HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-05-10 � � �
�1 �� CITY OF PALM DESERT
� �
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION
• ' ' MINUTES
May 10, 2011
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 1
Chris Van Vliet X 7
John Vuksic X 6 1
Karel Lambell X 6 1
Pam Touschner X 5 2
Allan Levin X 7
Ken Stendell X 7
Also Present
Lauri Aylaian, Director
Tony Bagato, Principal Planner
Kevin Swartz, Assistant Planner
Missy Grisa, Assistant Planner
Pedro Rodriquez, Senior Code Officer
Christina Canales, Assistant Engineer
Janine Judy, Senior Office Assistant
111. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: March 22, 2011
Action�
Commissioner Van Vliet moved and Commissioner Levin seconded, to
approve the March 22, 2011 meeting minutes. Motion carried 5-0-0-2,
with Commissioners Lambell and Touschner absent.
V. CASES:
ARCHITECTURAL �'IEW COMMISSION � •
MINUTES May 10, 2011
A. Final Drawings:
1. CASE NO: MISC 11-149
APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): KRISTI HANSEN ARCHITECTS,
72-185 Painters Path, Suite A, Palm Desert, CA 92260
NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of a new
single family home in Bighorn.
LOCATION: 106 Tekis Court
ZONE: PCD
Mr. Swartz presented the project and summarized the project. The
applicant is proposing a new single-family residence that would infill
an otherwise vacant lot at The Mountains at Bighorn. The home is
located on the hillside and will be seen from public view. The
purpose of this review is to make sure the home design will blend
into the hillside. The proposed new residential home fits well within
the character of the existing, custom home neighborhood. The new
residence has minimal roof structure that rises up above 18' and is
orientated well within the site. The proposed architecture blends
well within the natural terrain of the hillside in regards to view shed,
topography, color, texture, and profile. The building pad has been
previously approved and graded; therefore, the applicant is not
disturbing the natural terrain. The applicant will need to submit a
landscape plan, which will be approved by the Landscape
Specialist. Staff is recommending approval.
Commissioner Gregory asked if this design has been approved by
Bighorn and Mr. Steve Corner, architect, said they do have land
development approval from the HOA, but have not yet received
final approval on construction drawings. Commissioner Gregory
asked Mr. Swartz if there was any concern with seeing the home
from Highway 74 and Mr. Swartz said no.
Commissioner Vuksic asked about the veneer stone and Mr.
Corner explained that it is real stone, 6" thick and has been used a
few times up in this area. Commissioner Vuksic said this was a
good choice for blending in.
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ACTION:
Commissioner Vuksic moved and Commissioner Levin seconded, to grant
approval. Motion carried 5-0-0-2, with Commissioners Lambell and
Touschner absent.
2. CASE NO: CUP 11-161
APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): PIERO PIERATTONI, 73-705 EI
Paseo, Palm Desert, CA 92260.
NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of
restaurant fa�ade; Piero's PizzaVino.
LOCATION: 73-722 EI Paseo
ZONE: C-1
Ms. Grisa presented the project and summarized the staff report.
The applicant submitted plans illustrating a tenant improvement and
farade enfiancement for an existing building on EI Paseo that
currently operates as an art gallery. The majority of the work
involves tenant improvements inside the building, but the front
fa�ade will be altered to include patio dining space. The canopy
will be revised to include alucobond panels in an off-white color to
cover the vertical portion of the mansard roof. The horizontal
angled top will be covered in a matching off-white awning canvas;
both sections will be trimmed in the similar grey material. The new
building addition will be located at the property line, which is located
10' back from the face-of-curb. A minimum street frontage setback
of 5' exists, but staff supports the applicant's proposal to create a
patio area that would be allowed to encroach into this 5' setback as
outdoor space. Overall, the proposed improvements are an
upgrade in appearance compared to the existing building. The
bottom of the building with fixed glass, and sliding, stackable
windows finished in the anodized bronze and the adjacent grey
stucco add an aesthetic significance to the space that was not there
before. Additionally, it brings people to the street to create a more
live streetscape. The top awning does not appear to have that
same significance. No exterior lighting, signage, or landscaping is
proposed as a part of this approval. Staff recommends that the
Architectural Review Commission approve the fa�ade
enhancement, subject to commissioner comments.
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Commissioner Vuksic asked about the 5' setback and Ms. Grisa
stated that the property line is located 10' back from the face of the
curb and pointed out that most buildings on EI Paseo have a 5'
setback beyond that. Commissioner Levin asked if the awning
hangs beyond the setback. Ms. Christina Canales, Public Works,
stated that if the awning was in the right-of-way they will allow it if
they sign a Hold Harmless Agreement. Mr. Bagato stated that the
restaurant has a CUP and one of the conditions is for the awning
overhang.
Commissioner Vuksic asked why they decided on the awning
design and Mr. Stan Pollakusky, Engineer, stated they didn't like
the batten look of the existing canopy and decided to go flush; that
is the reason they chose the alucobond. He said with the awning
being flatter it would be more indicative of a patio; similar to Vivant
next door. Mr. Bagato said staff had some concerns with the 5'
setback but pointed out that other buildings to the east went
through ARC for approval. The applicant initially had plans that
brought more of the building to the front, so staff worked with them
to create a street scene. Staff can argue that the patio is in the
setback, but it is consistent with other restaurants on EI Paseo; like
Daily Grill.
Commissioner Stendell pointed out that when the sliding windows
are open there is patio seating, but if closed it is part of the building.
He wondered if it should still be deemed a patio. Mr. Bagato
answered yes because there are other restaurants on EI Paseo that
are also enclosed and on the property line. Commissioner Van
Vliet was concerned with the 5' setback and said this can be called
a patio, but it doesn't read as an open patio; it looks like a building
extension. Mr. Bagato stated the applicant could ask for a
variance because there are three buildings to the east that are right
at the property line which have gone through ARC and received
approval. He said the problem is some of the past approvals on EI
Paseo created a zero setback, like all the new facades for the
Village that are right on the property line. Staff is working with the
applicant to meet the intent of the setback.
Commissioner Vuksic liked all the windows and how they opened
up. However, he said it was unfortunate that the bottom of it is so
rich but the top seems to lose it. He asked the applicant why they
felt the need to match the alucobond color with the awning color
and the plaster matching the awning. Mr. Pollakusky said they
wanted to stay with neutral colors. Commissioner Vuksic said there
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is a missed opportunity up top and felt they could do better. He
said the Commission has to be careful about approving something
just because it's better than what was there because once
approved it will be there a while. He said he is disappointed that
there wasn't a stronger design attempt made on the top level with
something special and eye catching. Commissioner Gregory stated
that it be more of an architectural solution instead of just cladding
what is already there with an awning. Commissioner Vuksic agreed
and said they could do something more artful that would give them
what they want out of the awning. Mr. Pollakusky said they could
add a vertical element right over the door to announce the entrance
a little better. Commissioner Vuksic recommended they look at this
a little more to see if they can make it better.
Commissioner Gregory said the building was architecturally weak
to start with and unfortunately the approach the applicant has taken
does nothing to enhance the architecture; it is just different. He
didn't think the building had good bones and if they introduce a
vertical element to give the building some character it would
become an asset rather than just filler. Commissioner Levin was
concerned with the windows being open to the entire restaurant
and Mr. Pollakusky said they will be glassing in the cooking area.
ACTION:
Commissioner Vuksic moved and Commissioner Van Vliet seconded, to
continue Case CUP 11-161 subject to a redesign of the mansard
roof/awning element of the fa�ade enhancements. Motion carried 5-0-0-2,
with Commissioners Lambell and Touschner absent.
3. CASE NO: MISC 10-291
APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): EGG & DART, LTD, Steven Love,
74-050 Highway 111, Palm Desert, CA 92260
NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of a
fa�ade renovation, architectural improvements for Egg & Dart, Ltd.
LOCATION: 74-05- Highway 111
ZONE: C-1
Mr. Swartz presented the project and said this came before the
ARC two previous times. He informed the Commission that the
applicant is applying for redevelopment funds for the fa�ade
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ARCHITECTURAL �/IEW COMMISSION � '
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enhancement program. He presented drawings for the
Commission's review and said the applicant is proposing to raise
the center part of the building from 14'-6" to 18'. He pointed out �
where the molding, awnings, lighting, signage, gate and trash
enclosures will be located.
The Commission and the applicant reviewed and discussed the
parapets. Commissioner Van Vliet said the elevations compared to
. the roof plan were totally inconsistent and asked the applicant if
there were parapets all the way around. Mr. Steven Love, architect
said there are parapets on the west, north and south side onfy.
Commissioner Van Vliet informed the applicant that he would have
to come up with a design to completely screen the air conditioning
units. Commissioner Stendell stated they could condition this to
take the parapet up to 12'-6" on the Ace Hardware side to
compfetely screen all equipment. Mr. Love stated they can bring
the parapet wall all the way around the top of the building.
The Commission discussed the CMU wall, wheel stops in the
parking area, and the sidewalk. Commissioner Vuksic discussed
the cornice edge on the east side and recommended continuing the
detail to the inside corner of the parapet. He said the columns on
the front elevation were spindly and needed to be wider and
recommended that these be widened to twice the width of the
current design. He also recommended continuing the cornice detail
at the southwest corner for a distance of 25' or until the landscape
planter ends.
ACTION:
Commissioner Vuksic moved and Commissioner Stendell seconded, to
grant approval with the following conditions: 1) continue parapet on the east
wall to match existing 12'6" parapet; in the event it does not screen A/C
units, then extend the parapet; 2) on the east side continue the cornice
detail to an inside corner of the parapet; 3) widen the columns at the left and
right side of the front entry element to twice the width of the current design;
4) continue cornice detail at the southwest corner for a distance of 25' or
until the landscape planter ends; 5) on the west side use the same finish as
the front running the same distance; and 6) subject to final landscape
approval. Motion carried 4-0-1-2, with Commissioner Gregory abstaining
and Commissioners Lambell and Touschner absent.
B. Preliminary Plans:
None
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C. Miscellaneous Items:
Mr. Bagato updated the Commission on the status of the Rosewood Hotel.
The applicant has been working closely with the owner of the Amago
Gallery on revisions to the hotel. The biggest deterrent for the gallery was
the lack of visibility from the street. The applicant has agreed to tier back
the hotel; about a 45 degree angle and reduce the height on the north side
of the building. This involves about 10,000 square feet, which is eight
units. Initially the applicant had requested a second driveway, but Public
Works wanted them to utilize the opening in front of the gallery. However,
the gallery owner had some concerns with having all the service vehicles
passing in front of the gallery so Public Works agreed to one driveway with
a longer ramp down into the building. This will now move forward to
Planning Commission scheduled for June 21, 2011.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Levin moved and Commissioner Stendell seconded to adjourn the
meeting. Motion carried 5-0-2-0, with Commissioners Lambell and Touschner
absent. The meeting was adjourned at 1:35 p.m.
TONY BAGATO
PRINCIPAL PLANNER
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