PC Resolution 2021-005 ZOA 2021-001 Code AmendmentsPLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION 2021 - 005
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
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of La Quinta,
California, did on the 27th day of April, 2021, hold a duly noticed Public
Hearing for review of a Zoning Ordinance Amendment to amend two sections
of the La Quinta Municipal Code, as identified by Title of this Resolution; and
WHEREAS, said Zoning Ordinance Amendment has complied with the
requirements of "The Rules to Implement the California Environmental
Quality Act of 1970" (CEQA) as amended (Resolution 83-63). The Design
and Development Department has determined that the proposed
amendment is exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section
15061(b)(3), Review for Exemptions – Common Sense Rule, in that it can be
seen with certainty that there is no possibility for this action to have a
significant effect on the environment, and individual development plans will
be reviewed under CEQA as they are proposed; and
WHEREAS, the Design and Development Department published a
public hearing notice for this request in The Desert Sun newspaper on
April 16, 2021, as prescribed by the Municipal Code; and,
WHEREAS, at said Public Hearing, upon hearing and considering all
testimony and arguments, if any, of all interested persons desiring to be
heard, said Planning Commission did make the following mandatory findings
to recommend approval of said Zoning Ordinance Amendment to the City
Council:
1.Consistency with General Plan
The code amendment is consistent with the goals, objectives and
policies of the General Plan. The proposed amendments are supported
by Policy LU-1.2 for land use decisions to be consistent with General
Plan policies and programs and uphold the rights and needs of
Planning Commission Resolution 2021 - 005
Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2021-0001
Applicant: City of La Quinta
Adopted: April 27, 2021
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property owners and the public; The proposed changes are
administrative in nature and do not create any conflicts with the
General Plan.
2.Public Welfare
Approval of the code amendment will not create conditions materially
detrimental to the public health, safety and general welfare. The
amendment streamlines the development review process and clarifies
language in the municipal code and does not incorporate any changes
that affect the regulation and/or provision of public services, utility
systems, or other foreseeable health, safety and welfare
considerations.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Planning Commission
of the City of La Quinta, California, as follows:
SECTION 1. That the above recitations are true and constitute the findings
of the Planning Commission in this case.
SECTION 2. That the Planning Commission does hereby recommend
approval of Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2021-0001, as set forth in
attached Exhibit A, incorporated herewith by this reference, to the City
Council for the reasons set forth in this Resolution.
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the
City of La Quinta Planning Commission, held on this the 27th day of April,
2021, by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioners Bettencourt, Caldwell, Currie, Libolt
Varner, McCune, Nieto, and Chairperson Proctor
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION 2021-005
EXHIBIT A
ADOPTED: APRIL 27, 2021
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9.50.090 Architectural Design standards.
In addition to the requirements of Chapter 9.30 (Residential Districts) and
Chapter 9.60 (Supplemental Residential Regulations) the following shall be
required for homes:
A. Requirements.
1. Architectural Design Guidelines. The city council shall, by
resolution, adopt architectural design guidelines to be used as
guidelines in reviewing landscape materials, architectural style,
exterior building materials, colors, and mass and scale;
2. Architectural Variety. Duplication of houses having the same
architectural design features on the front elevation of other houses
located within two hundred feet of each other shall make provisions
for architectural variety by using different colors, roof treatments,
window treatments, garage door treatments, and methods;
3. [Reserved]
4. [Reserved
5. [Reserved]
6. [Reserved]
7. [Reserved]
8. Landscaping. All front and exterior side yards shall be landscaped
to property line;
9. The landscaping shall include trees, shrubs and ground cover of
sufficient size, spacing and variety to create an attractive and
unifying appearance;
10. An irrigation system shall be provided for all areas required to
be landscaped;
11. The landscaping shall be continuously maintained in a healthy
and viable condition;
12. Screening. Refuse containers and bottled gas tanks shall be
concealed by view-obscuring landscaping, fencing or walls, as
referenced in Screening Section 9.60.140(B)(1)(e);
13. [Reserved]
14. Lighting. All exterior lighting shall be located and directed so as
not to shine directly on adjacent properties, as referenced in Outdoor
Lighting Section 9.100.150(F)(4);
15. [Reserved]
16. Earth fill shall not exceed what is necessary to provide minimum
required drainage to the street.
9.200.015 Conceptual Design Review
A. Any potential project applicant has the option to file a conceptual
design review (CDR) to ascertain anticipated conditions, requirements
and costs associated with a proposal. This allows the applicant to be
informed of any potentially significant issues which may affect
any decision to pursue the project. This process offers the following
advantages:
1. Provides a comprehensive overview of city applications, fees, and
other
requirements necessary to obtain project approval, in writing;
2. Provides previous project background which can speed up the
formal approval
process when the project is submitted;
3. The written information can be used as the basis for an estimate
of project costs, in
order to determine a project’s viability.
Submittal for this process shall include completion of an application and
supplemental documentation as determined by the director.
B. Within thirty calendar days of receipt of a conceptual design review
application, a review letter shall be issued to the applicant,
incorporating all comments received during the review period.
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