Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-08-14 • CITY OF PALM DESERT ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES August 14, 2001 **************************************************************************************************** I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 12:30 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Commissioners Current Meeting Year to Date Present Absent Present Absent Ronald Gregory, Chairman X 12 3 Kristi Hanson X 12 2 Neil Lingle X 10 4 Richard O'Donnell X 9 3 Chris Van Vliet X 14 1 John Vuksic X 14 1 Also Present: Phil Drell, Director, Community Development Martin Alvarez, Associate Planner Tony Bagato, Planning Technician Ali Hamidzadeh, Building & Safety Spencer Knight, Landscape Manager Gail Santee, Senior Office Assistant III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: July 24, 2001 Commissioner Gregory moved, seconded by Commissioner Hanson, to approve the minutes of July 24, 2001. The motion carried 3-0-1 with Commissioner Lingle abstaining and Commissioners O'Donnell and Vuksic absent. IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS A. None G:Planning\Gale Santee\wpdocs\Agmin\AR010814.min.wpd 1 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 14, 2001 MINUTES A. Final Drawings 1. CASE NO.:SA 01-75 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): Pines to Palms Canvas, 69-640 Sugarloaf Avenue, #69, Mt. Center, CA 92561 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of white fabric on awning and wrought iron for Canyon Road Collection LOCATION: 73-425 El Paseo ZONE: C-1 Mr. Ernie Brooks of Pines to Palms Canvas explained that the gentleman going into this retail spot is a world-renown sculpture from Palm Beach, Florida, who has been featured in Architectural Digest magazine. He intends to put sculptures outside on the covered patio. The corporate colors are white and black and that is why the applicant is requesting white awnings with black letters. Currently, there is a tan awning over the patio which could be replaced by a white perforated fabric awning. The perforations would allow light to come onto the patio and displayed sculptures. The Commission stated white would be too bright and probably wouldn't stay white for very long. Mr. Brooks distributed a sample of the awning material which is vinyl with canvas in it. The fabric is easy to clean. Mr. Brooks stated they had done a white office awning on Cook Street nine years ago and that it is still white and the fabric is still in good condition. Commissioner Hanson asked if the color could be changed to ivory because the building was ivory. Mr. Brooks explained that the railing cover, which would be the same color, would be attached by screws on the backside for a nice clean finish on the street side, instead of by lacing it to the railing. Staff asked if there would be a problem with displaying the sculptures outside the store. Mr. Drell responded the sculpturer would probably have to get a conditional use permit. GAPlanning\Gale Santee\wpdocs\AGM I N\AR01 0814.min 2 4 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 14, 2001 MINUTES Action: Commissioner Hanson moved, seconded by Commissioner Van Vliet, to grant final approval of the signage subject to both the front railing covers and the entire awning be #5402 ivory, Calliope- brand awning. The top of the awning will be perforated to allow light onto the patio and match as close as possible the valance and railing covers. The lettering was approved as submitted. Motion carried 4-0 with Commissioners O'Donnell and Vuksic absent. 2. CASE NO.: APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): GLS GROUP, 74-854 Velie Way, Suite 5, Palm Desert, CA 92260 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval for single family residence above 15 feet in height and over maximum square footage for M/M Saccullo LOCATION: 76-968 Florida Avenue ZONE: R-1 9,000 Staff displayed the plans for this single family residence for the Commission's review. Action: Commissioner Lingle moved, seconded by Commissioner Van Vliet, to grant final approval to the residence plans as submitted. Motion carried 4-0 with Commissioners O'Donnell and Vuksic absent. 3. CASE NO.: C 01-05 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): AmH LLC, PO Box 1230, Cathedral City, CA 92235 JAMES D. AULDRIDGE, ARCHITECT, 79-260 Fred Waring Drive, Bermuda Dunes, CA 92201 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: New facade and parapets on existing building for Club Car of the Desert LOCATION: 74-050 Hwy. 111 GAPlanning\Gale Santee\wpdocs\AGMIN\AR010814.min 3 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 14, 2001 MINUTES ZONE: C-1 Plans were displayed for the new facade and parapets for Commission review. Action: Commissioner Lingle moved, seconded by Commissioner Van Vliet, to grant final approval to the plans as submitted. Motion carried 4- 0 with Commissioners O'Donnell and Vuksic absent. 4. CASE NO.:TT 30216 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): MARIO GONZALES, GHA PALOMA GROUP, LLC, 68-936 Adelina Road, Cathedral City, CA 92234 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Final approval of two model homes, development site plan, and detached casitas, SUNDANCE HOMES LOCATION: Northwest corner of Frank Sinatra and Portola Avenue, west of Shepard Road ZONE: PR 5 Staff explained that this matter had been handled at staff level. No Commission action is necessary. 5. CASE NO.: APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): PREST VUKSIC ARCHITECTS, 74- 020 Alessandro, #C, Palm Desert, CA 92260 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Final approval of architectural remodel to north elevation for Foundation for the Retarded LOCATION: 73-255 Country Club Drive ZONE: P GAPlanning\Gale Santee\wpdocs\AGMIN\AR010814.min 4 10AW ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 14, 2001 MINUTES Plans for the remodel of the Foundation for the Retarded were reviewed by the Commission. Action: Commissioner Lingle moved, seconded by Commissioner Van Vliet, to grant final approval to the plans as submitted. Motion carried 4-0 with Commissioners O'Donnell and Vuksic absent. 6. CASE NO.: MISC 01-16 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): TAIT & ASSOCIATES, 9089 Clairmont Mesa Blvd., San Diego, CA 92123 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval to add trellis over both entrances to the Albertson's store. LOCATION: 42-205 Washington Street ZONE: PC The Commission reviewed the plans for the trellis to be installed over both entrances of the Albertson's store. Action: Commissioner Lingle moved, seconded by Commissioner Van Vliet, to grant final approval to the plans as submitted. Motion carried 4-0 with Commissioners O'Donnell and Vuksic absent. 7. CASE NO.: SA 01-94 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): RYAN BYBEE, 4833 N. Edgewood Drive, Provo, UT 84604 FRED JENSEN, 72-333 Hwy. 111, #G, Palm Desert, CA 92260 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of new business signage for Hog! Yogi/Teriyaki Stix LOCATION: 72-333 Hwy. 111, #G ZONE: C-1 GAPlanning\Gale Santee\wpdocs\AGMIN\AR010814.min 5 *400 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 14, 2001 MINUTES Mr. Drell stated the existing signage, "Hogi Yogi", is 39 square feet. The applicant is entitled to 40 square feet. To maintain his franchise, he is being required to put up "Teriyaki Stix" which has to be visible from 300 feet. The applicant had initially proposed simply adding a black can sign reading "Teriyaki Stix" and installing it under his existing signage. But that put him significantly over the square footage he was allowed and the area was too tight. Referring to the revised signage, Commissioner Hanson asked if the "Hogi Yogi" and the "Teriyaki Stix" could be made into two individual cans in order to reduce the amount of black background which is objectionable and makes it look massive. The sign program for the Desert Crossings center calls for reverse channel letters which is what the current "Hogi Yogi" is. The signage and logo at Chuck E. Cheese's was noted in comparison. It, too, is `fun' and the logo is a can sign, but it faces the parking lot. In the applicant's case, one sign faces the parking lot, the other faces Hwy. 111. Commissioner Van Vliet stated this application pushed beyond the intent of the sign program. Commissioner Gregory suggested giving the project back to the applicant, stating the Commission would work with them, but it did not wish to establish precedent as far as going away from the sign program. He explained to Mr. Jensen that signage programs were set to keep signage from getting out of hand. While the proposed signage is "fun" and will catch people's attention, but the program at Desert Crossing calls for channel letters and does allow can sign logos. The Chuck E. Cheese's signage does both. If the applicant's signage could be design to contain both channel letters and a logo can sign, it would probably be acceptable. But, the proposed can sign is too much of a departure from the sign program. Mr. Fred Jensen explained that per franchise requirements, they must display the "Teriyaki Stix" and logo in addition to the "Hogi Yogi". He noted that profitability issues would not stand for$8,000 channel letters to include both names and the logos. Discussion consisted of putting the "Teriyaki Stix" signage at a pedestrian level which may or may not be acceptable to Hogi Yogi corporate. With the words stacked on top of each other, they may be too small. GAPlanning\Gale Santee\wpdocs\AGMIN\AR010814.min 6 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 14, 2001 MINUTES Commissioner Hanson sketched several options that might be satisfactory to the Commission. One of those options consisted of leaving the current "Hogi Yogi" signage and putting the "Teriyaki Stix" on the awning face. Mr. Drell noted that there may be grounds for a variance to the square footage due to corporate pressures on the franchisee if an acceptable design solution were presented. Mr. Drell suggested increasing the vertical size of the awning face to about 16 inches and putting the "Teriyaki Stix" signage on it. It might also be back lit. The current signage would remain as is. Action: Commissioner Van Vliet moved, seconded by Commissioner Lingle, to continue the case with a recommendation that applicant leave the existing "Hogi Yogi" signage on the building and increasing the size of the existing awning's valance up to 16 inches and putting "Teriyaki Stix" on the valance. The valance could be back-lit. Motion carried 4-0 with Commissioners O'Donnell and Vuksic absent. 8. CASE NO.: SA 01-95 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS)JON HOFFMAN, A2Z SIGN COMPANY, 1777 W. Arrow Route #303, Upland, CA 91786 DR. C. ROSENBLUM, 43-585 Monterey Avenue, Suite 2, Palm Desert, CA 92211 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval for business signage for Desert Aurora Surgical Services LOCATION: 73-950 Alessandro Drive ZONE: OP Staff distributed plans for the business signage and displayed a sample of the lettering for the Commission's review. Plans will be forwarded to the Planning Commission for exception to the 20-foot height limit. Action: Commissioner Lingle moved, seconded by Commissioner Van Vliet, to grant final approval to the signage plans as submitted. Motion carried 4-0 with Commissioners O'Donnell and Vuksic absent. GAPlanning\Gale Santee\wpdocs\AGMIN\AR010814.min 7 * of ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 14, 2001 MINUTES B. Preliminary Plans 1. CASE NO.: SA 01-87 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS: MICHAEL LIN, FRED FIEDLER & ASSOCIATES, 2322 W. 3' Street, Los Angeles, CA 90057 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: New business signage for ExxonMobil LOCATION: 36-650 Cook Street ZONE: PCD, FCOZ Mr. Smith explained the proposed signage which will include two monument signs, wall signs, and canopy signs. He explained that the two monument signs would be relocated noting that the driveway on Cook Street had been moved northwards to have shared access with the property to the north. He displayed drawings for the proposed monument signs. The signs will all be the typical Mobil colors: red, blue, yellow, and white. Mr. Smith pointed out that the canopy vertical face was 36 inches and the letters for "Mobil" are 22 inches indicating there would be a better border than shown. Mr. Hamidzadeh asked if there was enough turning radius for the fuel tankers. Mr. Drell responded that staff had been working with ExxonMobil to ensure that there is enough space. Action: Commissioner Hansen moved, seconded by Commissioner Lingle, to grant approval of the signage as submitted with the conditions that the word "Mobil" on the canopy have at least 7-inch top and bottom borders and that the "On the Run" signage be located on the walls as marked with X's on the plans. Motion carried 3-0-1 with Commissioner Gregory abstaining and Commissioners O'Donnell and Vuksic absent. GAPlanning\Gale Santee\wpdocs\AGMIN\AR010814.min 8 VOW ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 14, 2001 MINUTES 2. CASE NO.: C 01-06 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS) OCHOA & ASSOCIATES, 73-626 Hwy. 111, Palm Desert, CA 92260 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Remodel of existing retail building's elevations and building sign program LOCATION: 73-175 - 73-221 Hwy. 111 ZONE: C-1 The Commission reviewed the remodel and sign program plans. Action: Commissioner Lingle moved, seconded by Commissioner Van Vliet, to grant preliminary approval of the elevations and sign program as presented. Motion carried 4-0 with Commissioners O'Donnell and Vuksic absent. 3. CASE NO.: C 01-04 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): LYLE-HALL, LLC, 721 S. Palm Canyon, #216, Palm Springs, CA 92262 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Preliminary approval of architecture, building sign program, and landscaping for an 18,079 square foot, two-story office building, CANYON FINANCIAL PLAZA LOCATION: 77-990 Fred Waring Drive ZONE: OP Mr. Smith stated there had been a Wells Fargo Bank on this property. The applicant is proposing an 18,079 square foot, two-story office building. Elevations were displayed showing bronze glass, stone veneer, and seamless metal roof. The drive-up shown on the plans is being removed. Staff finds the architecture acceptable. Mr. Smith explained there was an unusual situation in that there is a 24- 30 inch wall around the perimeter of the property. The property outside the wall is owned by the Desert Breezes Home Owners Association while Mr. Lyle and his partners are acquiring the property inside the GAPlanning\Gale Santee\wpdocs\AGMIN\AR010814.min 9 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 14, 2001 MINUTES wall. The proposed building represents about 80% of the improvements on the site. There is an issue with the Desert Breezes HOA and the applicant about who should be doing the landscaping on the area outside the wall. The plans before the Commission do not address the area outside the wall. Mr. Smith noted there was an existing freestanding sign on the corner of Fred Waring and Washington which sits outside the perimeter wall on Desert Breezes property. There is no sign application signed by the HOA, therefore, the monument sign plan was not presented to the Commission. The Commission was given a signage plan for the building which was acceptable to staff. Mr. Steve Lyle, the applicant, stated the project had been presented to the Planning Commission when the parking lot, entrances, general landscaping, and two pads were being developed. One of the pads has a building occupied by Hospitality Dental. Hospitality Dental's lease has specific parking spaces near their building and along some of the side facing Washington. He pointed out that the parking for the proposed building was designed to start at Hospitality Dental's last space along Washington, continue along Fred Waring with more spaces provided for at the west end of the building and at the west end of the property. They are hoping for a bank on the corner and have planned convenient parking for customers. The building can be entered on the west side through back doors with the thought that employees would park on the west side and enter through those doors. The parking along the western perimeter is to be covered by a structure. The parking along the west end of the building will be protected by the building's overhang. Mr. Lyle has met with the Desert Breezes HOA about the perimeter landscaping and the monument sign at the corner. He asked to withdraw the entire sign program at this time as it should be presented all at once. There could be an opportunity to put the monument sign inside the wall, but they preferred trying to work with the HOA and having it located outside the wall. He did provide renderings of the monument sign in hopes of getting comments from the Commission to make sure he is on the right track. Mr. Lyle stated this would be an owner-occupied building as Lyle Commercial will have offices upstairs. GAPlanning\Gale Santee\wpdocs\AGMIN\AR010814.min 10 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 14, 2001 MINUTES Commissioner Van Vliet asked about any roof mounted equipment. The applicant's architect responded that they had adequate room to screen any roof mounted equipment. This would be made definite in the working drawings. The Commission found the architecture of the building acceptable and asked members of the HOA if they had objections to the architecture. Ms. Cindy Finerty, representing the Desert Breezes HOA, stated the association approved the architecture, however, they felt the architecture, landscaping, and signage should all be dealt with at the same time. Ms. Finerty stated this was a unique situation where the HOA owns the perimeter lot and Mr. Lyle owns the interior lot. She stated Mr. Lyle would like to have a monument sign on the HOA property. There is an existing bank sign which has been covered with tarp for the past three years. The HOA has been working with the previous owner as well as with Mr. Lyle to try to have it removed. She distributed photos of the corner in question and noted it was the east entrance into the City at Fred Waring and Washington. The HOA had requested the previous owner to remove the covered sign. They were told that the monument sign was a valuable part of leasing or selling the property inside the wall. Through the HOA's attorney, they expressed that the sign is on Desert Breeze's property and they were interested in enhancing their landscaping which is not anywhere near City code. The only way they can start the landscape upgrade is to get rid of the sign as they wanted to make the City's entrance a focal point. After meeting with the previous owner and with Mr. Lyle, no agreement has been reached. Mr. Lyle acknowledges that the perimeter lot does belong to Desert Breezes, but he would still like to have a monument sign there. Ms. Finerty pointed out a green box which also sits on their perimeter lot. This box is used to synchronize the traffic signals along Fred Waring. The Public Works Department is working with CVAG to get that moved to another location where there are other utility boxes. The HOA's desire is to upgrade the landscaping to something similar to Desert Willow with lantana, ocotillo, Mexican birds-of-paradise, bougainvillea, deer grass, and aguave on the lower part under the planters. They would work with Mr. Lyle and where he has his trees so that they don't block his building. The HOA believes that since Mr. Lyle is responsible for 80% of the improvements, he should be required to landscape the perimeter area. He has no plans to do this as it "doesn't pencil out". He has been given estimates of$30-40,000. The HOA has gotten a bid from Lundin GAPlanning\Gale Santee\wpdocs\AGMIN\AR010814.min 11 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 14, 2001 MINUTES Pacific for $19,650 to include landscaping from the driveway on Washington around the corner to the driveway on Fred Waring. The HOA wants Mr. Lyle's project to be successful, however, they would like to see Mr. Lyle help with the landscaping since his monument sign is on their property. He has offered to do just the corner area where the monument sign will be located. They received a bid for that area at $1,650. The HOA does not believe that that is adequate to allow a monument sign at the corner. At this point, the HOA would prefer going on its own and not have to deal with the monument sign. They have been advised by their attorney that they are within their rights to have the monument sign removed. They have worked with all parties concerned, but would like to move on with their landscaping plans. Mr. Lyle noted it was very clearly written in the Desert Breezes' CC&Rs how the perimeter property was to be dealt with. The perimeter property buffers not just the subject property, but also other adjacent properties. He stated he paid 3-4 percent towards the association. There are reserves that have been built up for this perimeter property. He stated the CC&Rs indicated a spirit that everyone should work together to benefit the whole property - its attractiveness, its desirability. In order for them to attract a bank which would be a good tenant, they need to have the monument sign on the perimeter property. Because there are no left turns out of the driveways, the bank has concerns. Not having the monument sign would probably mean they won't get a bank. Mr. Lyle stated they were within their rights to request the Commission consideration of the building's architecture. However, the sign program should not be considered at this time as the applicant wanted time to work further with the HOA to make it work. Commissioner Gregory noted that some of the issues in this application were beyond the scope of the ARC. Mr. Drell responded this project was originally designed and approved under the County and the City currently has no indication of what was approved. Typically, once something is approved and installed, the City does not usually require upgrading to City standards assuming that what was originally approved has been maintained. The question is whether the City can require that the perimeter landscaping which was part of the pad approval a part from the ownership issue. The City cannot require the developer to do re-do landscaping on property that does not belong to him. Even if it did belong to the developer, if what is there was originally approved and has been maintained, there is a question of whether the City can make them upgrade it. This will be a negotiation between the HOA and the developer of how much landscaping the GAPlanning\Gale Santee\wpdocs\AGMIN\AR010814.min 12 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 14, 2001 MINUTES developer is willing to upgrade in exchange for being allowed to keep the monument sign on their property. Commissioner Hanson stated that the perimeter landscaping should coordinate with the interior landscaping and until the parties agree, one could not be considered without the other. Commissioner Gregory noted that the City would prefer seeing a Desert Willow style landscape on both sides of the wall. He recommended the two parties attempt to work together. Ms. Finerty noted that they have been trying but are thousands of dollars apart at this point. Commissioner Gregory stated that an agreement is doable and could be win-win situation. Mr. Knight proceeded to provide information for landscaping for both partys' benefit. He stated the parking lot tree ordinance affects this property. The ordinance requires 50 percent coverage from shade trees. The applicant has proposed covered parking on the west perimeter and against the west face of the building in order to mitigate the parking lot tree requirement. He has not made a decision on this and would like to leave it up to the Commission about how much they are willing to trade the trees for the covered parking. For the balance of the landscaping on the applicant's property, there has been an attempt to meet the City's and landscape requirements. There is a large turf area next to the existing dentist building. This will eventually be another pad. Parking spaces will be a limiting factor on how that pad will be built out. Mr. Hal Hall, one of the applicant's partners, stated the dentist office portion is landscaped and developed. There are trees existing on the site which are not shown on the proposed plans. Mr. Drell asked to see a plan that shows all the existing landscaping. Commissioner Gregory recommended that the covered parking be averaged out to 50%. Mr. Manuel Mendoza, designer, stated over 40 percent of the proposed project's parking spaces are covered and they will provide trees to shade the remaining 10 percent. Mr. Knight stated trees needed to be in the parking lot in order to soften the look of the asphalt and building. The only thing the Commission can provide is preliminary approval on the building and wait for the parties to resolve their issues. Mr. Drell stated the applicant could not proceed further until the signage and the landscaping issues were settled. GAPlanning\Gale Santee\wpdocs\AGMIN\AR010814.min 13 vow ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 14, 2001 MINUTES For the record, Mr. Lyle asked that the existing monument sign not be removed until an agreement had been reached. Mr. Drell noted that it was on the record, however, this Commission will not have a determination on that issue. Action: Commissioner Van Vliet moved, seconded by Commissioner Hanson, to grant preliminary approval only to the architectural plans as submitted. Motion carried 4-0 with Commissioner O'Donnell and Vuksic absent. VI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 1:45 p.m. STEVE SMITH PLANNING MANAGER GAPlanning\Gale Santee\wpdocs\AGMIN\AR010814.min 14