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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-03-08- ARC MinutesCity of Palm Springs ARCHITECTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California 92262 (Meeting held via Zoom) Minutes of March 8, 2021 CALL TO ORDER: Chair Jakway called the meeting to order at 5:31 pm. ROLL CALL: Committee Members Present Alternate Member Present Committee Members Absent: Doczi, Lockyer, McCoy, Rotman, Chair Jakway Thompson None Poehlein, Walsh, Vice Planning Commissioner Present: Kathy Weremiuk Staff Present: Development Services Director Fagg, Assistant Director of Planning Newell, Associate Planner Kikuchi 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 10:00 am on Thursday, March 4, 2021 and posted on the City's website as required by established policies and procedures. ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: Rotman, seconded by McCoy to accept the agenda, as presented. AYES: DOCZI, LOCKYER, MCCOY, POEHLEIN, WALSH, ROTMAN, JAKWAY PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: JANUARY 4, 2021 Poehlein, seconded by McCoy to approve minutes, as presented. Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes March 8, 2021 City of Palm Springs AYES: DOCZI, LOCKYER, MCCOY, POEHLEIN, JAKWAY ABSTAIN: WALSH, ROTMAN UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 2. 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) Planner Kikuchi presented the proposed project as outlined the staff memorandum. Vice Chair Rotman confirmed the freestanding signs were the same design. (Planner Kikuchi confirmed that was correct.) JOHN CROSS, Best Signs Inc., applicant, said the revised sign program was reviewed with the owner and the overall package was reduced. Chair Jakway asked if the aluminum on the freestanding sign would match the finish on the building. (Mr. Cross responded that it would be a faux finish paint and there will be no issues with maintenance or rust.) Member Doczi said the project was a big improvement from the previous proposal. McCoy, seconded by Walsh to recommend approval, as presented. AYES: DOCZI, LOCKYER, MCCOY, POEHLEIN, WALSH, ROTMAN, JAKWAY NEW BUSINESS: 3. DISCUSSION ON CHANGES TO THE ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW PROCESS (CASE 5.1526 ZTA). (FF) Director Fagg provided background and an overview of the proposed process changes. He said City Council provided direction to staff to streamline the City's entitlement process, and a Subcommittee consisting of two Planning Commissioners (Chair Kathy Weremiuk and Maria Song) and Chair Jakway was formed to provide recommendations. The Subcommittee reviewed other architectural review processes of other cities and materials from the American Planning Association on best practices. Mr. Fagg described the current process and changes recommended by the Subcommittee, including a pre -submittal conference with staff, followed by a formal submittal that is reviewed by the Planning Commission under a Site Development 2 Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes March 8, 2021 City of Palm Springs Permit and the criteria that the Commission would use to evaluate applications. Upon completion of the Site Development Permit application decision, the AAC would then review the application, and Director Fagg described the proposed criteria for review at this stage of the revised process. He provided examples of projects in the proposed process, including a new commercial building and hillside single-family residence, and described other changes to the current processes related to signage and single-family homes. Chair Jakway noted the proposed changes would rename the AAC to the Architectural Review Committee, and the AAC would become the deciding body on architecture. Mr. Jakway said currently the AAC is limited to two reviews and asked what would occur if the AAC couldn't approve an application in two reviews in the new process. Mr. Fagg responded the applicant would need to submit a revised application. Vice Chair Rotman referenced the matrix on the different review processes and questioned how tract reviews would be processed, and referenced the Miralon development. Mr. Fagg responded that reviews of tract houses would still require approval by the AAC. Mr. Rotman asked about the disparity in AAC review and Planning Commission where the AAC rejects a basic massing plan, such as the Block B-1 residential development, and the Planning Commission or Council approve that design. Mr. Fagg responded that there are currently four specific plans that have design guidelines and requirements that may need to be re-evaluated, and/or there may be a joint meeting with the AAC and Planning Commission. Chair Jakway said mobile home park reviews should be reversed in the matrix. Member Lockyer said the proposed changes appear to require two separate applications, and questioned if that would be too cumbersome. Mr. Fagg responded that while there are two applications, the intent would be to keep the application materials the same, and not require additional fees. Member Doczi asked what level of detail would the Planning Commission review site plans, specifically the location of trash enclosures, etc. Mr. Fagg indicated the Commission would review these details as they are part of the development standards. He also described the appeal process in the event that the AAC denied the application in the new process. Member Poehlein questioned if there could be a rotating member of the AAC to serve in the pre -submittal conference role. Mr. Fagg noted the large time commitment necessary for the proposed pre -submittal conference and the reasons for not requiring volunteer board members to fulfill this need. 3 Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes March 8, 2021 City of Palm Springs Member Thompson said the proposed process change for cell tower review involving rooftop design might be something the AAC would want to review, as it is an architectural review matter. Member Walsh asked how the proposed changes would be rolled out. Director Fagg indicated a roll -out date of possibly July 1, as it starts the new fiscal year, but did say that it would require several months to have the staffing and revised administrative procedures in place prior to beginning the new process. Member McCoy asked if there would be changes to when the public is engaged with the new process. Director Fagg described that the public would still be able to provide comment to both the Planning Commission and AAC, and that notification would continue to be provided for hillside applications. Chair Jakway questioned page 3, Item I, of the proposed ordinance and the review of Class 1 and Class 2 historic resources. Director Fagg responded that the proposed changes are consistent with the new Historic Preservation Ordinance, so a review does occur by the Historic Site Preservation Board. Chair Jakway said the work that went into the proposed changes was well done. No action taken; discussion only. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS: None. STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: None. ADJOURNMENT: The Architectural Advisory Committee of the City of Palm Springs adjourned at 6:40 pm to the next regular meeting at 5:30 pm on Monday, April 5, 2021, City Hall, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs. 'q�' !:?-� David Newell, AICP Assistant Director of Planning