2024 09 10 PC MinutesCALL TO ORDER
PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2024
A regular meeting of the La Quinta Planning Commission (Commission) was called to
order at 5:00 p.m. by Chairperson Hassett.
PRESENT: Commissioners Guerrero, Hundt, McCune, Nieto, Tyerman, and
Chairperson Hassett
ABSENT: Commissioner Hernandez
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,
Communications Specialist Sherry Barkas, and Commission
Secretary Tania Flores
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Tyerman 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 Tyerman/Nieto to
confirm the agenda as published.
Motion passed: ayes — 6, noes — 0, absent — 1 (Hernandez), abstain — 0.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRESENTATIONS, AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
1. INTRODUCTION OF NEWLY APPOINTED COMMISSIONER HUNDT
Chairperson Hassett welcomed newly appointed Commissioner Hundt, who provided a
brief summary of his experience.
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 (Hernandez), abstain — 0.
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BUSINESS SESSION — None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS — None.
STUDY SESSION
1. REVIEW CITY OF LA QUINTA DRAFT STRATEGIC PLAN
Communications Specialist Barkas presented the staff report, which is on file in the
Design and Development Department.
Commission and staff discussed financial, environmental, and resource -intensive focus
areas of the Draft Strategic Plan, including prioritization and feasibility of:
Imperial Irrigation District (IID): IID's and Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) 99 -year
Agreement of Compromise making IID the electrical service provider for the Eastern
Coachella Valley, which is set to expire in 2032; the ownership and maintenance
responsibilities of infrastructure and the upgrades needed for outdated equipment and
service lines; possible funding sources for infrastructure upgrades and substations
including implementing residential tax assessments, developer funding, and federal
grants; consideration of expansion of the City's power grid to include providing power and
infrastructure upgrades to the Sphere of Influence area in the case of annexation;
potential site locations for additional substations; the status of the Marshall Station which
was part of the La Quinta Village Apartments project; and recent customer experiences
including billing errors.
Highway 111 Plan: Discussed collaboration with developers and parcel owners to update
centers with new design standards for improved signage and facades; increased
connectivity and walkability, including CV Link and the Art and Music Line projects;
increasing economic diversity, mixed-use developments, and affordable housing; phasing
and timeline for the uniform Specific Plan implementation; the addition of Adams Street
as a multi -modal connecting corridor; infrastructure, medians and landscape
improvements; CalTrans and City funding for roadway improvements.
Expanding City Boundaries to Include the Sphere of Influence (SOI): Status of the SOI
feasibility analysis and potential challenges for annexation; an analysis of infrastructure
needs; resident and property owner survey results; keeping the unique and diverse
economy and land uses in the SOI; Vista Santa Rosa Community Council involvement in
the analysis process; and future police and fire service needs of the community.
Undergrounding of Utilities: Analysis of the total and per household costs to residents;
additional funding options; current development standards requiring undergrounding;
release of property utility easements; and the priority level of this project due to feasibility
and budget constraints.
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Affordable Housing Needs: The current status and progress towards Regional Housing
Needs Allocation (RHNA) goals; the City's efforts to attract affordable housing
developers; available State funding to assist in compliance; lack of power accessibility
affecting new developments including affordable housing; and costs associated with
building affordable housing developments.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Philip Bettencourt, La Quinta — provided a brief explanation of his
history and involvement with IID; proposed political initiatives to include Coachella Valley
representatives among the IID Board of Directors; the need for collaboration between
residents, government and tribal officials, and IID to ensure future power management;
the ability for creation of micro -service areas; developer involvement in funding
infrastructure; distribution issues caused by outdated and undermaintained infrastructure
and equipment; Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) involvement;
residential solar implementation possibilities; and information regarding the IID Energy
Consumers Advisory Committee (ECAC) meetings.
CHAIRPERSON HASSETT CALLED FOR A BRIEF RECESS AT 6:34 P.M.
CHAIRPERSON HASSETT RECONVENED THE MEETING AT 6:49 P.M. WITH
COMMISSIONERS GUERRERO, HUNDT, McCUNE, NIETO, AND TYERMAN
PRESENT
2. DISCUSS SPECIAL EVENT REGULATIONS IN RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS PER LA
QUINTA MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 9.60.170
Planning Manager Flores and Director Castro presented the staff report, which is on file
in the Design and Development Department.
Commission and staff discussed the penalties, fines, and policies associated with Special
Event (SPEV) violations; the elimination of permit tiers allowing multiple SPEVs on one
permit; requiring public hearings and/or Planning Commission consideration of SPEVs;
Staff Level Decision process for permitting SPEVs, ability for Director to elevate to
Commission consideration, and the ability for the Commission to call up any item
approved at staff level including SPEVs; statistical information regarding number of
events approved per year, number of properties hosting multiple events per year, number
of SPEV on large lot properties, and complaints related to SPEVs; SPEVs requiring a
Conditional Use Permit; definition of large lot exemptions and large properties located
within the Sphere of Influence; prohibiting SPEVs at Short -Term Vacation Rental (STVR)
properties except within exempt areas; SPEV criteria and notification requirements;
processing time for business licensing; Home Owner Association (HOA) governance over
SPEVs within their community; requiring large lot properties to declare whether or not
they would host SPEVs at time of application and during public hearing process; parking
requirements defined in Conditions of Approval; and expediting process times and fees.
3. DISCUSS PROPOSED ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT 2024-0001 FOR
ZONING CODE LANGUAGE CLEAN UP AND CHANGES REGARDING: VILLAGE
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PARKING ALLOWANCES, VINYL FENCING, BED AND BREAKFAST INNS,
RESIDENTIAL GARAGE SETBACKS, TEMPORARY USE PERMIT EXPIRATIONS,
AND ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT (ADU) REGULATIONS
Senior Planner Nespor presented the staff report, which is on file in the Design and
Development Department.
Commission and Staff discussion followed to include Bed and Breakfast Inns, their
purpose, number of current establishments and allowable locations, and a comparison
with Homeshare STVR permits; Tentative Tract Map noticing requirements and the State
requirements of noticing; Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) regulations and allowing the
sale of an ADU separate from the primary dwelling; permitting Food Truck permits at
special events and drafting a Food Truck Ordinance; existing Temporary Use Permit
types and expiration dates; Minor Use Permit and Conditional Use Permit approval
process, time limits, and expirations; vinyl fencing aesthetics, durability, maintenance
requirements, costs, and approval process; Mills Act criteria as set by the State, any
current designated landmark properties within the city, any proposed landmark
designations and the approval process for such designations.
STAFF ITEMS — None.
COMMISSIONER ITEMS — None.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, a motion was made and seconded by Commissioner
Tyerman/Guerrero to adjourn this meeting at 8:23 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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