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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-09-13 t 1 ; CITY OF PALM DESERT ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION • MINUTES September 13, 2011 I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 12:30 p.m. 11. ROLL CALL Commissioners Current Meeting Year to Date Present Absent Present Absent Ronald Gregory, Chairman X 11 3 Chris Van Vliet X 14 John Vuksic X 13 1 Karel Lambell X 11 3 Pam Touschner X 11 3 Allan Levin X 13 1 Ken Stendell X 12 2 Also Present Tony Bagato, Principal Planner Kevin Swartz, Assistant Planner Missy Wightman, Assistant Planner Diane Hollinger, Landscape Specialist Pedro Rodriquez, Senior Code Officer Christina Canales, Assistant Engineer Deborah Schwartz, Public Art Coordinator Janine Judy, Senior Office Assistant Cancelled meetings:04/12/11,04/26/11,08/23/11, III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: August 9, 2011 Action: Commissioner Van Vliet moved and Commissioner Lambell seconded, to approve the August 9, 2011 meeting minutes. Motion carried 5-0-1-1, with Commissioner Stendell abstaining and Commissioner Gregory absent. V. CASES: ARCHITECTURAL REVJ COMMISSION *Alp ' MINUTES September 13, 2011 A. Final Drawings: 1. CASE NO: SA 11-341 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): SIGNTECH, 4444 Federal Blvd, San Diego, CA 92102 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Final approval to add business name to two existing monument signs; Chase Bank. LOCATION: 74-930 Country Club Dr. ZONE: PC-2 Mr. Swartz presented the project and stated they are going into the old Postal Annex fronting Country Club. Currently there are two existing monument signs; one on Cook Street and the other one on the corner of Country Club. When these monument signs were approved, they were only approved for two tenants and currently they look crammed. Staff is recommending denial because by adding the Chase name it looks even more crammed. If the applicant was located in one of the buildings further back and didn't have visibility, staff would understand, but they do have visibility along Cook and Country Club. Ms. Ashley Hadwick, Sign Tech representative, agreed with the presentation and stated they are a major tenant within this shopping center. They are trying to bring a presence with their new signage and feel they don't have a really good presence on Cook Street. The multi tenant sign to the north of their space would help draw the public to them. The monument on Country Club is closer to the road and will have a better presence there, but they are somewhat blocked by the tenant on the corner. The applicant has the support of the landlord and property owner, as well as Ralph's and Rite Aid to place Chase on the sign. Commissioner Levin asked if there was signage on the building. Mr. Swartz stated currently there is no signage, but the applicant came in for a sign permit. There is one sign facing Country Club, one facing Morton's Steakhouse and one facing the parking lot. Staff approved the wall signage over the counter and the monument signage came to ARC. Under a separate application, the applicant will be submitting a conditional use permit for a drive-thru ATM. Commissioner Vuksic stated that normally only three tenants are allowed on monument signage and understands staff's point that this would make it look more cluttered. He thought allowing signage on GAPlanning\JanineJudy\Word FilesW Minutes\2011WR110913min.doc Page 2 of 10 t ARCHITECTURAL RFC=W COMMISSION MINUTES September 13, 2011 Cook Street is a good compromise and said they will have good visibility on Country Club. The Commission discussed the sign on Country Club and did not see the need for it because they will have signage on the building. Commissioner Stendell asked the applicant if they could live without the sign on Country Club and Ms. Hadwick stated the main reason for putting it on both is to have consistency on both monuments signs with the same three tenants. Commissioner Lambell stated she would support the signage on Cook Street and not Country Club because of the building signage that is proposed for their building. ACTION: Commissioner Lambell moved and Commissioner Vuksic seconded, to grant approval to add business name to the monument sign on Cook Street, but not allowed on the monument sign on Country Club. Motion carried 6-0-0-1, with Commissioner Gregory absent. 2. CASE NO: MISC 11-323 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): SCM SOLUTIONS LLC, 1281 e. Magnolia, Unit 186, fort Collins, CO 80524 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Final approval of removal of landscape on west side, extension of patio and addition of an awning; Starbuck's. LOCATION: 73-520 Ell Paseo ZONE: P.C.-(3) S.P. Mr. Swartz presented pictures of the proposed patio extension and awning and mentioned the awning does not project into the right-of- way. Staff is recommending approval and the landscape department is okay with removing the hedge to give Starbuck's more visibility and more street appeal along El Paseo. Commissioner Vuksic said it would be nice to have more seating along El Paseo. Normally he is bothered with an awning that goes around and is one height. However, this one makes a lot of sense because there are three very different elements. Commissioner Levin asked if they were increasing the seating and Mr. Bagato said because of the parking requirements they wouldn't be able to increase the seating. Commissioner Touschner asked why they were putting in a railing and Ms. Elizabeth Hughes, representative said there was a step-down and GAPlanning\Janine Judy\Word FilesVA Minutes\2011\AR110913min.doc Page 3 of 10 ARCHITECTURAL REV40o4 COMMISSION *004 MINUTES September 13, 2011 they also wanted to make that area more contained because customers pull the chairs out into the right of way. Commissioner Touschner was concerned with how the side will look on San Pablo because it looks really tight. Ms. Hughes stated they are trying to play off a Paris bistro and said there is a possibility that when they get the actual measurements from building they may lose a couple of those seats. Currently inside Starbuck's it's tight and everything is crammed making it hard for the customers. Commissioner Touschner requested that a section of that area and the railing be submitted for review. Mr. Swartz stated they could submit the construction details before permits are issued. ACTION: Commissioner Stendell moved and Commissioner Vuksic seconded, to grant approval subject to Commission review of final working drawings. Motion carried 6-0-0-1, with Commissioner Gregory absent. 3. CASE NO: SA 11-312 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): ATC DESIGN GROUP, Attn Chris Post, 301 Enterprise Street, Suite 2, Escondido, CA 92029 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Final approval of five awnings; 990 Only Stores. LOCATION: 34-660 Monterey Avenue ZONE: P.C.-(3) S.P. Mr. Bagato presented the proposal to add awnings to the 990 Only Stores and said somehow through the construction process windows were added in the elements were the proposed awnings will be located. Originally these elements where a recessed part of the building with the main building wall. Through the Building and Planning process, the windows got permitted and are in today. Mr. Bagato described the awnings and recommended approval. ACTION: Commissioner Van Vliet moved and Commissioner Vuksic seconded, to grant approval. Motion carried 6-0-0-1, with Commissioner Gregory absent. GAPlanning\Janine Judy\Word Files\A Minutes\201 1\AR1 10913min.doc Page 4 of 10 ARCHITECTURAL RFC=W COMMISSION MINUTES September 13, 2011 4. CASE NO: PP 10-302 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): THE MAGNON COMPANIES, 825 Marlborough Avenue, Suite 200, Riverside CA 92507 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Final approval of construction plans; Department of Motor Vehicles. LOCATION: 36-400 Technology Drive ZONE: PCD Mr. Bagato presented construction drawings for the Commission's review and explained that there was one internal roof ladder in the office area and no changes in the architecture. There was a minor change in the site plan after the fact because the fire truck could not make the turn radius so some of the curbing around the building got changed, but it didn't change the building. Staff is recommending approval. ACTION: Commissioner Levin moved and Commissioner Lambell seconded, to grant approval. Motion carried 5-0-1-1, with Commissioner Touschner abstaining and Commissioner Gregory absent. 5. 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 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 stated this project has previously been seen by the Commission several times. At a previous meeting, the Commission requested that the applicant submit a site coverage map and two photo simulations; one farther back to the west and one closer to Hwy 74. The applicant also attached a statement saying that if they have to push the mono-palm further back closer to the mountain, it may GAPlanning\Janine Judy\Word Files\H Minutes\20MAR110913min.doc Page 5 of 10 ARCHITECTURAL REV%Owd COMMISSION MINUTES September 13, 2011 require another telecommunication tower in the near future. Staff recommends locating it further back from Hwy 74. The Commission and the representative reviewed and discussed the photo simulations, the proposed locations, the number of trees and their heights. Commissioner Vuksic had a concern with a cluster of trees in a sea of asphalt. Commissioner Touschner thought by putting three to five trees there it would make the barren parking lot look better and would add more value. She suggested adding another 35' live tree. Ms. Veronica Arvizo, representative confirmed the sizes of the palms to be 55', 45' and 35'. Commissioner Van Vliet was concerned that it would be more visible closer to Hwy 74 because it will tower over the other trees. Commissioner Lambell stated she didn't have a problem with it closer to Hwy 74 and felt it will provide some interest in a barren parking lot. Commissioner Stendell said if it was closer and they created more of a grove setting, the applicant will achieve the coverage area they need. The Commission discussed the equipment structure and its location. Commissioner Lambell requested that the applicant submit more information on the structure and have it reviewed by staff on the location and material. Commissioner Lambell moved for approval and Commissioner Van Vliet asked if there was any further discussion. Commissioner Vuksic expressed again that this should be located in the back. ACTION: Commissioner Lambell moved and Commissioner Stendell seconded, to grant approval subject to: 1) creating a new grove closer to Hwy 74; 2) fronds of mono-palm shall be more in keeping of the new grove; 3) all new palms shall be a mix of Washingtonia hybrids and Washingtonia filiferas; 4) in addition to the proposal, one more live palm shall be planted at 40' in height; 5) submittal of an elevation section; 6) equipment enclosure shall be reviewed by staff as to location and material. Motion carried 3-2-1-1, with Commissioners Vuksic and Van Wet voting NO, Commissioner Levin abstaining, and Commissioner Gregory absent. GAPlanning\Janine Judy\Word Files\A Minutes\201 1\AR1 10913min.doc Page 6 of 10 ARCHITECTURAL R -W COMMISSION MINUTES September 13, 2011 6. CASE NO: MISC 11-111 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): SJB PROPERTIES, LLC, 1742 Michael Lane, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Final approval of a facade entrance addition; Harbor Freight Tools. LOCATION: 72-630 Dinah Shore Dr#101 ZONE: PC-(3) FCOZ Ms. Wightman stated this project was previously approved by this Commission. It was requested that the height of the slanted roof, the average, be matched to the Dollar Tree height. When the applicant's signage contractor came through for sign approval, staff noticed the elevations were wrong and asked the applicant to correctly show the elevations as approved by ARC. At that point, they continually thought they were showing the correct elevations, but staff went out to the site and it was built incorrectly. Staff addressed this with the applicant and the only thing they can come up with is possibility the Dollar Tree was surveyed incorrectly. So the final height of Harbor Freight Tools at the tallest point of the slanted roof is exactly matching Dollar Tree. To move forward, before they receive a final, Staff requested that the applicant submit a revised drawing. Ms. Wightman stated the applicant is seeking direction on how to proceed and has submitted a new drawing with a proposed wall trellis design to the right of the new entrance. Staff asked the applicant to address the wall trellis with the Landscape Department because typically in those large asphalt areas, with no other landscape, a vine on a trellis of that nature will not survive. The Landscape Department suggested not putting a vine there because it would not survive. Mr. Abraham Kahen, representative presented photos of the entire strip and suggested using the same trellis design to match Hargate Theatre Vision fagade and placing tile work on the bottom of the column to keep the conformity inside the shopping center. The Commission and the applicant discussed the proposal submitted. Commissioner Levin didn't agree with the statement that the Dollar Tree was surveyed incorrectly. Mr. Kahen stated that city officials signed off on the plans and the applicant found out about it when the sign rep came in for approval of their sign package. Ms. Wightman stated that Planning typically doesn't go out during the building process so they didn't see this until after the fact. Building and Safety verify height measurements and what is exactly shown on the plans. GAPlanning\Janine JudyNord Files\A Minutes\2011 AR110913min.doc Page 7 of 10 ARCHITECTURAL REVI COMMISSION MINUTES September 13, 2011 Planning staff worked with the planning architect several weeks before they submitted the construction drawings and they kept showing it incorrectly and she wanted to make sure it was shown correctly before it went to plan check. During the building inspection process, staff verifies what is on the plans. So either Dollar Tree is shown incorrectly or it was built the way they wanted it built. Staff told the applicant that the ARC may require that it be built as it was originally approved or to bring suggestions on how to make corrections. Mr. Kahen stated there was no budget to build it the way it was originally approved and the landlord doesn't have the budget either. Right now Harbor Freight isn't moving in and they want to cancel on their lease. Their permits have been approved since June 22, and they still haven't pulled them. He stated this was a simple mistake and a very tough project. The Commission reviewed the photos and discussed some options. Commissioner Touschner suggested adding a trellis element on the high side, to match Hargate Theatre Vision facade to go above Dollar Tree, and the edge of the tall piece shall line up with the inside. She also suggested adding a foam chair rail trim piece to the columns with alternate paint color below to match the design of the existing shopping center. Commissioner Levin asked what adding this trellis piece would do to the available area for the sign. The Commission reviewed this issue and suggested that the signage be reviewed along with the addition of the vertical piece. ACTION: Commissioner Touschner moved and Commissioner Stendell seconded, to grant approval subject to: 1) add trellis element on the high side, to match Hargate Theatre Vision facade; and 2) add foam chair rail trim piece with alternate paint color below to match the design of the existing shopping center. Motion carried 6-0-0-1, with Commissioner Gregory absent. GAPlanning\Janine Judy\Word FilesW Minutes\2011WR110913min.doc Page 8 of 10 ARCHITECTURAL RIEW COMMISSION S%wo' MINUTES September 13, 2011 B. Preliminary Plans: 1. CASE NO: GPA/CZ/PP 11-200 and TPM 36363 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): CITY OF PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, 73510 Fred Waring, Palm Desert, CA 92260 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of 73-unit affordable senior housing project on 5.5 acres; Carlos Ortega Villas. LOCATION: Washington &Ave of the States ZONE: PC-2, R-1, C-OP Ms. Wightman stated this project consists of 73 affordable-housing units, known as Carlos Ortega Villas, comprised of 64 one-bedroom units, 8 one-bedroom units with den, and one manager's unit. Landscape has been preliminarily reviewed, but still requires further work to receive a final approval. Site trees are specifically located to avoid shadows on rooftop- and carport-solar installations. Numerous considerations have been taken into account to create the proposed project as a net-zero development. Ms. Wightman described the architecture and project design and recommended approval of the architecture and overall project as presented. Mr. Martine Alvarez, Redevelopment Manager stated they are excited about this project not only because it is in honor and memory of Carlos Ortega, our late friend and City Manager but it is a unique site that has had a lot of challenges and a lot of criteria placed on it. This project will be innovative and accomplish the City's goals of energy reduction, from a sustainability standpoint. This has been a long time coming in terms of acquiring the pieces of property, deconstructing it and achieving an 81% diversion from the landfills through recycling and reuse. They are aiming for a minimum of LEED silver and a net-zero consumption. Mr. Ruell Young, Architect described the project and the layout of the development. The guiding principal on this project was a net-zero development, which means the roof has to harvest the sun. For the architecture, they borrowed the flavor of Casey's ranch style. He then pointed out how the parking was laid out and where the solar panels would be located within the project. The Commission discussed the parking and golf cart parking. Mr. Young said the parking could be restriped to accommodate golf carts. GAPlanning\JanineJudy\Word Files\A Minutes\2011\AR110913min.doc Page 9 of 10 ARCHITECTURAL REV%,,,.J COMMISSION ' MINUTES September 13, 2011 He also discussed the units that were wheel chair accessible and the locations of the handicap parking. Commissioner Touschner had a concern with the trash enclosures and was concerned they were not wheel chair accessible. Mr. Young stated they are not wheel chair accessible, and at this point he didn't have a solution. Commissioner Stendell asked about the photovoltaic panels and asked what the solar thermal panels were and Mr. Young stated it was hot water with a hydronic system for each building. The Commission and Mr. Young discussed the parking in front of the community center. He agreed that this could be changed. Commissioner Van Vliet said this was well laid out and nicely designed and felt they did a great job with a difficult space. Mr. Young said they designed a remarkable system not based on net- zero but on sustainability, which will collect and locally hold the water on site. Commissioner Vuksic also stated that this was a really well done project. He expressed his thoughts on the trash enclosures and their accessibility. He also discussed his concerns of how photovoltaic panels become an integral part of the architecture for this project and future projects. ACTION: Commissioner Levin moved and Commissioner Touschner seconded, to grant preliminary approval. Motion carried 6-0-0-1, with Commissioner Gregory absent. C. Miscellaneous Items: The Commission asked for an update on Vons and Red Lobster. VI. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Stendell moved and Commissioner Levin seconded to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 6-0-0-1, with Commissioner Gregory absent. The meeting was adjourned at 2:30 p.m. JANINE JUDY RECORDING SECRETARY GAPlanning\JanineJudy\Word Files\A Minutes\2011\AR110913min.doc Page 10 of 10