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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-05-08 , , `,�,' ,� �1•�.�\ CITY OF PALM DESERT . PALM DESERT ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES MAY 8, 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 Wayne Connor X 5 4 Ronald Gregory, Chairman X 8 1 Kristi Hanson X 7 2 Neil Lingle X 5 4 Richard O'Donnell X 6 3 Chris Van Vliet X 8 1 John Vuksic X 9 0 Also Present: Phil Drell, Planning Director Steve Smith, Planning Manager Martin Alvarez, Associate Planner Spencer Knight, Landscape Manager Daisy Garcia, Code Compliance Gail Santee, Senior Office Assistant III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: April 24, 2001 Commissioner Van Vliet moved, seconded by Commissioner Lingle, to approve the minutes of April 24, 2001. The motion carried 4-0 with Commissioners Hanson and O'Donnell abstaining and Commissioner Connor absent. IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS A. None G:\Planning\Gale Santee\wpdocs\agmin�ar010508.min.wpd 1 . . �rr� � ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MAY 8, 2001 MINUTES V. CASES A. Final Drawings 1. CASE NO.: MISC 00-25 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): DR. JERRY MEINTS, 71-450 Painted Canyon, Palm Desert, CA 92260 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Final approval of revised working drawings for office facade LOCATION: 73-302 Hwy. 111 ZONE: C-1 Dr. Meints had provided staff and the Commission with a modified version of the previously approved plans. Mr. Drell pointed out those modifications which included putting in two windows in front instead of the approved three windows and removing the recommended faux designs on the rear of the building. The requested change to two windows was based allowing fresh air ventilation and still fit with the southwest Santa Fe motif. The faux design on the back of the building was eliminated due to several 50-year-old Arizona Cypress trees completely and attractively shrouding that part of the building. Mr. Drell stated that instead Dr. Meints would be installing window trim detail. Dr. Meints has created the window header reveals using 2x6 rough sawn wood. He has also noted the building color be changed from adobe white to adobe tan and the Village Counseling sign has been changed from an arch design to a rectangular design to be consistent with the windows and lines on the rest of the building. Commissioner Hanson stated her preference for three square casement windows on the front of the building, which can be openable. Everything else was acceptable. G:/planning/gale santee/wpdocs/agmin/ar010424.min.wpd 2 . , �✓` � ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MAY 8, 2001 MINUTES Action: Commissioner Hanson moved, seconded by Commissioner Vuksic, to approve the modifications subject to 1) changing the front windows to the three square window design which can be opened for fresh air and 2) the headers being squared off and inset. Motion carried 6-0 with Commissioner Connor absent. 2. CASE NO.: MISC 01-08 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): LINDA JACOBS, DAKOTA BAR & GRILL, 74-405 Hwy. 111, Palm Desert, CA 92260 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of outdoor decorative lighting on building LOCATION: 73-260 EI Paseo ZONE: Mr. Alvarez distributed photos of the current night-time lighting which includes roof line outlining and lighting around the posts at the entry and at the balcony. Ms. Jacobs stated the small volume businesses are doing their best to save energy. One of the biggest ways to conserve energy is to use their current type of lighting because it is attractive and makes people want to go in. The ambiance it creates is much more cost and energy efficient way of lighting. In their case, neither the landlord or the City have put in palm tree lighting. There are no lights in the area, they sit in the dark. It is a real problem trying to stay in business and not be noticed and be outstanding like some of the other newer buildings that have incorporated this lighting like The Gardens which have small miniature night lighting and lighting on their palm trees. She needs some way to draw some attention to the building tastefully. She has an outside patio where people like to sit outside because of the nice lights. Ms. Jacobs continued she would hate to see EI Paseo and a lot of the businesses there go dark because of the energy shortage and not have enough lighting to attract people. Going down the street, there are no lights because store owners are turning off the lights in the stores and people don't see anywhere to go and it is affecting business, especially now that the temperatures have risen. They are already having problems. G:/planning/gale santee/wpdocs/agmin/at010508.ag.wpd 3 . , � � ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MAY 8, 2001 MINUTES Ms. Jacobs asked the Commission for permission to tastefully decorate their businesses to draw attention and make them attractive. Palm Springs is booming, the River in the City of Rancho Mirage is going to kill a lot of the businesses in Palm Desert. Everything is new, bright, and attractive. They don't want to be sitting in the dark and be left behind. It will hurt everyone. When asked why she didn't have lights on the palm trees, Ms. Jacobs responded that her landlord wasn't open to having to do that. She would have to do it herself. However, she felt the underground wiring and wiring the trees was not something she should have to do as a tenant. This is an old building, she is doing the best she can to make it attractive. Commissioner O'Donnell complimented Ms. Jacobs presentation by putting a positive view on reasons to keep the lighting. However, he believes the Dakota's current sign is a beacon and there was no way someone wouldn't know that was a restaurant. Ms. Jacobs responded that "you can't see it". When the sign was approved, it was approved at a certain height. You cannot see the sign at its present level because of the canopy unless you are standing across the street looking straight on. Commissioner O'Donnell suggested the applicant come in for with an application to relocate the sign if it were not doing the job it was intended to do. The idea of outlining the building in lighting doesn't make any sense. It doesn't make any sense to wrap lighting around the poles where you already have a consistent lighting plan on EI Paseo with palm trees. The problem with the landlord should attempt to be overcome. He could not approve the building lighting such as this for the buildings on EI Paseo and elsewhere in the city. It is in excess. It is not the kind of lighting that is necessary for business, in his opinion. Ms. Jacobs asked if he had a suggestion keeping in mind that her restaurant is almost entirely an outside patio. The people sitting outside don't want spot lights; it's a very low level of lighting. IYs attractive and there is a lot of landscaping. She offered to eliminate the roof lighting. Commissioner O'Donnell responded there were many ways of handling patio lighting for dining. Down-lighting is one. He suggested she contact someone who has expertise in that area. Wrapping the poles does not put the emphasis on the diners, it is used to outline the building. G:/planning/gale santee/wpdocs/agmin/ai010508.ag.wpd 4 . , � � ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MAY 8, 2001 MINUTES Ms. Jacobs stated, since she was one of the first to come before the Commission on this subject, she would like to be able to use the current lighting system while the City deals with the other businesses to allow her to get through the summer until they close down in August for planned maintenance. She intends to have a new canopy put up and incorporate lighting in that. She pointed out there were tall buildings on each side and they are lost between them. Commissioner Gregory asked if in the process of re- designing the awning, could she look at putting sconces or some other form of post lighting instead of the wrap-around lighting to provide the "notice-ability". She would like to have it come out as an entry way so that "Dakota Bar& Grill" can be put on each side, visible from both directions. However, she understands that the City doesn't approve that type of entry way. She is having a hard time finding companies that want to deal with businesses on EI Paseo. At this point, she's looking at a $25,000 investment for a 30 seats on the patio. Commissioner Van Vliet agreed that the sign was large and bright and that there should be no lighting on the roof as it could set a precedent. Ms. Jacobs asked about the posts inside her patio. He responded he didn't have a problem with that as long as it was not highly visible or over-done. Ms. Jacobs explained the patio lighting was under the patio's cover and on the knotty pine posts. There are four posts - two at the entry and two on the balcony. Commissioner Lingle would be more in favor of doing something in the patio and illuminating that to the benefit of the customers as opposed to having it on the roof top. Ms. Jacobs agreed, but asked to keep the patio post lighting because that along with the candles on the tables makes it a comfortable setting. Commissioner Gregory stated there seemed to be opposition to the roof-mounted lights, but less opposition to the post-mounted lights. With that in mind, he suggested Ms. Jacobs could augment the lighting at people level that would be the way to go. Commissioner O'Donnell agreed with the exception of the post lighting stating there was an opportunity for her to talk to the owner of the building about lighting the palm trees which is consistent with the way EI Paseo is lit. G:/planning/gale santee/wpdocs/agmin/ai010508.ag.wpd $ , . � � ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MAY 8, 2001 MINUTES Ms. Jacobs stated that 80% of their business was tourist and without the special lighting like what The Gardens has, they are dead in the water. She asked about the lighting, inside her patio, under the canopy cover, which the posts are, does she not have the right to put lighting the way she wants it. Mr. Drell responded if there was glass there and the lighting was behind the glass, the City does not cover lighting within a store. The question is if there is no glass there, does it make it any different? Mr. Alvarez read from the ordinance: ".....describes outlining the building exterior or perimeter and /or window areas must be integrated with the building architecture and approved by ARC." Commissioner Vuksic suggested to the applicant that she attempt to have some fun and experiment over the summer, after they close, to come up with ideas to light the area where it will be attractive from the street where the activity and people can be seen. Again, Ms. Jacobs asked how she would do that since her restaurant is recessed so far back and is basically under an overhang. She explained they had nice lighting in their landscaping bushes. She asked about white or colored lighting in the landscaping. Commissioner Vuksic stated he would like to see her have fun, it doesn't need to be so subtle that it looks stuffy. Commissioner Hanson stated the biggest issue was that Christmas/holiday lights have now become all-year lights. Those lights were originally meant to augment certain times of the season, but now they just stay up. There are other options available for the canopy, ie, can lights, things that can make it very festive. She added that she had eaten at this restaurant many times - for the food and because it is a neat place to sit outside. Ms. Jacobs noted the Commissioner was a local and 80% of the people are tourists, they need to be seen. Commissioner Hanson responded that if every business had lights, it wouldn't get the attention. In closing, Ms. Jacobs asked if she could use the lighting in the bushes. Commissioner Gregory responded said it would be best to see what she wanted to do first. There might be some objections to colored lights. Her present lights are white. G:/planning/gale santee/wpdocs/agmin/ar010508.ag.wpd () � � � ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MAY 8, 2001 MINUTES Action: Commissioner Hanson moved, seconded by Commissioner O'Donnel, to allow the lights on the posts until the August when they close for scheduled maintenance subject to the immediate removal of the roof-mounted lighting. In August, the wrapped post lights would be removed and applicant was directed to look into getting the palm trees lit and providing some other lighting alternatives for the posts, ie, sconces, can lights. Motion carried 6- 0 with Commissioner Connor absent. 3. CASE NO.: SA 01-38 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS�: WHITE ROCK INVESTMENTS, INC., 22-1480 Foster Street, White Rock, British Columbia V4B 3X7 CANADA NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of concrete monument sign for industrial plaza, White Rock Business Plaza LOCATION: 39-740 Garand Lane ZONE: S.I. Staff provided the Commission with the proposed monument signage for White Rock Business Plaza. Action: Commissioner Vuksic moved, seconded by Commissioner Van Vliet, to approve the proposed monument signage. Motion carried 6-0 with Commissioner Connor absent. G:/planning/gale santee/wpdocs/agmin/ar010508.ag.wpd � � � ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MAY 8, 2001 MINUTES 4. CASE NO.: SA 01-43 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS�: SAMUEL RASMUSSEN, ONE EL PASEO LLC, 1919 Grand Avenue, Suite 2A, San Diego, CA 92109 Fax (858) 273-4454 NICK NUTTER, ULTRASIGNS, 5450 Complex Street, Suite 307, San Diego, CA 92123 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval to increase building signage letters from 15" to 20" LOCATION: 74-199 EI Paseo, One EI Paseo ZONE: C-1 The applicant initially requested 18" letters on his signage when it last came before the Commission a year and a half ago. The Commission approved 12" reverse channel letters. The applicant appealed that to the City Council which approved 15" letters. The new RE/MAX sign on the west-facing facia is 15" letters. The applicant feels that given the height of the sign at 28 feet and the size of the facia that the signage could be larger and not be out of proportion. The applicant is requesting 20" letters and staff supports that request. Mr. Rasmussen pointed out that when they went through the process a year ago, they did not have a tenant mix in hand and didn't know what the building would look like. They have the benefit now of knowing exactly what the building is and the benefit of seeing the RE/MAX sign up there. He distributed diagrams of the signage at the requested size. RE/MAX is a regional logo with all capital letters and is shown at 20". The Smith/Barney sign, the "S" and "B" are shown at 20" and the rest of the lower case letters are at 17.25". He is only asking for changes in the sizes, not the colors. Commissioner O'Donnell remembered the concern the Commission had with the signage initially. Now that the building and the signs are up, he thought it was regretful they hadn't directed the signage to be put on the middle panel which is canterra stone rather than the upper panel. Part of the problem with the signage is that it is G:/planning/gale santee/wpdocs/agmin/ai010508.ag.wpd g , � �; ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MAY 8, 2001 MINUTES too high. Mr. Rasmussen responded that the subject had been covered a year ago and the two salient points were that 1) imported canterra stone is one of a kind and does not allow interchangeable signs as it is extremely brittle and 2) all of the canterra stone surfaces are recessed. In the overall sign concept for the building, they were allowed to go higher than code to put the signage on the upper panel. Commissioner Hanson stated the signs could be seen from a further distance so it wasn't as though they could not be seen. However, she agreed that the existing RE/MAX sign is too small. Commissioner Gregory expressed concern that with the building being close to the street and the signs being very high, that they will be prominent along the Hwy. 111 corridor. The fact that all the signs will have a consistent white halo backlight is very helpful, but if that amount of light could be controlled, via rheostat, to some degree it would jump out less. Mr. Rasmussen noted the lighting was fluorescent so they cannot be put on rheostats, but they are totallly backlit with the gold, there is no intensity question. The problem is the RE/MAX sign is short in length whereas Smith/Barney is very long. Mr. Rasmussen provided samples of several sign sizes ranging from 24" to the 15" for the capital letters. Commissioner O'Donnell stated the Commission had made a decision and the City Council had made a decision. He was not inclined to agree to change the decision the City Council made. He suggested the applicant go back to the Council to seek their approval as the applicant had originally proposed 18" letters and they had agreed to 15" letters. Now, the applicant was proposing 20" letters. There have been two decisions made and it should be the Council's decision to change the size. Mr. Rasmussen indicated that Smith/Barney was attempting to get into fabrication. He noted that the Commission was involved with the signage and was attempting to get it resolved here even if it means putting undersized signage on the building. He asked for a compromise in that the 15" signage for the main text be approved and just the "S" and the "B" be upgraded a couple of inches to accommodate a national corporate logo. G:/planning/gale santee/wpdocs/agmin/arOlO508.ag.wpd 9 , , "�'r "� ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MAY 8, 2001 MINUTES Mr. Smith explained if the Commission proceeded with the request, staff will run it by City Council members who were involved in this decision previously. If they want to see it at Council, then it will end up there. If not, they will pass on it and the Commission's recommendation will become final. Commissioner Van Vliet noted that the applicant had been given a variance to put the signage higher than normal. The applicant wanted the signage up there and now the signage doesn't work very well and it is a problem size-wise. He felt it could have been lower on the building on the canterra stone with off-sets which can be replaced. Mr. Rasmussen stated the size of the signing wouldn't make any difference; they would be here if it was on the mid-level. Commissioner Van Vliet stated it would look different if it were lower. It is so high up there, it looks funny up there. If it were lowered, there would be more visibility. Action: Commissioner Vuksic moved, seconded by Commissioner Hanson, to adhere to the previous decision of 15" letters with the exception of the "S" and "B" in Smith/Barney to 17" letters and allow the RE/MAX sign to be 17" high subject to Council concurrence. Commissioner Gregory stated what had been proposed was a fair compromise. Mr. Rasmussen agreed. Mr. Smith will present the Commission's action to the City Council either as an agenda item or to discuss directly with the Council members involved with the original decision. Motion carried 5-1 with Commissioner Van Vliet opposed and Commissioner Connor absent. G:/planning/gale santee/wpdocs/agmin/ar010508.ag.wpd 1� � � � ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MAY 8, 2001 MINUTES 5. CASE NO.: PP 99-10, PP 00-12 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS�: SIXTH STREET PARTNERS, 7143 Katella, Suite B, Stanton, CA 90680 ROBERT RICCIARDI, Robert H. Ricciardi AIA & Associates, 75-090 St. Charles Place, Palm Desert, Suite A, CA 92211 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Final approval of working drawings LOCATION: 77-850, 860, 870, 880 Country Club Drive, DESERT COUNTRY PLAZA ZONE: PG2 (FCO) These four showroom buildings are in the southwest corner of the Desert Country Plaza. The landscape plans will be discussed separately. Mr. Smith reported that this is a series of four buildings. The Commission had requested that the northerly buildings be connected to the southerly buildings with some form of archway. The archway has not been provided. Mr. Ricciardi responded they had run into several problems. The structural engineer was not in favor of it because the wall would have to be so high he felt the racking action because the pads are at different elevations. To get the opening big enough to get a truck through there, the wall would become very thin. They felt it would be better to go without it. Eventually, the pads will be sold off to individuals who might prefer not to have them connected. Mr. Ricciardi continued that other than the archway, everything else has been included. Action: Commissioner Van Vliet moved, seconded by Commissioner Lingle, to approve the working drawings. Motion carried 6-0 with Commissioner Connor absent. G:/planning/gale santee/wpdocs/agmin/ai010508.ag.wpd 1 1 . , � � ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MAY 8, 2001 MINUTES 6. CASE NO.: CUP 94-02 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS� MICHAEL HURST, ARCHITECT, for Michael Castelli, 73-625 Hwy. 111, Suite F, Palm Desert, CA 92260 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Final approval of working drawings for Andreino's Restaurant LOCATION: 73-098 Hwy. 111 ZONE: C-1, SP The Commission reviewed the working drawings and minutes from previous meetings. Action: Commissioner Vuksic moved, seconded by Commissioner Van Vliet, to approve the working drawings. Motion carried 6-0 with Commissioner Connor absent. B. PRELIMINARY PLANS 1. CASE NO.: CUP 01-10 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS� DAVID LEONARD ASSOCIATES, for SPRINT PCS, 1223 University Avenue, Suite 240, Riverside, CA 92507 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Preliminary approval of 65' tall telecommunications tower disguised as an artificial palm tree LOCATION: 75-050 Merle Drive ZONE: SI Mr. Alvarez distributed color photos of the site as it exists now and with the additional artificial palm tree. The current site, east of Cook Street, north of Merle Drive has a grouping of three palms, one of which is artificial. The applicant proposes to add another artificial palm and one more live palm to the grouping. G:/planning/gale santee/wpdocs/agmin/azO1O508.ag.wpd I Z . , '�1rr� �v ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MAY 8, 2001 MINUTES Action: Commissioner Vuksic moved, seconded by Commissioner Van Vliet, to grant preliminary approval of the telecommunications tower as planned subject to the removal of the 4-foot data dish. Motion carried 6-0 with Commissioner Connor absent. 2. CASE NO.: APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS�: CORTLAND MORGAN, Architect, 6910 Woodland Drive, Dallas, TX 75226 GLENN HARRIS, Ruth's Chris Steak House, 3321 Hessmer Avenue, Metairie, LA 70002 DESIREE DOERFLER, D•ZIGN, 21 Queen Street East, Suite 404, Brampton, Ontario L6W 3P1, CANADA NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Request for preliminary approval of revised architecture for a 9,007 sq.ft. Ruth's Chris Steak House LOCATION: 74-740 Hwy. 111, northeast corner of Hwy. 111 and Village Court ZONE: PC-4 At the last meeting, the Commission had requested the porte cochere be re-designed to include architectural details from the main building. Commission members had been faxed copies of two options for review prior to the meeting. Ms. DoerFler stated, after reviewing the building and the Commission's comments, the geometry of the building was working, both the harmony and juxtaposition. In looking at the porte cochere, they decided that in taking away the traditional elements, ie, the last visages of the old Ruth's Chris Steak Houses, and harmonized it with the geometry and angles of the building with the columns. Commissioner Gregory commented that it now feels balanced and makes sense. Commissioner Van Vliet asked what was happening with the underside of the porte cochere. Ms. Doerfler responded it depended on which version they used. The carved arch version might contain a recessed dome. The flat-faced version would be a little deeper. When asked which version she liked better, she G:/planning/gale santee/wpdocs/agmin/arOlO508.ag.wpd 13 " ' �+ � ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MAY 8, 2001 MINUTES responded she was torn. The flat-faced version shows the signage better; the arched version gives it a lightness and a different twist, but she is concerned with the signage. Commissioner O'Donnell liked both porte cochere designs and stated both would be acceptable. There are a lot of dominant elements on the project and it seems the front door is the least dominant, which may be intentional. However, with the arched porte cochere, the front door seems to get diminished. Commissioner Hanson suggested raising the doors or the eyebrow. Ms. Doefler stated they were investigating several options for the dome material, keeping efficiency in mind and what would maintain itself the best. One option is to spray on an inch or two layer of concrete and paint it. She would like to have something built in sections that would be less labor-intensive and could be brought in in sections. Mr. Drell recommended avoiding fiberglas as it won't stand up. She would like to do a copper roof, but is concerned about its expense. Commissioner Hanson noted she had priced out a house with a copper roof and regular metal and it wasn't that much more cost prohibitive, in addition, it would last forever. Action: Commissioner Vuksic moved, seconded by Commissioner Hanson, to grant preliminary approval to the building and porte cochere architecture leaving the determination of which porte cochere with the applicant. The landscape plan is not included in this approval. Motion carried 5-1 with Commissioner Lingle opposed and Commissioner Connor absent. 3. CASE NO.: CUP 00-06 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS,�: KENNETH BARTON, FRED FIEDLER &ASSOCIATES, 2322 West Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90057-1906 Jim Huntsberry, ExxonMobil Fuels Marketing Company, 3700 West 190th Street, Torrance, CA 90504 Frank Urrutia, Urrutia Architects, 73-550 Alessandro, Suite 201, Palm Desert, CA 92260 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT• Preliminary approval of architecture and landscaping for gas station, convenience store, and car wash G:/planning/gale santee/wpdocs/agmin/ar010508.ag.wpd 14 , . � � ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MAY 8, 2001 MINUTES LOCATION: 36-650 Cook Street ZONE: PCD The Commission viewed plans as presented by the staff and applicant. Staff expressed concern about the height of the canopy. They had discussed this topic with the City's Engineering Manager and found that it could not be lowered. It is 19' overall, with five feet within the canopy's structure. Action: Commissioner Vuksic moved, seconded by Commissioner Van Vliet, to grant preliminary approval of the architecture and landscaping. Motion carried 6-0 with Commissioner Connor absent. VI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 1:30 p.m. STEVE SMITH PLANNING MANAGER /gs G:/planning/gale santee/wpdocs/agmin/ar010508.ag.wpd I S