CC Resolution 2007-036RESOLUTION NO. 2007-036
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING AN AMENDED
SPECIFIC PLAN FOR GRIFFIN RANCH.
CASE NO: SPECIFIC PLAN 2004-074, AMENDMENT NO. 1
APPLICANT: TRANSWEST HOUSING
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of La Quinta, California, did,
on the 17`" day of April, 2007 hold a duly noticed Public Hearing, to consider a
request by Transwest Housing for approval of amended development principles and
design guidelines for a Specific Plan to provide an additional 90 lots and t 45 acres
to the existing 303 lot, t 199 acre subdivision, permit a larger clubhouse, and
update the existing development standards to include previous Site Development
Permit approvals, on property located south of Avenue 54, east of Madison Street,
and west of Monroe Street, more particularly described as:
PORTIONS OF THE NORTH 1/2 OF SECTION 15, T6S, R7E, S.B.B.M.
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of La Quinta,
California, did, on the 27" day of March, 2007, hold a duly -noticed Public Hearing
to consider adoption of a recommendation on Specific Plan 2004-074 Amendment
#1 and, after hearing and considering all testimony and arguments, did adopt
Planning Commission Resolution 2007-013, recommending to the City Council
approval of Specific Plan 2004-074 Amendment #1; and,
WHEREAS, the La Quinta Community Development Department has
prepared Environmental Assessment 2006-577, and has determined that, although
the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, there will
not be a significant effect in this case because mitigation measures incorporated
into the project approval will mitigate or reduce any potential impacts to a level of
non -significance; and,
WHEREAS, at said Public Hearing, upon hearing and considering all
testimony and arguments, if any, of all interested persons desiring to be heard, said
City Council did make the following mandatory findings pursuant to Section
9.240.010 of the Zoning Code to justify granting approval of said Specific Plan:
1. Consistency with the General Plan: The proposed Amended Specific Plan is
consistent with the goals and policies of the General Plan in that the design,
height, scale and mass of the project is compatible with the Very Low
Density Residential (VLDR) Land Use designation, as applied to the property
under General Plan Amendment 2004-103.
Resolution No. 2007-036
Specific Plan 2004-074 Amendment #1
Transwest Housing, Griffin Ranch
April 17, 2007
Page 2
2. Public Welfare: Approval of the proposed project will not create conditions
materially detrimental to public health, safety and general welfare in that this
issue was considered in Environmental Assessment 2006-577, and no
significant health or safety impacts were identified for the proposed project.
3. Land Use Compatibility: The proposed Amended Specific Plan will continue
the existing land use of the Griffin Ranch development and, in terms of
surrounding land uses, is similar in nature to other residential projects being
developed in the immediate area, such as lower density residential uses with
country clubs and equestrian amenities. The proposed project is consistent
with the existing Griffin Ranch development and will incorporate the existing
rural design theme with equestrian amenities in an area that is considered
transitional between Low and Very Low Density rural, agrarian and
equestrian uses. The VLDR designation provides for an appropriate
transitional land use.
4. Property Suitability: The proposed project is suitable and appropriate for the
subject property, in that it is located in an area considered Low and Very
Low density country club communities, transitioning to equestrian and
agricultural uses to the east. The project continues the existing transition
between urban low density uses and more rural, residential/equestrian or
agricultural uses. The Amended Specific Plan can be served without adverse
impact by all necessary public services and utilities.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of
La Quinta, California, as follows:
1. That the above recitations are true and correct and constitute the findings of
the City Council for this Amended Specific Plan;
2. That it does hereby approve Specific Plan 2004-074 Amendment #1 for the
reasons set forth in this Resolution, subject to the Conditions of Approval
attached hereto as Exhibit A;
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the La
Quinta City Council held on this 171h day of April, 2007, by the following vote, to
wit:
Resolution No. 2007-036
Specific Plan 2004-074 Amendment #1
Transwest Housing, Griffin Ranch
April 17, 2007
Page 3
AYES: Council Members Henderson, Kirk, Osborne, Sniff, Mayor Adolph
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Y DON ALoL
LPH, ayor
City of La Quinta, California
ATTEST:
(CITY SEAL)
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
KA ER NE )- ISONI,ZCA Attorney
City of La Quinta, Calif o a
CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2007-036
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL - FINAL
SPECIFIC PLAN 2004-074 AMENDMENT NO. 1
TRANS WEST HOUSING / GRIFFIN RANCH
APRIL 17, 2007
EXHIBIT "A"
1. Specific Plan 2004-074, Amendment No.1 (SP 2004-074 Amd. #1) shall be
developed in compliance with these conditions, and the approved Specific
Plan document. In the event of any conflicts between these conditions and
the provisions of SP 2004-074 Amendment No.1, these conditions shall take
precedence.
2. 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 Tentative
Tract Map, or any Final Map recorded thereunder. 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.
3. Specific Plan 2004-074 Amendment No. 1 shall comply with all applicable
conditions and/or mitigation measures for the following related approvals:
Tentative -tract Maps No. 32879 and 34642
Site Development Permits 2005-848, 2005-853, and 2006-876
Environmental Assessments EA 2004-526 and EA 2006-577
In the event of any conflict(s) between approval conditions and/or provisions
of these approvals, the Community Development Director shall determine
precedence.
4. No signage is permitted with this approval. Signage shall be reviewed under
separate permit.
SPECIFIC PLAN
5. Page 36, Perimeter Walls, second sentence shall include language to state:
"These walls may be up to 8.5' in height from adjacent curb with masonry
block and smooth stucco finish."
Resolution No. 2007-036
Conditions of Approval - FINAL
Specific Plan 2004-074, Amendment No. 1
Trans West Housing / Griffin Ranch
April 17, 2007
Page 2
6. Page 36, Amendments to the Specific Plan, last paragraph on page 36
referencing deviations shall be rewritten to the following: "The Director of
Community Development shall have the authority to determine substantial
conformance with the provisions of the Specific Plan when the changes are
less than 10%; the Planning Commission shall review changes that vary
between 10% and 15%; and the City Council shall review all changes
greater than 15%."
7. Casitas shall be referenced within the Residential Development. Standards on
Page 33 as having a 15 foot front setback.
8. Within 30 days of City Council approval, applicant shall provide five copies of
the Final Specific Plan document to the Community Development
Department. The Final Specific Plan shall include all project related final
Conditions of Approval and correct any typographical errors, internal
document inconsistencies, and/or minor amendments deemed necessary by
City staff. In addition the following amendments shall be made and
submitted for the review and approval of the Community Development
Director:
(a) Exhibit 10 on Page 26 shall be revised to add and identify street
improvements for Avenue 54 and Monroe Street as part of Phase 4
Phasing.
(b) Exhibit 18 on Page 41 shall revise the Title from "Trails Exhibit" to
"Equestrian Trails Exhibit."
(c) The Monroe Street perimeter exhibits shall be revised in order to
reflect the conditions of approval for Tentative Tract 34643, a
multi -purpose trail with no sidewalk.
APPENDIX ONE, TRAFFIC AND CIRCULATIN ELEMENT
(d) In Appendix One, the first sentence of Program 2.8 of Page 3 shall
be revised to read: "On Local streets, the minimum intersection
spacing shall be 250 feet."
Resolution No. 2007-036
Conditions of Approval — FINAL
Specific Plan 2004-074, Amendment No. 1
Trans West Housing I Gdffm Ranch
April 17, 2007
Page 3
(e) In Appendix One, Page 3, the last sentence for Traffic and
Circulation Goals, Policies and Programs, shall revise "54th
Avenue" to the correct name "Avenue 54."