HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-03-25 , y� �
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��•�� CITY OF PALM DESERT
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ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION
MINUTES
March 25, 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 6
Kristi Hanson X 4 2
Chris Van Vliet X 6
John Vuksic X 5 1
Karel Lambell X 5 1
Nancy DeLuna X 5 1
Also Present
Lauri Aylaian, Director
Tony Bagato, Principal Planner
Kevin Swartz, Assistant Planner
Diane Hollinger, Landscape Specialist
Janine Judy, Senior Office Assistant
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: February 12, 2008, February 26, 2008 and
March 11, 2008
Action:
It was moved by Commissioner Gregory, seconded by Commissioner
Van Vliet, to approve the February 11, 2008 meeting minutes. Motion
carried 4-0-2-0, with Commissioners Hanson and Lambell abstaining.
It was moved by Commissioner Gregory, seconded by Commissioner
Van Vliet, to approve the February 26, 2008 meeting minutes. Motion
carried 5-0-1-0, with Commissioner Vuksic abstaining.
It was moved by Commissioner Gregory, seconded by Commissioner
Van Vliet, to approve the March 11, 2008 meeting minutes. Motion
carried 4-0-2-0, with Commissioners Hanson and DeLuna abstaining.
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ARCHITECTURAL R�IEW COMMISSION �
MINUTES MARCH 25, 2008
IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
V. CASES:
A. Final Drawings:
1. CASE NO: SA 08-119
APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): RAY MARTIN DESIGN &
ASSOC. & INC., 78-150 Calle Tampico Suite 200 J, Palm Desert,
CA 92260
NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Final approval of
a monument sign; Sevilla Apartments.
LOCATION: 73-373 Country Club Drive
ZONE: PR-5
Action:
It was moved by Commissioner Hanson and seconded by Commissioner
Lambell, to grant a continuance. Motion carried 5-0-0-1, with
Commissioner Vuksic abstaining.
2. CASE NO: MISC 08-120
APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): KIRK & SUSAN ANDERSON, 47-
963 Sun Corral Trail, Palm Desert, CA 92260
NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Final approval of
height and setback exception for a 6'0" garden wall with 6'9"
columns and an 8'9" arbor over the gate at a setback of 18' from
curb.
LOCATION: 47-963 Sun Corral Trail
ZONE: R-1 10,000
Mr. Swartz presented the staff report and summarized the project.
The applicant is requesting approval of an exception to the wall
ordinance to allow a 6-foot block garden wall in the front yard with a
gate and six columns that are capped at 6 feet 9 inches with an
arbor over the gate at 8 feet 11 inches; 18 feet from front yard
property line. Currently there is no block wall or gate located on the
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property. The applicant is proposing to construct the garden wall
with a gate to give the house more privacy, along with creating an
enclosed front yard. The applicant is proposing to use stone veneer
for the columns and a stucco finish on the wall painted to match the
house. Mr. Swartz stated that the code says 20 feet and the
applicant is asking for 18 feet. The applicant feels that with the
arbor and the wall it would give them more of a front yard.
Commissioner Van Vliet was concerned with how the architecture
of the arbor ties into the house; it seems big and massive. Mr. Kirk
Anderson, applicant, stated that the elements match up with the
front with the beams coming out over the front door, and since the
street sits down a bit you won't see much of the house.
Commissioner Hanson stated that when they put the 6 foot wall in
front of the house the house will disappear, so the arbor will add
some architecture. She reviewed the height and recommended
coming down 4 or 5 inches and notching all the trellis members into
the beams to reduce twisting.
The Commission discussed the construction of the arbor. They
recommended incorporating glue-lam beams into the heavy
timbers, notching all elements, and that no hardware fittings are
exposed.
Action:
It was moved by Commissioner Gregory and seconded by Commissioner
DeLuna, to grant approval subject to: 1) using glue-lam beams; 2) notching
trellis members; and 3) no hardware fittings exposed. Motion carried 6-0.
3. CASE NO: SA 07-202 (HTE #07-56)
APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): LYLE COMMERCIAL C/O STEVE
BRAIN, 121 s. Palm Canyon, Ste 216, Palm Springs, CA 92262
NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Final approval of
a new monument and directional signage; Monterey Shore Plaza.
LOCATION: 72-600 — 72-800 Monterey
ZONE:
Mr. Bagato presented the project and made a correction to the
name and case number listed on the agenda. He stated that this
project came before the Commission November, 2007 and at that
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time they had two signs at the one entrance point at the signal.
The motion at that time was to continue, subject to combining the
two monument signs shown as D1 and D2 into one triangular sign;
providing an accurate site plan; super imposing the signs in front of
the buildings; and to show how the landscape will hide the base of
the sign. They have provided those plans and because the tile was
busy at the base of the monument sign they have presented
different materials.
Commissioner DeLuna stated that the sign seemed big. Mr. Steve
Brain, Facility Manager, stated that they hadn't changed the size of
the signs. As suggested by the Commission at the last meeting
they addressed the location of the signage at the entrance, where
the signal is, and provided more detail. Dimensions of the signs
were not changed. Commissioner Hanson stated that the signs
were big, but the traffic was a problem and the signage needs to be
big in order to be visible and landscaping is there to serve as a
buffer.
Mr. Bagato stated that Sign A is the tallest sign and is proposed in
the County area. So at this time, staff doesn't know if that location
will be approved until discussed with the County. Staff and
Commission discussed the location of Sign A.
Mr. Bagato stated that he spoke with the applicant regarding
concerns with how the triangular sign will work in relationship to the
street. As a triangle sign it will definitely be visible. If they move it
over, America's Tires is right there on the corner and it wouldn't be
as visible. Commissioner Hanson stated that it is one of the few
places that larger signs are in order just because of how congested
it gets. Mr. Bagato stated that signage is the number one compliant
from the tenants there, especially the tenants in the back. They put
up their own signs and then receive code enforcement violations.
We have been working with them to try and get them some nice
presentable signs to help achieve what they need out there.
Commissioner Van Vliet asked how many tenants the City usually
allows on a monument sign. Mr. Bagato stated that typically it is
three or four. Mr. Swartz stated that you could have three and with
a well designed monument sign you could have more.
Commissioner DeLuna stated that she didn't care for the tile base
and felt that it was too busy. The Commission discussed the colors
and agreed on a tan color.
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Commissioner Gregory stated that it was important to address
landscape in certain areas where signs would be going into a turF
area because the overspray will very quickly damage the sign. He
recommended that the applicant submit a landscape plan for
review.
The Commission discussed the locations of signs D1, D2, E, and
E2 and the traffic congestion in those areas. Mr. Brain and the
Commission discussed the signage and the number of tenants on
each of those signs. Commissioner DeLuna suggested having
fewer signs with fewer tenants on each sign. Mr. Brain stated that
by placing only the tenants located on the upper section of the
complex on the signs they might be able to have fewer signs and
suggested moving Sign D1, the sign in front of Taco Bell, further
north to the second parking lot entrance to help alleviate some of
the traffic congestion.
Commissioner Gregory had concerns with the directional arrows on
signs D1 and D2 and found them to be confusing. Commissioner
Hanson suggested organizing the arrows by grouping them
together depending on which side of the center the businesses
were located on.
Action:
It was moved by Commissioner Hanson and seconded by Commissioner
Lambell, to grant approval subject to: 1) using a tan base on the new
Monterey Shore Plaza monument signs, with the addition of landscaping
below the sign and reviewed by the Landscape Specialist; 2) moving sign
D1 further north to the second left turn entrance to the parking lot; 3)
organize arrows on the directional signs grouping them together
depending on which side of the center the businesses are located; and 4)
working with staff on the location of the triangle sign so not to impede
visual viewing into the street and the addition of landscape. Motion
carried 5-0-1-0, with Commissioner Vuksic abstaining.
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B. Preliminary Plans:
1. CASE NO: MISC 08-111
APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): PET DRx CORPORATION dba
ELDORADO ANIMAL HOSPITAL, 215 Centerview Drive, Suite
360, Brentwood, TN 37027
NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Preliminary
approval of a fa�ade enhancement and interior renovation of
existing facility: Eldorado Animal Hospital.
LOCATION: 74-320 Highway 111
ZONE: C.1 SP
Mr. Swartz presented the staff report and summarized the project.
He informed the Commission that this project had a change of
architects and staff feels that this design is a lot better.
Mr. Randall Dover, Architect, presented a materials board and
indicated the different locations where the materials would be
located. The building is currently stucco finish so they will only be
changing the colors. The Commission reviewed and discussed the
colors and materials. Commissioner Gregory had a concern about
competing materials. Mr. Dover stated that the color palettes were
the same; they were just using different stone shapes.
Commissioner Lambell asked about the roof. Mr. Dover stated that
it was gray concrete tile that is in pretty good shape and they will
probably try to use that and the rest of the roof is a recessed well
for equipment with parapets around it. Commissioner Van Vliet
said that they didn't show any parapet heights or detail on the
plans. Mr. Dover stated that they wouldn't be changing anything on
the main building. The Commission discussed and reviewed the
roof height and parapets.
Commissioner Vuksic felt that the materials and colors were nice
choices, but he didn't know what style of building this was trying to
be. It looked like it was trying to be a classical building, but it's not.
He discussed the end forms, offsets and the roof eave. Mr. Dover
stated that they were trying to work with the roof and the structure
that is already there and asked if they were suggesting new end
caps on the roof and putting another flat top on it to add more
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weight. Commissioner Vuksic stated that it needed to be a three
dimensional mass. He felt that this building was going away from a
desert motif and if they didn't want to do something that is typically
not in the desert then it needed to be a better design and not
something that was just tacked on. Mr. Dover stated that it was the
cornice that was making it look traditional classical and felt that if
they changed to a different cornice it would change that look. He
said that the applicant wanted to do a good job, but it wasn't their
building so there is some degree of limitation to their budget.
Commissioner Vuksic stated that what he was suggesting wasn't
asking them to spend one penny more. Commissioner Gregory
asked if he was suggesting that they go more classical or more
contemporary desert. Commissioner Hanson stated that because
of the shape of the building they would be hard pressed to make it
more classical without spending more money. The applicant would
be more apt to get away with desert detailing and a simple cap on
top as opposed to doing a cornice. Commissioner Vuksic
suggested that they put their bang into simpler, stronger elements
instead of having the columns and the cornices.
Commissioner Gregory was concerned with the columnar elements
or the pop outs not going back and asked if they could be brought
further back as opposed to just abutting the roof. Commissioner
Vuksic stated that it would work unless the structural engineer said
that the roof was at maximum and couldn't accept any more weight.
Mr. Dover stated that it only made sense to stop at the roof that
was already there because you would not see anything beyond
that. He indicated that they wouldn't be changing the parapet that
already slopes because that was all structure. Commissioner
Gregory stated that traditionally this group is weary of things which
appear to be just facades or stage set storefronts. So if it could be
brought back that would be better.
The applicant and the Commission discussed the side and back
elevation and what could be done in that area. The Commission
suggested trellises with vines on the back wall. Ms. Diane
Hollinger, Landscape Specialist, stated that she will be working with
the applicant on their landscape plan.
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Mr. Dover mentioned that there may be a name change and they
will be submitting signage for staff review. The idea was to have
some kind of pin-mounted letters.
Commissioner Van Vliet said that when they bring their plans back
for review to complete their roofing plan.
Action:
It was moved by Commissioner Vuksic and seconded by Commissioner
Lambell, to grant a continuance subject to: 1) defining building style; using
simpler, stronger elements; 2) having stronger end caps; 4) submitting a
roof plan; and 5) submitting changes in PDF format to staff for review.
Motion carried 6-0.
C. Miscellaneous Items:
None
VI. ADJOURNMENT
It was moved by Commissioner Hanson, seconded by Commissioner Lambell to
adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 6-0. The meeting was adjourned at 1:30
p.m.
TONY BAGATO
PRINCIPAL PLANNER
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