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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-01-13 CITY OF PALM DESERT ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES January 13, 2009 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 1 Chris Van Vliet X 1 John Vuksic X 1 Karel Lambell X 1 Nancy DeLuna X 1 Pam Touschner X 1 Vacancy Also Present Lauri Aylaian, Director Tony Bagato, Principal Planner Kevin Swartz, Assistant Planner Diane Hollinger, Landscape Specialist Hart Ponder, Code Compliance Manager Heather Beck, Project Coordinator/RDA Janine Judy, Senior Office Assistant III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: December 19, 2008 Action: It was moved by Commissioner Van Vliet, seconded by Commissioner Lambell, to approve the December 19, 2008 meeting minutes with minor changes. Motion carried 5-0-0-1, with Pam Touschner absent. IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS V. CASES: ARCHITECTURAL REW COMMISSION WOO MINUTES January 13, 2009 A. Final Drawings: 1. CASE NO: CUP 08-247 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): VERIZON WIRELESS, 15505 Sand Canyon Avenue, Building D 1S Floor, Irvine, CA 92618 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Final approval of installation of a 70-foot faux mono-palm telecommunications facility. LOCATION: 73-750 Dinah Shore Drive ZONE: S.I. Mr. Swartz presented the project and stated that this 70-foot mono- palm was first presented back in June 2008 and was continued. He presented a site plan and indicated that the proposed site where the mono-palm would be located was 274 feet and pointed out an existing tree and stated that the applicant is proposing to bring in three palm trees at 30 feet in height. Staff went out to the site and felt that the site was too small to hold the mono-palm and the additional palm trees. He stated that the Landscape Specialist has also reviewed the site and has concerns with the survivability of the palm trees since there is no water out there. Another issue is an antenna that is not concealed within the trunk as with previously approved mono-palms, as well as a microwave dish. Staff also had some concerns with the proposed mono-palm at 60 feet, palms at 30 feet and the existing building at 30 to 35 feet in height with no landscaping or palms in that area to help screen it and felt that it would stick out. Staff understands the need for a mono-palm in that area since there isn't one currently and recommended a different site. Staff has expressed to the applicant that staff is recommending denial in the way that it is designed and the location and would like to move the project forward. Mr. Robert McCormick, Verizon representative, stated that regarding the concealment of the antennas they are more than happy putting the dish inside a ball so it would be screened. He explained how the data traffic on the networks has exceeded voice traffic and said that there is really a need for six antennas per site as opposed to what is being proposed and stated that the days of putting the antennas inside the trunks or flag pole are essentially over. He pointed out that they have reduced the number of antennas needed for this particular site from six per side to four and added the live trees to mitigate the views and also discussed varying the height of the new trees at 20, 30 and 40 feet to give it a more natural look. The mono-palms that have been provided in the City have improved quite a bit over the past few years GAPlanningWanine Judy\Word FilesW Minutes\20MAR090113min.doc Page 2 of 6 ARCHITECTURAL REVI -W COMMISSION �.rr MINUTES January 13, 2009 with looking more realistic with additional fronds, but for this area the mono-palm is the most appropriate design. Mr. McCormick stated that he and staff looked around for other sites and stated that they would be more visible; they would still need the same height and would still need the same number of trees. With the proposed site it would sit back away from Dinah Shore and behind the office building. The Commission discussed the height of the mono-palm, the height of the existing buildings and the maintenance of the live palm trees. Commissioner Lambell asked who would be responsible for watering the trees. Mr. McCormick stated that he would be more than happy to provide irrigation. Ms. Diana Hollinger, Landscape Specialist, agreed that there just wasn't enough room for the mono-palm and the trees in that area and stated that the City already has a problem with palm trees around mono-palms that don't get watered. Mr. McCormick stated that tree maintenance was something that he worked on with the landlord as part of their agreement. Mr. Bagato stated that the Planning Commission's position is to have at least four to five live palms around a mono-palm with the antenna inside and would settle with having two in similar locations to make up for the capacity difference. He said that this proposed area is tight, but the problem is that a lot of that area is still vacant with no landscape to screen it. The Commission discussed the size of the lot, the mono-palm, and the number of live trees going into that area. Mr. McCormick stated that there wasn't enough room for four to five trees. The Commission reviewed the plans and discussed the site. The Commission recommended that the applicant review alternative sites along the Dinah Shore corridor and return to ARC with a propagation map for review. ACTION: It was moved by Commissioner Lambell and seconded by Commissioner Hanson to continue Case No. CUP 08-247 subject to: 1) reviewing other sites and submit to ARC for review; 2) providing a photo sim of the monopalm from the freeway; and 3) providing a coverage map. Motion carried 5-0-1-1, with Commissioner Vuksic abstaining and Commissioner Touschner absent. GAPlanning\Janine Judy\Word FilesW Minutes\200MR090113min.doc Page 3 of 6 ARCHITECTURAL REW COMMISSION MINUTES January 13, 2009 2. CASE NO: SA 08-486 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): CV FOODSERVICES, INC., 73-405 El Paseo, Suite 33D, Palm Desert, CA 92260 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Final approval of signage; La Spiga. LOCATION: 72-557 Hwy 111 ZONE: O.P. Mr. Bagato presented the project and summarized the staff report. The applicant has submitted three sign options, and of the three options staff recommends approval of the first option illustrating the text "La Spiga" on an oblique side panel. This side panel would be stepped back six inches from the front face of the original sign to add depth. With the recommendation of this sign, staff also recommends two changes to these signs. The first change would be to reduce the height to eliminate the blank space above and below the text. Staff would recommend lowering the height to nine inches below the "Cuistot" panel so it would hit the Visitor Center sign at mid-height. The second change would be to eliminate the words "Ristorante Italiano." Although this text is legible in the rendering, persons driving along Highway 111 or El Paseo may not be able to read the text at that size. With the elimination of that text, "La Spiga" could become bolder. This restaurant is open for dinner only and the thicker back lit letters are more easily read at night to direct traffic into the site. Commissioner Vuksic asked about removing the words "Ristorante Italiano". Ms. Heather Beck, Project Coordinator stated the "La Spiga" script is very thin, so if "Ristorante Italiano' was removed they could thicken the "La Spiga" script so that it would be more visible at night. The Commission felt that would be an improvement and help to get rid of some of the clutter. ACTION: It was moved by Commissioner Vuksic and seconded by Commissioner DeLuna to grant approval of the oblique side panel subject to: 1) eliminating the words "Ristorante Italiano'; 2) thickening and repositioning "La Spiga" so that it is centered on the element; and 3) submit to staff for review and approval. Motion carried 5-0-0-1, with Commissioner Touschner absent. GAPlanningWanineJudy\WordFiles\AMinutes\2009AR090113min.doc Page 4 of 6 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION P MINUTES January 13, 2009 3. CASE NO: SA 08-458 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): DINAH SHORE CROSSINGS, 73605 Dinah Shore Dr Ste 1403, Palm Desert, CA 92211 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Final approval of two new monument signs; Dinah Shore Crossings. LOCATION: 73605 Dinah Shore Dr ZONE: SI Mr. Swartz presented the project and stated that this project was previously continued and presented color copies of the revised proposed sign. He also stated that as part of the approval the applicant was asked to provide a landscape plan showing irrigation. Mr. Kevin Vaughn, sign representative, stated that the newly revised sign is much more eye catching and the font style is more attractive. Ms. Caroline Halquvic, applicant stated that she had a basic landscape plan without irrigation. The Commission discussed the proposed landscape. Commissioner Van Vliet had some concerns with the size of the signs, especially the one above the retaining wall. Mr. Vaughn stated that the wall is radius, the sign is straight, and the new sign would be setback six feet from the existing wall. Commissioner Gregory suggested that it would help if the area was landscaped in a way to make it feel nestled in. The Commission recommended to radius the sign to break down the mass of 22 feet long making it look more like a design element. ACTION: It was moved by Commissioner Lambell and seconded by Commissioner DeLuna to grant approval subject to: 1) designing the sign on the radius; and 2) landscape plans to be reviewed by the Landscape Specialist. Motion carried 4-0-1-1, with Commissioner Vuksic abstaining and Commissioner Touschner absent. B. Preliminary Plans: None GAPlanning\Janine Judy\Word FilesW Minutes\2009\AR090113min.doc Page 5 of 6 P t ARCHITECTURAL RESEW COMMISSION MINUTES January 13, 2009 C. Miscellaneous Items: None VI. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Commissioner Lambell, seconded by Commissioner Vuksic to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 6-0-0-1, with Commissioner Touschner absent. The meeting was adjourned at 1:15 p.m. TONY BAOATO PRINCIPAL PLANNER GAPIanningWanine Judy\Word Files\A Minutes\2009AR090113min.dOc Page 6 of 6