HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-05-27 f
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CITY OF PALM DESERT
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION
' ' MINUTES
MAY 27, 2003
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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 10 0
Kristi Hanson X g 2
Richard O'Donnell X 9 1
Chris Van Vliet X 10 0
John Vuksic X 9 1
Ray Lopez X 10 0
Karen Oppenheim X 1 0
Also Present:
Phil Drell, Director, Community Development
Steve Smith, Planning Manager
Francisco Urbina, Associate Planner
Tony Bagato, Planning Technician
Donna Quaiver, Senior Office Assistant
Diane Hollinger, Landscape Specialist
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: MAY 13, 2003
Commissioner Hanson moved, seconded by Commissioner Lopez to approve
the minutes of May 13, 2003 with revisions. The motion carried 6-0-1-0 with
Commissioner Oppenheim abstaining.
IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
A. None.
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A. Final Drawinqs
1. CASE NO.: PP 02-13
APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): KW REAL ESTATE, LLC, 74-750 EI
Paseo, Suite 2A, Palm Desert, CA 92260
NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Final approval of a
5,052 square foot office/medical building.
LOCATION: 44-550 Village Court
ZONE: PP 02-13
Action: Commissioner Van Vliet moved, seconded by Commissioner
Hanson for approval by minute motion. Motion carried 7-0.
2. CASE NO.: MISC 03-16
APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS� JUAN CARLOS OCHOA, 73-626
Highway 111, Palm Desert, CA 92260
NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Preliminary and final
approval of office expansion.
LOCATION: 73-626 Highway 111
ZONE: C-1
Action: Commissioner Van Vliet moved, seconded by Commissioner
Hanson for approval by minute motion. Motion carried 7-0.
3. CASE NO.: C 03-01
APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS� PAT & OSCAR'S, 72-840 Highway
111, Palm Desert, CA 92260
NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Request for
consideration of revised color scheme for exterior. Pat & Oscar's.
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LOCATION: 72-840 Highway 111, Westfield Shoppingtown
ZONE: PC-3
Mr. Smith stated that Len Fisher, representative from Pat & Oscar's, is
present to answer questions. Commissioner Hanson stated that the
commission doesn't like the plain wall but the applicant could do
something to alter the proposed paint scheme. It was suggested that
vertical lines could be added to break it up a little bit.
Commissioner Vuksic showed Mr. Fisher a photo of a wall at The River
as an example. IYs a blank concrete block wall and they've articulated
it and made a big, plain wall pretty interesting. Mr. Fisher commented
that sales are extremely soft. They're trying to create their brand
statement that they have at all the other restaurants. He could do what
the commission has suggested, but he doesn't want to take it too far to
divorce themselves from the original design. He could see doing the
vertical elements in a terra cotta color. Commissioner Vuksic stated
that the verticals could give him an opportunity to stagger the horizontal
elements, rather than having the proposed huge bands.
Action: Commissioner Hanson moved, seconded by Commissioner
Vuksic for approval subject to modifying the painting pattern. Motion
carried 6-0-1-0 with Commissioner Gregory abstaining.
B. Preliminary Plans
1. CASE NO.: C 02-06
APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS�• PREST-VUKSIC ARCHITECTS, 74-
020 Alessandro, Suite C, Palm Desert, CA 92260
NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT• Revisions to approved
renovations of commercial remodel.
LOCATION: 72-760 EI Paseo, south end of Palms to Pines central.
ZONE: PC-3
Mr. Smith stated that the building faces EI Paseo. The applicant, John
Vuksic, stated that they had some cost issues with this project so they
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made some modifications that would still do what they wanted to do
architecturally but would save the owner some money. Mr. Vuksic
showed the commission the details that have been changed. He
simplified the conical element and the trash enclosure won't be angled.
Some of the columns don't come up over the fascias. On the east
elevation, the columns are battered but they don't come up over the
roof line and he has reduced the amount of glass. On the EI Paseo
elevation, he has maintained the original architectural intent as much as
possible. The entry has been redesigned, which is an improvement
over the original drawing. There's a section through the main entry that
takes you from EI Paseo into the courtyard where there was a large
roof element made of tube steel and corrugated anodized aluminum.
This has been simplified. The opposite elevation in the courtyard has
had a couple of columns removed and has added an accent color,
which is an improvement. The glass line has been dropped on the
elevation facing Highway 111. The brick that was proposed on the
facade will be replaced with a raked plaster finish with an accent color.
Some of the colors will be modified and some of the accents went to a
richer purple.
Commissioner Van Vliet asked if the equipment will be roof mounted.
Mr. Vuksic stated that it will be in a well on the roof that runs the length
of all three wings.
Commissioner Gregory stated that the changes are relatively subtle, but
it resulted in a lessening of the cost. It still looks good.
Commissioner O'Donnell commented that the subtlety of the changes
are really improvements. He likes the new entryway and it has a better
scale.
Commissioner Hanson asked where the signage will go. Mr. Vuksic
stated that one part of the building is going to be occupied by Palm
Desert National Bank and he has an idea of where the sign will go.
Commissioner Hanson asked if there's any other general signage that
will go throughout the project. Mr. Vuksic stated that he wasn't aware
of any general signage. Commissioner Hanson stated that the
renovation looks very nice.
Action: Commissioner O'Donnell moved, seconded by Commissioner
Van Vliet for approval. Motion carried 6-0-1-0 with Commissioner
Vuksic abstaining.
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2. CASE NO.: CUP 03-09
APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS� ERNEST RAMIREZ, 12188 Central
Avenue, #269, Chino, CA 91710
NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT• Preliminary approval
of revised plans for a new 1,811 square foot oil change facility. Jiffy
Lube
LOCATION: 72-499 Fred Waring, Toys R Us Shopping Center
ZONE: PC
Mr. Smith stated that the ARC commented on the proposed Jiffy Lube
at the meeting of May 13, 2003. The applicant has revised the plans,
including the site plan in which he's created a couple of landscape
areas in the parking lot. The building has been lowered considerably so
that the main portion of the building is at 19' with the tower at a
maximum height of 25'.
Ernest Ramirez, applicant, stated that he revised the plans based on
the comments of the ARC at their last meeting. He dropped the height
of the tower and building. The tower has a little bit more mass and
pops out 1'/Z' instead of 6". The wall thaYs visible as you're going west
on Fred Waring will be popped out. The stucco has been changed to a
painted surtace so that they can use a darker color. Parking spaces
have been removed to create landscape areas.
Commissioner Hanson stated that in the area between the #2 and #3
parking spaces, there is a cross hatched area. Mr. Ramirez stated that
this is an existing space which he could probably move over.
Commissioner Hanson stated that 3' isn't sufficient for a handicap area.
Mr. Ramirez stated that he could probably move it over to the left hand
side and cross hatch a bigger area which would be 8' and van
accessible. Commissioner Hanson stated that there's only a 1'/2'
sidewalk in front of the cars at the pop outs. Mr. Ramirez stated that he
could pull the sidewalk over so that they have extra room.
Commissioner Vuksic stated that the parking spots are longer than they
need to be and can be reduced by 1'/2.
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Commissioner Hanson commented that the space between the tops of
the walls and the arches looks too thin. Everything needs to come
down and instead of having two openings in the small part they could
have three openings so that it's proportionately correct. Thicken up the
other opening and make it come up and out and put a tile detail on it so
that it looks like it was supposed to be that way.
Commissioner O'Donnell stated that the top portion of the tower seems
to be out of proportion and could be lowered. Commissioner Hanson
stated that it could come down and allow for a space for signage.
Commissioner O'Donnell stated that he could take out the top row of
glass. The ceiling height is 12' and the glass is at ceiling height.
Commissioner Hanson stated that it may be better for the applicant to
have the glass line a little bit lower so that they could accommodate
shades, which they're going to end up having. Lose one bay of glass at
the front. Mr. Ramirez agreed that he could do this.
Commissioner Van Vliet asked about the gfass and wondered if it was a
store front. Mr. Ramirez stated that it is the store front. Commissioner
Van Vliet asked if the door gets cut in or does it line up with some of the
vertical mullions. Mr. Ramirez commented that they will line up the
door with the mullions. Commissioners Gregory and Vuksic suggested
moving the curb 7' from the building to allow for adequate sidewalk
space. Commissioner O'Donnell asked about the stucco finish. Mr.
Ramirez stated that it will be sand finish.
Commissioner Vuksic asked the applicant not to have a big piece of
cap flashing going over the cornice detail on the working drawings. Mr.
Ramirez stated that there will be a 2" cap flashing. Commissioner
Vuksic asked if he would consider not having any cap flashing. Mr.
Ramirez asked if he should stucco the top. Commissioner Vuksic
stated that he could either stucco the top or crimp the flashing back at
the top. Mr. Ramirez stated that he's done it in the past without a
flashing and sloped it slightly so that there is drainage.
Action: Commissioner Vuksic moved, seconded by Commissioner
Hanson for preliminary approval subject to (1) move curb 7' from
building to allow for adequate sidewalk, (2) move handicap parking spot
to left side which is van accessible, (3) bring space down between tops
of walls and arches and have three openings in the small part instead of
two openings, (4) thicken wall on east elevation and add tile detail, (5)
lower tower proportionately and allow space for signage, (6) remove
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one bay of glass on front elevation, (7) add grid for vines on east
elevation, and (8) no cap flashing over cornice detail.
Motion carried 7-0.
3. CASE NO.: MISC 03-15
APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS� JOYCE A. WAYMAN, 76-835
Roadrunner Drive, Indian Wells, CA 92210
NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Preliminary approval
of remodel of exterior storefront in conjunction with the City of Palm
Desert's Facade Enhancement Program.
LOCATION: 73-290 EI Paseo; Hartman Jeweler's, His Lady Golf,
Grand Slam Gallery, frame shop.
ZONE: C-1
Mr. Smith stated that this is a business on EI Paseo. Francisco Urbina
will be amending his recommendation. Mr. Urbina stated that the
applicant is applying under the City's Facade Enhancement Program to
remodel the front of the existing building. The tenants have complained
that with the building being recessed back from the sidewalk and being
low in scale that it doesn't get noticed as much as they would like by
motorists and pedestrians. Their proposal is to increase the height and
bring the elevation forward. They are using a faux travertine design
with a stucco perimeter. However, after the staff report went out and
looking a little bit more closely at it, iYs hard to understand how the
cross sections relate to the front elevation. The other issue that staff
has is where would the signage be located on the front elevation. As a
result of that, staff would like to amend the recommendation to
continuance. The architect is not present, but he would like the
applicant to address the issues of where the signage would be located
and also show how the building cross sections would relate to the front
elevation. Staff would like to obtain input from the ARC.
Mr. Drell stated that staff is not recommending approval. It looks odd
architecturally. One of the objectives when you do store fronts is to
differentiate the stores and this plan does the opposite. It obscures the
differentiation befinreen the two store fronts. The consideration here is
not simply just someone wanting to improve their building, but they're
asking the City to pay for half of it. The Redevelopment Agency relies
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on this commission to make the determination whether this is
appropriate for a City investment, therefore, staff and commission have
a higher threshold to cross before approving the request.
Commissioner Gregory stated that the ARC would be of most help to
the applicant if they were direct. Joyce Wayman, applicant, was
present. Mr. Drell stated that if the project is approved by the
Architectural Review Commission, the City will pay half of the cost of
the improvement up to $35,000. Commissioner Gregory stated that the
commission would be helping Ms. Wayman the most if they suggested
that her architect contact City staff to get pointed in the right direction.
Ms. Wayman commented that she has spoken to staff and she's willing
to make the storefront attractive. The signage would be placed on the
cubes that come out from the building so that the signage would be
visible from the sides or the front. She also has places for signage in
front of the doors. The doors will remain at an angle, as they are now.
The whole purpose of the renovation is visibility. The Dansk building
next door drowned out Ms. Wayman's building. They're not at all visible
and people can't find them because they're shadowed on both sides.
She stated that she doesn't understand why the proposed plan isn't
appealing or doesn't fit in and wanted the commission to explain it to
her.
Commissioner Vuksic stated that his initial reaction is that the building
height is "height for the sake of height", which is what she's trying to do
but what ends up happening is just an area thaYs "stuck on there" to
create an impact. Proportion-wise it's hard to justify the height. The
Dansk building is done in a way that it works.
Commissioner Hanson elaborated on what Commissioner Vuksic was
saying. What happens is that the cubed elements appear to be very
heavy compared to the rest of the building. The proportions are off.
While she understands that the applicant may want to put some
signage on the facade, if what she's proposing is faux stone you're not
going to want to drill anything into it because if the store changes there
will be holes and you'll have to replace the stone. This material is a
problem and will become an issue. Ms. Wayman commented that the
drawing that was distributed to the commission is a very poor drawing.
It should have been drawn more like a dome. Commissioner Hanson
stated that it's not drawn that way at all in any of the drawings and it's
not the way that it's going to come across. It's going to be built exactly
the way it's drawn on the plans. Ms. Wayman stated that she has a
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visual image in her mind and the plans show the technical aspect.
Commissioner Hanson stated that she understands wanting to have an
element hanging in the front but she's not sure what it actually does for
the project. The fixture can be okay but what is it? What is it trying to
be? A lot of times store fronts or facades have things on them and
there's a purpose behind it. It's there and it's an element, but what is it
and why is it there? It seems like it needs a purpose.
Ms. Wayman asked if she would receive a report that she can give to
her architect who is in Mexico. She asked if her architect could be with
her at the next meeting. Commissioner Hanson stated that she will
receive a list of comments for her architect and he could make the
adjustments and come back to the ARC. Commissioner Van Vliet
stated that the architect should talk to staff. Commissioner Hanson
stated that she agrees that she needs to do something because of the
building next door. Pushing out the front of the building is a smart idea.
It brings the store front a little bit closer in and it needs to be executed
slightly differently. The proportions need to be changed and adjusted.
Commissioner Vuksic stated that it's a good idea but they need to take
another pass at it.
Commissioner Gregory asked about the black tile on the facade.
Commissioner Vuksic stated that iYll look fike a facing. Mr. Drell
commented that he doesn't think that they want to use black on a
southern exposure. Ms. Wayman stated that it's not really black. It's a
dark grey but it has the appearance of black. Mr. Drell stated that he
thinks that it'll get very, very hot and radiate heat. That side cooks to
begin with and to have a darker color would make it really hot. Ms.
Wayman stated that this is one reason for the cubes which will provide
some shade in the display area. Commissioner Vuksic asked the
applicant if she understands the detail that Commissioner Gregory was
asking about. If you have the travertine tile on one side and the corner,
where the cube has an edge on it and the tile doesn't return, it will look
like you've just pasted a thin tile on there and it doesn't look as rich as it
would if it had some depth to it. Commissioner Gregory stated that
there wifl be no feeling of depth there unless the travertine tile returns.
Mr. Drell commented that it's really not tile. It's faux plaster to look like
travertine. Commissioner Vuksic stated that they were talking about it
as a cube, but it won't read as a cube because iYs two dimensional.
Mr. Drell stated that this is a subtle detail, but there are more significant
issues here in regard to proportions. What is the chandelier and what is
it really hanging from? Ms. Wayman stated that this will be an object of
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art, but she doesn't know what it will be at this time but it will probably
be something in stainless steel.
Commissioner Vuksic stated that the comments that the commissioners
are making are the details that are another layer of how they're going to
look at it. When you substantially increase the building height, it's
important that it look three dimensional where it comes back around far
enough so that it doesn't look like a stage set. The Dansk building
returns way back until we can't see it anymore. This is what the
commission will be looking at on Ms. Wayman's building as well. Right
now it looks like it returns back about 6', which is nothing for the scale
of this building.
Ms. Wayman stated that she would like for her architect to come in and
talk to the commissioners and staff. Time is of the essence because
she would like to have the improvements done in the off season and
she has tenants moving in and out. Commissioner Vuksic stated that
the commission can look at rough drawings as far as giving her some
feedback on the concept. There's a difference befinreen concept and
final hard drawings. If the architect doesn't have time to generate
drawings, the ARC can certainly look at some sketches to comment on.
Action: Commissioner Hanson moved, seconded by Commissioner
Van Vliet to continue the request to allow the applicant to (1) change
proportions to improve scale to reduce "top heavy" appearance, (2)
create area for signage, (3) architect to talk to staff, (4) add depth and
shadow, (5) avoid dark colors on south elevation due to heat radiation,
and (6) consider creating individual store fronts.
4. CASE NO.: MISC 03-17
APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS�• RUSSELL RUMANSOFF, HERRON &
RUMANSOFF ARCHITECTS, INC., 530 St. John Place, Hemet, CA
92543
NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT• Exterior remodel of
Guaranty Bank.
LOCATION: 72-625 Highway 111
ZONE: PC
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Action: Commissioner Van Vliet moved, seconded by Commissioner
Hanson for approval by minute motion. Motion carried 7-0.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 1:25 p.m.
STEVE SMITH
PLANNING MANAGER
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