191114 Section 2 LAND USE PLAN
TRAVERTINE SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT – 2019
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LAND USE PLAN
This section identifies the development standards applicable to each planning area with the Travertine
development; this includes the project description, land use descriptions, permitted uses and requirements.
The design and land use plan address City of La Quinta community planning goals and concepts as well as
aligning with community wide conservation and design.
2.1 Project Description and Summary
As illustrated in Exhibit 2.1 and 2.2, the Travertine development will be comprised of a variety of land
uses. Residential land uses will range from low density to medium density. A resort/spa facility will serve
tourists and recreational visitors. A golf skills course and banquet facility will provide recreational
opportunities. Some related commercial uses will be combined with the resort/spa and golf club to serve
the daily needs of the community and its visitors. Table 2 identifies the overall land use summary planned
for the property.
Table 2: Land Use Summary
Land Use Acres Percent
Residential 380.4 ac 43.4%
Resort /Golf Club
Facilities 84.1 ac 9.6%
Master Planned Roadways 32.5 ac 3.7%
Open Space Uses 379.0 ac 43.3%
Total 876.0 ac* 100%
*The change from 909.0-acres in the original approval to 876.0-acres is due to the revision to the project boundary along the west and south sides
of the site. 31 acres of the previously approved project site has been set aside as a Resource Protection Area for Cultural Resources.
2.1.1 Land Use Plan Description
The Conceptual Land Use Plan is illustrated in Exhibit 2.1. The Travertine Land Use Plan incorporates a
broad range of uses consistent with a master planned community by providing:
• A broad mix of public and private uses,
• A pattern of residential neighborhoods defined by interconnected loop streets linked by an
extensive trail system,
• Access to open space via pedestrian walkways and bike paths,
• A moderately curvilinear primary street pattern connecting to local streets as the street system
connects the Medium and Low-Density Residential neighborhoods within the Travertine
community,
• Sidewalks and bike lanes throughout the Travertine community with a Class II bike lane located
along both sides of Jefferson Street,
• A central walking path system to connect the community from north to south,
• Recreational areas located throughout the community.
2.1.2 Preserve Open Space, Natural Beauty and Critical Environmental Habitat
Approximately 379-acres or 43.3% of the Travertine Specific Plan area are designated as open space. This
open space area includes restricted open space and recreational open space. Approximately 216.5-acres of
the site are planned for Open Space – Recreation uses (Exhibit 2.1). Designed to offer both passive and
active oriented recreational opportunities, areas planned for Open Space – Recreation include picnic tables,
barbeques, golf facilities, a tot lot playground, and staging facilities for the regional interpretive trail.
Natural Open Space accounts for approximately 162.5-acres predominately along the southern boundary of
the property. DRAFT
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2.1.3 Recreational Trails
Exhibit 2.2 shows a network of trails suitable for pedestrian use is planned throughout the community,
offering recreational opportunities to the residents. The core of the network is a community spine trail,
which provides a direct link to community open spaces and gathering areas, as well as passive and active
spaces. The system also provides connectivity from the individual residential homes along internal local
streets and bikeways along Jefferson Street.
There are 2 staging areas, one is located to the south of the extension of Avenue 62 and will provide parking
and access to the 2-mile interpretive trail that circumnavigates the project boundary, as seen in Exhibit 2.3.
The other staging area is located to the north of the project and will provide a parking staging area for the
Boo Hoff trail, in addition to the Travertine community trail. A variety of amenities are provided along the
trails, including rest stops, and interpretive signage that serve to further enhance the natural experience
afforded by the trail network.
2.1.4 Master Planned Roadways
The development of Travertine provides for substantial improvements to several roadways, including the
southerly extension of Jefferson Street as a private Modified Secondary Arterial south of the proposed Coral
Mountain property and the westerly extension of Avenue 62 as a Modified Secondary Arterial. Loop roads
emanate both north and south from the Jefferson Road spine via two roundabout intersections.
2.1.5 Residential
Residential areas account for approximately 43.4% of the project’s total land area. The project proponent
proposes a maximum of 1,200 dwelling units based on range of lot sizes, resulting in an overall average
density for the project of 1.4 du/ac. Residential Planning Areas vary in density from 1.6 du/ac to 7.9 du/ac.
In conformance with project goals, several housing styles are proposed to appeal to a range of future
Travertine residents. The residential lot layouts are designed to reflect the project site’s natural character
by minimizing areas proposed for grading and softening the slopes between the residential pads. The
Travertine residential products will provide a variety of options. Six residential types are proposed:
• Estate Homes
• Single Family Luxury Homes
• Single Family Mid Homes
• Single Family Entry Homes
• Patio Homes
• Single Family Attached Units
For lot configuration see Exhibit 2.3 for estate and luxury SFD lot configurations, Exhibit 2.4 for large
and mid SFD lot configurations and Exhibit 2.5 for small SFD and single family attached units lot
configurations.
2.1.6 Tourist Serving Recreational Facilities
A luxury resort and wellness spa are planned for an approximately 38.2-acre site located at the northwest
entrance to the project from Jefferson Street. This area will consist of resort related amenities including
restaurants, small shops, spa facilities, lounge and activity rooms, outdoor activities; tennis, yoga, walking
and hiking trails.
A golf club with related facilities is located near the southeastern entry to the project on approximately 122-
acres. This will provide a high-end practice facility and entertainment/banquet facility for both the residents
and guests.
The proposed amendment would allow fractional ownership/time-share development in the DRAFT
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recreation/visitor-serving commercial zone. Approval of fractional ownership would be subject to a
Conditional Use Permit. The hotel/resort wellness center proposes 75 rooms and fractional ownership
development of 25 Villas within the planning area.
For purposes of ensuring orderly planning and development of the property in the future, the overall Land
Use Plan is delineated by Planning Areas, Exhibit 2.1. The Planning Areas provide a more detailed
direction as to land use, intensity and maximum numbers of dwelling units. The Land Use Plan is intended
to provide a general representation of the proposed land uses.
Table 4 provides details regarding the maximum number of dwelling units allowed in each Planning Area.
Some flexibility is built into the development regulations in order for the project to respond to evolving
market conditions. Table 4 describes the allowable density ranges of all Planning Areas. This provision
allows for adjustments and refinements in acreage and subsequent dwelling unit counts in response to
changing market conditions and final design review without the need to amend the specific plan (see Section
5, Implementation Measures and Administration, for an explanation of this procedure). Though some
flexibility and adjustments are provided for, the maximum number of total dwelling units for the entire
specific plan (1,200) will not be exceeded in the implementation of the specific plan.
Specific information on each of the 25 Planning Areas is provided below in Table 3 and Exhibit 2.1 and
within Section 3.1, Planning Area Standards.
Table 3: Planning Area Summary
PA Land Use Acres Density
Range
Target
Density
Target
Units Rooms
1 Open Space Recreation 17.2
2 Resort / Spa 38.2 100
3 Medium Density Residential 26.1 4-8 du/ac 7.9 205
4 Low Density Residential 29.2 2-4 du/ac 2.9 85
5 Low Density Residential 9.9 2-4 du/ac 2.7 27
6 Low Density Residential 11.3 2-4 du/ac 2.7 31
7 Medium Density Residential 20.7 4-8 du/ac 7.9 163
8 Low Density Residential 18.1 2-4 du/ac 3.4 61
9 Low Density Residential 21.7 2-4 du/ac 3.4 73
10 Medium Density Residential 14.8 4-8 du/ac 5.0 74
11 Low Density Residential 26.5 2-4 du/ac 2.8 75
12 Resort / Golf 45.9
13 Low Density Residential 50.5 2-4 du/ac 2.1 107
14 Low Density Residential 30.6 2-4 du/ac 1.6 48
15 Low Density Residential 35.2 2-4 du/ac 1.8 65
16 Low Density Residential 35.1 2-4 du/ac 2.0 70
17 Low Density Residential 50.7 2-4 du/ac 2.3 116
18 Open Space Recreation 18.1
19 Open Space Recreation 8.8
20 Open Space Recreation 22.0
21 Open Space Recreation (Golf) 122.0
22 Open Space Recreation 28.4
23 Open Space Natural 151.8
24 Open Space Natural 10.7
25 Master Planned Roadways 32.5
TOTALS 876.0 1,200 100
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Master Planned Roadways Acres
Jefferson 17.4
Loop West 9.4
Loop East 5.4
Section 5 Access 0.3
TOTAL 32.5
2.2 Development Regulations & Standards
The following section describes the development regulations and standards for Low Density Residential
(Section 2.2.1), Medium Density Residential (Section 2.2.2), Resort/Spa Mixed Use (Section 2.2.3), and
Open Space (Section 2.2.4 and 2.2.5) land use categories. The land use character within the Planning Areas
is intended to facilitate estate living, medium density villa-style life, and a Resort/Spa and tourist
orientation. All three categories are anticipated to be implemented via a range of lot sizes. Whenever the
Specific Plan is silent on any development regulations or standards, the City’s Municipal Code will apply.
2.2.1 Single Family Detached - Low Density Residential – 2.0 To 4.0 Du/Ac Planning Areas
4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16 And 17
The Single Family Detached – Low Density Residential (2.0-4.0 du/ac) category will be characterized by
larger single-family residential lots (6,300 to 9,600 square feet) with the opportunity for custom homes.
These homes will have the largest setbacks in the development, as well as the smallest maximum lot
coverage.
2.2.1.1 Permitted Uses
Please refer to the City of La Quinta Municipal Code Chapter 9.40 Residential Permitted Uses and
Prohibited Uses, Section 9.40.030 Table of permitted uses for Low Density Uses (RL). The following uses
require a conditional use permit:
• Mobile home subdivisions and manufactured homes on individual lots, subject to Section 9.60.180
2.2.1.2 Development Standards
Any of the products listed in Table 5 can be built in any of the Low-Density planning areas.
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Table 4: Development Standards for Single Family Detached Homes
Product Estate Luxury SFD Large SFD Mid SFD
Minimum Lot Size 9,000 sq. ft. 7,000 sq. ft. 6,000 sq. ft. 5,500 sq. ft.
Minimum Lot Width,
Detached 1 70 feet 60 feet 55 feet 50 feet
Minimum Lot Depth 1 100 feet 100 feet 100 feet 90 feet
Minimum Cul-de-Sac
Lot Width 40 feet 40 feet 40 feet 40 feet
Maximum Structure
Height 2 22 feet 22 feet 28 feet 28 feet
Maximum Number of
Stories 2 2 2 2
Minimum Front Yard
Setback 15 feet 15 feet 15 feet 15 feet
Minimum Garage
Setback3 18 feet 18 feet 18 feet 18 feet
Minimum
Interior/Exterior Side
Yard Setbacks5
7.5 feet 7.5 feet 5 feet 5 feet
Minimum Rear Yard
Setback 25 feet 20 feet 15 feet 5 feet
Maximum Lot Coverage 35% 35% 40% 45%
Minimum Landscape
Setbacks Adjacent to
Loop Street4
At any point,
25-foot min.
average over
entire frontage
At any point,
25-foot min.
average over
entire frontage
At any point,
25-foot min.
average over
entire frontage
At any point,
25-foot min.
average over
entire frontage
1The Planning Director can administratively approve modifications of the standards up to 15% to account for irregular lotting
situations. Please refer to the City of La Quinta Municipal Code Section 9.50.070 Irregular lots, for irregular lot specifications.
2Building height will be measured from finished building pad elevation.
3The front yard is measured from the property line. Side-loaded garages may encroach up to 5 feet into the front yard
setback.
4 Perimeter Streets for the Travertine Specific Plan area are Loop Street ‘A’, Jefferson Street and Avenue 62.
5 Mechanical equipment shall be allowed within side yard setback area with a minimum three-foot clearance to the side property
line.
The Travertine Specific Plan permits a maximum of 1,200 dwelling units to be constructed. If Planning
Areas 2 and/or 11 develop(s) with residential housing, then the number of permitted dwelling units will
remain a maximum of 1,200 units. Transfer of Dwelling Units may occur according to the provisions
provided in Section 5. This area will be subject to review through the Site Development Permit process,
including approval by the Planning Commission. The maximum number of units allowed in Travertine
Specific Plan, 1,200 as noted in Table 4, will not be exceeded without a formal amendment to the S pecific
Plan and approval by the Planning Commission and City Council, per the requirements of Section 5. See
2.2.2 Medium Density Residential – Planning Areas 3, 7, And 10
Planning Areas 3, 6and 10 are located to the north of Jefferson Street. These are designated Medium Density
Residential reflecting the transition between the lower density golf, residential housing and open space
development and the resort/spa development.
The Medium Density Residential Planning Areas are intended to provide medium density (4.0-8.0 du/ac) DRAFT
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single-family residential products to accommodate residents seeking lots ranging from 4,000 to 5,775
square feet in size. The development standards in Table 6 provide for a characteristic medium-density
residential neighborhood.
2.2.2.1 Permitted Uses
Please refer to the City of La Quinta Municipal Code Chapter 9.40 Residential Permitted Uses and
Prohibited Uses, Section 9.40.030 Table of permitted uses for Medium Density uses (RM).
2.2.2.2 Development Standards
Any of the products listed in Table 6 can be built in any of the Medium-Density planning areas.
Table 5: Development Standards for Medium Density Residential
Product Small Lot SFD Single Family Attached
Lot Size 5,000 sq. ft. 4,000 sq. ft.
Minimum Lot Width, Detached 1 45 feet 35 feet
Minimum Lot Depth 1 80 feet 70 feet
Minimum Cul-de-Sac Lot Width 35 feet 35 feet
Maximum Structure Height 2 28 feet 28 feet
Maximum Number of Stories 2 2
Minimum Front Yard Setback 10 feet 15 feet
Minimum Garage Setback3 18 feet 5 feet
Rear Yard Setbacks 15 feet 10 feet
Minimum Side Yard Setbacks5 5 feet cumulative 5 feet cumulative
Maximum Lot Coverage 55% 55%
Minimum Landscape Setbacks Adjacent
to perimeter Loop Street4
20-foot min. average over
entire frontage.
20-foot min. average over entire
frontage.
1The Planning Director can administratively approve modifications of the standards up to 15% to account for irregular lotting
situations. Please refer to the City of La Quinta Municipal Code Section 9.50.070 Irregular lots, for irregular lot specifications.
2Building height will be measured from finished building pad elevation.
3The front yard is measured from the property line. Side-loaded garages may encroach up to 5 feet into the front yard setback.
4 Perimeter Streets for the Travertine Specific Plan area are Loop Street ‘A’, Jefferson Street and Avenue 62.
5 Mechanical equipment shall be allowed within side yard setback area with a minimum three-foot clearance to the side property
line.
2.2.3 Resort Hotel, Spa and Villas (Tourist Commercial) – Planning Areas 2 and 12
Planning area 2 is located north of the site and planning area 12 is south of the site. Both are planned to be
a part of a resort and/or Golf use. The resort planning areas are anticipated to provide 100-keys and golf in
planning area 12 will have 9-12 holes. Site Development Permits, as well as building permits for any
structures associated with the hotel, hospitality and villas will be submitted as needed by the future
developers of the Hotel/Resort planned areas including Fractional Ownership options. Any of the products
listed in Table 7 and 8 can be built in any of the Tourist Commercial planning areas. For lot configurations
of the villas, see Exhibit 2.6.
2.2.3.1 Permitted Uses
Please refer to the City of La Quinta Municipal Code Chapter 9.80 Nonresidential Permitted Uses, Section
9.80.020 Table of Permitted Uses for all permitted uses for Tourist Commercial Uses (CT). Resort DRAFT
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Residential uses will be permitted for Planning Areas 2 and 12, in addition Resort Villas will be permitted
without a conditional use permit.
The following uses require a conditional use permit in Planning Areas 2 and 12:
• Printing, blueprinting and copy services
• Medical offices—physicians, dentists, optometrists, chiropractors and similar practitioners, 3 or
fewer offices in one building
• Restaurants, drive-through
• Townhome and multifamily dwelling as a primary use
The development standards in the Tourist Commercial designation are defined in the La Quinta Municipal
Code, Section 9.90.040 Table 9-6 Nonresidential Development Standards. These shall apply for the
Resort/Spa/Hotel except as follows:
Table 6: Development Standards for Villas
Product Villas
Minimum lot frontage 30 feet
Maximum building height1
28 feet
22 feet adjacent to an image
corridor
Maximum number of stories 2
Minimum livable reserved floor area excluding
garage 420 sq. ft.
Minimum front yard setback from:
Street or parking stall curb
Pedestrian circulation walks
8 feet
5 feet
Garage/carport setback-from street curb 5 feet
Minimum building to building setback:
Without partial attachment2
With partial attachment2
6 feet
4 feet
Minimum interior/exterior side yard setbacks 3 3 feet
Minimum rear yard setback 5 feet
Maximum allowable wall height 8 feet
Minimum parking required 1 space per bedroom
1 space per 300 sq. ft. GFA
1 Chimneys, roof vents, finials, spires, and similar architectural features not containing usable space are permitted to extend up to
three feet above the maximum structure height.
2 Partial attachment of two buildings is made when an enclosed area having a typical interior function such as a hot water heater
closet, furnace closet, or other essential use, is attached to two otherwise separate buildings. Construction standards and fire ratings
shall meet U.B.C. requirements.
3 Mechanical equipment shall be allowed within side yard setback area with a minimum three-foot clearance to the side property
line.
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Table 7: Development Standards for Hotel/Commercial
Product Hotel/Commercial
Maximum Building Height 1 40 feet2
Maximum Number of Stories 3 stories
Maximum Number of Keys
75 Hotel keys / 25
Villakeys
Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) 0.5
Minimum perimeter building/landscape setbacks 40/20 feet
1Building height will be measured from finished building pad elevation.
2Building height does not include architectural projections. Architectural projections shall be regulated by Section 9.90.020
of the La Quinta Municipal Code. A line-of-sight study will be conducted and submitted when the final designs are submitted
to the City for design review.
2.2.4 Open Space/Recreation – Planning Areas 1, 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22
A conceptual plan for equestrian/multi-use trail purposes will be submitted to the Planning Department
for review and approval prior to approval of any Tentative Tract Map. This plan will incorporate access,
signage, and detailed design. Along the southern edge of the site, there is an area adjacent to the Martinez
Rock Slide that will be limited to recreational uses. As part of the recreational plan and trail system,
there will be an interpretive element that will provide signage and educational information along to
trail to element the cultural elements there as a preventative measure from trespassing unauthorized
areas of cultural significance. Currently a cultural resources study is being conducted for
development near the Martinez Rock Slide, and local tribes are being contacted as part of the
procedures. This area is designated as a buffer between the residential development and the natural open
space of the foothills of the Santa Rosa Mountains. This area, shown on Exhibit 2.7, will not include any
permanent structures as required by the Biological Opinion completed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service
(2005).
2.2.4.1 Permitted Uses
Please refer to the City of La Quinta Municipal Code Chapter 9.120 Special Purpose Permitted Uses,
Section 9.120.020 Table of permitted uses for all permitted uses for Parks and Recreation, PR, and Open
Space, OS.
2.2.4.2 Development Standards – Recreational Open Space
Recreational Open Space (Exhibit 2.3) will be subject to Sections 9.130.010 of the La Quinta Zoning
Code.
2.2.5 Open Space/Natural– Planning Areas 23 and 24
Along the southern, western, and eastern boundaries of the site there is an area of land that is restricted from
development due to various environmental constraints including biological, geological, and cultural
resources (Exhibit 2.7). This area will remain undisturbed to preserve these resources.
Portions of the open space/restricted area were determined to be of biological importance by the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service (USFWS) through the Biological Opinion completed in 2005 and the subsequent
federal Environmental Assessment completed in 2006. If new information is obtained regarding these
biological resources, it may result in a reduction in the acreage restricted from disturbance by the USFWS.
In this event, any area removed from restricted open space will fall under the recreation open space category
and will be subject to the development standards detailed in Section 2.2.4.1. The developer will be required
to obtain a Streambed Alteration Agreement from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. A portion DRAFT
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of this area is also in a conservation area of the CVMSHCP. Coordination with CVAG will be necessary to
site the water tanks in this area. In addition, an all-weather access road will be installed along the western
edge of the development for access to Section 4. This is shown in the Circulation plan in Section 3.1.
2.2.5.1 Permitted Uses
• Two water reservoirs and ancillary facilities (roadway, pipelines, etc.), as approved and allowed by
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and by CVAG.
• All other uses will be prohibited in this area.
• Permanent structures, with the exception of two water reservoirs, service roadway, underground
pipelines and ancillary facilities as allowed through consultation with the US Fish and Wildlife
Service, will be prohibited in the Restricted Open Space area.
• There will be an access road provided to connect off-site properties in Section 5, to the loop road
of the Travertine project. This will be defined by an easement and entitled by the Applicant to
allow access to and from the future project to Section 5.
2.2.5.2 Development Standards – Natural Open Space
The water reservoir structures, in accordance with Coachella Valley Water District guidelines and direction,
shall not exceed 50 feet in height, unless a height in excess of 50 feet is specifically required by CVWD.
2.2.6 Additional Requirements
Development in all Planning Areas will be subject to CVMSHCP Adjacency Guidelines and the following:
• Exterior lighting shall comply with Section 9.100.150, Outdoor Lighting contained in the City of
La Quinta Zoning Ordinance. Lighting and Photometric Plans shall be approved with a Site
Development Permit. DRAFT