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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-07-09 t ' *saw MINUTES PALM DESERT ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JULY 9, 1996 ***************************************************************** I. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 12 :25 p.m. Commissioners Present Current Meeting Year to Date Present Absent Present Absent Richard Holden (excused) X 18 2 Frank Urrutia X 18 2 Chris Van Vliet X 18 2 Wayne Connor X 17 3 Richard O'Donnell (excused) X 19 1 Ronald Gregory (excused) X 16 3 Staff Present: Steve Smith Steve Buchanan Daisy Garcia Donna Bitter II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: It was moved by Commissioner Urrutia, seconded by Commissioner Van Vliet, to approve the minutes of the June 25, 1996 meeting as submitted. Motion carried 3-0 . III . CASES: A. Final Drawings: 1. CASE NO. : 4666 SA APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS) : RIOFINE NEON for COLUMBIA CENTER, 3500 Tachevah, Unit D, Palm Springs, CA 92262 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of revised monument sign LOCATION: 72-990 & 73-020 E1 Paseo ZONE: C-1 Steve Smith reminded the commission that the case was before them at their last meeting and the applicant, Joe Brandt, had asked for a continuance. He noted that the representative for Riofine Neon indicated yesterday that they wish to have the matter denied to allow them to file an appeal with the city council . MINUTES ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JULY 9, 1996 Action: It was moved by Commissioner Urrutia, seconded by Commissioner Van Vliet, to deny the request for approval of a free standing sign with up to six tenants identified thereon as the commission determined that the proposed sign was not a center identification sign but rather was a directory sign and that due to its proposed location and amount of information contained on the sign, it could create a traffic hazard. Motion carried 3-0, Commissioners Gregory, Holden and O'Donnell Absent. 2 . CASE NO. : 429 C APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS) : WHITT/KRAUSS, 73-111 E1 Paseo, Palm Desert, CA 92260; MARC TARASUCK, AIA and ASSOCIATES, 744 "G" Street, Studio 206 , San Diego, CA 92101 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of storefront remodel to include handicap ramp, new entry way, new display area, and new awning LOCATION: 73-111 E1 Paseo ZONE: C-1 Steve Smith presented the proposed plans for the storefront remodel with a new display area and awning. Ms . Marilyn Hall, owner of Classy Carats located in the same center, addressed the commission to show where her store is located at the rear of the center. She noted that she has a five year lease and that no one had informed her of these proposed changes . Ms . Hall indicated that the mirror is proposed to be placed on her wall where she plans on installing windows . She added that the addition of the awning with the pop-out display area would totally block her store from E1 Paseo. Mr. Smith asked Ms. Hall when the property owner, Mr. Foxx, became aware of her concerns because he had signed the application. Ms . Hall indicated that Mr. Foxx had not discussed this with her. Mr. Smith suggested that the commission continue the matter for two weeks with the direction that it be returned to the building owner to make a determination on who is allowed to use the wall . 2 ,*MW ti.rO, MINUTES ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JULY 9, 1996 Commissioner Urrutia felt that the proposed canopy would be inappropriate. Commissioner Connor agreed. Action: It was moved by Commissioner Urrutia, seconded by Commissioner Van Vliet, to continue the matter with the direction that it be returned to the building owner to make the determination on who is allowed to use the wall and to address the concerns of Marilyn Hall, owner of Classy Carats. Motion carried 3-0, Commissioners Gregory, Holden and O'Donnell Absent. B. Preliminary Plans : 1 . CASE NO. : PP 96-6 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS) : REAL PROPERTY ASSOCIATES, 1706 "B" Newport Blvd. , Costa Mesa, CA 92627 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Review of approved preliminary plans for 9200 square foot commercial center LOCATION: North side of Highway 111, approximately 505 feet east of Deep Canyon Road ZONE: P.C. (4) Steve Smith presented the revised preliminary plans outlining the changes made. Mr. Buchanan asked about the issue of another approach to Highway 111 . Mr. Smith indicated that they have been instructed by the fire marshal to provide an emergency access off Highway 111 . Commissioner Urrutia noted that the west elevations showed breaks in the building and felt that they should be set in at least 1 foot. Action: It was moved by Commissioner Urrutia, seconded by Commissioner Van Vliet, to approve the revised preliminary plans subject to the working drawings reflecting a minimum of 3 ' of stepping on the east elevation and at least 1 ' of stepping on the building breaks on the west elevation. Motion carried 3-0, Commissioners Gregory, Holden and O'Donnell Absent. 3 MINUTES ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JULY 9, 1996 2. CASE NO. : PP/CUP 96-5 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS) : RICK MURO for PINNACLE ATHLETIC CLUB, 74-040 Highway 111, Suite B, Palm Desert, CA 92260 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of revised preliminary architectural and landscaping plans for health club facility LOCATION: 72-960 Fred Waring Drive ZONE: O.P. Steve Smith presented the revised plans showing the altered architecture. The plan now includes a two level parking structure providing for 124 parking spaces . The lower level would be approximately four feet below grade. The architect, Milt Chambers, explained the changes noting that everything on the corner had been lowered to 14 feet. Commissioner Urrutia asked if everything, including the parking structure, would be stucco. Mr. Chambers indicated that everything would be stucco. Commissioner Urrutia suggested that he look at material other than stucco for the parking structure because of the maintenance that would be involved. He added that stepping the building down was a great improvement. Commissioner Urrutia asked if there was something more that could be done along the Fred Waring Drive side, i .e. planters along the parking level, because he would like to see the cars screened more. Mr. Chambers indicated that he would be adding more palm trees and showed where vines would be planted. Commissioner Connor indicated that bougainvilleas were hard to rely on for screening because the maintenance is usually not done properly at a level higher than someone' s reach. Mr. Chambers asked about increasing the height of the retaining wall in the front to bring the grade back up. Commissioner Urrutia noted that the windows in the building stairway were deep set which was a nice approach to provide some needed relief and suggested that it be continued throughout the building, especially around the windows. Commissioner Connor agreed and felt that if the windows could be set back more it would give some relief to the flatness of the building. 4 MINUTES ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JULY 9, 1996 Commissioner Urrutia asked how the entrance worked from the parking structure. Mr. Chambers explained the pedestrian ramps to the different levels of the building. Mr. Smith noted that the applicant has overflow parking available at the property at the south side of the intersection. Action: It was moved by Commissioner Urrutia, seconded by Commissioner Connor, to approve the revised preliminary plans subject to additional landscaping treatment along Fred Waring Drive where it is adjacent to the parking structure and continuing the depth design elements around the windows. Motion carried 3-0, Commissioners Gregory, Holden and O'Donnell Absent. 3 . CASE NO. : CUP 96-19 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS) : SANTA FE HOMES OF AMERICA, INC. for PORTOLA PROFESSIONAL OFFICE BUILDING, 74-170 Highway 111, Suite B, Palm Desert, CA 92260 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of revised preliminary plans for residential conversion to office use and expansion LOCATION: Northwest corner of Portola Avenue and Alessandro Drive ZONE: R-3 Steve Smith presented the revised plans noting that the application before the planning commission will also include an application for variances to the setbacks from Alessandro and Portola Avenue. He indicated that they are proposing a 5 ' setback on the Alessandro side and that the public works department is requiring a 14 ' street dedication for widening. Of the 14 feet public works will use 8 feet in that the curb will be moved to 2 feet back and then a 6 foot sidewalk. They will be left with 6 ' of right-of-way along with the 5 ' building setback. Mr. Smith felt that under the circumstances staff did not feel that the setbacks would be out of character with the buildings across the street on the Portola Avenue side. The required setback on the Alessandro side is 15 feet and they are asking for a 5 Naw, MINUTES ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JULY 9 , 1996 5 foot setback variance. Mr. Smith noted that after looking at the Gregory, Oliphant, Goedecke and Arco buildings across the street, he felt that 7-1/2 ' for planting purposes would be sufficient. Mr. Smith noted that the public works department is requiring that the driveways be reversed. Commissioner Urrutia agreed. Commissioner Urrutia discussed the dead space in the design of the parking spaces and showed how the parking should be reversed to allow for additional planting. Mr. Buchanan noted that the loading and unloading of the handicap parking spaces had to be on the passenger side. Action: It was moved by Commissioner Urrutia, seconded by Commissioner Van Vliet, to grant conceptual approval of the revised plans directing the applicant to revise the elevations and complete the landscaping plan. Motion carried 3-0, Commissioners Gregory, Holden and O'Donnell Absent. 4 . CASE NO. : PP 96-7 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS) : ALFRED VOLLENWEIDER, 1750 Kalakawa Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96826; DAVID NELSON, Post Office Box 10329, Palm Desert, CA 92255 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of preliminary architectural and landscaping plans for two four-plex apartment buildings LOCATION: 45-480 & 45-484 Abronia Trail ZONE: R-3 Steve Smith presented the preliminary architectural and landscaping plans for the two 4-plex buildings showing how it will be served by a common driveway off Abronia Trail going into single car garages for each unit plus an open parking space for each. The representative for the applicant, David Nelson, addressed the commission stating that there are some existing homes that will be demolished. He indicated that it will be stucco with a concrete tile roof. 6 MINUTES ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JULY 9, 1996 Commissioner Urrutia discussed his concerns with the lack of access to the back of the units . Mr. Nelson suggested adding gates to the back fences . Mr. Smith noted that the open parking spaces are 11 ' 8" wide. Commissioner Urrutia asked if the building could be moved to the south in order to widen the open parking spaces and allow for additional landscaping. He also suggested creating a 3 ' to 4 ' breezeway to access the back of the property on the ground level, thus adding more to the living area on the second floor. Action: It was moved by Commissioner Van Vliet, seconded by Commissioner Connor, to continue the request directing the applicant to revise the plans to provide a breezeway connection to the rear of the units and to create wider access to the open parking spaces . Motion carried 3-0, Commissioners Gregory, Holden and O'Donnell Absent. 5 . CASE NO. : CUP 96-18 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS) : McFADDEN & McINTOSH ARCHITECTS for CAM' S CORNER, 73-929 Larrea, Suite 1A, Palm Desert, CA 92260 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of revised preliminary architectural and landscaping plans for fuel station/convenience store LOCATION: Northwest corner of Highway 111 and Deep Canyon Road ZONE: C-1 The case was continued at the applicant' s request. C. Miscellaneous: Commissioner Connor indicated that he still was very concerned with the lack of landscaping at the school at St. Margaret' s Church on Highway 74 . He reminded staff that the landscaping was to be a very crucial part of the streetscape and it still had not been completed. Commission directed staff to investigate the situation. 7 MINUTES ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JULY 9, 1996 IV. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 2 :05 p.m. /j�o- STEVESMITH PLANNING MANAGER SS/db 8