2021 01 26 PC Minutes
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 1 JANUARY 26, 2021
PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2021
CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the La Quinta Planning Commission was called to order at
5:02 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 Caldwell, Currie, Libolt Varner, McCune, Nieto,
and Chairperson Proctor
ABSENT: Commissioner Bettencourt (joined the meeting at 5:14 p.m.)
STAFF PRESENT: Design & Development Director Danny Castro, Planning Manager
Cheri L. Flores, Senior Planner Carlos Flores, Commission
Secretary Tania Flores
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner McCune 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
Commission concurred and the agenda was confirmed unanimously with
Commissioner Bettencourt being absent.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRESENTATIONS AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION - NONE
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF REVISED MINUTES DATED NOVEMBER 24, 2020
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 2 JANUARY 26, 2021
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Caldwell/Libolt
Varner to approve the Consent Calendar as submitted. AYES: Commissioners
Caldwell, Currie, Libolt Varner, Nieto, and Chairperson Proctor. NOES: None.
ABSENT: Commissioner Bettencourt. ABSTAIN: None.
Motion passed ayes 6, noes 0, absent 1 (Bettencourt).
BUSINESS SESSION - NONE
Commissioner Libolt Varner left the meeting due to a potential conflict of interest
stemming from a business relationship with her previous employer, MSA
Consulting, regarding Study Session Item No. 1.
STUDY SESSION
1. REVIEW AND PROVIDE GUIDANCE ON MODIFIED DESIGN OF THE SITE AT
THE CORNER OF JEFFERSON STREET AND AVENUE 50 WITHIN THE
PROPOSED PAVILION PALMS SHOPPING CENTER; LOCATION: NORTHWEST
CORNER OF AVENUE 50 AND JEFFERSON STREET
Planning Manager Flores presented the staff report which is on file in the Design
and Development Department.
Chair Proctor reminded the Commission that the item being considered at this
meeting is specifically focused on the corner of this development and not the entire
project or any items of the project that have already been approved.
DECLARATIONS REGARDING COMMISSION PUBLIC CONTACT – None
Applicant’s Landscaping Architect discussed challenges associated with the power
pole in that location on the property; samples of iconic corners throughout the
valley and surrounding areas; brise soleil architecture concept to shield the
buildings from sun/heat and provide a shaded walking path for pedestrian
movement; elevated outdoor pedestrian friendly and casual seating space that
could be used for outdoor dining; planting design and details as well as variations in
proposed landscaping; possible landscape art and decor including fire and water
features.
Commission commended Architect on the new ideas and design and discussed
challenges with screening noise on the corner; using monument or architecture for
screening purposes; building heights adjustments; safety and ground elevation of
corner patio; blending the landscape and brise soleil concept with the rest of the
project; using this site for Art in Public Places.
WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENT was provided by citizen, Robert Kroll, in which he
expressed concerns about the aesthetics of the project including the power pole
located at the corner of the site as well as other power poles identified along
Avenue 50 and gave support of the previously proposed taller building heights to
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 3 JANUARY 26, 2021
help minimize the power poles. These written comments were previously distributed
to Council, made publicly available, and incorporated into the agenda packet and
public record of the meeting.
The Commission provided comments of overall general support of this phase of the
project and this corner of the site in particular; provided additional suggestions for
design and landscape; commending the applicant’s team on providing a project
plan that included innovative design concepts and incorporated requests and
suggestions that were presented in previous public meetings, by both the
Commission and Council; and advised the applicant to come back with additional
drawings highlighting the new design elements in more detail for Council.
Commissioner Bettencourt arrived at the meeting at 5:15 p.m. and confirmed that
he was able to listen to the presentation from the beginning but was having
technical difficulties on joining. Commissioner Libolt Varner returned to the
meeting at 5:59 p.m.
DECLARATIONS REGARDING COMMISSION PUBLIC CONTACT – None
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2020-0001
FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A MONOPALM WIRELESS
TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITY WITHIN THE EXTRA SPACE STORAGE
FACILITY CEQA: THE PROJECT IS EXEMPT FROM CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15303, NEW
CONSTRUCTION OR CONVERSION OF SMALL STRUCTURES; LOCATION:
79120 CORPORATE CENTER DRIVE (WITHIN EXTRA SPACE STORAGE
FACILITY) [RESOLUTION NO. 2021-001]
Senior Planner Flores presented the staff report which is on file in the Design and
Development Department.
Staff answered questions regarding requirements and limitations of monopalm
installations.
CHAIR PROCTOR DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING OPEN AT 6:13 P.M.
PUBLIC SPEAKER OR COMMENT: None
CHAIR PROCTOR DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 6:13 P.M.
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners
Bettencourt/Caldwell to adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2021-0001 to
approve a Conditional Use Permit 2020-0001 for the construction of a monopalm
wireless telecommunications facility within the Extra Space Storage Facility and
determine that the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act,
pursuant to Section 15303, New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 4 JANUARY 26, 2021
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LA
QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR
THE CONSTRUCTION OF A WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITY
WITHIN THE EXTRA SPACE STORAGE PROPERTY AND FINDING THE
PROJECT EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
ACT
CASE NUMBER: CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2020-0001
APPLICANT: EUKON GROUP
AYES: Commissioners Bettencourt, Caldwell, Currie, Libolt Varner, McCune, Nieto,
and Chairperson Proctor. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None
Motion passed unanimously.
2. ADOPT RESOLUTIONS TO RECOMMEND ADOPTION OF A SUBSEQUENT
MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION (ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
2020-0001) AND APPROVAL OF SPECIFIC PLAN 2020-0001, SITE
DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 2020-0001, TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP 2020-0001,
AND VARIANCE 2020-0001 FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A 40-UNIT RESIDENTIAL
APARTMENT PROJECT; CEQA: DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
HAS PREPARED A SUBSEQUENT MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION
UNDER ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 2020-0001; LOCATION: SOUTHEAST
CORNER OF JEFFERSON STREET AND PALM CIRCLE DRIVE [RESOLUTION NO.
2021-002]
Senior Planner Flores presented the staff report which is on file in the Design and
Development Department.
Staff answered Commission questions regarding property ownership and
maintenance responsibilities; project entrance and lane widening options;
emergency service access; required variances and density changes for the project;
photometric study results; distances of parking stalls to building access points.
Applicant answered Commission questions regarding proximity of trash collection
locations in relation to existing residences on the back side of the property.
CHAIR PROCTOR DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING OPEN AT 6:40 P.M.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Heather Michel – Project will provide more affordable housing in
La Quinta for small families; in favor of the project.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Jovanni Michel – Project will provide more renting options for
residents of La Quinta; in favor of the project.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Martin Koons – Resident of Westward Isle spoke of concerns of
the project interfering with the views from his home; not enough time for
surrounding residents to review the project and its effects on their neighborhood; in
opposition of approving the project at this time.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 5 JANUARY 26, 2021
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Jennifer Hill – Westward Isles resident in opposition of the
project due to architectural design differences, required zoning allowance changes,
increased traffic especially around the school zone, and increased residential
density allowance required for the project.
WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENT was provided by the citizens listed below, in
alphabetical order, which was distributed to Council, made publicly available, and
incorporated into the agenda packet and public record of the meeting:
o Barnard, Ethan - Support
o Hand, Richard – Opposition
o Hill, Jennifer – Opposition
o Leuthold, Valerie – Support
o McGowan, Joshua – Support
o Mendias, Joyce Ann - Opposition
o Olsen, Vicki – Opposition
o Onunwah, Collins and Claudette - Opposition
o Paige, Mitchell – Opposition
o Scrivner, Nancy – Support
o Westward Isle HOA - Opposition
Applicant and Staff answered additional Commissioner questions regarding outreach
provided to the surrounding community; noticing requirement fulfillment; density
adjustment and calculations; property ownership and maintenance responsibilities
of certain areas of the property along Whitewater Wash; and architectural design
including one and two-story building options.
CHAIR PROCTOR DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 7:08 P.M.
Commissioners provided additional comments regarding increasing demand for
apartment availability within the City; increased traffic concerns; density and
variances required for this project; the project location in relation to the image
corridor; site plan’s preservation of Westward Isle residence views; concerns with
changing the intended use of the site; and architectural design.
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Nieto/Bettencourt
to adopt Planning Commission Resolution 2021-0002 to recommend adoption of a
Subsequent Mitigated Negative Declaration for Environmental Assessment
2020-0001.
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LA
QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPT A
SUBSEQUENT MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR THE
JEFFERSON STREET APARTMENTS LOCATED AT THE SOUTHEAST
CORNER OF JEFFERSON STREET AND PALM CIRCLE DRIVE
CASE NUMBER: ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 2020-0001
APPLICANT: JIM SNELLENBERGER
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 6 JANUARY 26, 2021
AYES: Commissioners Bettencourt, Caldwell, Currie, Libolt Varner, McCune, Nieto,
and Chair Proctor. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None.
Motion passed unanimously.
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Nieto/Currie to
adopt Planning Commission Resolution 2021-0003 to recommend approval of
Specific Plan 2020-0001, Site Development Permit 2020-0001, Tentative Parcel
Map 2020-0001, and Variance 2020-0001, subject to the Findings and Conditions of
Approval.
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LA
QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING TO THE CITY COUNCIL
APPROVAL OF A SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT, TENTATIVE PARCEL
MAP, SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT, AND VARIANCE FOR THE
JEFFERSON STREET APARTMENTS AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF
JEFFERSON STREET AND PALM CIRCLE DRIVE.
CASE NUMBERS: SPECIFIC PLAN 2020-0001;
TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP 2020-0001;
SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 2020-0001; VARIANCE 2020-0001
APPLICANT: JIM SNELLENBERGER
AYES: Commissioners Bettencourt, Caldwell, Currie, Libolt Varner, McCune, Nieto,
and Chair Proctor. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None.
Motion passed unanimously.
REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS - NONE
STAFF ITEMS
1. INTRODUCTION OF DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
ADMINISTRATIVE TECHNICIAN, TANIA FLORES, WHO WILL BE THE
PLANNING COMMISSION SECRETARY
COMMISSIONERS’ ITEMS
Commissioner Bettencourt and Chair Proctor requested Staff provide the
Commission with printed materials for the upcoming Pavilion Palms project items.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Caldwell/McCune to adjourn at 7:32 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
TANIA FLORES, Commission Secretary
City of La Quinta, California