HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-07-14 ��•�� CITY OF PALM DESERT
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION
MINUTES
July 14, 2015
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 12
Paul Clark X 11 1
Gene Colombini X 12
Allan Levin X 12
Michael McAuliffe X 11 1
Jim McIntosh X 11 1
John Vuksic X 11 1
Also Present
Tony Bagato, Principal Planner
Kevin Swartz, Associate Planner
Eric Ceja, Associate Planner
Pedro Rodriguez, Code Compliance Supervisor
Janine Judy, Recording Secretary
Cancelled meeting:03/10/15;
III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes for the June 23, 2015 meeting will be
reviewed at the next meeting.
Action:
No action taken.
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V. CASES:
A. Final Drawings:
1. CASE NO: PP 13-270
APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH,
Reverend Carl R. Witt, Jr. 45-900 Portola Avenue, Palm Desert, CA
92260
NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration to
approve final construction drawings; Hope Lutheran Church.
LOCATION: 45-900 Portola Avenue
ZONE: P
Mr. Eric Ceja, Associate Planner, said this project came before the
Commission in October, 2014 and received approval all the way
through Planning Commission. On the roof plan, the Architectural
Review Commission (ARC) made a comment about the tapering of
the metal seam roof. The applicant states that their building plans
are now in final review but they are having a hard time showing it
graphically with the computer. They understand the Commission's
comments and know what to do based on the Notice of Action.
They are confident that it will happen that way in the field. They
mentioned that this will be a continuous panel and all the seams will
be evenly spaced.
Chair Van Vliet asked if these panels would be pie-shaped and
Commissioner Vuksic said they are pie-shaped with a slight taper
to them and will look wider on the outside and narrower on the
inside. He said the spacing will all be the same and he takes that to
mean similar to the spacing that is there. Commissioner McIntosh
said it needs to be in the graphics or written on the plans.
Commissioner Vuksic said the Commission needs to condition this
that notes are added to the plans to cover the design intent for the
contractor.
ACTION:
Commissioner Van Vliet moved to approve subject to additional details to
cover the design intent for the contractor. Motion was seconded by
Commissioner Vuksic and carried by a 6-0-2 vote, with Clark, Colombini,
Lambell, Levin, McAuliffe, McIntosh, Van Vliet and Vuksic voting YES and
Clark and McAuliffe absent.
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2. CASE NO: MISC 15-168
APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: JAMES MCINTOSH, 73-995 El
Paseo, Suite 201, Palm Desert, CA 92260
NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration to
approve a new home with a roof height of 17'-6".
LOCATION: 77-685 Robin Road
ZONE: R-E Residential Estate
Commissioner McIntosh recused himself from this project and remained in the
conference room.
Mr. Tony Bagato, Principal Planner, said this house started
construction in 2009 and at that time it was zoned RE, which is a
large one-acre lot. Per the zoning ordinance at that time 18' was
the max and it didn't require architecture review approval. The code
was changed in 2013 which now those lots need architecture
review approval. The house was under construction and was
originally permitted over the counter twice and both permits have
expired. However, some work has been started; basement and
foundation. The rest of the house has been sitting since 2009 and
the plans have now come back. The plans are 6" shorter than the
original plans because it was measured from the finished floor and
now it's measured from the grade, as required by code.
Mr. Kevin Swartz, Associate Planner, provided a Google street view
of this house located on Robin Road and stated it is zoned RE-
40,000. He pointed out the foundation and the basement that was
previously started. He said the reason why it is here is because it
has a total roof height of 17'-6" and anything above 15' has to be
reviewed by the ARC. He referred to the plans and said it was a
nice design and the owner wants to reactivate the permit to get it
finished. He spoke with the two homeowners directly behind this lot
in Desert Breezes when they came in to view the plans and wanted
to see what was being built. They stated they were okay with the
height. He also stated there was another resident in attendance
and asked if he wanted to speak. The gentleman did not want to
speak.
Commissioner Levin asked for the height of the house to the east
and Mr. Swartz was not sure, however there are some homes in
the area that do get up to 18'. Staff is recommending approval. He
stated that there were several homeowners who are anxious to get
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this built because there is a lot of dirt and debris stacked on the site
and they have been dealing with this for about three years.
Commissioner Vuksic pointed out that the higher mass was nestled
in the middle of the house which is good and reminded the
Commission that 18' is pretty common for homes of this larger size.
The Commission reviewed the height of the chimney and Mr.
Swartz said per code a chimney is allowed up to 25'.
ACTION:
Commissioner Lambell moved to approve as submitted. Motion was
seconded by Commissioner Levin and carried by a 5-0-3 vote, with
Colombini, Lambell, Levin, Van Vliet and Vuksic voting YES and Clark,
McAuliffe and McIntosh absent.
B. Preliminary Plans:
1. CASE NO: MISC 15-171
APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: PACIFIC PREMIER
CONSTRUCTION, Attn: Fred Babineau, P.O. Box 577, La Quinta,
CA 92247 i
NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration of
preliminarily approving a roof height of 18' above grade.
LOCATION: 73-286 Tamarisk Street
ZONE: R-1 12,000
Mr. Eric Ceja, Associate Planner, said this was for an existing home
on Tamarisk Street and the applicant would like to change the
facade of his home, move the existing roof structure, attach some
exterior parapets, and change the exterior elevation of the home.
Notices were sent out to the neighborhood and he heard back from
one neighbor who was concerned with his views being impacted.
He presented the drawings to the Commission and said the home
is low profile and sits below grade from the street. The maximum
height they are proposing is about 17'-6". At this time, they have
two HVAC units that are not screened and the applicant is
proposing new screen walls. The applicant is proposing to increase
the roof height, removing all the roof tiles, raise parapets up to 11 to
14' in height and create a new tower element at the entry, which
would be 17'-4". The home is pretty bland and has the same color v
throughout the building and the parapets are all the same height;
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not much detail has been added to the home. One of staff's
r recommendations is to provide one large enclosure for the two
HVAC units instead of two and that it be centered on the home to
help screen it from the vacant lot.
Commissioner Vuksic discussed the tower at 17'-4" and a taller
element that is 15-6" above grade and was concerned with the rear
elevation with the mechanical enclosure because it is up so high;
closer to 18'. He asked how high the units sit above the parapet
and MR. JOE BOWEN, Pacific Premium Plumbing and
Construction, said they are about 5-12" and is an existing
condition. Commissioner Vuksic said the enclosure should be a
simple screening that wraps all the way around to the edge of both
units and suggested this be conditioned as part of the approval. Mr.
Bagato said the Commission can condition this on the worst case
scenario unless demonstrated by the applicant as not being visible.
MR. BOWEN agreed to add a a U-shaped configuration on the
north side as opposed to the L-shaped configuration as proposed.
Chair Van Vliet asked the applicant if he would be leaving all the
existing windows and MR. BOWEN said the existing windows and
roof sheathing will remain in place. On the roof, the the will be
removed and parapets will be built off the perimeter walls. The new
roof structure will run from the parapet to the peak of the existing
roof and then sloped down into the new and existing drainage.
Chair Van Vliet and the applicant reviewed and discussed the
external drains. Chair Van Vliet said this Commission typically
requires internal drains and suggested they come down above the
plate line.
Chair Van Vliet and the applicant discussed a 3' band coming out in
the front and asked if it would be flushed out at the end of the
garage wall. MR. BOWEN said it will be a stuccoed covered
overhang coming out 30" and flushed out at the end of the building.
The Commission said it would look better if it stopped short of the
corner or wrapped around the corner.
Commissioner McIntosh asked if they have gone through Building
and Safety and MR. BOWEN said they had not; this was the first
step for them. Commissioner McIntosh felt they will have some
interesting challenges ahead on making this work. MR. BOWEN
said they have a structural engineer that has given them the
parameters. Commissioner McIntosh thought it would change their
design a bit from what he is seeing here.
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Commissioner Levin asked if this remodel will trigger the
requirement for fire sprinklers and Commissioner McIntosh thought
it would because this was a significant amount of change. MR.
BOWEN thought they didn't need them but they haven't gone
through Building and Safety yet.
Commissioner McIntosh felt there was some awkward detailing that
needs to be thought out better on the front elevation and it would be
helpful if they had drawings to review that were in relationship to
each other. He pointed out that usually when this Commission sees
taller buildings they see other taller architectural elements that
compliment; like windows and doors. He felt this was really top
heavy. Chair Van Vliet agreed and said it was hard for them to
determine what this would look like because the drawings
presented didn't have enough detail. He said the roof plan and the
elevations are off and asked him to correct the drawings to help
them understand the design intent.
The Commission and MR. BOWEN continued to discuss the roof,
the parapets, and the 30" roof overhang. Chair Van Vliet asked if
they will slope the top to get the water off and MR. BOWEN said
they will put a slight slope on it. Commissioner McIntosh said there
will be 30" of dirt up there and when it rains it will all sheet over the
face of the stucco. Commissioner Levin asked how the lot drains
now since it is below the curb. MR. BOWEN said it drains in the
front yard and he is in discussion with the landscaper to put in a dry
well.
Mr. Bagato suggested this be continued because the drawings
need to match the plans and submittal of additional details. MR.
BOWEN asked if they could get an approval on the height and in
the meantime they will work on the details. He would like to start
getting the Building Department's comments on the plans.
Commissioner McIntosh said this Commission approves 18' high
buildings based on exceptional architecture. Mr. Bagato said they
would need more details because if the details don't come out right
then it's different from how it is approved.
Chair Van Vliet recommended that the applicant review the plans
with their structural engineer and then meet with the Building
Department early on to see if what they are proposing can be done.
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ARCHITECTURAL REV
W COMMISSION
MINUTES July 14, 2015
W ACTION:
Commissioner Lambell moved to continue Case No. MISC 15-171 subject
to: 1) drawings need to relate to building and should be shown accurately
and consistently on all plan sheets 2) provide additional information on 30"
overhang including wrapping it around the building facade; 3) provide
additional detail on the cornice; 4) provide internal roof drains; 5)
architecture merit to deviate to 18'; and 6) structural engineer to meet with
Building & Safety.. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Levin and
carried by a 6-0-2 vote, with Colombini, Lambell, Levin, McIntosh, Van
Vliet and Vuksic voting YES and Clark and McAuliffe absent.
C. Miscellaneous Items:
Mr. Ryan Stendell presented information on the Draft 111 Design
Guidelines related to updating the City's strategic plan.
Vl. COMMENTS
None
VII. ART IN PUBLIC PLACES UPDATE — Commissioner Vuksic — 7/8/15
Commissioner Vuksic reported the following from the July 8, 2015 AIPP meeting.
The Palm Desert Community Gallery has a new exhibition, "Observations", and
will run from June to August; more events will be added to the First Weekend; the
Palm Springs Museum at Palm Desert has a new exhibition, "Still Life Capturing
the Moment" and will run from August to January.
Vlll. ADJOURNMENT
Upon a motion by Commissioner Lambell, second by Commissioner Levin, and a
6-0-2 vote, with Colombini, Lambell, Levin, McIntosh, Van Vliet and Vuksic voting
YES, and Clark and McAuliffe absent, the Architectural Review Commission
meeting was adjourned at 2:15 p.m.
TONY BAGATO, PRINCIPAL PLANNER
SECRETARY
J JUD
RECORDING SECRETARY
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