2022 12 13 PC MinutesPLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 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, Senior Planner Carlos Flores,
Associate Planner Siji Fernandez, Commission Secretary
Tania Flores, Deputy City Attorney Jessica Sanders
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Caldwell 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
Caldwell/Hassett to confirm the agenda as published. Motion passed: ayes -
6, noes - 0, abstain - 0, absent - 0, vacancy - 1.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRESENTATIONS, AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
1. CVAG OVERHEAD CHANGEABLE MESSAGE TRAFFIC SIGNS
City Traffic Management Analyst Kris Gunterson, also serving as Committee
Member on the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) CV Sync
TSM&O (Technology, Systems, Maintenance, and Operations), gave a brief
presentation on proposed CVAG Changeable Message Signs (Signs) including
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background, proposed Signs site locations, photos of current installations, and
renderings of Signs at proposed sites.
Commission discussion followed regarding types of messages on Signs and
entity to control messaging; Sign mounting and pole design selection;
alternative and future tentative site selection and approval process; visibility
from surrounding residential communities and predicted use times; site
locations in surrounding cities; need for Signs within the community and data
analysis to show improvement in traffic conditions with implementation; cost
of installation and maintenance; and safety and wind loading for poles and
mounting.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVE MEETING MINUTES DATED NOVEMBER 8, 2022
2. ADOPT A RESOLUTION FINDING THE PROPOSED PURCHASE
BETWEEN THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND BP DUNE PALMS, LP,
BY GENERAL PARTNER BLACKPOINT PROPERTIES, LLC, FOR
CERTAIN PROPERTY COMPRISING APPROXIMATELY 5.2 ACRES
LOCATED ON THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF HIGHWAY 111 AND
DUNE PALMS ROAD (APN 600-030-018) CONSISTENT WITH THE
GENERAL PLAN. CEQA: THE PROJECT IS EXEMPT FROM
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PURSUANT TO SECTION 15061 (b)(3)
COMMON SENSE EXEMPTION
MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners
Caldwell/Hassett to approve the Consent Calendar as recommended, with item
No. 2 adopting Planning Commission Resolution No. 2022-026. Motion passed:
ayes - 6, noes - 0, abstain - 0, absent - 0, vacancy - 1.
BUSINESS SESSION - None.
STUDY SESSION - None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. CONTINUED FROM NOVEMBER 8, 2022: ADOPT A RESOLUTION
APPROVING A MODIFICATION BY APPLICANT (MBA 2022-0004)
AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (CUP 2022-0003) 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
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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 questions regarding the equipment and truck rental (Rental)
areas and the proposed shielding from Highway 111; possible alternate
locations for Rental areas; any traffic analysis conducted; Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, and striping compliance; alternative
screening options including use of a wall or fence; and previous amendments
and approvals to the site and possible future additions or modifications.
CHAIRPERSON CURRIE NOTED THE PUBLIC HEARING REMAINED OPEN FROM
THE NOVEMBER 8, 2022, MEETING.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Scott Mommer, President of Lars Anderson and Associates
and Site Development Coordinator for Home Depot and this project,
introduced himself and provided additional information on choice of shielding
and justification of location of Rental areas. Applicant and staff answered
questions regarding height of shielding versus height of Rentals to be located
in this area and the line -of -sight view from Highway 111; quantity and
description of Rentals to be located in this area; and location options for Rental
areas.
CHAIRPERSON CURRIE DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 6:17 P.M.
Commission discussion followed regarding shielding and use of alternative
sites and surplus parking for Rental areas.
CHAIRPERSON CURRIE DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING RE -OPEN AT 6:24 P.M.
Applicant requested the Commission add additional Conditions of Approval
regarding the location of the Rental areas as an alternative to denial to allow
the project to move forward due to community need for these services.
Staff advised the Commission of the process required for denial including the
need to continue this item to allow Staff time to prepare denial findings and
such continuance could also allow the applicant additional time to prepare a
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revised site plan with alternative locations for Rental areas based on
Commission comments.
CHAIRPERSON CURRIE DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 6:31 P.M.
A motion was made by Commissioner Hassett to continue this item to a date
certain of January 24, 2023 and there was a consensus of the Commission.
CHAIRPERSON CURRIE DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING RE -OPEN AT 6:32 P.M.
MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners
Hassett/Chairperson Currie to continue the Public Hearing for Modification By
Applicant 2022-0004 and Conditional Use Permit 2022-0003 to a date certain
of January 24, 2023. Motion passed: ayes - 6, noes - 0, abstain - 0, absent
- 0, vacancy - 1.
2. ADOPT RESOLUTIONS APPROVING CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS
FOR A 75' FOOT TALL TEMPORARY TELECOMMUNICATION
MONOPOLE WITH ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT ENCLOSURE
(CUP2022-0011) AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING A 75'
FOOT TALL PERMANENT TELECOMMUNICATION MONOPALM AND
ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT ENCLOSURE (CUP2022-0010) WITHIN
THE LA QUINTA RESORT PROPERTY; CEQA: THE PROJECT IS
EXEMPT FROM CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 15303, NEW CONSTRUCTION OR
CONVERSION OF SMALL STRUCTURES; LOCATION: 49499
EISENHOWER DRIVE
DECLARATIONS REGARDING COMMISSION PUBLIC CONTACT - None.
Senior Planner Flores presented the staff report which is on file in the Design
and Development Department.
Staff answered questions regarding community outreach, public comment and
feedback received, and timeline for justification of a temporary monopole.
CHAIRPERSON CURRIE DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING OPEN AT 6:49 P.M.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Applicant John Heffernan with AT&T External Affairs,
introduced himself and provided a brief background on the project and parties
of interest.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Applicant Brett Smirl of Coastal Business Group,
representing AT&T Wireless, introduced himself and provided additional
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background on the project. Mr. Smirl answered Commission questions
regarding the agreement with the site landowner and location selection;
expected changes to the service area and first responder access; landscape
selection and use; and timeline and phasing of the temporary and permanent
facilities.
CHAIRPERSON CURRIE DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 6:57 P.M.
Commission expressed a consensus to approve the project.
MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners
Caldwell/Nieto to adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2022-0027 to
approve CUP2022-0010 (permanent monopalm) and determine that the
project is exempt from California Environmental Quality Act, pursuant to
Section 15303, New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures, as
recommended:
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LA
QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR
THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PERMANENT WIRELESS
TELECOMMUNICATION MONOPALM FACILITY WITHIN THE LA QUINTA
RESORT AND FINDING THE PROJECT EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
CASE NUMBER: CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2022-0010
APPLICANT: COASTAL BUSINESS GROUP
Motion passed: ayes - 6, noes - 0, abstain - 0, absent - 0, vacancy - 1.
MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners
Hassett/Caldwell to adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2022-0028 to
approve CUP2022-0011 (temporary monopole) and determine that the project
is exempt from California Environmental Quality Act, pursuant to Section
15303, New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures, as
recommended:
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LA
QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR
THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TEMPORARY WIRELESS
TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITY WITHIN THE LA QUINTA RESORT AND
FINDING THE PROJECT EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
CASE NUMBER: CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2022-0011
APPLICANT: COASTAL BUSINESS GROUP
Motion passed: ayes - 6, noes - 0, abstain - 0, absent - 0, vacancy - 1.
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STAFF ITEMS
Director Castro reminded the Commission and public of the current open
recruitment for the vacant Planning Commission seat which will close on
January 5, 2023, and advised any interested parties to contact the Design and
Development Department; the annual Community Workshop is tentatively
scheduled for Wednesday, February 15, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.,
to be held at the La Quinta Wellness Center.
COMMISSIONER ITEMS - None.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, a motion was made and seconded by
Commissioners Hassett/Chairperson Currie to adjourn at 7:03 p.m. Motion
passed: ayes - 6, noes - 0, abstain - 0, absent - 0, vacancy - 1.
Respectfully submitted,
TANIA FLORES, Commission Secretary
City of La Quinta, California
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