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Home My WebLink About2013-08-27 r CITY OF PALM DESERT ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION ' MINUTES August 27, 2013 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 Chris Van Vliet, Chair X 13 2 Karel Lambell, Vice Chair X 15 John Vuksic X 13 2 Allan Levin X 14 1 Paul Clark X 14 1 Gene Colombini X 15 Michael McAuliffe X 11 1 Jim McIntosh X 11 1 Also Present Lauri Aylaian, Director Kevin Swartz, Assistant Planner Pedro Rodriquez, Senior Code Officer Diane Hollinger, Landscape Specialist Janine Judy, Recording Secretary Cancelled meetings: 05/28/13 II1. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: August 13, 2013 Action: Commissioner Clark moved to approve the August 13, 2013 meeting minutes with changes. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Levin and carried by a 5-0-1-2, with Commissioner McAuliffe abstaining and Chair Van Vliet and Commissioner Vuksic absent. ARCHITECTURAL REX*ON COMMISSION < N!INUTES August 27, 2013 V, CASES: A. Final Drawings: 1. CASE NO: SA 13-262 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): SIGN OF SUCCESS, 1614 S. Carlos Avenue M, Ontario, CA 91761. NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Final approval of wall signage: Rite Aid. LOCATION: 72-875 Highway 111 ZONE: PC-3 Mr. Kevin Swartz, Assistant Planner, stated the applicant is requesting two wall signs over the main entrance, as well as two trade signs below it; "Pharmacy" and "Thrifty Ice Cream." Staff is recommending approval subject to the applicant painting the raceway the same color as the building to blend in. ACTION: Commissioner Levin moved to approve subject to painting the raceway the same color as the building to blend in. Motion was seconded by Commissioner McIntosh and carried by a 6-0-0-2 vote, with Chair Van Vliet and Commissioner Vuksic absent. 2. CASE NO: SA 13-261 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): BLONDE CLOTHING BOUTIQUE, 73-200 El Paseo, Suite 3A, Palm Desert, CA 92260 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Final approval of 4 awnings with 1 awning identification; Blonde Clothing Boutique. LOCATION: 73-200 El Paseo ZONE: C-1, S.P. Mr. Kevin Swartz, Assistant Planner, stated the applicant is requesting approval of four new black awnings and identification signage on one of those awnings. Staff is recommending approval G F anningdanine Judy\Word Files\1 ARC\1Minutes\2013\130827min.docx Page 2 of 8 o ARCHITECTURAL RE` -W COMMISSION MINUTES y..► August 27, 2013 subject to the property owner applying for an encroachment permit, and executing a hold harmless agreement. Commission Clark asked if the lettering would be painted or sewn on and MR. JIM SADLER, American Awning, indicated it would be painted on. ACTION: Commissioner Clark moved to approve subject to an encroachment permit and executing a hold harmless agreement. Motion was seconded by Commissioner McIntosh and carried by a 5-0-0-3 vote, with Chair Van Vliet and Commissioners McAuliffe and Vuksic absent. 3. CASE NO: MISC 11-323 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): STARBUCKS COFFEE COMPANY, Attn: Jon Alpert, 17700 Newhope Avenue, Suite 200, Fountain Valley, CA 92708 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of revisions to previous approved awning; Starbucks. LOCATION: 73-520 El Paseo ZONE: C-1, S.P. Mr. Kevin Swartz, Assistant Planner, stated this is a revision to a previous approved awning and the applicant has requested a continuance so they can make additional revisions. ACTION: Commissioner Levin moved to continue Case MISC 11-323 to a date uncertain. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Colombini .and carried by a 6-0-0-2 vote, with Chair Van Vliet and Commissioner Vuksic absent. GAPlanning\JanineJudy\Word Files\1 ARC\1Minutes\2013\13C827m1n.docx Page 3 of 8 ARCHITECTURAL RE N COMMISSION MINUTES August 27, 2013 4. CASE NO: SA 13-253 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): SWAIN SIGNS, Attn: Ralph Solis, 1384 E. Fifth Street, Ontario, CA 91760 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Final approval of walls signs and refacing existing monument sign; Walmart Neighborhood Market. LOCATION: 72-314 Highway 111 ZONE: PC-3 Mr. Kevin Swartz, Assistant Planner, stated this is a request for wall signage and refacing two existing monument signs. Staff is recommending approval subject to the green background being opaque and non-illuminated. Staff has no concerns with the proposed signage and how it relates . to the building and surrounding areas. The Commission reviewed and discussed the size of the letters. ACTION: Commissioner Levin moved to approve. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Colombini and carried by a 6-0-0-2 vote, with Chair Van Vliet and Commissioner Vuksic absent. 5. CASE NO: PP 12-223 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): AUBREY COOK MCGILL ARCITECTS, Attn: Nick Fotias, 1045 14th Street, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92101 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Discussion of a sign program; Whole Foods and Nordstrom Rack. LOCATION: 44-419 —44-491 Town Center Way ZONE: P.C. (3) Mr. Kevin Swartz, Assistant Planner, presented the sign program for Whole Foods and Nordstrom Rack. The applicant is proposing a sign program for the whole center except for the bank on the corner parcel. He described the changes to the monument signs and G'F'inning'Janine Judy\Word Fi1es\1ARC\)Minutes\2013\130827min.doex Page 4 of 8 j, ARCHITECTURAL RE`"--W COMMISSION MINUTES °`""" August 27, 2013 noted their locations; one along Highway 111, one along Fred Waring, and one located on Town Center Way. a MR. BRIAN WILLIAMS, VP of Construction for Harsh Investment Properties, stated they streamlined the site plan relating to the monument signs making it less confusing for the Commission. The monument signs have been redesigned and the stone used in the center will be incorporated into the sign. Their center is down in a hole and you don't see the center much until you crest over the bridge on Highway 111. Signage obviously is a key element for their tenants and for the success of the center. He described the signage for each element and stated the sizes will be determined proportionately with the element that it is placed on. He discussed the changes in the size of the sign letters. The Commission discussed the height of the letters on the signs for Whole Foods and Nordstrom Rack. MR. WILLIAMS said the maximum allowable height for an anchor tenant would be 4Y2'. Vice Chair Lambell asked if this proposal met the City's sign ordinance. Mr. Swartz explained the linear frontages of the buildings and said the signs exceed the City's sign ordinance. However, the purpose of a sign program allows flexibility for the whole center and as long as each tenant complies with the sign program it would be allowed. The Commission and the applicant discussed the size and the number of signs located on the four towers. Mr. Swartz stated that the City Council (Council) approved the number of signs for each of the towers. Ms. Aylaian, Director of Community Development stated that both the Architectural Review Commission (ARC) and the Council were concerned with the amount of signage that would be on a tower and approved only two to three tenants. Staff is concerned that it is still too much signage for a tower and from staffs position we'd probably rather go back to more tenants, but having them smaller with more white space around them. The Commission and the applicant continued to discuss the towers and the total square footage. Commissioner McIntosh was confused and asked if the applicant was asking for signage in excess of the City's sign ordinance. Ms. Aylaian said it is allowed. The sign ordinance says if you have a signage program it goes to the ARC and it can be different from the sign ordinance. In fact it takes the place of the sign ordinance for that center. Commissioner G1Planning\Janine Judy\Word Files\1 ARC\1Minutes\2013\130827min.docx Page 5 of 8 ARCHITECTURAL RE W COMMISSION MINUTES August 27, 2013 McIntosh asked if there was a limitation to that. Ms. Aylaian said no. It is within the discretion of the ARC and the Commission can approve whatever they choose. It is up to the Commission's aesthetic judgment as to what is appropriate to any particular center. The Commission discussed the proportions and reducing the percentage for the towers and wall signs for the center. Commissioner Clark asked MR. WILLIAMS if he could re-study the elevations. MR. WILLIAMS realizes that the Commission doesn't want signs that are too big, but he also doesn't want them to look too small. Mr. Swartz asked MR. WILLIAMS if there was a way they could call out on the buildings what determines the percentage sizes for each tenant. Commissioner Clark explained that the City wants the signs to look aesthetically appropriate to the face of the building. Commissioner McAuliffe said the height dimensions are bound by two criteria; 80% of the element width, plus the "not to exceed" height that is established. MR. WILLIAMS also pointed out a third parameter which is a minimum distance from any edge - top and bottom. The Commission continued to discuss the criteria for the signs. Commissioner Clark said the applicant was creating a document that will essentially be around for the next 20 years and everything in this sign program needs to be very specific. MR. WILLIAMS said he would be happy to specify the elements and to make sure all the scales are accurate. Mr. Swartz suggested they break down the anchor, major, and standard tenants based on their lease space; 60%, 70% or 80%. Commissioner McAuliffe suggested that the applicant include the "not to exceed" heights in the text for the sign criteria. ACTION: Commissioner Clark moved to continue the sign program subject to: 1) reducing the overall signage percentage from 80% to 60%; 2) provide a rendering indicating the sign area for each building; 3) review signage locations and sizes for the buildings closer to Fred Waring Drive and Town Center Way. The Commission had no design concerns regarding the monument signs. Commissioner Levin made the second. Motion carried by a 6-0-0-2 vote, with Chair Van Vliet and Commissioner Vuksic absent. G F'anning'Janine Judy\Word Files\1 ARC\1Minutes\2013\130827min.docx Page 6 of 8 ARCHITECTURAL RED" -W COMMISSION MINUTES �*"" August 27, 2013 B. Preliminary Plans: 1. CASE NO: SA 13-246 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): WEA PALM DESERT LP, c/o Westfield LLC, 11601 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1100, Los Angeles, CA 90025 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Preliminary approval of landscape; Westfield Palm Desert. LOCATION: 72-840 Highway 111 ZONE: P.C. (3) S.P. Ms. Lauri Aylaian, Director of Community Development, described the landscape palette for this project and stated staff is recommending approval subject to changes to the construction drawings for the internal irrigation system and the thinning out of the screening material for the loading dock, which is too dense. MR. DAN COLBECK, Montalba Architects, Inc. described the entry space, uniting tall palms with existing palms throughout the mall to create a vertical presence from Highway 111, as well as shade trees. He presented the plant palette to the Commission and mentioned the planters that were of some concern to the staff and stated there will only be two planters and the remainder of the planting area will be irrigated with a drip system to each individual plant. They have submitted their plans to Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) and they meet all the water requirements for CVWD and the City. The Commission and the applicant discussed the different varieties of Lantana and the proper maintenance of it, screening of the loading dock, and the maintenance of the landscape on the east side of the mall. ACTION: Commissioner Levin moved to grant preliminary approval of landscape as presented. Motion was seconded by Commissioner McIntosh and carried by a 6-0-0-2 vote, with Chair Van Vliet and Commissioner Vuksic absent. GAPlanning\JanineJudy\Word Files\1 ARC\1 Minutes\2013\1 30827min.docx Page 7 of 8 ARCHITECTURAL REN COMMISSION MINUTES August 27, 2013 C. Miscellaneous Items: None 'V1. COMMENTS Commission discussed Drive-thrus within the city. V11. ADJOURNMENT Upon a motion by Commissioner Levin, second by Commissioner Colombini, and a 6-0-0-2 vote, with Chair Van Vliet and Commissioner Vuksic absent, the Architectural Review Commission meeting was adjourned at 2:00 p.m. KEVIN SWARTZ, ASSISTANT PLANNER SECRETARY ju 1 f J�' INE J DY r —RECCIRDING SECRETARY G:\�inningUanineJudy\WordFiles\1 AR01Minutes\2013\130827min.docx Page 8 of 8