2023 11 14 PC MinutesCALL TO ORDER
PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2023
A regular meeting of the La Quinta Planning Commission (Commission) was called to
order at 5:00 p.m. by Vice Chairperson Hassett.
PRESENT: Commissioners Caldwell, Guerrero, Hernandez, McCune, Tyerman,
and Vice Chairperson Hassett
ABSENT: Chairperson Nieto
STAFF PRESENT: Design and Development Director Danny Castro, Public Works
Director Bryan McKinney, Senior Planner Scott Nespor, Community
Resources Management Analyst Michael Calderon, City Attorney Bill
Ihrke, 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
Design and Development Director Castro said a red -lined supplemental staff report and
draft resolution were distributed to the Planning Commission as a HANDOUT and
included in the public record of this meeting for Consent Calendar Item No. 1, providing
clarification on the property ownership and that there is no project or development
associated with the proposed property exchange under consideration, between the City
of La Quinta and Nino Rosini for certain real property.
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Caldwell/McCune to
confirm the Agenda and acknowledge receipt of the red -lined supplemental staff report
and draft resolution for Consent Calendar Item No. 1. Motion passed: ayes — 6, noes — 0,
absent — 1 (Nieto), abstain — 0.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRESENTATIONS, AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
1. INTRODUCE SENIOR PLANNER SCOTT NESPOR
Design and Development Director Castro introduced new Senior Planner Scott Nespor
who provided a brief summary of his experience and qualifications.
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2. LA QUINTA CULTURAL CAMPUS PROJECT UPDATE
Community Services Management Analyst Calderon provided a project update summary
for the La Quinta Cultural Campus project.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. CONSIDER ADOPTING A RESOLUTION FINDING THE PROPOSED EXCHANGE
BETWEEN THE CITY OF LA QUINTA AND NINO ROSIN! FOR CERTAIN REAL
PROPERTY COMPRISED OF APPROXIMATELY 0.37 ACRES ON AVENIDA LA
FONDA (APN: 770-125-003) AND APPROXIMATELY 0.40 ACRES ON DESERT
CLUB DRIVE (APN: 770-155-001) CONSISTENT WITH THE 2035 GENERAL
PLAN; CEQA: THE PROJECT IS EXEMPT FROM ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
PURSUANT TO SECTION 150641 (b)(3) OF THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY ACT, COMMON SENSE EXEMPTION
Commission Secretary Flores and Design and Development Director Castro reiterated
that a red -lined supplemental staff report and draft resolution were distributed to the
Planning Commission as a HANDOUT and included in the public record of this meeting
for Consent Calendar Item No. 1 (replacing pages 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 of the Agenda
Packet), providing clarification on the property ownership and that there is no project or
development associated with the property exchange under consideration, between the
city of La Quinta and Nino Rosini for certain real property.
The Commission waived presentation of the staff report, which is on file in the Design and
Development Department.
Staff answered questions regarding prospective uses for each of the vacant parcels if this
property exchange was to be approved.
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Caldwell/Tyerman to
adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2023-018 approving Consent Calendar Item
No. 1, as amended to include the additional findings as noted by staff. Motion passed:
ayes — 6, noes — 0, absent — 1 (Nieto), abstain — 0.
BUSINESS SESSION
1. CONSIDER ADOPTING A RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING THE CITY COUNCIL
APPROVE GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT 2022-0002 TO ADD THE CITY'S
INVENTORY OF SITES IN THE CITY'S CERTIFIED HOUSING ELEMENT TO MEET
THE STATE -MANDATED "NO NET LOSS" REQUIREMENTS IN CONNECTION
WITH THE LA QUINTA VILLAGE APARTMENTS PROJECTION; LOCATION:
NORTHEAST CORNER OF WASHINGTON STREET AND AVENUE 50
Design and Development Director Castro presented the staff report which is on file in the
Design and Development Department.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
Page 2 of 5 NOVEMBER 14, 2023
Staff answered questions regarding the process for producing and certifying the Housing
Element (HE) and Inventory of Sites and if and how property owners are notified of such
designation; current and proposed unit allocation on the proposed Site 6 — Mayer as well
as the additional sites being considered; HE approval and certification process by the
State's Housing and Community Development Agency (HCD) including assessment of
default density and project feasibility; additional alternative sites evaluated but not
included in the HE; consequences of this project not moving forward and the project site
reverting back to low- and very low-income affordable housing unit requirements; and any
current or prospective projects or developments proposed for Site 6 — Mayer.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: James Vaughn, Esq. with SZR Law, representing the Mayer
Corporation, property owner of Site 6 — Mayer— provided additional information regarding
Site 6 — Mayer including prospective future commercial uses and current proposed
commercial projects; infrastructure improvements made to Site 6 — Mayer area including
roadway and traffic improvements; difficulty in financing affordable housing projects when
compared to the current commercial use zoning designation; and lack of identification of
alternative sites not to include Site 6 — Mayer.
Discussion with the Commission, Staff, and Mr. Vaughn followed regarding the City's
Affordable Housing Overlay and Inventory of Sites; HCD's HE certification and approval
processes; future planning for affordable housing inventory sites; and Site 6 — Mayer
density and unit allocation.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Greg Irwin, Partner and Principal with Irwin Partners Architects, and
Applicant's representative — explained the financing difficulties when mixing low- and very
low-income units with market rate units in a housing project.
Staff answered questions regarding unit allocation on the proposed alternative sites; the
possibility of reviewing the HE and alternative affordable housing sites at a future date;
purview of current item for consideration and process for approval by Commission and Council.
Commission expressed frustration with the State's housing allocation and "No Net Loss"
law requirements; and the ability to move the La Quinta Village Apartments project
forward as it is a viable and proposed project at this time.
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Caldwell/Guerrero to
approve Planning Commission Resolution No. 2023-019 recommending City Council
approve General Plan Amendment 2022-0002 to add to the City's Inventory of sites in the
City's certified housing element to meet the sate -mandated "No Net Loss Law"
requirements in connection with the La Quinta Village Apartments project, as
recommended.
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LA
QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING TO THE CITY COUNCIL TO
APPROVE ADDITIONS TO THE CITY'S INVENTORY OF SITES IN THE CITY'S
CERTIFIED HOUSING ELEMENT TO MEET THE STATE -MANDATED "NO NET
LOSS" REQUIREMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE LA QUINTA VILLAGE
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APARTMENTS PROJECT, LOCATED ON THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF
WASHINGTON STREET AND AVENUE 50
CASE NUMBERS: GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT 2022-0002; SPECIFIC
PLAN 2022-0001 (SP2004-071, AMEND 2); SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT
2022-0001; ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 2022-0001
APPLICANT: IRWIN PARTNERS ARCHITECTS
Motion passed: ayes — 6, noes — 0, absent — 1 (Nieto), abstain — 0.
STUDY SESSION — None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. CONSIDER ADOPTING A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE CONDITIONAL USE
PERMIT 2022-0012 FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A MONOPALM WIRELESS
TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITY LOCATED AT AN EXISTING FIRE STATION;
CEQA: THE PROJECT IS EXEMPT FROM CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY ACT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15303, NEW CONSTRUCTION OR
CONVERSION OF SMALL STRUCTURES; LOCATION 54001 MADISON STREET
DECLARATIONS REGARDING COMMISSION PUBLIC CONTACT — None
Senior Planner Nespor presented the staff report which is on file in the Design and
Development Department.
Staff answered questions regarding the public noticing of this project and any public
comment received; and recent zone changes to allow for telecommunication facilities
within major community facility zones.
VICE CHAIRPERSON HASSETT DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING OPEN AT 6:58 P.M.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Alisha Strasheim, Construction Manager for SmartLink LLC —
introduced herself and provided additional information regarding propagation maps and
coverage; steps to acquire site locations and construction requirements; and provided
photo simulations of the proposed project.
Ms. Strasheim answered Commission questions regarding existing towers at the project
site; construction timelines; FCC regulations and existing cell site interference; previous
cell site approvals and status of the previously approved telecommunication facility near
the PGA West community; ability to co -locate with existing monopalms in the area and
the project landscaping additions for camouflage purposes; and distance of equipment
facility in relation to the proposed monopalm.
Secretary Flores said that one written public comment was received by George
Christopher in support of the project and questioning the ability to collocate which was
already addressed by the applicant.
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VICE CHAIRPERSON HASSETT DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 7:13 P.M.
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Commissioner McCune/Vice Chair
Hassett to adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2023-020 approving Conditional
Use Permit 2022-0012 for the construction of a monopalm wireless telecommunication
facility located at an existing fire station, as recommended:
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LA
QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2022-0012
FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A MONOPALM WIRELESS
TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITY LOCATED AT AN EXISTING FIRE STATION
AND FINDING THE PROJECT EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15303, NEW
CONSTRUCTION OR CONVERSION OF SMALL STRUCTURES
CASE NUMBER: CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2022-0012
APPLICANT: SMARTLINK/AT&T
Motion passed: ayes — 6, noes — 0, absent — 1 (Nieto), abstain — 0.
STAFF ITEMS
Design and Development Director Castro reminded the Commission and public that the
Planning Commission meeting of November 28, 2023, has been cancelled and the next
regular Planning Commission meeting will be held on December 12, 2023; and invited
the Planning Commission to attend the upcoming City Open House on December 5, 2023.
COMMISSIONER ITEMS
Commissioner Hernandez asked about the status of the Planning Commission meeting
minutes of October 10, 2023, and staff answered the minutes will be presented to the
Commission for review and approval at a future meeting. Commissioner Tyerman
questioned the Commission on who would be attending an upcoming Coachella Valley
Water District training.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, a motion was made and seconded by Commissioners
Guerrero/Caldwell to adjourn this meeting at 7:17 p.m. Motion passed: ayes — 6, noes —
0, absent — 1 (Nieto), abstain — 0.
Respectfully submitted,
LJ 4q --
TANIA FLORES, Commission Secretary
City of La Quinta, California
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