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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-06-22 PALM DESERT ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 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 12 0 Ronald Gregory X 10 2 Richard Holden X 11 1 Richard O'Donnell X 11 1 Frank Urrutia X 10 2 Chris Van Vliet X 12 0 Staff Present: Phil Drell, Director of Community Development Steve Smith, Planning Manager Martin Alvarez, Assistant Planner Daisy Garcia, Code Enforcement Officer Kim Chafin, Senior Office Assistant II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was moved by Commissioner Urrutia, seconded by Commissioner Van Viiet, to approve the minutes of the June 8, 1999 meeting. Motion carried 4-0, with Commissioner O'Donnell absent. III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None. 1 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JUNE 22, 1999 MINUTES 1. CASE NO.: SA 99-59 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): PARAGON SIGNS for MONDI, 77-650 Enfield Lane, Palm Desert, CA 92211 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of 24-inch backlit channel letter sign on south (El Paseo) elevation LOCATION: 73-100 El Paseo ZONE: C-1 Ms. Chafin reported that the Mondi clothing store is located on the northeast corner of El Paseo and Ocotillo. The building currently has a non-illuminated "Mondi" sign with 16-inch bronze colored letters over the main entrance, which is approximately 22 feet wide and is angled facing northwest at the corner. The store has 34 feet of frontage on El Paseo and 63 feet of frontage along Ocotillo. A second "Mondi" sign of similar size and color is located on the north elevation facing the parking lot, which has approximately 47 feet of frontage. The applicant requests approval of replacement signage on the El Paseo elevation which would feature 24-inch backlit channel letters in the same bronze color. The sign will have metal face and returns, and thus will not be illuminated through the face. It appears that there is approximately 48 inches of space between the eight square windows above the existing sign and the awning below; therefore, a 24-inch sign would still leave 12 inches of border above and below the sign. Staff observed that the existing awnings also feature several "Mondi" logo decals which are currently peeling off of the awning. Staff finds the proposal to be aesthetically acceptable in terms of proportion, lighting and color, and recommends approval of the request, subject to the applicant removing or replacing the peeling/faded "Mondi" logos on the awnings. Action: Commissioner Holden moved, seconded by Commissioner Van Vliet, to grant approval of the request, subject to the applicant removing or replacing the peeling/faded "Mondi" logos on the awnings. The motion carried 5-0, with Commissioner O'Donnell absent. 2 'Vow ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JUNE 22, 1999 MINUTES 2. CASE NO.: SA 99-58 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): TRIMS & MORE INTERIOR DESIGN, 45- 120 San Pablo Avenue, Suite 2G, Palm Desert, CA 92260 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Awnings over windows and doorway LOCATION: 45-120 San Pablo Avenue, Suite 2G ZONE: C-1 Ms. Chafin reported that Trims & More Interior Design is located on the southeast corner of San Pablo and Highway 111. The applicant seeks to install awnings over the entry door, which faces Highway 111, as well as the windows on the west elevation. The proposed fabric is vinyl in a hunter green color. Staff finds the proposed design and color acceptable and recommends approval. Chairman Gregory suggested that the awning element be continued along the entire north elevation rather than just over the front door, and noted that the awning will provide shade on the west elevation. Commissioner Urrutia noted that the building already has a lot of architectural features and suggested that the awning be placed above the exposed rafters in order to be more proportionate. He was concerned that the awning on the north elevation would make the door harder to see and suggested that it be continued to the east so that the business next door will also benefit. Commissioner Urrutia was also concerned that the proposed color may not be appropriate. Action: Commissioner Connor moved, seconded by Commissioner Urrutia, to continue the case to allow the applicant to incorporate changes recommended by the Commission. The motion carried 5-0, with Commissioner O'Donnell absent. 3 *400 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION J U N E 22, 1999 MINUTES 3. CASE NO.: TT 28575 APPLICANT (AND ADDREW 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 sales building and landscaping LOCATION: The Canyons at Bighorn ZONE: PR-5 Mr. Drell reported that the sales office will be 15 feet below the Highway 74 grade, and is designed to look like a residence and may be converted into a residence in the future. One issue to consider is visibility of the parking area, because it may be possible to view it as one descends the hill on Highway 74. Commissioner Urrutia asked how close the building is to the interior road, to which Mr. Drell responded by indicating less than 20 feet. Chairman Gregory asked how close the building will be to Highway 74, to which Mr. Drell responded by indicating approximately 155 feet. Action: Commissioner Van Vliet moved, seconded by Commissioner Connor, to grant preliminary and final approval of the building and landscaping. The motion carried 5-0. 4 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JUNE 22, 1999 MINUTES 4. CASE NO.: PP 98-5 and TT 28818 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS MARRIOTT OWNERSHIP RESORTS, 6649 Westwood Boulevard, Suite 500, Orlando, FL 32809-6090 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Final approval of maintenance and sales buildings LOCATION: East side of Monterey between Frank Sinatra and Gerald Ford ZONE: PR-5 Mr. Smith reported that a member of the City Council filed an appeal due to opposition regarding the height of the towers on each end of the building, but before the case was submitted to the City Council, a settlement was reached. The revised drawings eliminate one tower, and the City Councilmember who filed the appeal found the revised drawings acceptable. Landscape plans will be submitted to the Commission at the next meeting. Action: Commissioner Connor moved, seconded by Commissioner Holden, to approved the revised plans as submitted. The motion carried 5-0, with Commissioner O'Donnell absent. 5 1400 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JUNE 22, 1999 MINUTES 5. CASE NO.: SA 99-48 APPLICANT(AND ADDRESSY HOKE OUTDOOR ADVERTISING for LAS SOMBRAS CENTER, 1955 North Main Street, Orange, CA 92865 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of new shopping center sign criteria LOCATION: Highway 111 and Fred Waring Drive (Las Sombras Center) ZONE: PC-4 Mr. Alvarez reported that the existing shopping center is located on the west side of Highway 111 between Fred Waring Drive and Painters Path. The property owner proposes a new sign program for the existing shopping center. The sign program will be applicable to the entire center, excluding Banana's and The Olive Garden Restaurant. The sign program is divided into three sections: monument signage, wall signage facing Highway 111 and wall signage on the parking lot. The monument signage proposed for Highway 111 includes two, double- faced tenant identification monument signs measuring 4' x 8' (32 square feet), reading "Las Sombras Center," with four individual tenants identified. The signage is to be internally illuminated, routed out sign faces backed with acrylic. The monument signage on Fred Waring Drive is to consist of one double-faced tenant identification monument measuring 6' x 8'8" (48 square feet), reading "Las Sombras Center" with two individual tenants identified. The signage is also to be internally illuminated, routed out sign faces backed with acrylic. A "Parking Code Sign" is proposed for Fred Waring Drive measuring 2' x 3'8" with a height of 69". Regarding wall signage proposed for the elevation facing Highway 111, staff would note that the City's Sign Ordinance allows one square foot of signage per one linear foot of building frontage with a maximum of 50 square feet. The applicant proposes individual channel letters mounted on raceway (maximum 24" high)with a maximum of three colors to be determined. The applicant proposes placing wall signs on garden walls or directly on the building. 6 ;,WO ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JUNE 22, 1999 MINUTES Regarding wall signage for the west elevation, the applicant proposes individual channel letters mounted on raceway (24" maximum height), with a maximum of three colors to be determined. The applicant proposes to locate the signage on the eaves of the trellis or on the building. Staff recommends that the Commission permit only the Fred Waring Drive monument sign and parking code sign as submitted and direct staff to approve the exact location. The center currently has two existing monument signs, one credited to the Highway 111 frontage (Banana's monument) and one credited to the Painters Path frontage (Captain Cook's monument). Regarding wall signage facing Highway 111, staff recommends that the Commission approve individual channel letters on either the garden walls with raceways to match the wall or on the building without raceways. If mounted on eaves of the trellis, signs shall not exceed the height of the existing fascia. The Highway 111 frontage currently has a variety of signs approved by the City, including two can signs and one reverse channel sign (Tanpopo's) and one individual channel letter sign (Tanning). Regarding wall signage facing west towards the parking lot, staff recommends that the Commission approve the wall sign locations without the use of raceways, and trellis mounted signs should not have exposed raceways and should not exceed the height of the existing fascias. Mr. Alvarez noted that the applicant would like 12-inch heigh letters on the Highway 111 trellis elevations rather than eight-inch limit recommended by staff. The applicant would also like to have four tenant strips on the Fred Waring monument sign rather than the two tenant strips recommended by staff. Commissioner Urrutia expressed opposition to allowing signs on the trellis along Highway 111, and felt that 24-inch letters will be too large. Commissioner Urrutia expressed support to allowing a maximum of four colors, and authorizing staff to approve said colors. 7 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JUNE 22, 1999 MINUTES Action: Commissioner Urrutia moved, seconded by Commissioner Van Vliet, to approve: 1) one monument sign on Highway 111 with two tenant signs and one monument sign on Fred Waring with four tenant signs; 2) wall signage facing 111 to be individual channel letters with a maximum 18" height with no exposed raceways, and no signage on the trellises; 3)wall signage facing parking lot with no exposed raceways and not to exceed fascia height on the trellis; and 4) maximum of four colors, to be approved by staff. The motion carried 5-0, with Commissioner O'Donnell absent. 6. CASE NO.: C 98-5 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESSL AMERICAN INVESTMENT GROUP/PALM DESERT LLC for PALMS TO PINES EAST SHOPPING CENTER, 301 Forest Avenue, Suite 200, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of final working drawings and landscape plans LOCATION: South side of Highway 111 east of Plaza Way ZONE: PC-3 Mr. Smith presented the final working drawings and landscape plans. Commissioner Connor noted that the Australian Willows have trouble surviving in the desert. Chairman Gregory concurred with the written comments provided by the City's landscape consultant, Eric Johnson, and noted that a subtropical plant palette is not well suited for the desert. Chairman Gregory recommended that the applicant lean more towards a desert palette, and also recommended the use of tan colored crushed rock rather than red lava rock, and advised that pine trees are not a low maintenance parking lot tree. Chairman Gregory commented that the final working drawings are substantially different from the approved preliminary plans. 8 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JUNE 22, 1999 AGENDA Action: Commissioner Connor moved, seconded by Commissioner Urrutia, to continue the case to allow the applicant to address the concerns expressed by the Commission. The motion carried 5-0, with Commissioner O'Donnell absent. 7. CASE NO.: CUP 98-4 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): SERVICE STATION SERVICES for CHEVRON PRODUCTS COMPANY, 3 Hutton Centre Drive, Suite 711, Santa Ana, CA 92707 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Reconsideration of east elevation LOCATION: 72-801 Highway 111 ZONE: C-1 Mr. Alvarez reported that a member of the City Council has filed an appeal relative to the east elevation, indicating that it looks too much like the back of a building. In response, the applicant has proposed a one-inch by one- inch tubular trellis, with the plant material to be lavender trumpet vine. The 15-foot planter will also have Rhus Lanceas, ground cover and palm trees.. This matter is scheduled for the June 24th City Council meeting. Commissioner Urrutia felt that the proposal is a landscape treatment rather than an architectural treatment, and cautioned against relying on landscaping to screen the building. Commissioner Urrutia suggested that the applicant may wish to consider spandrell glass to make the elevation appear more like a storefront. Commissioner Urrutia also suggested that the trellis be thicker so that it becomes more of an architectural element. Chairman Gregory agreed that the trellis should be thicker and have a top cap to match the building, and indicated that it should be brought out a couple of feet to provide more architecture and articulation. 9 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JUNE 22, 1999 AGENDA Action: Commissioner Urrutia moved, seconded by Commissioner Van Vliet, that the proposed trellis as presented is not an acceptable architectural solution, and recommended that the applicant explore other possible approaches regarding the east elevation. The motion carried 5-0, with Commissioner O'Donnell absent. B. Preliminary Plans 1. CASE NO.: PP 99-8 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): J.D. MECHANICAL, INC., 74-894 42nd Avenue, Palm Desert, CA 92260 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Preliminary approval of a 10,372 square foot industrial building LOCATION: 39-655 Entrepreneur Lane ZONE: S.I. Mr. Alvarez reported that the property is located on the west side of Entrepreneur Lane within the City's Service Industrial District. The property is rectangular in shape and totals 31,800 square feet. The applicant proposes to construct a tile-up concrete building totaling 10,372 square feet. The project will have dual access from Entrepreneur Lane leading to parking in the front and rear. The building is divided into two units, with Suite A totaling 6,944 square feet and Suite B totaling 3,426 square feet. The project meets all of the setback requires of the S.I. zone, but is short three off-street parking spaces. The site plan will have to be modified or a reduction in building square footage must occur in order to meet the City's parking requirement of 2/1,000. It appears the site does have area along the rear of the building and at either rear corner to accommodate the required parking spaces. This issue will be resolved prior to being scheduled before the Planning Commission. 10 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JUNE 22, 1999 MINUTES The building height is 20 feet, and the building will be painted with three light tan colors, with an orange aluminum frame color on the windows and doors. The City's landscape consultant, Eric Johnson, has submitted written comments, and staff concurs with the comments and recommendations and recommends that the Commission approve the plans, subject to those comments and recommendations. Staff recommends that the Commission grant preliminary architecture and landscaping approval, subject to the comments made by the City's landscape consultant. Chairman Gregory advised that the applicant should ensure that the trees from the other parking lot don't overlap with the trees proposed for this site. Action: Commissioner Connor moved, seconded by Commissioner Van Vliet, to grant preliminary approval subject to the Commission's suggestions and the written comments provided by the City's landscape consultant, Eric Johnson. The motion carried 5-0, with Commissioner O'Donnell absent. 11 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JUNE 22, 1999 MINUTES 2. CASE NO.: CUP 99-6 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS• NICK CONTI, 73-410 Desert Rose Drive, Palm Desert, CA 92260 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Preliminary approval of plans for a 1,388 square foot auto service building, office and storage room LOCATION: 73-220 Highway 111 ZONE: C-1 Mr. Smith reported that the applicant seeks to remodel and expand the existing business at the northeast corner of Highway 111 and San Marcos. For many years, the site was used as a coin-operated car wash and gas station. Due to EPA mandates related to replacement of gas storage tanks, that portion of the business is no longer viable. The applicant proposes to demolish the existing corner building and replace it with a 1,388 square foot building square foot building to be used as a smog certification center. The single-story building (service area and office) is to utilize adobe-colored split face block. The fascia will be metal (taupe). The building has one window facing north. The street elevations resemble a bunker. The applicant proposes to add the metal fascia detail to the car wash structure and to expand the car wash by one bay to the east. The canopy over the gas pumps will be removed, but the pumps will be replaced with vacuum units. Minor landscaping improvements in the parking area are proposed for the site. The proposed architecture is unacceptable. Expansion of the car wash facility is also unacceptable. It is very unusual for staff to recommend outright denial of an application. We usually recommend continuance to allow further refinement of the plans. In this instance, staff feels the applicant would be throwing good money after bad. The long-term use of the site should not be as a car wash. Staff recommends that the Architectural Review Commission deny the application. 12 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JUNE 22, 1999 MINUTES Mr. Conti clarified that the car wash facility is not proposed for expansion, but the proposal does include covering one of the bays which is currently uncovered. Chairman Gregory was concerned that the applicant have a thorough understanding of the approval process before going through it, and that the applicant also understand the zoning issues involved. Mr. Conti stated that his intent is that the site remain a car wash, and added that he merely wishes to clean up the site, and has already spent a lot of time and money preparing preliminary plans. Commissioner Urrutia noted that the land use issues are the purview of the Planning Commission and City Council, and the Architectural Review Commission would merely be considered with aesthetics; so the Commission could not take action at this time. Mr. Smith noted that eventually the value of the property will catch up with the value of the car wash. Commissioner Holden indicated that the Commission could provide suggestions for the applicant, which would mean the applicant could come back to the Commission several times in order to arrive at something that is aesthetically acceptable. The concern is that the applicant could develop a plan for the nicest building in town, but the Planning Commission and City Council could deny the project because of the land use issue. Mr. Conti asked if staff would recommend against the project if it did not involve any improvements to the car wash and only involved the addition of service bays, to which Mr. Smith replied that as long as the car wash use remains, staffs position will be to recommend denial because the use is not consistent with the General Plan. Mr. Conti stated when the City has enough money to buy him out, the City can do whatever it wishes, and added that many people in this town utilize the car wash; so the facility is needed. Mr. Conti admitted that the site is an eyesore, and explained that his wish is to clean it up. 13 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JUNE 22, 1999 MINUTES Commissioner Van Vliet noted that the structure is quite old and would require a substantial investment to make it aesthetically acceptable, with which Commissioner Holden concurred, and added that upgrades could be cost prohibitive. Commissioner Urrutia stated that if the use if acceptable with the Planning Commission and City Council, he would like to see something done to improve the car wash, as it has a high level of exposure to Highway 111, and suggested that something could be done to screen the car wash bays from Highway 111. Whereupon Chairman Gregory left the meeting. Action: Commissioner Holden moved, seconded by Commissioner Urrutia, to continue the case to allow the applicant to clarify the land use issue with the Planning Commission and/or City Council, and indicated that the Commission would be willing to work with the applicant to resolve aesthetic issues if and when the land use issue is resolved. The motion carried 4-0, with Commissioners Connor and Gregory absent. 14 11"o ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JUNE 22, 1999 MINUTES 3. CASE NO.: PP 99-9 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): LEWIS BISHOP, 44-645 San Onofre Avenue, Palm Desert, CA 92260 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Preliminary approval of architecture and landscaping for a 16,427 square foot industrial building LOCATION: 75-130 St. Charles Place ZONE: S.I. Mr. Smith reported that the applicant proposes a single-story 16,427 square foot industrial building on one of the few vacant lots in the industrial park. The building meets setback and parking requirements. The building reflects an industrial theme and will utilize concrete tilt-up walls (grey) and teal colored metal roofs over the office entry areas. The applicant indicates landscape areas on the site plan. Detailed landscape plans will be required and will need to include the area north of the north perimeter wall. Staff recommends that the Architectural Review Commission grant preliminary architectural approval subject to the applicant providing a landscape plan. Commissioner Van Vliet asked about the concrete finish, to which the applicant replied that it will be a brushed finish. Commissioner Urrutia noted that the Commission would not support plain concrete, and suggested that it have a pattern. Action: Commissioner Holden moved, seconded by Commissioner Urrutia, to grant preliminary approval of the architecture. The motion carried 4-0, with Commissioners O'Donnell and Gregory absent. V. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 2:50 p.m. STEVE SMITH PLANNING MANAGER 15