HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Resolution 2026-008 78900 Hwy 111 Altus School Resource Center CUP 2026-0001PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 2026 — 008
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW THE
OPERATION OF A HIGH SCHOOL RESOURCE CENTER
AT 78900 HIGHWAY 111 BETWEEN LA QUINTA CENTER
DRIVE AND ADAMS STREET
CASE NUMBER:
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2026-0001
PROJECT: ALTUS SCHOOLS RIVERSIDE COUNTY
HIGH SCHOOL RESOURCE CENTER
APPLICANT: MPA ARCHITECTS FOR
ALTUS SCHOOLS RIVERSIDE COUNTY
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of La Quinta, California, on June
9, 2026, considered a request submitted by MPA Architects to allow the operation of a
high school resource center for students of Altus Schools Riverside County on an
approximate 1.9 acre parcel located within the One Eleven La Quinta Shopping Center,
more particularly described as:
APN: 643-080-003; and
WHEREAS, the Design and Development Department published a public hearing
notice in The Desert Sun newspaper on May 29, 2026, as prescribed by the Municipal
Code. Public hearing notices were also mailed to all property owners within 500 feet of
the site and emailed or mailed to all interested parties who have requested notification
relating to the project; and
WHEREAS, upon hearing and considering all testimony and arguments, if any, of
all interested persons desiring to be heard, said Planning Commission did make the
following mandatory findings pursuant to Section 9.210.020 of the La Quinta Municipal
Code to justify approval of said Conditional Use Permit:
1. The project is consistent with the general plan.
Finding of Fact: The proposed use, a high school resource center, is consistent
with the General Plan land use designation of General Commercial (CG) which
allows for a full range of commercial and professional service businesses. The
proposed high school resource center fulfills the intent of the CG designation as it
provides an alternative high school education resource for nearby residents,
increasing the number of options for local high school students to access
educational opportunities.
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 2026-008
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2026-0001
PROJECT: ALTUS SCHOOLS RIVERSIDE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL RESOURCE CENTER
LOCATION 78900 HIGHWAY 111 BETWEEN LA QUINTA CENTER DRIVE AND ADAMS STREET
APPLICANT: MPA ARCHITECTS FOR ALTUS SCHOOLS RIVERSIDE COUNTY
ADOPTED: JUNE 9, 2026
PAGE 2OF3
2. The project is consistent with the zoning code.
Finding of Fact. The proposed use is consistent with the Regional Commercial
zoning designation of the site and Specific Plan 1989-014 which both encourage
a broad range of goods and services for the entire region. The high school
resource center will provide access to students in adjoining areas and is located
at a convenient location for regional access along Highway 111.
3. Processing and approval of the permit application are in compliance with the
requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act
Finding of Fact. The Conditional Use Permit is exempt from the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per Section 15301(a) as it consists of minor
alterations of an existing building involving negligible or no expansion of an existing
or former use. The high school resource center will operate within an existing
building and is not proposing any additions or other exterior modifications to the
building.
4. Approval of the application will not create conditions materially detrimental to the
public health, safety and general welfare or injurious to or incompatible with other
properties or land uses in the vicinity.
Finding of Fact. Approval of the application will not create conditions materially
detrimental to the public health, safety, and general welfare or injurious to or
incompatible with other properties or land uses in the vicinity. The proposed use
of a high school resource center is consistent with other nearby uses, including
general retail and restaurant tenants.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Planning Commission of the
City of La Quinta, California, as follows:
SECTION 1. That the above recitations are true and constitute the Findings of the
Planning Commission in this case.
SECTION 2. That the Planning Commission finds the above project is exempt from
environmental review pursuant to Section 15301(a) of the CEQA Guidelines, as it consists
of minor alterations of an existing building involving negligible or no expansion of an
existing or former use.
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 2026-008
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2026-0001
PROJECT: ALTUS SCHOOLS RIVERSIDE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL RESOURCE CENTER
LOCATION 78900 HIGHWAY 111 BETWEEN LA QUINTA CENTER DRIVE AND ADAMS STREET
APPLICANT: MPA ARCHITECTS FOR ALTUS SCHOOLS RIVERSIDE COUNTY
ADOPTED: JUNE 9, 2026
PAGE 3OF3
SECTION 3. That the Planning Commission hereby does approve Conditional Use Permit
2026-0001, for the reasons set forth in this Resolution and subject to the attached
Conditions of Approval included herein as Exhibit A.
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City of
La Quinta Planning Commission, held on June 9, 2026, by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioners Bohlinger, Guerrero, Hundt, McCune, and
Chairperson Hassett
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioners Hernandez and Nieto
ABSTAIN: None
OUG S,4EfT, Chairp rson
City of La Quinta, California
ATTEST:
DAVID A. NEWELL, Design and Development Director
City of La Quinta, California
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION 2026-008 EXHIBIT A
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL - ADOPTED
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2026-0001
PROJECT: ALTUS SCHOOLS RIVERSIDE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL RESOURCE CENTER
LOCATION: 78900 HIGHWAY 111 BETWEEN LA QUINTA CENTER DRIVE AND ADAMS STREET
APPLICANT: MPA ARCHITECTS FOR ALTUS SCHOOLS RIVERSIDE COUNTY
ADOPTED: JUNE 9, 2026
PAGE 1 OF 3
GENERAL
The applicant agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the City of La Quinta
("City"), its agents, officers, and employees from any claim, action, or proceeding to
attack, set aside, void, or annul the approval of this Conditional Use Permit. The City
shall have sole discretion in selecting its defense counsel.
The City shall promptly notify the applicant of any claim, action, or proceeding and
shall cooperate fully in the defense.
2. This Conditional Use Permit shall comply with the requirements and standards of
Section 9.210.020 of the La Quinta Municipal Code ("LQMC").
The City of La Quinta's Municipal Code can be accessed on the City's website at
www.laquintaca.gov.
3. This Conditional Use Permit shall expire twenty-four (24) months after approval and
shall become null and void in accordance with Municipal Code Section 9.200.080
unless the use has been established. A time extension may be requested per LQMC
Section 9.200.080.
4. Any expansion or substantial modifications to the approved plan shall require an
amendment to this Conditional Use Permit. Minor modifications to this Conditional
Use Permit shall be considered by the Design and Development Director and may
require notification of surrounding property owners prior to such approval. All other
amendments shall be processed in accordance with LQMC 9.200.080.
5. Prior to the issuance of any grading, construction, or building permit by the City, the
applicant shall obtain any necessary clearances and/or permits from the following
agencies, if required:
• Riverside County Fire Marshal
• La Quinta Public Works Department (Grading Permit, Green Sheet (Public
Works Development Clearance) for Building Permits, Water Quality
Management Plan (WQMP) Exemption Form — Whitewater River Region,
Improvement Permit)
• La Quinta Building and Safety Division for Building Permits
• La Quinta Planning Division
• Riverside Co. Environmental Health Department
• Desert Sands Unified School District (DSUSD)
• Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD)
• Imperial Irrigation District (IID)
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION 2026-008
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL - ADOPTED
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2026-0001
PROJECT: ALTUS SCHOOLS RIVERSIDE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL RESOURCE CENTER
LOCATION: 78900 HIGHWAY 111 BETWEEN LA QUINTA CENTER DRIVE AND ADAMS STREET
APPLICANT: MPA ARCHITECTS FOR ALTUS SCHOOLS RIVERSIDE COUNTY
ADOPTED: JUNE 9, 2026
PAGE 2OF3
• California Regional Water Quality Control Board (CRWQCB)
• State Water Resources Control Board
• SunLine Transit Agency
• South Coast Air Quality Management District Coachella Valley
• Federal Communications Commission
• Federal Aviation Administration
The applicant is responsible for all requirements for the permits and/or clearances
from the above -listed agencies. When the requirements include approval of
improvement plans, the applicant shall furnish proof of such approvals when
submitting those improvement plans for City approval.
RIJII DING
6. A building permit is required for all tenant improvements.
A. Plans shall be prepared for the applicable code at the time of building permit
submittal. As of January 1, 2026, these are the 2025 California Building
Codes.
B. Commercial projects are required to be prepared by a Licensed Architect or
Engineer. On each sheet of construction documents, provide the preparer's
name and telephone number, electronic signature, and his/her stamp as
prescribed by California Business and Professions Code Section 5536.
C. Proposed facility is a Place of Public Accommodation and is required to be
accessible to persons with disabilities in accordance with Chapter 11 B of the
California Building Code, and other relevant State and Federal Laws. Plans
shall be prepared to demonstrate compliance as applicable.
PLANNING
7. The High School Resource Center shall comply with the Statement of Operations on
file with the City of La Quinta, including the operating hours, the types of activities
conducted at the facility, and the maximum number of employees. The City of La
Quinta reserves the right to review and monitor the operation of this facility and
modify conditions of approval regarding hours of operation, occupancy, and other
operational conditions.
8. All activities shall be conducted indoors.
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION 2026-008
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL - ADOPTED
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2026-0001
PROJECT: ALTUS SCHOOLS RIVERSIDE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL RESOURCE CENTER
LOCATION: 78900 HIGHWAY 111 BETWEEN LA QUINTA CENTER DRIVE AND ADAMS STREET
APPLICANT: MPA ARCHITECTS FOR ALTUS SCHOOLS RIVERSIDE COUNTY
ADOPTED: JUNE 9, 2026
PAGE 3OF3
9. The tenant space shall be improved, consistent with the tenant improvements
identified in the building permit. No outdoor modifications to the tenant space are
permitted.
10. Students shall not be allowed to loiter before or after scheduled appointments.
FIRE
11. A manual and automatic fire alarm system that initiates the occupant notification
signal utilizing an emergency voice/alarm communication system shall be installed
in Group E occupancies with an occupant load of 50 or more persons.
12. A copy of the emergency plan shall be provided to the Office of the Fire Marshal.
The plan shall include procedures to be followed in case of fire or other emergency:
• Assignment of a responsible person to call the fire department upon
notification of any fire or activation of the alarm system for any reason other
than fire drills.
• Posting in a conspicuous place in the Resource Area showing paths of travel
to evacuate the room in case of emergency and including an alternate route.
• Instructions to be followed by the teacher, including maintaining order during
evacuation, removal of the roll call book, and calling of roll when designated
evacuation is reached.
• Outdoor assembly areas shall be designated and located at a safe distance
from the building, evacuated so as to avoid interference with fire department
operations.
13. The La Quinta Office of the Fire Marshal shall review building plans for any remodel
of the existing building or any proposed change of use or occupancy classification.
Additional conditions of approval may be applicable and will be determined afterthe
Fire Department reviews the building plan.