>> I'D LIKE TO CALL THE CITY OF INDIO FOR PLANNING COMMISSION TO ORDER.
[1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL:]
[00:00:09]
IT IS 6:02.IF I COULD PLEASE HAVE A ROLL CALL.
>> VICE CHAIRPERSON JACQUELINE LOPEZ.
IF WE COULD HAVE INTRODUCTION OF STAFF, PLEASE.
>> IF I MAY, EVELYN, IT WAS KIND OF BUMPING IN AND OUT.
>> COMMISSIONER ERIC CEJA IS IN COMMISSIONER -- IS ABSENT.
MADAME CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
TONIGHT WE HAVE FIRE MARSHAL DALE FRALEY, ALSO DIRECTOR KEVIN SNYDER, ASSISTANT PLANNER NIKKI GOMEZ, ASSISTANT PLANNER GUSTAVO GOMEZ, ASSOCIATE ENGINEERING ROSEANNE LOPEZ, OUR ADMIN ASSISTANT VANESSA CASTILLO, OUR SECRETARY EVELYN BELTRAN, AND MYSELF, LEILA NAMVAR, SENIOR PLANNER.
AND IF WE COULD HAVE THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PLEASE.
COMMISSIONER YSIANO, IF YOU WOULD LEAD US, PLEASE.
JOIN ME IN OUR PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
AND NOW WE HAVE A STATEMENT FROM THE COMMISSION SECRETARY.
[4. STATEMENT FROM THE COMMISSION SECRETARY]
2 MEETINGS ARE FOLLOWS.PLEASE BE MINDFUL P BACKGROUND NOISE WHICH JOINING.
MUTE ALL DEVICES TO AVOID FEEDBACK.
PARTICIPANTS MUST MUTE THEIR MICROPHONE WHEN THEY ARE NOT SPEAKING.
WHEN YOU'RE MICROPHONE IS NOT MUTED, AVOID ACTIVITY THAT COULD CREATE ADDITIONAL NOISE.
POSITION YOUR CALENDAR PROPERLY.
IF YOU CHOOSE TO USE A WEB CAMERA BE SURE IT IS IN A STABLE POSITION AND FOCUSED AT EYE LEVEL IF POSSIBLE.
IF YOU WILL BE SHARING CONTENT DURING THE MEETING MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE FILE AND/OR LINKS READY TO GO BEFORE THE MEETING BEGINS.
MEMBERS FROM THE PUBLIC WISHING TO PROVIDE ORAL TESTIMONY MUST FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE AGENDA AND/OR ONLINE IN ORDER TO PROVIDE PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR AGENDA OR NON-RELATED AGENDA ITEMS. MEMBERS FROM THE PUBLIC WORK TO PROVIDE ORAL TESTIMONY HAVE THREE MINUTES TO PROVIDE ORAL TESTIMONY.
[5. STATEMENT FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY]
AND NOW IF WE CAN HAVE A STATEMENT FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY.>> THERE HAVE BEEN NO DIRECTIVE ISSUES TEMPORARILY HALTING LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROCESSING LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT OF APPLICATIONS AND/OR CONSIDERATION OF POLICY ACTIONS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENTS, ZONING CODE AMOUNTED AND IS INTO YOU OR SPECIFIC PLANS.
THEREFORE THE CITY OF INDIO CONTINUES DO PROCESS APPLICATIONS IN ACCORDANCE.
THE EXECUTIVE ORDERS N-25-20 AND N-29-20 PERTAINING THE TO BROWN ACT.
THE THESE EXECUTIVE ORDERS ALLOW GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES TO ALLOW MEETINGS BY ELECTRONIC MEANS, AND FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO OBSERVE THE ME GO ELECTRONICALLY AS WELL AS PROVIDE PUBLIC COMMENT OR PUBLIC TESTIMONY 3 TELEPHONICALLY OTHER OTHERWISE ELECTRONICALLY.
ACCORDINGLY, THE CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION ARE CURRENTLY CONDUCTING SCHEDULED MEETINGS IN HAD A VIRTUAL MEETING FORMAT.
THE CITY OF INDIO HAS IMPLEMENTED TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS THAT ALLOWS MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO OBSERVE, TO OFFER PUBLIC COMMENT AS WELL AS PUBLIC TESTIMONY DURING PUBLIC HEARINGS AT SCHEDULED PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINGS.
THE CITY COMMITTED TO PROVIDING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION OF, OPPORTUNITIES WHILE ALSO COMPLYING WITH THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PROCESSING OF LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW APPLICATIONS AND/OR CONVERSATION POLICY ACTIONS.
-- CONSIDERATION OF POLICY ACTIONS.
I NOTED THAT ONE OF OUR COMMISSIONERS IS ABSENT ON A TONIGHT SO IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE FOUR, AND THERE IS ANY ACTION ON AN ITEM TONIGHT, IF THE VOTE IS TIED, THAT WOULD NOT BE AN APPROVAL OF THAT ACTION, GIVEN THAT THE NUMBER OF COMMISSIONERS IN OOH ATTENDANCE.
[6. PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA:]
THANK YOU.WE WILL GO AHEAD AND MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER 6, PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA.
[00:05:01]
>> I WAS ABLE TO READ THAT MESSAGE INTO THE RECORD, ZACH?
>> THE ONE WE EMAILED YOU ON, RIGHT?
THAT WE DO, AND IT'S A MESSAGE THIS IN AN ANONYMOUS SOURCE FROM COACHELLA 365, AND THE MESSAGE READS AS FOLLOWS: "I WANTED TO EXPRESS MY DISAPPOINTMENT ON NEWLY APPOINTED COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ ON BEHALF HIS RECENT ARREST FOR DRUNK DRIVING.
THAT IS A TERRIBLE EXAMPLE TO SET TO THE PUBLIC.
IT WAS A SELFLESS ACT THAT TAKES AWAY ALL CREDIBILITY.
COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ CEJA THAT LIGHT BEEN A CHILD, IT IS COULD HAVE BEEN A FAMILY, IT COULD HAVE BEEN A SENIOR CITIZENS.
EVEN MOW DAUNTING IS THE POSSIBILITY IT COULD HAVE BEEN MY FAMILY OR SOMEONE ELSE'S WHOLE LIFE ON THE LINE BECAUSE YOU DECIDED TO GET BEHIND THE WHEEL.
BEING AN APPOINTED MEMBER OF THE CITY OF INDIO IS A GREAT HONOR BUT COMES AT A GREAT RESPONSIBILITY.
I HOPE YOU GET THE HELP THAT YOU NEED AND USE THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE HORRID EFFECTS OF DRUNK DRIVING.
THANKS FOR YOUR TIME, A CONCERNED INDIO RESIDENT.
WE'LL GO AHEAD AND CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT FOR TONIGHT.
[8.1 Ventana project:]
WE'LL MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER 7, MINUTES.SO NOW WE'LL MOVE ON ON ADVERTISEMENT NUMBER 8, PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS. 8.1 CONVENIENT THAN A PROJECT.
DO WE HAVE A STAFF REPORT OR COMMENTS ON THIS ITEM?
I'M JUST TRYING TO GET NIGH VIDEO TO TURN ON.
SO THE APPLICANT HAS REQUESTED TO TABLE THE ITEM, AND THEY COME BACK AT A LATER DATE, AND WHEN THEY ARE READY, WE WILL RENOTICE ACCORDING TO THE CITY LAW AND ALSO TO THE PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE REGULATIONS.
SO WE WILL IT WILL BE RENOTICED AND COME BACK BEFORE YOU AT A LATER DATE, WHICH IS NOT -- THERE'S NO DATE CERTAIN AT THIS POINT.
WE'LL MOVE TO ITEM -- >> JUST CHAIR, SORRY, IF I MAY.
I JUST WANTED TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY PUBLIC COMMENT SUBMITTED SINCE IT WAS NOTICED AT THE LAST HEARING.
5 THE HEARING AND THEN BEING ABLE TO MOVE ON TO THE NEXT ITEM.
>> ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THIS ITEM?
WE HAVE MR. STEWART MARLBORO AND I'LL ADMIT HIM NOW.
>> MR. MARLBORO, CAN YOU HEAR US? MR. STUART MARLBORO, CAN YOU HEAR US? MR. MARLBORO, CAN YOU HEAR US?
YOUR THREE MINUTES BEGINS NOW.
THANK YOU, COMMISSION, FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK AND HEARING ME OUT AS APPROPRIATE IN THE COURT.
THIS PROJECT HAS A HUGE IMPACT ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND THOSE OF MY NEIGHBORS.
I'VE LISTENED TO ALL THE DISCUSSIONS ON THIS AND REALIZED THAT THIS PROJECT WAS JUST REQUESTED TO BE TABLED.
I WOULD RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT THE PROJECT BE DENIED.
I'M IGNORING THE WHOLE FIRE EXIT, FROM THE LAST MEETING BUT I WOULD SAY I'M SURE THE DEVELOPER IS GOOD AT WHAT THEY DO, THEY BUILD NICE HOUSES, AND HONESTLY THAT'S NOT THE POINT HERE.
THE SEPTEMBER 18, 2019, JUST OVER A YEAR AGO, IF NEW 2004 GENERAL PLAN WAS FORMALLY ADOPTED.
AFTER SPENDING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, COUNTLESS HOURS OF CONSULTANTS AND THOUSANDS OF THUNDERSHOWERS OF HOURS OF TEAM AND STAFF TIME, A PLAN WAS PUT IN PLACE.
THIS PLAN LOOKED AT THE ENTIRE CITY OF INDIO, TOOK INTO ACCOUNT ALL OF THE COMMUNITIES AND GAVE A SOLUTION THAT WAS INTENDED TO GOVERN LAND USE FOR 20 YEARS.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORTS, CLIMATE ACTION PLANS, ET CETERA.
NOW, AT THE END OF ALL OF THIS IT WAS BEING THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE CITY OF INDIO TO ADOPT AND ENFORCE THIS PLAN.
THE 2040 PLAN IS SO NAMED BUS IT IS INTENDED TO GOVERN LAND USE UNTIL 2040.
THE DEVELOPER OF THIS PROJECT IS BEING IN DISCUSSIONS WITH ITS CITY STAFF ON THIS SINCE FEBRUARY OR MARCH I BELIEVE WAS THE DATE SET.
SO BASICALLY SIX MONTHS AFTER YOU ADOPTED THE NEW PLAN, A DEVELOPER STARTED WORKING TO TRY AND CHANGE IT.
WE'RE NOW ONE YEAR INTO THE 20 YEAR PLAN.
90% OF THE TIME IS GOVERNING IS AHEAD OF US AND WE'RE CONSIDERING CHANGING IT AT THIS TIME.
AND I QUESTIONS MY QUESTION IS WHY.
I HAVEN'T HEARD A SINGLE REASON WHY THIS DRASTIC PROPOSED CHANGE IS GOOD FOR
[00:10:03]
THE DESERT ESTATES AREA.THE ONLY REASON IS THE DEVELOPER MADE A BET THAT THEY COULD BUY LAND ZONED FOR 1 ACRE OR TWO ACRES AND PAY THE PRICE AND HOPE THIS COMMISSION CHANGES ITS MIND AND MAKE A FORTUNE.
LAND IS ALREADY AVAILABLE BUT IT'S PRICING TODAY REFLECTS THAT.
AND THE PROFIT IS MUCH LESS THAN IT WOULD BE FOR THIS.
SO BASICALLY THE ONLY COMPELLING ARGUMENT HERE IS FOR DEVELOPER.
LET ME PAY LESS FOR LAND, REZONE IT, AND RET ME MAKE A LOT OF MONEY.
THERE'S NO COMPELLING ARGUMENT.
IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE THAT TRY TO HAVE A POOL BUILT IT.
SO SIX MONTHS IN A 20-YEAR PLAN YOU'RE BEING ASKED TO MAKE A DEVELOPER RICH.
THE DESERT ESTATES AREA IS ZONED AS IT IS TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE THIS PART OF THE PLAN.
I WOULD RESPECTFULLY RESPECT THAT YOU RESPECT THE 2040 PLAN AND EVERYTHING 7 THAT WENT INTO IT AND THIS REQUEST SHOULD BE CLEARLY DENIED.
>> THANK YOU, SIR, TO BE YOUR COMMENTS.
NOW WE'LL GO AHEAD AND CLOSE THIS PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS ITEM AND MOVE ON TO ITEM
[8.2 Conditional Use Permit 20-08-1062 (Quantum Auto Sales Inc - Used Car Dealership):]
8.2.A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 20-08-1062 QUANTUM AUTO SALES, INC.
IF WE COULD HAVE A STAFF REPORT, PLEASE.
AND I HOPE YOU CAN HEAR ME AND SEE MY SCREEN.
GOOD EVENING, MADAME CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
NAMES NIKKI GOMEZ, ASSISTANT PLANNER.
BEFORE YOU TONIGHT IS THE AUTO SALES, INC.
USED CAR DEALERSHIP CASE FILE NUMBER CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 20-08-1062.
THE PROJECT SITE IS LOCATED SOUTH OF HIGHWAY 111 BETWEEN LORRAINE STREET AND CALHOUN STREET.
IT'S COMPOSED OF THESE TWO PARCELS IN THE CHARTER TOTALING ABOUT 3.9 ACRES IN SIZE.
AND, OF COURSE, THIS IS AN EXISTING FACILITY, ADDRESS 83407 HIGHWAY 111.
CURRENT ZONING IS REGIONAL COMMERCIAL WITH A GENERAL PLAN DESIGNATION OF MIXED USE NEIGHBORHOOD.
SO THIS FACILITY OBVIOUSLY HAS A LONG HISTORY.
FROM OUR RECORDS, IT WAS FIESTA FORD ESTABLISHED SOMETIMES IN THE 1980S BASED ON OUR BUILDING RECORD, AND THAT WAS A NEW CAR DEALERSHIP WITH ASSOCIATED AUTO REPAIR THAT UTILIZED THE WHOLE FACILITY.
AFTER THAT, DESERT SUZUKI THEN CAME IN ABOUT FOUR YEARS INTO THE FACILITY WITH SIMILAR USE, WHICH IS A NEW SALES, AUTO SALES WITH ASSOCIATED AUTO REPAIR.
AND SIMILARLY AGAIN SUZUKI 111 THAT WENT IN III IN THEIR PLACE.
FROM 2009 TO PRESENT DAY THIS FACILITY IS QUITE LARGE AND SO WHAT HAPPENED WITH 8 THE USES IS THAT PARTS OF THE BUILDING WERE UTILIZED FOR AN AUTO-RELATED REPAIRS AS WELL AS OTHER USES THAT ARE PERMITTED UNDER THE REGIONAL COMMERCIAL.
SO CURRENTLY A PORTION OF THIS FACILITY HAS BEEN LEASED TO, FROM THE CURRENT OWNER, AS AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND A SMOG SHOP, AND I'LL ELABORATE WHERE THEY'RE LOCATED IN THIS FACILITY.
SO THIS IS JUST A SITE PLAN, KIND OF DEFINING EXACTLY WHERE THAT MAY BE.
SO BUILDING A IS CLOSEST TO HIGHWAY 111 WASN'T WHERE ONE OF THE TENANTS IS LOCATED, AND THIS BUILDING A IS ALSO WHERE THE NEW PROPOSED USE WILL BE LOCATED AT.
AND THAT WOULD BE THEIR MAIN OFFICE.
BUILDINGS B IS WHERE THE SECOND TENANT IS NOW.
CURRENTLY THE PARKING LOT EAST-NORTHEAST OF THE PROPERTY IS BEING UTILIZED BY THESE TWO TENANTS NOW.
ALL THE SPACE TO THE WEST-, SOUTHWEST AND SOUTHEAST OF THE PROPERTY ARE CURRENTLY VACANT AND IS NOT BEING UTILIZED.
I'M SURE YOU CAN SEE THAT AS YOU DRIVE RIGHT PAST THAT.
SO THE TOTAL OF THE OFFICES AND OFFICE SPACE FOR THIS PROJECT SITE TOTALS ABOUT 13,520 SQUARE FEET.
[00:15:03]
AND ENTRANCES, YOU CAN FIND THREE ENTRANCES TO HIGHWAY 111 AND ONE TO CALHOUN STREET, WHICH IS RIGHT UP UNDER HERE.SO QUANTUM AUTO SALES COMPANY THAT IS PROPOSED TO GO INTO THIS SITE, AND THEY ARE A USED CAR DEALERSHIP AND THEY WILL BE SELLING CARS, TRUCKS AND OTHER AUTOMOBILE SALES.
THEY WILL NOT BE SELLING AUTO RIGS OR LARGE VEHICLES.
THEY HAVE THREE OTHER LOCATIONS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, WHICH IS ESCONDIDO, GARDEN GROVE AND SANTA ANA.
THEY'RE POTENTIALLY GOING TO EMPLOY ABOUT 15 TO 20 STAFF MEMBERS.
PROPOSED HOURS ARE 8:00 TO 9:00 P.M.
9 PAINT, FLOORING AND ADA COMPLIANCE, EXTERIOR IMPROVEMENTS, WHICH IS EXTERIOR PAINT AND THE PARKING LIGHTS.
SO OUR RECOMMENDATION IS TO ADOPT, STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION IS TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NUMBER 19-67, A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF INDIO, CALIFORNIA, CONDITIONALLY APPROVING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 20-08-1062 TO ALLOW A USED CAR DEALERSHIP QUANTUM AUTO SALES, INC.
WITHIN THE REGIONAL COMMERCIAL ZONING DISTRICT SUBJECT TO THE FIND, AND CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL THEREIN AND DETERMINING THAT THE PROJECT IS EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT, CEQA SECTION 15301, EXISTING FACILITIES.
AND I AM HERE IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTION.
I BELIEVE THAT OUR APPLICANT IS ALSO IN LINE TO ALSO SAY A FEW WORDS.
DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OF STAFF AT THIS TIME? I CAN'T SEE EVERYBODY.
>> CHAIR, I HAVE MAYBE ONE OR TWO FOR STAFF.
IS THE APPLICANT PROPOSING ANY LANDSCAPE ALONG 111?
>> THEY HAVE NOT EXPRESSED THAT.
HOWEVER, IT'S CONDITIONED TO INCLUDE THAT IF THAT WAS THEIR INTENT, SO IT WILL BE CONDITIONED TO COMPLY WITH OUR LANDSCAPE REQUIREMENTS.
THERE'S ALSO SOME VEHICLE DISPLAY PADS OUT ON HIGHWAY 111.
THEY INTEND TO STILL USE THOSE?
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OF STAFF AT THIS TIME? NO? OKAY.
SO WE'LL GO AHEAD AND OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING, AND WE CAN HEAR FROM THE 10 APPLICANT AT THIS TIME.
>> CHAIR, IF I MAY, JUST I THINK CLARIFY ONE THING FOR THE RECORD.
I BELIEVE MS. GOMEZ CIRCULATED BEFORE THE SLIGHTLY UPDATED VERSION OF THE RESOLUTION THAN WHAT WAS ORIGINALLY DISTRIBUTED, WHICH HAS BEEN MADE AVAILABLE TO THE COMMISSIONERS AND POSTED ONLINE.
WE'LL GO AHEAD AND OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
WE'LL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO HEAR FROM THE APPLICANT.
I AM THE ATTORNEY FOR THE APPLICANT AND THE APPLICANT'S PRINCIPLE IS ALSO ONLINE, I BELIEVE.
WE HAVE SEEN THE CUP AND THE PROPOSED CUP AT BEST, AND WE CERTAINLY ARE IN AGREEMENT WITH IT.
WE WOULD LOVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP THIS PROPERTY.
I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE'S FAMILIAR WHEN THIS PARTICULAR PROPERTY.
I VISITED IT MYSELF ABOUT SIX WEEKS AGO.
IT'S -- IT'S IN A BIT OF STATE OF DISREPAIR NOW.
IT NEEDS QUITE A BIT OF WORK TO BRING IT UP TO AN OPERATIONAL STANDARD.
AND I THINK THAT QUANTUM IS THE COMPANY TO DO THAT.
WE'VE BEEN WORKING PRETTY HARD WITH THE SELLING BROKER TO MAKE SURE WE'RE GOING TO GET EVERYTHING WE NEED IN ORDER TO DO THAT.
IF WE LOOK AT THIS PROPERTY, IT'S REAL -- ITS ONLY REAL USE IS AS A CAR DEALERSHIP.
THE DEALERSHIP THAT WAS THERE PREVIOUSLY LAID IT OUT TO WHERE IT REALLY ONLY WORKS AS A DEALERSHIP.
THERE'S A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF OPEN SPACE TO HOUSE INVENTORY.
1 BACK WHERE THE DEALERSHIP CAN GETS THE CARS REPAIRED FOR SALE AND DO ANY RECON BEFORE WE GET THERE.
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, THERE'S THE EXISTING STRUCTURE.
THE MAJORITY OF THAT EXISTING STRUCTURE NOT BEING USED.
IT'S GOING TO REQUIRE QUITE A BIT OF WORK TO GET THIS THING BACK UP TO SPEED AND BACK UP TO A -- AN APPEARANCE THAT QUANTUM WOULD BE COMFORTABLE WITH.
[00:20:04]
THERE ARE TWO TENANTS THERE.THEY'RE WORKING IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY AS WELL.
I BELIEVE THEY'RE BOTH REPAIR SHOPS.
AND THEY'RE NOT USING TOO MUCH OF THE ACTUAL BUILDING ITSELF.
MOST OF THEIR WORK AND MOST OF THEIR SPACE IS IN THESE BAYS WE SAW ALONG ON THE EASTERN SIDE.
I'M SURE YOU GUYS HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF QUESTIONS WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO AND WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO HERE.
THERE'S GOING TO BE A SUBSTANTIAL COMMITMENT BY QUANTUM TO REHAB THIS PROPERTY.
I THINK THAT PRETTY MUCH ANYTHING YOU CAN SEE AT THE VERY LEAST NEEDS WORK.
THE BUILDING ITSELF NEEDS -- I MEAN, ALMOST DOWN TO THE STUDS TYPE REMODEL IN ORDER TO GET THIS THING GOING.
AND CERTAINLY THE OUTWARD APPEARANCE SPOT ALONG HIGHWAY 111 NEEDS A FACELIFT AS FAR AS THE LANDSCAPING GOES.
NOW, THERE'S CERTAINLY SOME THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO REPURPOSE, BUT PAINT AND CARPET IS AN ABSOLUTELY MINIMUM.
ABOUT QUANTUM ITSELF, QUANTUM HAS BEEN AROUND I BELIEVE SINCE THE '90S.
IT'S OPERATING TWO IN ORANGE COUNTY AND ONE IN ESCONDIDO.
WHO I'M SURE IS HAPPY TO SPEAK AND ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE HAS A HOME IN INDIO VALLEY AND HAS BEEN SPENDING QUITE A BIT OF TIME THERE GIVEN OUR CURRENT SITUATION AND HE EXPAND HIS OPERATION.
WE THINK INDIO IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO DO IT.
THE COMPANY ITSELF HAS BEEN VERY PROFITABLE, VERY SUCCESSFUL, AND DURING THE TIME IT'S OPERATED, NOT ONLY FOR ITSELF BUT FOR ITS PARTNERS, INCLUDING ITS MUNICIPAL PARTNERS.
JUST LAST YEAR, IT COLLECTED ABOUT $5.5 MILLION IN SALES TAX, WHICH WOULD CERTAINLY BRING PAY BOOST TO THE LOCAL ECONOMY.
IF THIS IS GRANTED AND QUANTUM IS ABLE TO OPERATE, THERE'S A COUPLE OF OTHER BENEFITS.
WHEN IT'S FULLY RAMPED UP, ASIDE FROM CONTRACTORS AND CONSTRUCTION, I STRONGLY SUSPECT THAT THERE WILL BE ABOUT 15 OR SO JOBS LOCALLY CREATED BY THIS PROJECT, AND THOSE ARE GOING TO BE JOBS THAT ARE HOPEFULLY LONG-LASTING BECAUSE QUANTUM IS PURCHASING THIS PROPERTY AND WANTS TO BE HERE FOR THE LONG HAUL.
IN ADDITION, THERE'S A REASON THAT A LOT OF THESE DEALERSHIPS FIND THEMSELVES IN THE SAME POSITION OR THE SAME AREA GEOGRAPHICALLY.
PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR CARS, THE MORE OPTIONS THEY HAVE, THE BETTER IT GENERALLY IS.
IF DOUGH THEY DON'T HAVE IT ACROSS THE STREET, THEY CAN CHECK IT OUT AT THE NEXT DEALERSHIP.
IT'S GOING TO HELP BRING PRICES DOWN JUST FOR REGULAR CONSUMERS.
SO I THINK THEY'VE GIVEN A COMPELLING CASE AND I CERTAINLY AGREE WITH THE RECOMMENDATION TO ADOPT THE CUP BUT I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS AND A ALLAY ANY CONCERNS.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME? I CAN'T SEE EVERYBODY.
>> I HAVE ONE FOR THE APPLICANT.
YOU MENTIONED THE POSSIBILITY OF AN EXTENSIVE REMODEL, AND I THINK WE CAN 1 NEEDS SOME ATTENTION.
HAVE YOU SUBMITTED ANY KIND OF PRELIMINARY PLANS FOR SET DESIGN, ARCHITECTURE, WHAT THE PLAN IS TO REHAB THE SITE TO STAFF?
>> NO, NOT YET WEAR STILL IN ESCROW AND THE HOPE IS THAT WE GET THE CUP IN ORDER TO DO THAT.
BUT I STRONGLY SUSPECT THAT'LL BE PRETTY -- COME PRETTY QUICKLY AFTER WE CLOSE.
IT DOESN'T DO US ANY FAVORS TO HAVE IT SIT THERE WHILE WE'RE PAYING FOR IT.
ANY OTHER STATEMENTS FROM THE APPLICANT?
>> I HAVE NO FURTHER STATEMENTS UNLESS MR. BOULUS HAS ANY INPUT.
>> I AM JUST LOOKING FORWARD TO DO BUSINESS IN INDIO.
I FEEL LIKE THIS CITY HAS A LOT OF POTENTIAL, A LOT OF ROOM TO GROW, AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S A GREAT PLACE FOR US TO CONDUCT BUSINESS, AND WE'RE KIND OF EXCITED.
SO JUST LOOKING FORWARD TO DOING BUSINESS OUT THERE.
>> AND I DO LOVE TO HELP THE COMMUNITY.
I DO LOTS OF CHARITABLE STUFF FOR CANCER RESEARCH, CHOC, AND I WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO ALSO DO THAT FOR OUR CITY AND TOWN JUST TO, YOU KNOW, GOOD FAITH.
I DO HAVE A COUPLE OF COMMENTS.
FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR LOOKING AT A BUILDING THAT YOU'RE RIGHT HAS SOME LIMITED POSSIBLE USES TO IT BASED ON HOW IT WAS DESIGNED AND BUILT.
[00:25:04]
I WAS HAPPY TO HEAR THAT YOU'RE FURRING THE BUILDING SO YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE OPENING, LEASING AND THEN LEAVING IN A YEAR OR TWO, I THINK, SO I THINK THAT 14 WAS AN ADDED PLUS.I'M GLAD TO SEE THAT YOU'RE COMMITTED TO MAKING SOME IMPROVEMENTS YOU'RE RIGHT, IT DOES NEED A LOT.
WE HOPE THAT YOU WORK WITH STAFF TO COME UP WITH A VERY INTERESTING FRONTAGE LOOK.
I MEAN, HIGHWAY 111 IS AN IMPORTANT PART THE CITY SO WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT.
I LOVE THE FACT THAT YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME JOBS HERE NOT ONLY CONSTRUCTION AND TEMPORARY BUT PERMANENT JOBS.
I THINK THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT.
>> WE ALSO -- BACK IN ORANGE COUNTY, I MEAN, WE WORK WITH OVER 200 VENDORS LOCAL, SO YOU'RE TALKING LOTS OF PARTS, LOTS OF UPHOLSTERY, LOTS OF DIFFERENT STUFF THAT WE CAN ACTIVATE EVERYBODY AROUND US, YOUR TIRE SHOP, YOUR AUTOZONE, I MEAN, ANYBODY THAT SELLS ANYTHING AUTOMOTIVE, WE USUALLY WORK WITH THEM.
THAT'S ALWAYS IMPORTANT, YOU KNOW, THE ECONOMY HAS TO GO IN CIRCLES, RIGHT? AND KEEPS MOVING AROUND.
WE NEED THAT NOW MORE THAN EVER.
ANY QUESTIONS OF STAFF? I THINK THOSE WERE ALL OF MY COMMENTS.
I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE USAGE, BUT BASED ON THE LOCATION AND LOOKS LIKE YOUR COMMITMENT TO THE IMPROVEMENT, I'M HOPING THIS WILL BE SOMETHING THAT WILL BE USEFUL.
BUT I DON'T THINK I HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS.
THERE ARE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FROM THE COMMISSIONERS? COMMISSIONER CEJA?
>> I JUST WANT TO FOLLOW UP ON MY LAST QUESTION.
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT, HOW QUICKLY WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO TURN AROUND KIND OF A FACADE IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR THE BUILDING? 1 SO.
I MEAN, I DON'T SEE ANY REASON WHY WE WOULD DELAY ANYTHING.
>> NO, I WOULD LIKE TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING SO FROM THE TIME WE CLOSE, I CAN GET YOU GUYS ALL THE BE PLANS AND DRAWINGS YOU NEED AND GET IT ROCKING AND ROLLING AS QUICK AS POSSIBLE.
>> IT COSTS US MONEY TO HAVE IT.
SO IF IT'S NOT GENERATING INCOME, WE CAN'T DO ANYTHING WITH IT.
AGAIN, ASSUMING AN APPROVAL ON THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT, IS IT POSSIBLE FOR US TO SEE THE FACADE DESIGN THAT WOULD COME WITH THAT EVEN IF THAT IS AT A LATER DATE? AND, YOU KNOW, IS THERE A SIGN PROGRAM THAT THE APPLICANT HAS TO ADHERE TO OR DO THEY PREPARE THEIR OWN?
>> SO NIKKI, DID YOU WANT ME TO REPLY OR YOU'RE OKAY TO REPLY? YOU ARE MUTED.
>> I CAN REPLY REGARDING THE SIGN.
THERE IS NO SIGN PROGRAM THERE SO YOU WILL BE UNDER THE 150 CODE, REGIONAL COMMERCIAL, SO -- BUT I DON'T KNOW ABOUT MAYBE, LEILA, YOU COULD ANSWER IF A FACADE COULD GO BACK TO COUNTY COMMISSIONER WHAT THE PROCESS MAY BE.
>> SO THE FACADE IMPROVEMENT, IT DEPENDS ON THE -- IF IT IS A SUBSTANTIAL FACADE IMPROVEMENT, IT MAY GO BACK BEFORE THE PLANNING COMMISSION, BUT IF IT IS A PAINT AND REROOFING, LANDSCAPE, SO THAT WON'T.
AND THE SIGNAGE, AS NIKKI SAID, IT WILL BE UNDER CHAPTER 150.
ALSO, THERE IS EXISTING SIGNAGE THAT CAN BE USED IF THEY'RE NOT DOING ANYTHING TO IT.
AND THOSE SIGNAGE ARE FREESTANDING SIGNS AND CAN BE STILL USED BECAUSE IT'S BASICALLY EXISTING.
1 BE CONFORMING BUT IT IS EXISTING.
SO IT DEPENDS ON THE RANGE OF THAT FACADE IMPROVEMENT.
IF IT'S POSSIBLE, IF THERE'S EVER A THOUGHT OF MAYBE IT SHOULD COME BACK TO US OR IT SHOULD NOT COME BACK TO US, WE REALLY WOULD LIKE IT TO COME BACK TO US IF IT BECOMES SOMETHING SUBSTANTIAL, AND I HOPE IT DOES BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF WORK THERE THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE, BUT I THINK THIS COULD BE A MAJOR IMPROVEMENT AND CHANGE TO THAT SECTION OF OUR CITY, SO I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OF STAFF OR THE APPLICANT AT THIS TIME?
[00:30:01]
I THINK AS LONG AS WE HELP EACH OTHER, I THINK WE CAN HAVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP AND GROW AND PROSPER AND ALL WILL BE GOOD.DO WE HAVE ANY -- GO AHEAD, NICCO.
>> I'M SORRY, JUST BRIEFLY WE HAVE ENGAGED AN ENGINEER ALREADY.
NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ASIDE FROM FREE HAND SITE SKETCHES, BUT WE'RE ALREADY ON TRACK.
DO WE HAVE ANY COMMENTS FROM ANYONE IN THE PUBLIC OR QUESTIONS ON THIS ITEM?
>> THERE'S NO OTHER COMMENTS, I'LL GO AHEAD AND CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS ITEM.
AND MOVE ON TO COMMISSIONER DELIBERATIONS.
DO WE HAVE ANY COMMENTS OR DO I HAVE A MOTION OR WHERE ARE WE? 1 PLANNING AROUND THE DOWNTOWN AND CONTEMPLATING WHERE AUTO USES BELONG.
THIS IS A TOUGHER SECTION OF THE CITY.
THERE'S A LOT OF EXISTING AUTO USES IN THAT AREA.
WE HAVE A BUILDING THAT'S BEEN VACANT FOR TEN YEARS OR MORE.
I'M PRETTY OPEN TO THE IDEA OF HAVING A NEW DEALERSHIP COME IN TO SELL USED VEHICLES.
WHAT I HAVE HESITATION ON, THOUGH, IS WHAT A LOT OF THAT SECTION HAS TURNED INTO, WHICH IS JUST CARS KIND OF EVERYWHERE, RUNDOWN BUILDING, AND SO I'M VERY OPEN TO THE IDEA, AND I THINK THE APPLICANT HAS THE ABILITY TO REALLY UPGRADE THE PROPERTY.
THAT'S SOMETHING I THINK THE PLANNING COMMISSION SHOULD REALLY TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT, IF THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO IT.
I KNOW THE APPLICANT HAS THEIR PROCESS TO CLOSE ON THE PROPERTY AND DEVELOP THOSE PLANS STILL, SO I COULD BE OPEN TO SEEING THOSE PLANS AT A LATER DATE IF THAT'S SOMETHING WE COULD DO, BUT I THINK THERE ARE SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENTS THAT NEED TO HAPPEN ON THE PROPERTY BEYOND JUST PAINT ON THE OUTSIDE.
SO I'M HOPING THAT IF THERE'S A WAY TO GET A DESIGN REVIEW OUT OF THERE, WE'RE LOOKING AT THE EXTERIOR CHANGES, THAT'S WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE.
GENERALLY I THINK THERE'S A GOOD OPPORTUNITY HERE TO HAVE A NEW USE COME IN.
IS THAT COMMISSIONER LOPEZ, GO AHEAD.
>> SO I JUST WANT TO MENTION THAT THIS IS A CUP SO THEY'RE HERE BEFORE YOU FOR THE USE.
YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE USE, NOT THE DESIGN, AND AGAIN, THERE IS NO, NOTHING LEGALLY UNDER THE CITY CODE THAT THE STAFF TO BRING THIS BACK TO YOU UNLESS IT WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE DESIGN REVIEW WHICH NEEDS BASICALLY A WHOLE NEW DESIGN AND A WHOLE NEW SITE CIRCULATION AND A WHOLE NEW ARCHITECTURE.
THEN THAT BECOMES A DESIGN REVIEW AND COMES BEFORE YOU.
BUT WE CAN'T JUST BRING THIS BEFORE YOU BECAUSE THEY'RE DOING A REMODEL.
>> THEN I THINK I WANT TO CLARIFY THAT I THINK THE PART OF THE REASON TO ENTERTAIN THIS CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AND TO BE OPEN TO IT IS TO -- IS BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND THERE'S GOING TO BE A BUILDING IMPROVEMENT THAT'S COMING ALONG WITH IT.
TYPICALLY I WOULD ACTUALLY LIKE TO SEE THE BUILDING IMPROVEMENT WITH THE CUP BEFORE US, BUT SINCE THAT ISN'T THE CASE, I WOULD THINK WE CAN DEFER IT.
AND STAFF, MAYBE YOU CAN HELP ME, I THINK BECAUSE THE APPLICANT HAS SAID, HEY, THE PROPERTY NEEDS SOME REHAB, WE ALL RECOGNIZED THE PROPERTY NEEDS SOME REHAB, IF THAT COULD BE A CONDITION ON THE CUP SUBJECT TO A DESIGN REVIEW WITH THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
>> I'LL JUMP IN, IF I MAY, COMMISSIONER.
I THINK THERE'S TWO POINTS THERE.
ONE IF IT'S ELIGIBLE AS SENIOR PLANNER NAMVAR SAID OBVIOUSLY IT WILL COME BACK THE TO PLANNING COMMISSION.
IF FOR SOME REASON IT'S NOT ELIGIBLE, I WOULD THINK THAT THE APPLICANT'S AGREEMENT, WE COULD BRING IT BACK JUST FOR SHARING PURPOSES.
IF IT'S NOT ELIGIBLE, WE CAN'T LEGALLY CONDITION SOMEONE TO DO SOMETHING THAT WE DO NOT KNOW IF IT'S ELIGIBLE FOR YET OR NOT.
SO I THINK IT WOULD BE CHALLENGING FOR US TO PLACE A CONDITION REQUIRING DESIGN REVIEW FOR SOMETHING THAT WE DON'T KNOW IF IT QUALIFIES FOR DESIGN REVIEW, BUT I THINK AS A COURTESY WE COULD BRING IT BACK FOR INFORMATIONAL SHARING PURPOSES AS PART OF THE STAFF REPORT ITEMS PORTION OF OUR AGENDA WHEN AND IF THE APPLICANT BRINGS THOSE -- THE DOCUMENT IF THEY'RE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR DESIGN REVIEW, I THINK WE COULD DO THAT AS A SHARING OPPORTUNITY, AND I'M LOOKING AT THE CITY ATTORNEY AND/OR SENIOR PLANNER NAMVAR TO SEE IF THEY AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH ME.
>> KEVIN, THIS IS ZACH STEPPING IN.
GENERALLY I AGREE THAT THE MAIN DRIVER HERE IS GOING TO BE WHEN THE CODE PROVIDES
[00:35:03]
THE OPPORTUNITY FOR DESIGN REVIEW, SITE PLAN REVIEW HERE.IF THE PROJECT WOULDN'T QUALIFY FOR THOSE SITE REVIEW -- SORRY, EXCUSE ME -- DESIGN REVIEW UNDER THE CODE, THE COMMISSION MAY BE LIMITED AT THIS MOMENT IN LEGALLY REQUIRING THAT AT A LATER DATE, BUT I DO THINK KEVIN'S OR DIRECTOR SNYDER'S POINT IS WELL TAKEN THAT I'M NOT AWARE OF ANYTHING THAT PROHIBITS KIND OF VOLUNTARY SHARING OF SUCH DESIGN AND PLANS.
>> SO WE'RE LOOKING AT SOMETHING LIKE WHAT WE DO FOR OUR STUDY SESSIONS WHERE IT'S NOT BINDING BUT THEY COME -- THEY COULD BE HERE OR JUST STAFF SHOWS WHAT THE PLAN IS AND THE COMMISSION HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE COMMENTS.
>> ACTUALLY, NO, IT WON'T BE A CONSULTATION SESSION.
IT WILL BE AN INFORMATIONAL ITEM.
IT WILL COME BEFORE YOU, THIS IS WHAT THEY'RE PROPOSING, FYI.
>> WE DON'T HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO VOICE OUR OPINION.
>> I DON'T THINK THAT'S WHAT COMMISSIONER CEJA WAS WORKING ON.
>> BECAUSE PER THE CITY CODE, NEW BUILDINGS COME BEFORE YOU, BUT AS I SAID, THE REMODEL, IT DEPENDS.
IF THEY'RE GUTTING EVERYTHING, THE ENTIRE FRONT FACADE AND CHANGING IT COMPLETELY TO SOMETHING ELSE, YES, WE USUALLY BRING THAT BEFORE YOU.
BUT IF IT IS A MINOR, THEN, NO.
AT THIS POINT BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW, I GUESS MY SUGGESTION WOULD BE THE SAME AS DIRECTOR SNYDER TO LET THE STAFF REVIEW THEIR PROPOSAL AND THEN IF WE FIND A IT'S NOT SUBSTANTIAL WE BRING IT AS AN INFORMATIONAL ITEM.
AS I SAID, THE CODE CURRENTLY REQUIRES NEW BUILDINGS TO COME BACK FOR DESIGN REVIEW.
>> PERHAPS I CAN INTERJECT ONE MORE TIME, CHAIR.
AND THIS IS I GUESS A QUESTION TO THE APPLICANT.
OUT OF FAIRNESS TO THE APPLICANT WE'RE USING A TERM THEY MAY NOT BE FAMILIAR WITH, WHICH IS PROJECT CONSULTATION.
THIS IS WHERE WE BRING BEFORE THE COMMISSION IN KIND OF A STUDY SESSION FORMAT.
IT'S LITERALLY SHARING OF INFORMATION.
THE COMMISSION GIVES THEIR FEEDBACK.
WE OFTENTIMES DO IT BEFORE FORMAL SUBMITTALS SO THAT THE COMMISSION CAN GET EARLY FEEDBACK AND IT HELPS THE APPLICANT FIGURE OUT WHAT POTENTIAL QUESTIONS OR ISSUES MIGHT BE.
SO WE IF THE COMMISSION IS STILL CONCERNED ABOUT SEEING THE DESIGN AND IF THE APPLICANT IS WILLING TO WORK WITH STAFF, WE COULD DO A PROJECT CONSULTATION WHERE YOU COULD SEE DESIGNS IF IT RISES TO THE LEVEL OF A DESIGN REVIEW OR EVEN IF IT DOESN'T, BUT IF IT DOESN'T, THEN IT'S SIMPLY YOU JUST GETTING THE CHANCE TO PREVIEW, GIVE SOME FEEDBACK.
IT'S NOT BINDING ON THE APPLICANT PER SE.
THEY DON'T HAVE TO FOLLOW ANY OF THE INPUTS.
BUT IN THE SPIRIT OF COOPERATION, YOU KNOW, I'M NOT TRYING TO PUT THE APPLICANT OR TEAM ON THE SPOT, BUT IF THEY WOULD BE WILLING TO CONSIDER THAT, PERHAPS THAT WOULD MASSAGE SOME OF THE CONCERNS OF THE COMMISSION.
>> WE CERTAINLY WANT TO BE GOOD NEIGHBORS.
IF THERE'S -- WE DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM SHARING OUR PLANS.
I THINK IT'S GOING TO LOOK NICE.
BUT IF WE WANT TO HAVE AN INFORMAL SESSION WHERE WE SHOW YOU WHAT THE PLANS ARE, AND IF THERE ARE ANY COMMENTS, MAYBE THERE'S MORE EYES ARE BETTER THAN JUST A FEW, SO I'M CERTAINLY OKAY WITH IT.
COMMISSIONER CEJA, WOULD THAT WORK FOR YOU?
MY HOPE IS THAT WHEN WE SEE THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS, WHICH REQUIRE SOME LEVEL OF DISCRETION BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND WE KNOW THERE'S FACADE CHANGES THAT WE HAD NEED TO HAPPEN, SITE PLAN CHANGES THAT THEY ACCOMPANY THE SITE REVIEW THAT WE'RE REVIEWING.
AN OPTION THAT COULD BE EXPLAINED MAYBE IS THAT.
>> LET'S GIVE HIM A MOMENT TO TURN OFF HIS FIRE ALARM.
>> WHAT'S FOR DINNER? OR WHAT WAS GOING TO BE FOR DINNER?
>> HOPEFULLY EVERYTHING IS FINE.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU GUYS WERE CONTINUING OR NOT.
[00:40:03]
SO AGAIN MY HOPE WOULD BE THAT WE WOULD SEE WHAT THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT, AND PERHAPS SOMETHING WE COULD ENTERTAIN IS THAT SITING CONCERNS OVER THE AESTHETIC OF THE CAR DEALERSHIP ITSELF, THIS TRANSITIONING FROM A NEW TO A USED CAR DEALERSHIP, BEING CONCERNED WITH SIGNS AND WHAT THE AESTHETIC MAY BE, IS THERE AN OPTION TO CONTINUE THIS ITEM UNTIL THOSE ITEMS ARE ACCOMPANIED WITH THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT?
>> I'M GOING TO RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE WITH YOU, COMMISSIONER.
BEEN I'M GOING TO LOOK AT THE ASSISTANT ATTORNEY.
I THINK THAT THE COMMISSION, IT DOESN'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO -- THIS IS A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT WHICH IS FOCUSED ON THE LAND USE ELEMENT.
THIS IS NOT A DESIGN REVIEW REQUEST.
I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND THE COMMISSIONERS AND COMMISSION'S CONCERNS ABOUT DESIGN AS A REASONABLE CONCERNS, AND AS THE SENIOR PLANNER HAS POINTED OUT, IF IT WARRANTS DESIGN REVIEW, IT WOULD COME BACK TO YOU.
WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT AN ALTERNATIVE WHERE YOU CAN GIVE INPUTS BUT I DON'T THINK WE CAN LEGALLY TIE EITHER CONTINUING THE ITEM UNTIL THEY DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THERE'S DESIGN REVIEW, I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A LEGAL NEXUS, BUT I WILL DEFER TO THE ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY.
>> I WOULD AGREE WITH WHAT MR. SNYDER SAID IN FRONT OF THE COMMISSION THIS EVENING IS A REQUEST FOR USE PERMIT.
THE PROJECT HAS SUBMITTED, IT HASN'T TRIGGERED THE DESIGN REVIEW REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE CODE YET, SO THERE'S NOT NECESSARILY THE NEXUS TO REQUIRE THEM TO HOLD THESE TWO AT THE SAME TIME AT THE MOMENT, GIVEN WHAT THE APPLICANT IS SEEKING.
>> COMMISSIONER CEJA, ANY OTHER COMMENTS?
I GUESS WE GOT OUR ANSWER FROM STAFF.
I DON'T KNOW HOW COMFORTABLE I FEEL LINING AT A NEW CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT WHEN WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE ACTUALLY APPROVING ASIDE FROM THE USE.
I GUESS STAFF'S POINT IS SOMETHING FOR TO US CONSIDER, I THINK.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM COMMISSIONERS?
>> MY COMMENT IS JUST BASICALLY THAT THIS IS A PIECE OF PROPERTY THAT'S BEEN VACANT FOR QUITE SOME TIME AND ITS HISTORY IT HAS ALMOST ALWAYS BEEN A CAR
DEALERSHIP, WHETHER IT'S NEW CAR DEALERSHIP -- >> COMMISSIONER, DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION? WE'RE STILL IN PUBLIC, RIGHT? 2 ATTORNEY?
>> NO, CHAIR, IF I RECALL CORRECTLY, YOU CLOSED THE HEARING.
SO GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER YSIANO.
JUST MY THOUGHT IS THERE ARE NO NEW DEALERSHIPS ON THAT SIDE OF DOWN ANY MORE.
THEY'RE PRETTY MUCH ALL LOCATED OFF OF THE FREEWAY NOW.
SO I THINK THAT ANY IMPROVEMENT TO THIS AREA IS GOING TO BE A BIG IMPROVEMENT.
I WOULD JUST MAYBE LET THE APPLICANT KNOW THAT THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO KIND OF SET YOURSELF -- PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE AND REALLY PUT YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD.
THIS IS THE ENTRANCE COMING FROM COACHELLA INTO OUR CITY SO IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO SHINE.
A LOT OF THE USED CAR LOTS IN THAT AREA HAVE -- SOMETIMES YOU ONLY SEE THEM AROUND FOR A MERE MATTER OF MODS BEFORE THEY ARE GOING FROM A LOT FULL OF CARS BEFORE THEY'RE EMPTY FROM ONE DEALER TO THE NEXT.
SO IT SOUNDS LIKE YOUR GOAL IS TO PUT YOUR FOOTPRINT HERE AND, YOU KNOW, THIS IS JUST A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO PUT SOMETHING REALLY GREAT FORWARD ON THIS SIDE OF THE VALLEY.
VICE CHAIR LOPEZ, ANY COMMENTS?
>> YOU KNOW, I UNDERSTAND WHERE COMMISSIONER CEJA'S COMMENTS ARE, AND I DO FEEL A LITTLE FRUSTRATED, BUT I WANT TO TRUST THAT -- I MEAN, BECAUSE THAT ENTRY AREA INTO OUR CITY IS A VERY HUGE FOCAL POINT COMING IN, SO, YOU KNOW, I'M JUST GOING TO TRUST THAT WE CAN -- THE DESIGN OF THAT USED CAR, NEW CAR SALES LOT, IT MEETS OUR STANDARDS AND, YEAH, I'M JUST A LITTLE FRUSTRATED WITH THE PROCESS RIGHT NOW, AND I'M TRYING TO GET MY HEAD AROUND ALL OF THIS.
I JUST WANT TO JUST ECHO WHAT COMMISSIONER CEJA'S THOUGHTS WERE.
>> THANK YOU, VICE CHAIR LOPEZ.
I HOPE THAT YOU ARE WILLING TO COME BEFORE US FOR A NON-BINDING REVIEW OF YOUR IMPROVEMENTS AND FACADES.
WE HAVE BEEN WORKING REALLY HARD AS A CITY AND AS A COMMISSION TO I GUESS CHANGE A LITTLE BIT OF THE IMAGE OF INDIO, AND WE REALLY ARE WORKING HARD TO MOVE TO THAT
[00:45:03]
NEXT LEVEL, SO WE HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US IN THAT, IN THAT PROCESS.ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR DO WE HAVE A MOTION?
>> IF THERE'S NO OTHER COMMENTS, I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE CUP NUMBER 20-08-2062 TO ALLOW USED CAR VEHICLE SALES AT THE ADDRESS ON HIGHWAY 111.
>> I HAVE A FIRST AND A SECOND.
CAN WE HAVE A ROLL CALL VOTE, PLEASE.
>> AND, CHAIR, IF I MAY BEFORE YOU CALL ROLL CALL JUST IF I CAN CLARIFY FOR THE RECORD WHAT THE MOTION AND SECOND WERE WOULD BE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 1968 A PLANNING COMMISSION APPROVING CONDITIONAL CUP 20-08-2062 TO ALLOW A CAR DEALERSHIP INDEPENDENT RC SOWN DETERMINING THAT THE PROJECT IS EXCEPT FROM CEQA UNDER THE CLASS 1 EXEMPTION AND THAT THAT RESOLUTION TEXT IS WHAT MS. GOMEZ CIRCUMSTANCES LATED TO YOU EARLIER.
JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE'RE APPROVING THE RIGHT ITEM.
CAN WE PLEASE HAVE ROLL CALL VOTE.
>> VICE CHAIRPERSON JACQUELINE LOPEZ.
WELCOME TO QUANTUM AUTO SALES AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING YOU IN OUR CITY.
>> LOOKING FOR TO SEEING YOUR DESIGN.
WE CAN NOW MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER 9, ACTION ITEMS. THERE ARE NONE.
NUMBER 10, STUDY SESSION ITEMS. THERE ARE NONE.
[11. STAFF ITEMS]
>> I WILL START AND THEN LEILA MAY WANT TO FINISH UP.
THE PREVIOUS CONVERSATION WAS A LEAD-IN TO WE ARE BEGINNING THE PROCESS OF KICKING OFF THE SPECIFIC PLAN FOR THE HIGHWAY 111 CORRIDOR WHICH INCLUDES THIS AREA OF THE HIGHWAY 111 CORRIDOR, SO EVERYTHING YOU'VE TALKED ABOUT IN THE EARLIER DISCUSSION KEEP IN MIND, INCLUDING THE PROCESS STEPS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE BECAUSE THROUGH THE SPECIFIC PLANNING PROCESS YOU CAN ADDRESS THOSE BECAUSE AGAIN SPECIFIC PLANS ARE A FORM OF ZONING.
THAT INCLUDES PROCESS ELEMENTS.
AND KEEP OTHER THOUGHTS IN MIND FOR HIGHWAY 111 CORRIDOR.
AGAIN THIS IS FROM INDIO BOULEVARD TO JEFFERSON, SO IT'S THE ENTIRETY OF THAT CORRIDOR.
AND WE'LL BE TALKING ABOUT A LOT OF ISSUES, INCLUDING WHAT YOU JUST TALKED ABOUT.
AND THEN THE OTHER THING I WANTED TO REPORT ON IS THAT -- AND LEILA WILL WANT TO SUPPLEMENT -- WE'RE MAKING GOOD PROGRESS ON THE ZONE CODE UPDATE.
WE'RE GETTING INTO PRODUCTION WITH THE CONSULTANT AND FINGERS CROSSED WE HOPE TO HAVE SOME WORKING DRAFTS TO SHAR WITH YOU AFTER THE FIRST OF THE YEAR, SO WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS ON THAT.
AND WITH THAT, I DON'T KNOW IF LEILA HAS ANYTHING SHE WANTS TO ADD.
>> I DON'T HAVE THINKING TO ADD REGARDING THE ZONING BUT I JUST WANTED TO INFORM THE PLANNING COMMISSION THAT THE CENSUS EFFORTS TO BASICALLY COMPLETE THE FORMS ONLINE WILL END TOMORROW NIGHT, SO TWO EVENTS, WHICH IS ONE TONIGHT, OUR CENSUS PARTNERS ARE AT THE INDIO SWAP MEET OR THE COUNTY'S OPEN AIR MARKET TONIGHT FROM 5:00 TO 10:00, AND THEN TOMORROW WE'LL BE IN A SPACE BUILDING A BUILDING WHICH IS NEXT TO THE ICE CREAM SHOP FROM 12:00 TO 4:00, SO TRYING TO USE THE LAST HOURS OF THE TIME THAT WE HAVE.
AND AS OF TODAY, WE ARE AT 54.5%.
SO A LITTLE BIT OVER HALF OF THE POPULATION HAS RESPONDED.
>> I JUST WANTED TO ADD WE'RE NOT STOPPING BECAUSE WE WANT TO.
WE'RE STOPPING BECAUSE THAT PESKY LITTLE FEDERAL COURT CALLED THE U.S.
SO THEY STOPPED THE COUNT AS OF TOMORROW, AND SO WE ARE STOPPING UNFORTUNATELY.
LEILA AND I WERE PLANNING TO RUN THAT TO THE BITTER END, UNTIL OCTOBER 31ST UNTIL WE
[12. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS]
GOT THE NOTICE YESTERDAY.>> ANY COMMENTS FROM COMMISSIONERS?
>> I JUST WANT TO THANK SCOTT AND EVERYBODY FOR PUSHING THE CENSUS.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT OUR FUTURE AND OUR CITY, AND I JUST WANTED TO AGAIN THANK
[00:50:04]
YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK IN PUSHING THESE LAST FEW HOURS TO GET -- TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE ALL COUNTED.SO I DO HAVE A COUPLE OF COMMENTS.
I HAD A COUPLE OF CONVERSATIONS WITH NIKKI ABOUT USAGE, AND I KNOW THAT WITH THE HIGHWAY 111 SPECIFIC PLAN AND WIT THE ZONING THAT WE'RE WORKING ON HOPEFULLY ALL THE QUESTIONS I HAD WON'T HAVE TO BE ASKED AGAIN NEXT TIME.
I THINK A BIG ONE FOR HIGHWAY 111 TO ME IS TO DEFINE THE USAGE, YOU KNOW, AND I KNOW THAT THERE ARE PARTS OF HIGHWAY 111 WHERE AUTO DEALERSHIPS ARE NOT ALLOWED AND SOME PARTS OF IT'S A MAYBE AND SO I'M HOPING THAT THAT'S WHEN WE LOOK AT THE ZONING AND THE HIGHWAY 111 SPECIFIC PLAN THAT WE CAN CLARIFY THINGS LIKE THAT.
SO MAYBE WE DON'T HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS WHEN SOMETHING COMES UP.
BUT I DO WANT TO THANK NIKKI FOR CALLING ME BACK AND ANSWERING MY QUESTIONS, CALLING ME BACK AND ANSWERING MY NEXT QUESTION AND CALLING ME BACK AND ANSWERING MY NEXT QUESTION.
IT DEFINITELY MADE THE MEETING A LOT EASIER, THE QUESTIONS THAT I WOULD HAVE ASKED HERE WERE ASKED PRIOR AND I FELT BETTER WITH THE PROCESS.
SO THANK YOU, NIKKI, FOR THAT.
OH, MY OTHER COMMENT IS FOR THE THE MUSEUM WE HAD HOPED TO DO A DATE OF DEAD CELEBRATION, A SMALL ONE IN PERSON BUT BASED ON THE INCREASE IN COVID NUMBERS AND THE WAY EVERYTHING LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOING, WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE DOING IN-PERSON BUT WE WILL HAVE ITEMS ON SOCIAL MEDIA STARTING OCTOBER 24TH AND RUNNING THROUGH NOVEMBER 7TH.
WE HOPE YOU WILL SHARE IT AND LET PEOPLE KNOW THE 7TH.
THE BAND WHICH USUAL YOU PLAYS FOR US WILL BE PERFORMING.
SO YOU CAN HAVE YOUR OWN IN-HOME PRIVATE DEAH DE LAS MEW EFFORTES CELEBRATION.
PLEASE KEEP THAT IN MIND AND AGAIN YOU CAN BUY MASKS FOR DAY OF THE DEAD AT THE MUSEUM FOR A DONATION.
ONE ADDITIONAL THING AS IT RELATES TO YOUR NEXT MEETING AGENDA.
WE WANTED TO SEE IF THE COMMISSION WOULD BE ABLE TO DO A BROWN ACT CONFLICT 28 INTEREST TRAINING WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY, ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY HEINSELMAN FROM 5:00 P.M.
AND THEN YOU WOULD GO INTO YOUR REGULAR MEETING AT 6:00.
SO WOULD THE COMMISSIONERS BE AVAILABLE, ALL THE COMMISSIONERS BE AVAILABLE AT 5:00 TO PARTICIPATE IN THAT?
>> IF MY CALENDAR WOULD COME UP, I COULD TELL YOU.
>> IT'S STILL GOING TO BE VIA ZOOM.
WE'RE NOT DOING ANYTHING IN PERSON.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM ANYONE? NO? OKAY.
GO AHEAD AND ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 6:54 P.M., AND OUR NEXT PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING, VIRTUAL MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 28, 2020 AT 6:00 P.M.
THANK YOU, EVERYONE AND HAVE A NICE EVENING.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.