2015 10 28 Minutes - Development Code Ad-hoc
AD-HOC COMMITTEE MINUTES 1 OCTOBER 28, 2015
AD-HOC COMMITTEE
MINUTES
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2015
CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the La Quinta Ad-hoc Committee was called to order at 3:00 p.m. by
Chairperson Wright.
Roll Call: Committee Members Bettencourt, McCune, Peña, Radi, and Chairperson
Wright.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Committee Member Radi led the Committee in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT – None.
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA – Confirmed.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion – A motion was made and seconded by Committee Members Bettencourt/Radi to
approve the Ad-hoc Committee Minutes of September 9, 2015 as submitted. Motion
passed unanimously.
STUDY SESSION
1. Development Code Tune Up.
City Manager Spevacek gave the Committee an overview of the City’s succession planning
efforts.
Chairperson Wright noted the Committee had received the October 13, 2015,
Development Code Tune Up Stakeholder Meeting results and the information was also
made available to the public.
Planning Manager Perez presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of
which is on file in the Community Development Department.
AD-HOC COMMITTEE MINUTES 2 OCTOBER 28, 2015
Discussion followed regarding the submittal and review process of tentative parcel map
applications, which address only subdivision of land without any site improvements and
are subject to Director’s hearing approval.
The Committee discussed the applicants’ awareness of the development approval process
and timeline, the preliminary review application process available to the applicants’ to
identify any fatal flaws prior to actual application submittal, completeness review, and the
need for technical reports and studies. Staff noted that Preliminary Review applications
did not require the submittal of actual site plans, but only conceptual plans.
The Committee suggested that timelines be incorporated into the “Basic City Council
Process” flowchart prepared by staff to make the applicant aware of the timeframe
necessary to complete the development review process from application to approval.
Staff provided an update on the results and feedback received from the online survey, the
Stakeholder meeting held on October 13, 2015, and the one-on-one conversations
between staff and developers/applicants. Staff noted that a second Stakeholder meeting
is tentatively scheduled to be held on December 2, 2015.
Discussion followed regarding environmental review requirements, SB 18, AB 52, state
notification requirements, and tribal historic resources databases, which typically are held
confidential by the tribes and are only shared on a case by case basis. The Committee
inquired as to a “Master Environmental Assessment” or possibly a valley-wide approach to
streamline the tribal review and consultation for development projects. Staff replied that
they are in the process of identifying opportunities to reform the City’s practices with
respect to cultural resources.
Discussion followed regarding the proposed changes to Title 9 (Zoning), Title 8 (Building
and Construction), and Title 13 (Subdivision Regulations).
The Ad-hoc Committee provided direction to approve several staff recommended changes
except the following:
Restaurants, drive-throughs – no change.
Micro-brewery or wine tasting, accessory to restaurant or bar – acceptable as
an accessory use in all commercial zones but modify bar to tasting room.
Townhome and multifamily dwelling as primary use – keep as a Conditional
Use Permit in Regional Commercial and Commercial Park Zones, but allow in
Community Commercial, Neighborhood Commercial, Office Commercial, and
Village Commercial Zones.
Private parking lots/garages as a principal use subject to Chapter 9.150,
Parking – no change.
AD-HOC COMMITTEE MINUTES 3 OCTOBER 28, 2015
Site Development Permit – maintain a Site Development Permit reviewed by
the Planning Commission; create a Minor Site Development review process
with thresholds, that allows for administrative review.
Staff noted Title 7 (Historic Preservation) was reviewed and it did not require any updates.
A brief discussion was held regarding the role of the Historic Preservation Commission and
Architectural and Landscaping Review Board in the development review process and
direction was provided by the Committee to discuss in greater detail during the next Ad-
hoc Committee meeting.
Committee Member Peña asked staff to review the code as it relates to marijuana
cultivation, dispensaries, and mobile deliveries.
Staff said the next Ad-hoc Committee meeting has been scheduled for November 19,
2015, at 3:00 p.m., and the last meeting for December 16, 2015, at 4:00 p.m.
Committee Member Bettencourt asked staff to provide information on the due process
requirements for development review at the administrative level.
Committee Member Radi commended staff for their efforts on the development code
update.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members
Bettencourt/Peña to adjourn this meeting at 5:15 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
MONIKA RADEVA, Executive Assistant
City of La Quinta, California