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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-06-08 PALM DESERT ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 1999 MINUTES **************************************************************************************************** I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 12:30 p.m. Commissioners Present Current Meetina Year to Date Present Absent Present Absent Wayne Connor X 11 0 Ronald Gregory X 9 2 Richard Holden X 10 1 Richard O'Donnell X 11 0 Frank Urrutia X 9 2 Chris Van Vliet X 11 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 O'Donnell, to approve the minutes of the May 25, 1999 meeting. Motion carried 5-0, with Commissioner Urrutia absent. 1 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JUNE 8, 1999 MINUTES IV. CASES A. Final Drawings 1. CASE NO.: C 99-5 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): WILLIAM JOHN SCHILDGE, JR., 2056 Avenue of the Trees, Carlsbad, CA 92208 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Remodel of storefront LOCATION: 73-720 & 73-722 El Paseo ZONE: C-1 Mr. Alvarez presented the staff report, indicating the existing building consists of two retail units located at 73-722 El Paseo, and the applicant wishes to expand the storefronts out towards El Paseo, maintaining a five- foot setback from the property line and a 15-foot setback from the face of curb. The applicant will eliminate the existing tile roof and replace it with a 15'9" parapet wall. The new wall will be finished in a sand stucco color and will include new architectural detailing or trim finished in a grey stucco color. The applicant also proposes two new awnings attached to the wall extending out eight fee from the wall with eight-inch white copy. Two additional signs are proposed above the awnings attached to the wall with decorative iron posts. These signs are two feet by two feet, double-sided plex signs with two indirect lights attached to the poles. Staff recommends that the Commission approve the proposal as submitted, and authorize staff to approve the two-foot by two-foot individual store signs above the awnings. Commissioner Van Vliet asked how far the building will be from face of curb, to which Mr. Alvarez responded by indicating 15 feet. Commissioner Van Vliet asked about the height of the parapet walls compared to that of the neighboring building, to which Mr. Schildge replied that the neighboring wall is 15'9", and his wall will also be 15'9". 2 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JUNE 8, 1999 MINUTES Commissioner Van Vliet asked about the finish, to which Mr. Schildge replied that it will be wood stucco finish. Commissioner O'Donnell asked if all the awnings will have returns back to the building, to which Mr. Schildge responded affirmatively. Commissioner Van Vliet was concerned about how far the awning will protrude from the wall, and believed it should not extend past the existing wing wall. Action: Chairman Gregory moved, seconded by Commissioner Holden, to approve the plans as submitted and authorize staff to approve signage. The motion carried 5-0, with Commissioner Urrutia absent. 2. CASE NO.: SA 99-26/CUP 98-4 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): SERVICE STATION SERVICES for CHEVRON PRODUCTS COMPANY, 3 Hutton Center Drive, Suite 711, Santa Ana, CA 92707 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of final working drawings LOCATION: 72-801 Highway 111 ZONE: C-1 Mr. Alvarez presented the staff report, indicating that on May 26, 1999, the Commission reviewed the applicant's revised architectural modifications and signage for the proposed Chevron convenience store, and the Commission approved the request subject to the following conditions: • Maintaining the maximum 15-foot height clearance for the canopy and painting the fascia to match the building; • Adding doors to conceal the electrical equipment; • Eliminating all canopy signage below the fascia; • Maintaining a single monument sign with a maximum height of six feet; 3 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JUNE 8, 1999 MINUTES • A maximum height of four feet for the "EM Extra Mile" sign; and • Eliminating the "24 hrs" signs on the north and south elevations. The applicant has complied with all the condition, including reducing the height of the monument sign to six feet and widening it to incorporate all gasoline pricing signs. The proposed signage meets all requirements of the sign ordinance. The applicant shows the electrical equipment recessed into the building within a metal cabinet, painted to match the building. Staff recommends that the Commission approve the revised drawings and authorize staff to approve the final set of working drawings. Mr. Smith announced that a member of the City Council has appealed the Commission's preliminary approval as it applies to the east elevation. Mr. Alvarez noted that the Commission set forth conditions at its May 26 meeting, and the applicant has met those conditions, with the exception of the condition regarding the electrical cabinet, and Commissioner Urrutia has reviewed the plans and recommends that the cabinet be recessed and screened with doors; so staff would suggest that condition also be incorporated. Mr. Drell explained that the City Council appeal was based on the east elevation looking too much like the back of a building. Chairman Gregory suggested that the east elevation could be enhanced architecturally with metal gridwork or a trellis of a substantial nature, and Al Naras replied that enhancements can be incorporated into that elevation, and the electrical cabinet can also be recessed into the wall and screened with doors. Commissioner Connor cautioned that if a trellis is installed on the east elevation, it should be pulled away from the wall to provide air space. 4 -me ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JUNE 8, 1999 MINUTES Action: Commissioner Van Vliet moved, seconded by Commissioner O'Donnell, to grant approval with the condition that the electrical cabinet be recessed and screened with doors and that trellis work or other architectural detailing be added to the east elevation, to the satisfaction of the City Council per its appeal filed June 4, 1999. The motion carried 5-0, with Commissioner Urrutia absent. 3. 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: Approval of final working drawings for shrub and ground cover landscaping on the berm LOCATION: The Canyons at Bighorn ZONE: PR-5 Mr. Drell reported that the City's landscape consultant, Eric Johnson, has reviewed the plans and submitted written comments suggesting that the spacing be increased and that the number of plantings be decreased. Commissioners Connor and Gregory concurred with Mr. Johnson's comments, and noted that if sufficient room is not provided for the plants to grow to full size, they will not survive. Action: Commissioner Connor moved, seconded by Chairman Gregory, to granted approval subject to the written comments provided by the City's landscape consultant, Eric Johnson. The motion carried 5-0, with Commissioner Urrutia absent. 5 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JUNE 8, 1999 MINUTES 4. CASE NO.: SA 99-43 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS. QUIEL BROTHERS SIGNS for PALM DESERT NATIONAL BANK, 272 South I Street, San Bernardino, CA 92410 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of revised business identification signage LOCATION: 73-745 El Paseo ZONE: C-1 Mr. Alvarez reported that the Commission granted approval of new business identification signage for Palm Desert National Bank on April 27, 1999, contingent upon the applicant changing all the existing signage to match the proposed 10-inch reverse channel letters. At the time of approval, the signs did not include raceways. The applicant's revised submittal includes changing all signs to blue, 10-inch reverse channel letters, but includes the use of raceways, stuccoed and painted to match the existing building. The raceways are 22" wide and 2'6" high and a total of six inches deep. Staff advised the applicant to submit a detail illustrating how the raceway will be architecturally integrated with the building, and suggested that the applicant use a foam decorative trim around the raceway, stuccoed and painted to match the building, and the applicant has provided an updated revised plan reflecting the modifications suggested. Action: Commissioner O'Donnell moved, seconded by Commissioner Van Vliet, to grant approval of the revised plans as submitted. The motion carried 5-0, with Commissioner Urrutia absent. 6 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JUNE 8, 1999 MINUTES 5. CASE NO.: MISC 99-8 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS GARY WRIGHT, 44-829 Cabrillo Avenue, Palm Desert, CA 92260 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Six-foot block wall within the front yard setback LOCATION: 44-829 Cabrillo Avenue ZONE: R-1 Ms. Chafin reported that the applicant seeks to construct a six-foot wall in the front yard, 11 feet from face of curb. The wall would have a stucco finish with stone veneer columns (similar to the wall on Portola surrounding Desert Willow Golf Course. The applicant also intends to install desert landscaping in the front yard. Although the front yard setback for the R-1 zone for a six- foot wall is 15 feet, the applicant indicates that all the other properties in the neighborhood have walls 11 feet from face of curb. Staff would note that the neighborhood was developed prior to enactment of the ordinance pertaining to setbacks for walls in front yards. Given that the proposed wall setback is in keeping with setbacks of the existing front yard walls in the neighborhood, and that proposed materials and design are aesthetically appealing, staff recommends approval. Action: Commissioner O'Donnell moved, seconded by Chairman Gregory, to grant approval of the plans as submitted. The motion carried 5-0, with Commissioner Urrutia absent. 7 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JUNE 8, 1999 MINUTES 6. CASE NO.: MISC 99-7 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): KARL SUESS, 71-300 Halgar, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of parapet roof to screen mechanical equipment LOCATION: 45-950 Portola Avenue ZONE: R-110,000 Mr. Alvarez reported that the subject property is located at the northeast corner of Portola Avenue and Fairway Drive, and the applicant wishes to construct a four-foot high parapet wall to screen the existing mechanical equipment. The parapet will be finished in a roof tile colored Bermuda blend. Commissioner Van Vliet asked about the setback issue, to which Mr. Alvarez replied that the building is legal nonconforming, and Mr. Smith added that there is no problem approving improvements as long as it does not result in further encroachment into the setback. Commissioner Van Vliet noted that the building is highly visible from a very busy street, and suggested that a professional designer take a look at the building to determine if aesthetic improvements could be made to the roof. Commissioner Van Vliet asked if any square footage will be added to the building, to which Mr. Suess responded negatively. Commissioner Connor commented that the peak of the roof is in conflict with the mansard style roof, and suggested that the peak be eliminated. Chairman Gregory recommended that something be done with the stairs to improve the appearance of the building. Commissioner O'Donnell asked if the sliding glass doors will be removed, to which Mr. Suess responded affirmatively, and added that the sliders will be replaced with 4080 and 2060 glass block. 8 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JUNE 8, 1999 MINUTES Action: Commissioner Connor moved, seconded by Commissioner Van Vliet, to indicate that permits should be issued to allow the applicant to continue roof work, and continued the case to allow the applicant to incorporate the Commission's building design suggestions into the plans. The motion carried 5-0, with Commissioner Urrutia absent. B. Preliminary Plans 1. CASE NO.: C 99-6 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESSh ROMACORP, INC. 9304 Forest Lane, Suite 200, Dallas, TX 75243 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Exterior remodel and expansion of Tony Roma's Restaurant LOCATION: 73-155 Highway 111 ZONE: C-1 Mr. Smith reported Tony Roma's Restaurant on the south side of Highway 111, east of Carl's Jr., wishes to undertake a major interior and exterior remodel and business expansion. The proposed expansion is to the west into the space formerly occupied by Vinaigrettes Restaurant (separate CUP approved in 1997). The expansion adds 960 square feet to the existing 4,994 square foot restaurant for a total of 5,954 square feet. The exterior remodel will retain the existing concrete tile roof, but will add a major tower element over the restaurant entrance. This tower has an overall height of 29 feet. The tower will have stucco to match the rest of the building stucco (burgundy/ox blood), tile to be a cactus green color and wood rafters and trim. The north and east face of the tower are shown with an open channel and exposed neon sign. Maximum height for the top of the sign letters is 20 feet. This can be met. 9 VOW IWO ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JUNE 8, 1999 MINUTES Other changes include: 1. Change to the fascia color to an ox blood/burgundy (no material samples available at the time of writing); 2. Add a yellow drop awning with scallops and red "Tony Roma's" signs (three facing north and two facing east); 3. Add wood shutters; 4. Add goose neck light fixtures; 5. Add palm trees (no landscape plan submitted at this time); 6. Add back-lit metal piglets (12 on north and two on east); 7. Add three inset tile elements (two on north and one on east); 8. Add stone veneer to north elevation. The remodel is necessary to update the building architecture. Staff is generally supportive of the proposed remodel. Until the actual material sample is submitted, staff is not prepared to make a recommendation of approval. Staffs main areas of concern involve: 1. Are improvements proposed for the south elevation? Considering that most customers park to the south and walk around the building, the south elevation should be remodeled with the rest of the building. 2. The awning material, color and lighting needs to be addressed. 3. The lighting of the piglets needs to be reviewed along with the number of piglets; 4. The elevations show palm trees. A landscape plan should be submitted to show where they will be installed. Mr. Smith noted that Commissioner Urrutia reviewed the plans and made the following comments: 1. He does not like the piglets; 2. The tower proportions are wrong; 3. The stone element should be continued around the side of the building; 4. The architectural treatments should be continued around to the back side of the building as well; and 5. The signs should be no higher than 20 feet in height. 10 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JUNE 8, 1999 MINUTES Hans Hurtner, the project architect, noted that the top of the letters are at the 20-foot height maximum. Romacorp has just developed a new prototype, and the theme is a rustic look with a fire engine red color, but he has muted the colors for the Palm Desert store to be more sensitive to the desert. The prototype also features bare neon, but he has modified that for the Palm Desert store to reflect a halo effect with neon behind to create a soft glow on the wall. The valance awning already exists around most of the restaurant, and the plan is to extend it to the part of the building being annexed. Stucco bases are being added to the columns to make them wider. If the Commission is opposed to piglets, then he could suggest five-point stars. Goose neck light fixtures will be added onto the columns. The existing clay tile roof will be retained; however, the roof overhangs would prohibit the planting of palm trees, so he would like to do a variety of native plants that would fit under the soffits. The lanterns at the entry will replace the existing high pressure sodium lamps. The intent is that the architectural treatments will be extended to the rear elevation. Commissioner Van Vliet asked if the stone veneer will be included on the rear elevation, to which Mr. Hurtner replied that the veneer is costly, but the applicant would be open to a limited amount on the rear. Mr. Hurtner noted that Pat Conlon of the City's Building Department indicated that it may be necessary to add an electrical room on the rear elevation, and that it would be acceptable to place it under the soffits. Dick Baxley confirmed that the owner intends to continue the architectural treatments around the entire building. Chairman Gregory felt that the tower should be given some type of foundation because of its width, and Commissioner Holden suggested that the two columns be widened so as to provide a type of base for the tower, and noted that widening the columns would not involve structural changes. Mr. Hurtner noted that the stone darkens considerably over time. Commissioner Connor suggested that the piglets be removed from the soffit and placed on the columns at the pedestrian level. 11 J NOW ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JUNE 8, 1999 MINUTES Mr. Hurtner asked if the Commission would prefer five-point stars, but the Commission was not in favor of stars and formed a consensus to allow a maximum of 10 piglets under the scones on all the entry columns. Commissioner O'Donnell asked about the tower roof material, to which Mr. Hurtner replied that it is concrete tile with a dark green glazed finish. Commissioner Connor and Chairman Gregory expressed a preference for flat finish. Commissioner Van Vliet felt that the proposed awning color does not go well with the rest of the building colors, to which Mr. Hurtner responded by suggesting a cactus green color, and the Commission agreed. Commissioner Holden indicated that the Spanish tile inset color of yellow should not be changed, and the Commission agreed. Commissioner Van Vliet asked if there will be any planters in the rear, to which Mr. Hurtner responded affirmatively, but noted that the plants will have to be of a height that will fit underneath the soffit, because the planter area is not very wide. Chairman Gregory suggested adding palm trees in the rear. Commissioner Connor asked if trees can be added to the parking lot, to which Mr. Baxley replied that it is his understanding that the parking lot will be reconfigured this summer. Mr. Drell confirmed that preliminary discussions regarding the parking lot have taken place, and the intent is to increase the number of spaces, and David Fletcher indicated he would talk to the other property owners, because the City would need a public easement in order to effect the improvements. Mr. Drell suggested that Mr. Baxley contact Mr. Fletcher, and Mr. Baxley agreed to do so. Action: Commissioner O'Donnell moved, seconded by Commissioner Connor, to grant preliminary approval subject to incorporating design modifications suggested by the Commission. The motion carried 5-0, with Commissioner Urrutia absent. 12 r ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JUNE 8, 1999 MINUTES 2. CASE NO.: MISC 99-9 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESSI- ROLAND RAMSEY, c/o CANADAY & COMPANY, 78-995 Via Treiste, La Quinta, CA 92253 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of single-family residence with a building height in excess of 15 feet LOCATION: 46-340 Desert Lily ZONE: R-1 (20,000) Mr. Alvarez presented the plans and noted that other homes in the area exceed 15 feet in height. Action: Commissioner Van Vliet moved, seconded by Commissioner O'Donnell, to grant approval of the plans as submitted. The motion carried 5-0, with Commissioner Urrutia absent. V. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 2:10 p.m. STEVE SMITH PLANNING MANAGER 13