2016 02 23 PC Minutes
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 1 FEBRUARY 23, 2016
PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2016
CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the La Quinta Planning Commission was called to order at 7:00 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
Engineer Bryan McKinney, Executive Assistant Wanda Wise-Latta, and
Executive Assistant Monika Radeva
Commissioner Wright led the Commission in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT – None
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA – Confirmed
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2016-0001 submitted by the City of La Quinta
recommending that the City Council amend several chapters of Titles 2, 7, 8, 9, and
13 of the La Quinta Municipal Code, related to streamlining of the development
review process. CEQA: Exempt from environmental review under the California
Environmental Quality Act, pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3), Review for Exemptions –
General Rule.
Planning Manager Gabriel Perez presented the information contained in the staff report, a
copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department.
Discussion followed regarding staff level development review, transparency, and approval
guidelines; notification method options of any staff actions, such as a weekly report made
available on the City’s website and Items of Interests; appeal process application, allowed
timeframes, and the ability for “call up review” by Council and Planning Commission of
staff decisions; options for full cost recovery of permit fees; explore the possibility of
conducting a comparison study in six months to identify any realized time and cost
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 2 FEBRUARY 23, 2016
savings from the development code tune up and if necessary look into additional
streamlining alternatives.
Staff noted that this item was scheduled to be presented to the Historic Preservation
Commission on February 18, 2016; however, the meeting was cancelled due to the lack of
quorum and rescheduled to February 25, 2016. Thus, staff suggested this item be
continued to the Planning Commission of March 8, 2016.
Chairperson Wilkinson declared the PUBLIC HEARING OPEN at 8:03 p.m.
Motion – A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Bettencourt/Wright to
continue this item to the March 8, 2016, Planning Commission meeting to allow review by
the Historic Preservation Commission. Motion passed unanimously.
BUSINESS SESSION – None
COMMISSIONER ITEMS
1. Commissioner Bettencourt said he visited the Beazer Homes development located
at the northwest corner of Jefferson Street and Avenue 52. He spoke with Home
Counselor Richard Marlow who indicated the developer hoped to begin vertical
construction in April 2016.
2. The annual Special Meeting between the City Council and the City’s Boards and
Commissions is scheduled for Wednesday, February 24, 2016, at 5:30 p.m., at the
La Quinta Library.
DIRECTOR’S ITEMS
1. Staff gave an update on the City’s reorganizational changes and the creation of the
new Design and Development Department encompassing Planning, Building,
Engineering Services, and the Customer Service Center, under the leadership of
Design and Development Director Tim Jonasson.
2. Planning Manager Perez noted that the Planning Commission will be attending the
League of California Cities Planning Commissioners Academy in 2017.
3. Planning Manager Perez said the Los Angeles Section of the American Planning
Association is hosting the 2016 California Planning Conference in Pasadena on
October 22-25, 2016.
4. Planning Manager Perez gave an update on the upcoming Planning Commission
items for the March 8, 2016, meeting.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 3 FEBRUARY 23, 2016
5. Staff asked the Commission to provide feedback on changing of the Commission’s
meeting start time from 7:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Commission expressed general
support and suggested that the start time be changed to 6:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Bettencourt/Blum to adjourn this meeting at 8:12 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
MONIKA RADEVA, Executive Assistant
City of La Quinta, California