the modifications
and felt those modifications were significant.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Mr. John Gamlin, The Robert Green Company – introduced
himself and continued the presentation.
Commissioners thanked Mr. Gamlin for the presentation and shared their comments
and inquiries regarding the project.
Mr. Gamlin and staff clarified for the Commission that the red-line drawings on the
attachments were the SDP-approved profile; explained the rooftop elements on the
Pendry elevations; and spoke about the height of Pendry and its visibility from
Jefferson Street or from Avenue 52.
Mr. Gamlin appreciated a Commissioner’s comments about the site’s condition
particularly regarding the perimeter fencing and weed control.
Commissioners shared their thoughts regarding staff’s administrative authority in
making their determination given the documentation that was provided; the pool
re-design; and the legibility of the staff report attachments.
Staff noted that should the Commission desire additional information regarding an
item on a Commission agenda, staff would be happy to provide the information.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES DATED MAY 12, 2020
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Currie/Bettencourt
to approve the Consent Calendar as submitted. AYES: Commissioners Bettencourt,
Currie, McCune, Nieto, Proctor and Chairperson Caldwell. NOES: None. ABSENT:
Commissioner Libolt Varner. ABSTAIN: None. Motion passed.
BUSINESS SESSION – None
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 3 MAY 26, 2020
STUDY SESSION
1. REVIEW OF RECREATIONAL VEHICLE PARKING IN COVE RESIDENTIAL
DISTRICT
Senior Planner Flores presented the staff report which is on file in the Design and
Development Department.
Staff responded to Commission inquiries and comments regarding recreational
vehicle (RV) parking in front yards and its impact on aesthetic quality of
neighborhood; references to RV parking in the Municipal Code; giving consideration
to requiring a permit to park an RV in front yard so as to assure that the RV
belongs to the homeowner/resident; protecting and enhancing neighborhood
values; if RV parking is restricted consider grandfathering but limit to current RV;
multiple RVs parked at a residence; side yard RV parking and setbacks; impacts on
street parking; code compliance and enforcement; and how best to obtain
community input.
Staff stated that most complaints received by Code Compliance are related to 72-
hour parking violations; noted that Planning staff had not received other complaints
about RV parking in the Cove but did receive correspondence about relaxing RV
parking in front yards in another area of the City.
Commission and staff discussed options for obtaining community input with the
assurance that all residents and property owners in the Cove Residential District
would have the opportunity to provide their input.
PUBLIC HEARINGS – None
REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS - None
COMMISSIONERS’ ITEMS
Commissioner Bettencourt stated that he hoped staff would be able to provide
meeting materials in a user-friendly, three-ring binder format for ease of review by
the Commission especially when staff reports and attachments are voluminous;
suggested Commissioners visit the Montage Cabo San Lucas website to view the
photo gallery; and inquired if there are regulatory measures that the City needs to
address to facilitate the transition to normal business operations especially with
regards to curbside pickup.
Director Castro updated the Commission regarding the City’s Al Fresco Dining
program.
Chairperson Caldwell inquired if Planning staff is still attending Vista Santa Rosa
meetings. Senior Planner Flores confirmed that he will be attending the next Vista
Santa Rosa Community meeting.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 4 MAY 26, 2020
STAFF ITEMS
1. UPCOMING PROJECTS UPDATE
Planning Manager Flores presented the staff report which is on file in the Design
and Development Department.
Staff advised the Commission that the Travertine project held a scoping meeting in
2018 and no further scoping meeting was required; and noted that the applicant is
planning to coordinate community meetings in the future.
A Commissioner asked if staff could provide an update on the SilverRock Venue Site
and the La Quinta Auto Center at the next Planning Commission meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Bettencourt/Proctor to adjourn at 6:55 p.m. Motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
WANDA WISE-LATTA, Commission Secretary
City of La Quinta, California