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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-09-09 ��•�� CITY OF PALM DESERT ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES September 9, 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 15 2 Kristi Hanson X 11 6 Chris Van Vliet X 17 John Vuksic X 15 2 Karel Lambell X 16 1 Nancy DeLuna X 15 2 Pam Touschner X 7 1 Also Present Lauri Aylaian, Director Kevin Swartz, Assistant Planner Missy Grisa, Assistant Planner Diane Hollinger, Landscape Specialist Janine Judy, Senior Office Assistant III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: August 26, 2008 Action: Minutes to be approved at the next meeting. IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS V. CASES: ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES September 9, 2008 A. Final Drawings: 1. CASE NO: MISC 08-338 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): MARION MacCUAIG, 73-978 Catalina Way, Palm Desert, CA 92260 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Final approval of a new garage. LOCATION: 73-978 Catalina Way ZONE: R.2 (7) Ms. Grisa presented the staff report and summarized the project. The applicant is proposing a new 35 foot by 75 foot garage with two double doors opening towards Portola Avenue. Staff is concerned with the big-box design of the structure facing such a prominent street in a residential neighborhood. Staff recommends denial of plans as proposed and asks the Commission to provide direction to the applicant regarding design and layout of the new structure. Mr. Marion MacCuaig, property owner, stated that he wanted to build a large garage because he collects cars. He states that he has been to the counter about nine times since he originally brought in preliminary plan showing the size of the garage, the lot size and setbacks, the access through the country club and curb cut outs. Staff at that time indicated there was no reason not to continue. So he did. He had structural engineering done, a survey, and grading. ON the subsequent visits to the counter staff informed him that the building should look like the existing two story building which has a flat roof and T-111, but staff said they didn't like T-111. He included on the plans the healthy existing nine foot hedge of oleanders in order to screen the garage from Portola, but staff brought up the fact that they may die. Then staff questioned the existing gravel drive. They indicated that they wanted pumice or lava rock so the water will run through if it rains. Upon his last visit to the counter he decided to appeal to the Architecture Review Commission (ARC). Commissioner Gregory asked why it came to Architecture Review. Ms. Lauri Aylaian, Director of Community Development stated that the proposal and the proposed architecture was not something that staff was willing to approve over the counter, so the applicant elected to appeal staff's denial of his plans. Commissioner Gregory GAPlanningWanine Judy\Word Files\A Mlnutes\2008\AR080909.min.dOc Page 2 of 9 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES September 9, 2008 asked if the concern was because of the size of the garage and the size relative to the house, and the fact that it wasn't an architectural design. Ms. Aylaian stated that it was all of that; the massing, the location, the architecture or the lack of detailing, and the amount of ground that was being covered by impervious surfaces. Commissioner Gregory asked if the applicant can get this to sizzle, would it be okay, as far as meeting other setbacks and ordinances. Ms. Grisa stated that he has followed the setbacks and lot coverage. Commissioner Gregory stated to the applicant that he was in the right place since this Commission looks at aesthetics and is a subjective review group. The Commission reviewed the oleanders and discussed that they were on the public right of way and indicated to the applicant that there is a disease that attacks oleanders and causes them to die and the applicant should not rely on the hedge to screen the building because of this disease. So the ARC focused on the building. Commissioner Vuksic suggested turning the structure 90 degrees creating an "L" with the existing house and having a great motor court further away from Portola. Turning this structure would then tie in architecturally with the house. Composition-wise it would be nice with a two-story element and a one-story element jutting out. He would be able to keep the windows along that side of the house and look out into the motor court from the house. Commissioner Vuksic stated that with a side-loaded garage he could get quite a bit closer to the street than a garage that is head in from the street. The Commissioner discussed the setbacks and access from the street. Commissioner Hanson gave the applicant some ideas for the design and also suggested using glass block, which would still have a bit of residential feel on the face. She stated that if the oleanders were to die or be removed it would be nice to have something presentable as opposed to just a big blank wall. The Commission discussed the 75 feet of space for the structure, landscaping and the landscape planters in front of the garage doors. Commissioner Vuksic asked if the changes were made could this be approved at staff level. Ms. Aylaian stated that the Commission could move that the architectural changes would be subject to GAPlanning\Janine Judy\Word Files\A Minutes\2008\AR080909.min.doc Page 3 of 9 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES September 9, 2008 review at a staff level. If staff is unable to recommend approval it would appeal back to ARC. Commissioner Vuksic informed the applicant to take his design to staff before he engineers anything. Mr. MacCuaig asked about the material that should be used for the driveway. Ms. Aylian stated that the suggested changes will reduce significantly the amount of ground that will be paved over and could be conventional pavement; it does not need to be pervious concrete. The applicant suggested gravel. Ms. Aylaian stated that there is a municipal ordinance that prohibits having gravel driveways so it will need to be asphalt, concrete or pavers; anything that is not dirt or gravel. ACTION: It was moved by Commissioner Vuksic and seconded by Commissioner Lambell to grant approval subject to: granted approval subject to: 1) redesigning the structure by rotating it 90 degrees on the lot creating an "L" shape with the existing house; 2) create a motor court/circular driveway; 3) use glass block for the window fenestration facing Portola Avenue; 4) maintain three landscaped areas on each side of doors; 5) architecture changes to be reviewed by staff. Motion carried 6-0-0-1, with Commissioner Touschner absent. 2 CASE NO: SA 08-347 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): IMPERIAL SIGN CO. 46-120 Calhoun Street, Indio, CA 92201 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Final approval of a monument sign; Town Center Plaza. LOCATION: 44-250 Town Center Way ZONE: C-1 Ms. Grisa presented the staff report and summarized the project. The applicant is proposing two new monument signs to be located on the east side of the entrance to Town Center Plaza on Fred Waring Drive and the north side of the entrance on Town Center Way. Currently, there are no monument signs located at this site. The monument signs have been designed to emulate the front fagade roof line, color, and stucco texture of E & J Designer Shoe Outlet. The double-sided monument signs also illustrate kokopelli figures on either side of the tenant panels as are present on other buildings within the center. The signs, as proposed, will be GAPlanning\JanineJudy\WordRes\N Minutes\2008WR080909.min.doc Page 4 of 9 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES September 9, 2008 internally fluorescent lit, opaque, off white panels with a black / white translucent copy inset panel. The Commission reviewed the proposed sign locations and discussed the issue of the Fred Waring sign and how it appears that it is past the driveway. Mr. Jim Engle, Imperial Signs, stated that it is there because of the electrical that goes out to that location. They discussed the ease for the patron to get into the center rather. Commissioner Hanson stated that this center is very open from Fred Wring and wondered how necessary it was to have this particular sign on that side. She definitely felt that the Town Center Way sign is important; without a doubt. She suggested changing the signs to three tenants and suggested the sign at the top should shift down slightly to strengthen it. The Commission discussed the size of the Town Plaza Way sign and recommended three tenant panels instead of five; which would decrease the size of the sign. Commissioner Vuksic had concerns with the plans being way out of scale and stated that the top view looks nothing like the side view. He recommended that the tenant signs needed to be set in from the structure base. ACTION: It was moved by Commissioner Vuksic and seconded by Commissioner Lambell to grant approval for the Town Center sign with comments; 1) set tenant panels in a few inches from face of structure; 2) reduce tenant panels to three signs; 3) revisit elevation and top plan; 4) top form on monument signs need to become deeper/wider to match existing roof line forms; and 5) Fred Waring sign to be continued, based upon revised location/design.. Motion carried 6-0-0-1, with Commissioner Touschner absent. GAPlanningWanine Judy\Word Files\A Minutes\2008\AR080909.min.doc Page 5 of 9 ARCHITECTURAL RE EW COMMISSION 1*40 MINUTES September 9, 2008 3. CASE NO: MISC 08-323 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): GREGORIO LEON, 74-026 De Anza Way, Palm Desert, CA 92260 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Final approval of 16 foot roof height. LOCATION: 74-026 De Anza ZONE: RA ACTION: It was moved by Commissioner Vuksic and seconded by Commissioner DeLuna to grant approval. Motion carried 6-0-0-1, with Commissioner Touschner absent. B. Preliminary Plans: 1. CASE NO: PP/CUP 08-241 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): RON HENDERSON & MICHAEL JOHNSTON, 73708 Highway 111 , Palm Desert, CA 92260 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Preliminary approval of conversion of an existing single family structure to an office building: Farmer's Insurance Building. LOCATION: 74-426 Alessandro ZONE: R3 (4) Mr. Swartz stated that this project has returned to ARC. He presented plans and photos of the existing house and the neighborhood which were requested at the last meeting. At the last meeting the Commission stated that there were too many elements and it needed a focal point. He pointed out the changes that have been made; the left elevation has been enlarged, they centered the door, and changed the windows to give it more of a commercial feel. Commissioner Vuksic stated that the windows needed to be recessed a little more so they aren't flush with the wall. He asked the architect if the walls were thick. Mr. Skip Johnson, Architect, stated that they are fairly thick masonry walls and the windows are GAPIanningWanine Judy\Word Res\A Minutes\2008\AR080909.min.doc Page 6 of 9 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION 144W MINUTES September 9, 2008 recessed to some extent. Commissioner Vuksic stated the large forms on the front elevation don't go back very far considering how wide it is and suggested they take that form back on the existing roof to the wall of the storage room and then block it out. Both need to be closed in the back because you will be able to see those from a distance. He suggested framing it across the top leaving the bottom open. Commissioner Vuksic wanted to point out that the colors don't seem to match going around the building. We don't want it to become a problem in the field where we end up with less than the desired result. He stated to go back and check for color blocking. ACTION: It was moved by Commissioner Vuksic and seconded by Commissioner Hanson to grant approval subject to: 1) recess windows and not flushed with walls; 2) take form back onto existing roof to wall of storage room and block it out on both the front and rear elevations; 3) match colors as they wrap around building on each elevation; and 4) subject to landscape approval. Motion carried 6-0-0-1, with Commissioner Touschner absent. 2. CASE NOS: MISC APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): CARLILE COATSWORTH ARCHITECTS, 2495 Campus Drive, 2"d Floor, Irvine, CA 92612 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Final approval of store expansion for Saks Fifth Avenue. LOCATION: 73-555 El Paseo #D ZONE: C-1 Mr. Stendell summarized this project. He indicated that after visiting the site he expressed that some of this was a little bit of overkill. He indicated that the screens and vines would be a liability and suggested a decorative screen. He also felt the same way about the rear elevations. He recommended preliminary approval of the building subject to losing the vines growing up the side of the wall, keeping some sort of decorative material and working at staff level with the landscape specialist to come up with a new concept for the alleyways. There is about ten to twelve feet of landscape that is in between the parking structure and the wall of Saks existing that will continue with this addition. It is a hard place to grow anything because of the amount of concrete and heat there. GAPlanningWanine Judy\Word FilesW Minutes\2008\AR080909.min.doc Page 7 of 9 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES September 9, 2008 Mr. Brendon Wernoa, representative, stated that they were aware of the concerns with the screens. He stated that he has been in discussion with the manufacture of the green screens and was given a list of vines and related landscape that are used on these screens for this climate. The upper level of the parking structure is not very user friendly as far as the customer. It is pretty brutal in the mid afternoon with the heat and the building is just a flat parking space. Commissioner Gregory asked where the vines would be planted. Mr. Wernoa stated that they would be placed along the adjacent sides of the elevation and on ground level. Commissioner Gregory asked Ms. Hollinger, Landscape Specialist if she felt this was too hostile. Ms. Hollinger stated there wasn't a lot of sun and the existing vines are not very vibrant and they aren't covering the wall like they should be. She didn't think that the plant material had a chance of surviving. Mr. Wernoa stated that he had another list of plant material and asked if Ms. Hollinger could review. He stated that they would like to have some type of architectural mesh element to give some kind of fenestration to the fagade. There is just not a lot of architectural interest in that parking structure. They are also considering the possibility of illuminating the mesh panels at night to create a little bit of architectural element. Commissioner Hanson stated that she liked the idea of some sort of metal detail. The Commission and the representative discussed the mesh element. Mr. Wernoa stated that the mesh panels come in a series of three foot by eight foot panels that would be put together. Commissioner Hanson pointed out that her entrance to Saks is through a handicap stall which does not have a good sense of entry to it. Mr. Wernoa stated that the placement of the stalls will actually be done under separate permit with the parking structure, but stated that the striping could be done where there would be a non-parkable area so patrons wouldn't be walking around cars. Commissioner Hanson recommended that a sense of entry be created into the building. Commissioner Vuksic stated that the structure has a great simplicity to it. He thought that the elements that are coming up above the main parapet line need to go back farther because the ends will be seen. The entrances need to go back at least six more feet from where they currently are and they should be four-sided. The one at the rear which is much wider should go back ten feet and doesn't need a return. He suggested extending the mechanical screens back GAPlanningWanineJudy\WordFiles\AMinutes\2008WR080909.min.doc Page 8 of 9 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES September 9, 2008 closer to the end of the addition and turn it back toward the walk pad and close the ends. Commissioner Vuksic stated that one thing that really helps to soften the back of this complex is the trellis structures in the back of the parking lot. He stated that they would lose some of those when they complete the mesh structure. Right now as you drive along that rear aisle way you drive under the trellises. He suggested maintaining the parts that don't interfere with the building where it will still continue the system that is back there and help bring that building back down to the ground, because it's pretty tall. Mr. Wernoa stated that the parking structure is not something that they are proposing nor doing work on. He stated that they don't have control over the trellises since another architecture firm is doing the structure and is already in the plan check process. Ms. Aylaian stated that they can try to facilitate that and Mr. Stendell stated that they can tag this with that kind of condition and make sure that it is integrated. ACTION: It was moved by Commissioner Hanson and seconded by Commissioner Vuksic to grant preliminary approval subject to: 1) clarify the decorative metal; 2) no vine; 3) return the parapets on the east and west sides six additional feet; the south side an additional ten feet; 4) make the two east and west parapets 4-sided; 5) wrap the mechanical enclosure further back toward existing structure and turn it back towards the walk pad; 6) remainder of the landscape subject to approval by the landscape specialist; and 7) staff to work with developers of The Gardens to keep trellis elements and create a sense of entry into the building. Motion carried 6-0-0-1, with Commissioner Touschner absent. C. Miscellaneous Items: None VI. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Commissioner Hanson, seconded by Commissioner Van Vliet to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 6-0-0-1, with Commissioner Touschner absent. The meeting was adjourned at 2:00 p.m. LAURI AYLAIAN DIRECTOR, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GAPlanningWanine Judy\Word FilesW Minutes\2008WR080909.min.doc Page 9 of 9