Loading...
2015 07 28 PCTdy 4 44P Qu&z Planning Commission agendas and staff reports are now available on the City's web page: www.la-quinta.orq PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta REGULAR MEETING on TUESDAY, JULY 28, 2015 AT 7:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER 1. Roll Call 2. Pledge of Allegiance PUBLIC COMMENT 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. CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of the minutes of July 14, 2015. PUBLIC HEARINGS - NONE PRESENTATIONS 1. Saxony Group - The Grand La Quinta. BUSINESS SESSION 1. Appointment of two Commissioners to serve on the Development Code Tune Up Ad -hoc Committee. PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA 1 JULY 28, 2015 COMMISSIONER ITEMS. Report on City Council meeting of July 21, 2015. 2. Chairperson Wilkinson is scheduled to attend the August 4, 2015, City Council meeting. 3. The Commission is scheduled to be dark during the month of August, 2015. DIRECTOR'S ITEMS 1. Verbal update on recent California Water Commission action updating State Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance regulations. ADJOURNMENT The next regular meeting of the Planning Commission will be held on September 8, 2015, commencing at 7:00 p.m. at the City Hall Council Chambers, 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA 92253. DECLARATION OF POSTING I, Monika Radeva, Executive Assistant of the City of La Quinta, do hereby declare that the foregoing Agenda for the La Quinta Planning Commission meeting was posted on the inside of the north entry to the La Quinta Civic Center at 78-495 Calle Tampico, and the bulletin boards at 78-630 Highway 111, and the La Quinta Cove Post Office at 51-321 Avenida Bermudas, on July 24, 2015. DATED: July 23, 2015 MONIKA RADEVA, Ex cutive Assistant 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 City Clerk's office at 777-7123, 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 City Clerk's office at 777-7123. 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 eight (8) 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 Community Development Department's counter at City Hall located at 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, California, 92253, during normal business hours. PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA 2 JULY 28, 2015 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015 CALL TO ORDER 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 ABSENT: None 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 IL 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 Bette ncourt/Fitzpatrick to adopt Resolution 2015-007 recommending to the City Council approval of Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2015-0001 as submitted with staffs 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, MONIKA RADEVA, Executive Assistant City of La Quinta, California PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 4 JULY 14, 2015 BI-1 TO: Honorable Chair and Members of the Planning Commission FROM: Les Johnson, Community Development Director DATE: July 28, 2015 SUBJECT: APPOINTMENT OF AD -HOC COMMITTEE MEMBERS FOR DEVELOPMENT CODE UPDATE A Development Code Update Ad -Hoc Committee has been created at the direction of the City Council to include the appointment two Planning Commissioners to the committee. Staff presented a report to the City Council at its regular meeting on July 21, 2015 regarding a proposed process for the Development Code Tune Up. The purpose of the Development Code ("code") Tune Up is to modernize and improve the permitting process through a review of the procedures and processes for development approvals identified in the code. The process for the Development Code Tune Up will include the following: • Project Action Team (PAT): Assemble key City staff, including representatives from the Building, Public Works and Planning Divisions, to inventory current permitting procedures and define key issues and concerns relevant to improving the permitting process. • Ad -Hoc Committee: This committee will assist City staff in identifying issues, receiving feedback and providing recommendations. The Ad -Hoc Committee will consist of two City Council members, two Planning Commissioners and one Architecture and Landscape Review Board member. • Stakeholder Outreach: An outreach plan consisting of an on-line survey, community/stakeholder meeting(s), and learning conversations with recent customers. The final recommendations for the code tune up will be presented to the Architectural and Landscape review Board, Planning Commission and City Council for review and consideration. The Ad -Hoc Committee is proposed to convene on September 10, October 29, and November 19, 2015. Additional Ad -Hoc meetings may occur, if deemed necessary. Additional information regarding the Code Tune Up efforts is included in the City Council Staff report from July 21, 2015 as Attachment 1. 78-495 Ca Ile Tampico I La Quinta I California 92253 1 760.777.7000 1 www.La-Quinta.org STUDY SESSION ITEM NO. City of La Quinta CITY COUNCIL MEETING: July 21, 2015 STAFF REPORT ATTACHMENT 1 AGENDA TITLE: PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT CODE TUNE UP RECOMMEDATION Discuss status of the proposed development code tune up and provide direction. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY • City Council has requested review of the City's development code ("code") to identify measures to modernize and improve the permitting process. • The code identifies the procedures and processes for development approvals, and determines the level of review by the Community Development Director, Planning Commission and/or City Council. • Staff is proposing that a Project Action Team (PAT) and an Ad -hoc Committee be formed to identify improvements with the permitting process. The schedule would commence on August 13 and run through January 2016. • Final recommendations would be presented to the Architectural & Landscape Review Board, Planning Commission and City Council. FISCAL IMPACT No immediate fiscal impact is anticipated from this effort. BACKGROUND City Council wishes to evaluate the current code and identify ways to streamline the review of development applications. As a result, a code "tune up" is proposed. The code establishes the development approvals procedures, and identifies standards and permitted land uses. It also identifies the approvals that are reviewed by the Community Development Director, Planning Commission and/or City Council. Over the last year, improvements have been made to the permitting process via new permit tracking software and the new customer center. Both have resulted in a more timely and efficient permit review process. Additional efforts are underway to fully implement the features of the permit tracking software, which will provide even greater opportunities and reduce permit -processing time. The next step entails "tuning up" municipal code standards and procedures that have existed for a number of years, some since incorporation in 1982. The opportunity to review these items is timely with respect to the aforementioned interests and recent improvements, with the ultimate purpose of improving the effectiveness of the City's land use and development review process. l ZIMWMM City staff has identified the following guiding principles for this tune-up: O Flexible —A code that is flexible and achieves all legal requirements for land use and development permit applications while not hampering the ability to facilitate quality development and high service standards. O Smart — A code that contains everything it should and nothing it should not; that is easy to understand and allows property owners and developers to effectively manage their development projects. The application review and approval criteria must allow for an appropriate amount of analysis and discretion consistent with the project's required level of review. O Local —A code that provides for meaningful public involvement in away that reflects La Quinta's character and results in development consistent with the General Plan. Based upon these guiding principles, staff has identified the following as integral components to the tune up effort: Project Action Team (PAT): Assemble key City staff, including representatives from the Building, Public Works and Planning Divisions, to inventory current permitting procedures and define key issues and concerns relevant to improving the permitting process. The PAT will also be responsible for assessing progress of the permitting process on a periodic basis. ■ Ad -Hoc Committee: This committee will assist City staff in identifying issues, receiving feedback and providing recommendations. The Ad -Hoc Committee will consist of two City Council members, two Planning Commissioners and one Architecture and Landscape Review Board member. ■ Outreach to stakeholders: An outreach plan consisting of an on-line survey, community/stakeholder meeting(s), and learning conversations with recent customers. The PAT will facilitate the outreach activities with the results presented to the Ad -Hoc Committee for review. ■ Development Code review: The PAT will review the code and prepare recommendations for improving procedures and code provisions based on the information and feedback received from outreach activities and the Ad -Hoc Committee. ■ Customer service goals: The PAT will identify customer service goals that would guide the streamlining process and establish measurable metrics for permitting activities. Expedited review process: The PAT will evaluate an expedited entitlement application review process that relies upon consultant or contractor staff resources at the applicant's expense. ■ Research permitting process: The PAT will investigate best practices used by others that can be applied to the City's processes. Results will be shared with the Ad -Hoc Committee and included in the final recommendations. ■ Recommend Code Tune Up: Code modification recommendations will be presented to the Architectural & Landscape Review Board, Planning Commission and City Council for review and consideration. An implementation plan and timetable will be included. The following is a proposed schedule: • August 13 — PAT kick-off meeting • September 10 - First Ad -Hoc Committee meeting • September 14 - October 9 — Community outreach • October 29 — Second Ad -Hoc Committee meeting • November 19 — Final Ad -Hoc Committee meeting* December through January 2016 - Presentations to Architectural & Landscape Review Board, Planning Commission and City Council * Additional Ad -Hoc meetings may occur, if deemed necessary. A streamlined permitting process enhances the customer service experience and encourages economic investment. A code that is flexible, smart and local will ensure the City's processes are responsive to our customers' needs, and convey the message that the City of La Quinta is the place to do business. Report prepared by: Les Johnson, Community Development Director Report approved by: Frank J. Spevacek, City Manager