2021 04 27 PC MinutesPLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Page 1 of 4 April 27, 2021
PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 2021
CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the La Quinta Planning Commission was called to order
at 5:02 p.m. by Chairperson Proctor.
This meeting provided teleconferencing accessibility pursuant to Executive
Orders N-25-20, N-29-20, N-33-20, N-35-20, and N-60-20 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.).
PRESENT: Commissioners Bettencourt, Caldwell, Currie, McCune,
Nieto, and Chairperson Proctor
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Design & Development Director Danny Castro, Planning
Manager Cheri L. Flores, Senior Planner Carlos Flores,
Associate Planner Siji Fernandez, Commission Secretary
Tania Flores
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Vice Chair Nieto led the Planning Commission in the Pledge of Allegiance.
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners
Caldwell/Bettencourt to approve the Agenda as presented. AYES:
Commissioners Bettencourt, Caldwell, Currie, McCune, Nieto, and
Chairperson Proctor. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None.
Motion passed ayes 6, noes 0, absent 0, vacant 1.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRESENTATIONS AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION - NONE
Consent Calendar was taken out of order, prior to Public Comment on
Matters Not on the Agenda.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Page 2 of 4 April 27, 2021
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES DATED JANUARY 26, 2021
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES DATED FEBRUARY 17, 2021
Commissioner Bettencourt requested that language be added to the minutes
of February 17, 2021, to reflect the Pavilion Palms item stating that
Commission received clarification by the City Attorney that this item was
only to approve the corner design of this project and not the specific plan for
the project as a whole and that the item was being considered with the
materials that were being presented at that time.
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners
Bettencourt/Nieto to approve the Consent Calendar with additional language
added to the minutes of February 17, 2021, as requested.
AYES: Commissioners Bettencourt, Caldwell, Currie, McCune, Nieto, and
Chairperson Proctor. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None.
Motion passed ayes 6, noes 0, absent 0, vacant 1.
Public Comment on Matters Not on the Agenda was taken out of order and
following the approval of items on the Consent Calendar.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Richard Mills, Resident (via Zoom): Financial Advisory
Chairperson Mills spoke on behalf of the Financial Advisory Commissioner
and requested the Planning Commission provide additional information
regarding a strategy for future needs and expenses for electric vehicle
charging stations.
BUSINESS SESSION - NONE
STUDY SESSION - NONE
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. ADOPT A RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY
COUNCIL AMEND SECTIONS 9.50.090 AND 9.200.015 OF TITLE
9 OF THE LA QUINTA MUNICIPAL CODE; CEQA: EXEMPT FROM
CEQA PURSUANT TO SECTION 15061(B)(3) REVIEW FOR
EXEMPTIONS – COMMON SENSE RULE; LOCATION: CITYWIDE
[RESOLUTION NO. 2021-005]
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Page 3 of 4 April 27, 2021
Senior Planner Flores presented the staff report which is on file in the Design
and Development Department.
CHAIR PROCTOR DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING OPEN AT 5:16 p.m.
PUBLIC SPEAKER OR COMMENT: None
CHAIR PROCTOR DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 5:16 p.m.
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners
Currie/Caldwell to adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2021-0005 to
recommend to the City Council a amend Sections 9.50.090 and 9.200.015 of
Title 9 of the La Quinta Municipal Code relating to renumbering and
administration of the section.
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING THAT
THE CITY COUNCIL AMEND SECTIONS 9.50.090 AND
9.200.015 OF TITLE 9 OF THE LA QUINTA MUNICIPAL
CODE RELATING TO RENUMBERING AND
ADMINISTRATION OF THE SECTION
CASE NUMBER: ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT 2021-
0001
APPLICANT: CITY OF LA QUINTA
AYES: Commissioners Bettencourt, Caldwell, Currie, McCune, Nieto and
Chairperson Proctor. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None.
Motion passed ayes 6, noes 0, absent 0, vacant 1.
REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS - NONE
COMMISSIONERS’ ITEMS
Commissioner Currie reported out on attendance in the 2021 League of
California Cities Planning Commission Academy and expressed her
appreciation of the presentations. Commissioners Bettencourt, Caldwell,
Vice Chair Nieto and Chair Proctor concurred and added appreciation for the
recorded sessions as well.
Chair Proctor thanked Commissioner Libolt Varner for her time and
consideration and wished her the best in her future endeavors as she has
resigned from the Commission due to relocation.
Chair Proctor made a formal request on behalf of the entire commission for
in-person meetings and project review materials. The Commission agreed in
general, and Commissioner Caldwell added that administrative matters could
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Page 4 of 4 April 27, 2021
continue to be held via Zoom. Staff advised the Commission that staff was
reviewing options with regard to returning to in-person meetings and
advised the Commission that individual meetings and project reviews will be
made available upon request.
Chair Proctor reported his and Commissioner Caldwell and Vice Chair Nieto’s
attendance at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the SilverRock Event Site and
commended City Staff on the event and the site itself.
STAFF ITEMS
1. CITYWIDE PROJECT UPDATES
Planning Manager Flores provided a verbal update on various citywide
projects.
Staff answered questions regarding the Desert Club Apartments status,
additional businesses contracted for the anchor pad at the Village Shopping
Center, Housing Element affordable housing site review.
Design and Development Director Castro added a verbal update on the
changes to the City’s Short-Term Vacation Rental program including
updating the municipal code, additional regulations and increased fines on
violations; noise monitoring device pilot program; current and indefinite
permit issuance moratorium with the exception of tourist and village
commercial zones; RV Parking ordinance changes.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Caldwell/McCune to adjourn at 5:49 p.m. AYES:
Commissioners Bettencourt, Caldwell, Currie, McCune, Nieto, and
Chairperson Proctor. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None.
Motion passed ayes 6, noes 0, absent 0, vacant 1.
Respectfully submitted,
TANIA FLORES, Commission Secretary
City of La Quinta, California