2016 05 10 PC MinutesCALL TO ORDER
PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2016
A regular meeting of the La Quinta Planning Commission was called to order at 6:00
p.m. by Chairperson Wilkinson.
PRESENT: Commissioners Bettencourt, Blum, Fitzpatrick, Wright and
Chairperson Wilkinson
STAFF PRESENT: Planning Manager Gabriel Perez, Principal Engineer Bryan
McKinney, Consultant Principal Planner Nicole Criste, Executive
Assistant Wanda Wise -Latta, Deputy City Clerk Monika Radeva,
and Management Assistant Carla Triplett
Commissioner Blum led the Commission in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT - None
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA - Confirmed
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Approval of the minutes of April 26, 2016.
Motion - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Wright/Blum to
approve the Planning Commission Minutes of April 26, 2016 as submitted. Motion
passed unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Environmental Assessment 2015-0002, Zone Change 2015-0001, Specific Plan
2015-0002, Site Development Permit 2015-0002 and Tentative Tract Map 2015-
0003 (TTM 36875) submitted by Desert Land Holdings LLC proposing to
construct 15 single-family homes on 3.22 acres. Project: Villas at Indian
Springs. CEQA: consideration of a Mitigated Negative Declaration of
environmental impact. Location: southeast corner of Jefferson Street and
Palm Circle Drive.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 1 MAY 10, 2016
Consultant Principal Planner Nicole Criste presented the information contained in the
staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Design and Development Department.
A memorandum dated May 10, 2016, containing comments in opposition of Public
Hearing Item No. 1 from Mr. Karl R. Holt received on May 9, 2016, was distributed to
the Commission prior to the meeting and made available to the public.
Staff addressed the Commission's questions with regards to lot dimensions, parking,
wall specifications, drainage, sewer easement, landscape palette, and fire sprinklers.
Chairperson Wilkinson declared the PUBLIC HEARING OPEN at 6:30 p.m.
Public Speaker: Mr. Jim Snellenberger, Desert Land Holdings LLC, Palm Desert, CA -
introduced himself, gave a detailed description of the project and answered the
Commission's questions with regards to the project's driveways, lot dimensions, guest
parking, and anticipated price points of proposed homes.
Public Speaker: Marion Ellson, La Quinta, CA - introduced herself and spoke in support
of the project.
Public Speaker: Karl Holt, La Quinta, CA - introduced himself and spoke in opposition
of the project. He noted he had submitted written comments to the Commission prior
to the meeting. He expressed concerns regarding the proposed zone change, project
density, dust issues, loss of view and open space, traffic issues, setbacks, and
proposed utility easement.
Public Speaker: Dr. Chris DeSalva, La Quinta, CA - introduced himself and expressed
concerns regarding the project's density, its impact on his view, and the potential of a
requirement for him to convert from a septic system to sewer in the future.
Staff explained the City does not require the conversion of existing septic systems to
sewer. Staff stated that the Coachella Valley Water District does not require hookup
to sewer so long as the existing septic system is not failing.
Public Speaker: Joyce Mendal, La Quinta, CA - introduced herself and shared her
concerns regarding traffic issues on Palm Circle Drive.
Chairperson Wilkerson declared the PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED at 7:27 p.m.
Motion - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Bette ncourt/Fitzpatrick
to adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2016-0007 to approve recommending
City Council approval of Environmental Assessment 2015-0002, Zone Change 2015-
0001, Specific Plan 2015-0002, Site Development Permit 2015-0002, and Tentative
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 2 MAY 10, 2016
Tract Map 2015-0003 (TTM 36875) as submitted with the following additions and
amendments to the Conditions of Approval:
• Applicant to demonstrate that an additional eight parking spaces can be
provided on -street for guest parking;
• Applicant to add requirement that the CC&Rs address guest parking regulations
within the project adding a Condition of Approval to the Site Development
Permit and Tentative Tract Map;
• Amendment to Condition of Approval No. 77 of the Site Development Permit to
read, "Applicant shall incorporate a pedestrian pathway that provides access
from the street or garage to the front door for each of the homes"; and
• Applicant to provide block wall detail and cross sections for the perimeter wall
around the project.
Motion passed unanimously.
BUSINESS SESSION - None
COMMISSIONER ITEMS - None
DIRECTOR'S ITEMS
1. Planning Manager Perez said the City Council approved the Development Code
Tune -Up. He stated that a report of staff level reviews regarding permits and
development projects will be available on the City's website.
2. Planning Manager Perez said effective July 1, 2016, one Commissioner will be
termed -out per the City's Municipal Code, which will create a vacancy, and one
Commissioner will be eligible for re -appointment. He noted a Special City
Council meeting is scheduled for June 8, 2016, to conduct interviews of all
Boards' and Commissions' candidates.
3. Planning Manager Perez requested that the Commission provide feedback to
staff regarding moving towards paperless agenda packets and transitioning to
the use of Pads instead.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Blum/Wright to adjourn this meeting at 7:44 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 3 MAY 10, 2016
Respectfully submitted,
WANDA WISE-LATTA, Executive Assistant
City of La Quinta, California
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 4 MAY 10, 2016