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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007/08/01 - MINUTES CITY OF PALM SPRINGS PLANNING COMMISSION STUDY SESSION JOINT MEETING WITH THE ARCHITECTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES August 1, 2007 Large Conference Room, City Hall 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs, CA 92262 CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 2:03 p.m. ROLL CALL: Present Present Year: FY 2007/2008 This Meeting: to Date: Excused Absences: Chair Marantz 2 1 Vice Chair Hochanadel X 3 0 Cohen X 3 0 Ringlein X 3 0 Hutcheson X 3 0 • Caffery X 3 0 Scott X 3 0 ARCHITECTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Present: Lance O'Donnell, Paul Ortega, Christopher Sahlin and Douglas Hudson. Not Present: Jim Cioffi, Michael King, Donald Wexler and Jeffrey Jurasky. REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA — The agenda was available for public access at the City Hall exterior bulletin board (west side of Council Chamber) and the Planning Department counter by 5:00 p.m. on July 27, 2007. 1. PUBLIC COMMENTS: (Three minute limit.) Chair Hochanadel opened public comments, and there being no appearances, public comments was closed. 2. Joint Study Session of the Planning Commission and the Architectural Advisory Committee. Discussion Items: (Not necessarily in order of consideration) • A. Metal Buildings - Mr. Edward Robertson opened the discussion and noted that zoning clearance has been applied toward metal buildings and not so much attention has been paid to the aesthetics or appearance. City of Palm Springs Planning Commission Study Session Joint Meeting with the Architectural Advisory Committee • Minutes of August t, 2007 Lance O'Donnell provided a history on manufactured metal buildings; noting many applications were submitted in the past and there was a desire to upgrade metal buildings. A blanket policy was initiated requiring upgrades to metal buildings such as veneer block or a stucco coat. Mr. O'Donnell noted the Architectural Advisory Committee reviews metal buildings, on a case by case, and occasionally they may find no upgrades are needed. Leo Cohen commented that many of the metal buildings are nice and does not feel upgrades should be required. Rick Hutcheson suggested after the General Plan amendment is complete, adding language to the Zoning Code to reflect the previous practice for metal buildings so that that future members will know the history. Toni Ringlein concurred and also suggested defining locations, which are questionable such as the Warm Sands area, as to whether residential or industrial zoning. Chair Hochanadel noted an area of concern is Mesquite Avenue, previously in an outskirt of town, now become a very busy street. Mr. Hochanadel suggested upgrading metal buildings in areas where they are no longer appropriate. Doug Hudson noted he felt that Butler buildings can be beautiful. Further discussion was made on metal buildings in the North Palm Springs area. Mr. O'Donnell stated that he concentrates less on the materials and focuses more on the durability of the building • to withstand the desert environment. Mr. Robertson stated the next step would be for the Commission to direct staff to initiate a zoning text amendment to codify the use of metal buildings in the city. He stated he has the utmost confidence in the Architectural Advisory Committee to make decisions on the aesthetics of the buildings. Mr. Scott requested a review of the surrounding buildings in total context of the project. Commissioner Caffery arrived and entered the Large Conference Room at 2:23 p.m. Chair Hochanadel noted the tendency is to use the cheapest materials. Doug Hudson noted he has seen nicely designed Butler buildings with all types of materials and does not feel the necessity to limit the type of materials. Jon Caffery noted a concern with the cheap, corrugated, set-up type of building consisting of all metal and he feels this type of construction should be limited in the city. Mr. O'Donnell commented if the metal building is appropriate for the area the consensus of the Architectural Committee is not to place a limitation on the materials but rather view each project on a case by case basis. Mr. Robertson stated that design guidelines for metal buildings are not provided in the Zoning Code and the Architectural Committee's key role is the architecture. He stated there may be times in which both bodies do not agree on a project and he is recommending setting specific guidelines. Mr. Sahlin suggested adding language to the Zoning Code to include, `off-the-rack metal buildings in certain areas consisting of •. greater development will be reviewed under more scrutiny than industrial areas". Commissioner Hutcheson and Ringlein concurred. Staff responded language would be drafted for the amendment to the Zoning Code and brought back to them for review. 2 City of Palm Springs Planning Commission Study Session Joint Meeting with the Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes of August 1,2007 B. Buildings as Cell Sites - David Newell provided background information and stated this item has been previously discussed and the consensus of the Commission is to include a condition to add co-locations on larger projects. Doug Hudson noted that the wording should emphasize integration with good architecture and/or disguise of the antennas. Discussion was made on the minimum height requirements and the language "allow" versus "require". Mr. Hudson suggested a requirement to provide a public benefit so that the wireless company can give back to the city, such as a bus stop, a park or open space. Mr. Scott concurred and noted his preference for cell towers to remain plain with no disguising. The Commission noted it was previously discussed and the consensus was to allow more height for carriers who chose to co-locate, in addition to the waiving of fees for the second carrier. Mr. Ortega suggested further research to find out how other jurisdictions are handling this matter. Mr. Robertson responded the cities of Fontana and Rancho Cucamonga have co-locations and the trade-off is to allow higher heights. Mr. Cohen noted his preference is to have fewer poles and allow higher heights. Mr. Hutcheson suggested adding a condition to require developers to notify carriers that construction of a building is underway. Mr. Robertson stated this item would be brought back to the Commission pending further research on cell towers and co-locations in • neighboring cities. D. Narrow Streets in New Developments (taken out of order) Mr. Roberson stated this topic has been previously discussed and there has been a concern with narrow parking in developments. Mr. Robertson stated he would like direction so that it can be addressed in the Circulation Element of the General Plan. Scott Ventura, Fire Marshall and Blake Goetz, Fire Chief, were present. Fire Chief Goetz provided an overview on street widths and emergency vehicle access. He summarized the fire and engineering departments have concluded, several years ago, 24' wide streets with no parking or obstructions as the minimum standard. Discussion was made on street parking, red curbs and gated communities. Chief Goetz noted a recommendation has been made for a location to build a new fire station near the airport noise berm on Vista Chino. David Barakian, Director of Public Works, stated over the years the engineering and fire department have worked together to come up with these standards and provided further details. He noted for circulation purpose it is good to have enough room for two cars to pass each other. • 3 City of Palm Springs Planning Commission Study Session Joint Meeting with the Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes of August 1, 2007 Mrs. Ringlein reiterated the majority of street width problems are within planned development districts and further discussion was made on this topic. The Commission concurred for the need of wider streets in planned development districts. Mr. Sahlin stated that life-safety issues should not be a choice and should be not negotiable in planned development districts. Further discussion was made on streets consisting both of wider and narrow streets rather than one set street width. Mr. Hutcheson directed staff to incorporate the changes discussed into the Zoning Code amendment as follows: 1. Encourage meandering, variable street widths from 24' to 32' to 36' minimum depending on the parking spaces available. Notify developers at the beginning of the process. (Exclusively for planned development districts.) 2. Notify developers that street widths are not negotiable due to life-safety issues. Doug Hudson suggested a requirement be included for pedestrian safety such as sidewalks and crosswalks. He noted that sometimes larger streets can be dangerous and emphasized the importance of incorporating creativity with pedestrian safety. • Chief Goetz stated his preference to refer to a city standard in addition to the zoning code. He stated the minimum street width will not be recommended less than 20 feet. Ken Lyon noted the General Plan currently states local streets at a minimum of 36 feet and private streets at 32 feet. Mr. Barakian responded that 24 feet street widths are allowed, with no parking, along the street and the development must provide off-street parking. Mr. Barakian recommended the General Plan address minimum street widths so that planned development districts abide by that minimum requirement. Mr. Hudson suggested the General Plan include more specific detailed information on the types of streets and widths. Further discussion was made on the language in the General Plan and Zoning Code. Mr. Robertson stated this would be discussed with the City Attorney and brought back to the Commission for review. C. Defining Hillside Lots - Mr. Robertson provided background information and opened the discussion on hillside lots. Mr. Scott requested staff address man made slopes. Mr. Robertson responded the Zoning Code addresses the "current state" of the hillside area. Mr. Scott suggested changing the language to indicate a "natural state". Mr. Robertson noted regarding lots within planned development districts, the entire area is looked at as a whole and each lot cannot be segregated. Mr. Scott stated he felt each lot should be looked at separately. Mr. Caffery disagreed stating a development should be looked as one parcel. Chair Hochanadel noted a development would need to be consistent with roof lines and the design of the homes. • Doug Hudson noted allowable heights for hillsides are being abused and stated the top of the building needs to follow the slope of the hill such as split level and instead of mansionization of homes. Mr. O'Donnell stated it is not all about heights but more 4 City of Palm Springs Planning Commission Study Session Joint Meeting with the Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes of August 1, 2007 about approaching the site and terrain and reviewing the projects on a home by home basis. Mr. Sahlin suggested if benching or flat grading, is desired, then the right is given up for hillside development or if the option is to work within the hillside terrain that would require sensitivity towards the environment. Mr. Scott concurred and requested this in the amended Zoning Code. Mrs. Ringlein suggested possibly adding language to the zoning code stating 50% or more of a lot must consist of a slope. Mr. Robertson stated currently the code states, "any portion thereof . . . " and if the majority is in favor to change the language the next step would be to initiate a zoning text amendment. Chair Hochanadel reiterated this issue must be looked on a case by case basis. Mr. Hutcheson suggested adding the language, "significant natural slope". Mr. Hudson stated a specific maximum building height should be set to be fairly lenient or specific. Mr. Lyon compared the language in the current General Plan and draft General Plan pertaining to hillside intent and development. 3. CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS: Update. Mr. Robertson reported the City Council met last week and overturned the Planning Commission decision on the Spencer Recovery Center and upheld the decision on the Dillon Wind project. • 4. COMMISSION/STAFF REPORTS AND REQUESTS - Mr. Hudson requested more information be provided, prior to the Architectural Advisory Committee meeting, especially on larger projects such as the site or floor plan, as well as requiring the applicant provide a '/2 mile radius map of the surrounding neighborhood. Chris Sahlin noted he has worked with other jurisdictions and a staff recommendation, a map and floor/site plans are usually provided. He noted 8 '/ x 11 size pages are acceptable and suggested the applicant provide the copies for the members. Mr. Caffery reiterated his request to discuss large projects at Commission Study Sessions and would like to hear from the City Attorney. Mr. Scott mentioned he has found it very helpful to attend the Architectural Advisory meetings. Ms. Ringlein noted she has found it helpful to heed the director's advice and continue projects if there is any indecision on the proposed project. Mr. O'Donnell suggested that the information could be sent via e-mail in a "PDF" format. 5. ADJOURNMENT - There being no further comments the meeting adjourned at 4:49 p.m. Ewin ICP Dire or of P Ing Services 5