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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-08-26 CITY OF PALM DESERT ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION • MINUTES AUGUST 26, 2003 **************************************************************************************************** I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 12:32 p.m. IL ROLL CALL Commissioners Current Meeting Year to Date Present Absent Present Absent Ronald Gregory, Chairman X 14 2 Kristi Hanson X 13 3 Richard O'Donnell X 10 6 Chris Van Vliet X 15 1 John Vuksic X 14 2 Ray Lopez X 15 1 Karen Oppenheim X 7 0 Also Present: Phil Drell, Director, Community Development Steve Smith, Planning Manager Francisco Urbina, Associate Planner Donna Quaiver, Senior Office Assistant Diane Hollinger, Landscape Specialist III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: AUGUST 12, 2003 Commissioner Van Vliet moved, seconded by Commissioner Hanson to approve the minutes of August 12, 2003. The motion carried 5-0-0-2 with Commissioners O'Donnell and Vuksic absent. IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS A. None 1 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 26, 2003 MINUTES A. Final Drawings 1. CASE NO.: CUP 02-22 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): HUGH JORGENSEN, 8743 Warren Vista Avenue, Yucca Valley, CA 92284 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Final approval of architecture and landscaping for new car wash. LOCATION: 42-185 Washington Street ZONE: PC-2 Mr. Smith stated that there are no landscape plans for the Commission to review. The applicant will continue working with Diane Hollinger, Landscape Specialist. Action: Commissioner Hanson moved, seconded by Commissioner Van Vliet for final approval of architecture only. Motion carried 5-0-0-2 with Commissioners O'Donnell and Vuksic absent. 2. CASE NO.: C 02-06 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): PREST-VUKSIC ARCHITECTS, 72- 624 El Paseo, Suite B-6, Palm Desert, CA 92260 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of revised roof plans for a commercial remodel. LOCATION: 72-760 El Paseo, south end of Palms to Pines central. ZONE: PC-3 Commissioner Hanson stated that the plans show one of the plaster roof structures being changed to corrugated metal. The face will still be plaster, but the top of the roof will be corrugated metal. Commissioner Van Vliet stated that this looks like a pretty insignificant change. Action: Commissioner Van Vliet moved, seconded by Commissioner Hanson for approval. Motion carried 5-0-0-2 with Commissioners O'Donnell and Vuksic absent. G:Planning\Donna Quaiver\wpdocs\Agmin\AR030826.MIN 2 `'✓ ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 26, 2003 MINUTES B. Preliminary Plans 1. CASE NO.: PP 03-16 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): HOWARD HAIT, 44-650 Monterey Avenue, Palm Desert, CA 92260 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Preliminary approval of a new 6,192 square foot, two-story office building. LOCATION: 44-630 Monterey Avenue, Hearing Healthcare Services ZONE: O.P. Mr. Smith stated that the site is immediately south of Hacienda de Monterey. Mr. Urbina stated that the site is approximately 4' higher with a combination retaining wall plus a garden block wall. There's an existing home that's going to be torn down and a big backyard that's going to become a parking lot. The proposed building is two-story at 25' in height. The applicant is asking for a variance for a zero side yard setback along the Hacienda de Monterey property line. They're proposing a raised mural to resemble mountains along that wall so that it increases the aesthetics of the building and we're not looking at a flat, mundane wall. The tenants will share a common driveway with Hacienda de Monterey. The building will be stepped up. It starts off with one story and then there will be a balcony on the second floor in order to comply with a 1' of setback per 1' of height limit. Staff recommends that the Architectural Review Commission grant preliminary approval subject to review of the landscaping plan by the landscape staff. Commissioner Hanson asked if the murals are different layers so that there will actually be some reveal there. Mr. Urbina stated that there will be some reveal in this area. Jim Macintosh, applicant, stated that each layer is 4" thick and there are four layers with different textures and different colors. Mr. Drell asked if they will be encroaching into the property line. Mr. Macintosh stated that the actual building wall is set in one foot so that they have a foot to build out with the layering. Commissioner Gregory asked if there's any kind of control over what's essentially an artistic-type element. We have control over architecture and can tell what a proposal will look like and landscaping can be pretty G:Planning\Donna Quaiver\wpdocs\Agmin\AR030826.MIN 3 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 26, 2003 MINUTES close. However, with an artistic-type proposal, who knows what it'll look like? Commissioner Hanson asked if the applicant had an example of the mural for the commission to review. Mr. Maclntosh stated that this has never been done before with this material. Rod Murphy is the contractor and he's been experimenting with this material. It's a 3-D panel system, which is basically styrofoam with wire mesh and then cement on each side. It's semi-experimental in the fact that they don't have an example to show the commission or photograph. Commissioner Gregory stated that his only concern was if there could be some way to make sure that it turns out looking good. The applicant is being very candid about it being experimental. If it looks great, then it's good, but if it's not great then there may be a problem. Mr. Maclntosh stated that he wouldn't want to make it look bad. Mr. Murphy stated that he's been experimenting with different textures including raked textures and chiseled textures and they've been getting some really nice designs. He has complete confidence that when they're done with this project, that the City is really going to like it. Commissioner Hanson asked if the applicant could bring in an example of the mural at the time of their next submittal. Mr.-Murphy stated that he has a test panel that he can bring in. Mr. Drell stated that he assumed that the surface is going to be similar to a faux climbing wall in terms of irregularity. Mr. Maclntosh stated that he's not going to go for that. He'd rather try to stay with more of a textured/chiseled surface. Mr. Drell wanted to know what each panel will look like . Will they all be 4" out uniformly? Commissioner Hanson stated that they will be 4" out uniformly so each panel will be flat with texture. Commissioner Gregory stated that the mural is an interesting element, but it's mysterious. The applicant needs to show the commission a little bit more so that they feel more comfortable with it. It's a good idea, but we need a little bit more information. Commissioner Hanson stated that the plans show more murals on the front of the building and also on the right side of the building. Mr. Maclntosh stated that he didn't want to apply something on one side of the building without carrying it through the rest of the design. The windows on the front elevation face out towards Monterey. Monterey is pretty busy so he's using a mural as a low screen to hide the traffic. GRIanning\Donna Quaiver\wpdocs\Agmin\AR030826.MIN 4 titer` ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 26, 2003 MINUTES Commissioner Hanson asked if the roof system is deep enough so that the mechanical units will not be visible above it. Mr. Macintosh stated that the rendering doesn't show it, but if you look at the plans it takes that into consideration. Commissioner Van Vliet stated that the drawings show 42" on the roof system. He asked Mr. Macintosh if it will be that high. Commissioner Van Vliet asked the applicant if he's using scuppers. Commissioner Hanson asked if they're real scuppers or fake scuppers. Mr. Macintosh stated that they're architectural scuppers. They're draining the roof drains in down pipes. They won't drain over the edge of the building. Commissioner Hanson suggested that they be clearly called out as "faux" or "decorative". Mr. Macintosh stated that there's no roofing system on the building because he's using all waterproof concrete. Action: Commissioner Hanson moved, seconded by Commissioner Van Vliet for preliminary approval subject to applicant returning with a test panel for the mural when submitting construction drawings. Motion carried 5-0-0-2 with Commissioners O'Donnell and Vuksic absent. 2. CASE NO.: MISC 03-19 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS) HENRY A. GOTTHELF, NSD VENTURES, LLC, 7916 Paseo Del Ocaso, La Jolla, CA 92037 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Preliminary approval of revised elevations for buildings A & B. LOCATION: 75-300 Gerald Ford Drive ZONE: Ord. 837 Action: Application withdrawn by applicant prior to the meeting. C. Discussion Stephen Henderson, Sears representative, was present and asked for comments on the exterior remodel. Mr. Drell stated that trellises work in some places, but look like foreign elements in other places and doesn't make any sense at all. This is one of those instances where it probably doesn't make any sense at all. It surely doesn't make any sense in front of the entries. G:Planning\Donna Quaiver\wpdocs\Agmin\AR030826.MIN 5 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 26, 2003 MINUTES Mr. Henderson stated that the intent was that at each of the entries, the canopy piece rotates and the trellis rotates. He would want the trellis at 12' so that it's at a different plane than the rest of the trellis, which is at 10' in height. He would like to tie the two trellises together to provide some shade along the walkway and not try to deal with the existing building, not that they're not going to paint it and dress it up. The building is what it is. Mr. Drell stated that it's actually one of the nicer looking buildings in the mail, which is not necessarily a compliment. Mr. Henderson stated that he was concerned with the seismic loading of the building and doesn't want to start hanging things like overhangs off the building. This is the reason why they went with the trellises. Commissioner Van Vliet suggested that they could still do some angled supports to integrate the overhang with the building without having a big load problem. Commissioner Gregory commented that the CAD-type perspective tends to make it look kind of weird. If it were hand drawn, it wouldn't tend to make it look so surreal looking. The idea is good. Commissioner Van Vliet asked about the type of material that would be used on the proposed trellises. Mr. Henderson stated that he's still looking into the different types of materials. He has two concerns: durability and maintenance. If he can find a decent composition-type material that will wear well he will use it, otherwise it may be a powder-coated aluminum that's the same color as the darker color of the building. The columns would be stucco to match the material of the building. Commissioner Hanson suggested using a texture such as a 12" x 12" split-face block for the columns. Mr. Henderson stated that the reason why he wanted to use stucco is because that is the material that the building is comprised of. Commissioner Hanson stated that it would be nice to break that up a little. Give it some architecture. They could consider doing something out of aluminum that would last forever and you would never have to maintain it and then use split-face block for the columns. Use aluminum in an architectural fashion (not alumi-wood). Mr. Drell commented that they should look at our new carport structure. The roof is a composite with glue-lam cross members. Mr. Henderson stated that he has no problem in looking at making changes. Commissioner Hanson stated that by eliminating certain portions of the trellis, they can spend more money on the trellises that are put in. It would focus the attention more towards the entry. Put trellises in where they make sense and maybe add a little bit more landscaping. Mr. Henderson stated that he doesn't have a problem with that. G:Planning\Donna Quaiver\wpdocs\Agmin\AR030826.MIN 6 1400 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 26, 2003 MINUTES Commissioner Lopez stated that some thought should be put into a seating area outside the store. Mr. Henderson stated that he'll go back and put effort into the areas that need work. He feels that they're still headed in the same direction. The commission was given extra plans to review. Mr. Smith stated that this item will be formally added to the next agenda. Commissioner Hanson asked if they could add fake cables to the overhang on the front of the Auto Center building. Mr. Henderson stated that structurally the overhang is supported with steel. Commissioner Hanson commented that she's interested in the decorative aspect of this feature. Mr. Henderson stated that there will be a trellis on the east wall of the Auto Center with vines growing on it. The CAD designer did not put this on the perspective. Commissioner Van Vliet asked if the a/c equipment will be on the roof. Mr. Henderson stated that it will be mounted on the roof. You will not see the equipment from this view. The equipment will be on the west side. You will see them from the view from the west. This is the high point of the roof. It faces the fire station and not towards the public. Commissioner Van Vliet stated that the a/c equipment is required to be below the top of the parapet. Mr. Henderson stated that there's a higher parapet on the other side of the roof. Mr. Henderson asked if the commission was in agreement that the canopies at the entry are really a detriment and not a positive feature. The commission agreed that they would be a detriment. Commissioner Hanson stated that she would rather see a big planter put in with a palm tree as a softening agent. Mr. Drell asked if there would be enough room to plant a nice shade tree on either side of the entry. Mr. Henderson stated that they have 15' at the entries. Mr. Drell commented that they could use a 6' x 9' planter for a shade tree. Mr. Henderson stated that there are large planters in this area now, but the planters look old and faded. They have palm trees in them now. Mr. Drell stated that usually at entrances you can't plant a nice tree because it could block the signage. However, this entry doesn't have signage. Commissioner Hanson stated that this is something that a landscape architect should look at and come up with a unique solution. G:Planning\Donna Quaiver\wpdocs\Agmin\AR030826.MIN 7 `#w' ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 26, 2003 MINUTES VI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 1:22 p.m. STEVE SMITH PLANNING MANAGER G:Planning\Donna Quaiver\wpdocs\Agmin\AR030826.MIN 8