HomeMy WebLinkAboutDesert Breezes HOA Letter 04/28/2005City of Palm Desert
Office of the City Manager
MEMORANDUM
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Carlos L. Ortega, City Manager
Date: April 28, 2005
Subject:: Desert Breezes Homeowners Association Letter dated April 18, 2005
The City Council received a request from the Desert Breezes Homeowners Association
relative to the reconstruction of Fred Waring and the mitigation of noise that will be created
by traffic on Fred Waring.
Since this letter was addressed to the entire City Council, I am putting the item on the April
28 agenda along with staffs response to the issues raised in the letter.
CARLOS `L. OPSGA
City Manager
CLO:kr
Attachment
CITY OF PALM DESERT
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
To: Carlos L. Ortega, City Manager
From: Michael Errante, Director of Public Works
Date: April 21, 2005
SUBJECT: Desert Breezes Homeowners Association Letter, Dated April 18, 2005
The City of Palm Desert received a letter on April 18, 2005 from the Desert Breezes
Homeowners Association requesting the City Council's consideration in erecting a sound wall on
the east side of Fred Waring Drive from the entrance of Desert Breezes to the driveway of the
commercial building. The following represents stairs response to the points raised in the letter.
1. The Fred Waring entrance on the east and west side, of Desert Breezes needs to match
from an aesthetic point of view.
Response:
The appearance of the wall will not change from its current appearance. The project proposes to
remove and reconstruct existing wall, between Warner Trail and Entrada Las Brisas, in -kind. In
other words, the wall will be reconstructed and present the same appearance as the existing wall.
The new wall will simply be slightly higher to mitigate noise. In addition, any existing
landscape materials disturbed during the wall reconstruction will be replaced.
2. The future can only bring more noise and traffic and the sound wall will be needed at
some point. The front of the timeshare units, on the east side, function as their
backyard which is where guest sit out and enjoy peace and tranquility of the desert.
Response:
The noise study prepared as part of the adopted Environmental Document measures the existing
noise levels and forecasted the noise levels expected from future traffic through the year 2020.
The existing noise level was measured at 62 decibels (dBA). The noise levels on the east side of
Entrada Las Brisas was forecasted to be 64 decibels (dBA) in 2020. The City's Noise Element
considers 65 dBA acceptable in outside spaces within residential areas. According to the Noise
Study, no modifications are necessary to existing wall on the east side of Entrada Las Brisas.
3. The sound study, on pages 13 through 18 shows a decibel reading of 64 on the east side,
only one decibel away from the recommended intervention of a sound wall.
Response:
As previously discussed, the Noise Study projects the traffic related noise level to be 64 dBA in
the year 2020. This is an acceptable noise level and does not require additional mitigation.
4. In a letter from Mike Errante, Director of Public Works, Desert Breezes was informed
the "project encompasses the area between California Avenue and Washington Street.
The project will provide a new block wall along the Fred Waring side of your property.
The new wall is intended to reduce the amount of traffic noise you may experience over
the coming years." This letter was distributed to all 371 units.
Response:
The letter referred to was written as an introduction letter for the Design Consultants use in
contacting all of the residents affected by the project within the entire project limits. The letter
was not specifically written to the Desert Breezes Homeowners. In addition, the letter was not
intended to, nor did it, scope the type of wall improvements to be provided at the Desert Breezes
location.
5. Laurie Walker from WEC, the city's consultant, has met with homeowners on an
individual basis, and in a group presentation, held at our clubhouse. Laurie was
extremely knowledgeable about options for the wall with regard to height and design.
Response:
The WEC Corporation is a professional engineering firm under contract to coordinate with those
residents affected by the proposed sound wall improvements. Laurie Walker is assigned to
provide the Community Liaison services on behalf of the Cities of Indian Wells and Palm Desert.
Ms. Walker's job was to coordinate the proposed wall improvements. Ms. Walker was not
responsible for establishing the project's scope or limits.
6. A sample of the proposed wall was brought to the Desert Breezes Clubhouse and has
been on display for homeowners to see. This sample has columns with a rock design on
the columns that is similar to the Fred Waring monument sign at the entrance to Desert
Breezes. We respectfully request the rock design on the column to match the type of
color of rock on this monument sign. Laurie Walker was provided with the name and
phone number of Bogart Masonry to assist in obtaining this rock.
Response:
It is unfortunate that WEC misunderstood the scope and limits of the proposed sound wall
improvements adjacent to Desert Breezes. The purpose of the project was to mitigate noise from
the Fred Waring Drive Improvements. The purpose was not to reconstruct and enhance the
perimeter wall in its entirety. The project budget does not provide for the reconstruction any
existing walls except where the Noise Study recommends mitigation is necessary. With this
said, the City might consider changing the construction materials of the wall so long as Desert
Breezes agrees to pay any costs above what the City is responsible for. In addition, the City
might consider reconstructing the wall east of Entrada Las Brisas as part of the project if Desert
Breezes agrees to pay the additional costs. The cost for the construction of the wall is currently
estimated at $185 to $225 per linear foot. Considering the wall east of Entrada Las Brisas is 880
linear feet, the cost would range between $162,800 to $198,000 dollars.
7. The wall addition announcement was well publicized in the recent election of Desert
Breezes board members.
Response:
Again, it is unfortunate that bad information was publicized within the Homeowner's
Association. Staff can not turn back the clock. Steps have been taken to ensure this type of
misinformation is not released again. In fact, WEC is no longer being considered for the
Construction Management Services necessary to construct the proposed wall improvements.
8. Desert Breezes has always operated in concert with the City of Palm Desert's goals. For
example, Desert Breezes was one of the first homeowners associations, to remove the
turf on its perimeters to promote and install drought tolerant landscaping and drip
system without assistance from the Coachella Valley Water District or the City of Palm
Desert. Desert Breezes was touted at a recent water symposium as an example of how
an association, by converting to drought tolerant landscaping, can save money on water
usage and landscape maintenance. In addition, Desert Breezes, with assistance from
Mayor Crites, jumped on the recycling bandwagon to assist the City of Palm Desert in
its efforts.
Response:
The City of Palm Desert appreciates its working relationship with the Desert Breezes
community. However, has to carefully consider the expenditure of public funds on a case by
case basis. The City can not expend funds to mitigate impacts that do not exist.
9. Desert Breezes also shares the City Council's concern on the height of walls with regard
to the "Alamo Effect". Therefore, we respectfully request a wall with columns and
landscaping for aesthetic purposes and in keeping with the overall wall design of Fred
Waring.
Response:
Again, the purpose of the project was to mitigate noise from the Fred Waring Drive
Improvements. The purpose was not to reconstruct and enhance the perimeter walls of
surrounding residential developments. The project budget does not provide for the
reconstruction any existing walls except where the adopted Noise Study recommends mitigation
is necessary.
A
Michael Erranteector'of Public Works
cc: Homer Croy, Assistant City Manager for Development Services
Mark Greenwood, City Engineer
Armando Rodriguez, Senior Engineer
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side of Berl Wad $+am the ertraaoe of H� to the dsi wwal►
. , jG 1 bao"ljjjns in Fred Wm mB and Washi08toa to match the sand wag 00 GitY is
Am fir the wear ;idc of Fsod Waring from ww= Trail to >he .. r Hof Dceat
j We believe *is wail is ume3my ftw the #bllowh* re890Dtt;
oQA rite east mad West side, of Dew 13mues needs to
1. TM Fred Waring .
maoch from an acsthsao pose: aviaor
2. The W= ran Ody bFW4 =acts avast andUldne
and the Vmwd rill will be
noodcd ex 9owo ate fitwt of dw ti wsbaro WhI6 an the east side, MCIAoo
as tbeit ba o vvbich is whore �e s-it oat aid ealiory► Peace Wd tanTAMY of
the desert.
3. 7U w and sbsdy, an pyes 133tthass& 1% shom a decs'bo3 seadin8 of 64svnotl-u..tr�
4. Ib s latter'FI'�and
��I��.[ m a'oL of Public Wcwt �atIM De��9elIftt gI�Bal�71�eaS'WO
Wes, SttVO -fie pn t will prorvWa a new blo& wOU slang tba Fred
Wiring side of Tow pmiedy- The new waif is h eatdvd to reduaa the smoi= of
1a na#ae you may oxperience oroac docoming yrs." ibis Ictbe< arm
,1%r,., bated to A 371 Unim
S. Irai<uje Walker frog+ WF_C. the cWs vonxftnt� bar mild with haft owners as m
>►»divida d basis, sad in a Smop pr Log F mI iom bdd at oats chtbhOm Laurie was
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Received Apr-18-05 08:16ea From-7603417088 To -PALM DESERT CITY CLE Pep 02
knowledgoablc about the options for the wen with rcgard w haaight and
dwisn
6. A sarapte cf the - .I wall was baOU& tO the DOMt RtOOM Cl» bbonse grid
has been an display far homeoam m 10 M 7bx sample ins whMn with a tv*
design on the owvunns tint is simiiar to &M Frail Waring m . , ... , ... t sisn at the
Li a .. ,:.1. � to Da mt Axncma. Wo raspoot6alty rcgm;at the TOQU diop on tug
colum w is - I tbs tM mred Gvior ufToGk wo *is o2oawnim sism lAude
Waaw was provided wn Me name and pbane of Bogatt Msamry to
assist in obtaftft this rock.
7. t elec donor£
Dowt Brews board nwmbem
Deserr 39 e1 F , a has always , s ....:. I is conceit w tfi the City of Palm Domes
goals. For scar*eC Broom WaS one of dw fir*
�yh, �. .. as
to rcona" W to i on is r i 6 , , r . w . i to ; , . � .. � , i . a� lod4
Wudw*piong and the dnip syaben without avagwi e► i, CaachoUs Valley Watw
I? WkZ vir liar Cfty of Pahn iksark Desert D .. mcned at a neoeaa "am
symposium as ao caaeanple of bow. an a wooMw by com menus to dot.
LO1CdaaL 1811d..a >! ; yA C8118aVEnXIOVOINVIllaw and 1Sndxip`l�O�gOG
in additi000t, DwW B>nCe�C,f, wA usisb 0e'11�jrinped on do
recycitog barn ,, to asaiet the City of Palm Desert ncrr=
9. 1Jesert Bt+eeees SIM sbar+es tba Carty Coaaa'1's .. m the hltigi* afwalhs wdh
requA to the "Alamo Mot i" Tbwe%n, 11 . , . - r : Fully request a well with
60 ,; . 0 , ,, i and 1uv&capi% ibr sesdadc ptbp um and in %aping with ttte ov+wrall
wall design of Fred Www&
Ifthere are sap► questions, VbWa fed flree to Contact Cmfp Fine" at 360-66M or Tom
An.... � 74.11 at 360-4169.
Respec M* submitted
Dorm Breezes gnmeowners Assoeimion
Card Calhoun, PnVarty MmaW
For tbo Ord of ftwtors
Desert Breem Cases dt Nester Raooct.. I j I AswelaffM
Received Aar-10-2006 08.22 From-760US0018 To-PALII DESERT PIKIC V Pass 003
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