Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Entrada Del Paseo Steering Committee 05/12/2004r. PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEMORANDUM TO: RACHELLE KLASSEN, CITY CLERK FROM: NIAMH ORTEGA, SENIOR OFFICE ASSISTANT k. DATE: JULY 14, 2004 SUBJECT: SUBMISSION OF MINUTES FOR THE ENTRADA DEL PASEO STEERING COMMITTEE MEETINGS OF MAY 12 AND JUNE 23, 2004 Attached for addition to the agenda for the next City Council meeting is a copy of the minutes for the Entrada del Paseo Steering Committee meetings of May 12 and June 23, 2004. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me. Attachment (2) G.'\.RDAtNiamh OrtcgaWWpdata'.Committees',Entrada'',Memosirklassen-entradaminutes.w•pd PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ENTRADA DEL PASEO STEERING COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 12, 2004 I. CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting was called to order by Chairman McCarthy at 10:35 a.m. 11. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Lauri Aylaian, Member Jean Benson, Member Buford Crites, Member (late) Phil Drell, Member (late) Sheila Gilligan, Member Mark Greenwood, Member (late) Bob Leo, Member Patrick Lilly, Member Justin McCarthy, Chairman Carlos Ortega, Member (late) David Yrigoyen, Member Also Present: Tim Bartlett, Bartlett Commercial Bernard Dervieux, Cuistot Donna Gomez, Visitor Center Manager Susan Harvey, Palm Desert Chamber of Commerce Kristy Kneiding, Marketing Manager Niamh Ortega, Recording Secretary Narendra Patel, Patel Architecture Melissa Richardson, HSA Design Group Chuck Shepardson, HSA Design Group Maria Song, Interactive Design Corporation Reuel Young, Interactive Design Corporation III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None. ENTRADA DEL PASEO STEERING COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 12, 2004 IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE ENTRADA DEL PASEO STEERING COMMITTEE'S SPECIAL MEETING OF JANUARY 14, 2004 MOTION to approve the Minutes of the January 14, 2004, meeting made by Member Benson, seconded by Member Leo, unanimously approved. V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. PRESENTATION OF LANDSCAPE CONCEPT FOR PHASE II OF THE ERIC JOHNSON MEMORIAL GARDENS AND THE REMAINDER OF THE SITE AT ENTRADA DEL PASEO; AND B. PRESENTATION OF REVISED SITE MASTER PLAN DEPICTING LOCATIONS FOR THE VISITORS' INFORMATION CENTER AND THE MULTI -USE BUILDING Ms. Aylaian requested that the above -listed items be presented concurrently. She introduced the representatives of HSA Design Group, Interactive Design Corporation, and Patel Architecture, and reviewed the chain of events leading to the relocation of the Visitors' Information Center and the multi -use building, and addressed landscaping issues at the Eric Johnson Memorial Gardens and the remainder of the site. Ms. Aylaian stated that following the direction of the Agency Board a landscaping concept plan was developed. Mr. Reuel Young, Interactive Design, presented a detailed overview of the site master plan. He indicated the proposed sites for the relocation of the Visitors' Information Center to the original second restaurant pad, and of the multi -use building to a new, westerly -located pad, set back from Hwy 111. The frontage along Highway 111 would be landscaped, with the expansion of the Eric Johnson Memorial Gardens to incorporate the original site for the Visitors' Information Center. The location west of Memory Lane, between Highway 111 and the multi -use building, would be landscaped with high berms in a minimalist style so as not to detract attention from the Gardens. The landscaping would serve to provide relief for drivers, but also would allow glimpses of the buildings on the site. Existing features such as Memory Lane, parking areas, and the Gardens would remain as originally designed. G:\RDA\Niamh Ortega \Wpdata\Committees\Entrada\Minutes\Minutes 2004\Minutes 051204.doc 2 ENTRADA DEL PASEO STEERING COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 12, 2004 Mr. Chuck Shepardson, HSA Design, elaborated on the concept for the second phase of the Gardens. He demonstrated that the same theme would be carried through the second phase, highlighting a canyon experience as the feature for the area. A palapa-type structure was described to act both as a central gathering point and a shaded location from which to view the entire Gardens. It was pointed out that Cuistot would still be visible from Hwy 111. In the original plan, the Visitor Center building would have partially obscured the view of Highway 111 from Cuistot, whereas in the new concept, landscaping would now provide the same relief. There would be no negative impact on visibility from the original plan. Ms. Maria Song, Interactive Design Corporation, provided an overview of the minor changes to the Visitors' Information Center building. In order to properly situate the building in its new location, the building structure has been mirrored and rotated 180 degrees. Additional parking spaces have been added closer to the main entrance, and since the building has been rotated, the entrance is now completely shaded. Most of the elevations have remained the same. The elevation demonstrating the most change is the one of the theater. The theater size has been reevaluated, resulting in a smaller floor area, and through redesign, more natural light would flow into the building on the west side. More views are available to the new phase of the Gardens, and a view of the water feature is still available. Ms. Aylaian suggested that the Committee consider that there may be a better opportunity for usable meeting space outside of the Visitors' Information Center. It had been suggested in previous discussions that this space be added to the multi -use building to be more conducive to outdoor functions. However, this would require the recreation of the landscaping and atmosphere already available at the Gardens. The indoor meeting space at the multi -use building would likely be managed and coordinated by the Chamber of Commerce staff. There would be a "break-out" area available at the multi -use building. The outdoor space at the Visitors' Information Center would be more informal, although not public, and would not require the same level of management. A suggestion was made that outdoor meeting space at the multi -use building be large enough to accommodate the same capacity as the indoor meeting space. Mr. Patel responded that this would be taken into consideration. Concern was expressed that the setting for the Visitors' Center was becoming more like that of a park, and that should not be the intention. It was suggested that a low wall should define the outdoor meeting space so that the area is not misused. It was pointed out that tour groups would be encouraged to visit the Center and Gardens, and therefore the patio would need to be large enough to accommodate a group. G:\RDA1Niamh Ortega\Wpdata\Comrnittees1Entrada\Minutes\Minutes 20041Minutes 051204.doc 3 ENTRADA DEL PASEO STEERING COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 12, 2004 The idea that passengers of tour buses would be dropped off at Memory Lane posed a concern since the entrance to the Visitors' Center is on the opposite side of the building. It was discussed that access would not be available to the Visitors' Center from Memory Lane as currently designed due to security concerns. This would be to the disadvantage of the Visitors' Center if people were visiting the Gardens and did not have easy access to the Visitors' Center, because the business of the impulse buyer would not be captured. Likewise, if an access door would not be available from the Center to the Gardens, it may be a point of frustration to visitors, who would need to walk around the entire building to enjoy the Gardens. The design team acknowledged that a solution is being explored to address those concerns. The suggestion was made that parking spaces be added or reconfigured to accommodate tour buses. Mr. Bartlett expressed concern that the view of the landscaping would obscure the view of Cuistot from Highway 111. He noted that there were two view corridors to the restaurant from Highway 111, and that the mature landscaping would eliminate these corridors. It was noted that the Visitors' Center building would have eliminated the existing view, as was established in the plan prior to the existence of Cuistot, and that there would be more of a view with landscaping rather than with a building. It was suggested that drawings depicting the prior location of the Visitors' Center be reviewed to determine the view corridors. It was pointed out that seating would be incorporated into the design of the garden. It was also mentioned that if steel were used for the construction of a shade structure, it would retain heat and would make the space under it hotter than that surrounding it. It was suggested that any steel be bright white so as to reflect the heat. It was suggested that the patio of the multi -use building should be rotated to the south so as to take advantage of the natural views of the mountains. The landscaping surrounding the Visitors' Center was discussed, although it will be discussed in greater detail as plans progress. The concept of displaying specific plant materials at the windows of the alcoves would be realized as originally designed. It was also pointed out how the roofline of the Visitors' Center, as rotated, mirrors the line of the mountains. The design team acknowledged that the Visitors' Center would not be visible from Hwy 111 unless the driver's intent is to turn into the driveway leading to the Center, but that with the rotation of the building, the aesthetic appearance would be much more inviting. It was established that the budget for artwork to be installed has been increased. Particular locations for artwork have not yet been designated. The entrance to the Visitors' Center was suggested as a possible location for artwork. G:\RDA\Niamh Ortega\Wpdata\Comm ttees\Entrada\Minutes\Mnutes 20041Minutes 051204.doc 4 ENTRADA DEL PASEO STEERING COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 12, 2004 MOTION to recommend to the Agency Board that they: 1) approve the concept of the landscaping for phase II of the Eric Johnson Memorial Gardens and the remainder of the site at Entrada del Paseo, and 2) approve the revised site master plan depicting locations for the Visitors' Information Center and the multi -use building made by Member Leo, seconded by Member Lilly, unanimously carried. VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS None. VIII. OLD BUSINESS None. IX. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS None. X. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN/MEMBERS None. B. STAFF None. XI. ADJOURNMENT Upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried, Chairman McCarthy adjourned the meeting at 11:39 a.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting will take place on Wednesday, May 26, 2004, at 10:30 a.m. in the Administrative Conference Room. Niamh Ortega, Rec G:\RDA\Niamh Ortega\WpdatalCommitteeslEntrada\Minutes \ Minutes 2004\Minutes 051204.doc ing Secretary 5