2020 12 08 PC Minutes
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 1 DECEMBER 8, 2020
PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 08, 2020
CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the La Quinta Planning Commission was called to order at
5:04 p.m. by Chairperson Proctor.
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, Caldwell, Currie, Libolt Varner,
McCune, Nieto, and Chairperson Proctor
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Design & Development Director Danny Castro, Planning Manager
Cheri Flores, Senior Planner Carlos Flores, Commission
Secretary Sijifredo Fernandez, Planning Consultant Nicole Criste
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Caldwell led the Planning Commission in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA
PUBLIC SPEAKER VIA TELEPHONIC ACCESSIBILITY: Kay Wolff, La Quinta – Ms.
Wolff provided public comment in regards to zoning as it relates to short-term
vacation rentals and expressed concerns regarding quality of life affected by the
density of vacation rentals.
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners
Caldwell/Bettencourt to confirm the Agenda as posted. Motion passed unanimously.
DECLARATIONS REGARDING COMMISSION PUBLIC CONTACTS – Commissioner
Libolt Varner stated that she would need to recuse herself from discussion and
vote on Study Session Item No. 1 due to potential conflict of interest stemming
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 2 DECEMBER 8, 2020
from her current employment with Lift to Rise and it’s relation to the Housing
Element Update as well as Public Hearing Item No. 1 due to a business relationship
with her previous employer, MSA Consulting.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRESENTATIONS AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION-NONE
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES DATED NOVEMBER 24, 2020
Commissioner Caldwell requested additional comments be added to the minutes
regarding the Pavilion Palms item due to the complexity and nature of this project.
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Caldwell/Nieto to
continue this item to the next regular Planning Commission meeting to allow staff
to review and provide additional comments made by Commissioners regarding
Business Session Item No. 1 Pavilion Palms project. Motion passed unanimously.
BUSINESS SESSION - NONE
STUDY SESSION
1. UPDATE ON PREPARATION OF THE 6TH CYCLE HOUSING ELEMENT FOR THE
OCTOBER 2021-OCTOBER 2029 PLANNING PERIOD
Commissioner Libolt Varner left the meeting due to previously stated potential
conflict of interest stemming from her current employment with Lift to Rise.
Planning Consultant Nicole Criste gave a verbal update and visual presentation on
the Housing Element including background, accomplishments of the last reporting
period, and RHNA allocations; and answered questions regarding the possible
repercussions of not meeting affordable housing requirements.
2. DISCUSS THE CITY’S SPHERE OF INFLUENCE INCLUDING STATUS OF
THE VISTA SANTA ROSA GATEWAY VILLAGE PROJECT IN THE COUNTY OF
RIVERSIDE AND WITHIN CITY’S SPHERE OF INFLUENCE
Chair Proctor clarified that the Planning Commission does not have decision
making powers regarding the projects being discussed which was confirmed by
staff. Planning Manager Flores reminded the Planning Commission that this item
was for informational purposes only and that no decisions would be made in
regards to this item during this meeting.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 3 DECEMBER 8, 2020
Planning Manager Cheri Flores and Senior Planner Carlos Flores presented the
staff report which is on file in the Design and Development department.
Chair Proctor was found to be absent from the meeting following
presentation of the staff report at 5:59 p.m. due to technical difficulties.
Vice Chair Nieto stepped in to preside over the meeting until which time
Chair Proctor could be reconnected.
Staff answered Planning Commission questions regarding the rights of the City
in regards to the sphere of influence; CEQA review period and declaration;
traffic analysis; pre-zoning of the area and its consistency with general plan
uses; and upcoming County meeting schedule for this item; design of the
proposed gas station within the project. The Commission stressed importance
of the City and the public remaining involved in the future planning of this
project due to proximity to La Quinta Communities. The Commission thanked
staff for the update on this project.
Commissioner Currie was found to be absent at 6:05 p.m. due to technical
difficulties.
PUBLIC SPEAKER VIA TELEPHONIC ACCESSIBILITY: Lori Davis, La Quinta -
Donated time allotment to Public Speaker, Jodi Shapiro
PUBLIC SPEAKER VIA TELEPHONIC ACCESSIBILITY: Michael Klein, La Quinta –
Donated time allotment to Public Speaker, Jodi Shapiro
PUBLIC SPEAKER VIA TELEPHONIC ACCESSIBILITY: Richard Mills, La Quinta –
Donated time allotment to Public Speaker, Jodi Shapiro
PUBLIC SPEAKER VIA TELEPHONIC ACCESSIBILITY: Valerie Murphy, La Quinta –
Donated time allotment to Public Speaker, Jodi Shapiro
PUBLIC SPEAKER VIA TELEPHONIC ACCESSIBILITY: Jodi Shapiro, La Quinta
expressed concerns over the scale and size of this commercial project; types of
businesses proposed within the project including 24-hour markets that might
affect the surrounding 11 communities; commercial properties that remain
empty close in proximity to this proposed development. Mr. Shapiro requests
additional support from the City in opposing this development.
Commissioner Currie rejoined at 6:10 p.m.
Chair Proctor returned at 6:18 p.m. and resumed his duties as presiding officer.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 4 DECEMBER 8, 2020
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE TENTATIVE TRACT MAP 2020-0005 (TTM
37930) FOR CONDOMINIUM PURPOSES FOR PENDRY RESIDENCES PROJECT.
CEQA: FINDINGS OF ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 2014-1003 APPLY AND
NO FURTHER ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW IS REQUIRED. LOCATION: WITHIN
THE MIDDLE PORTION OF THE SILVERROCK RESORT, BOUNDED BY
SILVERROCK WAY
Commissioner Libolt Varner left the meeting due to previously stated potential
conflict of interest stemming from her previous employment with MSA Consulting.
Senior Planner Flores presented the staff report which is on file in the Design and
Development Department.
Staff responded to Commission questions regarding clarification of what the
recommended action would be approving.
CHAIR PROCTOR DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING OPEN AT 6:24 p.m.
PUBLIC SPEAKERS: None
Applicant, John Gamlin, responded to Commission questions regarding site work
planned for this site prior to construction; and residential components planned prior
to hotels.
CHAIR PROCTOR DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 6:27 p.m.
Staff responded to additional questions regarding approval of Architectural Site
Plan.
CHAIR PROCTOR DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING RE-OPENED AT 6:29 p.m. TO
ALLOW APPLICANT TO GIVE A PRESENTATION
Applicant gave a visual presentation highlighting site plan, building options, layouts
and amenities.
CHAIR PROCTOR DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 6:38 p.m.
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Bettencourt/Nieto
to adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2020-010 approving Tentative Tract
Map 2020-0005 (TTM 37930) for condominium purposes for Pendry Residences;
CEQA findings of Environment Assessment 2014-1003 apply and no further
environment review is required; Location within the middle portion of the
SilverRock Resort, bounded by SilverRock Way.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 5 DECEMBER 8, 2020
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING TENTATIVE TRACT MAP
37930 (TTM 2020-0005) FOR CONDOMINIUM PURPOSES FOR
PENDRY RESIDENTIAL
CASE NUMBERS:
TENTATIVE TRACT MAP 37930 (TTM 2020-0005)
APPLICANT: SILVERROCK DEVELOPMENT COMPANY
AYES: Commissioners Bettencourt, Caldwell, Currie, McCune, Nieto, and
Chairperson Proctor. NOES: None. ABSENT: Commissioner Libolt Varner
ABSTAIN: None. Motion passed unanimously.
2. ADOPT A RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL
AMEND SEVERAL SECTIONS OF TITLE 9 OF THE LA QUINTA MUNICIPAL
CODE; CEQA: EXEMPT FROM CEQA PURSUANT TO SECTION
15061(B)(3) REVIEW FOR EXEMPTIONS – COMMON SENSE RULE;
LOCATION: CITYWIDE
The Planning Commission took a short recess at 6:41 p.m. to await Commissioner
Libolt Varner’s return to the meeting. Meeting resumed at 6:49 p.m.
Senior Planner Flores presented the staff report which is on file in the Design and
Development Department.
Staff responded to Commission questions regarding restrictive convenant
provisions; revision of image corridor building standards and use permits required
to adjust permitted heights; and thresholds for staff level decisions regarding
height adjustments,
Commissioner Currie voiced her concern regarding the impacts to the city’s image
corridors and stated the goals of the general plan are to protect our scenic
mountain vistas.
CHAIR PROCTOR DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING OPEN AT 7:16 p.m.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: None
CHAIR PROCTOR DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 7:16 p.m.
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners
McCune/Bettencourt to adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2020-011
recommending to the City Council approval of Zoning Ordinance Amendment
2020-0001 amending sections of Title 9 of the La Quinta Municipal Code and
finding the action exempt from environmental review under the California
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 6 DECEMBER 8, 2020
Environmental Quality Act pursuant to 15061(B)(3), Review for Exemptions –
Common Sense Rule.
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LA
QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL
AMEND SEVERAL SECTIONS OF TITLE 9 OF THE LA QUINTA
MUNICIPAL CODE TO STREAMLINE DEVELOPMENT PROCESSES AND
STANDARDS
CASE NUMBER:
ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT 2020-0001
APPLICANT: CITY OF LA QUINTA
AYES: Commissioners Bettencourt, Caldwell, Libolt Varner, McCune, Nieto, and
Chairperson Proctor. NOES: Commissioner Currie. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN:
None. Motion passed.
REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS - NONE
COMMISSIONERS’ ITEMS - NONE
STAFF ITEMS – NONE
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Caldwell/Nieto to adjourn at 7:20 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
TANIA FLORES, Commission Secretary
City of La Quinta, California