2023 12 12 PC MinutesCALL TO ORDER
PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2023
A regular meeting of the La Quinta Planning Commission (Commission) was called to
order at 5:00 p.m. by Chairperson Nieto.
PRESENT: Commissioners Caldwell, Guerrero, Hassett (joined the meeting at
5:44 p.m.), McCune, Tyerman, and Chairperson Nieto
ABSENT: Commissioner Hernandez
STAFF PRESENT: Design and Development Director Danny Castro, Planning Manager
Cheri Flores, Associate Planner Siji Hernandez, and Commission
Secretary Tania Flores
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Guerrero 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 Guerrero/Caldwell to
confirm the Agenda as published. Motion passed: ayes — 5, noes — 0, absent — 2 (Hassett
and Hernandez), abstain — 0.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRESENTATIONS, AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS - None
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 10, 2023
2. CONSIDER ADOPTING A RESOLUTION FINDING THE PROPOSED DONATION
OF CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY FROM BAY SHORE INCORPORATED PENSION
TRUST TO THE CITY OF LA QUINTA FOR OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION,
CONSISTENT WITH THE 2035 GENERAL PLAN AND FIND THE PROJECT
EXEMPT FROM ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PURSUANT TO SECTION 15325 OF
THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT; LOCATION: APN 604-050-
018, NORTH OF HIGHWAY 111, WEST OF WASHINGTON STREET
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Page 1 of 5 DECEMBER 12, 2023
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Caldwell/Guerrero to
approve the Consent Calendar as published with Item No. 2 adopting Planning
Commission Resolution 2023-021. Motion passed: ayes — 5, noes — 0, absent — 2
(Hassett and Hernandez), abstain — 0.
BUSINESS SESSION — None.
STUDY SESSION — None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTIONS RECOMMENDING CITY COUNCIL
APPROVE SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT 2022-0003, AND SITE DEVELOPMENT
PERMIT 2022-0007 FOR A NEW 125 ROOM HAMPTON INN HOTEL AND ADOPT
AN ADDENDUM TO THE PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED MITIGATED NEGATIVE
DECLARATION (EA2017-0009) PURSUANT TO SECTION 15164 OF THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT IN THAT NO SUBSTANTIAL
CHANGES TO THE PROJECT ARE PROPOSED THAT RESULT IN NEW
SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS; LOCATION: SOUTHWEST CORNER
OF LA QUINTA DRIVE AND AUTO CENTRE 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 the proposed changes to the parking standards and
off-site parking availability; and design guidelines and standards of previously approved
specific plan amendment.
CHAIRPERSON NIETO DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING OPEN AT 5:17 P.M.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Atman Kadakia, Applicant and Managing Principle for the Greens
Group, introduced himself and provided additional information regarding the developer
and their investment interest in the proposed project; the projected fiscal impact of the
proposed project; the requested reduction from the required parking standards; meeting
spaces within the hotel; anticipated timeline for the project's design review and build -out
and neighboring residential project utilizing this site for their construction staging; pool
area fence/wall for privacy; vehicle traffic routing and hotel and directional signage; in -
room amenities, wet bar areas, guest breakfast area, and sundries store; tractor
truck/trailer oversized parking spaces and indoor pool descriptions; in -room design with
local artwork; sightline, noise, and privacy impacts to adjoining residential property; and
security camera sightlines and privacy impacts.
VICE CHAIRPERSON HASSETT JOINED THE MEETING AT 5:44 P.M.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Page 2 of 5 DECEMBER 12, 2023
CHAIRPERSON NIETO DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 5:53 P.M.
Commission discussion followed to include project building and parking orientation;
reduction of the proposed parking lot light poles' height and possible spillage; removing
the Hampton Inn south side signage; amending some of the proposed architectural
design components; and street signage for the hotel entrance.
CHAIRPERSON NIETO DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING RE -OPEN AT 6:07 P.M.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Mr. Kadakia questioned the Commission and staff on proposed
changes and how any agreed upon changes could be implemented procedurally; agreed
to changes to the building signage locations, parking lot light poles' height and landscape
lighting, and deepening or extending parapet walls on the building.
CHAIRPERSON NIETO DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 6:27 P.M.
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Chairperson Nieto/Commissioner
Hassett to adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2023-022 to recommend City
Council adopt an addendum to the Mitigated Negative Declaration for Environmental
Assessment 2022-0001, as recommended:
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LA
QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING CITY COUNCIL ADOPT AN
ADDENDUM TO THE PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED MITIGATED NEGATIVE
DECLARATION (EA2017-0009) PURSUANT TO SECTION 15164 OF THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT IN THAT NO SUBSTANTIAL
CHANGES TO THE PROJECT ARE PROPOSED THAT RESULT IN NEW
SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
CASE NUMBER: ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 2022-0011
APPLICANT: VERDANT LAQUINTA LLC
Motion passed: ayes — 6, noes — 0, absent — 1 (Hernandez), abstain — 0.
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Chairperson Nieto/Commissioner
Guerrero to adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2023-023 recommending City
Council approve SPA2022-0003 and SDP2022-0007, as amended, with parking lot light
poles' height reduction to no more than 12 feet, removal of Hampton Inn lighted signage
on south side of the building, extension of parapet walls into the building by at least 8 feet,
and removing reference to indoor pool and tractor trailer parking:
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LA
QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING TO THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL
OF A SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT AND SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT FOR
HAMPTON INN HOTEL LOCATED AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF AUTO
CENTRE DRIVE AND LA QUINTA DRIVE WITHIN THE CENTRE AT LA QUINTA
SPECIFIC PLAN AREA
CASE NUMBERS: SPECIFIC PLAN 2022-0003; SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT
2022-0007
APPLICANT: VERDANT LAQUINTA LLC
Motion passed: ayes — 6, noes — 0, absent — 1 (Hernandez), abstain — 0.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Page 3 of 5 DECEMBER 12, 2023
2. CONSIDER ADOPTING A RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING CITY COUNCIL
APPROVE ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT 2023-1001 TO MODIFY
FLAGPOLE REGULATIONS REGARDING THE PLACEMENT OF FLAGPOLES
FOR RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICTS MANAGED BY HOMEOWNER
ASSOCIATIONS AND FIND THE PROJECT EXEMPT FROM ENVIRONMENTAL
REVIEW PURSUANT TO SECTION 15061 (b)(3), COMMON SENSE EXEMPTION;
LOCATION: CITY-WIDE
DECLARATIONS REGARDING COMMISSION PUBLIC CONTACT — None
Design and Development Director Castro presented the staff report which is on file in the
Design and Development Department.
Staff answered questions regarding the ability for Homeowner Associations (HOA) to
override City zoning codes if the proposed code amendment is adopted; building permit
process and footing design standards; and "grandfathered" flagpole permits.
CHAIRPERSON NIETO DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING OPEN AT 6:39 P.M.
Commission Secretary Flores said that there was no written public comment received and
no in-person requests to speak were received.
CHAIRPERSON NIETO DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 6:39 P.M.
The Commission expressed general disagreement with adopting regulations that would
allow HOAs to reduce the City's established setbacks for flagpoles.
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Commissioner Caldwell/Chairperson
Nieto to adopt a Planning Commission Resolution to recommend City Council approve
Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2023-1001 and find that the amendment is exempt from
CEQA review, as recommended:
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LA
QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING CITY COUNCIL APPROVE A
ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT TO MODIFY FLAGPOLE REGULATIONS
REGARDING THE PLACEMENT OF FLAGPOLES FOR RESIDENTIAL ZONING
DISTRICTS MANAGED BY HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATIONS AND FIND THE
PROJECT EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
ACT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15061 (b)(3), COMMON SENSE EXEMPTION
CASE NUMBER: ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT 2023-1001
APPLICANT: CITY OF LA QUINTA
Motion failed: ayes — 0, noes — 6, absent — 1 (Hernandez), abstain — 0.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Page 4 of 5 DECEMBER 12, 2023
STAFF ITEMS
Planning Manager Flores provided a general project update regarding the upcoming or
recently approved projects such as Highway 111 Corridor Area Plan, La Quinta Village
Apartments and amended Housing Element, La Villetta at Avenue 58 residential
development, McQuaid Art/Glassblowing Studio and mixed-use residential development,
Travertine, Club at Coral Mountain, Jefferson Square Apartments; currently under
construction projects such as Jefferson Street Apartments and Home Depot Tool Rental
Center, Desert Club Apartments; and residential projects such as Point Happy, Piazza
Serena, SolTerra, Palo Verde, and Stone Creek.
COMMISSIONER ITEMS
Commissioner Tyerman expressed appreciation for a recent Coachella Valley Water
District training in which many other Commissioners and staff from La Quinta and
surrounding cities also attended and recommended a public meeting where similar
information could be provided; Commissioner McCune questioned the property donation
of the "Rock" at Point Happy, north of Highway 111, accepted by the City, and the
ownership of surrounding land and if the CV Link would connect to this area.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, a motion was made and seconded by Commissioners
Caldwell/Hassett to adjourn this meeting at 7:00 p.m. Motion passed: ayes — 6, noes — 0,
absent — 1 (Hernandez), abstain — 0.
Respectfully submitted,
TANIA FLORES, Commission Secretary
City of La Quinta, California
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