2015 12 16 Minutes - Development Code Ad-hoc
AD-HOC COMMITTEE MINUTES 1 DECEMBER 16, 2015
AD-HOC COMMITTEE
MINUTES
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015
CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the La Quinta Ad-hoc Committee was called to order at 4:04 p.m. by
Chairperson Wright.
Roll Call: Committee Members Bettencourt, McCune, Peña, Radi, and Chairperson Wright
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Committee Member Bettencourt 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 November 19, 2015 as submitted, and amending
Paragraph 3 on page 2 to read as follow:
“Several Committee Members noted they were not comfortable recommending elimination of
any of the City’s existing review boards and commissions. The Committee suggested
educating the boards’ and commissions’ members and clearly defining their scope of purview
to achieve streamlined and expedited review hearings. Further, staff should consider utilizing
the boards and commissions only on an as needed basis, instead of having them as a required
part of the process.”
Motion passed unanimously.
STUDY SESSION
1. Development Code Tune Up.
Planning Manager Perez presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of
which is on file in the Community Development Department.
Discussion followed regarding the following review topics:
AD-HOC COMMITTEE MINUTES 2 DECEMBER 16, 2015
• Draft Code Tune Up Overview
• Temporary Use Permits
• Review Boards and Commissions
• Evaluation
General discussion followed regarding the proposed code changes allowing for faster
development review process and reduced fees; the implementation of Minor Site
Development Permit and Planned Unit Development applications allowing greater flexibility
of development review standards; eliminating the need for Director’s Hearing by allowing
Tentative Parcel Map review at staff level; modifying the Minor Adjustment application to
allow up to 10 percent of multiple deviations, which include setback, height, lot coverage,
parking count, and sign size; Temporary Use Permit amendments; and parking requirements.
The Committee discussed several notification methods to ensure that the public and City
officials stay informed of all staff-level decisions and follow-up steps that can be initiated in
accordance with established timeframes if necessary.
The Committee considered the role of the Historic Preservation Commission in the
development review process and recommended its dissolution. Staff was directed to consult
with the La Quinta Historical Society to identify ways of having some of the responsibilities of
the Commission be assumed by the Society.
Committee Member Radi left the meeting at 5:29 p.m.
Staff said a Joint City Council and Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for Tuesday,
January 12, 2016, at 5:00 p.m. Staff will present the Committee’s final recommendations on
the Development Code Tune Up changes and seek Council’s and the Commission’s feedback.
Staff anticipates presenting this item to the Planning Commission on Tuesday, February 9,
2016, at 7:00 p.m., and to the City Council on Tuesday, March 1, 2016, at 4:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members
Peña/Bettencourt to adjourn this meeting at 5:37 p.m. AYES: Committee Members
Bettencourt, McCune, Peña, and Chairperson Wright. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT:
Committee Member Radi. Motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
MONIKA RADEVA, Executive Assistant
City of La Quinta, California