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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-06-26 CITY OF PALM DESERT ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES JUNE 26, 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 9 3 Kristi Hanson X 9 2 Neil Lingle X 8 4 Richard O'Donnell X 8 2 Chris Van Vliet X 11 1 John Vuksic X 12 0 Also Present: Phil Drell, Planning Director Steve Smith, Planning Manager Martin Alvarez, Associate Planner Spencer Knight, Landscape Manager Jason Flnley, Code Compliance Gail Santee, Senior Office Assistant III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: June 12, 2001 Commissioner Van Vliet moved, seconded by Commissioner Vuksic, to approve the minutes of June 12, 2001. The motion carried 3-0-2 with Commissioners O'Donnell and Hanson abstaining and Commissioner Gregory absent. IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS A. None 1 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JUNE 26, 2001 MINUTES V. CASES A. Final Drawings 1. CASE NO.: MISC 01-10 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): TED GROULX, PO Box 14083, Palm Desert, CA 92255 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of landscape plan LOCATION: 74-111 Hwy. 111 ZONE: C-1 The Commission granted architectural approval for the building at the previous meeting subject to the applicant providing a landscape plans prior to final approval. That plan was distributed to Commission members and the City's Landscape Manager for this meeting. Discussion centered on making the planters at the north end of the parking lot larger and the effect that would have on traffic. Mr. Groulx was concerned that by making the planters larger, the cars would have tighter corners. Mr. Drell suggested letting staff work with Public Works to get the final configuration of the approach. With a larger planter, the Landscape Manager stated he would put in an additional palm tree. Action: Commissioner Vuksic moved, seconded by Commissioner Van Vliet, to approve the of the preliminary landscape plans subject to the Landscape Manager's comments and staff working with Public Works to establish an appropriate width for the driveway leading into the parking lot. Motion carried 5-0 with Commissioner Gregory absent. GAPlanning\Gale Santee\wpdocs\Agmin\AR010626.min.wpd 2 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JUNE 26, 2001 MINUTES 2. CASE NO.: CUP 01-11 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): DAVID LEONARD ASSOCIATES, 1223 University Avenue, Suite 240, Riverside, CA 92507 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of telecommunications facility featuring 12 transmitter and receiver poles ranging in height from 10 - 16 feet and supporting equipment shelter LOCATION: West of Hwy. 74, adjacent to existing "cross", past the under-construction water tank ZONE: HPR This case was before the Commission on May 22, 2001. It was continued to allow applicant to show a better diagram of the equipment shelter, how it will be camouflaged and to provide information on the road and its re-naturalization. Mr. Leonard stated the Commission had requested that the pad for the shelter be lowered. While they attempted to do so, they weren't satisfied with the result and felt the Commission would not be either. In addition, AT&T requires a turn-around facility for the safety of their workers. It would have been a substantial re-doing of the grading from the natural forum that they did not feel comfortable with. In affect, lowering the pad and changing the grading design was an option that did not appear to meet anyone's objectives. They turned their attention to reducing the height of the shelter. The standard shelter is 12 feet high with 336 sq.ft. Just recently, they have located another shelter product to put on the site at 8 feet high with 160 sq.ft. It is a pre-cast aluminum facility. Being concerned about the appearance, it would have aggregate stone skin. Mr. Leonard requested leaving the original grading plan substitute the smaller shelter, and continue with the re-habilitation of the landscape. The key elevation is 1,032 feet. If they stay at 1,032 or below, it will be out of sight. If it exceeds 1,032, there is a potential that it could be seen from off-site. Mr. Drell asked if some kind of marbled tans-and-browns paint could be applied to the posts to help camouflage them. Mr. GAPlanning\Gale Santee\wpdocs\Agmin\AR010626.min.wpd 3 rrK *01 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JUNE 26, 2001 MINUTES Leonard thought there might be some way to accomplish that effect. This case is scheduled to go before the Planning Commission. Action: Commissioner Vuksic moved, seconded by Commissioner Van Vliet, to approve the case with the condition of the applicant working with staff on providing multi-colored (browns) posts and shelter walls to blend in with the hillside. Motion carried 5-0 with Commissioner Gregory absent. 3. CASE NO.: MISC 01-11 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): MICHAEL BARNARD, JOSLYN SENIOR CENTER OF THE COVE COMMUNITIES, 73-750 Catalina Way, Palm Desert, CA 92260 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval for 1) Phase One: 45-space carport over existing stalls and 2) Phase Two: Additional parking lot for overflow parking LOCATION: 73-750 Catalina Way ZONE: R-2 Mr. Drell explained Phase 1 and Phase 2. For Phase 1, the applicant was requesting to build semi-cantilevered carport canopies over 45 parking spaces. The carport structures would be along the interior parking spaces that face inward towards the building. Parking spaces on the perimeter of the property would not be covered. There is a metal 6" fascia which is already bent. The City has had people put on a wooden edge on the fascia which makes it look more substantial and provides a little more durability. Commissioner Hanson and Van Vliet thought it better to leave it metal. The carports are all at the same height. Commissioner Van Vliet recommended stepping the carports to break up the horizontal line. Mr. Barnard responded the estimates they had received were for all the same height. Commissioner Hanson stated more attention would be drawn to the carports by having different heights which GAPlanning\Gale Santee\wpdocs\Agmin\AR010626.min.wpd 4 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JUNE 26, 2001 MINUTES she preferred not to do. She asked if there was a requirement for every so many feet there are trees. The requirement is that there is 50% shaded parking and the carports provide that shade, as would trees. The landscaping along the perimeter on Catalina Way and San Pasqual Avenue should be beefed up. The landscape in that area is sparse. Commissioner Vuksic stated that in the past the Commission has had long horizontal lines broken up perhaps by planter bays with trees. While the current carport plan shows each set of carports broken in one place, it was recommended that more of the covered stalls be replaced by uncovered planters to break up the horizontal line as well as add height with palms. Commissioner Hanson stated there were several options: beefing up the perimeter landscaping, lose a couple of covered parking spots along both frontages in favor of planters with trees, or both. Oleanders currently exist in the islands along the perimeter parking area. Commissioner O'Donnell stated the Commission would rather see trees than oleanders. Phase Two is the addition of a 25-space parking lot to the west of the property on Catalina Way to be used for overflow parking. Staff has already suggested that a planter be added in the middle of the lot (at the head of spaces 11-15)with two trees in addition to installing four trees in front, and three along the back. The Landscape Manager will be making further comments. Action: Commissioner Hanson moved, seconded by Commissioner Vuksic, to approve the plans subject to breaking up the three long bands of covered parking with planter strips with trees and adding additional plant material along Catalina Way subject to the Landscape Manager input. Motion carried 4-1 with Commissioner Lingle opposed and Commissioner Gregory absent. GAPlanning\Gale Santee\wpdocs\Agmin\AR010626.min.wpd 5 *400 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JUNE 26,2001 MINUTES 4. CASE NO.: MISC 01-09 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): MICHAEL HURST, ARCHITECT, 73-625 Hwy. 111, Suite F, Palm Desert, CA 92260 (fax 773-3097) MILO W. MALOTTE, 42-280 Wisconsin Avenue, Palm Desert, CA 92211 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval for facade remodel and re-landscaping for the Red Barn LOCATION: 73-290 Hwy. 111 ZONE: C-1 Plans of the re-model facade as well as color samples were distributed to Commission members. Mr. Drell pointed out on the front elevation, the existing slump block planter under the right window will be extended along the entire front of the building; on the right side, there is currently a concrete block wall which will be faced with 5/8" plywood vertical board and batt to match the existing board and batt on the rest of the building; the roof will be re-covered with cedar-colored fiberglas heavy compo shake shingles; the two front elevation large windows will be re-designed with each window looking like four smaller, adjoining windows to tie in with the look of the windows over the door; the rear elevation will have a cover over and planters onto the parking lot from the wood decked patio. The applicant proposes a 6-foot wall around the patio with air space between the top of the wall and the bottom of the roof. No change will be made to the evaporate cooler that currently exists. Commissioner Vuksic asked about the flashing at the edge of the roof stating it could be detailed and hidden so that there wouldn't be a long piece of sheet metal along the ridge. Mr. Malotte agreed that the flashing could be hidden. Commissioner O'Donnell commented favorably about the proposed improvements but stated no architectural detail had been provided GAPlanning\Gale Santee\wpdocs\Agmin\AR010626.min.wpd 6 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JUNE 26, 2001 AGENDA for the rear elevation, the proposed patio changes, and the roof. The Commission asked that plans be presented. Action: Commissioner Vuksic moved, seconded by Commissioner Lingle, to continue the case to allow applicant to prepare additional plans, ie, the rear (north) elevation and the roof with the comment that the Commission is in favor of what has been presented. Motion carried 5-0 with Commissioner Gregory absent. 5. CASE NO.: CUP 00-21 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): BRADFORD GARROW, 73-263 Salt Cedar, Palm Desert, CA 92260 LEWIS C. BISHOP, Architect, 44-645 San Onofre Avenue, Palm Desert, CA 92260 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of plans for addition to residence LOCATION: 73-263 Salt Cedar ZONE: R-112,000 This case had been before the Commission in January where it had requested photos of the existing residence and that the architecture of the new accessory building tie in with that of the residence. Photos were distributed to the Commission. Mr. Alvarez pointed out the structure was no longer just a square box. The roof line will be pitched to match that of the existing residence as will the stone stucco finish. There will be no windows as it is to be used for storage. He pointed out that there may be a concern with the 1:1 setback ratio (one foot of setback for each foot of height). This structure is to be 12 feet 6 inches at the peak of the roof. Discussion followed on whether the setback rule is from the property line to the eave of the structure which, in this case, is 9' 10" or the ridge of structure at 12' 6". In this case, the structure meets the setback requirements using the eave's height as the measurement. GAPlanning\Gale Santee\wpdocs\Agmin\AR010626.min.wpd 7 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JUNE 26, 2001 AGENDA Commissioner Vuksic suggested matching the fascia to that on the residence. This case will go before the Planning Commission as do all detached structures located in the rear yard. Action: Commissioner Van Vliet moved, seconded by Commissioner Vuksic, to approve the detached accessory structure subject to modifying the eave details to match the existing residence and making sure there is a 1:1 setback ratio from the property line to the structure based on the roof line height at the eaves. Motion carried 5-0 with Commissioner Gregory absent. 6. CASE NO.: SA 01-71 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): DIANE STEWART, LNI Custom Manufacturing, Inc., 12536 Chadron Avenue, Hawthorne, CA 90250 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of signage for California Bank & Trust (formerly ElDorado Bank) LOCATION: 73-301 Hwy 111 ZONE: C-1 Photos of the current and proposed signage for California Bank & Trust were distributed to the Commission members. Staff recommended that approval be granted. Action: Commissioner Vuksic moved, seconded by Commissioner Lingle, to grant approval. The motion carried 5-0 with Commissioner Gregory absent. GAPlanning\Gale Santee\wpdocsWgmin\AR010626.min.wpd g ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JUNE 26, 2001 AGENDA 7. CASE NO.: PP/CUP 99-21 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): WILLIAM G. SMITH, FOREMOST BUSINESS PARKS, 25351 Alicia Parkway, Suite A, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 LEE ROTSHECK, Development Manager, Mammoth Equities LLC, 25383 Alicia Parkway, Suite L, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 Land Perspective, 223 La Paloma, Unit D, San Clemente, CA 92672 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of landscape plans for self-storage facility LOCATION: 78-001 Country Club Drive ZONE: C-1 Staff requested that the Commission agree to put this case on the agenda. Action: Commissioner O'Donnell moved, seconded by Commissioner Hanson, to put the case on the agenda. Mr. Knight reported that this property had a significant amount of square footage devoted to retention basins. The applicants' original treatment was pretty standard and there may have been turf included. He has been working with the applicants' landscape architect and most of the material is either rock and/or decomposed granite. It has the native desert look and all of the plant materials are acceptable. He noted that it is a large area and probably the first area where a retention basin has native material. Mr. Knight is comfortable with the plan's current status. Action: Commissioner O'Donnell moved, seconded by Commissioner Hanson, to approve the landscape plan subject to the Landscape Manager's comments. Motion carried 5-0 with Commissioner Gregory absent. GAPlanning\Gale Santee\wpdocs\Agmin\AR010626.min.wpd 9 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JUNE 26, 2001 MINUTES B. Preliminary Plans 1. CASE NO.: MISC 00-19 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): NARENDRA PATEL, AIA, 69-730 Hwy. 111, Suite 118, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of re- design of previously approved plans for a single-family home in hillside at Bighorn LOCATION: 100 Tekis Lane (Lot 1, Bighorn) ZONE: HPR Mr. Patel presented the proposed home via a PowerPoint presentation showing the interior and exterior of the building as well as how it would be visible from various points along Hwy. 74 and from adjacent lots. He distributed material and color samples. The house has been completely redesigned and consists of a two-story, glass-fronted, 4-bedroom residence set into the surrounding rock outcroppings which will screen most of it from view. The only fully visible portion will be the plastered under-ceiling painted a mid-grey color and copper fascia of the copper roof- the roof itself will not be seen due to location. The variation of colors for the exterior walls, stone veneer, and exposed color concrete were chosen to blend with the surrounding hillside. Should the owner/next owner of the residence decide they want lighter colors at a future date, they would have to come before the Commission. The glass floor-to-ceiling windows are non- reflective bronze. The 2nd-story balcony railing, trellis, and sculpture are satin-finished stainless steel. There are no height restrictions. Applicant intends to replace outcroppings that were removed when the pad was installed. There will be no turf. Action: Commissioner Vuksic moved, seconded by Commissioner Lingle, to grant preliminary approval. Motion carried 4-0-1 with Commissioner Hanson abstaining and Commissioner Gregory absent. GAPlanning\Gale Santee\wpdocs\Agmin\AR010626.min.wpd 10 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JUNE 26, 2001 MINUTES 2. CASE NO.: SA 01-46 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): NANCY COBB, DGI SIGNS, INC., 77-720 Springfield Lane, Palm Desert, CA 92211 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of revised signage at Cam's Corner LOCATION: 74-478 Hwy. 111 ZONE: C-1 This case was added as addendum to the posted agenda During the previous Commission meeting, it was suggested that two tenant monument signs could be added, in addition to the two Mobil fuel signs, in trade for removing the two Cam's Corner signs. The applicant distributed plans for tenant monument signs reading "Cam's Corner", "Mail Box", and "City Pizza". The sign dimensions are 5 x 6 feet, with the front face being 4 feet. Ms. Cobb explained that the problem they were trying to solve is that the canopy for the Mobil pump station blocks the signage on the building, so they would like to bring the signage towards the street off the entrances at Deep Canyon and Hwy. 111. Commissioner O'Donnell asked about the sign attached to the building that has an arrow. Ms. Cobb responded they wanted to keep that. His re-collection was that the arrow sign was never approved and he would like to see it come down. Commissioner Hanson stated she was not present during the last meeting but could not support the addition of two more monuments without reducing signage on the building. There is more signage being added to a building that already has too much signage. The premise that the canopy hides the signage is inaccurate because she has gone by many times and can see it just fine. The red sign on the pink building is visible from everywhere — it is glaring. Commissioner Vuksic asked if they were taking down two signs and putting two back, in other words, there are no additional signs. He asked if they were entitled to have five monument signs. Mr. Drell responded that they were entitled to three monument signs. Which is what they have now. As proposed, there would be four monument signs including the gas signs, two on Deep Canyon and two on Hwy. 111. He mentioned there had been discussion of GAPlanning\Gale Santee\wpdocs\Agmin\AR010626.min.wpd 11 vue ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JUNE 26, 2001 MINUTES integrating the gas sign monuments with the tenant signs. As an example, he showed a photo of a Mobil station that has integrated the tenant signs with the gas signs within a monument. Could the existing monuments be re-designed to include the tenant signs? Commissioner O'Donnell who was not present during the last meeting began to ask about the landscaping. Mr. Knight brought him up to date in that he and Mr. Cameron Nevins had discussions and made arrangements to re-do the landscaping. Commissioner O'Donnell stated that everything has an impact as discussed during the May 22nd meeting: the siting of the building, the lighting, the landscaping, and the signage - all added up to needing some problem solving. This did not mean adding more signs. There is an overall problem with the site. Good signage and good landscaping would help. Some mitigation to the over-illumination would help. Ms. Cobb noted that Mr. Nevins had addressed the over-illumination of the canopy at the last meeting stating there were some light fixture changes and the shields had not been put back on. They have been put back. The Commission agreed it would be best to re-design the gas sign monuments integrating the tenant signs. Mr. Skip Berg expressed concern for the tenants in the back who had signs that were not visible to passing traffic. Something needs to be done to help these businesses - what is the solution. Commissioner Hanson stated she had been by Cam's Corner many times and she knows which businesses are there. She stated that while driving by, the signs are visible. Mr. Berg disagreed saying he did not know there was a pizza place in there. He was definitely aware of the Mobil station. Commissioner Lingle stated he drives by there continuously and there is no doubt of what businesses are located there. The location is over-signed now. There needs to be a genuine solution to the problem with legitimate consideration to the tenants. However, the Commission's fundamental responsibility to do it well, aesthetically pleasing, and in the best interests of the community. Part of the problem is difficult access to the property, which is more of the issue than the signage. How do you get in there? And if it is too much trouble to get in, people chose not to. Ms. Cobb noted that the new monument sign off Deep Canyon would be located further down the way. She is attempting to bring the signs closer to the entrances inside of near the existing Mobil signs. Commissioner Hanson recommended eliminating the existing Mobil GAPlanning\Gale Santee\wpdocs\Agmin\AR010626.min.wpd 12 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JUNE 26, 2001 MINUTES signs and re-design a new one to incorporate the Mobil and the other tenants' signs. Commissioner Vuksic summarized the discussion by stating the applicant was trying to get signs closer to where they would be more effective which would occur by incorporating them into the Mobil monuments. Mr. Drell noted that that had been the applicant's first proposal, it's just that it didn't show very well. With that in mind, the applicant should attempt to re-design the Mobil monuments including the tenants' signs in one cohesive design. Don't just tack the tenants' signs onto the current monuments; start from scratch, perhaps raise the two monuments, with the goal of having two highly visible signs which include the Mobil information and the other tenants' signage. Commissioner O'Donnell added there was nothing beyond the signage which welcomes people to use these businesses. Some other kind of architectural treatment needs to be there to invite people to drive in and lead them into the building. He suggested strong architectural elements, but that is a separate issue from the signage, but may be part of the problem. Action: Commissioner Van Vliet moved, seconded by Commissioner Lingle, to continue the case to allow the applicant the opportunity to re-design the two existing Mobil monument signs into cohesive monument signs including Mobil, the fuel price information, and the other tenants' signage. The monuments may be raised to stand higher and may be relocated nearer the driveways as decided by the applicant. Motion carried 5-0 with Commissioner Gregory absent. C. Miscellaneous 1. Discussion of Community Design Element of General Plan Mr. Drell displayed a map indicating the approximate boundaries of the "University Village" section of the City which at this point is mainly undeveloped. Those boundaries are Monterey, Frank Sinatra, and Cook Street but also including the Cal State University property and the Desert Willow area. The map indicated the proposed uses for designated sections of this entire area. With the development of the Cal State campus, the General Plan subcommittee saw the opportunity to design a different kind of community than what has been done before. What had generally been anticipated was the usual golf course/country clubs, GAPlanning\Gale Santee\wpdocs\Agmin\AR010626.min.wpd 13 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JUNE 26, 2001 MINUTES conventional housing, isolated commercial developments, and industrial. The Cal State campus will be like Boeing for the community. It will be the biggest business in the valley with 5,400 employees and 15,000 students. Whole communities exist because there is a state college. The subcommittee is considering an urban design that relates to Cal State instead of more of the same. They are examining permanent resident housing demand created by employment from projected commercial development in the area and Cal State. Based on a conservative estimate, as many as 10,000 new housing units will be required at an average density of 14 du/acre. Even if the City housed only half this number, resultant densities are still 2-3 times greater than the rest of the City. This housing might consist of apartments, townhouses, and more of the Desert Rose type of higher density single family. Affordability hasn't been discussed yet. Part of the urban design challenge is to design, both architecturally and in land planning, commercial and high-density residential that are still "Palm Desert". For the General Plan, land use densities and uses need to be designated. Originally, the City never thought about a lot of people living out there. It was thought there would be mainly resorts and commercial. Now, there might be a lot of people living there needing school sites, park sites, grocery stores, gas stations, dry cleaners, etc. The new concept in urbanism is the goal of having convenience/ commercial with a quarter mile of where most people live: Like real neighborhoods. When looking at the County's General Plan, a great deal of the property north of 1-10 is commercial and very low density residential. There is the lizard preserve and the multi-species habitat conservation plan would designate up to a third of the County area north of the freeway as wildlife preserves. The only other place to go is farm land. The acreage to the west of Monterey, in Rancho Mirage, is planned for residential/resort country clubs. When the University Village plan was first presented, a Council member stated this was a regional area and people can live somewhere else. The problem is, looking at the land use plans for the other cities, they are trying to do what Palm Desert did - get as many high-end resorts and commercial sites. The taxing structure rewards commercial development and low-service generating resort development. So all the cities are trying to follow Palm Desert and house the people somewhere else. GAPlanning\Gale Santee\wpdocs\Agmin\AR010626.min.wpd 14 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JUNE 26, 2001 MINUTES Mr. John Criste, Terra Nova Planning & Research, was introduced to talk about the general structure of how the urban design element will be put together. He has been contracted by the City to do the General Plan update. He also introduced Megan Brockman from his office who will be working on this element. A lot of the elements for the General Plan have already been drafted, gone through the advisory committee, and will go on to the Planning Commission and City Council for adoption. They will probably be ready to be transmitted to the public by the end of the year. Mr. Criste explained the objective of the General Plan was to have a highly interactive, or cross-referenced, set of elements that re- enforce one another on everything from land use to transportation to community designs to resource management. One of the elements that ties some of these things that ties some of these things together is the community design element. In other communities, they have tried to integrate all of the concerns of community design, urban planning into an element like this. The purpose in the General Plan is general so will be implemented by the zoning ordinance, sub-division ordinance, and other issues such as landscaping. The idea is to provide a broad overview of the issues with everything from the overall relationship of land uses. For instance, bringing newer urbanism ideas to the University Village concept. The General Plan planning area includes the City's sphere of influence which includes Bermuda Dunes and Sun City continues up to the foothills of the Little San Bernardino Mountains up to the state park. Even if the City doesn't annex that land, a master plan will have been done for the land and if the County entertains proposals the City thinks are inconsistent with its own analysis, then there is a sound basis to argue with them and offer alternatives. Mr. Criste was hopeful that the major intersections along 1-10 will be gateways to the City. If those areas around the intersections are annexed, the City would have more control over how they look and the impact they would have on the rest of the community south of I- 10. People coming into the community should be able to notice that something has changed; that they have crossed some meaningful boundary. Mr. Criste distributed copies of the Community Design Element Outline and explained that it was a work in progress. (Attached). The element is broken down into a brief purpose statement, background, and into the general principles of community design. Weaknesses have been identified that the City should strengthen. GAPlanning\Gale Santee\wpdocs\Agmin\AR010626.min.wpd 15 rrr✓ 14 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JUNE 26, 2001 MINUTES Issues such as massing, landscaping, site planning, setbacks, scenic vistas, architecture, roofing materials, colors and textures, need to be discussed. Upon receiving input from the Commission, they will finish drafting the element, submit it to the Commission for review for comments and suggestions. Commissioner Lingle stated his concern about transportation related issues because that is a major problem in the community today. Secondarily, he was interested in what kind of public facilities were being planned, where, and why. One of the issues the community has is a continually growing need for the delivery of governmental services and how does the City provide those services with genuine and deliberate access to community members as annexation continues with different village-type settings. From a public service perspective, how will those services be delivered consistent with what this City is known for. Mr. Criste responded that we have more self-contained neighborhoods that provide for range of needs of the residents. They have already done the Public Buildings and Facilities Element, but that is more directed toward those entities that are actually making their own decisions, ie, police substations. However, that issue can be addressed in the Community Design Element to provide direction and re-enforces some the items in the other element. Primarily, what is being discussed here, are the public facilities that can impact the image of the community ranging from a substation to telephone switching stations and utility boxes on the corners of intersections to well sites. Commissioner O'Donnell, talking about the density, stated it would seem if every person who lives in one of the units at 14 units/acre or more has at least one or two automobiles, there will be a lot of automobiles. Mass transit is rejected by most people. He asked if Sun Line Transit has been brought into the discussions and if there were being a plan developed specifically for the University Village community, instead of their regular runs. Mr. Criste responded yes, they had. When it becomes possible with adequate densities, there will be a dedicated bus route with five-minute intervals looping through the district all day long in order to allow students/residents the opportunity to get to the college, park, or retail areas without having to use a car. Also, the plan is to be bicycle and pedestrian friendly. Commissioner O'Donnell stated that the mass transit idea had been tried and hasn't been used. He suggested using an enticement, such as having the mass transportation offered free, not just to those who economically need to use the mass transit GAPlanning\Gale Santee\wpdocs\Agmin\AR010626.min.wpd 16 1410 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JUNE 26,2001 MINUTES system, but also for the workers and students. Let the City subsidize the mass transit system. Commissioner Hanson recommended that the bike trails be located off the streets onto a landscaped area to make them user friendly and safe. Commissioner Lingle noted that the decision makers need to be made aware that issues related to transportation are very real. He stated we couldn't get anywhere in the community now; imagine what it will be like as we continue to grow. Mr. Criste stated this subject is one of the basic goals or policies that the Commission would like to see pushed to future design. Commissioner O'Donnell agreed stating the design of buildings and massing don't make neighborhoods. There has to be an intimacy to develop the relationship. People need to out of their cars, on their feet, and other modes of transportation in order to get them to interact with each other in the passage between work, home, and play. Commissioner Lingle asked who wouldn't want to live five minutes from work. If you go to UC-Riverside, Cal State-Long Beach, Pepperdine, you find pockets where you have recognized faculty members living there because they chose to do so. Look at Eisenhower Hospital, some of the doctors live within a mile of the hospital. These are important planning issues that should be pushed forward saying this is a genuine opportunity that is not only fun, but if put into practice, it will make the community that much more enjoyable to live in. The new university won't be a burden on the community; it will be a welcomed addition to the community. Mr. Criste agreed stating that was one of the reasons why they wanted to try this self-contained effort and why they think the density issue, while difficult, is so important. If you don't have the density, you won't be able to get the efficiencies. The plan has created some critical mass where in the future we might be able to tap into the rail line for inter-regional transportation. If the rail stop happens to be a highly dynamic, very sophisticated urban stop (rather than just north Palm Springs), there will be a reason to be here. Plus there will be a prestigious university, resort hotels, time shares - this becomes a real dynamic concept. Commissioner Hanson stated that biggest hurdle with development is getting people to think outside the box. Our traditional cookie- cutter (ie, Staples) is inappropriate. Smaller, neighborhood groupings of buildings is going to make that a more successful project. Commissioner Lingle noted, with consideration to who the client base is going to be, not only the people who live in that GAPlanning\Gale Santee\wpdocs\Agmin\AR010626.min.wpd 17 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JUNE 26, 2001 MINUTES village, but also those that will traversing the interstate. He would be interested to see how to tie in a city park into an area that would legitimately be used not only by local residents, but by students and to make them a part of the community. A way to get them from campus into some environment that provides inclusion. Mr. Criste noted it was a fluid situation at the moment. The environmental study on the university was done a few years ago. The master plan showed a park at the northeast corner, however, it is unsure whether that will materialize. Also it may not be a good location as it is a major arterial on and off 1-10. He mentioned an article in the newspaper that morning about some fly-overs being constructed along Gerald Ford Drive. He asked if it would be aesthetically OK and not look like Madison or Monroe in Indio which are not appealing. The General Plan committee is now looking at re-locating the park. They have also been talking to the school district which has indicated they would like a school site in the area because of the user base that would be created. As done for the regional park on Country Club, the park and the school could be integrated. They would be sited in a central location that can be accessed by internal circulation thereby getting people to it without having to get on the arterials and provide some of the neater pedestrian and bike paths. Commissioner O'Donnell asked about accessing greenbelts through the Marriott's Shadow Ridge and other commercial development which enables one to go from one end of the city to another and not have to go on the roadway. Mr. Criste responded that the possibility of getting any sort of public access through Shadow Ridge was highly unlikely. However, it was mentioned the time-share residents would be using the grocery store and other retail services via their automobiles. They are not going to be involved in the community. The thought was expressed that perhaps they could be convinced to use their golf carts and/or bikes into the rest of the community. Commissioner Lingle stated Palm Desert was a golf resort community. We provide the use of golf carts on roadways - although it does present a host of safety issues, but on the other side, it is viewed positively from a lot of perspectives in the community and we seemed to have done a good job of marketing that. It would make perfect sense to encourage travel on roadways with golf carts within this village. It would have to be off of the GAPlanning\Gale Santee\wpdocs\Agmin\AR010626.min.wpd 18 140 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JUNE 26, 2001 MINUTES arterials, but if an internal circulation could help create the village entity. Mr. Criste would like to see more open public spaces, piazzas, or plazas across Cook Street from Cal State's new building(s). He envisions nice shops and restaurants with a nice access road behind them to create a social environment for students, residents, time-share residents. It would be an interactive zone for dining and shopping. Commissioner Hanson asked if a tunnel could be put under Cook Street. Commissioner Vuksic stated piazzas and plazas are always in areas where there is little or no car traffic. While there could be a lot of pedestrian traffic, Cook Street carries traffic at 60 mph which is an issue right away. Pedestrian fly-overs might be cost-effective. There is such a scale going on in this area, that some of the things that might not economically really pan out, become possible. Retailers and others will see the sense of having a whole market that they can tap into if they have the access. The Commission discussed the preference of having a pedestrian tunnel. Commissioner Lingle suggested encouraging local businesses, particularly the eateries, to be on the dining plan for the local university. And, then they could debit those points from each of the students. It automatically encourages the students to migrate that way. Mr. Criste stated in terms of how this fits into the process, we need to find some way to make mapping delineations and then this will be another planning phase. The General Plan Advisory Committee is attempting to get the basic ideas in place, so the next phase of planning can go forward for this area. The element is meant to address the whole range of issues that come in a development proposal. Palm Desert still does not have image cohesion that it could benefit from. There is not a image of Palm Desert other than that of a commercial powerhouse. The median island on Hwy. 111 has started to sell the desert concept to the landscape theme. What else can be done to get cohesion to the idea of Palm Desert, distinct from other communities. A lot of it could just be quality design and being open minded enough to entertain a whole set of different vernaculars rather than just Mission or Mediterranean style. Some of nicest buildings in this town are relatively radical, modern architecture. Commissioner O'Donnell noted that the one of the buildings at UC- Riverside was environmentally designed; it is passively cooled using a lot of water and good design techniques. The concept of GAPlanning\Gale Santee\wpdocs\AgminWR010626.min.wpd 19 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JUNE 26, 2001 MINUTES environmental design and energy efficient building design should be a hallmark for any good development especially in view of the cost of energy today. It would force the architects and designers to meet the standards of good environmental design and of human comfort. We would do a lot for the future so that when people live in these buildings they don't end up more utility costs per month than their mortgage cost which happening to a lot of people today. Energy efficient building designs should be a hallmark of our planning. Mr. Criste stated they were sticking to those issues - water efficiency, energy efficiency, and also outside visual resources (ie, landscaping) to bring the outdoors into our buildings. There is an Energy & Mineral Resources Element where we sold on the idea of renewable energy integrating passive and active solar into design with photo-voteics. This community has been actively involved with alternative fuels. Mr. Criste brought up the idea of the efficient use of land so that we don't have more sprawl and we can keep our agricultural lands from being pre-maturely converted to urban uses. Commissioner Hanson suggested the use of more of the community gardens which have been well received. Commissioner O'Donnell stated there should be places for contemplation, quiet places, not just active, nice places to go to. But places where people can escape to places like parts of the Civic Center Park where one can go, stay for awhile, and enjoy it. The university offers an opportunity for an arboretum, if they are interested. There is the potential there to start with an unusual type of arboretum. In desert environments, horticulture is becoming a major issue. Mr. Criste invited the Commission to take a look at the working document for their comments. The resultant draft would be made available for future ARC meetings. VI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 2:40 p.m. STEVE SMITH PLANNING MANAGER GAPlanning\Gale Santee\wpdocs\Agmin\FAR010626.min.wpd 20 TN/City of Palm Desert Community Design Element Outline/6/26/01 COMMUNITY DESIGN ELEMENT OUTLINE I. PURPOSE A. Provide the basis for aesthetic regulation of public and private lands B. Provide additional direction, beyond that of the land use element for development in the planning area C. Guidance for creating a more sustainable and livable community D. Policies & Programs 1. Bring together the primary ideas of other elements into an overall set of qualitative policies and programs 2. Provide specific guidance to enhance the sense-of-place and quality of life in the planning area 3. Establish policies and programs that guide the form & appearance of neighborhoods, streets, public facilities, parks, new development, & standards for redevelopment 4. Establish policies and programs that work towards a more self-sufficient, stable and sustainable community II. BACKGROUND A. Cali. law 1. Code § 65302 2. § 66477 3. § 65470 4. AB 325: Water Conservation in Landscaping Act III. GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF COMMUNITY DESIGN A. Understanding and Integrating the Natural Environment 1. Regional setting 2. Open space preservation 3. Natural resource quality and protection B. Community Design and Continuity 1. Maintain, preserve and enhance unique community and neighborhood qualities 2. Development planning and architectural style 3. Circulation and streetscape design/treatment 4. Complementary mix of land uses and development 1 fir✓ TN/City of Palm Desert Community Design Element Outline/6/26/01 C. Placemaking 1. The structure or composition of the above components that create the community's identity 2. Important neighborhoods and institutions 4. Close integration of the community with the natural environment 5. Attributes that make the community unique (the use of public art) 6. Development of public spaces that promote social interactions, including plazas and piazzas IV. COMMUNITY FORM AND DESIGN PLANNING A. Design Fundamentals 1. Site analysis and planning 2. Pattern and progression in community design (urban context) 3. Building proportions, height and setbacks 4. Architectural design and details 5. Roof types and materials 6. Surface texture and color B. Neighborhood Design 1. Density and neighborhood cohesion 2. Neighborhood scaling and planning 3. Architectural styles 4. Perimeter design 5. Neighborhood streets 6. Landscaping design C. Commercial Districts D. Community Parks and Open Space E. Community Design and Public Facilities F. Transportation and Community Design 1. Streetscapes 2. Transit facilities G. Landscaping Design H. Signage and Entryways V. COMMUNITY FUNCTION AND SUSTAINABILITY A. Ahwahnee Principles B. Mixed use development C. Balanced Transportation System D. Environmental Enhancement VI. FUTURE DIRECTIONS 2 ' TN/City of Palm Desert Community Design Element Outline/6/26/01 A. Establishing specific design standards for new development and redevelopment to enhance the image and appearance of the community B. Establish a zoning ordinance that will act as an effective tool for creating specific standards and guidelines for development in the City C. Use community design as a means for sustainability and self-sufficiency within the City, and for creating an improved and superior place to live VII. GOALS, POLICIES AND PROGRAMS A. Citywide design and development that preserves and enhances Palm Desert's urban form, community image and natural setting, providing a livable and sustainable community. B. Community design, architecture, and landscaping that compliment and integrate with the City's desert setting and natural scenic resources. 3