2024 08 13 PC MinutesCALL TO ORDER
PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2024
A regular meeting of the La Quinta Planning Commission (Commission) was called to order at
5:01 p.m. by Chairperson Hassett.
PRESENT: Commissioners Guerrero, Hernandez, McCune, Nieto, Tyerman, and
Chairperson Hassett
ABSENT: Commissioner Hundt
STAFF PRESENT: Design and Development Director Danny Castro, Public Works Director
Bryan McKinney, Planning Manager Cheri Flores, Senior Planner Scott
Nespor, Assistant Planner Jack Lima, and Commission Secretary Tania
Flores
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner McCune 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/Tyerman to confirm
the agenda as published.
Motion passed: ayes — 6, noes — 0, absent — 1 (Hundt), abstain — 0.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRESENTATIONS, AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
Planning Manager Flores introduced Jack Lima, who was recently promoted to Assistant
Planner in the Planning Division.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Nieto/Guerrero to approve
the Consent Calendar as published.
Motion passed: ayes — 6, noes — 0, absent — 1 (Hundt), abstain — 0.
STUDY SESSION — None.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Page 1 of 3 AUGUST 13, 2024
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. CONSIDER ADOPTING A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
2023-0001 FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION
FACILITY (MONOEUCALYPTUS); CEQA: THE PROJECT IS EXEMPT FROM
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15303, NEW
CONSTRUCTION OR CONVERSION OF SMALL STRUCTURES; LOCATION: EAST
SIDE OF AVENIDA BERMUDAS BETWEEN CALLE ENSENADA AND CALLE NOGALES,
WITHIN TRADITION GOLF CLUB
DECLARATIONS OF COMMISSION PUBLIC CONTACT OR CONFLICTS:
Commissioner McCune said his wife is employed by the project site owner, Tradition Golf Club,
where the proposed cell tower is to be installed, if approved; but there are no personal or
professional conflicts related to the applicant of the proposed project.
Senior Planner Nespor presented the staff report, which is on file in the Design and
Development Department.
Staff answered questions regarding the number of structures included in the project; the current
perimeter wall compared to the project's enclosure size, material, and color palette; use for the
exposed vent pipe in the enclosure; location and installation of utilities needed for power to the
site; other monoeucalyptus towers sited in the desert or surrounding areas; location of the
eucalyptus on the project site; recourse available to the City in the case of non-compliance and
ability to pull the permit if needed; maintenance of the project site; alternative sites considered;
and ability and willingness to co -locate with other providers.
CHAIRPERSON HASSETT DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING OPEN AT 5:24 P.M.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Applicant Greg Macias of SmartLink, on behalf of AT&T, answered
questions regarding alternative sites considered; height of the monoeucalyptus structure; ability
to co -locate with other providers and any interest received for this site; aesthetics and
maintenance responsibility of the structures and surrounding landscaping on the project site;
maintenance access to the site from Tradition side; Cove area coverage; wind loading of
branches and structure; and use of microwave and fiber technology and the ability for the City
to contract services from this site.
Commission Secretary Flores said that the City received one written comment opposed to the
project due to negative visual impacts on the Cove neighborhood.
CHAIRPERSON HASSETT DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 5:35 P.M.
Commission discussion followed regarding the visu
traditionally sited monopalms; perimeter landscaping
walls and landscaping; and the ability for co -location
the site.
al impacts of the monoeucalyptus versus
and views of the west -facing enclosure
and for the City to contract services from
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Page 2 of 3 AUGUST 13, 2024
The Commission reached a consensus to include an additional Condition of Approval in the
proposed resolution to ensure maintenance access be provided from Del Gato Drive and not
Avenida Bermudas.
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Guerrero/Nieto to adopt
Planning Commission Resolution No. 2024-011 to approve CUP 2023-0001 and find the
project exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act, pursuant to Section 15303, New
Construction or Conversion of Small Structures, as amended to include an additional Condition
of Approval as noted in the discussion above and listed below:
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LA QUINTA,
CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR THE
CONSTRUCTION OF A MONOEUCALYPTUS WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION
FACILITY LOCATED AT AVENIDA BERMUDAS BETWEEN CALLE ENSENADA AND
CALLE NOGALES 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 2023-0001
APPLICANT: SMARTLINK/AT&T
As amended to include the following additional Condition of Approval under the
MAINTENANCE section to read as follows:
The applicant shall stage maintenance vehicles and take access from Del Gato Drive. The
construction plans shall be revised to show the revised location of the access gate of the
equipment enclosure to be approached from Del Gato Drive to the satisfaction of the Planning
Manager and the City Engineer.
Motion passed: ayes — 6, noes — 0, absent — 1 (Hundt), abstain — 0.
BUSINESS SESSION — None.
STAFF ITEMS — None.
COMMISSIONER ITEMS — None.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, a motion was made and seconded by Commissioner
Tyerman/Chairperson Hassett to adjourn this meeting at 5:47 p.m.
Motion passed: ayes — 6, noes — 0, absent — 1 (Hundt), abstain — 0.
Respectfully submitted,
44.- -
TANIA FLORES, Commission Secretary
City of La Quinta, California
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Page 3 of 3 AUGUST 13, 2024