2023 09 26 CC & PC Minutes Special Joint Mtg - Hwy 111 CorridorCALL TO ORDER
CITY COUNCIL & PLANNING COMMISSION
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING
MINUTES
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2023
A special joint meeting of the La Quinta City Council and Planning Commission was called
to order at 4:00 p.m. by Mayor Evans.
PRESENT: Councilmembers Fitzpatrick, McGarrey, Pena, and Mayor Evans
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Sanchez
PRESENT: Commissioners Caldwell, Guerrero, Hassett, Hernandez, McCune,
Tyerman, and Chairperson Nieto
ABSENT: None
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Councilmembers Pena/Fitzpatrick to
excuse Mayor Pro Tem Sanchez's absence. Motion passed: ayes — 4, noes — 0, abstain
— 0, absent — 1 (Sanchez).
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Planning Chairperson Nieto led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA — Confirmed
PLANNING COMMISSIONER HERNANDEZ JOINED THE SPECIAL JOINT
MEETING AT 4:02 P.M.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Announced out of Agenda order after Study Session »>
City Clerk Radeva said WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS were received on Matters Not
on the Agenda from La Quinta resident Claudia Snyder regarding an unpermitted special
event recently held at the DuPont Estate, which were distributed to Council and the
Planning Commission, made public, published on the City's website, and included in the
public record of this meeting.
STUDY SESSION
1. UPDATE ON HIGHWAY 111 CORRIDOR SPECIFIC PLAN — PROJECT NO.
2019-05
CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING MINUTES
Page 1 of 3 SEPTEMBER 26, 2023
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Steve Cherry, La Quinta — said he was unhappy that nothing of
substance has been done on this project in the last four years; complained about the lack
of signage identifying store locations along the Highway 111 corridor; and wants a Sunline
bus route along Madison Street and a stop -and -go bus line along Highway 111.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Alena Callimanis, La Quinta — parking of Home Depot rental vehicles
and the In -N -Out Burger and Chick-fil-A along Highway 111 are unattractive; and thanked
the City for all the support provided during the Tropical Cyclone Hilary storm event.
Design and Development Director Castro and Planning Manager Flores introduced GHD,
Inc. consultants: 1) Todd Tregenza, Senior Transportation Planner, AICP, the overall
project manager for this project, and 2) Jonathan Linkus, Service Line Leader — Urban
Planning and Communities, and Planning Lead for this project, who presented the staff
report, which is on file in the Clerk's Office.
Council and Commissioners discussed the density of the affordable housing project in the
City of Indio located at Highway 111 and Jefferson Street; options for small -format
retail/shaded outdoor malls; small retail interspersed with large box stores, often in
parking lots; forward -thinking and synergy opportunities for existing commercial owners;
interviews with current stakeholders resulted in them addressing their existing issues;
housing infill, including short-term vacation rental units, along the corridor; learning what
works/doesn't work regarding high density housing; the increase in urban bicycling; the
need to rethink all streets to accommodate bicycles; to diversify, a restaurant or bar on
top floors of buildings is a consideration; the market demand for affordable housing, and
possible locations along the corridor; controlling design standards, setbacks, open space,
landscaping, etc. on affordable housing projects; activating housing complexes with
ground floor retail, or office, etc.; basis of retail market demand estimates; and the future
of retail.
MAYOR EVANS ASKED COUNCILMEMBER PENA TO ASSUME PRESIDING
OFFICER RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SPECIAL JOINT
MEETING AND LEFT THE DAIS AT 5:03 P.M.
Council and Commissioners discussed changes in buying habits and reduction of parking
needed by big box stores; feasibility of including medical office space in the plan; financial
viability of market -rate housing if permitted to build four stories or more; making the
cultural trail more inviting, have it meander in and out of pocket parks, retail and
restaurants; making the corridor more driver -friendly and attractive to drivers; current
landscaping of some retailers is very poor, standards need to be enforced; using kiosks
with shared covered seating for infill; means to adjust setback standards; tactics the City
can use to spur the type of development desired, such as incentives, buying a section of
parking lots, etc.; and perhaps it's time to start a General Plan discussion.
COUNCILMEMBER PENA CALLED FOR A BRIEF RECESS AT 5:46 P.M.
CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING MINUTES
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COUNCILMEMBER PENA RECONVENED THE SPECIAL JOINT MEETING AT
6:07 P.M. WITH COUNCILMEMBERS FITZPATRICK AND McGARREY, AND
PLANNING COMMISSIONERS CALDWELL, GUERRERO, HASSETT,
HERNANDEZ, McCUNE, TYERMAN, AND CHAIRPERSON NIETO PRESENT
Council and Commissioners discussed looking forward to the final corridor Specific Plan;
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) calculations for workforce housing;
reconsidering the height of buildings along the Whitewater wash; timing of planned
repaving and this project along Highway 111; moving bus stops closer to internal housing
complexes; using smaller bus vehicles; power supply to all new development will be a
major component; use of parking structures to reduce parking footprint; reexamining
landscape, especially trees, and using permeable parking material; blending the new
updated development with the old, existing retail and asphalt; need to consider this vision
for the corridor's future when reviewing all new projects; and staff was urged to bring this
corridor Specific Plan to Council as a Business Session item as soon as possible.
City Clerk Radeva announced Written Public Comments received on Matters Not on
the Agenda as noted on page 1 of these minutes, out of Agenda order.
COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBERS' ITEMS — None
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Councilmember Pena adjourned the special joint
meeting at 6:59 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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MONIKA RADEVA, City Clerk
City of La Quinta, California
CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING MINUTES
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