Planning Commission - Regular Meeting

Okay. Good evening everyone. I'd like to call the meeting of the Indo Planning Commission March 11th at order at 6:01 p.m. If I could please have roll call. Commissioner Slater. Present. Commissioner Scarboro Echo. Present. Commissioner Santos. Present. Vice Chairperson Ortiz. Present. Chairperson Fron.

Present. And if we could start with the pledge. Megan, would you lead us? Thank you. Thank you. Okay, we will um go ahead and open the public comment for items that are not on the agenda. Do we have anyone wanting to speak?

There are none. Okay, we'll go ahead and seeing none, we'll go ahead and close the public comment and we will move on to item four, minutes from the February 25th meeting. Do we have any corrections or a motion? I'll make a motion to approve the uh minutes as is with minor corrections. I'll second. Thank you. We can have roll call, please. You can actually vote on your screens. It should come up. Oh, yes. We're so excited. Thank you. No more roll anymore. No, we're going to try this out.

Okay, we'll go ahead and move on to item number five. 5 5.1 public hearings uh planning review discretionary for an attenative trap for um some homes uh Estrea estates staff report please.

Uh yes. Uh good evening chair and commissioners. My name is Nicolas Wetron, assistant planner with the community development department. Tonight I will be presenting item 5.1, the Estrea State's housing development, which includes request for approval of the planning review discretionary and tenative track map number 34120 for a proposed single family residential subdivision located north of Avenue 50th and east of Jackson Street. The applicant, Yang Hugh of Pearl City Engineering, is proposing a residential subdivision on a site identified as a susp228014. The property is designated suburban neighborhood high in the general plan and is zoned suburban neighborhood 8 under the unified development code. The slide shows the location of the project site, which is currently vacant and is located north of Avenue 50th and east of Jackson Street. The surrounding land uses include residential development to the north. Um, a place of worship to the east, a vacant commercially designated land to the west, and agriculture agricultural land located south of the site, which is outside the city's jurisdiction. The track the tenative track map number 34120 proposes to subdivide the property into 50 single family residential lots. In addition to the residential lots, the maps the map includes parcels designated for private streets, storm water um retention basin, a neighborhood and a neighborhood park. All residential lots are designed to meet or exceed the minimum lot size requirements of the zone. The proposed subdivision is organized around internal private street networks that provide circulation throughout the neighborhood. The primary access will be provided from Avenue 50th and the site plan also show also shows the incorporated um storm water retention basin neighborhood park within the

subdivision layout along with the required infrastructure improvements. The subdivision includes multiple home model design models designed within a consistent architectural theme. The homes are generally two stories and incorporate Spanish colonial design elements which in include or excuse me elements such as stuckle finishes, tiled roofs and facade articulations. These design elements provide artic art architectural variations while maintaining a cohesive neighborhood appearance. Um, in addition, um, and this is a condition that we're going to be reading into the record, um, the applicant shall ensure that all residential driveways comply with section 3.03.08B of the India Unified Development CO code, including a minimum driveway length of 19 ft and driveway widths between 10 ft and 20 ft. the and shall be demonstrated on the precise grading plans subject to review and approval. Um while the this site plan here is um conceptual for the uh purposes of an entitlement um when they submit for an application to uh the the different departments. Um this standard specifically would be reviewed under the under the precise grading for public works. uh we felt that it was necessary to include a condition just to to make sure that we are formally capturing it. The the project includes landscape areas throughout the subdivision consistent with the city requirements. The proposed landscaping provide provided exceeds the minimum area required by the unified development code. Plant materials will consist primarily of drought tolerant landscaping suitable for the desert conditions and consistent with the water efficiency standards. Final landscape

plans will be reviewed by the planning division during the plan check process. Um with the in inclusion of the community park and the landscaping staff is also proposing two additional comments to be read into the record for the commission's approval to be added in the recommendation to council. First, the design and amenities for the proposed neighborhood park shall be identified through the project's landscape plan review submitted to the planning division for review and approval. Park amenities shall include playground equipment, walking paths, shade structures, seating areas, and shade trees. And for the second um condition that we will we will be reading into the record for your recommendation to for approval is the applicant shall provide a minimum of 124in box tree within the front yard of each residential lot subject to review and approval through the landscape plan review. Um just for the the commission to know is these conditions that I'm reading into the record have been uh relayed to the applicant and the applicant is is acceptable of these conditions. Um should you recommend for approval? Um with that the project is compliant with the city of India's general plan 20 240 the India unified development code and the subdivision map act. The proposed project is consistent with the city of India certified program EIR through a see through a consistency checklist um for SQA guideline section 15183 and with the application of relevant conditions of approval. The project is recommended for approval. conditions of approval are binding and must be adhered to. And with that, staff recommends approving um the for the planning commission to recommend approval to the city council for resolutions 2122 and 2123 conditionally approving the Estrea

states home designs and tenative tract map 34120 with the three added conditions that were read into the record. Um and with this staff concludes the presentation. I'm available for any questions that you may have. The applicant is available. Um, they don't have a presentation, but they are available for any questions that you may have. Thank you. Okay. Thank you. Do we have any questions of staff at this time? Go ahead.

Uh, thank you. No questions um for the applicant, but I guess if we could bring back the slide that showed the desert or the landscaping element near the sidewalk or on the sidewalk. Yes. Um can I guess I I can't see the image too well, but I'm just curious what that looks like. Um I guess more zoomed in. Is it going to be both a sidewalk integrated with like the landscape or is it all just landscape that people are going to walk through?

No. So, it they'll have a sidewalk section and then they'll have landscaping that'll be um like north I think it's north of it north of like the sidewalk. So, the sidewalk will be on site on on their site and they'll the the homeowners that are living in front of each sidewalk will be responsible for sidewalks and stuff like that. But there is landscaping. This also doesn't include um the their landscaping that they have provided is meeting the minimum requirements but they are they are also going to have front yard landscaping so like grass areas um they're also going to have the inclusion of the tree for each u parcel. Yeah. Okay. Thank you for that. Mhm.

I do have a question is for staff. Oh, thank you so much for your presentation. I understand that to the south it's going to is right now it's like a agriculture land correct and it's not within the city limits right across south of of the yes so even though it's not within the city's jurisdiction were there any thoughts or like any requirements to put like a buffer to like not create any potential like I don't know issues down the line within housing and the agricultural land or for is that like into come into like consideration at one point or uh No. Uh I mean that we we can't determine what they're going to do outside of the city's jurisdiction. Um right now they have

our side though. Like is it going to be just like a wall that is going to separate it or Oh, yes. They'll have an entry wall. The the property has to have uh brick walls or masonry block walls that are fronting Avenue 50th. Oh, okay. Thank you.

Okay. So, so my question is I love the idea of having the landscape around, you know, on the edges of the sidewalk, but once it's built and it's not going to be a gated community, so that that takes care of that. I'm assuming there still be an HOA, but the HOA, it sounds like they are not going to maintain this, I guess, perimeter walking area. It's going to be up to each homeowner to maintain. Is that what I'm was that? So the in their CCNRs um that they'll have to get recorded through the city um there we the city does still have the ability to to I guess incorporate um as process that that Gus and I have worked with um with our city attorney um Steven Graham on other CCNRs like we can add additional items to the CCNRs to say that you know they they would have to maintain um the frontages and and the public I guess public spaces within the private community.

Okay. So like for example one that we recently did it was uh required that any any publicly accessible area needed to be maintained by the HOA and the city would have the ability to to um enforce if they aren't upkeeping it. Yep. I mean I don't know about the rest of the commissioners but I would like to see that included because that'll maintain the consistency of the development over time. Right. it'll look a certain way when you open up and start selling and then 10 years down the road it'll look very different unless it's being maintained. So I'm I mean I would like to see that added as a condition into the um CCNRs.

So I don't know if this this uh specifically is it, but it's condition 56. Uh a copy of the covenant cond conditions and restrictions shall be submitted to the public works engineering division and planning department for review and approval with maintenance provisions flagged. So I that might cover it. If that doesn't, let let us know and we could add something further. Yeah, I would say add a little more to that. Make sure that make sure that the walk the areas that are part of the walking paths are included in that maintenance that they're called out. Okay. So do you want it specifically called out? Yes. Okay. So,

uh, something that, again, I know we haven't opened a public hearing or anything, but if it would be the desire of the commission after the close of the public hearing, condition 56 would be amended to also include that um, the CCNR shall in fact cover what we're going to call the walking path, which is like that that pathway area um, along with the basins and the park, you know, anything else that's considered like common the common areas. Common areas. Yes. Right. Sorry, that's the word I was looking for earlier. Common areas. Common areas. Yes. So the common areas is is something that we we moving forward um in working with the city attorney that it is added to the conditions of to the CCNR, excuse me. Yeah, I I think that's really important for long-term continuity of the development. So Okay. Um

I follow question. Yeah, I have one more. Um Yes. So Nico, when you talked about the driveway, can you bring up the the drive the driveway and you know, we're all a little sensitive with driveways, right? Um or this this one specifically? Yes. So, there's a couple of lots that when you look at the the map, the the parking looks very very very short, I guess. So, when we talk about 10 ft wide, what is the standard size for like a twocar parking? So, two cars to be able to park next to each other, what is that width normally? And I'm not a developer, so I have no idea.

Yeah, it's typically around 16 to 18 feet. it just um so the way that the condition is written is to meet the the requirement of the 10 to 20 ft 10 being the minimum 20 being the maximum that we currently have in our code. However, um within this section as well, there is also a requirement that states um that uh a driveway width must meet the width of the of the garage door. So, uh on average, some of these garage doors uh range from 15 to 16 ft in width. So each driveway would have to be approximately they would at least fit that twocarb. Okay. That was what I wanted to make sure we were covering because otherwise it starts to look really funny when those driveways are too narrow.

Yes. And and the the condition is written um to to make sure that that we that we do we are able to capture that. Okay. So the garage width is what what does that or the the attachment of the width to the garage door? Yes. Okay. Perfect. Um let me see. You made a comment about um that generally they're two stories. They're all two stories, aren't they? Yes, they are. They're all two stories. Make sure I didn't miss something there. Okay. All right. That's all I had. You had another question. Yes. Thank you, Madam Chair. I had a follow-up question on the plants that can be planted in this common area.

Um should a homeowner, I guess, will there be any limitations placed on what type of flora can be placed in those common spaces? like no bushes that may overgrow and impede upon the walkway or cactuses that a child might fall on. Um the so as long as the it's allowed within the the approved plant pallet uh from the city uh specifically from our public works department um you know after the fact if a homeowner wanted to change their planting you know they they they can um Yeah. Okay. But they would be responsible for ensuring that it's not impacting the spaces negatively. Correct. Okay. For sure.

Thank you. I just want to make sure I understood. You're talking about their own front yards or that public area that we just said the HOA must maintain. So that'll be up to the HOA. Yeah. So the the HOA would would enforce that. Um, however, because of the CCNRs, if at any point, let's just say the the HOA is not doing what they're supposed to be doing as far as the CCNRs is concerned, then the city would have the ability to go in there through code enforcement to say, "Hey, you all this need all this needs to be cleaned up as far as like the common areas. So, for the sidewalks and things like that,

right? and the homeowner would not have any changing of that common area each, you know, that's why it's part of the CCNRs, not part of the homeowner's maintenance, right? Yes. We could capture that and and that would be captured under the revised condition of number 56. So, we would make sure that um if there is any enforcements that need to be done for anything that's unkempt, we could always refer back to the approved landscape plan to make sure that we kind of get those back. Thank you so much.

Any more questions for staff? No. Okay, we'll go ahead and open the public comment and I know the applicant's available for questions. Um, does anybody have questions of the applicant at this time? Nope. Okay. Um, do we have anyone from the public that would like to speak on this item? I have no comment cards. Okay. All right. There's no questions for the applicant unless the applicant has anything they want to say to us at this point. Nope. Okay. All right. We'll go ahead and close the public comment and move on to deliberations. Are there any more comments for staff or do we have a motion?

I'll make a motion to approve the uh as uh presented to include the driveway standard of section 3.03.08.B B and to include the provision of uh number 56 to be added as well with what was stated by the commission today. I second it. Oh, and the other following conditions and to include the park amenities and landscaping um as presented in the slide. I second. Okay, we have a first and a second.

Should be up on your screen. Okay. Okay, motion carries. Perfect. Thank you very much. We're looking forward to um having that development in our community. Good luck. Thank you. Okay, we will move on to action items 6.1, the staff report for the general plan housing element annual progress report.

Good afternoon, chairperson and members of the planning commission. My name is Gustavo Gomez and I'll be presenting both the action items for 6.1 and 6.2. So just um as a quick overview for um these two reports um for those new planning commissioners that um that just joined. So I just wanted to kind of give you a quick background. So um every year cities and counties in California are required to submit the housing element annual progress report to the department of housing and community development and also the governor's office of land use and climate innovation. So this is to monitor uh the documents implementation of our housing element essentially. So um the report is is required by uh state law um to track the progress on specific housing goals and primarily primarily for our regional um housing needs allocation also known as RENA. So simultaneously um we are also required to prepare the general plan annual progress report and this is to track the implementation um for our city's long-term development blueprint and the primary purpose is to inform uh local legislative bodies the public and state agencies uh on the progress uh meeting our community goals particularly concerning to um housing and land use. So, um, in your report for, um, item, uh, 6.1, uh, there's a attachments with several, um, spreadsheets, but the one that I wanted to, um, kind of highlight or bring to attention is table B. And this has, um, all of our permitted units um, for the, uh, starting on January 1st to December 31st of last year. And I wanted to make a or highlight or make a um note that we uh issued um over 706 um housing permits um last year. And

sorry, is there anything that's supposed to be up on the screen? There is no presentation. It's just a report. Correct. Okay. Just want to make sure we weren't missing it. My apologies. Yeah. No, it's just it's just an oral report that I have for you tonight.

Yeah. Um in addition to that, um so I just want to know so this includes um any ADUs that were approved. This includes multifamily projects such as the JFM Villas, the Pacific West Company Apartments. It also includes single family uh residential projects such as the Espa phase 2, the gallery homes at Indian Palms Country Club, Terra Lago, Dulfina. So all of those projects that have been happening or ongoing um in the city. So, it's noteworthy because prior to those years in 2023 and 2024, we um had roughly 150 units that were um that issued. So, it's a significant jump. Um so, it for 2023 it was 100 units, for 2024 it was 53 units, and then for 2025 we issued 706 permits. Huge jump. Um as it relates to the um the general plan annual progress report um we the city is undertaking several big projects. One of them is the an annexation study which analyzed over 3,300 um acres um on the east side of like Dylan Road Terraago and we increased that to 4,600 for phase 2. So the other thing um that we that's the city worked on was uh on this equity planning which is part of the health and equity element as um this was a a program that was um spearheaded by IWA to help disadvantaged communities to do the turf replacement program. Um another big item was the completion of our city hall last year and library so that we we had that um we were able to move in. We were also designated um the city also got its pro housing designation which we are the first in the Coachella Valley and also third in

the county of Riverside. Um the city also adopted its strategic plan um 2025 to 2030 and its main focus is to make downtown a destination um place. So these are just a few highlights that are found in the general plan progress report among other things. And in the back of the the report, it also has all the implementation um tables uh at the end of the report. So this is uh the action for you to this evening if you know we're open to have if you have any questions, but the action today would be to receive and forward these two documents um to the city council. And that that concludes my report.

Thank you very much. Any questions of staff on this report? I do have a good question again and again again thank you for your report. So you said that in 2025 you guys issue 106 uh permits correct in 2025 we issued 76 and then it is way higher than the previous year. Correct. That is correct. So do you know what made it like what what made that number to increase so much? I'm just curious. I think it was just coming out of the the co era. So it things were slowing down but I think it's picking up now more. So, we're expecting to probably even have more of that development happening next year. But that that is what our assumption is that it was because we were just coming back from the co days.

So, my only question is are we on track then as a city to meet the the reena what is it 7,812 units that we have to have? So we we are on track uh is particularly for or above moderate. So we do have different tiers that we have to hit, right? So um in some areas we're doing better than others, but we're halfway through the um through that arena, the years. So we still have time to to catch up with that. Okay. So we feel like we're moving in the right direction. Absolutely.

That's what I wanted to know. Thank you very much. So do we need a motion? Okay. Is there a second presentation? Do we want to do them one at a time? Yeah, you could take them both at the same time.

Okay. So, do I have a motion? I raise a motion to approve action item 6.1 general plan housing element annual progress report and action item 6.2 two staff report general plan 2040 annual progress report and I second. We have a first and a second roll call or a vote. Should be able to see it on your screen. I see it. Motion carries. It only said 6.1, but was that still okay? Yeah. Okay. Just want to make sure we don't miss a vote.

All right. Thank you very much for that. Okay, we'll go ahead and move on to commissioner comments. Do we have any?

I just want to commend the city for putting together a wonderful pickable tournament last Saturday. Uh I played there even though I was eliminated pretty early on tournament. Uh it was a nice time. It was great to see the community out there enjoying themselves. Um a lot of people that's something that I wanted to point out. A lot of people that work that play that were playing in the tournament didn't know that the Miles Park had those the pickle ball courts. So that's all that was good like so people can like see and then can come back and play. Uh I think it's like a like a really good kept secret in the pickleball community here in the Coachella Valley. A lot of people don't know. So I guess now people are going to start playing at that park. So that's what I heard. So one is one one of the things that I heard overheard when I was talking to other players. So I just want to come in the city for that. So thank you.

Anybody else? Once again, thank you guys to the staff for everybody and all the departments. I know we're gearing up for the festivals coming up. We can clearly see the hard work you guys are doing day in day out um for that. So, I really do appreciate it. So, thank you. So, I have one. So, I missed the pickle ball tournament because I was at the Coachella Valley History Museum listening to Becky Aman. A I k- an who wrote a book called Spitfires. It's about American women who flew during World War II because well in America they didn't let the women fly to support. It is an amazing book. I'm about halfway through now on Audible and the speaker was fantastic and of course our own Jackie Cochran was like the power behind getting these women to be able to fly. So, if anybody needs a new book to read, it's pretty good and it is true stories. It's not fiction. So, anyway, I I will make the next pickle ball tournament. Thank you very much. Um, all right. Uh, we have staff items. So, I do have a few items that I am relaying on behalf of Brian Halbertson. So, the first item is um for the gas station code amendments and the moratorium extension. So on March 4th, the item was presented to the city council and the moratorum was extended to June 18th of 2026. Um there was no action regarding the um the draft ordinance that staff presented. Um the staff will be making some small changes and adding some um uh minor additions to it and then we will bring that in a month to the planning commission for review and comment. um regarding the update on event uses for residential zones. Um this was a

study session that um was spearheaded by the uh code enforcement and essentially it's they discuss regulations for events that are going to be happening on um residential areas. So depending on size, depending on the number of attendees, um they might be subject to an administrative use permit or a conditional use permit. If there's any ordinances or any zone type of amendments, they will come back to the planning commission as well. Um they're anticipating to do that this year, but I don't have we don't have a a date um for when that's going to come. So that concludes my my reports. Thank you. So on that event use zoning, is that going to come before us when some for us to review before it becomes the law of the land?

Okay, it will. Yes. Perfect. All right. Thank you. Any other questions for staff? No. Okay. Um, no other questions. Then this meeting is adjourned to our next regularly scheduled meeting of March 25th, 2026 at 6 PM. Thank you everyone. Good night.