HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-08-11 '%.r
PALM DESERT ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION
TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 1998
MINUTES
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I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 12:30 p.m.
Commissioners Present Current Meeting Year to Date
Present Absent Present Absent
Wayne Connor X 14 1
Ronald Gregory X 14 1
Richard Holden X 14 1
Richard O'Donnell X 12 3
Frank Urrutia X 14 1
Chris Van Vliet X 14 1
Staff Present: Phil Drell, Director of Community Development
Jeff Winklepleck, Park & Recreation Planning Manager
Daisy Garcia, Code Enforcement Officer
Kim Chafin, Senior Office Assistant
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was moved by Commissioner O'Donnell, seconded by Van Vliet, to approve the
minutes of the July 28, 1998 meeting. Motion carried 5-0.
III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
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IV. CASES
A. Final Drawings
1. CASE NO.: PP 98-6
APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): ROBERT O. BRIGGS AND W. MICHAEL
HAY, 16672 Milikan Avenue, Irvine, CA 92606
NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Preliminary approval of
landscaping and architectural elevations for three industrial buildings
LOCATION: West side of Entrepreneur Lane south of Gold's Gym
ZONE: S.I.
Mr. Winklepleck reported that the Commission granted preliminary approval
on April 28, 1998, and after reviewing the final working drawings, staff found
two minor modifications: 1) preliminary plans show mechanical room doors
facing their respective driveways (north and south), and the final working
drawings show mechanical room doors facing east or the front yard
(Entrepreneur Lane); and 2) the preliminary plans indicate a 20-foot height,
while the final working drawings show a 20-foot, six-inch maximum height,
but this is a minor modification which does not substantially change the
buildings in question, and the maximum height in the Service Industrial
district is 30 feet. Mr. Winklepleck indicated that since both items are minor
modifications and the remaining architecture and landscaping plans are in
substantial conformance with the previously approved preliminary plans, staff
recommends approval of the final working drawings as submitted.
Commissioner Holden reiterated the comment from the previous meeting
that the rooftop equipment must be screened.
Commissioner Connor suggested that Rhus Lancea be used in the parking
lot in lieu of Geijera, and that Geijera be used instead of Rhus Lancea where
they are located right next to the building.
Action:
Commissioner Van Vliet moved, seconded by Commissioner Urrutia,to grant
final approval with the following conditions: that Rhus Lancea be used in the
parking lot in lieu of Geijera Parviflora and that Geijera Parviflora be used in
lieu of Rhus Lancea as they are located right next to the building; and 2)that
the rooftop equipment be screened. The motion carried 5-0.
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2. CASE NO.: TT 28575
APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): WINMAR PALM DESERT, LLC for THE
CANYONS AT BIGHORN, 50-100 Highway 74, Palm Desert, CA 92260
NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Final approval of
maintenance facility
LOCATION: Highway 74 frontage (south property line to Indian Hills Way)
ZONE: PR-5
Mr. Drell indicated that, in order to screen the building, the proposal is to
lower the grade, increase the height of the berm and to plant the area
heavily.
Commissioner Van Vliet commented that it seems as if the attempt is to
screen the building from inside the project area rather than outside the
project area.
Commissioner Connor noted that the proposed 15-foot wide land area
between the street and the parking area will just look like a huge hedge if it
is planted heavily, and heavy planting is not consistent with the rest of the
project.
Don Veto, the landscape architect, noted that Indian Hills Way has a lot of
Oleanders, other types of hedges, and a six-foot wall, and the homes on that
street are at least three to four feet below the road grade. Highway 74 is
also well planted. People on the road will not be able to see the building
from Indian Hills Way, and there will be no rooftop mounted equipment.
Commissioner Van Vliet observed that the line of site from Indian Hills Way
does not go up, but, in fact, goes down such that people will be able to see
the building, with which Commissioner Urrutia concurred and noted that the
top of the roof is six feet higher than the perimeter wall.
Chairman Gregory suggested that this case be continued to allow the
applicant to address discrepancies in the drawings, and indicated that the
Commission's main concern is the view of the roofline from the street.
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Commissioner Connor felt that the planting area is too small relative to the
rest of the project, and added that just because the area across the road is
densely planted doesn't mean this area should be, especially since dense
planting would be incompatible with the rest of the project.
Commissioner Van Vliet inquired about the height of the fuel storage tank,
to which Mr. Veto responded by indicating five to six feet.
Chairman Gregory suggested leaving the angle the same and pulling the
building back from Indian Hills Way another 10 feet and increasing the berm.
Commissioner O'Donnell commented that the plans should include
approximate heights for any major items, i.e., the dumpsters and storage
tank.
Commissioner Holden felt that there should be more landscaped area on
Indian Hills as well as a better line of site, and that the hedge effect could be
eliminated by widening the landscape area.
Mr. Veto indicated that he doesn't believe there is enough room to do a
berm.
Action:
Commissioner Connor moved, seconded by Commissioner Holden, to
continue the case in order to allow the applicant to address the following
issues: 1) pushing the building closer to "A-A" street to allow additional
landscape depth along Indian Hills Way; 2) revise landscape plan for the
area along Indian Hills Way to match the landscape theme along the
project's Highway 74 frontage; and 3) review plans to ensure the
maintenance building is not visible from Indian Hills Way. The motion carried
5-0.
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4. CASE NO.: CUP 98-2
APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): PDH ASSOCIATES, LLC/MARRIOTT
COURTYARD, 55-550 Riviera Drive, La Quinta, CA 92253
NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Final approval of building
elevations and landscaping
LOCATION: Southwest corner of Frank Sinatra and Cook
ZONE: PR-5
Mr. Drell reported that the plans have been revised to address the concerns
previously expressed by the Commission, and noted that the roof pitches
have been decreased.
Action:
Commissioner Van Vliet moved, seconded by Commissioner Holden, to
grant final approval for the architecture only. The motion carried 5-0.
5. CASE NO.: PP/CUP 98-11 (revised)
APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): MELANIE PLACE PARTNERS, 73-441
Mariposa Drive, Palm Desert, CA 92260
NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Final approval of
expansion of KESQ-TV studios and offices
LOCATION: 42-650 Melanie Place
ZONE: SI
Mr. Winklepleck presented the revised plans.
Action:
Commissioner Holden moved, seconded by Commissioner Urrutia, to grant
final approval with the following condition: that gazania be changed to
crushed colored rock and that a palm tree be added to Melanie Place outside
the middle of the wall at the southwest corner of the new development. The
motion carried 5-0.
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B. Preliminary Plans
1. CASE NO.: PP 98-5 and TT 28818
APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): MARRIOTT OWNERSHIP RESORTS,
INC., 6649 Westwood Boulevard, Suite 500, Orlando, FL 32809-6090
NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of revised plans
for an 18-hole golf course and 966-unit timeshare resort
LOCATION: East side of Monterey between Frank Sinatra and Gerald Ford
ZONE: PR-5
Dick Neebling presented the plans and indicated that the palette is similar to
the hues used at the existing Marriott timeshare resort. There are several of
differences between the previously submitted plan and this plan, i.e., this
plan is more spread out and includes all three-story buildings with no four-
story buildings. The north Folk Road entry lines up with the mobile home
park across Frank Sinatra Drive. This plan includes many view corridors and
a walkway all around the perimeter of the project, with the exception of the
area along Monterey. The number of units has been decreased from 1,200
to 966, and the nearest building to a property line is 450 feet.
Action:
Commissioner Holden moved, seconded by Commissioner O'Donnell, to
grant final approval. The motion carried 5-0.
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2. CASE NO.: CUP 98-4
APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): CHEVRON PRODUCTS COMPANY,
P.O. Box 2833, La Habra, CA 90632-2833
NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Preliminary approval of
revised plans for a new 2,900 square foot food mart building to replace
existing service building
LOCATION: 72-801 Highway 111 at Plaza Way
ZONE: PC-3
Alan Aris presented revised plans and indicated that the transformer has
been relocated behind the trash enclosure, and that the applicant feels that
the distance between the pump islands and the building is optimal from an
operational standpoint and is opposed to increasing that distance. The title
company has indicated that an easement would require approval of all the
owners and tenants in the center; so the applicant will not be pursuing the
easement, especially since the applicant feels comfortable with the distance
between the pump islands and the building. The architectural detail will be
continued around the building.
Chairman Gregory noted that the plan indicates existing Oleander and
California Fan Palm on the Highway 111 frontage, and expressed concern
that the existing landscaping will block the new landscaping and suggested
that the Oleanders be removed and that the plans indicate exactly where the
palms will be located.
Commissioner Connor felt that it would be awkward to go from a desert
scape to petunias and suggested that the desert theme be continued
throughout. He suggested replacing Salvia Greggii with Leucophyllum
Zygophyllum and replacing Mexican Evening Primrose with Ruellia Britonia.
Commissioner Connor concurred with the suggestions from the City's
landscape consultant, Eric Johnson, with the exception of the suggestion
regarding the palm tree.
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Commissioner O'Donnell noted that the canopy has been changed to match
the building, but the canopy will be three feet higher than the top of the
parapet on the building, to which Mr. Aris replied that the canopy is not close
to the building and has to be of a height sufficient to accommodate large
trucks underneath.
Commissioner Urrutia stated that the electrical service equipment should be
built into the building rather than sticking out, and indicated that the front
facia should extend out two feet.
Action:
Commissioner Holden moved, seconded by Commissioner Van Vliet, to
grant preliminary approval with the following conditions: 1) On the Highway
111 frontage, remove the Oleanders, indicate where the palms will be placed
and continue with the desert theme; 2) replace Salvia Greggii with
Leucophyllum Zygophyllum; 3) replace Mexican Evening Primrose with
Ruellia Britonia; and 4) make substitutions suggested by Eric Johnson, with
the exception of the palm tree. The motion carried 5-0.
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3. CASE NO.: DP 12-79 AMENDMENT
APPLICANT (AND ADDRESSI: HAHN/PALM DESERT, INC., 4350 La
Jolla Drive, Suite 400, San Diego, CA 92122-1233
NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Preliminary approval of
mall remodel/expansion
LOCATION: Highway 111 generally bounded by Monterey Avenue, Town
Center Way and Rancho Grande Drive
ZONE: P.C.(3)
Skip Kuhn reported that the project includes a 960-car parking garage on the
north side of the existing mall, and the major feature in the elevation is the
theater, which height has been considerably mitigated by having the parking
structure adjacent which gives the appearance of cutting the height of the
theater elevation in half. The edge of the parking structure will be softened
with molding on spandrel. A striking porte cachere element will be featured
on the Highway 111 frontage, and there will be secondary elements at the
two other main entrances to the mall.
Chairman Gregory expressed concern regarding the line of site from the
adjacent residences to the north, to which Mr. Kuhn responded that the
existing cinema is 44 feet high and is visible from the adjacent residential
street to the north (Rancho Grande); so the plan includes substantially filling
in landscaping materials on the material with 30- to 40-foot trees. Mr.
Archuleta, the project architect, noted that line of site measurements were
taken from the center Rancho Grande, and with the addition of trees, it will
not be possible to see the cinema.
Mr. Drell suggested that 70-foot poles with flags be placed temporarily at
each corner to take the mystery out of the line of site issue.
Chairman Gregory asked if there it would be possible to sink the first floor
below grade in an effort to lower the overall height of the structure, to which
Mr. Kuhn responded that it would create problems with meeting ADA
requirements.
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Chairman Gregory felt that the main problem is that the project involves a tall
urban design for a low profile resort community, and Commissioner Urrutia
agreed that height is a problem, but felt that mass is also an issue since this
is merely a box design with no attempt to minimize the massiveness of the
structure. Mr. Kuhn noted that architectural relief elements are being added
to address that issue, and Mr. Archuleta felt that the building position and
mass as it applies to the overall structure is not that potent.
Commissioner Holden noted that the proposed structure is twice as high as
the existing mall. Mr. Drell suggested eliminating one theater at the corner
in order to step the building back, and also suggested creating an outdoor
patio restaurant on the top corner.
Commissioner Holden asked if there will be any landscaping pockets on the
parking structure, to which Mr. Drell responded that the architects proposed
it, but it was determined not to be a good ideas because trees won't grow,
although trees could be planted in the ground and allowed to grow through
open spaces in the structure designed for such a purpose.
Chairman Gregory requested that the applicant investigate the feasibility of
lowering the grade for the theater, to which Mr. Drell replied that the problem
is a matter of money. Commissioner Urrutia felt that it would be ideal to
lower the theater to one level, and clarified that the Commission is merely
asking to investigate doing so because lowering the structure at least 10 feet
would improve the roof line problem.
Commissioner Van Vliet suggested that the east and west elevations of
parking structure be brought in a bit rather than extending all the way out to
the street.
Commissioner Holden commented that the edge of the parking structure
should be softened with planters.
Chairman Gregory felt that the building may be acceptable if it is stepped
back.
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Mr. Drell indicated that the applicant proposed to replace the existing
landscaping in the parking lot, but that won't work because the landscaping
obviously didn't work the first time; so the applicant needs to look at what
types of trees work best in parking lots as well as what planter dimensions
work best.
Commissioner O'Donnell asked about the ratio of trellis structures to parking
spaces, to which Mr. Archuleta replied that it is a 30% ratio divided
proportionately, and in the "north 40", every space will be covered by a trellis
in order to entice employees to park in that area.
Action:
Commissioner Urrutia moved, seconded by Commissioner O'Donnell, to
continue the case in order to allow the applicant to incorporate changes
suggested by the Commissioners. The motion carried 5-0.
3. CASE NO.: SA 98-86
APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): VENDOME EDITIONS/GALLERIE
VENDOME, 704 Vella Road, Palm Springs, CA 92264
NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Addition to width of
existing canopy and change of color from black to rose
LOCATION: 73-130 El Paseo
ZONE: C-1
Mr. Winklepleck presented photographs submitted by the applicant.
Commissioner Urrutia asked how the letters would be positioned on the
awning and whether it would extend to cover the adjacent window.
Commissioner O'Donnell asked if the existing sign would be removed.
Action:
Commissioner Van Vliet moved, seconded by Commissioner Connor, to
continue because the applicant was not present to answer questions. The
motion carried 5-0.
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2. CASE NO.: PP 98-1, CZ 98-1, GPA 98-1
APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): DAVID & NANCY DOWGIALO, P.O. Box
1682, La Quinta, CA 92253
NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Final approval of
remodel/addition to existing building
LOCATION: 44-817 & 44-835 Portola
ZONE: R-1
Mr. Winklepleck reported that the Commission previously required that the
garage match the proposed new structure, but the plans submitted do not
indicate any such change. No one was present on behalf of the applicant;
so staff suggested that unless the applicant is willing to demolish the existing
garage, the case should be continued.
Action:
Commissioner Urrutia moved, seconded by Commissioner Van Vliet, to
continue the case because the applicant was not present to answer
questions. The motion carried 5-0.
4. CASE NO.: C 98-12
APPLICANT (.AND ADDRESS): URRUTIA ARCHITECTS for THE LIVING
DESERT, P.O. Box 13750, Palm Desert, CA 92255
NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Preliminary architectural
approval of 15,000 sq. ft. veterinary and research center
LOCATION: 47-900 Portola Avenue
ZONE: P.D. (Public/Institution with Drainage Overlay)
Commissioner Urrutia presented the elevations and renderings and indicated
that the project consists of two levels and will be 26 feet at the highest point.
Staff indicated that a landscape plan would be required as the new building
will be visible from Portola.
Action:
Commissioner O'Donnell moved, seconded by Commissioner Holden, to
grant preliminary approval. The motion carried 4-0, with Commissioners
Connor and Urrutia abstaining.
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V. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 3:00 p.m.
JEFF WINKLEPLECK
PARKS & RECREATION PLANNING MANAGER
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