2022 11 08 PC MinutesPLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022
CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the La Quinta Planning Commission was called to order
at 5:00 p.m. by Chairperson Currie.
PRESENT: Commissioners Caldwell, Hassett, McCune, Nieto, Tyerman,
and Chairperson Currie
ABSENT: None
VACANCY: One
STAFF PRESENT: Design & Development Director Danny Castro, Planning
Manager Cheri L. Flores, Associate Planner Siji Fernandez,
Commission Secretary Tania Flores, Assistant City Attorney
Travis VanLigten
CONSULTANTS: Planning Consultant Nicole Criste, CEO with Terra Nova
Planning & Research, Inc.
Chairperson Currie acknowledged the resignation of former Commissioner
Proctor and expressed appreciation for his time on the Commission. Staff
recited a letter from him to the Planning Commission expressing his
thankfulness and gave best wishes to the future.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner McCune led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA - None.
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA
Assistant City Attorney VanLigten and Commissioner Nieto noted that
Commissioner Nieto would abstain from discussion and vote on Consent
Calendar Item No. 3 due to a potential conflict of interest stemming from a
professional relationship between Commissioner Nieto's employer and the
project applicant, and requested the item be pulled for a separate vote.
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MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners
Caldwell/Hassett to confirm the agenda with modification to pull Consent
Calendar Item No. 3 for a separate vote. Motion passed: ayes - 6, noes - 0,
abstain - 0, absent - 0, vacancy - 1.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRESENTATIONS, WRITTEN COMMUNICATION - None.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVE MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 26, 2022
2. APPROVE MEETING MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 13, 2022
3. Pulled by Commissioner Nieto for separate vote > > > ADOPT A
RESOLUTION FINDING THAT THE PROPOSED STREET VACATION
OF A 691-SQUARE-FOOT PORTION OF AVENIDA BERMUDAS AND
AVENIDA LA FONDA RIGHT-OF-WAY IS CONSISTENT WITH THE
LA QUINTA GENERAL PLAN; CEQA: EXEMPT PURSUANT TO CEQA
GUIDELINES SECTION 15301 (c), EXISTING FACILITIES
MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Hassett/Nieto
to approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 1 and 2 as submitted. Motion passed:
ayes - 6, noes - 0, abstain - 0, absent - 0, vacancy - 1.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM NO. 3
MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners
Hassett/Caldwell to approve Consent Calendar Item No. 3 adopting
Planning Commission Resolution No. 2022-023. Motion passed: ayes - 5,
noes - 0, abstain - 1 (Nieto), absent - 0, vacancy - 1.
BUSINESS SESSION
1. APPROVE CANCELLATION OF REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION
MEETINGS OF NOVEMBER 22 AND DECEMBER 27, 2022, AND
JANUARY 10, 2023
Planning Manager Flores explained the proposed meeting cancellations and
confirmed that this would not delay or disrupt City business proceedings.
MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners
Caldwell/Hassett to approve cancellation of the regular Planning Commission
Meetings of November 22 and December 27, 2022, and January 10, 2023.
Motion passed: ayes - 6, noes - 0, abstain - 0, absent - 0, vacancy - 1.
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STUDY SESSION - None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
2022-0002 FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A MONOPALM
WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITY WITHIN PGA WEST;
CEQA: THE PROJECT IS EXEMPT FROM CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15303,
NEW CONSTRUCTION OR CONVERSION OF SMALL STRUCTURES;
LOCATION: 55955 PGA BOULEVARD
DECLARATIONS REGARDING COMMISSION PUBLIC CONTACT: Commissioner
Caldwell stated that her primary residence is within the PGA West
development; however, she will participate and vote on this item
because there would be no financial gain for her as a result of this project and
her residence is located more than 500 feet from the project site.
Planning Consultant Criste presented the staff report which is on file in the
Design and Development Department.
Staff answered Commission questions regarding the additional skirting
surrounding the monopalm.
CHAIRPERSON CURRIE DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING OPEN AT 5:17 P.M.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Applicant representative Chris Doheny, Real Estate Project
Manager of SmartLink Group, introduced himself and gave a brief overview of
the project including project objective, coverage areas, zoning details,
alternative site analysis, and provided photo simulations; answered questions
regarding signal interference concerns, site location selection, utility
easements and trenching, rooftop facility options, and the additional
monopalm skirting.
CHAIRPERSON CURRIE DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 5:41 P.M.
Commission comments followed expressing general support of the proposed
project design, architecture, and stealthing.
MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioner
Caldwell/Chairperson Currie to adopt Planning Commission Resolution No.
2022-024 approving CUP2022-0002 and determine that the project is exempt
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from the California Environmental Quality Act, pursuant to Section 15303,
New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures:
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LA
QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR
THE CONSTRUCTION OF A WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITY
WITHIN PGA WEST AND FINDING THE PROJECT EXEMPT FROM THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
CASE NUMBER: CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2022-0002
APPLICANT: SMARTLINK GROUP/AT&T MOBILITY
Motion passed: ayes - 6, noes - 0, abstain - 0, absent - 0, vacancy - 1.
2. ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING A MODIFICATION BY
APPLICANT AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AMENDMENT TO
ALLOW FOR A NEW 2,129 SQUARE FOOT TOOL RENTAL CENTER
ADDITION, A NEW 1,104 SQUARE FOOT FENCE ENCLOSURE AND
MODIFICATIONS TO THE OUTDOOR DISPLAYS AND SALES AREA
AT AN EXISTING HOME DEPOT. CEQA: THE PROJECT IS EXEMPT
FROM ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PURSUANT TO SECTION
15301(E)(1) OF THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
ACT, EXISTING FACILITIES. LOCATION: 79900 HIGHWAY 111
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 Commission questions regarding location of truck and
equipment rental areas.
CHAIRPERSON CURRIE DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING OPEN AT 6:01 P.M.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Alena Callimanis, La Quinta - opposed the project due to
visual aesthetics in regards to the location of the truck and equipment rental
areas.
CHAIRPERSON CURRIE DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 6:03 P.M.
Commission discussion followed regarding the possibility of continuing the item
to a date certain to allow the applicant to be present for Commission questions
regarding truck and equipment rental locations, traffic and parking circulation
and queuing; Commission expressed general agreement of continuance.
CHAIRPERSON CURRIE DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING RE -OPEN AT 6:07 P.M.
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MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners
Tyerman/Hassett to continue this Public Hearing to a date certain of December
13, 2022. Motion passed: ayes - 6, noes - 0, abstain - 0, absent - 0, vacancy
- 1.
3. ADOPT RESOLUTIONS TO APPROVE AN ADDENDUM TO EA2004-
513 AND FIND THE PROJECT CONSISTENT WITH THE
PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION
(EA2004-513) AND TO APPROVE TENTATIVE TRACT MAP 2021-
0006 (TTM 38316) FOR 392 RESIDENTIAL LOTS, 1 COMMERCIAL
LOT, A POTENTIAL FIRE STATION, AND A POTENTIAL IID
SUBSTATION ON 110.91 ACRES WITHIN THE SCHUMACHER
SPECIFIC PLAN AREA; CEQA: THE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT
DEPARTMENT HAS PREPARED AN ADDENDUM TO THE
PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION
(EA2004-513) PURSUANT TO SECTION 15164 OF THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT; LOCATION:
NORTHEAST CORNER OF AVENUE 60 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 Commission questions regarding timing and phasing of
perimeter walls, landscaping, and roadway improvements including additional
traffic lights; additional or alternative conditions of approval; necessity of the
potential Imperial Irrigation District (IID) substation and fire station; lighting
and other prospective plans for the commercial area parcel; areas designated
as image corridors; proposed locations of development entrances; liquefaction
factors and construction mitigation; project interior landscape plans, retention
basins, parklets, and passive parks; approving body of the future landscape
and commercial building plans.
CHAIRPERSON CURRIE DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING OPEN AT 6:44 P.M.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Applicant Representative Mike Rowe, Principal Engineer of
MSA Consulting, gave a brief presentation on the project history, justification
for the addendum and tentative tract map; need and community use of the
potential IID substation and fire station; and updated and revised grading
plans.
Applicant answered Commission questions regarding liquefaction mitigation;
state and specific plan residential density requirements; retention and parklet
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open spaces; sidewalk and pathway areas; phasing of landscape and roadway
improvements; and phasing of the potential IID substation and fire station.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Alena Callimanis, La Quinta - expressed concerns regarding
approval of the mitigated negative declaration including subsidence, lack of
Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) analysis and water use assessment,
types of commercial uses allowed within the commercial parcel, increased
daily trips and greenhouse gas emissions, and the potential IID substation
proposed location.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: John Powell, neighboring property owner of Peter Rabbit
Farms - expressed general support for the project with the exception of the
location of the potential IID substation within the project and requested an
alternate location.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Joe Hammer, neighboring property owner - expressed
general support for the project with concerns with moving the IID substation
to closer proximity of his property.
Applicant Mike Rowe provided additional information to address the public
comments and answered questions regarding current utility availability
(including electric and water), and the phasing of perimeter walls,
landscaping, and roadway improvements.
CHAIRPERSON CURRIE DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 7:25 P.M.
Commission comments followed expressing general approval of the project as
proposed and the potential addition of the IID substation and fire station.
Staff answered additional questions regarding the types of permitted uses for
the commercial parcel as neighborhood commercial zoning; approving body
for future conditional use permits and site development permits; perimeter
walls and landscaping alternatives during construction; and state and local
density requirements.
MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners
McCune/Hassett to adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2022-025
approving the Addendum to EA2004-513 and find the project consistent with
the previously adopted Mitigated Negative Declaration (EA2004-513):
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LA
QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING AN ADDENDUM TO THE PREVIOUSLY
ADOPTED MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION (EA2004-513)
PURSUANT TO SECTION 15164 OF THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY ACT IN THAT NO SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES TO THE PROJECT
ARE PROPOSED THAT RESULT IN NEW SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL
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EFFECTS
CASE NUMBER: ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 2022-0011
APPLICANT: BARTON LAND LA QUINTA
Motion passed: ayes - 6, noes - 0, abstain - 0, absent - 0, vacancy - 1.
MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners
McCune/Hassett to adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2022-026
approving Tentative Tract Map 2021-0006 (TTM 38316) subject to the findings
and conditions of approval.:
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LA
QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING TENTATIVE TRACT MAP 38316
(TTM2021-0006) FOR 392 RESIDENTIAL LOTS, 1 COMMERCIAL LOT, A
POTENTIAL FIRE STATION, AND A POTENTIAL IID SUBSTATION ON
110.91 ACRES WITHIN THE SCHUMACHER SPECIFIC PLAN AREA
CASE NUMBERS: TENTATIVE TRACT MAP 2021-0006
APPLICANT: BARTON LAND LA QUINTA
Motion passed: ayes - 6, noes - 0, abstain - 0, absent - 0, vacancy - 1.
STAFF ITEMS - None.
COMMISSIONER ITEMS
Commission expressed thanks and appreciation to former Commissioner
Proctor for his time and expertise while serving on the Commission.
Commission inquired about the agenda for the upcoming Housing Commission
meeting of November 9, 2022.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, a motion was made and seconded by
Commissioner Hassett/Chairperson Currie to adjourn at 7:42 p.m. Motion
passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
TANIA FLORES, Commission Secretary
City of La Quinta, California
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