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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-11-25 MINUTES PALM DESERT ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1997 **************************************************************************************************** I. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 12:20 p.m. Commissioners Present Current Meeting Year to Date Present Absent Present Absent Richard Holden X 26 4 Frank Urrutia X 26 4 Chris Van Vliet X 27 3 Wayne Connor X 27 3 Richard O'Donnell X 26 4 Ronald Gregory X 25 5 Staff Present: Philip Drell, Director of Community Development Steve Smith, Planning Manager Martin Alvarez, Assistant Planner Steve Buchanan, Senior Plans Examiner Daisy Garcia, Code Enforcement Officer Kim Chafin, Senior Office Assistant II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: It was moved by Commissioner Holden, seconded by Chairman Gregory, to approve the minutes of the November 12, 1997 meeting as submitted. Motion carried 2-0-1, with Commissioners O'Donnell, Urrutia and Van Vliet absent, and Commissioner Connor abstaining. III. CASES. B. Final Drawings 2. CASE NO.: 4902 SA APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): PALMS TO PINE CANVAS for PALM DESERT TOBACCO, 69 Pinyon Pines, Mountain Center CA 92561 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Reconsideration of marquis awning posts LOCATION: 73-580 El Paseo ZONE: C-1 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEVOWOMMISSION NOVEMBER 25, 1997 MINUTES Mr. Smith reported that the Commission previously approved a canopy awning subject to six-inch posts, but the applicant now requests that the Commission approve four-inch posts. Commissioner Urrutia previously expressed concern about two-inch posts, but has indicated that he would have no opposition to four-inch posts for this project. Action: It was moved by Commissioner Connor, seconded by Commissioner Holden, to confirm that four-inch round posts are adequate. Motion carried 3-0, with Commissioners O'Donnell, Urrutia and Van Vliet absent. 3. CASE NO.: 4934 SA APPLICANT SAND ADDRESS): AMERICAN AWNING for SUNGLASS CITY, 44-489 Town Center Way, D194, Palm Desert CA 92260 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of awning with signage LOCATION: 73-378 El Paseo ZONE: C-1 Mr. Smith reported that the business is located in the former Lucky shopping center facing El Paseo, and the applicant proposes to have a glow white awning sign with black copy. The letters need to be restricted to the eight- inch height maximum, pursuant to the ordinance. Action: It was moved by Commissioner Connor, seconded by Commissioner Holden, to approve the awning with signage with the condition that the letters be a maximum of eight inches in height. Motion carried 3-0, with Commissioners O'Donnell, Urrutia and Van Vliet absent. V. Miscellaneous 2. CASE NO.: MISC 97-4 2 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEVV`"OMMISSION NOVEMBER 25, 1997 MINUTES APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: MR. & MRS. ESCHER, 73-713 Beavertail, Palm Desert CA 92260 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of 16-foot high residence LOCATION: 73-713 Beavertail ZONE: R-1 Mr. Smith reported that the Commission previously reviewed and approved the plans at the last meeting; however, the case was not listed on the agenda. The proposed home would be 16 feet in height on wider than normal lot. Chairman Gregory asked if other homes in the area are also 16 feet in height, to which Mr. Smith responded negatively, but pointed out that this home will have hipped roofs and will far exceed the setback requirements. Action: It was moved by Commissioner Connor, seconded by Chairman Gregory, to affirm the action of the meeting of November 12, 1997 approving the 16-foot high residence. Motion carried 3-0, with Commissioners O'Donnell, Urrutia and Van Vliet absent. IV. Final Working Drawings 1. CASE NO.: TPM 28596 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): SCHMID INVESTMENTS,L.P./BERNARD DEBONNE, 1501 Red Hill Avenue, Tustin CA 92780 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of final landscaping plans LOCATION: South side of Highway 111 east of Embassy Suites Hotel ZONE: OP Mr. Smith reported that this project is located immediately east of the Embassy Suites Hotel, and the City's landscape consultant, Eric Johnson, has included his written comments on the landscape plans. 3 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEVI OMMISSION --moll NOVEMBER 25, 1997 MINUTES Mr. Alvarez noted that the Coachella Valley Water District has also included a written comment on the plans that there should be a 24-inch separation between the curb and grass in order to prevent spray from overflowing onto Highway 111. Chairman Gregory suggested the use of a four-inch concrete mow strip to separate the desert dust from the lawn, and that the desert dust be wetted and compacted and treated with stabilizer. Commissioner Connor suggested that the spacing also be changed as follows: five feet on center for Baccharis; three feet for Lantana; four and-a- half feet for Leucophyllus; and four feet for Muhlenbergia. Peter Latourette was present on behalf of the applicant. Action: It was moved by Chairman Gregory, seconded by Commissioner Connor, to approve the landscaping plans with the following conditions: 1)that four-inch concrete mow strip be used to separate desert dust from the lawn, and the desert dust be wetted and compacted and treated with stabilizer; 2) that the spacing be changed as follows: a)five foot on center for Baccharis; b) three feet for Lantana; c)four and-a-half feet for Leucophyllum; and d)four feet for Muhlenbergia; and 3) that Eric Johnson's advice be followed regarding the Phormium. Motion carried 3-0, with Commissioners O'Donnell, Urrutia and Van Vliet absent. V. Miscellaneous 1. CASE NO.: MISC 97-3 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): MR. AND MRS. THOMAS BORISKI, 44-251 San Jose, Palm Desert CA 92260 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of six-foot high wood gates to screen recreational vehicle LOCATION: 44-251 San Jose ZONE: R-2 4 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEVOCOMMISSION 1*40' NOVEMBER 25, 1997 MINUTES Mr. Alvarez reported that this case involves a 10-foot high by 23-foot long recreational vehicle which is screened on two sides (to the east by a 10 to 12-foot oleander, and to the north by a six-foot block wall), but is not in compliance with the code since it is not screened from the street and other lots to the south. The property owner proposes to screen the vehicle with six-foot by eight-foot removable wood panels on three-and-a-half inch posts. The proposed wood panels are not an approved material for fencing in front yards. The Commission's recommendation is requested for submission to the Planning Commission at its December 2, 1997 meeting. Commissioner Connor suggested a masonry wall, to which Mrs. Boriski responded that she and her husband have already purchased the wood, and even though they read the ordinance, they must have misinterpreted it. Mr. Drell pointed out that the question is whether or not a six-foot high screen is more attractive than a 10-foot high recreational vehicle. Mrs. Boriski acknowledged that this issue has come up due to a recent complaint from a neighbor who lives down the street, even though she and her husband have owned a recreational vehicle for 15 years, and purchased this particular vehicle, which is the same size as the previous vehicle, this year. Commissioner Connor stated that since the complaint is from a neighbor down the street, perhaps the vehicle could be parked diagonally in the grass area, and landscaping could be used to screen the vehicle from the street frontage. Mrs. Boriski pointed out that it is currently necessary to drive the vehicle over the grass area and the curb in order to park it on the side of the house. Commissioner Connor suggested that a portion of the grass area to the east of the existing pad be paved over with an approved surface in order to allow the vehicle to be backed into the corner and still accommodate some type of screening. Mrs. Boriski was concerned about how such a paved area could be presented to prospective home purchasers, i.e., as a dog run, to which Mr. Drell responded that it could be presented as a place to park a recreational vehicle. Mrs. Boriski stated that she is concerned about resale value, as are the neighbors. Mrs. Boriski commented on the high expense of providing screening, and Commissioner Holden remarked that it may be more economical to place the vehicle in a storage facility. 5 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEVOMMISSION NOVEMBER 25, 1997 MINUTES Chairman Gregory pointed out that this is a difficult, but not impossible case, and suggested that the applicant give it some more thought and come back to the Commission with proposed plans. Mrs. Boriski remarked that she cannot afford architectural services, to which Chairman Gregory responded that architectural services are not necessary, and suggested that simple plans on graph paper could be prepared by the applicant. Mrs. Boriski asked about the possibility of using planters on rollers. Commissioner Connor replied that it might be a possibility, but the Commission would need to see it incorporated into a simple plot plan. Commissioner Connor suggested that this case be continued to allow the applicant to develop alternative solutions. Mrs. Boriski asked how much time she would have, to which Mr. Drell responded that the Planning Commission is schedule to hear this case at its December 2nd meeting, but the case could be continued; so he would suggest that this case be continued to the next meeting of the Architectural Review Commission or when the plans are submitted. Action: It was moved by Commissioner Connor, seconded by Commissioner Holden, to continue the case to the next meeting in order to allow the applicant to develop alternative solutions. Motion carried 3-0, with Commissioners O'Donnell, Urrutia and Van Wet absent. B. Final Drawings 1. CASE NO.: 4930 SA APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): IMPERIAL SIGN for EUROPEAN CHILD CHILDREN'S BOUTIQUE, 46-120 Calhoun, Indio CA 92201 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of sign awning LOCATION: 73-655 El Paseo ZONE: C-1 Mr. Alvarez reported that the applicant proposes to have internally illuminated eight-inch letters on the awning, and the awning will extend the same distance as the awning next door. 6 Y ARCHITECTURAL REVIEV 'OMMISSION NOVEMBER 25, 1997 MINUTES Mark Ross of Imperial Sign stated that the letters will be routed with a bronze trim, and the letters will protrude one-half inch from the awning. Mr. Ross commented that the building owner, David Fletcher, has noted that the jewelry business next door has ivory letters on their sign; so he would prefer to have letters of a different color. Action: It was moved by Commissioner Holden, seconded by Commissioner Connor, to approve the awning with signage as submitted. Motion carried 3-0, with Commissioners O'Donnell, Urrutia and Van Vliet absent. C. Preliminary Plans 1. CASE NO.: PP 97-17 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): WESTWIND DEVELOPMENT, INC. 44-817 Del Dios Circle, Indian Wells CA 92210 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Preliminary approval of exterior elevations for five townhome units LOCATION: Southeast corner of Abronia Trail and Sunset Lane ZONE: R-3 Mr. Alvarez reported that the tract map will have six lots, one of which will contain the swimming pool. The five townhome units are proposed to be 25 feet in height, but the ordinance requires that the height be restricted to the 24-foot maximum in the R-3 zone. The proposed setbacks are in compliance, but the project will need trash enclosures, enclosures for pool equipment, and a landscaping plan; however, the Commission is not being asked to consider the landscaping at this time. AI Woolworth indicated that, at some point in the future, he would like to replace the oleanders with a six-foot block wall. Action: It was moved by Commissioner Connor, seconded by Commissioner Holden, to approve the preliminary exterior elevations only with the condition that the maximum building height be 24 feet. Motion carried 3-0,with Commissioners O'Donnell, Urrutia and Van Vliet absent. 7 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEVO-dOMMISSION �' NOVEMBER 25, 1997 MINUTES V. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 1:30 p.m. STEVE SMITH PLANNING MANAGER 8