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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-06-24 CITY OF PALM DESERT ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION ' MINUTES June 24, 2014 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 12 Karel Lambell, Vice Chair X 11 1 Paul Clark X 11 1 Gene Colombini X 12 Allan Levin X 11 1 Michael McAuliffe X 11 1 Jim McIntosh X 12 John Vuksic X 12 Also Present Lauri Aylaian, Director, Community Development Tony Bagato, Principal Planner Eric Ceja, Associate Planner Kevin Swartz, Assistant Planner Pedro Rodriguez, Code Compliance Supervisor Janine Judy, Recording Secretary III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: June 10, 2014 Action: Commissioner Levin moved to approve the June 10, 2014 meeting minutes with minor changes. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Van Vliet and carried by an 8-0 vote, with Clark, Colombini, Lambell, Levin, McAuliffe, McIntosh, Van Vliet and Vuksic voting YES. ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES June 24, 2014 V. CASES: A. Final Drawings: 1. CASE NO: MISC 14-208 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): JEFF JONES, 48-050 Beverly Drive, Palm Desert, CA 92260 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of exterior building color change. LOCATION: 48-050 Beverly Drive ZONE: R-1, 10,000 Mr. Eric Ceja, Associate Planner, said staff brought this paint color change to the Commission to get direction on bolder accent colors. This home is currently brown and beige, with brown banding, a blue door and a blue exterior wall. The wall color is more of an accent color and goes well with the home. MR. JEFFREY JONES, applicant, said he bought this home and has been busy remodeling and cleaning up the property to give this home a new fresh look. He stated he has been hired by two other people on his block to pick their paint colors and is talking to others in bringing the neighborhood up. He presented photos of his house, wall and yard, as well as other houses around him. He didn't think there would be an issue with this paint color and has received compliments from his neighbors on how well it looks. The Commission reviewed the photos and the color chart and Commissioner Lambell said since he has been asked to choose paint colors for his neighbors she wanted him to know that this Commission looks for earth toned colors. Commissioner McIntosh said it's not just strictly the color choice and feels this is a good example of what they have been struggling with. This house has some interesting geometry that has been accented with different colors. If the whole house was painted this blue color, it would not have worked. This is a good example and can help the Commission out in the future when people come in. Commissioner Vuksic said the house has architectural merit and can handle a slightly stronger color. When you have a typical tract home and there's nothing really interesting about the architecture, it is hard to put some aggressive colors on it. It's almost impossible to pull that off. G.411anninca\JanineJudy\ARC\1Minutes\2014\140624min.docx Page 2 of 9 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES June 24, 2014 ACTION: Commissioner Lambell moved to approve. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Colombini. Motion carried 8-0 with Clark, Colombini, Lambell, Levin, McAuliffe, McIntosh, Van Vliet and Vuksic voting YES. 2. CASE NO: ODP 13-210 APPLICANT (AND ADDRESS): CAFE DES BEAUX-ARTS, 73-640 El Paseo, Palm Desert, CA 92260 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Approval of new awning: Cafe Des Beaux-Arts. LOCATION: 73-520 El Paseo ZONE: C-1, S.P. Mr. Kevin Swartz, Assistant Planner, stated this case was continued from the previous meeting to allow the Commissioner's to make a site visit to review the existing awning, as well as the new awning sample. Commissioner Levin said the existing awning allows light through it so you get the benefit of the silhouettes of the cutouts. He believes that with the new awning you will not see anything. He also pointed out that the awning on the El Paseo side has a bottom piece where you can't see any of the frame work underneath while sitting in the restaurant, however the Larkspur side doesn't have a bottom piece. Commissioner Vuksic said the shape of the proposed awning matches the shape of the existing awning and feels that it doesn't look boxy because the white band at the bottom reads so well. It doesn't have the kind of tall massive profile it seemed to have on the mock-up. In reference to the cut-outs, he said the metal band needs to stand off from the main awning where the cutouts would go. If they do those things it is going to read very much like what is there now, which will be fine. Commissioner Lambell said she didn't have any concerns with the shape of it, but was concerned about the glossiness of the sample. She believes that was the same concern they had with the mock-up; it's too reflective. In reference to the cut-outs, she wanted to make it clear to the applicant that this Commission expects it to be a cut-out not just a piercing like on the sample. Mr. Swartz said the applicant agreed to make the cut-outs bigger and they will also dull down the color. Commissioner Vuksic said they haven't seen the actual cut-outs and said this will be really important. He asked if the applicant can GAP1anning\JanineJudyWRC\1Minutes\2014\140624min.docx Page 3 of 9 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES June 24, 2014 bring in a completed section where it is done to an acceptable level. The applicant can then use that as a standard for the whole thing. Commissioner Levin asked if the spacing between the piece and the artwork allowed enough light to see it. Commissioner McIntosh said it's a dark shadow and is a contrasting color. Commissioner Vuksic said he didn't think they needed light coming through it and said if you see darkness through it that works just as well. Commissioner McIntosh said he felt this was a deliberate component of the composition because it is a sculpture in a sense. He said he feels uncomfortable directing an artist on his composition in proportion to the sculpture. In this case it is a literal freeze. Commissioner McAuliffe said he didn't have any trouble with the awning and how it would integrate with the building, but the color disparity between the finish of the awning and the existing red of the columns doesn't look good together. He feels that is something that will have to be considered if this Commission is going to approve the new awning finish. Mr. Swartz said the applicant is willing to repaint the red columns a brownish color and bring a sample back with the actual cut-outs for the Commission's review. He also stated they can change the color of the existing white railing. Commissioner Vuksic pointed out that now they will need some sort of a color palette to work with. ACTION: Commissioner Lambell moved to continue Case ODP 13-210 subject to: 1) the red columns, red concrete, and white railing must be painted to compliment the new metal awning color; 2) the finish on the metal awning shall be dulled down; and 3) submittal of a 4' to 5' sample of the metal band showing an example of the cut-out artwork. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Clark. Motion carried 8-0 with Clark, Colombini, Lambell, Levin, McAuliffe, McIntosh, Van Vliet and Vuksic voting YES. 3. CASE NO: SA 14-206 APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: SIGN-A-RAMA, 41-945 Boardwalk Suite L, Palm Desert, CA 92211 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Final approval of new awning colors: Sign-A-Rama. LOCATION: 41-945 Boardwalk, Suite L ZONE: S.I. GV11annincWanineJudyWRC\1Minutes\2014\140624min.docx Page 4 of 9 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES June 24, 2014 Mr. Kevin Swartz, Assistant Planner, presented photos of the proposed awning and an aerial of the property for Sign-A-Rama. The applicant is changing the color of their awnings to red and charcoal because of their new corporate colors. He spoke with the applicant who agreed to his suggestion to flip the colors of the awnings; the larger awnings being charcoal and the smaller awnings being red. He stated the awnings will not have any lettering on it. Commissioner Vuksic said because this wraps the corner it actually works otherwise it would look odd when you see two elevations with two different colored awnings for one tenant. The Commission reviewed and discussed the awning and building color. ACTION: Commissioner Colombini moved for approval subject to larger awnings shall be charcoal and the smaller awnings shall be red. Commissioner Levin made the second. Motion carried 8-0 with Clark, Colombini, Lambell, Levin, McAuliffe, McIntosh, Van Wet and Vuksic voting YES. B. Preliminary Plans: 1. CASE NO: MISC 14-201 APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: CAPSTONE ADVISORS, 1545 Faraday Avenue, Carlsbad, CA 92008 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Preliminary approval for facade changes to an existing building. LOCATION: 73-930 Ell Paseo ZONE: C-1, S.P. Commissioner Vuksic recused himself from this project and left the conference room. Mr. Kevin Swartz, Assistant Planner, said this building is currently vacant and is available for two tenants. He presented a PowerPoint presentation of the existing building with the proposed changes. The applicant is proposing two different floor plans; for one and two tenants. At this time, they are keeping it open for either retail or a restaurant. The plan showing the railing outside would be for a restaurant to allow for outdoor seating that would comply with the El Paseo outdoor dining. The building is 15' high and approximately 5,000 square feet. If broken in two separate pieces, each tenant would have 2,500 square feet. He presented the roof plan showing the roof GAPIanningUanineJudy\ARC\1Minutes\2014\140624min.docx Page 5 of 9 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES June 24, 2014 top equipment and said this will be screened from public view from both the parking lot and the street. The applicant is raising the building height to 20', adding new storefront glass, new porcelain tile, and a new entry element. He presented a materials board with samples of color, tile, and stucco. Staff is recommending approval. MR. LARRY WHYMAN, Chris Pardo Designs, said this was an interesting building. The back half of it is CMU and the front half is framed. The developers want to raise the area in the front half because it's framed and sort of creates volume in front. The floor in the back half is 18" lower and it poses an interesting challenge for ADA compliance. They are thinking they will just fill in that floor and make an ADA ramp on the outside. He pointed out that there is some development that is still going on and didn't know how this plays into this review process, but they wanted to put it on the table. Obviously they will stay with the design intent of the metal surround and porcelain tile, but there are some nuances they are working through. He wasn't sure if this would be continued because of that or if the concept gets approved and they move forward. Mr. Bagato said they should be able to preliminary approve the concept and Mr. Swartz said the construction plans will come back to this Commission. The Commission and the applicant discussed the porcelain the and how much relief there would be on the building where they end the tile. MR. WHYMAN said hopefully you won't see that, but they are dropping the parapet about 8" at that point to get some relief. Commissioner McIntosh said that will give you a visual prospective like it is popped out. Chair Van Wet asked if there was an encroachment issue and Mr. Swartz said the City Council (Council) approved outdoor dining for El Paseo and the code states you have to be 8' back from face of curb and that is what they are showing. If it is a retail tenant, then the railing will be removed from the plans. Chair Van Vliet pointed out a couple of tree planters that reduce the amount of walking space in that area. Mr. Swartz stated that if this will be a restaurant the plans will come back to the Commission under an Outdoor Dining Permit. The Commission discussed the front window and outdoor dining. The Commission and the applicant discussed the finish on the metal surround and the roof drains. MR. CHRIS SCHOENECK, Real Estate Development, said one of the reasons they are redoing the roof is to allow for proper drainage. Right now the roof drains to the center of the building. The water gets brought into the building, piped across the ceiling then down to the storm water drainage. They are trying to remedy the situation by fixing the roof and having it drain properly. MR. WHYMAN said the new roof, which has no mechanical units, is GPI'lanniny\Janine Judy\ARC\1Minutes\2014\140624min.dou Page 6 of 9 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES June 24, 2014 about 4' taller than the roof behind it that has roof mechanicals. Mr. Bagato mentioned that if they are planning on a restaurant they have to keep the building size to less than 5,000 square feet because if it is more it will trigger a water quality management plan, then all the roof water will have to be treated before it gets into the drain. Commissioner Levin also wanted the applicant to know that the roof drains have to be interior to the walls. Chair Van Vliet said this was really well done and was a nice upgrade. ACTION: Commissioner Levin moved for preliminary approval as submitted. Commissioner McIntosh made the second. Motion carried 7-0-1 with Clark, Colombini, Lambell, Levin, McAuliffe, McIntosh and Van Vliet voting YES and Vuksic absent. 2. CASE NO: MISC 14-198 APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: GUY DREIER DESIGNS, 44-651 Village Court, Suite 135, Palm Desert, CA 92260 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Preliminary approval to demo an existing pavilion building and rebuild a new pavilion building at the same location within Stone Eagle Golf Course LOCATION: Within Stone Eagle Development, west of the Palm Valley Storm Channel at the southern termination of Old Stone Trail, on the west side of Highway 74. ZONE: O.S. Mr. Kevin Swartz, Assistant Planner, said this is for a new pavilion located within Stone Eagle Golf Course. He presented an aerial and a prospective of the project. The existing building will be torn down and rebuilt and will not visible from any public views. They are adding more outdoor seating and creating an open concept. The building is 17' in height which meets Stone Eagle's requirements. The building material will match the outdoor terrain. He presented a materials board and said staff is recommending approval. Commissioner Vuksic said this was a beautiful form and asked what the columns were made from. MR. STEVE PLATT, architect, said they were basalt columns to blend in to the natural surroundings. MS. ZAYDA MORENA, Project Manager, said the basalt samples will be natural and not polished. Commissioner Vuksic said the project is very striking and melts into the site. GAPlanning\JanineJudy\ARC\1Minutes\2014\140624min.docx Page 7 of 9 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES June 24, 2014 Commissioner McIntosh was concerned about hillside development and mentioned the Hagadone project. He pointed out that not being visible to public view was the promise of the Hagadone project. MS. MORENA said they kept the same height maximum and referred to the survey in the packet that was taken. She said the maximum height of the building is 17' above the pad. There is only one point on the roof that is 17' and the rest is lower than 17'. Commissioner McIntosh pointed out about a thousand homes that will see this pavilion. MR. PLATT said at a distance you might be able to see something. They drove up and down Highway 74 trying to see what was there now and you really can't see it at all. Mr. Bagato pointed out that the intent of the hillside ordinance is not necessarily how it sits. It is how it blends into the natural terrain to the greatest extent possible. Commissioner Clark pointed out the pavilion is not on a ridge. The Commission reviewed and discussed the restaurant and was concerned about the illumination from the dining room and how the residents in the valley below will be able to see it. Commissioner Clark asked if any additional grading would be done to the site. MR. PLATT said they would just be demolishing what was there now and smoothing it out. Commissioner Vuksic said there are a lot of homes in Big Horn with that view and at night he doesn't notice those homes. He didn't think this building was any different from the other homes. Commissioner Clark said it's keeping within the low profile and the color of the materials is matching the terrain. Mr. Swartz said if the Commission was concerned with the glass they could recommend a tint. Mr. Bagato said they should look at that a little more closely because the hillside ordinance talks about outdoor lighting and lighting coming from the buildings. Staff may have to request that the window tinting be darker so that interior lighting doesn't shine through. The Commission and the applicants discussed the amount of restaurant seating, outdoor lighting, and parking. ACTION: Commissioner Lambell moved for preliminary approval subject to staff review of indoor and outdoor lighting and glass. Commissioner Clark made the second. Motion carried 8-0 with Clark, Colombini, Lambell, Levin, McAuliffe, McIntosh, Van Vliet and Vuksic voting YES. C. Miscellaneous Items: None GV-9anninc\JanineJudy\ARC\1Minutes\2014\140624min.docx Page 8 of 9 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES June 24, 2014 VI. ART IN PUBLIC PLACES (AIPP) UPDATE — Commissioner John Vuksic Commissioner Vuksic reported on the recent AIPP Commission meeting. The artist commissioned to paint the set of traffic cabinets on Phyllis Jackson Lane & Fred Waring Drive worked with a small group of students from Palm Desert High School to develop three design proposals. The new exhibit in the Palm Desert Community Gallery, Paperworks, will be on display from June 12, 2014 to August 22, 2014. The winners for the Student Art and Essay Contest were announced. The Coachella Valley Water District artwork is now on display. VII. COMMENTS Staff discussed the two appeals to the Council regarding wooden fences. The Council directed that a sub-committee be formed consisting of members from the Council, Architecture Review Commission, Planning Commission, and two at-large industry professionals to review modifications to the existing prohibition on wooden fences and walls. Commissioners McIntosh and Vuksic volunteered to serve on the sub-committee. VIII. ADJOURNMENT Upon a motion by Commissioner Lambell, second by Commissioner Levin, and an 8- 0 vote, with Clark, Colombini, Lambell, Levin, McAuliffe, McIntosh, Van Vliet and Vuksic voting YES, the Architectural Review Commission meeting was adjourned at 1:45 p.m. TONY BAGATO, PRINCIPAL PLANNER SECRETARY *d-T- tE JU PORDING SECRETARY GAPlanning\JanineJudy\ARC\1Minutes\2014\140624min.doa Page 9 of 9