2021 07 13 PC MinutesPLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Page 1 of 6 July 13, 2021
PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
TUESDAY, JULY 13, 2021
CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the La Quinta Planning Commission was called to order
at 5:05 p.m. by Chairperson Proctor.
Pursuant to Executive Orders N-25-20, N-29-20, N-33-20, N-35-20, N-60-20,
and N-08-21 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 in the Ralph M. Brown Act (Government Code § 54950 et seq.),
members of the Planning Commission, the City Attorney, City Staff, and City
Consultants may participate in this meeting by teleconference.
PRESENT: Commissioners Caldwell, Currie, Hassett, McCune, Nieto,
Tyerman, and Chairperson Proctor
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Design & Development Director Danny Castro, Planning
Manager Cheri L. Flores, Senior Planner Carlos Flores, and
Commission Secretary Tania Flores
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Tyerman led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA – None.
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA – Confirmed.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRESENTATIONS, AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
1. INTRODUCTION OF NEWLY APPOINTED COMMISSIONERS AND
RECOGNITION OF OUTGOING COMMISSIONERS
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM NO. 1
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Chairperson Proctor introduced and welcomed the two newly appointed
Commissioners, Doug Hassett and Dale Tyerman. Special recognition and
appreciation was given by the Commission and Staff to outgoing
Commissioners Libolt Varner and Bettencourt.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Commissioners Hassett and Tyerman recused themselves from voting on
Consent Calendar Item No. 1 as the meeting reflected in these minutes
occurred prior to their appointment to the Commission.
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES DATED APRIL 27, 2021
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Commissioner Currie/Nieto
to approve the Consent Calendar as submitted. Motion passed: ayes 5, noes
0, abstain 2 (Hassett and Tyerman).
BUSINESS SESSION
1. APPOINT A PLANNING COMMISSION CHAIRPERSON AND VICE
CHAIRPERSON FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021/22
The Planning Commission waived presentation of the staff report, which is
on file in the Design and Development Department.
Chairperson Proctor opened the nominations for Chairperson.
MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Chairperson Proctor and
Commissioner Caldwell to appoint Commissioner Nieto to serve as Planning
Commission Chairperson for fiscal year 2021/22. Motion passed
unanimously.
Chairperson Proctor opened the nominations for Vice Chairperson.
MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners
Proctor/Caldwell to appoint Commissioner Currie to serve as Planning
Commission Vice Chairperson for fiscal year 2021/22. Motion passed
unanimously.
Chairperson Nieto assumed the duties of presiding officer for the remainder
of the meeting and thanked the Commission for the appointment.
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2. APPROVE CANCELLATION OF THE REGULAR PLANNING
COMMISSION MEETINGS OF AUGUST 10 AND 24, 2021
The Planning Commission waived presentation of the staff report, which is
on file in the Design and Development Department.
MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners
Hassett/Proctor to approve the cancellation of the regular Planning
Commission meetings of August 10 and 24, 2021. Motion passed
unanimously.
STUDY SESSION – None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
DECLARATIONS REGARDING COMMISSION PUBLIC CONTACT – None.
1. ADOPT A RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF SITE
DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 2021-0003 (SDP 2013-924,
AMENDMENT 2) TO AMEND SIGNATURE AT PGA WEST
CONDOMINIUM RESIDENTIAL PLANS; CEQA: THE PROJECT IS
CONSISTENT WITH PREVIOUSLY CERTIFIED SUBSEQUENT
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT COMPLETED FOR EDEN
ROCK AT PGA WEST SPECIFIC PLAN; LOCATION: WITHIN THE
PGA WEST SPECIFIC PLAN AREA
Senior Planner Flores presented the staff report which is on file in the Design
and Development Department.
Commission discussion followed regarding the Tourist Commercial zoning of
the project and the effects this would have on the surrounding community
including short-term vacation rental (STVR) issues; ownership of the
individual units or timeshare use; concerns for lighting and safety in the
paseos between some of the buildings. Staff clarified that only architectural
changes to the individual buildings were under consideration at this time and
the development, including zoning and parking, was previously approved;
Riverside County Fire Department had already approved of plans; PGA West
Fairways Homeowners Association had provided a letter of approval to
proceed.
CHAIRPERSON NIETO DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING OPEN AT 5:52 P.M.
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PUBLIC SPEAKER: Todd Cunningham, Applicant with Woodbridge Pacific –
introduced himself and gave a brief presentation providing additional
background on the project and proposed amendment; answered previously
posed questions regarding architectural design changes including the
addition of individual garages; the project being governed by its own HOA
and CC&Rs as a subset of the PGA West Fairways HOA; private gated
entrance with its own security; previously approved single clubhouse pool;
the addition of private courtyard space; pedestrian paseos to provide access
from rear garage space to front entraces which include 42" walls;
all homeowners are eligible for golf memberships; project was previously
zoned as tourist commercial (CT) which allows for STVR use; the existing CT
zoning designation is not up for consideration at this time; models will be
located at lots 22 and 23.
Staff clarified that lighting, parking and road/sidewalk plans were previously
approved and would not be coming back to the Commission for additional
review; single unit lighting would be reviewed by staff and subject to current
City code.
PUBLIC SPEAKER VIA TELEPHONIC ACCESSIBILITY: George (no last name
provided), resident of PGA West Signature – expressed concerns regarding
units being used as STVR; questioned if this development would be
governed by PGA West Fairways HOA; density and parking causing
pedestrian safety issues; and noted the pedestrian gate is currently locked.
PUBLIC SPEAKER VIA TELEPHONIC ACCESSIBILITY: Jennifer Jenkins,
Membership Director of PGA West and Vice President of Fairways HOA –
introduced herself, and said the club is happy with the proposed changes;
stated this will attract younger and more active members; confirmed that
the Signature at PGA West project would not be governed by the PGA West
Fairways HOA or their CC&Rs; lighting will be subject to City code, however,
it will be subject to approval by the Signature HOA as well.
CHAIRPERSON NIETO DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 6:21 P.M.
Commission discussion followed regarding parking and pedestrian safety,
STVRs, proposed color palette, pricing and lighting. The Applicant agreed to
add additional lighting to areas of concern, including paseos between
buildings.
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MOTION – A motion was made by Chairperson Nieto and seconded by
Commissioner Proctor to adopt a resolution to recommend Council approval
of new architectural plan set for condominiums for Signature at PGA West
within the Eden Rock at PGA West Specific Plan Area and find the project
consistent with previously certified Subsequent Environmental Impact
Report.
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING
APPROVAL OF A SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT AMENDMENT
FOR NEW CONDOMINIUM PLANS FOR SIGNATURE AT PGA
WEST AND FINDING THE PROJECT CONSISTENT WITH
SUBSEQUENT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
CERTIFIED FOR EDEN ROCK AT PGA WEST
Motion passed unanimously.
2. ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING REVISION NO. 1 TO THE
CITY’S VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED ANALYSIS POLICY IN
COMPLIANCE WITH STATE SENATE BILL 743; CEQA: EXEMPT
PURSUANT TO CEQA GUIDELINES SECTIONS 15308, 15307 AND
15061 (b)(3)
Planning Manager Flores presented the staff report which is on file in the
Design and Development Department.
Staff answered Commission questions regarding the VMT screening process
for new projects and provided examples of projects types that could screen
out using this policy; clarified transit priority areas of which there are none
within the City, definition of low VMT areas; parking and land use project
exemptions; how metric tons of carbon emissions are calculated.
CHAIRPERSON NIETO DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING OPEN AT 6:59 P.M.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: None
CHAIRPERSON NIETO DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 6:59 P.M.
Commissioners commended staff on the presentation and the effort made by
the City to provide a more streamlined approval process for developers.
MOTION – A motion was made by Chairperson Nieto and seconded by
Commissioner Currie to adopt a resolution to approve Revision No. 1 to the
City’s Vehicle Miles Traveled Analysis Policy and a finding that approving this
policy is exempt from environmental review under the California
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Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section
15308, Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the Environment,
Section 15307, Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of Natural
Resources, and Section 15061(b)(3), Review for Exemptions – Common
Sense Rule and approve a Vehicle Miles Traveled Analysis Policy in
compliance with State Senate Bill 743.
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING REVISION
NO. 1 TO THE VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED ANALYSIS
POLICY INCLUDING THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE FOR
PURPOSES OF ANALYZING TRANSPORTATION IMPACTS
UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
Motion passed unanimously.
REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS – None.
COMMISSIONERS’ ITEMS
Chairperson Nieto requested that staff provide printed copies of the more
complicated exhibits and key maps and plans for future projects presented
for Commission review.
STAFF ITEMS
1. UPDATE ON CITYWIDE PROJECTS (verbal)
Planning Manager Flores provided a brief verbal update on various city-wide
projects.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Proctor/Hassett to adjourn the meeting at 7:26 p.m. Motion
passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
TANIA FLORES, Commission Secretary
City of La Quinta, California
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