2016 01 12 PC Minutes
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 1 JANUARY 12, 2016
PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016
CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the La Quinta Planning Commission was called to order at 7:15 p.m.
by Chairperson Wilkinson.
PRESENT: Commissioners Bettencourt, Blum, Fitzpatrick, Wright, and
Chairperson Wilkinson
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Planning Manager Gabriel Perez, Principal Planner Jay Wuu, Principal
Planner Wally Nesbit, Principal Engineer Bryan McKinney, Executive
Assistant Monika Radeva, Executive Assistant Wanda Wise-Latta and
Office Assistant Marilyn Monreal
Commissioner Wright led the Commission in the Pledge of Allegiance.
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA
Chairperson Wilkinson requested that Public Comment be moved after the Public Hearing.
The Commission concurred.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion – A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Fitzpatrick//Wright to
approve the Planning Minutes of December 8, 2015 as submitted. Motion passed
unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Conditional Use Permit 2015-0004 submitted by Laser Oasis, LLC proposing an indoor
family entertainment center within an existing 16,000 square-foot commercial
building. Project: Laser Oasis. CEQA: exempt from environmental review pursuant
to Section 15301, Existing Facilities, of the California Environmental Quality Act.
Location: 46-805 Dune Palms Road.
Principal Planner Jay Wuu presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy
of which is on file in the Community Development Department.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 2 JANUARY 12, 2016
Staff addressed the Commission’s questions regarding annual review of executed
development agreements and stated that a report will be provided to update the Planning
Commission on the City’s annual review process. The Commission expressed concern in
that it appears many agreements are not being reviewed annually as required by the
code.
Commissioner Fitzpatrick commended staff and the applicant for completing a parking
study and not building additional parking area, but making use of existing facilities
through a joint-use parking method.
Chairperson Wilkinson declared the PUBLIC HEARING OPEN at 7:22 p.m.
Public Speaker: Mr. Joseph Donati, Applicant, Marina Del Rey, CA – introduced himself, gave
a detailed presentation of the project, and answered the Commission’s questions with
regards to the proposed suspended ropes course, laser maze, safety requirements,
admission costs, the shared parking agreement; and noted the objective was to be
operational in three months.
Chairperson Wilkinson declared the PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED at 7:34 p.m.
Motion – A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Blum/Fitzpatrick to adopt
Planning Resolution 2016-001 approving Conditional Use Permit 2015-004 for Laser Oasis,
LLC., as submitted with staff’s recommendations; and deem the project exempt from the
California Environmental Quality Act. Motion passed unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Public Speaker – Mr. Rex McLennan, La Quinta Fairways resident, La Quinta – introduced
himself and spoke in opposition of the Washington 50 project submitted by Chandi Group,
USA. He said this proposed commercial development should not be located in such close
proximity to the adjacent residential developments; and expressed concerns regarding
noise levels, traffic, potential safety hazard for kids attending the surrounding schools and
the Boys and Girls Club, and unsuitable zoning change proposal. He urged the Commission
and the City Council to consider all comments received in opposition of this project and
not approve it.
Public Speaker – Mr. Gordon Kelly, Rancho La Quinta resident, La Quinta, CA – introduced
himself and spoke in opposition of the Washington 50 project submitted by Chandi Group,
USA. Mr. Kelly said he concurred with all comments made by Mr. McLennan and would not
reiterate them.
Public Speaker – Ms. Lynda Farnen, La Quinta, CA – introduced herself and spoke in
opposition of the Washington 50 project submitted by Chandi Group, USA. She said she
plans on retiring in La Quinta and would like to ensure the quality of life is not disrupted,
and the City continues to encourage and cultivate residential communities and not
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 3 JANUARY 12, 2016
compromise them by building commercial projects in the midst of existing residential
developments.
Staff encouraged all attendees to reach out to city staff and provide their contact
information, so that staff can notify them when this project is scheduled for hearing.
BUSINESS SESSION – None
COMMISSIONER ITEMS
1. Report on City Council meetings of December 15, 2015.
The Commission requested that this standing item be removed from future
agendas and staff distributes approved Council minutes to the Commission as soon
as they are available.
2. Commissioner Wright is scheduled to attend the January 19, 2016 City Council
meeting.
DIRECTOR’S ITEMS
1. Planning Manager Perez stated that the City will prepare an ordinance on water
efficient landscape measures consistent with Governor Brown’s Drought Executive
Order, which will be presented to the Planning Commission. He noted the
ordinance will include water reduction strategies discussed during the June 16,
2015, City Council meeting.
2. Planning Manager Perez provided an update on the Development Code Tune Up
efforts, proposed development review draft changes, and community outreach.
3. The Commission inquired if they would be able to attend the 2016 annual League of
California Cities Planning Academy. Staff replied the Commission is scheduled to
attend the 2017 annual conference.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Wright/Fitzpatrick to adjourn this meeting at 8:08 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
MONIKA RADEVA, Executive Assistant
City of La Quinta, California