2023 01 24 PC MinutesPLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2023
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: Commissioner Guerrero
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
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 Caldwell/Hassett to
confirm the agenda as published. Motion passed: ayes — 6, noes — 0, abstain — 0, absent
— 1 (Guerrero).
ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRESENTATIONS, AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
1. INTRODUCE NEWLY APPOINTED COMMISSIONER ELISA GUERRERO
This item was skipped due to Commissioner Guerrero's absence.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVE MEETING MINUTES DATED DECEMBER 13, 2022
2. ADOPT A RESOLUTION FINDING THE PROPOSED PURCHASE BETWEEN THE
CITY OF LA QUINTA AND JAMES Y. CATHCART AND MARIA CATHCART, AND
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BRUCE AND LORA CATHCART FOR CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY COMPRISING
OF APPROXIMATELY 0.14 ACRES AT 51001 EISENHOWER DRIVE,
SOUTHWEST CORNER EISENHOWER DRIVE AND CALLE TAMPICO (APN: 773-
065-012) CONSISTENT WITH THE 2035 GENERAL PLAN; CEQA: THE PROJECT
IS EXEMPT FROM ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PURSUANT TO SECTION 15061
(b)(3) OF THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT, 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. 2023-001. Motion passed: ayes — 6, noes — 0, abstain — 0,
absent — 1 (Guerrero).
BUSINESS SESSION — None.
STUDY SESSION — None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE A VARIANCE (VAR2022-0001) TO ALLOW
FOR A TEN -FOOT FRONT YARD SETBACK FOR A PROPOSED CASITA
EXTENSION WITHIN THE RANCHO LA QUINTA SPECIFIC PLAN AREA; CEQA:
THE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT HAS DETERMINED THAT
THIS PROJECT IS EXEMPT FROM ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PURSUANT TO
SECTION 15305(a) OF THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT IN
THAT THE PROPOSED PROJECT CAN BE CHARACTERIZED AS MINOR
ALTERATIONS IN LAND USE LIMITATIONS; LOCATION: 79075 RANCHO LA
QUINTA DRIVE
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 properties located in the vicinity of the subject
property and their non-compliance with the current Municipal Code and Specific Plan for
this area and whether the encroaching properties were permitted as additions or with the
original building; and public comment received regarding the Variance.
CHAIRPERSON CURRIE DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING OPEN AT 5:13 P.M.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Applicant Doug Howard, Designer and Co-owner of Cherokee
Homes, introduced himself and answered questions regarding removal of current
landscaping and palm trees; and neighbor and Homeowner Association (HOA) approvals.
CHAIRPERSON CURRIE DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 5:15 P.M.
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Commission discussion followed regarding the project's consistency with the neighboring
properties; the lack of negative comments from neighbors; and the distance from the
roadway after approval of the requested variance.
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Commissioner Caldwell/Chairperson
Currie to adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2023-002 to approve Variance
2022-0001, subject to the Findings and Conditions of Approval, and find that the project
exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15305(a) of the California
Environmental Quality Act in that the proposed project can be characterized as a minor
alteration in land use limitations, as recommended:
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LA
QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A VARIANCE TO ALLOW FOR A
REDUCTION OF THE FRONT YARD SETBACK LOCATED AT 79075 RANCHO
LA QUINTA DRIVE
CASE NUMBER: VARIANCE 2022-0001
APPLICANT: DOUG HOWARD
Motion passed: ayes — 6, noes — 0, abstain — 0, absent — 1 (Guerrero).
2. CONTINUED FROM DECEMBER 13, 2022: ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING
A MODIFICATION BY APPLICANT (MBA2022-0004) AND CONDITIONAL USE
PERMIT AMENDMENT (CUP2022-0003) TO ALLOW FOR A NEW 2,129 SQUARE
FOOT TOOL RENTAL CENTER ADDITION 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 questions regarding traffic and vehicle flow, and pedestrian traffic and
safety concerns with the changes to the Truck Rental location.
COMMISSION SECRETARY NOTED THE PUBLIC HEARING REMAINED OPEN
FROM THE DECEMBER 13. 2022. MEETING.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Scott Mommer, President of Lars Anderson and Associates and Site
Development Coordinator for Home Depot and this project, thanked the Commission for
continuing this item to allow reconfiguration of the plans with Commission suggestions
and recommendations.
CHAIRPERSON CURRIE DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 5:29 P.M.
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Commission thanked the applicant for revising the plans to including the Commission's
recommendations from the December 13, 2022, meeting; and expressed support for the
current proposed layout's aesthetics and consistency with the Highway 111 Corridor
plans; increased safety of the exit off the property; and the reached a consensus to
approve the project.
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Commissioner Hassett/Chairperson
Currie to adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2023-003 to approve Conditional
Use Permit (CUP) Amendment 2022-0003 and Modification by Applicant (MBA) 2022-
0004, subject to the Findings and Conditions of Approval, and finding the project exempt
from environmental review pursuant to section 15301(e)(1) of the California
Environmental Quality Act regarding existing facilities, as recommended:
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LA
QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A MODIFICATION BY APPLICANT AND
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AMENDMENT TO ALLOW FOR A NEW 2,129
SQUARE FOOT TOOL RENTAL CENTER ADDITION, AND MODIFICATIONS TO
THE OUTDOOR DISPLAYS AND SALES AREA LOCATED AT 79900 HIGHWAY
111
CASE NUMBERS: MODIFICATION BY APPLICANT 2022-0004; CONDITIONAL
USE PERMIT 2022-0003 (CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2016-0004
AMENDMENT 2)
APPLICANT: LARS ANDERSON AND ASSOCIATES INC
Motion passed: ayes — 6, noes — 0, abstain — 0, absent — 1 (Guerrero).
STAFF ITEMS
Planning Manager Flores provided information regarding the upcoming League of
California Cities Planning Commissioners Academy taking place March 29 through 31 in
Garden Grove, California, and asked for the Commission to notify Staff if they are
interested in attending; and noted Council has approved 3 Commissioners and 1 Staff to
attend this year.
Public Works Director/City Engineer McKinney provided information regarding the Dune
Palms Road Bridge project including that construction would start on January 30, 2023,
general timeline and phasing of the project, and advised the Commission and public to
use alternate routes if possible, during construction; answered questions regarding
additional road improvements, flooding impacts on construction, the design and lighting
on the bridge, public outreach to the community and nearby schools.
COMMISSIONER ITEMS
Commissioner Caldwell thanked the City and the Planning Department for the time and
effort spent in planning services for the recent American Express Golf Event and reported
moderate traffic delays and congestion during the event.
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ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, a motion was made and seconded by Commissioners
Nieto/Hassett to adjourn at 5:41 p.m. Motion passed: ayes — 6, noes — 0, abstain — 0,
absent — 1 (Guerrero).
Respectfully submitted,
TANIA FLORES, Commission Secretary
City of La Quinta, California
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