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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-10-28 PC & ARC Joint Special Meeting MinutesJOINT SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION ARCHITECTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA OCTOBER 28, 2015 CALL TO ORDER: Chair Klatchko called the meeting to order at 12:07 p.m. ROLL CALL: Architectural Advisory Committee: Gary Fredricks, William Fauber, Michael Hirschbein, Randy Purnel, Susan Secoy-Jensen and Sean Lockyer* Excused: Kenny Cassady and Maria Song Planning Commission: Philip Klatchko, JR Roberts, Lyn Calerdine, Doug Donenfeld, Randy Lowe, Lisa Middleton and Kathy Weremiuk *Arrived at 12:25 pm. Chair Klatchko requested a 10-minute recess so that the Planning Commission and Architectural Advisory Committee and members of the public could inspect the 3-D massing model of the Museum Market Plaza Specific Plan area, which was on display in Council Chambers. Chair Klatchko reconvened the meeting at 12:20 pm. REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA: The agenda was posted by 12:00 pm, Thursday, October 22, 2015. 1. PUBLIC COMMENT: JOHN MARKSBURY, commented that the rights -of -way of Main Street and Andreas Road are too narrow; and that Main Street should be for pedestrians only. JOY BROWN MEREDITH, stated that more details about the project needs to be provided to the public, discussed the approval process for the development, and stated that the design was too high and too dense and was not what the public was expecting. ROBERT BRUGMAN, commented that there was a palpable excitement about downtown with the construction of the project, and supports the modern architecture of the buildings. City of Palm Springs j 2 Planning Commission 1 Architectural Advisory Committee fl Joint Special Meeting Minutes - October 28, 2015 FRANK TYSEN, stated that he supports new hotels near the Convention Center, but not downtown. The design as is under construction is not going to encourage people to walk around downtown, and the development will destroy the Palm Springs brand. DAVID ZIPPLE, voiced his concerns that the building heights wouldn't have been approved if a model had been provided earlier in the process; he also stated that the project is too urban and too industrial, and that Planning Commission should restrict height. EMILY HEMPHILL, stated that we are not here to revisit the Specific Plan, we're here to review clear depictions in the original Specific Plan of height and density, and that there has not been any deception in terms of the overall development plan. BRIAN BARGER, commented that no one thought the development was going to be as dense as it is. MICHAEL JOHNSTON, stated that the densities were going to be more than anticipated and that the parking requirements are insufficient. Chair Klatchko closed public comments. 2. DISCUSSION ITEM: 2A PALM SPRINGS PROMENADE, LLC FOR REVIEW OF THE DOWNTOWN PALM SPRINGS RENOVATION PROJECT LANDSCAPE, HARDSCAPE AND LIGHTING, AS REQUIRED BY PROJECT CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL, GENERALLY LOCATED NORTHWEST TAHQUITZ CANYON WAY AND PALM CANYON DRIVE, CASE NOS. 5.1290 PD-361, 3.3605 MAJ, 3.3606 MAJ, 3.3607 MAJ, 3.3785 MAJ AND 3.3908 MAJ. Director Fagg provided background on the development of the hardscape/landscape plan and the efforts of the joint City Council/Planning Commission subcommittee in reviewing the plan. Vice -Chair Roberts outlined the recommendations of the joint City Council/Planning Commission subcommittee. Commissioner Weremiuk also commented on the efforts of the subcommittee. Associate Planner Newell provided a staff report on the proposed plan, and noted its conformance with the Museum Market Plaza Specific Plan. He also noted that the plan required the approval of the Planning Commission to satisfy conditions of approval of the various buildings that had been approved to date. City of Palm Springs 3 Planning Commission 1 Architectural Advisory Committee Joint Special Meeting Minutes - October 28, 2015 TOM DOCZI, TKD Associates, provided an overview of the project on behalf of the developer. The Commissioners and Committee Members had the following individual comments and questions: • Commissioner Middleton noted that she was impressed with the overall project and with the design of the plaza area at the intersection of Tahquitz Canyon and Palm Canyon; she verified the proposed tree types, and expressed concern with the use of Italian Cypress trees. Member Secoy-Jensen questioned if the proposed landscaping would be consistent with the landscape treatment on the other sides of the street (outside of the project area), and that both sides of the street should have a similar treatment. She also suggested that there should be a continuity of the landscape treatment along Tahquitz Canyon Way, as one travels from the airport to the downtown area. Commissioner Donenfeld expressed concern with the width of the pedestrian promenade between the Kimpton Hotel and the II Corso Restaurant, and questioned if the pathway could be widened by reducing the width of the adjacent planters. • Member Hirschbein verified if the planters could also be used for seating, and the need to provide seating along the promenade (Market Street) on Blocks A and B. He also verified the details of the grade change along Palm Canyon and the possibilities for seating, and requested additional information on the design of the water features. • Chair Klatchko requested information about the phasing of the landscape plan, and how the undeveloped parcels would be addressed in the interim period. • There was a general consensus of the Commission and Board that the landscapelhardscape drawings should be available for review by the general public, and also that the 3-D model be made available for public review. Upon a consensus vote of the Commission and Board, it was determined that the item would be continued to the regular meeting of the AAC on November 91h, and the regular meeting of the Planning Commission on November 12tn 3. ADJOURNMENT: The Planning Commission adjourned at 1:35 pm to Wednesday, October 28, 2015, at 1:30 pm, Council Chamber, City Hall, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs. City of Palm Springs 4 Planning Commission 1 Architectural Advisory Committee Joint Special Meeting Minutes - October 28, 2015 ADJOURNMENT: The Architectural Advisory Committee adjourned at 1:35 pm to Monday, November 9, 2015, at 3:00 pm, Council Chamber, City Hall, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs. Flinn Fagg, AICP Director of Planning Services