Loading...
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. GAPIanning\Janine Judy\Word FilesWRC Minutes\2008WR080610.min.doc Page 2 of 6 ARCHITECTURAL RIEW COMMISSION MINUTES June 10, 2008 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. GAPlanning\Janine Judy\Word Files\ARC Minutes\2008\NR080610.min.doc Page 3 of 6 ARCHITECTURAL RIEW COMMISSION MINUTES June 10, 2008 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. GAPlanning\Janine Judy\Word Files\ARC Minutes\2008\AR080610.min.doc Page 4 of 6 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 GAPlanning\Janine Judy\Word Files\ARC Minutes\2008\AR080610.nnin.doc Page 5 of 6 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 GAPlanning\Janine Judy\Word Files\ARC Minutes\2008\AR080610.min.doc Page 6 of 6