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Home My WebLink About2020-09-22 ARC Regular Meeting MinutesCITY OF PALM DESERT ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES SEPTEMBER 22, 2020 (VIRTUAL ZOOM MEETING) CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 12:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Commissioners Chris Van Vliet, Chair Karel Lambell, Vice Chair Allan Levin Michael McAuliffe Jim McIntosh Jim Schmid John Vuksic Current Meeting Present Absent X X X X X X X Also Present Ryan Stendell, Director Community Development Eric Ceja, Principal Planner Kevin Swartz, Associate Planner Nick Melloni, Assistant Planner Wayne Olson, Economic Dev Deborah Glickman, Economic Dev Janine Judy, Recording Secretary Cancelled meetings: 12/24119, 3/10/20, 3/24120, 4114/20. 8111/20 ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: September 8, 2020 Year to Date Present Absent 12 2 13 1 14 12 2 12 2 12 2 13 1 Action: Commission Levin moved to approve the September 8, 2020 meeting minutes. Motion was seconded by Chair Van Vliet and carried by a 5-0-2 vote, with Lambell, Levin, Schmid, Van Vliet, and Vuksic voting YES and McAuliffe and McIntosh absent. ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES September 22, 2020 V. CASES: A. Final Drawings: 1. CASE NO: MISC 20-0019 APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: H3K DESIGN, 501 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92264 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration to approve a request to convert the former EZ Lube building into a design showroom: H3K Design. LOCATION: 74180 Highway 111 ZONE: D.O. Mr. Kevin Swartz, Associate Planner, presented a proposal to convert the former EZ Lube building into a design/furniture showroom for H3K Design. The project includes the following; converting the bay garage doors to fixed and operable glass; re -painting the exterior (cream, light grey, and dark grey); removing the existing driveway along Cabrillo Avenue; modifying the parking area; a new 5-foot high decorative fence featuring pressed concrete breeze block; wrought iron; and new landscaping along the west and north property lines. Staff recommends approval of the proposed remodel, and a new 5-foot high decorative fence. The conversion from an automotive use to a design showroom will enhance the commercial corridor along Highway 111 as it transitions into the residential neighborhood. The Commission discussed the pedestrian access gate, modification of the sidewalk, location of the trash enclosure, parking requirements, and the air conditioning units. They recommended screening the air conditioning units below the parapet. The Commission discussed the block wall and suggested a stacked bond block instead of the wrought iron, with good landscaping in front of it to soften it. They also suggested looking at something more upscale than wrought iron. A material that will be more appropriate for the level of design as shown for the overall project. The Commission discussed the front of the building on the south elevation and said the subtle two tone differences complement the building's design but as you move around to the west elevation it appears chopped up with many variables that take away from the building. They said a stacked bond block wall set back from the deco block panels with some manipulation and nice landscaping will create a G.1PlanningUanineJudfARC1202OWinutes120 2min.docx Page 2 of 5 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES September 22, 2020 nice layering. They also suggested artfully ramping up the new block wall with artwork or metal designs on both sides of the wall. ACTION: Commissioner Vuksic moved to continue Case No. MISC 20-0019 subject to: 1) restudy the wall material and show more consistency; 2) choose a material more appropriate for the level of design; 3) restudy landscape choices; and 3) ensure that air conditioning units are below the parapet. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Levin and carried by a 5-0-2 vote, with Lambell, Levin, Schmid, Van Vliet, and Vuksic voting YES and McAuliffe and McIntosh absent. B. Preliminary Plans: 1. CASE NO: PP/CUP 20-0003 APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: CHANDI ENTERPRISES LLC, 42270 Spectrum Street, Indio, CA 92203 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration to approve a mixed -use project consisting of approximately 16,500 square feet of retail/office uses on the ground floor, and 60 residential units (1- 3 bedrooms) on the second and third floors; Chandi Mixed -Use Project. LOCATION: SEC Fred Waring Drive & San Pablo Avenue ZONE: D.E.: Mr. Kevin Swartz, Associate Planner, presented a proposal for a mixed - use three-story building located on the southeast corner of Fred Waring Drive and San Pablo Avenue. He reminded the Commission this came before them on July 14, 2020 and summarized the changes made by the applicant since that meeting. He recommended preliminary approval of the project and of the architectural design. If approved, the applicant may proceed to Planning Commission once all City departments have issued conditions of approval. The Commission reviewed the changes and discussed the size and texture of the stone surfaces, the window detail, the eyebrow canopy, the rooftop mechanical screen louvers, addition of ceiling height to the residential units, the areas identified for solar, the on -site storm water retention plan, changes to the parking structure with materials, color and texture, fire sprinklers and detector check risers. They asked about the north elevator access control for the public and residents and the applicant explained that the public will have access to the first and second floor but only the residents will have controls to the third and fourth floors. G:TlanningVanineJudMAC%2020\Minuies1200922min.docx Page 3 of 5 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES September 22, 2020 The Commission and the applicant reviewed and discussed the massing of the building and the existing residential home to the east. The applicant explained there will be planters placed on the second floor of the building that are self-contained with a wire screening attached for vines to grow up and create a green privacy barrier. The Commission and the applicant discussed the recommendation to provide breaks or openings in the project to maximize the ability for a cross breeze through the courtyard during the hotter months. The applicant said they will enhance the landscape design and provide a misting system and introduce a water feature to assist with evaporative cooling to bring the ambient temperature comfort down. The Commission and the applicant reviewed and discussed the location of all utility meters and how that will work with the architecture. The applicant stated the gas meters will be wall mounted, and they may potentially have a boiler system with sub meters in each one of the units. The Commission stated they were still concerned with their locations from an architectural standpoint, Mr. Swartz reminded the Commission they are looking for preliminary approval to move this along to the Planning Commission. He pointed out that the first round of construction drawings will return to the ARC to monitor this project as it moves through the process. ACTION: Commissioner Schmid moved to continue Case No. PP/CUP 20-0003 subject to: 1) showing layout and locations of all utilities and how they blend with the architecture; 2) provide a more detailed roof plan showing the parapet walls; 3) all parapet walls need to be extended/returned back more than 3'; and 4) restudy the block choice on the east elevation. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Lambell and carried by a 5-0-2 vote, with Lambell, Levin, Schmid, Van Vliet, and Vuksic voting YES and McAuliffe and McIntosh absent. Commissioner Schmid left at 2:30 p.m. C. Miscellaneous Items: None VI. COMMENTS None W-PlanningUanine Judy\ARC\2020\Minutes1200922m1n docx Page 4 of 5 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES September 22, 2020 VII. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Lambell moved to adjourn the Architectural Review Commission meeting at 2:40 p.m. , -,.;; � �- 4: A ERIC CEJA PRINCIPAL PLA R SECRETARY JANI J DY REC G SECRETARY GAPIanningUanine JudyIARC\2020\Minules\200922min.doex Page 5 of 5