2026 02 24 PC Minutes
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Page 1 of 3 FEBRUARY 24, 2026
PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2026
CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the La Quinta Planning Commission (Commission) was called to
order at 5:00 p.m. by Chairperson Hassett.
PRESENT: Commissioners Bohlinger, Guerrero, Hernandez, Hundt, McCune,
Nieto, and Chairperson Hassett
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Design and Development Director David Newell, Public Works
Director Bryan McKinney, Planning Manager Cheri Flores, Senior
Planner Scott Nespor, Associate Planner Jack Lima, City Attorney
William Ihrke, 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 Bohlinger/Guerrero to
confirm the agenda as published. Motion passed unanimously.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRESENTATIONS, AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
1. INTRODUCE NEW DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR DAVID NEWELL
Design and Development Director Newell thanked former Director Castro and Planning
Manager Flores for their leadership and guidance during his transition and provided a brief
background on his experience and qualifications.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. RECEIVE AND FILE MEETING MINUTES DATED SEPTEMBER 9, 2025
2. RECEIVE AND FILE MEETING MINUTES DATED OCTOBER 14, 2025
3. RECEIVE AND FILE MEETING MINUTES DATED OCTOBER 28, 2025
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Page 2 of 3 FEBRUARY 24, 2026
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Commissioner Guerrero/Chairperson
Hassett to confirm the agenda as published. Motion passed unanimously.
BUSINESS SESSION
1. CONSIDER MODIFICATIONS TO THE HIGHWAY 111 DEVELOPMENT CODE
AND RECOMMEND COUNCIL APPROVAL OF THE HIGHWAY 111 SPECIFIC
PLAN AND DEVELOPMENT CODE PROJECT (ENVIRONMENTAL
ASSESSMENT 2024-0002, SPECIFIC PLAN 2022-0002, ZONE CHANGE 2024-
0002, AND ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT 2024-0002); CEQA: A
MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION (ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
2024-0002, SCH# 2025050964) HAS BEEN PREPARED FOR THE PROPOSED
PROJECT; LOCATION: GENERALLY NORTH OF AVENUE 48, SOUTH OF
THE COACHELLA VALLEY STORMWATER CHANNEL, EAST OF
WASHINGTON STREET AND WEST OF JEFFERSON STREET
DECLARATIONS OF COMMISSION CONTACT OR CONFLICTS: Commissioners
Bohlinger, Guerrero, Hernandez, Hundt, Nieto and Chairperson Hassett each stated that
they had attended meetings with Jack Tarr, a stakeholder in the Highway 111 Specific
Plan area and owner of land within the Washington Park Shopping Center; City Attorney
Ihrke stated that there was at no time a quorum of the commission in attendance at any
meeting.
Planning Manager Flores presented the staff report, which is on file in the Design and
Development Department.
Commission discussion followed regarding clarification on the City’s authority under
California’s police power to regulate land use through zoning and specific plans, with
clarification that no vested right exists in existing zoning absent formal entitlements; the
requirement that Council-directed modifications be referred back to the Commission for
review and recommendation; the current extent of the Auto-Oriented Development (AOD)
overlay, including its alignment, boundaries, applicable standards, and whether auto-
oriented uses outside the overlay should be permitted through a Conditional Use Permit
(CUP) process and implications of allowing CUPs outside the AOD, noting concerns that
such an approach could undermine the intent of the Specific Plan and introduce
incompatible uses along the corridor; proposed extensions on Adams Street and Dune
Palms Road due to existing and previously entitled uses and potential extensions along
Washington Street given it’s designation as a major arterial roadway; concerns with the
AODs exemption from certain frontage design standards along Highway 111,
emphasizing the importance of maintaining architectural quality and a cohesive,
pedestrian-oriented corridor, even for auto-oriented uses; reviewed flexibility within the
code for evaluating unique or community-serving uses; potential approaches to moving
the project forward, including maintaining the proposal as presented, introducing CUP
allowances, or modifying the AOD boundaries and development standards.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Page 3 of 3 FEBRUARY 24, 2026
Commission Secretary Flores said one WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENT was received
from a Highway 111 Stakeholder, Jack Tarr, who is the managing general partner of
Washington 111, LTD and Washington Park, requesting changes to permitted uses in the
auto-oriented overlay and development code, which was distributed to the Commission,
made public, published on the City’s website, and included in the public record of this
meeting.
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Chairperson Hassett/Commissioner
Guerrero to recommend Council approval of the redlines to the Development Code, as
presented, with the Commission’s suggestions to modify the AOD boundaries and rethink
the AOD use exemption from frontage design standards pertaining to Zoning Ordinance
Amendment 2024-0002. Motion passed unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARINGS – None
STUDY SESSION – None
DEPARTMENTAL REPORT
Senior Planner Nespor, Associate Planner Lima, and Planning Manager Flores provided
a quarterly project update to include upcoming projects, recently approved projects,
projects under construction, and other updates, including the annual General Plan and
Housing Element progress report, upcoming meetings, and Boards and Commission
recruitment.
Staff answered questions regarding the Coachella Valley Arts and Music Line proposed
along Avenue 48, the Fritz Burns park renovation project, and pedestrian safety at the
Avenue 52/Avenida Bermudas roundabout.
COMMISSIONER ITEMS – None
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, a motion was made and seconded by Commissioner
Bohlinger/Chairperson Hassett to adjourn this meeting at 6:50 p.m. Motion passed
unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
TANIA FLORES, Commission Secretary
City of La Quinta, California