HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-02-16- ARC MinutesCity of Palm Springs
ARCHITECTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California 92262
(Via Zoom)
Minutes of February 16, 2021
CALL TO ORDER:
Chair Jakway called the meeting to order at 5:34 pm.
ROLL CALL:
Committee Members Present: Doczi, Lockyer, McCoy, Thompson, Walsh, Vice
Chair Rotman, Chair Jakway
Committee Members Excused: Poehlein
Planning Commission Present: None
Staff Present: Development Services Director Fagg, Assistant
Planning Director Newell, Associate Planner Kikuchi,
Associate Planner Mlaker, Assistant Planner Perez
ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA:
Doczi, seconded by Rotman to accept the agenda, as presented.
AYES: DOCZI, LOCKYER, MCCOY, THOMPSON, WALSH, ROTMAN, JAKWAY
ABSENT: POEHLEIN
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.
CONSENT CALENDAR: None.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. MASSFLORA, LLC ON BEHALF OF EUFLORA, REQUEST A MINOR
ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION AND SIGN PERMIT APPLICATION TO
MODIFY THE EXTERIOR OF THE BUILDING AND INSTALL NEW SIGNAGE
Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes
City of Palm Springs
February 16, 2021
FOR A NEW CANNABIS DISPENSARY LOCATED AT 577 EAST SUNNY
DUNES ROAD, ZONE CM. (CASE NOS 3.2967 MAA & 20-063 SQ. (AP)
Planner Perez presented the proposed project as outlined the staff memorandum.
Member Doczi asked about the existing and proposed parking lot lighting.
Chair Jakway asked if the number of parking spaces complies with the parking
standards.
JAMES CIOFFI, architect, (responded to questions from the Committee) said the
building was previously designed by Howard Lapham and is pleased to assist with the
remodel. He clarified that the trash cans are stored within the building and described
the proposed changes. Mr. Cioffi explained that there is no parking lot lighting and said
they are happy to work with staff on screening the rooftop equipment.
Vice Chair Rotman asked about the plan for exterior lighting, including the existing
exterior "can" lights under the front overhang. (Mr. Cioffi responded that the existing
"can" lighting would be retained. There will also be landscape lights.)
Chair Jakway asked if an ADA ramp would be necessary. (Mr. Cioffi said they would
most likely file a hardship to avoid installing a new ramp along the front.)
Member Lockyer thinks landscape lighting or spot lights can be done on the trees to
adequately light outdoor spaces. He said the down and up -lighting on the existing
palms seem adequate; however, he thinks some low voltage lighting could be used on
the steps.
Member Doczi asked about trash handling and the other tenant spaces in the back.
(Marie Fonseca responded that their business is required to implement standard
operating procedures and they are uncertain about the adjacent businesses.)
Member Thompson said the wall address letters should be reduced to be a similar
scale to the other elements of the building.
The Committee discussed the address sign letter height and its scale relative to the
main sign, prior finalizing the motion.
Doczi, seconded by Lockyer to approve, as recommended by staff and as follows:
1. Add low voltage lighting to the front steps.
2. The address sign to be 30" width by 69" height, and any future modifications to
signage shall require the applicant to submit a sign program.
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Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes
City of Palm Springs
February 16, 2021
AYES: DOCZI, LOCKYER, MCCOY, THOMPSON, WALSH, ROTMAN, JAKWAY
ABSENT: POEHLEIN
2. COASTAL BUSINESS GROUP REPRESENTING (AT&T WIRELESS) FOR A
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO CONSTRUCT A WIRELESS
COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY ON THE CITY PARKING GARAGE
THE CITY PARKING GARAGE TO MIMIC AN EXTENSION OF ELEVATOR
TOWERS AT A MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF FIFTY-ONE (51') FEET LOCATED AT
235 SOUTH INDIAN CANYON DRIVE, ZONE CU. (CASE NO. 5.1500 CUP).
(GM)
Planner Mlaker presented the project as outlined in the staff memorandum.
FRANK ORTEGA, applicant, described the necessity for the proposed facility.
Member Thompson questioned why the enclosure needs to be 11' high and what other
options they've considered for siting a facility in nearby properties. (Mr. Ortega said to
achieve the height their engineers have deemed the coverage necessary; otherwise
they would be pointing antennas right towards a structure to reflect a signal.)
Vice Chair Rotman asked about details of the structure, including the brackets that hold
the enclosure and antennas. He asked about the clear spaces within the enclosure.
Member Lockyer questioned the possibility of installing the antennas near the center of
the project. (Mr. Ortega said they tried to avoid the loss of parking and wanted to stay
within the design theme that already existed with the extension of the elevator tower
already on -site. He said also said there may be engineering challenges to locating near
the center cables.)
Member Doczi questioned if the applicant considered using a faux palm. (Mr. Ortega
responded about the challenges with a faux palm design.)
Chair Jakway said the proposed location is inappropriate and suggested locating
elsewhere, not adjacent to streets. The towers appear out of proportion to the
surroundings.
Member Walsh suggested concern with the faux design and there could be another
design solution. He agreed that the design was inappropriate for the location and is not
in support of the proposal.
Member Lockyer felt the height is out of scale and recommended moving it towards the
interior of the structure.
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Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes
City of Palm Springs
February 16, 2021
Member Doczi suggested there could be better integration with the garage structure.
Vice Chair Rotman said the project was out of proportion with the rest of the garage.
Member McCoy agreed with other committee members.
Thompson, seconded McCoy recommend denial project, as presented.
AYES: DOCZI, LOCKYER, MCCOY, THOMPSON, WALSH, ROTMAN, JAKWAY
ABSENT: POEHLEIN
3. STUDIO AR&D ARCHITECTS, ON BEHALF OF EDWARD F. FREEMAN OF
PINNACLE VIEW, LLC, FOR A MAJOR ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION TO
CONSTRUCT A 4,276-SQUARE-FOOT SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE ON A
20,705-SQUARE-FOOT HILLSIDE PARCEL LOCATED AT 2610 WINTER SUN
DRIVE, ZONE ESA-SP PLANNING AREA 4 (DESERT PALISADES SPECIFIC
PLAN), SECTION 4. (CASE 3.4206 MAJ). (NK)
Members Lockyer recused himself, due to business conflict.
Associate Planner Kikuchi presented the project as outlined in the staff report.
Member Thompson requested clarification on the building height exceptions.
(Associate Planner Kikuchi responded that the applicant had submitted an
Administrative Minor Modification application to request height exceptions.)
Chair Jakway asked about the pool cabana and verified if it can be permitted.
Vice Chair Rotman questioned how the area of the pool cabana is calculated and
confirmed that the area is the roof area, not the floor area. He also confirmed the area
for which a yard setback reduction was requested is adjacent to an open space trail and
not another single-family residence. (Assistant Planner Kikuchi confirmed that Vice
Chair Rotman's statements were correct.)
Member Doczi questioned about site and landscape lighting requirements in the Desert
Palisades Specific Plan. (Assistant Planner Kikuchi responded that the Specific Plan
provides general requirements such as avoiding light pollution and the requirement of
shielding.)
JORDAN MOSSLAR, architect, described the design intent of the proposed residence,
materials, cabana design, roof projection, and setback encroachment.
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Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes
City of Palm Springs
February 16, 2021
Member Doczi questioned the materials of the trash enclosure. (Mr. Mosslar stated that
the exterior of the trash enclosure will be smooth stucco which will match the
residence.)
Chair Jakway requested further details on the stepped design of the home relative to
the topography. (Mr. Mosslar responded that the dining room, kitchen and garage will
be located at a higher elevation than the bedrooms.)
The Committee clarified that the applicant has responded to items 1 and 5 of the staff
recommendations.
Member Doczi expressed concern with regards the amount of the proposed landscape
lighting fixtures, as it appears there are a total of 79 lights. Member Doczi stated that
the amount may been excessive, particularly for a hillside property.
Chair Jakway stated that the project was nicely done and that minor deviations for a
hillside property are appropriate. Chair Jakway stated that he hopes the minor
deviations could be approved as the design elements are strong at those locations.
Rotman, seconded by Walsh to recommend approval to the Planning Commission, as
recommended by staff- and allow chimney/wall element, partial projection of the
residence into the required side yard setback area, pool cabana, and a reduction of the
total number of landscape lighting fixtures.
AYES:
DOCZI, MCCOY, THOMPSON, WALSH, ROTMAN, JAKWAY
ABSENT:
POEHLEIN
ABSTAIN:
LOCKYER
Member Lockyer returned to the meeting.
4. MIKE FLANNERY, FOR A SIGN PROGRAM APPLICATION FOR FLANNERY
EXCHANGE, A MULTI -TENANT COMMERCIAL BUILDING, LOCATED AT 750
NORTH PALM CANYON DRIVE, ZONE C-1, SECTION 10. (CASE 20-005 SP).
(NK)
Associate Planner Kikuchi provided an overview of the sign program as outlined in the
staff report.
Member Walsh asked about compliance with the sign ordinance, in the event the
applicant reduced all signage.
Vice Chair Rotman questioned the location of the freestanding signs relative to the
right-of-way. (Associate Planner Kikuchi clarified the location of the property line
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Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes
City of Palm Springs
February 16, 2021
relative to the low -standing wall on Palm Canyon and the Indian Canyon Drive
frontage.)
JOHN CROSS, applicant, Best Signs, provided a description of the proposed signage.
Member Thompson confirmed that Sign 2.2 would be wrap the curve and not be a
square panel. (Mr. Cross indicated that was correct.)
Chair Jakway suggested allowing Option a freestanding sign for both frontages, with an
encroachment permit fronting Palm Canyon and pushing sign on Indian Canyon back
on -site. He also suggested eliminating signs 2.1 2.3 2.4 and 2.5 and 3.1 and 3.2, but
allowing blade signs.
Vice Chair Rotman suggested returning with a better way to organize the signage on
the building or freestanding, but he said there were currently too many signs strewn
across the facades.
Walsh, seconded by McCoy to continue for further study, based on Committee
comments.
AYES: DOCZI, LOCKYER, MCCOY, THOMPSON, WALSH, ROTMAN, JAKWAY
ABSENT: POEHLEIN
COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS:
STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS:
ADJOURNMENT: The Architectural Advisory Committee of the City of Palm Springs
adjourned at 8:15 pm to the next regular meeting at 5:30 pm on March 1, 2021, City
Hall, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs.
David A. Newell, AICP
Assistant Planning Director
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