2023 02 28 PC MinutesPLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 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, Guerrero, Hassett, McCune, Nieto, and
Chairperson Currie
ABSENT: Commissioner Tyerman
STAFF PRESENT: Design & Development Director Danny Castro, Public Works
Director/City Engineer Bryan McKinney, Planning Manager Cheri L.
Flores, Senior Planner Carlos Flores, and Commission Secretary
Tania Flores
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
Commissioner Nieto said he would recuse himself from the discussion and vote on Public
Hearing Item No. 1 due to a potential conflict of interest stemming from a business
relationship, as his employer, The Altum Group, is a consultant on the proposed project.
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 (Tyerman).
ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRESENTATIONS, AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
1. INTRODUCE NEWLY APPOINTED COMMISSIONER ELISA GUERRERO
Planning Manager Flores introduced newly appointed Commissioner Guerrero who
provided a brief summary of her experience and qualifications.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Page 1 of 4 FEBRUARY 28, 2023
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVE MEETING MINUTES DATED JANUARY 24, 2023
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Hassett/Caldwell to
approve the Consent Calendar as recommended. Motion passed: ayes — 6, noes — 0,
abstain — 0, absent — 1 (Tyerman).
BUSINESS SESSION
1. REVIEW GENERAL PLAN AND HOUSING ELEMENT ANNUAL PROGRESS
REPORTS FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2022 AND RECOMMEND THAT CITY
COUNCIL AUTHORIZE SUBMITTAL TO THE STATE OFFICE OF PLANNING AND
RESEARCH AND DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT
Planning Manager Flores presented the staff report which is on file in the Design and
Development Department.
Staff answered Commission questions regarding the City's plan to meet the required
Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA); developer incentives and fee waivers for
building affordable housing projects; assignment and negotiation of RHNA numbers; and
possible moderate -income unit sites.
Commission expressed appreciation for a thorough report and efforts to meet affordable
housing needs.
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Commissioner Nieto/Chairperson
Currie to recommend that the City Council authorize submittal of the General Plan and
Housing Element Annual Progress Reports to the Office of Planning and Research and
State Department of Housing and Community Development, as recommended.
Motion passed: ayes — 6, noes — 0, abstain — 0, absent — 1 (Tyerman).
STUDY SESSION — None.
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1. ADOPT RESOLUTIONS TO ADOPT A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION
AND APPROVE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2022-0004 AND SITE
DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 2022-0005 FOR OUTDOOR IMPROVEMENTS AT A
RESIDENCE WITHIN THE HILLSIDE CONSERVATION OVERLAY; CEQA:
DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PREPARED A MITIGATED
NEGATIVE DECLARATION (EA2022-0006) CONSISTENT WITH THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT; LOCATION: 77600 AVENIDA
FERNANDO
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Page 2 of 4 FEBRUARY 28, 2023
COMMISSIONER NIETO RECUSED HIMSELF DUE TO A POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF
INTEREST STEMMING FROM A BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP, AS THE ALTUM
GROUP, A CONSULTANT FOR THE PROPOSED PROJECT, IS HIS EMPLOYER; AND
LEFT THE DAIS AT 5:18 P.M.
DECLARATIONS REGARDING COMMISSION PUBLIC CONTACT — None.
Planning Manager Flores presented the staff report which is on file in the Design and
Development Department.
Staff answered questions regarding public outreach and neighbor notification; Coachella
Valley Water District (CVWD) comments or approvals of landscaping plan; toe of slope
area assessment, catch basin, and possibility of boulders falling from the surrounding
mountains; CVCC easement for fencing at slope; and California Department of Fish and
Wildlife and United States Department of Fish and Wildlife involvement.
CHAIRPERSON CURRIE DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING OPEN AT 5:31 P.M.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Applicant
provided a brief history of the
retention from the surrounding
surrounding properties.
and property owner, Jeff Austin, introduced himself,
property, and answered questions regarding boulder
mountain; and remodel history of the property and
CHAIRPERSON CURRIE DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 5:35 P.M.
Commission expressed a general consensus of approval of the project.
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Caldwell/Guerrero to
adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2023-004 to adopt a Mitigated Negative
Declaration for Environmental Assessment 2022-0006, as recommended:
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LA
QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION
FOR OUTDOOR IMPROVEMENTS AT A PRIVATE RESIDENCE LOCATED AT
77600 AVENIDA FERNANDO
CASE NUMBER: ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 2022-0006
APPLICANT: PREST VUKSIC GREENWOOD ARCHITECTS
Motion passed: ayes — 5, noes — 0, abstain — 0, absent — 2 (Nieto and Tyerman).
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Commissioner Caldwell/Chairperson
Currie to adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2023-005 to approve Conditional
Use Permit 2022-0004 and Site Development Permit 2022-0005 for outdoor
improvements at a private residence within the Hillside Conservation Overlay, as
recommended:
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LA
QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AND SITE
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Page 3 of 4 FEBRUARY 28, 2023
DEVELOPMENT PERMIT FOR OUTDOOR IMPROVEMENTS AT A PRIVATE
RESIDENCE LOCATED AT 77600 AVENIDA FERNANDO
CASE NUMBERS: CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2022-0004; SITE
DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 2022-0005
APPLICANT: PREST VUKSIC GREENWOOD ARCHITECTS
Motion passed: ayes — 5, noes — 0, abstain — 0, absent — 2 (Nieto and Tyerman).
COMMISSIONER NIETO RETURNED TO THE DAIS AT 5:39 P.M.
STAFF ITEMS
Staff provided a verbal update on the following item:
1. 2023 ANNUAL COMMUNITY WORKSHOP
Design and Development Director Castro gave a brief summary of the 2023 Community
Workshop, held on February 15, 2023, at the La Quinta Wellness Center, including the
City's sacred values, current and future City initiatives and projects, and community
priorities as voted by the participants with the top three (3) ranked projects being:
1. Frits Burns Park Upgrades / Maintenance and Operations Facility;
2. Road Diet to Reduce / Improve Speeding in the Cove; and
3. Improving Historic Casita at Calle Tampico / Eisenhower Drive.
Staff answered questions regarding the recently purchased property on Calle Tampico
and Eisenhower Drive including future uses, parking, and historical value.
COMMISSIONER ITEMS
Commissioner McCune expressed appreciation for the new Acrisure Arena in Palm
Desert and recommended the Commission and public visit the venue and attend
upcoming events.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, a motion was made and seconded by Commissioners
Hassett/Caldwell to adjourn the meeting at 5:46 p.m. Motion passed: ayes — 6, noes — 0,
abstain — 0, absent — 1 (Tyerman).
Respectfully submitted,
4+.- - -
TANIA FLORES, Commission Secretary
City of La Quinta, California
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