2024 02 13 PC MinutesCALL TO ORDER
PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2024
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, Hernandez, McCune,
Tyerman, and Chairperson Nieto
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Design and Development Director Danny Castro, Planning Manager
Cheri Flores, City Attorney Bill Ihrke (via remote accessibility), and
Commission Secretary Tania Flores
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Hernandez led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Mathew Snyder, La Quinta — expressed support for the public in
opposition of the proposed allowance for short-term vacation rentals (STVRs) use at the
Estates at Griffin Lake project, under consideration on tonight's agenda as Public Hearing
Item No. 1, and opposition to special event permits at both, the Mery Griffin Estate and
the Dupont Estate.
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Guerrero/Hassett to
confirm the agenda as published. Motion passed unanimously.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRESENTATIONS, AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS — None.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. MEETING MINUTES OF JANUARY 9, 2024
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Chairperson Nieto/Commissioner
Guerrero to approve the Consent Calendar as published. Motion passed unanimously.
BUSINESS SESSION — None.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Page 1 of 5 FEBRUARY 13, 2024
STUDY SESSION — None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. CONTINUED FROM JANUARY 9, 2024: CONSIDER A REQUEST FOR
CONTINUANCE OF THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT
2022-0001 FOR ESTATES AT GRIFFIN LAKE; CEQA: THE PROJECT IS
CONSISTENT WITH PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
2014-1001; LOCATION: SOUTH OF AVENUE 54, EAST OF MADISON STREET
AND WEST OF MONROE STREET
DECLARATIONS REGARDING COMMISSION PUBLIC CONTACT — None.
Planning Manager Flores presented the staff report which is on file in the Design and
Development Department.
Chairperson Nieto said that the public hearing remained open from the January 9, 2024,
Planning Commission meeting.
Staff answered the Commission's questions regarding the applicant's request for
continuance; the original application date; whether the intention of the residences would
be for short-term or long-term use; the expiration date for the current Tentative Tract Map
and Site Development Permit and whether there would be further extensions allowed for
either; and if there have been any town hall or community meetings regarding this project
held to date.
City Attorney Ihrke explained the procedural requirements for public hearings and
continuances of such.
The Commission expressed concerns with the applicant not being present at this meeting
and there being no community meetings held since this item was continued on January
9,2024; discussed moving forward with the consideration of the Development Agreement
(DA) without the applicant present or having held community meetings; and inquired
about the legal requirements of an applicant to facilitate community meetings for a project
before the project is brought for consideration.
City Attorney Ihrke noted it was within the Commission's purview to consider this item
without the applicant being present to speak on the project; and the City Council being
the final approval body for a DA.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Mark Majer, representative of the applicant, Griffin Ranch Investors,
explained why he was unable to be present at the meeting; multiple attempts to schedule
a community meeting with the Homeowners Association representative, Adam Medina;
press involvement causing additional delays due to considerations by the project team;
and disinclination to proceed with hearing his project due to lack of enough time to
facilitate community outreach.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Page 2 of 5 FEBRUARY 13, 2024
Commission Secretary Flores said six written comments were received from residents
and interested parties, which were distributed to the Commission prior to the meeting,
and would be incorporated into the agenda packet and public record for this meeting. The
citizens' names who submitted written comments are listed below in alphabetical order:
• Gerald Gulke, La Quinta — opposed
• Toni and Michael McGrath, La Quinta — opposed
• Dan and Connie Hill, La Quinta — opposed
• James Kilpatrick, La Quinta — opposed
• Susan Magrino, La Quinta — opposed
• Louis Zakin, La Quinta — opposed
The PUBLIC SPEAKERS listed below in the order in which they spoke, provided
comments opposing the project, as follows:
• Joe Gentile, Griffin Ranch Homeowners Association President — opposed the
proposed DA due to opposition of STVRs in residential communities; STVRs
creating inconsistencies with the City's municipal code; approving such DA inciting
other communities to apply for similar agreements to allow for STVRs; and
frequent complaints generated by STVR properties.
• Allen Katz, La Quinta — opposed to the DA due to saturation of STVRs and single
property ownership creating 250-300 room hotel and commercial enterprise is
inconsistent with residential community standards and the approved SP for this
development.
• Melissa Labayog, La Quinta — opposed to the DA due to general opposition for
STVRs and special events in residential neighborhoods.
• Susan Ash Phillips, La Quinta — opposed to the DA due to the inability of the HOA
to engage with the applicant in scheduling community meetings.
• Steve Marshall, La Quinta — opposed to the DA due to general opposition of STVRs
in residential communities; the Developer's inability to manage STVRs based on
history of complaints related to special events held at the Mery Griffin Estate; lack
of cooperation with HOA in scheduling community meetings; and requested
removal of the STVR allowance in Planning Area 1.
• Thomas Hansen, La Quinta — deferred his comments to the next meeting.
• Louis Zakin, La Quinta — opposed to the DA due to STVR saturation in the
development and inconsistency with the surrounding community.
• Audrey Little, La Quinta — opposed to the project due to the Applicant's lack of
attendance at this meeting, and inability to comply with City regulations for the
Mery Griffin Estate.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Page 3 of 5 FEBRUARY 13, 2024
• Lawrence Horwich, La Quinta — opposed to the DA due to loss of revenue to the
City by his calculations.
• Chuck Gilfoy, La Quinta — questioned what entitlements had already been
approved for this development and why permitting STVRs as an allowed use
should be discussed.
• Craig Ginelli, La Quinta — opposed to the DA due to STVRs inconsistency with the
previously approved California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) analysis for this
development.
Staff and Mr. Majer answered Commission questions regarding the intent for the
development; previously approved CEQA analysis and trips per day analysis regarding
STVRs; noise and light shed studies and proposed mitigation measures; currently
approved STVRs within the Planning Area and history of use and violations; parking
requirements; day and night occupancy limits; proposed STVR property management and
consequences or revocation of the DA or individual permits due to STVR violations;
whether violations would be recognized per parcel or by DA; number of bedrooms per
unit; anticipated permit applications; ownership of individual lots; lack of opposition
received by the closest community (Capstone); and perimeter and property details
including development ingress/egress, landscape buffers, perimeter walls, and grading.
The Commission questioned Mr. Gentile on the HOA and resident's agreeability of
continuing the public hearing to allow additional time for community outreach by the
Applicant.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Joe Gentile, Griffin Ranch HOA President — said the HOA was willing
to coordinate a community outreach meeting with the applicant.
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Chairperson Nieto/Commissioner
Hassett to continue the public hearing regarding the Estates at Griffin Lake Development
Agreement to a date certain of March 26, 2024, to allow the applicant to conduct
community outreach. Motion passed unanimously.
CHAIRPERSON NIETO CALLED FOR A BRIEF RECESS AT 7:20 P.M. TO ALLOW
THE PUBLIC TO EXIT THE CHAMBER.
CHAIRPERSON NIETO RECONVENED THE COMMISSION MEETING AT 7:22
P.M. WITH ALL COMMISSIONERS PRESENT.
COMMISSIONER ITEMS
Staff provided information regarding the upcoming Planning Commission Academy in
Long Beach, California, March 6 — 8, 2024, and City of La Quinta Community meeting
scheduled for February 22, 2024.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Page 4 of 5 FEBRUARY 13, 2024
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, a motion was made and seconded by Commissioners
Caldwell/Guerrero to adjourn this meeting at 7:24 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
TANIA FLORES, Commission Secretary
City of La Quinta, California
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Page 5 of 5 FEBRUARY 13, 2024