2023 08 14 DH MinutesCALL TO ORDER
DIRECTOR'S HEARING
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
MONDAY, AUGUST 14, 2023
A special meeting conducted by the City of La Quinta Design and Development Director
was called to order at 2:00 p.m. by Director Castro.
STAFF PRESENT: Design and Development Director Danny Castro, Planning Manager
Cheri Flores, Associate Planner Siji Fernandez, and Deputy City
Clerk Laurie McGinley
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Design and Development Director Castro led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA
Design and Development Director Castro confirmed the agenda as published.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Gayle Cady, La Quinta — asked about the status of any annexation
proposals relating to the Vista Santa Rosa Community on the east side of Monroe Street.
Director Castro answered that there were no current annexation proposals being
considered at this time and that further updates would be presented to the City Council
when available.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Louis Knappenberger, La Quinta — asked about a rumored property
purchase by Madison Club for annexation purposes.
Director Castro answered that there was no information on such purchase or annexation.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Alena Callimanis, La Quinta — asked about the status of an
Environmental Impact Report for the proposed Travertine development.
Staff answered that there was no update regarding status and that the report was still in
progress.
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PUBLIC HEARINGS
CONSIDER TENTATIVE TRACT MAP 2023-0002 (TTM 36561 REVISION NO. 2)
TO MODIFY CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL AND ELIMINATE LETTERED LOT
FOR EXISTING WELL SITE FOR SIERRA BLANCA RESIDENTIAL
DEVELOPMENT; APPLICANT: GATEHOUSE DEVELOPMENTS; PROJECT:
SIERRA BLANCA; CEQA: PROJECT WAS PREVIOUSLY REVIEWED UNDER
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 2015-0007 AND IS CONSISTENT WITH THE
ANALYSIS PREVIOUSLY APPROVED; LOCATION: WEST OF MONROE
STREET BETWEEN AVENUE 54 AND AIRPORT BOULEVARD
Associate Planner Fernandez presented the staff report which is on file in the Design and
Development Department.
Staff answered questions regarding removing Lot C and abandoning the current well and
site improvements relating to the well; the proposed changes to the Conditions of
Approval relating to the required grading and pad elevations.
DIRECTOR CASTRO DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING OPEN AT 2:13 P.M.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Applicant, Kevin Lesowski Project Coordinator for Gatehouse
Developments, introduced himself and Ryan Jones, Project Principal Engineer of Stewart
Land Strategies, provided background information on the request for modifications to the
Condition of Approval for grading and pad elevations and provided a letter of support
authored by the Homeowners Association (HOA) of the neighboring community, Estates
of La Quinta.
PUBLIC SPEAKER
Louis Knappenberger, La Quinta — questioned the letter of support
from the Estates of La Quinta; the grading height when compared to the neighboring
Griffin Ranch community; and the specific location and lot lines of the proposed project
under consideration.
Staff answered questions regarding the grading height and pad elevations in regard to
the project's Conditions of Approval and the La Quinta Municipal Code; and clarified the
location of the proposed project.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Carol Herrera, La Quinta — expressed concerns about the proposed
community having objections to her horse ranch which neighbors the proposed project;
provided background to the well proposed to be abandoned by the project; and expressed
concerns regarding the process and financial responsibility of abandoning the well.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Alena Callimanis, La Quinta — expressed concerns regarding the
abandonment of the well on Lot C.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Gayle Cady, La Quinta — expressed concerns regarding the
abandonment of the well on Lot C.
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Staff answered concerns regarding Ms. Herrera's property and the equestrian overlay.
Applicant, Ryan Jones, responded to Ms. Herrera's concerns regarding the process and
financial responsibility for abandoning the well as proposed and possible reimbursement
for costs incurred; stated that they were aware of the horse ranch and equestrian center
and reassured Ms. Herrera, the owner of the horse ranch property, that perimeter fencing
would provide protection from proposed development.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Louis Knappenberger, La Quinta - questioned the termination
location of the emergency access road, Street A, located on the west side of the
development.
Staff provided the road termination location of Street A and added that this road is for Fire
and Emergency Services easement only.
DIRECTOR CASTRO DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 2:26 P.M.
Director Castro confirmed his complete understanding of the requested amendments.
DIRECTOR'S DETERMINATION — Director Castro confirmed his complete
understanding of the request and approved the project as presented; therefore, the
following Director's Hearing Resolution 2023-001 is hereby adopted as recommended:
A RESOLUTION OF THE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR OF THE
CITY OF LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING TENTATIVE TRACT MAP
2023-0002 (TTM 36561 REVISION NO. 2) FOR SIERRA BLANCA
RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT LOCATED AT WEST OF MONROE STREET
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CASE NUMBER: TENTATIVE TRACT MAP 2023-0002; (TTM 36561 REVISION
NO. 2)
APPLICANT: GATEHOUSE DEVELOPMENTS
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Director Castro adjourned the Director's Hearing at 2:28
p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
TANIA FLORES, Commission Secretary
City of La Quinta, California
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