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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-08-24 PALM DESERT ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION TUESDAY, AUGUST 24, 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 16 0 Ronald Gregory X 12 4 Richard Holden X 15 1 Richard O'Donnell X 14 2 Frank Urrutia X 14 2 Chris Van Vliet X 16 0 Staff Present: Phil Drell, Director of Community Development Martin Alvarez, Assistant Planner Jason Finley, Code Enforcement Officer Kim Chafin, Senior Office Assistant II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was moved by Commissioner O'Donnell, seconded by Commissioner Van Vliet, to approve the minutes of the August 10, 1999 meeting. Motion carried 5-0. III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None. 1 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 24, 1999 MINUTES IV. CASES A. Final Drawings 1. CASE NO.: C 97-4 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): JERRY WALKER c/o TWW INVESTMENTS for DEL TACO RESTAURANT, P.O. Box 11527, Palm Desert, CA 92255 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of business identification signage LOCATION: 74-617 Highway 111 ZONE: C-1 Mr. Alvarez reported that the applicant has requested business identification signage for the approved restaurant building located at 74-617 Highway 111, and the proposed signage consists of building signage, monument signage and exterior decorative neon. The proposed building signage for the north elevation (facing Highway 111) is a 2'1" by 6'0", or 13 square feet, internally illuminated can sign reading "DelTaco" in white and the use of the corporate yellow "sun" logo with green stripe and red background. This elevation is allowed a maximum of 35 square feet. The proposed building signage for the west elevation includes one 4'3" by 8'11", or 46 square feet, internally illuminated can sign reading "DelTaco," in white and the use of the corporate yellow "sun" logo with green stripe and red background. A second sign is also proposed for the west elevation with a size of 2'6" by 7'8"or 14.5 square feet, and is to be an internally illuminated can sign reading "DelFunland," and this sign utilizes a total of four colors including yellow, red, green and purple. This elevation is allowed a total of 63 square feet, and the total proposed is 60.5 square feet. 2 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 24, 1999 MINUTES The proposed building signage for the east elevation measures 2'6" by 7'8", or 14.5 square feet, and is to be an internally illuminated can sign reading "DelFunland," utilizing a total of four colors, including yellow, red, green and purple. This elevation is allowed up to a maximum of 63 square feet. The proposed monument sign consists of a double-sided, 3'4" by 5'0 internally illuminated can mounted on a brick base to match the building. The sign will have a red background with white "DelTaco" lettering and "Funland" in four colors, and will have a total maximum height of six feet. The monument sign area will total 16.6 square feet, and the maximum allowed square footage for the monument is one-half of 35 square feet or 17.5 square feet. Staff has issue with the red background, internally illuminated at night, and recommends that the applicant use a diffused red or an opaque background. The other freestanding sign proposed for the site is a 1'6" by 3'0" directional sign reading "DelTaco," "Welcome" and "Thank You." This sign is to be located near the frontage street entrance and its maximum height is 3'6". The applicant proposes two rows of decorative metal channels (red and green) along the top of the building. Each of the metal channels features exposed neon mounted in front of the channels. This decorative neon is proposed on the north, west and east elevation, including on the two towers. Staff has issue with the amount of decorative neon proposed and the exposed neon, and recommends that the amount of neon be reduced significantly, especially on the east elevation facing the Holiday Inn. Staff recommends that the applicant mount the neon on the back side of the metal channels to create a halo or backlit effect with red and green neon. Staff recommends that the Commission: 1. Approve the building signage as submitted; 2. Approve the monument signage with diffused red background; and 3. Approve the decorative neon, reducing the amount of neon utilized significantly, while allowing the use of neon on the back side of the decorative channels to create a halo effect with red and green neon. 3 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 24, 1999 MINUTES Commissioner Holden observed that the color samples depict more than one shade of green and more than one shade of red, and felt that the signage should be limited to three colors, or, in the alternative, that the signage be reduced 20% pursuant to the ordinance requirements pertaining to logo signage. Commissioner Urrutia noted that Sign C is larger than Sign B, and suggested that it be the same size. Commissioner Urrutia recommended that the monument signage have diffused red background. David O'Connell of California Neon explained that the only three colors proposed are red, green and yellow, and although the samples show different shades of colors, lighting will alter the shades so that greens and reds and yellows match. Action: Commissioner Holden moved, seconded by Commissioner Van Vliet, to approve the wall signage and monument signage (with opaque red background), with a maximum of three colors, or alternatively, a 20% reduction in size if all proposed logo colors are to be used, and required that Sign C be the same size as Sign B (Commissioner O'Donnell abstained on this portion). The motion carried 5-0, with Commissioner O'Donnell abstaining. Commissioner Van Vliet felt that the decorative neon is not appropriate for the building architecture, and the neon should be deleted, with which Commissioners Connor and O'Donnell concurred. Mr. O'Connell noted that Outback has decorative neon on the building, and the decorative neon proposed for this building is intended to be an architectural feature. In the last three years, all new DelTaco buildings have used decorative neon; so it has become part of the company's national image. Without the neon, the decorative color bans will not have the same effect because they would be invisible at night. Action: Commissioner Holden moved, seconded by Commissioner O'Donnell, to 4 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 24, 1999 MINUTES deny the request for decorative neon because it did not tie in with the building architecture. The motion carried 5-0. 2. CASE NO.: MISC 99-7 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS KARL SUESS, 71-300 Halgar, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of revised plans for a parapet roof to screen mechanical equipment LOCATION: 45-950 Portola Avenue ZONE: R-1 (10,000) Mr. Alvarez reported that the applicant's request to construct a four-foot high parapet wall to screen the existing mechanical equipment was continued at the June 8, 1999 meeting, as the Commission recommended that the applicant look at the west elevation to see if design features could be added or deleted to improve the building's appearance. The applicant has submitted plans which indicate the removal of the roof peak and overhang on the west elevation. The proposal also includes raising the parapet wall on the west elevation to the height of the proposed mansard roof and finishing it with stucco to match the existing building. The mansard roof will tie into the parapet at the northwest and southwest corners, and the remainder of the mansard roof has been completed. Staff recommends that the Commission approve the request as submitted. Commissioner O'Donnell questioned the feasibility of making the improvements as described and indicated that he would like to see details before making a decision, with which the rest of the Commissioners concurred. Action: Commissioner O'Donnell moved, seconded by Commissioner Van Vliet, to continue the case so that the applicant may present more detailed drawings. The motion carried 5-0. 5 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 24, 1999 MINUTES 3. CASE NO.: C 99-6 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS ROMACORP, INC. 9304 Forest Lane, Suite 200, Dallas, TX 75243 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of perimeter landscaping LOCATION: 73-155 Highway 111 ZONE: C-1 Mr. Smith reported that the Commission and City Council recently approved the exterior remodel to Tony Roma's restaurant. At that time, landscape plans were not available for review. Landscape plans are now available for the building perimeter. The plans have not been reviewed by Eric Johnson. The Commission should review the plans and determine acceptability. All exterior lighting must comply with ordinance requirements. Commissioner Connor noted that the single date palm proposed will be too low for the building, and added that the Gazania, which is proposed as the main ground color, will eventually become a problem because it does not last very long in this climate. The Commission previously requested additional trees on the south side, but the one Mexican Fan Palm which is proposed will not be enough, and he would suggest groupings of three. Mr. Drell suggested a more obscured design for the roof lighting. Action: Commissioner Connor moved, seconded by Commissioner Holden, to grant approval of the architecture with the condition that the roof lighting be deleted, and to grant preliminary approval for the landscaping. The motion carried 5-0. 6 fir+' ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 24, 1999 MINUTES 4. CASE NO.: SA 99-84 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS: QUIEL BROTHERS SIGN COMPANY for ALBERTSON'S, 272 South "I" Street, San Bernardino, CA 92410 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of wall and monument signage LOCATION: 74-590 Highway 111 (Lucky) ZONE: PC-2 Ms. Chafin reported that Albertsons has taken over Lucky Stores, and has submitted a proposal to convert the signage at 74-590 Highway 111 (northeast corner of Highway 111 and Deep Canyon). SOUTH ELEVATION The building has 280 feet of frontage on Highway 111, and pursuant to the formula provided by the ordinance, total wall signage allowed for this frontage is 120 square feet. The existing signage consists of a 33 square foot "Deli Bakery" sign, a 64 square foot "Lucky" sign and an 18 square foot "Bank of America" sign for a total of 115 square feet. The applicant's proposal includes the 33 square foot "Deli Bakery" sign, a 107 square foot "Albertsons" sign (including logo), and the 18 square foot "Bank of America" sign for a total wall sign area of 156 square feet. Although the ordinance limits wall signs to a height of 20 feet, an exception was granted to Lucky for a maximum of 29 feet, and this exception will be extended to Albertsons; however, the "Albertsons" sign (including logo) is proposed at 30 feet. In order to meet the ordinance's size and height requirements, staff recommends that the "Deli Bakery" sign be removed, that the logo be reduced from five feet high to four feet high and that the "Albertsons" sign be reduced to three-foot high letters so as not to exceed the maximum allowable area of 120 square feet and the maximum height limit of 29 feet. Pursuant to previous conditions of approval, the existing sign on the west elevation has reverse channel because it faces residential properties. The applicant's proposal is acceptable in terms of size and height, but the applicant has proposed a channel letter sign. Staff recommends that this sign also have reverse channel letters. 7 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 24, 1999 MINUTES The monument sign shown adjacent to Deep Canyon Road does not currently exist. The center is entitled to a freestanding sign on Deep Canyon. The proposed monument signage meets ordinance requirements and is acceptable to staff, provided that the sign will replicate the existing one on Highway 111. Staff spoke with the Quiel Sign Company representative, who indicated willingness to make the proposed changes. Staff would note that if the "Albertsons" sign is reduced to three-foot letters, it will free up enough space to permit retention of the "Deli Bakery" sign. If it is the applicant's wish to retain the "Deli Bakery" sign, it should be done in the dark blue color of the Albertsons logo. Staff recommends that the Architectural Review Commission approve the proposed signage with the following conditions: 1) that the wall sign on the west elevation have reverse channel letters (white neon); 2) delete the red "Deli Bakery" sign on the south elevation or change it to dark blue; 3) reduce the logo on the west elevation to a maximum height of four feet; and 4) reduce the letter size of the "Albertsons" sign on the west elevation to three feet. Action: Commissioner Holden moved, seconded by Commissioner O'Donnell, to grant approval of the signage with the following conditions: 1) that the wall sign on the west elevation have reverse channel letters (white neon); 2) delete the red "Deli Bakery" sign on the south elevation or change it to dark blue; 3) reduce the logo on the west elevation to a maximum height of four feet; and 4) reduce the letter size of the "Albertsons" sign on the west elevation to three feet, with maximum height of sign to be 29 feet as measured from the ground. The motion carried 5-0. 8 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 24, 1999 MINUTES 5. CASE NO: SA 99-74 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): PALMS TO PINES CANVAS for ROBERT'S, 69-640 Sugar Loaf#69, Mountain Center, CA 92561 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of awning with signage LOCATION: 73-725 El Paseo ZONE: C-1 Ernie Brooks of Palms to Pines Canvas presented an artist's rendering of the proposed design. Commissioner Van Vliet felt that the proposed design did not look appropriate for the building, with which the other Commissioners concurred. Mr. Brooks indicated a preference for a denial rather than a continuance of the case. Action: Commissioner Van Vliet moved, seconded by Commissioner O'Donnell, to deny the request. The motion carried 5-0. 9 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 24, 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 revised plans for sanctuary remodel/school addition and landscaping LOCATION: 73-251 Hovley Lane West ZONE: PR-5 Mr. Alvarez reported that this item was continued at the August 10, 1999 meeting because the Commission recommended that the applicant look at other solutions to make the existing metal building more architecturally compatible with the existing sanctuary, and the Commission also suggested the addition of further detailing to match that of the sanctuary classroom buildings. The air conditioning equipment will be located on the ground.. The applicant has submitted revised elevations which incorporate screening of the entire metal roof with a parapet wall and the addition of detailing to match that of the church and existing arcade classrooms, and staff recommends that the Commission review the plans for compatibility and grant preliminary approval. Chairman Gregory recalled that there was concern expressed by the neighbors regarding the amount of trees to be located within the 45-foot landscape buffer area, and noted that some neighbors wanted lots of trees, while others wanted less, and indicated he hopes that the amount of trees planted will be based on appeasing the needs of the adjacent property owners. Action: Commissioner Connor moved, seconded by Commissioner O'Donnell, to grant preliminary approval. The motion carried 4-0, with Commissioners Holden and Gregory abstaining. 10 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 24, 1999 MINUTES 2. CASE NO.: PP 99-13 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): HOMA, LLC for JIFFY LUBE, 9200 West Sunset Boulevard, Penthouse 9, Los Angeles, CA 90069 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Preliminary approval of plans for a 3,000 square foot Jiffy Lube facility in the Lucky Center on the west side of Washington Street, south of Hovley Lane East LOCATION: 42-275 Washington Street ZONE: PC-2 Mr. Smith reported that the applicant has submitted preliminary plans for the proposed Jiffy Lube. The facility is to be located on the vacant pad in the Lucky Center, which is a commercial center. The plans depict a 17'4" high split face block (bunker like) building. The color of the block is not noted. The building provides three, 10-foot high overhead doors facing north and south, while the east and west elevations are basically blank block walls. The building does include an eight-inch color band which runs around the building, four feet above ground level (color is not noted). The elevations also include a series of exterior scupper boxes and down spouts. While the building is 17'4" high, it provides only a minimum parapet. Roof-mounted equipment has the potential to be significantly exposed. Signs are shown on the elevation plan, but details are not provided. Signs will be reviewed at a future date when detailed plans are submitted. Staff would have difficulty recommending approval of this building buried in the back of an industrial park. This building is proposed on a major arterial street with a minimum amount of landscaping to screen it. This plan is not close to being at an acceptable level of quality. This plan should be denied and the applicant urged to develop a plan which blends in with the center architecture. Staff recommends that the Architectural Review Commission deny the plans as submitted. Commissioner O'Donnell noted that the proposed building does not blend in at all with the architecture of the rest of the center. 11 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 24, 1999 AGENDA Action: Commissioner O'Donnell moved, seconded by Commissioner Urrutia, to deny the request on the basis that the proposed architecture did not blend in shopping center architecture. The motion carried 5-0, with Commissioner Holden abstaining. 3. CASE NO.: PP 99-7 and C/Z 9-2 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS) PEARL INDUSTRIES, INC. , c/o Charlie Sweet, 43-703 Virginia Avenue, Palm Desert, CA 92211 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Preliminary approval of plans for 256 senior residential units, community center and 99-bed skilled nursing facility on 13.04 acres LOCATION: West side of Fairhaven between Fred Waring and Parkview ZONE: PR-7 to be rezoned PR-7 SO (Senior Overlay) Mr. Smith reported that the project includes a 99-bed skilled nursing facility. This single-story, 18-foot high structure is located on the portion of the site fronting Fred Waring Drive. Parking is located between Fred Waring and the building and along the east side of the building. Public Works Department advises that an eight-foot wide sidewalk will be installed along Fred Waring Drive. This will leave 10 feet available between the back of the sidewalk and the parking lot for screening (two feet of the 10 feet will essentially be unusable due to vehicle overhang.) The landscape plan shows six California Fan Palms and associated shrubs. The skilled nursing facility will be a stucco building with minimal windows and a the roof. The rest of the project includes two residential buildings and a community center building. The north building faces Parkview while the south building faces Fairhaven. The two buildings connect at the community center building. 12 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 24, 1999 AGENDA The two residential buildings are a blend of two- and three-story buildings (see Sheet 6 of plans). The two-story element has been placed adjacent to the streets, while the three-story sections abut One Quail Place to the west. Parking is provided at ground level and in a subterranean parking structure. This subterranean parking frees up much of the site for open space (see landscape plan). The maximum permitted height in the PR zone is 22 feet for a two-story flat- roofed structure. The applicant has requested a zone change to permit the three-story building. The elevation plans shows the two-story buildings at 22 feet in height and the three-story building 33 feet in height. In order to mitigate the building height, the grading plan shows the first floor being lowered five feet below the adjacent curb height on Fairhaven and Parkview. This lowers the buildings to 17 feet and 28 feet above adjacent curb height. The building architecture provides a contemporary look utilizing stucco and a flat roof system. The community center building has a sloped tile roof. As of the writing of this report, staff had not had an opportunity to review the material sample board, but staff has been assured that one will be available for the Commission's review. The texture and color will be critical with a building of this size and mass. The site plan provides a building with a series of projections (units). This results in areas of substantial landscape open space followed by building sections which come to 60 feet from Fairhaven. This area is then occupied by 45 feet of asphalt, five feet of planter area east of the parking spaces and 10 feet of landscaping between the driveway and the building. Staff questions the adequacy of the landscape screening between Fairhaven and the parking lot. Staff would note that the parking lot surface is 4.5 feet below Fairhaven. 13 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 24, 1999 AGENDA The north building landscaping has greater depth. The closest building is 38 feet from Parkview. There is no parking in this setback area; hence, a greater area to landscape. The Fire Marshal has requested that 20-foot wide access be provided around the west and south sides of this north building. This can be accomplished, but at the expense of landscaping. It is likely that the building will be moved north seven to eight feet (minimum setback for Parkview is 32 feet). This would free up seven to eight fee of landscaping in the south area adjacent to Quail Place. The west side yard is another matter. The grading plan shows this as a 30-foot wide area, while the landscape plan shows a 40-foot setback. Whichever it is will be reduced by a 20-foot access drive for fire purposes. This should be taken into account in the Commission's review. Staff has a major concern with the three-story aspect of this project and the height exception necessary for this project to proceed (i.e., a 28-foot high structure versus 22 feet permitted for flat-roofed structures). The three-story, 28-foot buildings will be adjacent to two-story, 22 foot buildings at Quail Place with minimum landscape setbacks. This is difficult to rationalize or justify. Staff recommends that the Architectural Review Commission review the plans for architectural and landscape adequacy. Charlie Sweet, the applicant, noted that the proposed buildings create a better line of site, and added that the project will provide more parking spaces than required by the code. Chairman Gregory asked about the slope of the property, to which Mr. Sweet replied that the natural slope is approximately one foot from northwest to southeast, and added that the three-story buildings will be 28 feet above the grade of the curb, and the proposed colors are soft earth tones. Commissioner O'Donnell commented that the proposed community center building has some architectural style, but the rest of the project architecture is very stark and lacking in style. He would be concerned about the overall building heights and mass, and would prefer that the severity of the stark buildings be softened with architectural detail. 14 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 24, 1999 AGENDA Mr. Sweet noted that three or four different textures will be used on the exterior; however, he does not want to spend $100,000 more on architecture, to which Commissioner O'Donnell replied that the buildings definitely need architectural detail, and Commissioner Urrutia agreed. David Morehead of Pearl Industries commented that the Commission's input is needed, which is why the architecture proposed is rather bland. Don Gittelson of Palm Desert asked why the access has been changed, to which Mr. Sweet replied that it was changed in response to objections from the neighbors. Commissioner Van Vliet emphasized that the architectural revisions should not be minor in nature, because these buildings need major architectural changes, i.e., more undulation and detail. Action: Commissioner Holden moved, seconded by Commissioner Urrutia, to grant conceptual approval. The motion carried 5-0. 4. APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS)• TIM BARTLETT for NEVADA BOB'S, 73- 382 Salt Cedar Street, Palm Desert, CA 92260 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of final landscape plans for retail building LOCATION: 74-111 Highway 111 (southeast corner of Highway 111 and Portola Avenue) ZONE: C-1 Mr. Bartlett presented the revised landscape plans. Action: Commissioner Holden moved, seconded by Commissioner O'Donnell to grant final approval of the landscape plans. The motion carried 4-0, with Commissioners Connor and Urrutia abstaining. 15 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 24, 1999 AGENDA V. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 3:00 p.m. STEVE SMITH PLANNING MANAGER 16