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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-08-10 PALM DESERT ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION TUESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1999 MINUTES **************************************************************************************************** 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 15 0 Ronald Gregory X 11 4 Richard Holden X 14 1 Richard O'Donnell X 13 2 Frank Urrutia X 13 2 Chris Van Vliet X 15 0 Staff Present: Phil Drell, Director of Community Development Steve Smith, Planning Manager Martin Alvarez, Assistant Planner Kim Chafin, Senior Office Assistant II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was moved by Commissioner Van Vliet, seconded by Commissioner Urrutia, to approve the minutes of the July 27, 1999 meeting. Motion carried 4-0, with Chairman Gregory absent and Commissioner O'Donnell abstaining. III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None. 1 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 10, 1999 MINUTES IV. CASES A. Final Drawings 1. CASE NO.: SA 99-79 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS- JOHN VUKSIC for LOUIS STRAUS & ASSOCIATES, 74-020 Alessandro, Suite C, Palm Desert, CA 92260 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of business identification signage LOCATION: Northeast corner of Lupine and El Paseo ZONE: C-1 Mr. Alvarez reported the subject-property is located at the northeast corner of El Paseo and Lupine Lane. The applicant requests approval to remove the existing Eucalyptus trees along Lupine, install new landscaping, concrete pavers, and remodel the storefront and add new signage. The storefront remodel consists of adding a new entrance to the back of the former Lucky's store and the addition of a display window facing Lupine Lane. The new display window consists of a triangular shaped window extending a maximum of 11 feet from the building. The proposed signage on the Lupine Lane frontage consists of one set of individual 18-inch letters facing Lupine Lane, for a total sign area of nine square feet. The building has a total of 15 feet of frontage along Lupine Lane, entitling the business to a maximum of 15 square feet of signage. Along the El Paseo frontage, the applicant requests approval to install three freestanding flag signs, each reading "STEVE." Each sign is 14 inches wide by 54 inches high for a total of five square feet. The signs will be externally illuminated with indirect lighting. The signs will be mounted on 13-foot high poles located within a landscaped planter. The El Paseo elevation has a maximum allowed signage of 13.5 square feet. The applicant's proposal for El Paseo consists of three signs totaling 15 square feet. 2 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 10, 1999 MINUTES Staff recommends that the Commission consider an exception to the sign ordinance to allow the applicant to achieve a special design effect for the entire site and convert this otherwise abandoned back of a building into an attractive retail storefront. Staff recommends that the freestanding signs not exceed 13.5 square feet combined and that the height of the poles be reduced to 12 feet, 10 feet, and 8 feet high from north to south. Mr. Vuksic presented color and material samples and indicated that the size of the freestanding signs can be reduced to 12" by 48", but his client would prefer that each of the three poles remain at the proposed height of 13 feet Commissioner Holden noted that when OfficeMax went it was indicated that the entire center would be remodeled, but the colors and materials of the remodeled portions do not tie in with the existing elements, and asked if this remodel will tie in with the existing colors and materials, to which Mr. Drell replied that the owner doe not have control over the entire center, but is trying to get control of it. Commissioner O'Donnell asked if the large Eucalyptus trees down by the driveway will remain, to which Mr. Vuksic responded affirmatively. Commissioner Van Vliet asked what material will be used for the overhang over the entry, to which Mr. Vuksic responded by indicating stainless steel. Action: Commissioner Urrutia moved, seconded by Commissioner Connor, to approve the plans with the condition that each of the freestanding signs measure 12" by 48" and be a maximum of 13' in height. The motion carried 5-0, with Chairman Gregory absent. 3 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 10, 1999 MINUTES 2. CASE NO.: SA 99-76 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS. A&S ENGINEERING for CIRCLE K, 207 W. Alameda Avenue #203, Burbank, CA 91502 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Remodel of existing fascia, installation of one building sign and reface one monument sign LOCATION: 45-200 Portola Avenue ZONE: C-1 Mr. Alvarez reported that the applicant requests approval to remodel the existing building fascia and incorporate new signage, and also wishes to reface the existing monument sign fronting on Portola Avenue. The remodel consists of removing the existing canopy fascia and constructing a new five- foot high fascia across the front of the building. The fascia will project five feet from the existing building and consists of a metal finish which will be painted white with red stripes. The building signage includes a five-foot by five-foot internally illuminated can sign which is flush with the proposed fascia. The applicant also proposes to replace the face on the existing monument sign, incorporating the business' new colors (red and white with a blue outline). The building has 70 feet of frontage and is entitled to a total of 60 square feet of signage. Monument signage is to be included in the total and should not exceed 30 square feet (half the allowable square footage). Staff has an issue with the applicant's request to reface the existing monument sign, and the existing double-faced can sign is nonconforming because it extends above the City's Sign Ordinance height limit of six feet. Staff recommends that the Commission approve the new building fascia and signage as proposed, with the condition that the monument sign not exceed six feet in height and 30 square feet. Commissioner Van Vliet asked about the proposed finish for the fascia, to which Doug Lazaro of A&S Engineering responded by indicating it will have a painted finish. Commissioner Urrutia stated that he is not pleased to hear that the overhang will be reduced because it will mean the loss of shaded area. 4 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 10, 1999 MINUTES Commissioner Connor was also concerned about the loss of shade that will result from a reduction in the overhang. Mr. Lazaro noted that the new fascia will project out five feet; so there will still be a five-foot overhang, to which Commissioner Urrutia replied that the drawing indicates a seven-foot overhang, but it is still a reduction compared to the existing overhang. Mr. Lazaro stated that the existing overhang projects mostly upward, with which Commissioners Urrutia disagreed, and noted that it projects mostly outward. Commissioner Holden felt that the proposal should tie in better with the building architecture, with which Commissioner Urrutia concurred. Commissioner O'Donnell noted that the proposed monument sign includes the word "liquor" whereas the existing monument sign states "food store," and asked if there will now be an emphasis on liquor sales, to which Mr. Lazaro replied that there will be no more emphasis on liquor sales than currently exists. Commissioner Van Vliet not that the proposed signage for the San Pablo sign does not include the word "liquor,"and Mr. Lazaro stated that the reason is because the San Pablo store has a license to sell beer and wine only. Commissioner Van Vliet felt that the monument sign should comply with the six-foot height maximum dictated by the ordinance, and Commissioner Holden noted that landscaping should also be included around the sign. Action: Commissioner Urrutia moved, seconded by Commissioner Connor, to continue the case to allow the applicant time for further study on how to make the remodel more compatible with current City architectural standards as well as how to make the proposed monument sign compatible with the City's ordinance requirements and to address the Commission's concern regarding the word "liquor" on the sign. The motion carried 5-0, with Chairman Gregory absent. 5 �wrr► *400/ ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 10, 1999 MINUTES 3. CASE NO.: SA 99-78 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS• A&S ENGINEERING for CIRCLE K, 207 W. Alameda Avenue #203, Burbank, CA 91502 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Remodel of existing fascia, one building sign and two monument signs LOCATION: 44-775 San Pablo Avenue ZONE: C-1 Mr. Alvarez reported that the applicant requests approval to remodel the existing building fascia and incorporate new signage. The request includes refacing the existing monument sign on the corner of San Pablo and San Gorgonio and constructing a new monument sign on San Pablo. The existing wall sign on the San Gorgonio elevation will be removed. The fascia remodel consists of removing the existing canopy projection and constructing a new five-foot high fascia across the front of the building. The fascia will project five feet from the existing building and consists of a metal finish which will be painted white with red stripes. The building signage includes a five- foot by five-foot illuminated can sign which is recessed or flush with the proposed fascia. The applicant also proposes to replace the face on the existing corner monument sign, incorporating the business' new colors (red and white with a blue outline). The building has 70 feet of frontage and is entitled to a total of 60 square feet of signage. Monument signage is to be included in the total and should not exceed 30 square feet (half the allowable square footage). Staff has an issue with the applicant's request to reface the existing corner monument sign and the construction of the San Pablo monument sign, as both existing monument signs are nonconforming because they exceed the six-foot height limit. Staff recommends that the Commission approve the fascia remodel and signage as proposed. Staff recommends that the Commission approve the corner monument sign with a maximum height of six feet from grade and deny the proposed 14-foot high monument located at the southeast corner of the property. 6 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 10, 1999 MINUTES Action: Commissioner O'Donnell moved, seconded by Commissioner Urrutia, to continue the case to allow the applicant time for further study on how to make the remodel more compatible with the City's current architectural standards as well as how to make the proposed monument sign compatible with the City's ordinance requirements. The motion carried 5-0, with Chairman Gregory absent. 4. CASE NO.: RV 99-2 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): WALLACE HRDLICKA, 74-200 Covered Wagon Trail, Palm Desert, CA 92260 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of storage of a recreational vehicle in a front yard LOCATION: 74-200 Covered Wagon ZONE: R-1 (10,000) Ms. Chafin reported that this application was submitted in response to a warning issued by the Code Compliance Department regarding the storage of a boat and trailer within a front yard area. The applicant has a 21' X 19' concrete parking area immediately west of the driveway, located 37 feet back from the curb. The applicant would like to continue to store the boat and trailer on the existing concrete parking pad and proposes to screen it from the public right-of-way by installing a Ficus hedge immediately adjacent to the pad on the 21-foot area facing the street (south). A six-foot Ficus hedge exists along the westerly property line, and the applicant proposes to plant 15-gallon Ficus hedges (three to four feet in height) which he estimates will grow to six feet within a couple of years. Pursuant to the new RV ordinance requirements, staff mailed notices of this meeting to property owners within a 300-foot radius of the subject property. The ordinance requires that the recreational vehicle be substantially (not completely) screened, and be aesthetically acceptable; so a judgment call is required in this case. Based on the plans submitted and photographs of the site, staff believes the recreational vehicle will be substantially screened with aesthetically acceptable materials, consistent with the RV ordinance. 7 NOMMANNEW ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 10, 1999 MINUTES Staff recommends that the Commission approve the plans as submitted. Ms. Chafin reported that the neighbor across the street, Cheri Head, has submitted a letter expressing opposition to the proposed plan in that it will not screen the vehicle from her view from her bedroom nor as one drives down the street. Ms. Chafin stated that in a conversation with Ms. Head, Ms. Head indicated that she would be satisfied if a gate were constructed on the easterly portion of the concrete pad so that it hides the vehicle. Commissioner Urrutia suggested that Ficus also be planted along the southerly 10 feet of the easterly portion of the concrete pad to provide additional screening. Mr. Head asked if the size of the Ficus trees proposed would provide sufficient screening, to which Commissioner Connor replied that they will if they are planted "can to can." Mr. Head indicated that he and his wife's concerns would be satisfied if the suggestions made by the Commission were included as conditions of approval. Action: Commissioner Urrutia moved, seconded by Commissioner O'Donnell, to approved the plans with the condition that the 15-gallon Ficus be planted "can to can" and that Ficus also be planted along the southerly 10 feet of the easterly portion of the concrete pad to provide additional screening. The motion carried 5-0, with Chairman Gregory absent. 8 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 10, 1999 MINUTES B. Preliminary Plans 1. CASE NO.: CUP 99-7 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): TEMPLE SINAI, Burton L. Kaplan, President, 7 Wake Forest Court, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Preliminary approval of sanctuary remodel/school addition and landscaping LOCATION: 73-251 Hovley Lane West ZONE: PR-5 Mr. Alvarez reported that the subject property is located on the south side of Hovley Lane West, and is currently occupied by Southwest Community Church, and the church is in the process of constructing a new building at the southwest corner of Fred Waring and Washington Street. Once Southwest Community moves to their new location, Temple Sinai would like to occupy the property. This application will be reviewed by the Planning Commission. Temple Sinai requests approval of a master plan which includes remodeling the existing 19,000 square foot sanctuary, adding a new school and remodeling the existing 6,400 square foot temporary multi-purpose metal building. The church currently has four temporary trailers used for the children's ministry, which would remain if Temple Sinai receives approval of their Conditional Use Permit. The church remodel consists of a 1,000 square foot addition to the north side, an addition of a new entry on the west side and other minor architectural detailing. The master plan also includes the addition of a school facility totaling 12,500 square feet. The new school will be located on Parcel B, directly west of the existing church sanctuary. The school site consists of four detached buildings for use as classrooms, nursery, library, computer lab and administration. The school will be set back 45 feet from the adjacent residential properties to the west and will have a maximum height of 15 feet. The 45-foot buffer will be landscaped to mitigate any potential noise or visual impacts. The final aspect of the approval consists of remodeling the existing temporary metal building into a permanent structure. This building was approved by the Planning Commission on a temporary basis and was to be removed by the end of September 1999. 9 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 10, 1999 MINUTES The applicant's request to occupy the site includes making the existing metal building part of the permanent architecture. The applicant proposes to add architectural detailing in the form of an exterior arcade to match that of the existing church and trailers. The existing metal building is 19 feet high. Staff has not had an opportunity to comment on the landscaping plans and will defer to the Commission's comments. Staff recommends that the Commission grant preliminary approval, subject to review of the landscaping plan. Commissioner O'Donnell asked when the metal building was installed, to which Mr. Drell replied that it was built a few years ago. Commissioner Van Vliet preferred that the metal building be eliminated and that a new structure be built which matches the architecture of the sanctuary. Commissioner Holden asked if the applicant would consider stuccoing the walls to match the columns, to which Mr. Kaplan responded affirmatively, and added that the metal building will not be visible from the north or south once the school is built, and will only be visible from four of the adjacent residential properties. Jerry Wiley, 40-900 Avenida Estrada, stated that last year an agreement was worked out with Southwest Community Church that the metal building would be removed by September 30, 1999, and the building has not yet been removed. Now Temple Sinai wants to buy the property and continue to use the metal building. Mr. Drell pointed out that one of the reasons the metal building wasn't approved as a permanent structure was because it did not meet the City's architectural standards. Part of Temple Sinai's application is to have a permanent building on this site, so the Planning Commission will have to consider whether or not the building is appropriate for the site, and the Architectural Review Commission should limit its consideration as to whether or not the aesthetics of the building are acceptable. Mr. Kaplan stated that a new building would cost between $500,000 and $600,000, while improvements to the metal building would only cost approximately $100,000. 10 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 10, 1999 MINUTES Mr. Kaplan added that Temple Sinai is quite different from Southwest Community Church in that Temple Sinai has a much smaller congregation, does not play loud music, and only has 150 children compared to the 1,500 children that Southwest had. Mr. Drell reiterated that the pertinent issue at this meeting is whether or not the proposed buildings meet the City's architectural standards. Jim Richards of 40-840 Avenida Estrada stated that he has a view of the roof of the metal building from his property, and he doesn't think it's possible to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. The metal building is a temporary structure that does not fit in with the neighborhood, and he doesn't think it ever will because it is a square, ugly, God-awful monstrosity. The building is used like a large storage shed, and there are things stored all around it. The building is grotesque looking. Mr. Kaplan stated that the plan is to continue the wall across to the entrance of the church so that people won't be able to see the building except from four residential lots, one of which is Mr. Wiley's. Mr. Kaplan indicated that the building facade will conform to the rest of the project. Mr. Richards was concerned about noise from roof-mounted equipment, to which Commissioner Holden replied that any roof-mounted equipment would have to conform to the City's screening requirements. Mr. Wiley indicated that it is his understanding that Southwest Community Church is two months behind on constructing the new facility, and he is concerned that the metal structure will in place as is for a longer period of time. Mr. Wiley felt that there is no need for a school at this location. Mr. Kaplan clarified that Southwest Community Church is on schedule with regard to construction of its new facility. He believes the neighbors wish the lot to remain vacant, which is unrealistic, and added that this is a good place for a school. Mr. Richards commented that if Southwest Community Church had no buyer in escrow, then the metal building would have to come down on September 30, 1999. 11 fir✓ ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 10, 1999 MINUTES Commissioner Urrutia stated that the metal building will be okay if its appearance matched that of the sanctuary, so it will be important for the applicant to make the metal building look as much as possible like the sanctuary in terms of detail and so forth, i.e., stucco the metal building to bring it into conformance. Commissioner Urrutia was concerned about the use of metal tile for the roof because he was not convinced that it was the best material, and indicated that he likes the screening treatment around the portables and thinks that will work. Commissioner Connor felt that the detailing on the metal building is not adequate to bring it into conformance. Commissioner O'Donnell had reservations about the possibility of making the metal building conform, but agreed with Commissioner Urrutia that it would not matter whether the building was metal or wood as long as it blends in with the architecture. Commissioner O'Donnell recommended that rigorous attention be given to detailing because the metal building definitely needs design work to meet the City's architectural standards. Commissioner Van Vliet concurred with the comments made by his fellow Commissioners. Commissioner Connor noted that the staff report indicates that the 45-foot buffer is to be heavily landscaped, but the plans do not reflect heavy landscaping. Mr. Kaplan stated that a neighborhood meeting was scheduled and 200 notices were sent out, but only 17 neighbors attended. Temple Sinai is willing to work with each of the homeowners to landscape the 45-foot buffer however they like as long as continuity can be maintained. Commissioner O'Donnell felt that the project is not ready for preliminary approval. 12 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 10, 1999 MINUTES Action: Commissioner O'Donnell moved, seconded by Commissioner Urrutia, to grant conceptual approval and that consideration be given to the Commission's concerns regarding detailing and aesthetics. The motion failed 2-2, with Commissioners Van Vliet and Connor dissenting, Commissioner Holden abstaining and Chairman Gregory absent. Action: Commissioner Van Vliet moved, seconded by Commissioner Urrutia, to continue the case to allow the applicant to incorporate changes suggested by the Commission regarding making the metal building more architecturally compatible with the sanctuary building. The motion carried 4-0, with Commissioner Holden abstaining and Chairman Gregory absent. V. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 1:45 p.m. STEVE SMITH PLANNING MANAGER 13