HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-06-10 ��•�� CITY OF PALM DESERT
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION
MINUTES
June 10, 2008
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 11
Kristi Hanson X 7 4
Chris Van Vliet X 11
John Vuksic X 10 1
Karel Lambell X 10 1
Nancy DeLuna X 9 2
Pam Touschner X 2
Also Present
Lauri Aylaian, Director
Tony Bagato, Principal Planner
Renee Schrader, Associate Planner
Kevin Swartz, Assistant Planner
Missy Grisa, Assistant Planner
Spencer Knight, Landscape Manager
Janine Judy, Senior Office Assistant
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: May 13, 2008 & May 27, 2008
Action:
It was moved by Commissioner Van Vliet, seconded by Commissioner
Lambell to approve the May 13, 2008 and May 27, 2008 meeting
minutes. Motion carried 5-0-1-1, with Commissioner Hanson
abstaining and Commissioner DeLuna absent.
IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
V. CASES:
ARCHITECTURAL RIEW COMMISSION
MINUTES June 10, 2008
A. Final Drawings:
1. CASE NO: MISC 08-235
APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): ARTISTIC SOLUTIONS, 73-750
Alessandro, Palm Desert, CA 92260
NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Final approval of
building color change; Artistic Solutions.
LOCATION: 73-750 Alessandro
ZONE: Cl
Ms. Schrader presented and summarized the project. The paint
color was applied without obtaining design review. The subject
building is a small, older structure constructed in a variety of media
and material styles and fronts directly onto Alessandro Drive. It has
been painted a strong color of blue that matches the lighter color of
the Artistic Solutions logo. The City's policy and code dictate that
any substantial color requires review from the City Planning
Department and a permit of design approval prior to executing a
color change. The strong blue color can be considered strikingly
different from its surroundings and therefore is not a compatible
choice for the neighborhood streetscape.
Christopher Marsack, owner, stated that he received landlord
approval and was unaware that he had to obtain City approval. He
paid a marketing company to come up with the logo and then
painted the building by incorporating those colors. He stated that
there was one neighbor that he has had issues with, but the other
neighbors are happy with the changes to the building because it
was a ghetto before he moved in. He stated that they are an art
company and wanted something that stood out. He also mentioned
that the backs of the buildings on the Highway 111 side were
horrible and at least they try to keep the back of their building
cleaned up.
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ARCHITECTURAL RIEW COMMISSION
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Mr. Bagato understood the applicants concern, but city code
requires that color modifications be approved by the City. When this
first came to staff's attention it was felt that the color makes the
whole building a sign, which shouldn't be the intent of the color
modification. He stated that staff was not in favor of this color as a
whole color but maybe in a trim format, and applied correctly it
would be okay.
Commissioner Gregory stated that the City of Palm Desert is a very
staid community and the general effort is toward earth tones. He
said that it is not just one person complaining and that code
enforcement would have found it eventually.
Commissioner Hanson stated that the color calls attention to the
building and is actually a detriment because the sign gets lost. She
stated that because the building is in such a state of disrepair that
the color brings more attention to the disrepair, which is not a good
thing. Depending upon an alternate base color the applicant could
work with the blue in some of the trim, which could be interesting.
Commissioner Gregory asked if the Commission would be in
accord if the applicant were to use the logo colors in some type of
trim. Commissioner Hanson answered that it would depend on the
base color. Mr. Marsack stated that the blue on the trim is the
same color as the trim on the building behind his building.
Commissioner Hanson suggested a color that is in more of a tan.
Mr. Marsack passed around a brochure with some of his other
colors. The Committee reviewed and discussed. Commissioner
Gregory stated that the applicant couldn't go wrong if they use a
base earth tone color. Mr. Marsack stated that that wasn't what
they were all about; they are an art company and wanted to stand
out where people would say "wow, look at that." Commissioner
Gregory again stated not to use the building as their sign; that the
building be a building and the sign a sign. Mr. Marsack stated that
the building is small and in an alley and people have a hard time
locating them. Prior to painting, the building was gray and dingy
and kind of blended in with everything. The Commission suggested
something creative and to keep it simple. They stated that the
building has a lot of imperfections and recommended choosing a
color that would not make it stand out.
Mr. Marsack stated that he didn't have a problem with working with
the Commission and said that he would come up with something.
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He asked what the time frame was for him to get the color samples
to the Commission and informed them of his schedule through July
7tn Mr. Bagato recommended that he get a photo mock of the
color samples to the staff to be scheduled for either of the two
meetings in July. Mr. Marsack asked who he would need to talk to
about the back of the building. The Commission suggested
contacting Code Enforcement.
Action:
It was moved by Commissioner Hanson and seconded by Commissioner
Vuksic, to continue subject to: 1) submitting a photo mock with a sampling
of different colors for the ARC meeting by July 24, 2008; 2) notifying Code
Enforcement of ARCs decision in order to delay another citation. Motion
carried 6-0-0-1, with Commissioner DeLuna absent.
2. CASE NO: CUP 08-228
APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): OMNIPOINT COMMUNICATION
INC., 3257 E. Guasti Road, Ontario, CA 91761
NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Final approval of a
new T-Mobile telecommunications facility.
LOCATION: 76-501 Hovley Lane East
ZONE: PR-4
Action:
It was moved by Commissioner Van Vliet and seconded by Commissioner
DeLuna, to approval by minute motion. Motion carried 6-0-0-1, with
Commissioner DeLuna absent.
B. Preliminary Plans:
None.
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ARCHITECTURAL R IEW COMMISSION 1"01
MINUTES June 10, 2008
C. Miscellaneous Items:
1. NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Discussion of
future Green Ordinance
Action:
Mr. Bagato informed the Commission that the City was looking at
developing a Green Ordinance. The state of California is enforcing a state
wide reduction in greenhouse omissions, so the City Council adopted a
policy in December 2007 to come up with ways to reduce greenhouse
omissions. The Commission discussed Silver Standards, Build It Green,
California Green Build, and LEAD Certification. Mr. Bagato stated that the
building code is actually coming out with mandatory green standards that
will have eight green standards. These standards will inform the
contractors and developers what they have to meet regarding energy
reduction, water reduction, waste reduction through construction
management, and some voluntary measures as well.
In 2006, the State passed a law called AB32 which sets goals to reduce
greenhouse gases. In 2010 Palm Desert will have to be at the 2000 level;
in 2020 at the 1990 levels; and in 2050 we should be 80% below the 1990
level. Currently these changes are at the State level and California cities
have not been told what to do yet, but the Attorney General has been
suing cities and other jurisdictions over the CEQA analysis saying that
cities aren't looking at greenhouse gases.
Mr. Bagato said that Air Quality states that the most realistic levels are the
2020/1990 levels. He stated that the City will have to do a greenhouse
gas inventory to determine where Palm Desert is today, where we were in
2000, and in 1990 to figure out a way to reduce the levels.
Ms. Aylaian stated that to date, the City Council has not adopted a new
policy on sustainability or green issues; energy yes, but not on the other
components. At this point, staff is trying to educate the Council on
sustainability in addition to the energy conservation, and then recommend
that Council establish a policy.
The Commission discussed developing a task force to help with the
education process. Ms. Aylaian stated that there is some confusion
between energy conservation and sustainability. Staff needs to establish
a framework to educate the Council generally that it is energy
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ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION
MINUTES June 10, 2008
conservation, water conservation, material usage, transportation, and a
recycling program so that the Council can identify the different areas that
we want to approach. Once staff gets past that decision then we would be
working with consultants and staff to go out and asked for participation.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
It was moved by Commissioner Hanson, seconded by Commissioner Lambell to
adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 6-0-0-1, with Commissioner DeLuna absent.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:15 p.m.
TONY BAGATO
PRINCIPAL PLANNER
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