PC Resolution 2022-006 Bella at Piazza Serena SDP 2021-0007 & MA 2021-0010PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION 2022 -006
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, TO
APPROVE BELLA AT PIAZZA SERENA A SITE
DEVELOPMENT PERMIT AMENDMENT AND
MINOR ADJUSTMENT TO AMEND PIAZZA
SERENA SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL PLANS
AND FIND THE PROJECT CONSISTENT WITH
MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION
CERTIFIED FOR PIAZZA SERENA (EA2001-417)
CASE NUMBERS:
SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 2021-0007
(SDP 2004-816, AMENDMENT 2);
MINOR ADJUSTMENT 2021-0010
APPLICANT: RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of La Quinta, California
did, on February 8, 2022, hold a duly noticed Public Hearing to consider a
request by Richmond American Homes for approval of amendments to the
approved single family residential architectural plans for Bella at Piazza
Serena, generally located, northwest corner of Avenue 58 and Monroe Street,
more particularly described as:
Tract 30092
WHEREAS, the Design and Development Department published a public
hearing notice in The Desert Sun newspaper on December 30, 2021, as
prescribed by the Municipal Code. Public hearing notices were also mailed to
all property owners within 500 feet of the site; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of La Quinta, California
did previously hold a duly noticed Public Hearing, on January 11, 2022, to
consider this project and continued the Public Hearing, to allow the applicant
time to revise the architectural package; and
Site Development Permit 2021-0007 (SDP2004-816, Amd 2)
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
Planning Commission Resolution 2022 - 006
Site Development Permit 2021-0007 (SDP2004-816, Amendment 2)
Minor Adjustment 2021-0010
Project: Bella at Piazza Serena
Adopted: February 8, 2022
Page 2 of 5
pursuant to Section 9.210.010 of the Municipal Code to justify approval of said
Site Development Permit:
1. Consistency with General Plan
The proposed development is consistent with the General Plan land
use designation of Low Density Residential. The City’s General Plan
policies relating to low density residential encourage a full range of
single-family residential units within the City, and the proposed use
maintains those policies. The proposed project is consistent with the
following Goals, Programs, and Policies:
Goal LU-2 as the project consists of high-quality design that
complements and enhances the City. The project design
complements the existing homes, and utilizes varying roof lines
and wall depths, along with a complementary color palette.
Goal LU-5 as the project provides a broad range of housing
types and choices for all residents of the City. The project
provides for single family homes, which creates additional
housing for residents within the City.
Policy LU-5.2 in considering changes in market demand in
residential product type to meet the needs of current and
future residents. The project is a single family residential
project to meet market demand in residential product type to
provide residents with homes.
Goal SC-1 in that it provides a community that provides the
best possible quality of life for all its residents by providing
additional housing within La Quinta meanwhile providing a
project that incorporates open space and common area for its
residents.
Goal H-1 in providing housing opportunities that meet the
diverse needs of the City’s existing and project population. The
residential project of this type provides much needed housing
opportunities.
2. Consistency with Zoning Code
The proposed development, as conditioned, is consistent with the
development standards of the City’s Zoning Code, architectural style,
and standards.
Planning Commission Resolution 2022 - 006
Site Development Permit 2021-0007 (SDP2004-816, Amendment 2)
Minor Adjustment 2021-0010
Project: Bella at Piazza Serena
Adopted: February 8, 2022
Page 3 of 5
3. Compliance with CEQA
The Design and Development Department has determined that this
project has been accounted for in and is consistent with the Piazza
Serena Mitigated Negative Declaration, Environmental Assessment
2001-417, and no further environmental review is required.
4. Architectural Design
The architecture and layout of the project is compatible with, and not
detrimental to, the existing surrounding residential land uses, and is
consistent with the development standards in the Municipal Code.
The units are concluded to be appropriate for the proposed locations,
and supplemental design elements appropriately enhance the
architecture of the buildings. The architecture and layout of the
project is compatible with the project location. The architecture is
compatible with the existing units within the development,
incorporating similar architectural styles, materials, elements, and
features.
5. Site Design
The site design of the project is compatible with surrounding
development and with the quality of design prevalent in the City. No
site design is proposed to be changed as part of this amendment.
6. Landscape Design
The proposed project is consistent with the landscaping standards
and plant palette and implements the standards for landscaping and
aesthetics established in the General Plan and Zoning Code.
Minor Adjustment 2021-0010
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
pursuant to Section 9.210.040 of the La Quinta Municipal Code to justify
approval of said Minor Adjustment:
1. Consistency with General Plan
The proposed minor adjustments are consistent with the General Plan
land use designation of Low Density Residential. The changes to the
rear yard setback are consistent and compatible with existing
communities prevalent in the City. The City’s General Plan policies
Planning Commission Resolution 2022 - 006
Site Development Permit 2021-0007 (SDP2004-816, Amendment 2)
Minor Adjustment 2021-0010
Project: Bella at Piazza Serena
Adopted: February 8, 2022
Page 4 of 5
relating to Low Density Residential encourage a broad range of
residential uses within the City, and the proposed use maintains
those policies.
2. Consistency with Zoning Code
The proposed minor adjustments, as conditioned, are consistent with
the development standards of the City’s Zoning Code and the
reduction meets the purpose and intent of the Low Density
Residential District. The two proposed minor adjustments provide
for slight deviations from certain specific development standards and
do not exceed the 10 percent threshold expressed in the City’s
Zoning Code.
3. Compliance with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
The Design and Development Department has this project for
compliance with the requirements of the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the proposed project is
within and consistent with the Piazza Serena Mitigated Negative
Declaration, EA2001-417, and no further environmental review is
required.
4. Surrounding Uses
As conditioned, approval of the application will not create conditions
materially detrimental to the public health, safety and general
welfare or injurious to or incompatible with other properties or land
uses in the vicinity. The project is surrounded by existing residential
developments and is constructed in a way to not impede on the
existing homes closest to this project.
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; and
SECTION 2. That the above project be determined to be consistent with
previously certified Mitigated Negative Declaration (EA2001-417); and
SECTION 3. That it does hereby recommend approval of Site Development
Permit 2021-0007 (SDP2004-816, Amendment 2) and Minor Adjustment
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION 2022-006 EXHIBIT A
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 2021-0007 (SDP2004-816, AMENDMENT 2)
PROJECT: BELLA AT PIAZZA SERENA
ADOPTED: February 8, 2022
Page 1 of 2
GENERAL
1.The applicant agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the City of La
Quinta (“City”), its agents, officers and employees from any claim, action or
proceeding to attack, set aside, void, or annul the approval of this Site
Development Permit. The City shall have sole discretion in selecting its
defense counsel.
The City shall promptly notify the applicant of any claim, action or proceeding
and shall cooperate fully in the defense.
2.Site Development Permit 2021-0007 (SDP 2004-816 Amendment 2) shall
comply with all applicable conditions and/or mitigation measures for the
following related approval:
Tentative Tract Map 30092
Site Development Permit 2004-816
Environmental Assessment 2001-417; Mitigated Negative Declaration
3.In the event of any conflict(s) between approval conditions and/or provisions
of these approvals, the Design and Development Director shall adjudicate the
conflict by determining the precedence.
4.Prior to the issuance of any grading, construction, or building permit by the
City, the applicant shall obtain any necessary clearances and/or permits from
the following agencies, if required:
•Riverside County Fire Marshal
•La Quinta Public Works Department (Grading Permit, Green Sheet
(Public Works Clearance) for Building Permits, Water Quality
Management Plan (WQMP) Exemption Form – Whitewater River Region,
Improvement Permit)
•Design & Development Department
•Riverside Co. Environmental Health Department
•Coachella Valley Unified School District
•Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD)
•Imperial Irrigation District (IID)
•California Water Quality Control Board (CWQCB)
•State Water Resources Control Board
•SunLine Transit Agency
•SCAQMD Coachella Valley
The applicant is responsible for all requirements of the permits and/or
clearances from the above listed agencies. When these requirements include
EXHIBIT A
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION 2022-006
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 2021-0007 (SDP2004-816, AMENDMENT 2)
PROJECT: BELLA AT PIAZZA SERENA
ADOPTED: February 8, 2022
Page 2 of 2
approval of improvement plans, the applicant shall furnish proof of such
approvals when submitting those improvement plans for City approval.
5.All roofing materials shall be the same design and quality as provided per the
sample materials boards.
6.An updated Final WQMP and updated Final Hydrology report shall be
submitted and approved by the Public Works Department prior to issuance of
any permits.
7.Prior to construction of the 1st home the landscaping improvements
along Monroe Street shall be installed.