HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-05-03- ARC MinutesCity of Palm Springs
ARCHITECTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California 92262
Minutes of May 3, 2021
CALL TO ORDER:
Chair Jakway called the meeting to order at 5:32 pm.
ROLL CALL:
Committee Members Present: Doczi, Lockyer, Poehlein, Thompson, Walsh, Vice
Chair Rotman, Chair Jakway
Committee Members Excused: McCoy
Planning Commission Present: Vice Chair Moruzzi
Staff Present: Assistant Planning Director Newell, Associate Planner
Lyon, Engineering Associate Minjares, Associate
Planner Mlaker
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 6:00 pm on
Thursday, April 29, 2021, and posted on the City's website as required by established
policies and procedures.
ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA:
Doczi, seconded by Thompson to accept agenda, as presented.
AYES: DOCZI, LOCKYER, POEHLEIN, THOMPSON, WALSH, ROTMAN,
JAKWAY
ABSENT: MCCOY
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Walsh, seconded by Rotman to approve Consent Calendar, as presented.
AYES: DOCZI, LOCKYER, POEHLEIN, THOMPSON, WALSH, ROTMAN,
JAKWAY
ABSENT: MCCOY
Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes
May 3, 2021
City of Palm Springs
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: APRIL 5, 2021 AND APRIL 19, 2021
2. OTC DISPENSARY AND LOUNGE REQUESTING APPROVAL FOR ONE
SIGN AT FORTY (40) SQUARE FEET PLACED ON THE FRONT FAQADE OF
A CANNABIS DISPENSARY LOCATED AT 757 SOUTH WILLIAMS ROAD,
ZONE M-1 (CASE 21-027 SI). (GM)
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
3. DAVID AND PATRICIA MARINO, OWNERS, FOR A MAJOR
ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION PROPOSING A 7,125-SQUARE FOOT
SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE AND ACCESSORY STRUCTURES ON A
39,340-SQUARE FOOT HILLSIDE LOT LOCATED AT 1405 ROSE AVENUE,
ZONE R-1-C (CASE 3.4208 MAJ / 7.1621 AMM). (KL)
Member Lockyer recused himself due to a business -related conflict.
Planner Lyon presented the project as outlined in the staff memorandum. He described
the changes to the project since the previous review by the AAC.
Vice Chair Rotman asked for clarification of the proposed building height relative to the
story poles. Mr. Lyon indicated the building will be twelve inches lower than the story
poles at the site.
Member Doczi said the new driveway appears to reduce less need for retaining walls.
Chair Jakway requested clarification on page 7 of the plans. Mr. Lyon said that
rectangular item is a bocce ball court.
NICK LAFARO, applicant, said the pickle ball court was removed per discussion with
neighbors. He said the revised driveway is 22 feet wide and much smaller than the
previous design, which allows for less retaining walls than before and for more natural
transition from the northerly property. Mr. Lafaro explained the changes to the front
wall, eliminating the southernmost panel and reducing all heights of the panels by 12
inches. This was achieved by reducing interior ceiling height.
DAVID MARINO, owner, described the reason for making changes and some of the
design intentions with the project.
Chair Jakway said, when hillside homes are developed and present as single -story,
they usually step down or are pushed back away from the street with the pool in front.
He thinks the two or three southernmost wall panels appear too large.
2
Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes
May 3, 2021
City of Palm Springs
Member Thompson asked if the house could be further setback from the street to
reduce its massing. Mr. Lafaro responded that it would be problematic with the layout
of the home and outdoor spaces. He said there will also be landscape to soften the
wall.
Member Doczi said the project has been improved with the removal of the wall panel,
but questioned if the project could fit more into the natural grade.
Member Walsh said the wall panels seem detached from the rest of the proposed home
and appear as a large mass, which can detract from the good design behind it.
Member Poehlein thinks the applicant addressed AAC comments and was okay with
the wall panel design. He said the street front at the southeast corner of the site could
be improved (as shown on page 22). Mr. Lafaro said that existing fence is part of HOA
property and that area will be proposed for improvement as a separate project.
Vice Chair Rotman agrees with Member Poehlein that the front wall is a strong
statement for the project design. He is not in favor of reducing the wall panels to follow
the natural terrain. He supports the revised design as presented.
Chair Jakway appreciated the Applicant's responsiveness to the AAC's previous
comments and neighbor concerns.
Member Thompson said the home will be a nice addition to the neighborhood, even
though the walls seem somewhat large at the street. He supports the project.
Member Doczi recommended the applicant integrate large boulders along the street to
reduce the overall mass of the building.
Rotman, seconded by Thompson to approve, as presented.
AYES: DOCZI, POEHLEIN, THOMPSON, WALSH, ROTMAN,
JAKWAY
ABSENT: MCCOY
ABSTAIN: LOCKYER
Member Lockyer returned to the meeting by turning on his video and microphone.
4. NATIONAL SIGN & MARKETING REPRESENTING PILOT FLYING J FOR A
SIGN PROGRAM TO ESTABLISH SIGN CRITERIA FOR THE MULTI -
TENANTED FUELING STATION LOCATED AT 6605 NORTH INDIAN CANYON
DRIVE, HC ZONE (CASE SP 21-001). (GM)
Associate Planner Mlaker presented the proposed project as outlined in the staff report.
Chair Jakway opened the Discussion:
3
Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes
May 3, 2021
City of Palm Springs
STEVE ROSENBLOOM, National Sign Company, applicant, described the revisions
from the April 19, 2021 meeting to be a reduced height for the freestanding monument
sign at the west property line; split the food wall graphic into two (2) panels of 49-square
feet each with background to be same as building finish.
COMMITTEE COMMENTS:
Chair Jakway commented that the new east bound 1-10 ramps which were added after
the Pilot Travel Plaza was built justifies the new monument sign at a reduced height.
He stated that all other signs are appropriate and scaled properly to the building.
Vice Chair Rotman stated that the revised wall graphic in two panels addresses the
previous AAC comments.
Walsh, seconded by Rotman to recommend approval to the Planning Commission with
the following comment:
1. Base of new monument sign to have a boarder with hardscape of rocks and
rubble.
AYES: WALSH, THOMPSON, JACKWAY, POEHLEIN, ROTMAN, LOCKYER
ABSENT: MCCOY
5. GRIT DEVELOPMENT, FOR A MINOR ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION FOR
THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW SEVEN (7') FOOT TALL WALL TO
ENCLOSE AN EXISTING COURTYARD FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A
POOL AREA AS PART OF AN ADAPTATIVE REUSE OF AN OFFICE/RETAIL
BUILDING TO A SUITE HOTEL LOCATED AT 125 EAST TAHQUITZ CANYON
WAY, ZONE CBD, SECTION 15 (CASE 3.2148 MAA). (GM)
Vice Chair Rotman and Member Doczi recused on this item due to a conflict of interest.
Planner Mlaker presented project as outlined in the staff memorandum.
MICHAEL KATSIBAS, applicant, described the design intent with the proposal and
using the proportions and detailing of the existing arches to carry into the design of the
proposed wall, as well as the existing light fixtures. He described the pedestrian gates
for the project, courtyard space in the atrium, and the proposed re -painting plan.
Chair Jakway said of all comments stated at last meeting, the only one addressed was
a proposed traditional wall design. He couldn't support the project, especially because
there's no courtyard and the project doesn't relate to the street.
Member Lockyer said the existing wall of the octagonal building currently provides some
obstruction from the street and was unsure the proposed wall would create too much
more of a design concern.
Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes
May 3, 2021
City of Palm Springs
Member Thompson questioned if the applicant studied the amount of solar that would
be provided in the pool space. Mr. Katsibas responded that they evaluated the shade
into the pool area and kept the pool closer to the street to address that design.
Member Poehlein said he understands why the project is a necessity to make the
building viable, so it appears to be make the best of what they are attempting to do with
the project.
Member Walsh said there is a disconnection with the pool space and the intersection.
The pool space appears "forced" and not a comfortable space for hotel guests.
Thompson, seconded by Walsh to deny wall, but approve paint and windows.
AYES: LOCKYER, POEHLEIN, THOMPSON, WALSH, JAKWAY
ABSENT: MCCOY
ABSTAIN: DOCZI, ROTMAN
A recess was taken from 7:00 pm to 7:08 pm.
6. DTPS B-3, LLC REQUESTING A REVIEW OF A PROPOSED GROUND
FLOOR ACTIVATION PLAN ASSOCIATED WITH AN APPROVED MAJOR
ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION TO CONSTRUCT A 6-STORY, 73,300-
SQUARE FOOT MIXED USE BUILDING WITH 45 FOR SALE RESIDENCES
AND GROUND FLOOR COMMERCIAL LOCATED ON BLOCK B-1 OF THE
DOWNTOWN PALM SPRINGS SPECIFIC PLAN AT THE NORTHEAST
CORNER OF BELARDO ROAD AND MUSUEM WAY; 200 NORTH BELARDO
ROAD, ZONE CBD (CASE 3.3908 MAJ). (DN)
Member Doczi recused himself due to a business -related conflict.
Planner Newell presented the proposed project as outlined in the staff memorandum.
Vice Chair Rotman questioned if the Fire Department has any concerns with the Tivoli
lights along Market Street- Planner Newell responded that the Fire Department did not
have any concerns with accessibility.
EMILY HEMPHIL, Ealy, Hemphill & Blasdel, LLP, legal counsel representing applicant,
said the project has been approved by the City Council with the specific provision to
energize ground floor with a limitation for no reduction in the number of residential units
on the ground floor.
BOB LUTHER, TKD & Associates, representing applicant, described the project.
Chair Jakway asked where vending carts would be stored at night. Mr. Luther
responded they would likely be stored off -site or possibly in locked storage.
Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes
May 3, 2021
City of Palm Springs
Chair Jakway questioned why they plan to remove the trees. Mr. Luther said the
vertical building will have limited area for horizontal tree growth.
Chair Jakway said he appreciated the retail on Market Street and liked the carts
creating a usability on the street.
Vice Chair Rotman asked if they considered adding enhanced pavers to the north side
of Market Street to match the south side. He said they need to ensure the strand lights
do not interfere with fire ladder access requirements. Mr. Luther said they would
consider adding pavers to the north side of Market Street.
Member Thompson asked if they could consider adding vendors to the east side of the
building.
Member Poehlein spoke in favor of the project.
Jakway, seconded by Poehlein to approve, subject to the addition of pavers on the
north side of Market Street.
AYES: LOCKYER, POEHLEIN, THOMPSON,
JAKWAY
ABSENT: MCCOY
ABSTAIN: DOCZI
NEW BUSINESS: NONE
COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS: NONE
STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: NONE
ADJOURNMENT:
WALSH, ROTMAN,
The Architectural Advisory Committee of the City of Palm Springs adjourned at 7:33 pm
to the next regular meeting at 5:30 pm on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, 3200 East Tahquitz
Canyon Way, Palm Springs.
1
David A. Newell, AICP
Assistant Planning Director
R