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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPA4 Cmte - 12/15/08PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES December 15, 2008 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Fred Benford called a regular meeting to order on Monday, December 15, 2008, at 3:05 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Members Present: Charles Ash Fred Benford Jane Daugherty Robert Duncan Douglas Luhring Susan McMillen Also Present: Members Absent: Roberta Grubb �e�L,tdfFlted BY R DA -0 (6�j� 1 J ON A' a'Cq VERIFIED BY COV, / Original on file with City Jerk's Office Martin Alvarez, Redevelopment Manager Lauri Aylaian, Director of Planning Heather Beck, Project Coordinator Mark Diercks, P.E., Transportation Engineer Phyllis Harkins, Palm Desert Country Club Association Maria Hunt, Recording Secretary K. Kaufmann, Desert Sun Richard Kelly, Councilmember Justin McCarthy, ACM Redevelopment Hart Ponder, Code Compliance Manager Aria Scott, Senior Financial Analyst Lt. Andrew Shouse, Palm Desert Police Department Dave Simmons, Palm Desert Country Club Robert Spiegel, Councilmember Dave Yrigoyen, Director of Redevelopment/Housing CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES December 15, 2008 III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Chairman Benford announced he had a card that he wanted the Committee members to sign that would be sent to Mr. Carlos Ortega. He also requested that Committee members print their names and email address on the list that was being circulated so that they may be able to communicate directly with him and/or request that an item be placed on the agenda for discussion. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MEETING OF OCTOBER 20, 2008. With Committee concurrence, the Minutes of the meeting of October 20, 2008, were unanimously approved. V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None VI. NEW BUSINESS A. PRESENTATION by Councilmember Jean Benson Councilmember Benson stated that every year the City gives a party fQr all Committees and Commissions, but this year it was decided that they would do something different. We don't often get a chance to say thanks, but our thanks are always with you in our hearts. We know how hard you work, and we know it is for free. We just want you to know that we do appreciate your hard work all year long. She presented the Committee members with a gift certificate from the McCallum Theater. Committee members thanked the Councilmembers. VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS None Vill. OLD BUSINESS None G:\rda\Beth Longman\Committees\PA #4\Minutes\2008 Minutes\Minutes 121508.doo 2 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES December 15, 2008 IX. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS A. UPDATE ON CALIFORNIA VILLAS APARTMENTS Martin Alvarez provided the Committee with an update on the California Villas Apartment Phase B project. Renovations to the site include water efficient landscaping, parking lot improvements, new carports, and upgrades to the administration office building for the affordable housing project. Phase B improvements are expected to be completed in early January. Mr. McCarthy asked Mr. Alvarez to elaborate on the effect of some of the improvements that were done to the roof system relative to the latest fire. Mr. Alvarez reported that approximately three weeks ago there was a fire in one of the units. The fire was contained within the individual unit because of improvements that were done as part of Phase A. Those specific improvements included adding additional draft stops throughout the roof elements to prevent fire from spreading. The original design was completely open, basically a rafter system that continued through all the units. We were able to protect the safety of our tenants and maintain the fire to that unit. Ms. Aylaian asked how much money had been put together for the project. Mr. Alvarez replied that he didn't have the figure for Phase A, but Phase B was $2.3 million. Mr. Ash asked how many units at the complex, to which Mr. Alvarez replied there were 148 units. Mr. Alvarez noted that the five parking lots were re -done with concrete because it has a longer life span and would require less maintenance. B. UPDATE ON COUNTRY VILLAGE APARTMENTS AND CASEY'S RESTAURANT Mr. Alvarez introduced Heather Beck, Project Coordinator, who would be providing the update on the Country Village Apartments Deconstruction project and the renovations to Casey's Restaurant. Ms. Beck stated that the Country Village Deconstruction project will remove the existing 66-unit apartment complex and prepare the site and adjoining site for the future construction of the senior housing project. The process will be deconstruction, rather than demolition. Deconstruction is a more environmentally conscious demolition process. The grinding of the asphalt and concrete will allow us to reuse it on the site for base for future roads; all plant material will be green wasted and sent to composting facilities throughout the valley; GArda\Beth Longman\CommitteeMPA #4\Minutes\2008 Minutes\Minutes 121508.doc 3 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES December 15, 2008 and any other materials such as wood that can be recycled. The goal for the project is 75% diversion from landfills. The construction fencing has been installed around the site; all the utilities have been terminated; and the agreement has been sent to the contractor for signature. The deconstruction is scheduled to begin in January 2009, with duration of 75 days. The first phase is the abatement of lead and asbestos; the second phase is the actual deconstruction. The final product will be a rough graded site with stabilized soil, which will be ready for construction. Mr. Ash asked if there was a completion date for the construction of the Country Village Apartments, to which Mr. Alvarez replied that there was no estimated completion date. This phase is the design development, which will include full construction documents going through the entitlement process (Architectural Review Commission, Planning Commission, and Council). Staff will also be meeting with the various interest groups, including the Palm Desert Country Club Association, this Committee, and the surrounding homeowners' associations in the area. It will probably take a couple of years. C. UPDATE ON CASEY'S RESTAURANT The goal for Casey's is to upgrade the overall appearance, while maintaining the integrity and character of the original structure. It is proposed to remove the breezeway and the existing office for the Country Village Apartments. The parking lot will be reconfigured; the landscaping, ADA accessibility, site lighting, and drainage will be upgraded to meet the City's current standards. The number of parking stalls will be increased from 38 to 65. These improvements will tie into the streetscape improvements at the entrance to the Palm Desert Country Club. Mr. Ash asked if Casey's owners were buying the property from the City. Mr. McCarthy replied that the Council's direction to staff was to work with the owner of Casey's to both upgrade the project and facilitate his acquisition. It has not been completely negotiated yet, but that is the intent. All is being done with the owner's collaboration. Councilmember Spiegel asked if we were going to do a fagade enhancement on Casey's, to which Mr. McCarthy replied yes. Ms. Beck presented the Committee with a rendering of the existing elevations and proposed elevations updating the street corner and entrance. The porte cochere and breezeway will be removed. We are G \rda\Beth Longman\Committees\PA #4\Minutes\2008 Minutes\Minutes 121508.doc 4 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES December 15, 2008 also working on ideas for screening the mechanical equipment on top of the roof. Mr. Yrigoyen noted that an element of the site is a fire station that will house a truck and ambulance unit. Mr. Alvarez presented an exhibit showing the concept of the master plan for the entire area. The site where the apartments are currently located will be subdivided and approximately one acre will be designated for the future fire station. The remainder of the site will be used for 71 senior affordable housing units. Mr. Duncan asked if anything was going to be done about the drainage at Avenue of the States and Washington, Street. There is a real runoff problem in that area. Mr. Alvarez replied that the Public Works staff would be looking into that and would report back to the Committee. Mr. Ash added that there is a real problem with water running constantly at the apartments near Country Club. Mr. Alvarez stated that the goal is to achieve LEED Silver or better for the future senior apartment project. As part of that process, we will be assuring that all drainage is held on site, either through underground storage or onsite storage. D. UPDATE ON PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB UNDERGROUNDING Arla Scott reported that the overhead removal plans were delivered and given to Verizon and Time Warner. The Phase 1 civil work is complete and is currently being input into their system. Phase 2 is about 50% complete. Mr. Kelly asked what was included in Phase 2. Ms. Scott replied that the area is divided into four different sections, and Phase 2 is just one section of the entire area. Councilmember Spiegel asked when the people would know how much it would cost. Mr. Ash replied that it would be awhile because 70% of the Association homeowners must approve it before we can proceed. Ms. Scott noted that there were four sections, but it would be done as one. Mr. McCarthy asked when the engineering estimate would be prepared for consideration. Ms. Scott replied that she had not been provided with a very good date, but thought it would be between March and June before they would have something from SCE. Mr. Yrigoyen added that it is important that everybody out there knows what is going on. The engineers are currently having problems with people questioning them while they are out doing their measurements. Ms. Harkins stated that an article has been placed in the January newsletter. G:\rda\Beth Longman\Committees\PA #4\Minutes\2008 Minutes\Minutes 121508 doc 5 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES December 15, 2008 E. UPDATE ON GOLF CART CIRCULATION PLAN Ms. Aylaian provided an update on the Palm Desert Country Club. The golf cart lane re -striping is one of a handful of items remaining on that development project. The good news is that since we met last month we have had better communication with the developer. The bad news is that the financial condition hasn't improved enough to allow them to go ahead and finish all of the outstanding items. The largest item that has not been completed is the new maintenance facility. They have an existing maintenance storage facility, but do not have the money to complete a new maintenance facility. They are proposing to come to the City by the end of January with a plan. Although, without the financing in place, there won't be a timetable, but it will allow us to review it from a technical standpoint and discuss with the neighbors to advise them as to what is planned and what the City could require for completion of that maintenance facility. Some of the other items that remain to be completed are the landscaping along the road that goes into their temporary maintenance facility area. They also were required to complete some improvements at the home adjacent to that entrance road. They have gone ahead and completed the gate and have done some landscaping there, but have not done the landscaping along the road itself. They also need to do some cleanup of the temporary maintenance facility, haul out old landscaping and stockpiled materials. They are hopeful to have that cleanup work done by the end of this year, but are not making any commitment. The other issue would be the golf cart lanes. A design has been submitted, has gone through the various review processes, has been approved by the City, and stamped by the Engineer. The City and the developer now have a bit of a difference of opinion as far as who is required to pay for those improvements. We are trying to sort that out. The improvements themselves should not be inordinately expensive. The City is at a standpoint where we will not let this drag on much longer. If need be, the City will go ahead and complete the striping of the lane and then look for a way to recoup that from the developer in the future. On a more positive note, they had identified the party they were negotiating with to sell their open space conservation easement to. It serves as a tax write-off for a third party who would have accepted this and would be a source of infusion of money into the project, which G \rda\Beth Longman\CommitteesTA#4\Minutes\2008 Minutes\Minutes 121508 doc 6 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES December 15, 2008 would allow them to go ahead and complete the work. Unfortunately, as of this afternoon, it sounds as though it is falling apart and may not happen now because it is tied into the tax year. They would have needed to close on that sale by the end of this year. It looks as though that is not going to happen., The good news is that the course is open and seems to have good use, and the clubhouse is open and is popular with the people. Mr. Ash wanted to know what she was referring to when she says golf cart lane. Ms. Aylaian explained that there are a couple of places where the golf lanes come adjacent to California and then dive back in again. There are places that we are looking at from a safety standpoint. Mr. Simmons stated that they are not actually lanes, but a path to travel on where the holes are offset. He stated that it is more of a symbol on the street to show players the path. Mr. Ash asked if crosswalks would be placed for golf carts, to which Mr. Simmons replied that they were not. The reason for that is that we do not want to give the people in golf carts the impression that they have the right-of-way and that these lanes are going to protect them from oncoming cars. Stop signs are posted at the crossings requiring the golf carts to stop. Mr. Benford stated that there is a serious problem with the underground cable on Tennessee. SCE came out to test them and left the "graffiti" (markings) on the street. There are four different colors all over the street, and further down the street, Verizon came out and now there are four more colors in that area. The companies should remove the markings when the work is completed. Councilmember Kelly requested that Mark Diercks look into revising the ordinance to include removal of markings when companies complete the project. X. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON/MEMBERS Mr. Benford asked Lt. Shouse if he had any comments or changes to the area, to which Lt. Shouse replied he did not, but that they do have officers out there working hard. Ms. Harkins reported she had a letter which was sent from the homeowners on Michigan to the Council regarding severe problem with dogs, graffiti, furniture on the roof, green pool in backyard at a home on Michigan. Lt. Shouse stated they were looking into that matter. G \rda\Beth Longman\Committees\PA #4\Mtnutes\2008 Minutes\Minutes 121508.doc 7 CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT AREA NO. 4 MINUTES December 15, 2008 Mr. Ash reported that there were a couple of officers out there with a bit of an attitude. The officers do a great job in keeping an eye on things out there. Lt. Shouse stated they certainly would want their officers to be courteous and professional to the law abiding citizens and to use appropriate attitude when necessary. If you have any concerns with individual officers, please let him know and he will deal with them. B. AGENCY BOARD LIAISONS C. PLANNING COMMISSION LIAISON D. STAFF XI. ADJOURNMENT The next meeting is scheduled for January 19, 2009, at 3:00 p.m. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:45 p.m. Maria Hunt, Recording Secretary G:\rda\Beth Longman\CommitteesTA #4\Minutes\2008 Minutes\Minutes 121508.doc 8