HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-02-12 � �
��T�� CITY OF PALM DESERT
� �
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION
• ' ' MINUTES
February 12, 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
Ronald Gregory, Chairman X 3
Chris Van Vliet X 2 1
John Vuksic X 2 1
Karel Lambell X 3
Allan Levin X 3
Ken Stendell X 3
Paul Clark X 3
Gene Colombini X 3
Also Present
Lauri Aylaian, Director
Tony Bagato, Principal Planner
Kevin Swartz, Assistant Planner
Pedro Rodriquez, Senior Code Officer
Janine Judy, Recording Secretary
Cancelled meetings:
I11. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: January 22, 2013
Action:
Commissioner Van Vliet moved to approve the January 22, 2013 meeting
minutes. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Stendell and carried by a 7-
0-0-1 vote with Commissioner Vuksic abstaining.
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MINUTES February 12, 2013
V. CASES:
A. Final Drawings:
1. CASE NO: MISC 13-06
APPLICANT (AND ADDRESSI: JOHN MCVEA, 73-180 Shadow
Mountain Drive, Palm Desert, CA 92260
NATURE OF PROJECTIAPPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration of a
wall exception to allow a corrugated sheet metal gate and fence facing
a public street.
LOCATION: 73-180 Shadow Mountain Drive
ZONE: R-1. 20,000
Mr. Kevin Swartz, Assistant Planner, stated the applicant is requestirrg
approval of an exception to the wall ordinance to allow a 4' fence and
a 6%z' high gate made of corrugated sheet metal. The gate and fence
is located in the front yard, 20' back of curb facing a public street. The
Code Compliance Division placed a "Stop Work Notice" on the
property when work was being perFormed. He presented a slideshow
of the fence and house. He visited the site and believes the use of
corrugated sheet metal is not in keeping with the home or surrounding
neighborhood. The surrounding neighborhood has wrought iron and
decorative block walls located in the front yards. The material is not
permitted unless an exception by the Architectural Review
Commission (ARC) is granted. All wall exceptions must be publicly
noticed to adjacent property owners 10 days before the hearing and
staff received one verbal testimony in opposition of the proposed
material. It was noted that no one from the public was in attendance.
Staff is recommending denial of the request.
MR. JOHN MCVEA, applicant, stated he planned on building a fence
and canvassed the neighborhood about six months ago to inspect the
existing fences. He presented several pictures of the fences in the
neighborhood and described the design he wanted for his fence. He
explained that he erected the existing fence for safety reasons
because the project across the street, at one time, had up to 40 to 50
people working on it for over a year. He quickly put up this current
design because he would find people sleeping behind his car and in
his cars and wanted to protect his 2%z year old son. When he tried to
approach the people across the street, they became very combative
and it was getting very unsafe. The final design would incorporate
some of the corrugated metal from the current design with 40-50% of it
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behind a faCade. He wants to move forward with building a fence but
he wants something that is contemporary and works well with the
neighborhood.
Commissioner Stendell said the idea of the design is different and
pointed out a few places where it is used effectively. This type of
fence could look interesting if detailed out appropriately.
Mr. Bagato said staff has advised the applicant if he wants to use
wrought iron and it meets the proper setbacks he would have to
submit a full submittal for review.
Commissioner Colombini was concerned with what the applicant
would do in the meantime since it will take time to build a fence.
Commissioner Stendell pointed out that this was a Code Compliance
issue.
Mr. Bagato said this is more of a civil matter. There have been
complaints, but the applicant should go to the police. One of staff's
concerns is people start to believe this material is okay. When the
applicant first came to Planning, he said the gate wasn't finished and it
would be shorter. However, some of the pictures being submitted to
the Commission today were not presented originally. So this fence is
evolving. He advised the Commission that it is better to deny the
request and then have the applicant submit a full submittal for review.
Commissioner Lambell said the first issue was the material which was
a major concern, and secondly it was the height and the location of the
gate. Both of those things need to be addressed in a submittal.
Commissioner Van Vliet told the applicant not to be so concerned with
finding a contractor. He needs design input to get a proper design.
He also had concerns with the materials and felt the applicant
shouldn't just screen the fence with landscaping because landscape
dies and iYs not something the city likes to see.
MR. MCVEA said he did have a designer out in June and September
and they drove around the neighborhood getting ideas for the design.
After developing a design, he will then work with a contractor.
Commissioner Van Vliet said to get the designer, get the proper plan
done, and consider using a limited amount of the metal in combination
with masonry to be reviewed by this Commission. He stressed that
the applicant has to start on the design side first.
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Commissioner Gregory asked if the existing fence would come down.
Mr. Bagato said if it is denied the fence will come down.
Commissioner Levin asked how long the applicant will have to remove
the fence.
Mr. Bagato said if the applicant wants to try to keep the fence, and if it
is denied here today he has 15 days to appeal to the City Council.
After that appeal period, Code Compliance usually gives them a time
table of 10 days to take it down; so about 25 days.
Commissioner Gregory remarked on Mr. Bagato's comment about
people thinking this is something they can do if the material remains
up.
Commissioner Lambell said the metal has to come down because it's
not approved for use in the City. And it needs to come down because
the permanent fence cannot be built behind the existing one, which is
tem porary.
MR. MCVEA said this would be a temporary fence not a final fence.
Mr. Bagato explained there is no permit for a temporary fence. When
staff issues permits, they're permanent. After reviewing the
neighborhood, staff found this wasn't sufficient to be a permanent
approval.
MR. MCVEA asked if he could leave his temporary fence up until the
fence was done in 30 to 40 days.
Mr. Bagato said if this request is denied, he would have roughly 25
days to build a new fence that would meet code.
Commissioner Lambell made a motion to deny the request for
permanent fencing subject to the applicant working with staff.
Commissioner Clark added that materials be compatible with the
neighborhood.
Commissioner Gregory pointed out that this is being presented as
being permanent but he didn't want any misunderstanding that it was
okay as temporary.
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After much discussion, Commissioner Clark made a motion to deny
the application based on materials being incompatible with the
neighborhood and recommended working with staff. Commissioner
Levin made the second.
Commissioner Gregory asked if there were any further comments.
Commissioner Vuksic took exception with the materials being
incompatible with the neighborhood because he didn't feel it was
incompatible. It may, however, be somewhat incompatible with the
house. He said it was easy to put up a block wall and plaster it, but it's
more difficult to put up a more creative type of enclosure because
there are more variables. It may work by adding some of the metal.
Commissioner Clark agreed and modified his motion to read
"incompatible as presented." Commissioner Levin agreed with the
modification.
ACTION:
Commissioner Clark moved to denied Case MISC 13-06 based on materials
being incompatible as presented. Recommend working with staff. Motion was
seconded by Commissioner Levin and carried by an 8-0 vote.
2. CASE NO: CUP 10-292
APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): SPECTRUM SURVEYING &
ENGINEERING, Attn: Dean Hinson, 8390 Maple Place, Suite 110,
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration of a
material change for the monopalm equipment enclosure; Living
Desert.
LOCATION: 47-900 Portola Avenue
ZONE: P, D Public Institution with a Drainage, Flood Plains, and
Watercourse zoning overlay district
Mr. Kevin Swartz, Assistant Planner, stated back on August 28, 2012
the Commission approved antennas on a building at the Living Desert,
as well as a block material to screen the HCVA equipment.
Construction is now under way and the applicant has returned with a
request to change the material of the block. They are trying to match
the block that is currently on the building.
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MR. DEAN HINSON, General Contractor, said the application is
exactly the same. The plans call for a sprayed on polyurea application.
However the approved application, which is still polyurea, is not
sprayed on. He is proposing StryoSpray 1,000 which is a roll-on
application. The pattern matches the block wall and it can be sanded
and painted.
The Commission asked if the grout lines would be as deep as the
existing grout lines and MR. HINSON said he would match them.
ACTION:
Commissioner Vuksic moved to grant approval subject to: 1) grout lines shall
match existing grout lines and reviewed by staff in the field; and 2) finished
paint product shall have a flat finish not a sheen finish. Motion was seconded
by Commissioner Levin and carried by a 6-0-0-2 vote, with Commissioners
Colombini and Clark abstaining
B. Preliminary Plans:
1. CASE NO: MISC 13-32
APPLICANT (AND ADDRESSI: DAVID NARZ, 77372 Evening Star
Court, Indian Wells, CA 92210
NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration of a
carport located in the front yard 20' back from face of curb.
LOCATION: 43-120 Texas Avenue
ZONE: R-1, 9,000
Mr. Kevin Swartz, Assistant Planner, stated the applicant is requesting
to construct a carport 20' back from face of curb within the front yard.
The applicant is proposing to convert the existing single-carport into
living space, and provide a new 192 square foot single-carport. The
carport is 16' x 12' with a 2' overhang, attached to the main house off
the second bedroom. The carport is designed as a trellis painted to
match the existing house. The carport will be designed as a single-
carport held up by 4' x 4' posts and 4' x 6' header. The carport will be
located 20' back from face of curb. Staff believes the design of the
carport blends into the architecture style of the home, and is in
keeping with the character of the neighborhood. Staff has not received
any comments in favor or opposition to this request.
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Commissioner Stendell said wiien he drove by the house he noticed T-
111 siding nailed on to the building where it looks like it used to be a
carport or some sort of addition.
Mr. Swartz said this area was built under the county and annexed back
in 1994 so there aren't any permits on it. He pointed out that one of the
stipulations from the Building Department is that the applicant must add
an openable escape window or a door at the bedroom where the carport
will be attached. This was okay with the applicant, but it does not
appear on the design drawings.
The Commission reviewed the drawings but there were no construction
details attached and asked how this carport would be built.
MR. DAVID NARZ, applicant, informed the Commission that he didn't
want to go beyond the architectural renderings unless he got approval
because he didn't want to go to the expense of having an engineer
design the construction. He stated that it would be similar to the existing
construction, probably a 6' x 6' post on each side on top of a concrete
pier and headers. All three sides will be open and the roof will have
asphalt shingles to match the house. It will slope just enough to get the
rain off and have a drip edge.
Commissioner Vuksic said this is a simple house and carport design
which works well together, but it comes down to the details. The
Commission needs to know how things are connected, does it look
clean, is there a lot of exposed metal, and are the members thick
enough to look right.
MR. NARZ said there is the typical post beam connection there now
along with the foundation connection which is probably Simpson
products that can be painted. He has no intention of having big wrought
iron black ornamental steel.
The Commission discussed the size and type of materials for the
carport. The applicant mentioned having a 16" on center because he
didn't want a large span.
The Commission discussed the finro-car driveway. Mr. Swartz stated this
was circulated to Public Works and no concerns were noted.
Commissioner Stendell made a motion to conceptually approve subject
to applicant submitting final working drawings for approval.
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Commissioner Gregory asked if there were any further comments.
Commissioner Vuksic informed the applicant that one of the things the
Commission will be looking for is that the connectors are hidden.
Commissioner Colombini made the second.
ACTION:
Commissioner Stendell moved to grant conceptual approval subject to
applicant submitting final working drawings for approval. Motion was seconded
by Commissioner Colombini and carried by an 8-0 vote.
2. CASE NO: CUP 12-231
APPLICANT (AND ADDRESSI: LOS ANGELES SMSA LP, dba
Verizon Wireless, Attn: Mike Hayes, 15505 Sand Canyon Avenue,
Building D104, Irvine, CA 92618
NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration of a
continued item to find an alternative cell site location.
LOCATION: 73-251 Hovley Lane
ZONE: PR-5:
Mr. Kevin Swartz, Assistant Planner, said this item was continued from
September 25, 2012 for a 68' tall monopalm at Temple Sinai. He
presented a PowerPoint presentation of the property and the proposed
location of the monopalm. The Commission had some concerns with
the previous proposal because of the impact on the adjacent
neighborhood and lack of landscaping in that area. This was
continued to allow the applicant to find an alternative site for the
monopalm. The applicant is now proposing the monopalm to be
located directly in front of the building along with existing palm trees
that range in size from 48', 55', 51' 46' and 27 all the way to 44', 53',
55', and 34'. The equipment shelter will be located in the parking lot.
The biggest impact is that the monopalm will be directly in front of the
Temple Sinai building, which has been approved by them.
Commissioner Gregory said it appears that the equipment shelter is
plopped right on top of the asphalt. He asked if there would be
curbing around it to make it looked finished.
MR. MIKE HAYES, Spectrum Surveying and Engineering, said this
structure will be a masonry building and the roof will match the existing
building.
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The Commission reviewed the equipment sheiter and recommended
that it have at least a 24" perimeter around it along with landscaping and
wood-braced curbing to match the rest of the planters. They asked
where the conduit would be and MR. HAYES said it would all be
underground.
The Commission asked how tall the structure was and MR. HAYES said
it was 14'-8", which includes the top of the mansard roof. He indicated
the air conditioning unit will be on a raised 6" concrete pad.
The Commission discussed the roof and the air conditioning unit. It was
noted that there was a recessed area on the roof plans which looks like
the A/C unit may be on the roof. They also pointed out that the existing
roof doesn't look like a mansard roof and thought the perimeter may be
mansard.
Commissioner Gregory said he would like to move this forward with
conditions. He said the roof materials would match the existing roof and
the equipment structure would sit on a 6" high slab. One of the plans
indicates planting around the building, so a planting plan should be
submitted to the staff for review and approval. He wasn't sure if the
CMU matches the building so he suggested that the face of the walls
match the existing building walls.
Commissioner Colombini still had concerns with the height of the air
conditioning unit and asked again if they would be on the roof of the
building where the plans show a recess. He mentioned that this did not
appear on the plans.
MR. HAYES said the air conditioning units sit inside the building and
vent through the roof. It is not indicated on the plans because these are
not structural drawings.
Commissioner Colombini said if it will be on the outside on the roof well,
then the parapet has to be low enough to hide the unit.
MR. HAYES said the next set of drawings will show the locations of all
the equipment.
Commissioner Vuksic said he was worried about a lot of stuff getting left
for final construction documents because sometimes it's a while before
those come back to this Commission. He was concerned that the
Commission wouldn't remember the project and what they were
supposed to be looking for in the working drawings. He asked how the
Commission can remember what was recommended.
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Commissioner Gregory said by having a very complex motion.
Mr. Bagato pointed out that the CUP is mainly for the tower and staff will
move it on to Planning Commission, but staff could bring it back to the
Commission with the shelter design.
MR. HAYES said they normally do their construction drawings
concurrently with the zoning drawings so when he submits for planning
he can also submit a set of construction drawings.
ACTION:
Commissioner Gregory moved to grant preliminary approval subject to: 1) the
roof materials shall match existing buildings; 2) outside wall materials shall
match existing buildings; 3) building raised 6" above parking lot grade to match
top of curb as indicated on the plans; 4) a planter shall run around the building
as indicated on the plans; 5) submit a planting plan to the Landscape
Specialist; 6) air conditioning units shall be on the construction drawings; and
7) applicant to submit working drawings for final approval. Motion was
seconded by Commissioner Stendell and carried by an 8-0 vote.
C. Miscellaneous Items:
None
VI. ART IN PUBLIC PLACES UPDATE — Commissioner John Vuksic
Commissioner Vuksic reported on the last Art in Public Places (AIPP) meeting. He
discussed upcoming events: Modernism Week starts February 15; Tour of Sand
Piper and Marrakesh Country Club, February 19; Fashion Week starts March 15; an
art party will be held at the Palm Springs Art Museum/Palm Desert, April 27;
Chamber mixer, May 15; student tours will take place every Wednesday starting at
the museum. Three artists were added to the pre-approved list for the museum. New
appointments were made to the AIPP Commission. Palm Desert Community Gallery
will open a new exhibit, "My American Idol" on February 14. Desertscapes will run
the entire month of April featuring films, workshops, and exhibits. The new website
for AIPP is up and running and the Steelroots sculpture by Steve Tobin has been
placed on the east end of the civic center complex on Fred Waring.
VI1. COMMENTS
None
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VIII. ADJOURNMENT
Upon a motion by Commissioner Levin, second by Commissioner Clark, and an 8-0
vote, the Architectural Review Commission meeting was adjourned at 1:45 p.m.
�� ��
TONY BAG TO, PRINCIPAL PLANNER
SECRETARY
F
J� I E J Y
R CORDING SECRETARY
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