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2021 09 14 PC MinutesPLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Page 1 of 7 September 14, 2021 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2021 CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the La Quinta Planning Commission was called to order at 5:01 p.m. by Chairperson Nieto. 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 public, the Planning Commission, the City Attorney, City Staff, and City Consultants may participate in this meeting by teleconference. PRESENT: Commissioners Caldwell, Currie, Hassett, McCune, Proctor, Tyerman, and Chairperson Nieto ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Design & Development Director Danny Castro, Planning Manager Cheri L. Flores, Senior Planner Carlos Flores, Public Works Director/City Engineer Bryan McKinney, City Attorney Bill Ihrke (via teleconference), 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 PUBLIC SPEAKER: Wendy Clark, La Quinta – opposing Coral Mountain Resort project and rezoning; negative impacts of the project including short-term vacation rental (STVR) saturation, water consumption and lack of water resource preservation, increased traffic congestion due to planned special events at the project site. PUBLIC SPEAKER: Derek Wong, La Quinta – said he is a member of La Quinta Residents for Responsible Development (LQRRD), spoke in opposition of the Coral Mountain Resort project; cited Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Page 2 of 7 September 14, 2021 responses from Bighorn Institute, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters, and Center for Biological Diversity; expressed concerns regarding negative environmental impacts including lack of bighorn sheep habitat preservation. PUBLIC SPEAKER: Kelly Welton, La Quinta – opposed the Coral Mountain Resort project; cited California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s response to the DEIR for the project including negative impacts to wildlife habitat preservation due to light and noise as well as wildfire hazards. PUBLIC SPEAKER: Alena Callimanis, La Quinta – opposed the Coral Mountain Resort project; cited DEIR response from Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters requesting the City to recirculate due to CEQA guideline violations including significant negative impacts to air quality, greenhouse gases, population, housing, recreation, regional transportation plans, state planning and zoning law, and the City’s General Plan. PUBLIC SPEAKER: Sheila Warren, La Quinta – opposed the Coral Mountain Resort project; cited DEIR response from Center for Biological Diversity and expressed concerns regarding the light and water supply impacts of the project. PUBLIC SPEAKER: Robin Nenninger, La Quinta – opposed the Coral Mountain Resort project; expressed concerns over the IID will serve letter expiration. PUBLIC SPEAKER: Laura DuMaurier, La Quinta – opposed the Coral Mountain Resort project; cited letter/email from John Burgeson, a former reporter from Connecticut, regarding water use concerns. PUBLIC SPEAKER VIA TELEPHONIC ACCESSIBILITY: Anast Demitt, La Quinta – opposed the Coral Mountain Resort project; expressed water consumption concerns; requested DEIR revision. PUBLIC SPEAKER VIA TELEPHONIC ACCESSIBILITY: Robert Lasser, La Quinta – opposed the Coral Mountain Resort project; opposed land rezoning due to inconsistencies with the City’s 2035 General Plan; expressed concerns regarding light and noise pollution that will be generated by the project. CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA – Confirmed. ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRESENTATIONS, AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION – None. CONSENT CALENDAR 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES DATED JULY 13, 2021 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Page 3 of 7 September 14, 2021 2. ADOPT A RESOLUTION FINDING THAT THE PROPOSED STREET VACATION OF A 1,267-SQUARE-FOOT PORTION OF AVENIDA MADERO AND CALLE TECATE RIGHT-OF-WAY IS CONSISTENT WITH THE LA QUINTA GENERAL PLAN; CEQA: EXEMPT PURSUANT TO CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15301 (c), EXISTING FACILITIES [PC RESOLUTION NO. 2021-008] CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM NO. 1 Chairperson Nieto requested amendment to the minutes due to administrative error on page 8 to reflect 42’ to the correct measurement of 42”. MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Caldwell/Proctor to approve the Consent Calendar, with revisions to Item No. 1 Planning Commission meeting minutes of July 13, 2021, as amended. Motion passed unanimously. BUSINESS SESSION – None. STUDY SESSION – None. PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. ADOPT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 2018-0015 TO ALLOW CONSTRUCTION OF MIXED USE BUILDING ON 0.38 ACRE SITE; CEQA: DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT HAS DETERMINED THE PROJECT IS EXEMPT BASED ON CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15332, INFILL DEVELOPMENT. LOCATION: NORTHWEST CORNER OF CALLE CADIZ AND DESERT CLUB DRIVE [PC RESOLUTION NO. 2021-009] DECLARATIONS REGARDING COMMISSION PUBLIC CONTACT – None. Senior Planner Flores presented the staff report which is on file in the Design and Development Department. Staff answered questions regarding the unit ownership; STVR use availability; parking requirements; landscape design; pool location, safety and privacy; electric vehicle charging station requirements; impacts to the affordable housing element; building height, architectural components, and color palette; trash receptacle location and hazardous waste restrictions; other uses for the commercial suites within the project. CHAIRPERSON NIETO DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING OPEN AT 6:16 P.M. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Page 4 of 7 September 14, 2021 PUBLIC SPEAKER VIA TELEPHONIC ACCESSIBILITY: Nisha Jackson, applicant and property owner – introduced herself and provided additional information to address Commission questions previously directed to Staff. PUBLIC SPEAKER VIA TELEPHONIC ACCESSIBILITY: Sean Howard, La Quinta and owner of neighboring parcel – opposed the project due to concerns regarding building height, general size of the project, parking availability, and trash receptacle location. PUBLIC SPEAKER: Alena Callimanis, La Quinta – requested reconsideration of the pool addition to this and future projects due to water consumption concerns. PUBLIC SPEAKER: George Christopher, La Quinta – questioned if the project included solar. (Answered yes by the applicant.) PUBLIC SPEAKER: Dave Russell, La Quinta – expressed concerns regarding additional strain on parking, size of the project, and proposed architectural features not consistent with existing buildings. CHAIRPERSON NIETO DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 6:33 P.M. Commission discussion followed regarding the answers provided by the applicant regarding previously stated concerns and possible solutions including additional Conditions of Approval to include installation of electric vehicle chargers in carport covered parking stalls, electrical wiring to allow for future installation of electric vehicle chargers in garages, relocation of the trash enclosure to the adjacent alleyway, common area pool to be changed to landscaped common area plaza with no pool. MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Proctor/Hassett to adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2021-009 to approve Site Development Permit 2018-0015 subject to the Findings and amended Conditions of Approval and find the project exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15332, Infill Development: A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 2018-0015 TO ALLOW THE DEVELOPMENT OF A MIXED USE BUILDING LOCATED AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF DESERT CLUB DRIVE AND CALLE CADIZ CASE NUMBERS: SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 2018-0015 APPLICANT: NISHA JACKSON Motion passed unanimously. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Page 5 of 7 September 14, 2021 2. ADOPT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE TENTATIVE TRACT MAP 2021- 0003 (TTM 38165) FOR CONDOMINIUM PURPOSES FOR DUNE PALMS PROJECT. CEQA: THE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT HAS DETERMINED THE PROJECT IS EXEMPT UNDER CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15301, EXISTING FACILITIES. LOCATION: 47120 DUNE PALMS ROAD [PC RESOLUTION NO. 2021-010] DECLARATIONS REGARDING COMMISSION PUBLIC CONTACT – None. Senior Planner Flores presented the staff report which is on file in the Design and Development Department. Staff answered Commission questions regarding scope of the approval being considered; interior buildout and potential commercial use requirements; exterior maintenance and landscape responsibilities; impacts to traffic and parking; water and sewer easement by the water district located within the building. CHAIRPERSON NIETO DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING OPEN AT 7:26 P.M. PUBLIC SPEAKER VIA TELEPHONIC ACCESSIBILITY: John Lowe, Applicant - introduced himself and provided additional information regarding the property owner’s intention for subdividing the building; property maintenance and parking included in CC&Rs; marketing directed towards the preferred commercial uses. CHAIRPERSON NIETO DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 7:29 P.M. Commission discussion followed regarding individual ownership and economic concerns. MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Proctor/Caldwell to adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2021-010 to approve Tentative Tract Map 2021-0003 (TTM 38165) subject to the Findings and Conditions of Approval and find the project exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, Existing Facilities: A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING TENTATIVE TRACT MAP 38165 (TTM 2021-0003) FOR CONDOMINIUM PURPOSES FOR AN EXISTING BUILDING CASE NUMBERS: TENTATIVE TRACT MAP 2021-0003 (TTM 38165) APPLICANT: JAJ DESERT PARTNERS Motion passed unanimously. 3. ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE TENTATIVE TRACT MAP 2020- 0006 (TTM 37929) FOR 10 RESIDENTIAL LOTS ON 18.37 ACRES PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Page 6 of 7 September 14, 2021 WITHIN THE SILVERROCK RESORT SPECIFIC PLAN AREA. CEQA: FINDINGS OF ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 2014-1003 APPLY AND NO FURTHER ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW IS REQUIRED. LOCATION: WITHIN THE CENTRAL PORTION OF THE SILVERROCK RESORT, BOUNDED BY SILVERROCK WAY [PC RESOLUTION NO. 2021-011] DECLARATIONS REGARDING COMMISSION PUBLIC CONTACT – None. Associate Planner Fernandez presented the staff report which is on file in the Design and Development Department. Staff answered Commission questions regarding the remainder lot previously approved in the SDP, which is not included in the scope of this proposal. CHAIRPERSON NIETO DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING OPEN AT 7:39 P.M. PUBLIC SPEAKER VIA TELEPHONIC ACCESSIBILITY: Bruce Maise, applicant – introduced himself and provided information regarding ownership, management, and utilization of the individual units; expressed gratitude and appreciation to Staff for assisting in the preparation of this item for consideration. CHAIRPERSON NIETO DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 7:41 P.M. Commission discussion followed regarding SilverRock updates and interest in scheduling a site visit to review the progress on the project. MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Proctor/Hassett to adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2021-011 to approve Tentative Tract Map 2020-0006 (TTM 37929) subject to the Findings and amended Conditions of Approval and find the project consistent with Environmental Assessment 2014-1003: A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING TENTATIVE TRACT MAP TTM 2020-0006 (TTM 37929) FOR PENDRY BUNGALOW RESIDENCES CASE NUMBER: TENTATIVE TRACT MAP 2020-0006 (TTM 37929) APPLICANT: SILVERROCK LUXURY RESIDENCES Motion passed unanimously. REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS – None. COMMISSIONERS’ ITEMS PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Page 7 of 7 September 14, 2021 Commission requested an update by Staff regarding future projects. Planning Manager Flores provided a brief statement regarding the upcoming Joint Study Session with City Council regarding the proposed Coral Mountain Resort project scheduled for September 28, 2021, and advised the Commission that a project update memo would be forthcoming. STAFF ITEMS – None. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Proctor/McCune to adjourn the meeting at 7:47 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, TANIA FLORES, Commission Secretary City of La Quinta, California