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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-07-12 NOW *40vo CITY OF PALM DESERT ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION • MINUTES July 12, 2011 1. 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 9 2 Chris Van Vliet X 11 John Vuksic X 10 1 Karel Lambell X 9 2 Pam Touschner X 8 3 Allan Levin X 11 Ken Stendell X 10 1 Also Present Lauri Aylaian, Director Tony Bagato, Principal Planner Kevin Swartz, Assistant Planner Missy Grisa, Assistant Planner Spencer Knight, Landscape Manager Pedro Rodriquez, Senior Code Officer Christina Canales, Assistant Engineer Neal Stephenson, Fire Safety Specialist Janine Judy, Senior Office Assistant Cancelled meetings:04/12/11 &04/26/11 III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: June 14, 2011 & June 28, 2011 ACTION: Commissioner Levin moved and Commissioner Van Vliet seconded, to approve the June 14, 2011 meeting minutes. Motion carried 4-0-2-1, with Commissioners Gregory and Touschner abstaining and Commissioner Lambell absent. i ''ARCHITECTURAL R�lIEW COMMISSION w MINUTES July 12, 2011 ACTION: Commissioner Levin moved and Commissioner Van Wet seconded, to approve the June 28, 2011 meeting minutes. Motion carried 5-0-1-1, with Commissioner Stendell abstaining and Commissioner Lambell absent. V. CASES: A. Final Drawings: 1. CASE NO: SA 11-225 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): DESERT CROSSING SHOPPING CENTER, 72-333 Highway 111, Suite B2, Palm Desert, CA 92260 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of an amendment to the master sign program; Desert Crossing. LOCATION: 72-333 Highway 111 ZONE: C-1 SP Mr. Swartz presented the amendment to the master sign program for Desert Crossing. Currently the sign program for Desert Crossing allows for halo lit letters and the applicant is now adding reverse channel letter. Staff is okay with the channel letters and recommends adding a condition to specify the size of the actual square footage of the building to determine the size of the signs. Mr. Swartz indicated that nothing else has changed in the sign program. Commissioner Gregory asked if staff would still have discretion over the color of the signs. Mr. Swartz indicated that approval would still be discretionary, which would fall back on the Architectural Review Commission. The applicant would have to meet the requirements of the sign program. Commissioner Vuksic asked who determines if the sign has design merit. Mr. Swartz stated the landlord would have to sign off on the approval and then staff. Commissioner Levin asked if they should define the square footage. The Commission and staff discussed the size of signs and the buildings. Ms. Lita Frost, representative, stated the landlord prefers the reverse channel letters for the larger stores, which are GAPlanning\Janine Judy\Word Files\A Minutes\2011\AR110712min.DOC Page 2 of 10 ARCHITECTURAL REW COMMISSION `�✓ MINUTES July 12, 2011 19,000 to 20,000 sq. ft. They were thinking between 1,000 and 3,000 sq. ft. stores, which are the smaller tenants. The larger would remain as is. Mr. Bagato said they probably should define in the sign program only stores up to 3,000 sq. ft. can have either reverse channel or interior lit signs. ACTION: Commissioner Vuksic moved and Commissioner Levin seconded, to grant approval of an amendment to the master sign program to allow face lit channel letters for tenants up to a maximum of 3,000 sq. ft. if the design merits such a sign; based on landlord and staff approval. Motion carried 6- 0-0-1, with Commissioner Lambell absent. 2. CASE NO: CUP 10-262 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): AT&T MOBILITY, 12900 Park Plaza Drive, Cerritos, CA 90703 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Final approval of installation of a new stealth boulder to house antennas, two sector panel antennas, one GPS antenna, and a new column to house antennas. LOCATION: 51-600 Highway 74 ZONE: PCD Mr. Swartz presented the project and summarized the staff report. He indicated that at a previous meeting the applicant proposed a mono-rock and a mono-column. The mono-rock will be sunken down. The mono-column is a little over 8 feet in height and doesn't blend in with the existing columns. Staff has some concerns with the size of the column. Mr. Damien Holzum, Site Acquisition, stated this is the third or fourth iteration of this site. They went from the large duplicate mono-rock to a smaller application. They have taken the 16 foot rock in the back and hollowed out a little bit and sunk the rock in. The biggest challenge they are having is with the fapade on the face that they used to mimic a column. Commissioner Vuksic understands why they made that to look like a column because they incorporated it into the fence, but it doesn't really look like a column; it looks like a shed structure. GAPlanning\Janine Judy\Word Files\A Minutes\201 1\AR1 10712min.DOC Page 3 of 10 ARCHITECTURAL RLOVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES July 12, 2011 The Commission and the applicant reviewed and discussed the site and options on the south side. Commissioner Gregory said this Commission is not opposed to the faux boulder because it will meet the applicant's needs. Commissioner Vuksic said the Commission was opposed to what was shown before; which was a boxy looking rock. Mr. Holzum asked the Commission if they were okay with having the large boulder that exists plus a smaller boulder adjacent to it. Commissioner Touschner suggested incorporating a couple of different sized boulders around it. Commissioner Stendell suggested they do a series of stacked boulders to make it look natural and then have the wrought iron fence die into it. Commissioner Gregory suggested that the applicant submit a model for review. The Commission and the applicant discussed the plan to excavate the area for the larger boulder. Mr. Holzum explained they will dig out very little and the natural rise and run actually incorporates easily into it. ACTION: Commissioner Stendell moved and Commissioner Vuksic seconded, to continue Case CUP 10-262, subject to: 1) leaving the proposed large stealth boulder on the north side; and, 2) placing a smaller boulder on the south side, incorporating natural rocks around it. Motion carried 6-0-0-1, with Commissioner Lambell absent. 3. CASE NO: CUP 11-197 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): AT&T MOBILITY, 12900 Park Plaza Drive, Cerritos, CA 90703 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approve installation of a new wireless telecommunication facility disguised as three boulders within Stone Eagle. LOCATION: 72-450 Stone Eagle Drive ZONE: HPR Mr. Swartz presented the project and summarized the staff report. AT&T is proposing to install a new wireless telecommunication facility disguised as three stealth boulders located within Stone Eagle, Stone Eagle Homeowners' have signed off and approved the GAPlanning\Janine Judy\Word Files\A Minutes\201 1\AR 1 10712min.DOC Page 4 of 10 ARCHITECTURAL RESEW COMMISSION ' '`` MINUTES July 12, 2011 location and design. The proposed stealth boulders are 9'-6" in height and will house 12 panel antennas and two GPS antennas. The applicant is proposing to locate the equipment in an underground vault. The three stealth boulders would be painted and textured to match the desert landscape, will not diminish the natural hillside appearance, and will not be visible from public view. Staff is recommending approval. Commissioner Gregory stated the three boulders would look better if they weren't all the same size. Commissioner Vuksic asked if staff will review this again and Mr. Swartz said it will be reviewed again when it comes back for building permits. Commissioner Vuksic said this has to be better articulated because right now there are three boulders that are pretty much the same size as shown in the photo simulation and that is all this Commission has to go on. Mr. Hozum agreed. ACTION: Commissioner Touschner moved and Commissioner Van Wet seconded, to grant approval. Motion carried 6-0-0-1, with Commissioner Lambell absent. 4. CASE NO: CUP 11-196 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): AT&T MOBILITY, 12900 Park Plaza Drive, Cerritos, CA 90703 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approve installation of a new wireless telecommunication facility disguised as one boulder within Stone Eagle. LOCATION: 72-450 Stone Eagle Drive ZONE: HPR Mr. Swartz presented the project and summarized the staff report. AT&T is proposing to install a new wireless telecommunication facility disguised as a stealth boulder located within Stone Eagle. Stone Eagle Homeowners' have signed off and approved the location and design. The proposed stealth boulder is 9'-6" in height and will house four panel antennas and two GPS antennas. The applicant is proposing to locate the equipment behind the existing building to the north. The stealth boulder will be designed to match the desert landscape, will not diminish the natural hillside appearance, and will not be visible from public view. Staff is recommending approval. GAPlanningWanine Judy\Word Files\A Minutes\201 1\AR1 10712min.DOC Page 5 of 10 ARCHITECTURAL R' IEW COMMISSION MINUTES July 12, 2011 Commissioner Van Vliet asked the applicant to make every effort to blend it in because it looks really abnormal. Commissioner Gregory asked if they could add some smaller boulders to enhance the mono- rock. ACTION: Commissioner Van Vliet moved and Commissioner Levin seconded, to grant approval subject to adding smaller boulders near the larger boulder. Motion carried 6-0-0-1, with Commissioner Lambell absent. 5. CASE NO: MISC 11-270 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): BARNES SOLAR INC. 19281 Echo Pass, Trabuco Canyon, CA 92679 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of an appeal of the Director of Community Development's denial of a solar panel installation on a tilt up rack system installed on the north side rather than a south side installation to match the roof pitch. LOCATION: 70 Rocio Court ZONE: PR-4 N Ms. Wightman informed the Commission that the applicant has requested this be postponed. Public notices were sent out, but no one in attendance were here regarding this case. ACTION: Commissioner Stendell moved and Commissioner Vuksic seconded, to continue Case MISC 11-270 to a meeting date uncertain per applicant's request. Motion carried 6-0-0-1, with Commissioner Lambell absent. 6. CASE NO: CUP 10-298 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): ROYAL STREET COMMUNICATIONS, CA LLC, 350 Commerce, Suite 200, Irvine, CA 92602 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval to install a stealth communication tower designed as a mono-palm for six flush mounted panel antennas to be used for wireless GAPlanning\Janine Judy\Word Files\A Minutes\201 1\AR1 10712min.DOC Page 6 of 10 ARCHITECTURAL RE' W COMMISSION MINUTES July 12, 2011 communication and to locate ancillary equipment and one GPS antenna inside the associated equipment shelter. LOCATION: 47-321 Highway 74 ZONE: R-1, S.P. Ms. Wightman presented the project and summarized the staff report. The applicant previously applied to add a decorative cross in the church steeple belfry area, but has submitted a new design. Upon site evaluation and review of the drawings, staff believes this location will be better suited for the communication tower than modifying the existing church architecture. This new proposal now includes the installation of a 70'-0" mono-palm and six flush- mounted antennas to the pole, hidden within the palm fronds. Antennas will be painted to match frond color to provide additional screening. Both the proposed mono-palm and equipment shelter are located at the south side of the site near an existing group of California Fan Palms. The proposed mono-palm has a bearded appearance and is located within an existing grouping of live palms. The proposed mono-palm will have a thicker, straighter trunk than the adjacent trees and may stick out in appearance since they are not clustered, but in a more lineal row. The mono-palms at the church location to the south have several communication towers that were approved at 50', 72', and a 65' tower amended after the fact and replaced with a 75' tower. Staff recommends that the Architectural Review Commission approve the project subject to conditions and approval of modified drawings. Commissioner Vuksic was concerned with the location being in the median because it was out in the middle of the parking lot. Commissioner Touschner felt it would blend in more if the equipment shelter were moved to the other side of the chapel; on the other side of the walkway. Commissioner Gregory agreed and said it might work if the mono-palm and the shelter could be moved farther to the west away from Highway 74 and the stairs. He asked if the mono- palm would have to be taller. Ms. Veronica Arvizu, representative, said if they go further back the applicant would request to go higher because the hills behind the church would block coverage. The Commission and applicant discussed disguising the shelter, pushing it 80 feet farther to the west and putting the mono-palm on the other side of the stairway. Ms. Arvizu said they could use decorate block and placing a cap on it. GAPlanning\Janine Judy\Word Files\A Minutes\2011\AR110712min.DOC Page 7 of 10 ARCHITECTURAL RLOVIEW COMMISSION Ifto , MINUTES July 12, 2011 Commissioner Touschner was concerned with the color and suggested a material to match the retaining wall and a vinyl clad roof to match in color. The Commission discussed the location of the mono-palm and Commissioner Touschner suggested the representative illustrate two mono-palm locations; one farther west and one in the current location with additional palms, as well as submitting a photo simulation prior to approval. ACTION: Commissioner Stendell moved and Commissioner Touschner seconded, to continue CUP 10-298 subject to: 1) planting two live California fan palms to additionally screen the mono-palm trunk width from Highway 74; 2) moving equipment enclosure farther to the west, as low as possible, past stairway; 3) illustrate two mono-palm locations; one farther west and one in current location with additional palms; 4) equipment enclosure material to match the retaining wall and a vinyl clad roof to match in color; and 5) submittal of a photo simulation. Motion carried 5-0-1-1, with Commissioner Levin abstaining and Commissioner Lambell absent. 7. CASE NO: CUP 10-292 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): REALCOM ASSOCIATES, LLC; Verizon Wireless, Attn: Todd Fisher, 27201 Puerta Real, Ste 240, Mission Viejo, CA 92691 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of a telecommunication facility consisting of three sectors of four antennas for a total of twelve, and one 2' microwave dish; Living Desert. LOCATION: 47-900 Portola Avenue ZONE: P Ms. Wightman presented the project and summarized the staff report. The applicant originally proposed to install a 55' tall mono- palm in an area inside The Living Desert immediately visible upon main entry to the zoo. Staff did not support the mono-palm submitted with exposed antennas and believed the design attempted did not meet the definition of a stealth installation. The Architectural Review Commission continued the case on October 13, 2010, to allow the applicant to consider co-locating with the GAPlanning\Janine Judy\Word Files\A Minutes\201 1\AR1 10712min.DOC Page 8 of 10 ARCHITECTURAL REb"EW COMMISSION MINUTES July 12, 2011 other carrier proposal on-site and to re-locate the mono-palm into the adjacent palm grove with screened equipment. Co-location was not achieved with the other carrier. The applicant has submitted a proposal illustrating the antennas located on top of the roof of The Living Desert administrative building. The enclosure measures 15- 0" by 15-0" and would be surrounded on all sides by reinforced fiberglass finished to match the building. Measured from the ground, this building addition would reach a height of 36'-6". Measured from the top of the roof, this feature reaches a 12'-2" height. The associated equipment shelter located adjacent the building measures 19'-4" by 30'-8". The equipment shelter would match the existing finishes on-site and would measure 10'-8" in height, slightly higher than existing walls. Staff does not believe the roof top mounted equipment screening is architecturally integrated into the existing building. Staff discussed their concerns with the applicant and only revisions in height were made to the previous submittal. The reduction in height helps disguise the shelter, but staff would like to see the height of this structure slightly lower to match the existing adjacent walls. Staff recommends continuing the proposed application to allow the applicant to further study an architectural revision to the roof top mounted equipment screening proposal, or to further study alternative locations on-site at The Living Desert, and reduce the height of the 10'-8" associated equipment shelter wall height to match existing walls. Commissioner Vuksic agreed with staff's assessment and said this is a handsome building and this vertical box really jumps out. Commissioner Gregory asked if they could do a stealth mono-palm and Mr. Todd Fisher, representative, said no because when you install the antennas within the trunk and within the ball the amount of antennas is limited. For the technology that Verizon is using they need the four antennas per sector. Commissioner Gregory asked if they could have more than one mono-palm instead of going for an architectural solution and Mr. Fisher said he would look into that. Commission Touschner said it is not proportional to the architecture, which is very horizontal and encouraged him to lower it as much as possible. She asked the applicant to submit views from inside the park because she was concerned with what the public would see. Mr. Fisher stated he would consider her recommendations. GAPlanning\Janine Judy\Word FilesW Minutes\2011WR110712min.DOC Page 9 of 10 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION � - MINUTES July 12, 2011 Commissioner Vuksic didn't know what they could do to negate this. Commissioner Van Vliet said that it is probably not the right site for it. Commissioner Gregory said when you mess with a building you are not enhancing it. He did not have a problem with the faux palm approach. Ms. Wightman asked the Commission to give the applicant some architectural suggestions if they decide to leave it on the building. Commissioner Stendell suggested obtaining architectural input from the building's designer regarding the proposed building addition. Commissioner Vuksic said if they choose to go with the structure on the building the Commission will treat it like any new building coming in. ACTION: Commissioner Stendell moved and Commissioner Touschner seconded, to continue Case CUP 10-292 subject to: 1) structure shall be lower and more proportional to the architecture; long and horizontal: 2) submit views from inside the park; and, 3) obtain architectural input from the building's designer regarding the proposed building addition or investigate an enclosed antennae design using two mono-palms. Motion carried 6-0-0-1, with Commissioner Lambell absent. B. Preliminary Plans: None C. Miscellaneous Items: None VI. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Stendell moved and Commissioner Gregory seconded to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 6-0-0-1, with Commissioner Lambell absent. The meeting was adjourned at 1 :45 p.m. TONY BAGATO PRINCIPAL PLANNER GAPlanning\Janine Judy\Word Files\A Minutes\201 1\AR1 10712min.DOC Page 10 of 10