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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-05-12 � �' ��•�� CITY OF PALM DESERT � � � ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION • ' MINUTES May 12, 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 8 Karel Lambell, Vice Chair X 8 Paul Clark X 8 Gene Colombini X 8 Allan Levin X 8 Michael McAuliffe X 8 Jim Mclntosh X 8 „� John Vuksic X 7 1 Also Present Lauri Aylaian, Director, Community Development Tony Bagato, Principal 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: April 28, 2015 Action: Commission Levin moved to approve the April 28, 2015 meeting minutes. Motion was seconded by Chair Van Vliet and carried by an 8-0 vote, with Clark, Colombini, Lambell, Levin, McAuliffe, Mclntosh, Van Vliet and Vuksic voting YES. r � � ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES May 12, 2015 r V. CASES: A. Final Drawings: 1. CASE NO: PP 14-288 APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: ABSOLUTE PARTNERS ONE LLC, Attn: Robert Johnson, 45800 Mohawk Circle, Indian Welis, CA 92210 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration to approve a new four-unit condominium project; Shadow Mountain 4. LOCATION: 73-793 Shadow Mountain Dr ZONE: R-3 Mr. Eric Ceja, Associate Planner, said this mid-century four-plex condominium project on Shadow Mountain Drive was approved as submitted November 2014. Today the final drawings were presented for the Commission's review. The applicant has already submitted to the Building department who will issue a permit pending final approval today. � The Commission reviewed the plans and discussed the ventilation of the fireplaces on the two end units. Commissioner Vuksic stated that the fireplace design works with the architecture. ACTION: Commissioner Colombini moved to approve Motion seconded by Commissioner Vuksic and carried 8-0 with Clark, Colombini, Lambell, Levin, McAuliffe, Mclntosh, Van Vliet and Vuksic voting YES. 2. CASE NO: M ISC 15-133 APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: WILMER CABEZAS, 73-400 Royal Palm Drive, CA 92260 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration to approve a house color change. LOCATION: 73-400 Royal Palm Drive ZONE: R-2(5) Mr. Eric Ceja, Associate Planner, presented a request for a house color change. The homeowner recently painted his house and made �` some landscape improvements and a neighbor came in to inquire G:\PlanningUanineJudy�,4RC\1Minutes\2015\150512min.docx Page 2 of 8 � � ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES May 12, 2015 .� about the color. He presented photos of the house and said it was originally an off-color green but is now yellow with brown trim. Mr. Ceja said he inspected the house and drove around the neighborhood where he located a few other houses in different shades of yellow. Staff is recommending approval. Chair Van Vliet asked the applicant if he painted the house or did a contractor do the work. MR. WILMER CABEZAS, homeowner, said he hired a contractor. Commissioner Lambell asked if the contractor mentioned getting approval from the City to paint the house yellow. MR. CABEZAS said the contractor did not get approval. MR. CABEZAS said his motivation was to improve the condition of his house and the neighborhood. Chair Van Vliet said he drove by the house and stated that it is a little further back from the street and is lowered. He felt it wasn't "so in your face" as he thought it might be. Commissioner Clark reminded the Commission of a similar paint color on another house that was appealed to the City Council where it was approved. Mr. Ceja said that is why staff is recommending approval of this color. He pointed out that the neighborhood itself is a bit more eclectic in terms of the colors and architectural styles of the homes. So in keeping with the r neighborhood he felt the color was okay. Commissioner Lambell discussed the landscape changes. MR. CABEZAS said he also planted flower beds and cypresses. Commissioner Lambell commended the applicant for improving his house. Commissioner Vuksic asked to see a Google street view of the neighborhood. Mr. Ceja was able to pull up four to five houses all in different shades of yellow. Commissioner Vuksic felt the applicant's photograph looked nice with the desert landscaping and gold and pink DG and stated the house makes a little bit of an artistic statement with those additions. Commissioner Mclntosh pointed out that with any new installation of new paint and new landscape, everything always looks a little too clean and stark. He thinks within a year the landscape will mature and the yellow pigment will fade and all will be okay. Commissioner Vuksic said it is a strong color but the fact that it's a gold color makes it okay. If it was a strong blue, it might be a little harder to approve. Commissioner McAuliffe said in this case the desert landscaping helps because the green of the grass would make the yellow appear to be too intense. Commissioner Vuksic said staff is right by pointing out the +�`` context of the house and what's around it seems to work. He believes that the house they denied last year was not in keeping with the G:\PlanningUanineJudy�P.RC\1Minutes\2015\150512min.docx Page 3 of 8 � � ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES May 12, 2015 � context unlike this one. Commissioner Mclntosh said the other house was a missed opportunity. It had so much geometry and stucco it could have been done right but it was just a big paint bomb. ACTION: Commissioner Mclntosh moved to approve. Motion seconded by Commissioner Lambell and carried 8-0 with Clark, Colombini, Lambell, Levin, McAuliffe, Mclntosh, Van Vliet and Vuksic voting YES. B. Preliminary Plans: 1. CASE NO: MISC 15-19 APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: WESTliving, LLC, Attn: Alyce Conti, 5796 Armada Drive, Suite 300, Carlsbad, CA 92008 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration to preliminarily approve the architectural and landscape design for a two- story, 150-unit assisted living facility with a memory care component on Lot 4 within Villa Portofino; WESTliving. LOCATION: 40-235 Portola Avenue � ZONE: P.R.-5 Mr. Tony Bagato, Principal Planner, said this project has returned for the fourth time and stated that the applicant has made changes as recommended by the Commission at the last meeting. Commissioner Clark asked if the workshop was held and Mr. Bagato said the meeting took place a couple of weeks ago. MR. GARTH BRANDOW, architect, said the workshop was very effective and beneficial. They were able to get into the design elements in detail more so than they could have in a formal setting. The group was able to specifically review some of the Tuscan quality, rhythm, character and detailing. He then presented the revised plans and described the changes made since the last meeting. Commissioner Vuksic commended the applicant on all the work they have done to get this project up to standard and the massing changes they have made have helped a lot. He and the applicant discussed the recess on the windows where the decorative railing was placed. Commissioner Vuksic said as far as creating depth on key elements he knows they have been resisting that and understands there is a cost, but feels like they are at the minimum on the corner towers. He and the architect discussed the thickness of the walls where the other �' gable elements were located. G:\PlanningUanineJudyWRC\1Minutes\2015\150512min.docx Page 4 of 8 � � ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES May 12, 2015 .� Commissioner McAuliffe agreed with those comments and said even though the details seem subtle they have a significant impact on the overall quality and perception of the architecture. He discussed the suggestions made at the workshop meeting and how the architect made them work. Commissioner Mclntosh said he is pleased with the way it looks now and also agreed that the thickness is critical. He and the architect discussed the thickness of the walls. Commissioner Mclntosh said overall there is some good relief, shade and shadow, contrast and significance to the corner elements and rooflines. He also discussed wall sconces on the building that may also be another element. He asked if they would be including that in the final drawings. MR. BRANDOW said they will have parking lot lighting and at the entry elements of the building. Commissioner Mclntosh said this will be another level of detail that will help in making this a more authentic building which represents the style. Commissioner Vuksic said the applicant has done an amazing job of listening to the Commissioner's comments and making improvements with each meeting. �'' ACTION: Commissioner Clark moved to approve subject to the carport design returning to ARC for preliminary approval. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Lambell and carried by an 8-0 vote with Clark, Colombini, Lambell, Levin, McAuliffe, Mclntosh, Van Vliet and Vuksic voting YES. 2. CASE NO: DAIPP/CUP 15-87 -Amendment to DA/PP/CUP 07-11 APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: EL PASEO HOTEL, LLC, Attn: Robert Leach, 3941 Park Drive, Suite 20-308, EI Dorado Hills, CA 95762 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration to preliminarily approve a new design for a previously approved hotel; EI Paseo Hotel LOCATION: 45-400 Larkspur Lane ZONE: C-1 8� R-3 Commissioner McAuliffe abstained from this project and left the conference room. Mr. Eric Ceja, Associate Planner, said this project was before the Commission on April 14, 2015 and the applicant has returned with �"'' changes. The applicant has reduced the overall massing and the number of stories from four to three and still within the overall G:\PlanningUanineJudy�ARC\1Minutes\2015\150512min.docx Page 5 of 8 � � ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES May 12, 2015 � approved maximum height limit of 37'. He presented an elevation plan and conceptual drawings and pointed out the changes made that were recommended by the Commission. He said staff is recommending approval and would like to recommend that the final wall design along the perimeter come back for review and approval. He was unsure of the finish and height of this wall and would like to see more interaction like a street scene. Commissioner Clark asked if this would be going to the Planning Commission and the City Council (Council.) Mr. Ceja said since the applicant dropped the building to 37' in height and maintaining what was originally approved in 2007, this does not have to go back for public hearings. Staff does anticipate that the Council will review the plans but are not sure if they will call it up for a public hearing. MR. ROBERT LEACH, Project Manager, said one of the issues at the last meeting was the HVAC chiller system. He pointed out that this system is too big to be placed on a three story building and said it will be on the ground on the north side where the dumpsters will be located. MR. LOUIE DeCARLO, Project Designer, provided a color and materials board along with stone and stucco colors for the � Commission's review. He pointed out where the materials and colors would be located. He also pointed out that they have adjusted all the architecture and provided a lot of relief. Commissioner Mclntosh wondered why they flattened the roof in the main entry since it added some interesting and dynamic appeal running parallel with the porte-cochere. Now when comparing the old to the new iYs not as appealing. He and MR. DeCARLO discussed this architectural projection and the height of the building. Commissioner Mclntosh asked if there could be an exception for a little bit of an encroachment into that height limit since it is a significant architectural piece. Mr. Bagato said the specific approval states no more than 42' and to change that would require it going back to the Planning Commission. The Commission reviewed the before and after photo of this element and Chair Van Vliet agreed that it does take away from the overall building when it is flattened. Commissioner Mclntosh said that was the one thing that grabbed him about this building and he doesn't see why this couldn't translate from a four story building to a three story building. He said he would really hate to compromise a good piece of architecture. The Commission and the applicants discussed this projection in detail. Commissioner Vuksic said they could detail the right side the way they did originally where it doesn't encroach on the mass to the right but dies into the pillar element. He � G:\PlanningUanineJudyWRC\1Minutes\2015\150512min.docx Page 6 of 8 � � ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES May 12, 2015 w said to leave the left side where it is and just drop the right side to stay within the height limit. MR. DeCARLO agreed. Commissioner Vuksic and MR. DeCARLO discussed in detail the north and south elevations. Commissioner Vuksic recommended additional massing on those two elevations. MR. DeCARLO said that is something they will take a look at. The Commission and the applicants discussed the roof plan and parapet heights, elevators, stairs and the safety rails on the roof. MS. ALEX JOSEPH, asked about the southeast stairwell and MR. DeCARLO said that was moved towards the center of the building. He explained that a blank wall will now be on the southeast side 10' from the back of her property line with an 8' high wall. MS. BARBARA SATTLEY, said this looks so much better; it's long, sleek and modern. She wondered what type of landscape would be in the area near her home. (Several people were talking at the same time and the recording secretary was unable to hear their comments.) MR. GREGORY, RGA Landscape Architects, said they are open for suggestions in that area. r►� MS. SYLVIA ELLMORE, said she likes what they have done by lowering the building. She referred to the slope of a couple of the walls and said from an aesthetic point of view if they were to slope the side facing her property it would tie everything together. MR. DeCARLO said he would review that. MR. JOHN JENNINGS, said with the current changes, his condo will now look directly out onto a large massive wall and asked what design elements will be on that wall. MR. DeCARLO said there will be ledges on that wall which are triangular in profile, creating a kind of mid- modern motif. These ledges will be plaster with different colors. MR. LEACH and the Commission discussed proceeding with the structural drawings for the current footprint. The Commission said this footprint is a vast improvement from the previous submittal. ACTION: Commissioner Lambell moved to continue Case No. DA/PP/CUP 15-87 - Amendment to DA/PP/CUP 07-11 to allow further design study of the main entry design element and the north and south elevations for more massing. Motion seconded by Commissioner Levin and carried 7-0-1 with Clark, Colombini, Lambell, Levin, Mclntosh, Van Vliet and Vuksic voting YES and �' McAuliffe absent. G\PlanningUanineJudyWRC\1Minutes�2015\150512min.docx Page 7 of 8 � � ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES May 12, 2015 � C. Miscellaneous Items: None VI. COMMENTS Deborah Schwartz Glickman, Art in Public Places, said when big projects come to this Commission, such as the EI Paseo Hotel, she wants to make sure that the Public Art has a presence. She would like this Commission to remind the developers to talk to the Public Art Department as early in the process as possible. VII. ADJOURNMENT Upon a motion by Commissioner Lambell, second by Commissioner Levin, and an 8- 0 vote, with Clark, Colombini, Lambell, Levin, McAuliffe, Mclntosh, Van Vliet and Vuksic voting YES, the Architectural Review Commission meeting was adjourned at 2:26 p.m. n TONY BA ATO, P INCIPAL PLANNER SECRETARY � A I E JUDY . RDING SECRETARY , � G:\PlanningUanineJudyWRC\1Minutes\2015\150512min.docx Page 8 of 8