HomeMy WebLinkAboutArchitectural Review Committee Minutes 09-19-22ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE MINUTES
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, California 92262
(Meeting held via Zoom)
Minutes of September 19, 2022
CALL TO ORDER:
Chair Jakway called the meeting to order at 5:33 pm.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Doczi, Lockyer, McCoy, Thompson, Walsh, Vice Chair Rotman,
Chair Jakway
Excused Absence: Poehlein
Staff Present: Planning Director Hadwin, Associate Planner Kikuchi,
Assistant Planner Perez
REPORT OF THE POSTING OF AGENDA:
The Agenda was available for public access at the City Hall bulletin board (west side of
Council Chamber) by 9:00 pm, Thursday, September 15, 2022, and posted on the City's
website as required by established policies and procedures.
ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA:
McCoy, seconded by Doczi to accept the agenda, as presented.
AYES: DOCZI, LOCKYER, MCCOY, THOMPSON, WALSH, ROTMAN, JAKWAY
ABSENT: POEHLEIN
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
CONSENT CALENDAR:
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: SEPTEMBER 6, 2022
Lockyer, seconded by Thompson to approve minutes, as presented.
AYES: DOCZI, LOCKYER, MCCOY, THOMPSON, WALSH, ROTMAN, JAKWAY
ABSENT: POEHLEIN
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City of Palm Springs
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
2. REQUEST BY DJL OF THE DESERT, INC., OWNER, FOR A MAJOR
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW APPLICATION TO CONSTRUCT A ONE-STORY 3-
UNIT APARTMENT BUILDING ON AN UNDEVELOPED 10,200-SQUARE-FOOT
PARCEL LOCATED AT 517 SOUTH MOUNTAIN VIEW DRIVE, ZONE R-2 (CASE
3.4270-MAJ) (AR)
Ms. Rubalcava presented the project as outlined in the staff report.
Committee Members asked questions about the trash enclosure, front wall, exterior
lighting, landscape materials and building color.
GEORGE YOUSEF, applicant, provided background details on the project.
Member Doczi said the site plan needs to be further developed, including shifting the
building back towards the rear to add landscape and pedestrian access to the units and
trash enclosure.
Member Lockyer suggested the enclosure could be screened with additional landscape.
Mr. Lockyer said he would like to see specification on the sconce. He suggested a more
attractive sconce could be used on the front of the building.
Vice Chair Rotman said additional landscape would be needed along the front and
recommended additional fenestration be provided on the front building.
Member Thompson agreed that adding fenestration to the front elevation would enhance
the building.
Lockyer, seconded by Doczi to continue to allow the applicant to provide further
development to site plan incorporating the following:
1. Gas meter, landscape enhancements, trash enclosure screening and
specification and use of more attractive sconces.
AYES: DOCZI, LOCKYER, MCCOY, THOMPSON, WALSH, ROTMAN, JAKWAY
ABSENT: POEHLEIN
NEW BUSINESS:
3. REQUEST BY PINNACLE PALM SPRINGS, LLC FOR A MAJOR
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW APPLICATION TO CONSTRUCT A 3,953-SQUARE
FOOT, ONE-STORY SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE ON A 12,701 SQUARE -
FOOT HILLSIDE LOT LOCATED AT 1740 PINNACLE POINT, ZONE PD 79
(CASE 3.4335-MAJ) (AR)
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City of Palm Springs
Member Doczi recused himself on this project due to a business -related conflict of interest.
Planner Rubalcava presented the application as outlined in the staff report.
BRIAN FOSTER, applicant, explained the reasoning for having minimum glazing and the
ability to address heat and solar gain with Title 24 measures, and a desire to retain
mountain views with the larger glazing.
SCOTT LYLE, realtor representing applicant, questioned staffs recommendation.
Chair Jakway noted that there is no location for a resident to sit outside with shade and
noted a television is located in an exposed area without overhang.
Mr. Foster explained there are many constraints with the lot, including its size and
topography, that limit the ability to develop the property and occupants will use umbrellas
to shade outdoor spaces, as desired.
Chair Jakway questioned the infinity edge pool design with its view ending over the roof.
Mr. Foster responded that the infinity edge is typically a buyer preference; however, they
are willing to take another look at the design.
In response to Chair Jakway's questions regarding the elevation designs and rear retaining
walls, Mr. Foster described the elevation preferences and a desire to not have steps in the
rear yard living space.
Member McCoy questioned the landscape plan and use of boulders, noting
inconsistencies between the plans and more detail is needed. He said the exterior up -
lighting is excessive and some of the trees are inconsistent with those preferred in the
desert environment.
Member Lockyer thinks there could be more articulation on the rear of the fagade and
questioned the overall the composition of the home with the different line angles and
overhangs (or lack thereof).
Chair Jakway expressed concern with the strange front elevation and its geometries and
lack of inconsistencies on all four sides of the building.
Member McCoy said he's not concerned with a windowless fagade, however, he concurred
with Chair Jakway's comments on the proposed design.
Vice Chair Rotman said the interior 16' ceiling height has too much volume and the overall
height should be dropped to 14' or less to retain a residential scale.
Member Walsh agreed with staffs analysis of the project. He said there is a lack of
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City of Palm Springs
consistency on the elevations and there isn't a rhythm or reason with the building
composition. Mr. Walsh said the solar control is inadequate and creates functionality
issues with the home.
Member Lockyer thinks with the amount of concrete and stucco there's too much
hardscape in the rear yard. He said no landscape has been added to soften the amount of
hardscape.
Mr. Foster described the success they've had with his designs and the buyer's
preferences. He said he's open to using the front elevation and making it cohesive on the
other sides of the building.
In response to Member Thompson's question on ceiling height, Mr. Foster said the buyer
requested a 16' ceiling height and clarified it will more than likely be 14' after factoring in
construction details.
The Committee discussed a preference for matching the four sides of the building.
Mr. Foster described the LED strips on the fagade.
Member Thompson suggested using well lights instead of LED strips on the fagade. Mr.
Foster agreed that replacing the LED strips with well lights may be acceptable. Mr. Foster
agreed that introducing landscape to the back deck would be desirable if there were more
space and the front setback was reduced.
Vice Chair said if the house was moved forward there would be more space in the
backyard, which would allow more softscape.
Jakway, seconded by Lockyer to continue the project for further review, subcommittee to
assist with design changes, subject to the following recommendations:
1. Design with more consistency on all four sides of the building. Consider
the need for shade on the rear elevation and yard.
2. Landscape:
•Incorporate landscape within the hardscaped areas in the rear yard.
•Some of the trees (Mexican Fan Palms) are inconsistent with those
preferred in the desert environment. Remove and replace.
3. Lighting:
•Remove LED light stripes on elevation walls and use well lights.
•Reduce the amount of outdoor ground lighting.
AYES: LOCKYER, THOMPSON, WALSH, ROTMAN, JAKWAY
ABSENT: POEHLEIN
ABSTAIN: DOCZI
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City of Palm Springs
4. REQUEST BY STUDIO AR & D ARCHITECTS, INC., ON BEHALF OF DESERT
EYRIE HOMES, LLC, FOR MAJOR ARCHITECTURAL (MAJ) AND
ADMINISTRATIVE MINOR MODIFICATION (AMM) APPLICATIONS TO
CONSTRUCT A 4,754-SQUARE-FOOT SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE WITH THE
MAXIMUM BUILDING HEIGHT OF 12.5 FEET AND A 15.2-FOOT FRONT YARD
SETBACK, INSTEAD OF THE 25-FOOT-MINIMUM, ON AN 18,122-SQUARE-
FOOT UNDEVELOPED HILLSIDE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2306 MONUMENT
COURT (LOT 76), ZONE ESA-SP, SECTION 4 (CASE 3.4336 MAJ & CASE
7.1658 AMM). (NK)
Member Lockyer stated his recusal on Items 4 and 5 due to a business -related conflict of
interest.
Associate Planner Kikuchi presented the project as outlined in the staff report.
In response to Committee member questions, Ms. Kikuchi clarified that the hillside lots
may reduce the front setback to ten feet with the AMM approval; the area of the proposed
front yard reduction; the staff recommendation on the elevation shade enhancements; and
the no -build easement and proposed boulders.
NICK LAFARO, applicant, presented the proposed layout and clarified the overhang
extends to 15' from the front setback to address the southerly exposure. He described the
configuration of the home and design solution to shade the exposed windows on the south
elevation.
Member Doczi thinks the landscape along the south property line is too linear; suggesting
it could be designed more natural. He agreed with staffs recommendation on the south
elevation and appreciated the applicant's design solution.
Member Walsh agreed with member Doczi's comments and thinks the lighting accents
should be where they're visible.
Chair Jakway said overall he thinks the project is nice and the setback reduction is
acceptable due to it primarily involving an overhang.
Rotman, seconded by Thompson to approve, subject to staffs recommended conditions
with added condition:
1. Install skirts to conceal the visibility of the equipment under the solar panels.
AYES:
DOCZI, MCCOY, THOMPSON, WALSH, ROTMAN, JAKWAY
ABSENT:
POEHLEIN
ABSTAIN:
LOCKYER
Architectural Review Committee Minutes
September 19, 2022
City of Palm Springs
5. STUDIO AR & D ARCHITECTS, INC., ON BEHALF OF DESERT EYRIE HOMES,
LLC, FOR A MAJOR ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION TO CONSTRUCT A
4,839-SQUARE-FOOT SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE WITH THE MAXIMUM
BUILDING HEIGHT OF 12.3 FEET ON AN 18,259-SQUARE-FOOT
UNDEVELOPED HILLSIDE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2339 CITY VIEW DRIVE
(LOT 59), ZONE ESA-SP, SECTION 4 (CASE 3.4337 MAJ). (NK)
Member Lockyer previously stated his stated his recusal due to a business -related conflict.
Planner Kikuchi presented the project as outlined in the staff report.
NICK LAFARO, applicant, provided background on the project.
Mr. Rotman said a variation in color is something to consider, given the home is adjacent
to another the home (also on the agenda) with the same colors.
Chair Jakway asked if the gas meter could be relocated behind the mechanical enclosure;
if an enclosure or screen would be proposed in front of the master bath window; if there
would be a gate, and if the pool enclosure fence would degrade the pool enclosure infinity
edge pool design. Mr. Lafaro responded the meter could be relocated, there is no gate
and discussed alternatives to the pool enclosure design.
Thompson, seconded by Walsh to approve, subject to staffs recommended conditions
with added condition:
1. Install skirts to conceal the visibility of the equipment under the solar panels.
AYES: DOCZI, MCCOY, THOMPSON, WALSH, ROTMAN, JAKWAY
ABSENT: POEHLEIN
ABSTAIN: LOCKYER
COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS: None
STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: None
ADJOURNMENT:
The Architectural Review Committee of the City of Palm Springs adjourned at 8:01 pm to
the next regular meeting at 5:30 pm on Monday, October 3, 2022, 3200 East Tahquitz
Canyon Way, Palm Springs.
Christopher Hadwin
Director of Planning Services