2021 10 26 PC MinutesPLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Page 1 of 5 October 26, 2021
PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2021
CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the La Quinta Planning Commission was called to order at 5:00 p.m.
by Chairperson Nieto.
This meeting provided teleconferencing accessibility pursuant to Executive Orders N-60-20
and N-08-21 executed by the Governor of California, and subsequently Assembly Bill 361
(AB 361, 2021), enacted 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.).
PRESENT: Commissioners Caldwell, Currie, Hassett, McCune, Tyerman, and
Chairperson Nieto
ABSENT: Commissioner Proctor
STAFF PRESENT: Design & Development Director Danny Castro, Planning Manager Cheri
L. Flores, Senior Planner Carlos Flores, Public Works Director/City
Engineer Bryan McKinney, and Commission Secretary Tania Flores
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Vice Chairperson Currie led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Sheila Warren, La Quinta - opposed the Coral Mountain Resort project;
cited letter from Edward Lister Smillow, a resident and Board Member of the California
Alliance for Golf, which provided a comparison of Golf Course Development with the
proposed project.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Alena Callimanis, La Quinta – opposed the Coral Mountain Resort
project; expressed concerns regarding site location and the proximity to Cantera project;
provided water consumption usage per Coachella Valley Water District charts and
expressed concerns regarding water depletion and compared Valley’s projected water
usage with projected future water supplies; urged the Commission to consider water
supply shortages when reviewing upcoming and future projects.
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA – Confirmed.
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PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Page 2 of 5 October 26, 2021
ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRESENTATIONS, AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION – None.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES DATED SEPTEMBER 14, 2021
2. ADOPT A RESOLUTION FINDING THE PROPOSED PURCHASE BETWEEN THE
CITY OF LA QUINTA AND SHOVLIN PROPERTIES FOR CERTAIN PROPERTY
LOCATED AT 78370 HIGHWAY 111 CONSISTENT WITH THE GENERAL PLAN
2035 [PC RESOLUTION NO. 2021-012]
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM NO. 1
Vice Chairperson Currie requested administrative corrections to the September 14, 2021,
meeting minutes to include removing staff comments made during the minutes review
process on page 1 under the “Staff Present” section and typo on page 4.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM NO. 2
Staff advised the Commission that the purview of this decision was only whether or not to
find this purchase consistent with the General Plan and not to approve an agreement with
any other entity in regard to this property. Staff answered Commission questions
regarding intended use, possible future connection to CV Link, ownership and property
lines, and how this purchase was being funded.
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Chairperson Nieto and seconded by
Commissioner Caldwell to approve the Consent Calendar, with revisions to Item No. 1
Planning Commission meeting minutes of September 14, 2021, as discussed, and
Consent Calendar Item No. 2 adopting Planning Commission Resolution 2021-
012. AYES: Commissioners Caldwell, Currie, Hassett, McCune, Tyerman, and
Chairperson Nieto. NOES: None. ABSENT: Commissioner Proctor. ABSTAIN: None.
Motion passed.
BUSINESS SESSION
1. APPROVE CANCELLATION OF REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION
MEETINGS OF NOVEMBER 23, 2021, AND DECEMBER 28, 2021
Commission waived reading of the staff report, which is on file in the Design and
Development Department.
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Caldwell/Currie to approve
the cancellation of the regular Planning Commission meetings of November 23, 2021, and
December 28, 2021, as recommended. AYES: Commissioners Caldwell, Currie, Hassett,
McCune, Tyerman, and Chairperson Nieto. NOES: None. ABSENT: Commissioner Proctor.
ABSTAIN: None. Motion passed.
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PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Page 3 of 5 October 26, 2021
STUDY SESSION
1. REVIEW IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW STARBUCKS DRIVE-THROUGH;
LOCATION: NORTHWEST CORNER OF WASHINGTON STREET AND CALLE
TAMPICO
Senior Planner Flores presented the staff report which is on file in the Design and
Development Department.
Staff answered questions regarding drive-thru design, queuing lines, stacking, and
bottlenecking concerns at menu; vehicle noise and emission odors effects on patio seating;
landscaping and property maintenance responsibilities; safety concerns regarding the
Electric Vehicle Charging station near patio.
Project Manager Paul Bernard of LQ Investors spoke in regard to the previous landscaping
issues requiring repairs and future landscape and tree trimming plans for the shopping
center.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AND SITE
DEVELOPMENT PERMIT FOR A NEW 4,335 SQUARE FOOT DRIVE- THROUGH
BUILDING FOR A PANERA RESTAURANT; CEQA: DESIGN AND
DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT HAS DETERMINED THE PROJECT IS
CONSISTENT WITH EA 1996-319; LOCATION: 78902 HIGHWAY 111
[PC RESOLUTION NO. 2021-013]
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 double drive-through lane usage, stacking, and menu
board location; pedestrian access across drive-through lanes and safety concerns; project
relationship to the Highway 111 corridor plan; future link to cultural trail; changes in
square footage of the building as proposed; landscaping responsibility.
CHAIRPERSON NIETO DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING OPEN AT 6:11 P.M.
PUBLIC SPEAKER VIA TELEPHONIC ACCESSIBILITY: Alena Callimanis, La Quinta –
suggested speed bump/hump addition to the drive-through at the pedestrian access point;
opposed the need of drive-through accessibility for this particular restaurant.
CHAIRPERSON NIETO DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 6:13 P.M.
Commission discussion followed regarding drive-through lane usage, stacking, and menu
board location; the project consistency with the Highway 111 corridor plan; possibility of
adding speed bump/hump/table at pedestrian crossing area in the drive-through lane.
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Chairperson Nieto spoke in opposition to the project citing inconsistency with the vision
for the Highway 111 corridor plan; increased traffic and vehicle use by drive-through
customers; drive-through saturation in this area the other drive-through eateries in close
proximity to this project.
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Caldwell/Currie to adopt
Planning Commission Resolution 2021-0013 to approve Conditional Use Permit 2021-0001
and Site Development Permit 2021-0006, subject to the Findings and Conditions of
Approval as amended, and find the project consistent with Environmental Assessment
1996-319.:
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LA
QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
2021-0001 AND SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 2021-0006 FOR A NEW
4,335 SQUARE FOOT DRIVE-THROUGH BUILDING FOR A PANERA
RESTAURANT AT 78902 HIGHWAY 111
CASE NUMBERS: CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2021-0001, SITE
DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 2021-0006, AND ENVIRONMENTAL
ASSESSMENT 2021-0004 (MASTER PROJECT 2021-0003)
APPLICANT: RSI GROUP
AYES: Commissioners Caldwell, Currie, Hassett, McCune, and Tyerman. NOES:
Chairperson Nieto. ABSENT: Commissioner Proctor. ABSTAIN: None. Motion passed.
REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS – None.
COMMISSIONERS’ ITEMS
Commissioner Caldwell made comments regarding her recent attendance at the Concert
in the Park and commended Staff, the Committee, and Commissioner McCune for putting
together a successful event. Chairperson Nieto seconded that comment. Commissioner
McCune thanked Finance and the Ad-Hoc Committee for their work in planning the event
as well.
Commissioner Tyerman expressed some concern with water consumption throughout the
valley; the importance of water management; suggested providing educational
opportunities regarding water usage and management for the public. Chairperson Nieto
recommended Coachella Valley Water District’s recent presentation on this topic. Vice
Chairperson Currie added that Imperial Irrigation District does provide a water tour for
further education on water usage and conservation.
Chairperson Nieto spoke regarding the Palm Springs park that recently opened in front of
the Palm Springs Art Museum and its representation of desert area parks in relation to
cooling and shading as well as the water feature and misting station.
STAFF ITEMS
1. WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS INVENTORY UPDATE
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Associate Planner Fernandez presented the staff report which is on file in the Design and
Development Department.
Staff answered questions regarding cell tower coverage and pending cell tower sites
approved but not yet operational.
2. VERBAL UPDATE ON CITYWIDE PROJECTS
Planning Manager Flores presented an update on citywide projects including the Highway
111 corridor plan, the Housing and Safety Element, Coral Mountain Resort, Caleo Bay Park,
Piazza Serena, Andalusia, The Village at 58, the former Steinmart building, The Peak,
Jefferson Apartments, Rapport Furniture, Pavilion Palms, Grocery Outlet and Signature at
PGA West.
Chairperson Nieto questioned the status of the California Desert Museum of Art project
site and if there had been any prospects to repurpose the site.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Caldwell/Hassett to adjourn the meeting at 6:48 p.m. AYES: Commissioners Caldwell,
Currie, Hassett, McCune, Tyerman and Chairperson Nieto. NOES: None. ABSENT:
Commissioner Proctor. ABSTAIN: None. Motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
TANIA FLORES, Commission Secretary
City of La Quinta, California
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