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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZOA 04-04 - Wall Heights/Locations in Single Family DistrictsCITY OF PALM DESERT DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STAFF REPORT REQUEST: Consideration of initiation of zoning ordinance amendment with respect to wall heights/locations in single family districts. SUBMITTED BY: Steve Smith, Planning Manager APPLICANT: City of Palm Desert CASE NO: ZOA 04-04 DATE: January 13, 2005 CONTENTS: Staff Recommendation Discussion November 30, 2004 Memo December 1, 2004 Landscape Beautification Committee Minutes Staff Recommendation: That by minute motion the City Council direct staff to process a zoning ordinance amendment as it relates to perimeter wall height / locations in single family districts. Discussion: Over the past few months the City Council has indicated an interest in amending the present code as it relates to walls in the front and street side yards of single family residences. November 30, 2004 staff presented a memo to the Landscape Beautification Committee (copy attached) wherein two suggested means of addressing the issue were presented as follows: 1. That code be amended to limit the amount of the linear street frontage that can be enclosed by a solid six (6) foot wall to 40% and open fencing (wrought iron) at six feet to 60%. Staff Report Case No. ZOA 04-04 Page 2 January 13, 2005 2. Look at moving six (6) foot solid walls farther back from the street (i.e., 5-foot high solid walls leave at 15 feet from curb, but move 6-foot high solid walls back to 20 feet from curb. The committee indicted that both suggestions had merit and should be reviewed further. December 13, 2004 a meeting of the City Council Subcommittee, which was appointed to address this matter, was held. At that meeting Councilman Kelly suggested to staff that the City consider limiting any solid walls in front yards to a maximum height of three feet, but to permit up to a total height of six (6) feet if the top section is wrought iron. If City Council directs staff to process this amendment, it is staff's intention to schedule it for public hearing at Planning Commission on February 1, 2005 and tentatively to schedule it for public hearing before City Council February 24, 2005. Submitted by: Planning Manager Approva H•' er Cr ACM for De /tm lopment Services Department Head: Phil Drell Director of Community Development Approval: Carlos L. Orte City Manager (Wpdocs\tm\sr\zoa04-04.cc) CITY OF PALM DESERT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: Landscape Beautification Committee FROM: Community Development Department DATE: November 30, 2004 SUBJECT: Walls in Single Family Residential Districts Presently code permits walls in R-1 districts to enclose 100% of the front yard area where the applicant chooses to gate the driveway. Six foot high walls must be setback 15 feet and 12 feet on the street side of corner lots. Councilman Ferguson expressed concern that front yards are being totally enclosed creating a fortress -type look from the street. Suggested means to address the issue: 1. That code be amended to limit the amount of the linear frontage that can be enclosed by a solid six (6) foot wall to 40% and open fencing (wrought iron) at six feet to 60%. Or 2. Look at moving six (6) foot solid walls farther back from the street (i.e. 5' high solid walls leave at 15 feet from curb but move 6' high solid walls back to 20' from curb. No new regulation is proposed for four foot or lower walls. The committee may wish to conduct a tour of the City to further assess the situation. SS/dq CITY OF PALM DESERT LANDSCAPE BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE MINUTES December 1, 2004 at 11:30 a.m. Public Works Conference Room I. CALL TO ORDER Spencer Knight convened the meeting at 11:39 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Buford Crites, Councilmember Carlos Ortega, City Manager Homer Croy, ACM for Development Services Phil Drell, Director of Community Development Spencer Knight, Landscape Manager Cindy Finerty, Planning Commissioner Absent: Richard S. Kelly, Councilmember Also Present: Sheila Gilligan, ACM for Community Services Kristy Kneiding, Marketing Manager Diane Hollinger, Landscape Specialist Tony Bagato, Assistant Planner Monica Loredo, Administrative Secretary III. COMMENTS - None IV. ITEMS OF BUSINESS A. DATE LABEL DESIGN Spencer K. circulated a sample of the date label for the Committee to review. He noted the font size for "Palm Desert" was increased. Sheila G. asked if the date boxes would be given out as gifts or would they be sold. Spencer responded that they are going to be gifts. A bar code will be on the label, if in the future staff decides to place the dates on the market. 1 Landscape Beautification Committee Minutes Page 2 of 4 December 1, 2004 Sheila G. asked how many gift boxes would be distributed. Spencer K. responded several thousand and noted that the dates are being held in cold storage. Sheila G. commented that the dates could be sold at the Visitors Center for a nominal amount. Kristy K. added that it could cover some the costs for labeling and packaging. Spencer K. asked if the Committee approved the label. The committee decided the word "real" should be deleted from the label. Action: Delete the word "real" from the label. B. RILLINGTON COMMUNITIES (TT 31071) Tony B. presented the perimeter landscaping for Gateway and Gerald Ford Drive at Rillington Communities. He stated that City Council had a discussion. of widening the landscaping area. Tony B. said that staff recommended going 50 ft. from the corner. Phil D. also mentioned the Planning Department discussed that there is 12 ft. between the curb and the sidewalk to add a tree so that there are some trees closer to the street. Councilmember Crites asked if staff was happy with the landscaping material. Diane H. responded that staff has been working with the landscape architect on some changes. Phil D. mentioned that they are working on a palette for the appropriate trees. The landscape architect named some of the different trees that they plan on planting. The Committee also gave him some recommendations for trees. C. WALL CONSTRUCTION Residential Wall Construction Spencer K. reported that there are two issues with wall construction. First is with residential wall construction. The concern is not to have tall walls that can create a fortress or Alamo look. Phil D. distributed a copy of the current code for single-family homes and a memorandum with suggestions to address the concerns. He explained what the code presently permits. Phil D. suggested to amend the code to limit the amount of linear feet that can be enclosed by a solid six foot wall or look at moving a six foot wall farther back from the street. He last suggested for the committee to take a tour of the City to look at good and bad examples of walls. 2 G:ICity ClerkWoreen Bouchard\Noreen\Style GuidelSample Minutes W-O Marks Landscape Beautification Committee Minutes Page 3 of 4 December 1, 2004 Cindy F. asked if staff was referring to residential and homeowner associations. Phil D. replied that it was mainly for single-family homes. Cindy F. asked if landscape is required in front of the wall. Phil D. responded yes. Phil D. stated that another issue with walls is the minimum distance between columns or other decorative features, and does the City want to require a decorative feature if the wall runs more than 20 feet. The Committee agreed that columns or other decorative features should be required. It was commented that residents want six-foot walls for security and privacy. Action: Amend code to combine both suggestions for six-foot high walls. Move the distance farther back from the curb and limit the front enclosure, include some vertical relief every 60 feet. Capital Improvement Project (CIP) Wall Design Spencer K. reported that staff has been talking to some landscape architects requesting proposals for a group of conceptual ideas on how to treat capitol improvement project walls. Once staff receives some designs, staff will request the City Council to review the conceptual designs then choose three to four treatments to be used on a regular basis for projects. There also will be treatments that can be applied to existing walls. Spencer K. asked if there should be an informational item added to the December City Council agenda or wait until January. Carlos O. responded that if a member from City Council requests information, he will let Council know that the Landscape Beautification Committee discussed CIP wall designs, and a proposed policy will come back for their review. D. SAFETY ISSUE -WATER RUN-OFF Spencer K. explained the safety issue along the walkway in front of the Council Chamber adjacent to the driveway, which is caused by water run- off from the turf. He asked the Committee for direction if the landscape in front of the Council Chamber should be redone. Phil D. asked if the idea of an atrium has been completely abandoned. He commented that if an atrium is not going to be put in then the there should be new landscaping. 3 G:ICity Clerk\Noreen BouchardWoreen\Style GuidelSample Minutes W-O Marks