2022 02 08 PC Minutes
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Page 1 of 6 FEBRUARY 8, 2022
PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2022
CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the La Quinta Planning Commission was called to order at 5:03
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, Proctor,
Tyerman, and Chairperson Nieto
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Design & Development Director Danny Castro, Public Works
Director/City Engineer Bryan McKinney, Planning Manager Cheri
L. Flores, Senior Planner Carlos Flores, Associate Planner Siji
Fernandez, Commission Secretary Tania Flores, Assistant City
Attorney Travis Van Ligten
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Tyerman led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA – None.
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Hassett/Proctor to
confirm the agenda as presented. Motion passed unanimously.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRESENTATIONS, AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION – None.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Page 2 of 6 FEBRUARY 8, 2022
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. ADOPT A RESOLUTION FINDING THAT THE PROPOSED STREET
RIGHT-OF-WAY VACATION OF A 150-SQUARE-FOOT PORTION OF
AVENIDA MORALES FRONTING 51780 AVENIDA MORALES IS
CONSISTENT WITH THE LA QUINTA GENERAL PLAN; CEQA: EXEMPT
PURSUANT TO CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15301 (c), EXISTING
FACILITIES [PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION 2022-005]
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Currie/Tyerman
to approve the Consent Calendar, as presented, with Item No. 1 adopting Planning
Commission Resolution No. 2022-005. Motion passed unanimously.
BUSINESS SESSION – None.
STUDY SESSION – None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. CONTINUED FROM JANUARY 25, 2022: CONSIDER REQUEST FOR
CONTINUANCE OF THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR TENTATIVE TRACT MAP
2021-0001 (TTM 38083) FOR 37 RESIDENTIAL LOTS ON 24.46 ACRES
WITHIN THE GRIFFIN RANCH SPECIFIC PLAN AREA; CEQA: THE
DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT HAS PREPARED AN
ADDENDUM TO THE PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED MITIGATED NEGATIVE
DECLARATION (EA2006-577) PURSUANT TO SECTION 15164 OF THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT; LOCATION: SOUTH
SIDE OF AVENUE 54 BETWEEN MADISON STREET AND MONROE
STREET
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 questions regarding procedures for continuing public hearing items
and regarding communications between the applicant and homeowners within the
project area.
CHAIRPERSON NIETO DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING RE-OPEN AT 5:17 P.M.
Applicant Mark Hayden, Vice President of Development with Capstone Advisors –
introduced himself and answered the Commission’s questions regarding recent
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Page 3 of 6 FEBRUARY 8, 2022
communications with existing homeowners; and changes to lot size and
architectural design of proposed plans.
PUBLIC SPEAKER VIA TELECONFERENCE ACCESSIBILITY: Mike Rowe, La Quinta –
spoke in support of continuing this item to allow more time for discussion with the
applicant.
CHAIRPERSON NIETO DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 5:23 P.M.
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Chairperson Nieto/Commissioner
Proctor to continue this Public Hearing for Tentative Tract Map 2021-0001 (TTM
38083) for 37 residential lots on 24.46 acres within the Griffin Ranch Specific Plan
area located at the south side of Avenue 54 between Madison Street and Monroe
Street and an addendum to the previously adopted Mitigated Negative Declaration
(EA2006-577) to a date uncertain. Motion passed unanimously.
2. CONTINUED FROM JANUARY 11, 2022: ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE
SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 2021-0007 (SDP 2004-816, AMENDMENT NO.
2) AND MINOR ADJUSTMENT 2021-0010 TO AMEND SINGLE-FAMILY
RESIDENTIAL PLANS FOR BELLA AT PIAZZA SERENA; CEQA: THE PROJECT
IS CONSISTENT WITH PREVIOUSLY CERTIFIED MITIGATED NEGATIVE
DECLARATION PREPARED FOR PIAZZA SERENA (EA2001-417); LOCATION:
NORTHWEST CORNER OF AVENUE 58 AND MONROE STREET
[PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION 2022-006]
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 questions regarding applicant communications with existing
homeowners; clarified the difference between the Modifications By Applicant and
Site Development Permit Amendment applications and the rule requiring Planning
Commission approval for modifications to square footage over 10% of previously
approved permits; calculations of square footage by livable versus total footprint;
discrepancies in calculated square footage from the Riverside County Assessor’s
office; adjustments made by applicant to increase square footage from the
previously presented plans and which plan types were revised; responsibility for
street, median landscape, and curb improvements, and future maintenance along
Monroe Street.
CHAIRPERSON NIETO DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING OPEN AT 6:05 P.M.
Applicant Edgar Gomez of Richmond American Homes provided additional
information regarding recent adjustments of square footage; changes made to the
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Page 4 of 6 FEBRUARY 8, 2022
proposed elevations and replacement of Contemporary Prairie style with Italian;
prospective timeline to complete Monroe Street roadway improvements; and
construction access via Monroe Street. Applicant answered Commission questions
regarding communications with the surrounding residents and the Homeowners
Association.
PUBLIC SPEAKER VIA TELECONFERENCE ACCESSIBILITY: David Nola, La Quinta –
spoke in opposition of the project due to decreased square footage of proposed
homes as compared to the Riverside County Assessor’s office and the potential
adverse effect on property values of the existing homes within the community;
lack of communication with the applicant; and commented on the applicant’s
reputation and past behaviors.
PUBLIC SPEAKER VIA TELECONFERENCE ACCESSIBILITY: Tamara Hay, La Quinta
– spoke in opposition of the project due to decreased square footage of the
proposed homes; lack of communication with applicant; and security concerns
during construction.
PUBLIC SPEAKER VIA TELECONFERENCE ACCESSIBILITY: Kurt Starkweather, La
Quinta, and President of the Piazza Serena Homeowners Association – spoke in
opposition of the project due to decreased square footage of proposed homes; and
questioned whether the new Italian elevation would be the elevation built within
the project.
PUBLIC SPEAKER VIA TELECONFERENCE ACCESSIBILITY: Randy Young, La Quinta
– spoke in opposition of the project due to decreased square footage of proposed
homes; and lack of landscape maintenance at the development’s entrance and
throughout the community.
PUBLIC SPEAKER VIA TELECONFERENCE ACCESSIBILITY: Rosie Young, La Quinta
– spoke in opposition of the project and requested that the square footage of the
proposed homes be increased.
PUBLIC SPEAKER VIA TELECONFERENCE ACCESSIBILITY: Heidi Zadok, La Quinta
– spoke in opposition of the project due to decreased square footage of proposed
homes and potentially adverse effects on property values of existing homes.
PUBLIC SPEAKER VIA TELECONFERENCE ACCESSIBILITY: Natalie Kennel and
Roger Greenwald, La Quinta – spoke in opposition of the project due to lack of
communication with applicant; inconsistency of the size, style and living space of
the proposed plans with existing homes; and landscaping maintenance managed
by the existing homeowner’s association.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Page 5 of 6 FEBRUARY 8, 2022
PUBLIC SPEAKER VIA TELECONFERENCE ACCESSIBILITY: Michelle and Tim
Hansen, La Quinta – spoke in opposition of the project due to decreased square
footage of proposed homes.
PUBLIC SPEAKER VIA TELECONFERENCE ACCESSIBILITY: David Crouse, La Quinta
– spoke in opposition of the project due to inconsistent architecture; lack of
communication with the applicant; poor landscape maintenance of common areas;
and concern with the proposed plans having potentially adverse effects on property
values of the existing homes.
PUBLIC SPEAKER VIA TELECONFERENCE ACCESSIBILITY: Donald Imoto, La Quinta
– expressed concerns regarding landscape maintenance at the community
entrance and applicant’s management of the property.
Applicant answered Commission questions regarding the entity responsible for
landscape maintenance of common area, open space, and roadway areas;
approximate sale price for proposed units; visual compatibility of proposed units
from the street view. Applicant provided additional comment regarding the
proposed plans decreasing property values, reputation and experience of Richmond
American Homes, and quality and sizes of the proposed units in relation to existing
homes.
CHAIRPERSON NIETO DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 6:58 P.M.
Commission discussion and comment followed regarding relationship and
communication between the applicant and existing homeowners; adjustments and
changes made to the plans from the previously proposed units and compatibility
with existing homes; guidelines for purview and consideration of this item; visual
street view of proposed units; Homeowners Association versus applicant
responsibilities to the community with regard to landscaping and maintenance;
applicant knowledge and understanding of the current property market; and
timeline for roadway landscape requirements.
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Caldwell/Hassett
to adopt Planning Commission Resolution 2022-006 to approve Site Development
Permit 2021-0007 (SDP2004-816) and Minor Adjustment 2021-0010 subject to the
Findings and Conditions of Approval, and amendment to Condition No. 7 requiring
landscape improvements to be completed at beginning of construction:
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)
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Page 6 of 6 FEBRUARY 8, 2022
CASE NUMBERS: SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 2021-0007
(SDP2004-816, AMENDMENT 2); MINOR ADJUSTMENT 2021-0010
APPLICANT: RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES
Motion passed: AYES – 4 (Caldwell, Currie, Hassett, and Nieto); NOES – 3 (McCune,
Proctor, and Tyerman). ABSENT – none; ABSTAIN – none.
STAFF ITEMS – None.
REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS – None.
COMMISSIONERS’ ITEMS
Commission requested clarification on the purpose of the upcoming Special Joint
Meeting of the City Council and Planning Commission regarding the Village District
scheduled for March 1, 2022; requested a special meeting with a presentation on
State Senate Bills 9 and 10 to discuss auxiliary dwelling units and density
requirements that may affect the City’s housing planning; requested an update on
citywide projects be presented at the next Planning Commission meeting; update
regarding current local mask mandate; and ability to require developers to have
knowledge of local and surrounding property values.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Proctor/McCune Currie to adjourn the meeting at 7:28 p.m. Motion passed
unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
TANIA FLORES, Commission Secretary
City of La Quinta, California