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2020 06 23 PC Minutes PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 1 JUNE 23, 2020 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2020 CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the La Quinta Planning Commission was called to order at 5:02 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, Libolt Varner, McCune, Nieto, Proctor and Chairperson Caldwell ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Assistant City Attorney Travis Van Ligten, Design & Development Planning Manager Cheri L. Flores, Senior Planner Carlos Flores, Public Works Director/City Engineer Bryan McKinney, Building Official Anthony Ortega, Traffic Engineer Consultant Steve Libring, and Commission Secretary Wanda Wise-Latta PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chairperson Caldwell led the Planning 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 continued 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 Proctor/Bettencourt to approve the Agenda as submitted. AYES: Commissioners Bettencourt, Currie, Libolt Varner, McCune, Nieto, Proctor and Chairperson Caldwell. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. Motion passed unanimously. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 2 JUNE 23, 2020 ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRESENTATIONS AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION - None. CONSENT CALENDAR 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES DATED MAY 26, 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: None. ABSTAIN: Commissioner Libolt Varner. Motion passed. DECLARATIONS REGARDING COMMISSION PUBLIC CONTACTS – No public contact to report. BUSINESS SESSION 1. ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE FINAL LANDSCAPE PLAN 2020-0002 FOR THE RESIDENCE INN. APPLICANT: PORTER BROTHERS. CEQA: PROJECT WAS PREVIOUSLY REVIEWED UNDER ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 2018-0005 AND IS CONSISTENT WITH THE ANALYSIS PREVIOUSLY APPROVED AND DETERMINED NO FURTHER ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW IS REQUIRED. LOCATION: 79675 HIGHWAY 111 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: • Access from the Residence Inn to the Komar Commercial Center. • Upsizing of Leuophyllum Fructescens ‘Rio Bravo’ Sage and Senna Nemophylla Green Cassia plants to 15-gallon container size in the landscaped area between the hotel and Highway 111. • Adding condition of approval or condition of certificate of occupancy requiring landscape architect to provide maintenance specifications to the contractor that would be tied to the property. • Landscaping along the west side of the hotel site. • Maintenance of unimproved property to the west of the hotel site. • Vehicular access from hotel site to Vista Coralina and future pedestrian access. • Clarification of action being considered by the Planning Commission. • Height and landscape screening of electrical transformer No. 34 located along Highway 111. PUBLIC SPEAKER: Mr. Bradon Welker, Sunridge Group - introduced himself and introduced Mr. Pat Morse. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 3 JUNE 23, 2020 PUBLIC SPEAKER: Mr. Pat Morse, MLA Associates Landscape Architects, Inc.- introduced himself and noted that they would upsize certain plants as requested, provide a maintenance schedule, and addressed comments regarding electrical transformer No. 34. MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners McCune/Currie to find the project consistent with Environmental Assessment 2018-0005 and to adopt Planning Commission Resolution 2020-004 approving Final Landscape Plan 2020- 0002 for the Residence Inn subject to the Findings and Conditions of Approval and with the addition of the following Conditions of Approval: • Upsize Leuophyllum Fructescens ‘Rio Bravo’ Sage and Senna Nemophylla Green Cassia plants to 15-gallon container size in the landscaped area along Highway 111. • Require landscape architect to provide maintenance specifications to the property owner. AYES: Commissioners Bettencourt, Currie, Libolt Varner, McCune, Nieto, Proctor and Chairperson Caldwell. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. Motion passed unanimously. 2. ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE MINOR USE PERMIT 2020-0002 FOR MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT WITHIN A SIDE YARD SETBACK. APPLICANT: PAUL VOTTA. CEQA: THE DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT REVIEWED THE PROJECT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) AND DETERMINED THAT THE PROJECT IS CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT UNDER CEQA GUIDELINES 15301, MINOR ALTERATIONS TO EXISTING FACILITIES. LOCATION: 54927 WINGED FOOT 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: • Future requests regarding replacement and installation of air conditioning equipment; • Side yard setbacks; • Efficiency and size of equipment; and • Requirement of Minor Use Permit for mechanical equipment within five feet of side yard or back yard setbacks. Assistant City Attorney Van Ligten recommended an amendment to the proposed resolution adding Sub-section No. 5 to the Whereas clause under the heading, Extenuating Circumstances, providing language stating that the City has conducted a fact specific analysis of this particular project and finds that extenuating circumstances did exist in this case. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 4 JUNE 23, 2020 MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Bettencourt/Nieto to find the project categorically exempt under CEQA Guidelines 15301, Minor Alterations to Existing Facilities and adopt Planning Commission Resolution 2020- 005 subject to the Findings and Conditions of Approval as submitted and with the following additional finding: 5. Extenuating circumstances. The City has conducted a fact specific analysis of this particular project and finds that extenuating circumstances do exist to justify the placement of the facility at issue; specifically, the City has determined that the proposed equipment is the quietest that is reasonably available and coupled with the fact that the wall between the two properties provides further mitigation for any possible sound effects that are needed to be mitigated. 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 APPROVING A VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED ANALYSIS POLICY IN COMPLIANCE WITH STATE SENATE BILL 743. CEQA: EXEMPT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15061 (b)(3) REVIEW FOR EXEMPTIONS – COMMON SENSE RULE Planning Manager Flores presented the staff report which is on file in the Design and Development Department. Staff responded to Commission inquiries and comments regarding: • Status of projects that do not have their environmental documents complete; • Project proximity to transit; • Impact on future projects; • Proposed policy and impact on CEQA process; • Levels of service; Chairperson Caldwell declared the PUBLIC HEARING OPEN at 6:16 p.m. PUBLIC SPEAKER: None Chairperson Caldwell declared the PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED at 6:16 p.m. MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Currie/McCune to find the project exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15061 (b)(3) Review for Exemptions – Common Sense Rule and adopt Planning Commission Resolution PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 5 JUNE 23, 2020 2020-006 approving Vehicle Miles Traveled Analysis Policy in Compliance with California State Senate Bill 743. Commissioner Bettencourt requested to recuse himself from the vote on the item due to his consultation with Anthony Petros of LSA Associates on the subject of Vehicle Miles Traveled Analysis Policy as it relates to property Mr. Bettencourt owns outside of the City of La Quinta within an unincorporated area of Riverside County. AYES: Commissioners Currie, Libolt Varner, McCune, Nieto, Proctor and Chairperson Caldwell. NOES: None. ABSENT: Commissioner Bettencourt. ABSTAIN: None. Motion passed. It was noted by the City Attorney’s Office that while no actual conflict existed, Commissioner Bettencourt recused himself in an abundance of caution to avoid any appearance of a conflict due to his prior work with consultants who had taken similar approaches to VMT analyses in the past. REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS - None COMMISSIONERS’ ITEMS Commissioner Bettencourt shared his disappointment in not being able to receive a hardcopy of the information provided in the Planning Commission agenda packet. Chairperson Caldwell commented on the meetings of the Short-Term Vacation Rental Ad Hoc Committee. Commissioner Proctor inquired as to whether the Planning Commission meetings might be able to be held in a conference room at City Hall or return to being held in the Council Chamber. STAFF ITEMS 1. UPCOMING PROJECTS UPDATE Planning Manager Flores presented the staff report regarding upcoming projects which is on file in the Design and Development Department. She also provided an update on the current status of conducting business at City Hall. Public Works Director/City Engineer McKinney provided updates about the SilverRock Venue Site; the La Quinta Auto Center area landscaping and signage; and improvements regarding the landscaping, restroom, and gates leading to the parking lot at the top of the Cove. Commission Secretary Wise-Latta announced her retirement and the Commission extended to her their gratitude for her service and best wishes for the future. ADJOURNMENT PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 6 JUNE 23, 2020 There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Bettencourt/McCune to adjourn at 6:46 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, SIJIFREDO FERNANDEZ, Commission Secretary City of La Quinta, California