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1997 11 18 RDA Minutes^ LA QUINTA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MINUTES NOVEMBER 18, 1997 F Regular meeting of the La Quinta Redevelopment Agency was called to order by Chairman Sniff. PRESENT: Board Members Adolph, Henderson, Holt, Perkins, Chairman Sniff ABSENT: None PUBLIC COMMENT None CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA Confirmed APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION It was moved by Board Members AdolphiHolt to approve the Minutes of November 4, 1997 as submitted. Motion carried unanimously. P BUSINESS SESSION None CONSENT CALENDAR 1. APPROVAL OF DEMAND REGISTER DATED NOVEMBER 18, 1997 2. tRANSMITTAL OF TREASURER*S REPORT DATED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997. MOTION It was moved by Board Members Perkins/Henderson to approve the Consent Calendar as recommended. Motion carried unanimously. 1. DISCUSSION WITH CATELLUS RESIDENTIAL ON AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT LOCATED AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF AVENUE 48 AND JEFFERSON STREET. Mr. Herman, Community Development Director, advised that in April 1 997, Catellus Residential presented the Agency with a residential plan for 86 single- family and 114 multi-family units to be located on Agency property on the BIB] 01-13-1998-U01 10:54:00AM-U01 ADMIN-U01 RDAMIN-U02 11-U02 18-U02 1997-U02 ^ Redevelopment Agency Minutes 2 November 1 8, 1 997 northwest corner of Avenue 48 and Jefferson Street. Catellus is looking for the Agency to provide up to $10.2 million in financial assistance. He noted that the new proposal has several modifications as follows: no alleyways, a one-acre village green, smaller courtyard spaces, fewer models, two entrances on Avenue 48, a detention basin in conjunction with the hummock on Avenue 48 and Jefferson Street, and neighborhood road widths of 32 feet which will require a General Plan Amendment. The proposal now calls for 207 units, including 87 single-family dwellings 3 and 4 bedroom, 1,550 2,200 sq. ft., $125,000- $1 52,000 to be sold to low and moderate-income families) and 1 20 multi- family senior-rental units 1 and 2 bedrooms, to be rented to very-low and low- income seniors. The per unit assistance cost has been reduced from $51,000 to $49,275 and all units will feature long-term affordable covenants. Conrad Sick, 5 Park Plaza, Suite 400, Irvine, Vice President of Catellus Residential Group, advised that their presentation would cover the aspects of the overall community, the neighborhood, as well as the housing elements. Eric Naslund, 61 5 J Street, San Diego, of Studio E Architects, advised that they've tried to create a quality community and to be responsive to the environment and lifestyles of the desert, maximizing livability, usability, and sustainability. He briefly reviewed the original proposal before proceeding to present their current design, wherein they have re-evaluated the need for two single-family detached home types and alley-loaded, long, and narrow lots. They've also looked at loosening up the street patterns and integrating, more thoroughly, the senior/multi-family aspect. Their current proposal focuses on open spaces, edges within and without the site, circulation patterns, and changes to both the single-family and senior housing. Major changes include: removal of the alley and adding wide residential lots; moving the entrance from Jefferson Street to Avenue 48 due to the enhancement of the entry in having Rancho La Quinta across the street; and, moving the senior housing across the entire north side of the property. The open space has been increased in both size and usability with a park provided along the wash as well as a village green" or town square" and an active and passive, senior-oriented green space has been incorporated and integrated with the village green. The gateway element at Avenue 48 and Jefferson Street has been refined, enhancing the original hummock space, as well as the pedestrian linkages within the open space elements. The Jefferson Street entry has been converted into a pedestrian or paseo" type entry with a 60-foot-wide green area running from the boulevard to Jefferson Street. The edging changes include such things as greater housing setbacks along Avenue 48 and Jefferson Street, project entries on Avenue 48, use of senior housing BIB] 01-13-1998-U01 10:54:00AM-U01 ADMIN-U01 RDAMIN-U02 11-U02 18-U02 1997-U02 ^ Redevelopment Agency Minutes 3 November 1 8,1 997 as a transition on the northern boundary as well as expanding the open space F Jefferson Street with a 20-foot-wide buffer. Landscaping will be used to buffer area at the wash. They also propose a soft undulating characteristic along the northern boundary and the single-family units and senior housing units will be linked together with a boulevard. In regard to circulation, the streets will open up sooner into the village green and the alleyways have been eliminated. The neighborhood streets have been reduced to 32' with parking allowed on only one side of the street. They feel that wide blacktop areas are thermally incorrect for the desert area and detrimental to a neighborhood environment. It's their opinion that the current City Code is intended for streets with 20 30 houses on each side of the street whereas they are proposing only six to seven on each side. The boulevard will be 36 feet wide and characterized by a certain kind of tree that brings focus to the mountain view. The three and four-bedroom, single-family homes will vary between six different design elevations and have wider lots that will allow for garages to be set back from the street. Front terraces/patios will be used to enhance the presentation of the homes to the neighborhood and to encourage neighbor interaction. They've tried to create efficient exterior space by eliminating some F of the side yard space and they've provided three shaded courtyard designs to keep the houses from looking alike. The same theory has been carried through to the senior housing duplexes and, although, they don't have individual courtyards, their arrangement forms courtyards. The floor plans have been developed to appeal to newly-formed or mature families and a senior move- down market profile. He concluded his presentation by describing how the design of this project was inspired by the design and architecture of the La Quinta Hotel. Mr. Sick advised that they are committed to using, and have identified, a local work force and are looking forward to implementing the project. Board Member Perkins questioned being able to enforce the no parking" restriction on the 32-foot-wide streets. Mr. Sick advised that it would be part of the CC&R's and that no parking" signs would be posted. Board Member Perkins asked what happened to the low-income family houses, noting that the prices range from $125,000- $152,000, and if there would be covered parking as well as garage parking. BIB] 01-13-1998-U01 10:54:00AM-U01 ADMIN-U01 RDAMIN-U02 11-U02 18-U02 1997-U02 ^ I Redevelopment Agency Minutes 4 November 1 8, 1 997 Mr. Sick advised that the single-family homes are targeted more to moderate- income families and the senior rentals to very-low and low-income seniors, providing not only diverse ages, but also diverse incomes. He advised that the prices could be reduced by reducing the square footage of the homes. In regard to the garages, he advised that each single-family home would have a two-car garage and parking for two vehicles in the driveway and the senior rentals would have covered carports with one visitor parking space outside of each unit. There will be no tandem parking. In response to Chairman Sniff, Mr. Spevacek, Consultant for the Agency, advised that this project was intended to have more moderate-income housing than very-low and low-income units, noting that the City currently has more low-income units than it has moderate-income units and that needs to be offset. The intent has been to put a lot of amenities in the project so moderate-income homebuyers will be willing to purchase the homes with the covenants in place and not have to take back silent seconds on some of them. In response to Board Member Henderson, Mr. Naslund advised that the lots would be a minimum of 76 feet wide and would accommodate a small pool. Board Member Henderson liked the project, but questioned the Agency wanting to subsidize homes with pools. Mr. Sick advised that the homes would not be sold with pools and that any pools built would have to be added by the property owner. Board Member Adolph liked this proposal better than the original one and asked if they anticipated making any further design changes to which Mr. Sick responded no. In response to Board Member Henderson, Mr. Sick advised that the pedestrian entryway off of Jefferson Street would not be gated. In response to Board Member Perkins, Mr. Sick advised that the streets within the project would be dedicated to the City. Board Member Perkins asked if there were any new improved streets in the City that are 32 feet wide to which Mr. Herman responded no. Board Member Holt felt the proposal is much improved over the original plan. In response to Chairman Sniff, Mr. Sick advised that the sidewalks throughout the project would be 5 to 6 feet wide and that the houses would be designed BIB] 01-13-1998-U01 10:54:00AM-U01 ADMIN-U01 RDAMIN-U02 11-U02 18-U02 1997-U02 ^ Redevelopment Agency Minutes 5 November 1 8, 1 997 with overhangs and recessed windows and doors. Some type of barrel tile will F be used for the roofs. Chairman Sniff felt the proposal is significantly better than the original one and advised that he understood the concern about the street widths, but felt it would work out if done right. Board Member Perkins noted that as of January 1, 1998, homeowner associations will be required to hold a hearing befdre they can have vehicles towed away unless it*s a fire hazard. That*s why he didn*t feel 32-foot-wide streets would work. Robert Tyler, 44-21 5 Villeta Drive, hoped the CC&R*s would address the parking of motorhomes in driveways. Mr. Spevacek advised that staff is asking for direction to move forward, noting that Catellus is ready to submit their applications and that it*s time to draft a housing agreement between the Agency and Catellus. MOTION It was moved by Board Members Perkins/Adolph to direct staff to proceed with drafting a Housing Agreement between the Agency and Catellus F Residential. Motion carried unanimously. DEPARTMENT REPORTS 1. TRANSMITTAL OF STATEMENT OF REVENUE & EXPENDITURES REPORT DATED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997. MOTION It was moved by Board Members Adolph/Holt to receive and file the Revenue & Expenditures Report dated September 30, 1997. Motion carried unanimously. CHAIR AND BOARD MEMBERS* ITEMS None PUBLIC HEARINGS None CLOSED SESSION None BIB] 01-13-1998-U01 10:54:00AM-U01 ADMIN-U01 RDAMIN-U02 11-U02 18-U02 1997-U02 ^ Redeve!opment Agency Minutes 6 November 1 8, 1 997 There being no further business, it was moved by Board Members Henderson/Adolph to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. Respe tfully submitted, UNDRA L. JUHOLA, Secretary La Quinta Redevelopment Agency BIB] 01-13-1998-U01 10:54:00AM-U01 ADMIN-U01 RDAMIN-U02 11-U02 18-U02 1997-U02