HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-10-4- ARC MinutesARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California 92262
(Meeting held Via Zoom)
Minutes of October 4, 2021
CALL TO ORDER:
Chair Jakway called the meeting to order at 5:31 pm.
ROLL CALL:
Committee Members Present: Doczi, Lockyer, McCoy, Poehlein, Thompson, Walsh,
Vice Chair Rotman, Chair Jakway
Members Excused Absence: None
Planning Commission Present: Maria Song
Staff Present: Assistant Planning Director Newell, Planning
Technician Bruno, Associate Planner Kikuchi,
Engineering Associate Minjares, Assistant Planner
Perez
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,
Thursday, September 30, 2021, and posted on the City's website as required by
established policies and procedures.
ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA:
McCoy, seconded by Poehlein to accept the Agenda, as presented.
AYES: DOCZI, LOCKYER, MCCOY, POEHLEIN, WALSH, ROTMAN, JAKWAY
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Assistant Director Newell noted Member Lockyer's abstention on Item 1, due to a
conflict of interest.
Chair Jakway noted Member Lockyer's abstention on Item 3.
Architectural Review Committee Minutes
October 4, 2021
City of Palm Springs
Rotman, seconded by McCoy to approve Items 1 and 2, as part of the Consent
Calendar.
AYES: DOCZI, MCCOY, POEHLEIN, THOMPSON, WALSH, ROTMAN,
JAKWAY
ABSTAINED: LOCKYER
1. 1345 LADERA CIRCLE LLC, FOR A MAJOR ARCHITECTURAL
APPLICATION AND ADMINISTRATIVE MINOR MODIFICATION FOR AN
ADDITION AND REMODEL OF AN EXISTING SINGLE-FAMILY HOME
LOCATED ON A HILLSIDE LOT AT 1345 LADERA CIRCLE, ZONE R-1-C
(CASE NOS. 3.4284 MAJ & 7.1640 AMM.) (RB)
Approved, as presented. (Noting Member Lockyer's abstention.)
2. BURNHAM NATIONWIDE, ON BEHALF OF SUNGLASS HUT, FOR A MINOR
ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION TO MODIFY A PORTION OF THE BLOCK
C BUILDING FACADE, WITHIN THE DOWNTOWN PALM SPRINGS SPECIFIC
PLAN, LOCATED AT 111 NORTH PALM CANYON DRIVE, ZONE CBD (CASE
NO. 3.3607 MAA). (AP)
Approved, as presented.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
3. 02 ARCHITECTURE, ON BEHALF OF MIKE FLANNERY, FOR A MAJOR
ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION TO CONSTRUCT A 5,711-SQUARE-FOOT
SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE WITH THE MAXIMUM BUILDING HEIGHT OF
22.8 FEET ON A 31,363-SQUARE-FOOT HILLSIDE PARCEL LOCATED AT
775 WEST CHINO CANYON ROAD, ZONE R-1-A (CASE NOS. 3.4276 MAJ &
7.1638 AMM). (NK)
Member Lockyer abstained on this project.
Planner Kikuchi presented the project as outlined in the staff report and explained
changes and staff recommendations.
LANCE O'DONNELL, applicant, said they are seeking approval of the two-story design
for the hillside property, and referenced the new renderings on the second floor. He
said they have lowered the height by a foot and the understory lanai to reduce the
impacts to the surrounding properties. Mr. O'Donnell described surrounding homes with
a second story design, noting the proposed home will not set a precedent.
ROBERT MANCUSO, neighbor to the west, sent a second letter in opposition for the
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Architectural Review Committee Minutes
October 4, 2021
City of Palm Springs
proposed plan. He said the development is underutilizing the large site and thinks the
two-story design does not meet the design of the neighborhood.
JOSE QUERIOS, co-owner of property to the west, questioned procedurally the next
step if the applicant finds they cannot dig as deep as proposed; would they need to
come back for review.
LANCE O'DONNELL, rebutted that a good design generally tries to minimize site
impacts to the extent possible. He said that they have a lot of experience dealing with
on -site boulders.
Member Doczi asked the applicant to describe the landscape, contours, and relative
grade on adjoining properties to the south. Mr. O'Donnell responded the detention
areas would consist of large native boulders to create a Swale. He said within these
areas, there will be Creosote, choias and other native landscape. He said the perimeter
grades will not be modified.
Member Doczi asked about changes at the cul-de-sac. Mr. O'Donnell responded they
do not intend to access the site from the cul-de-sac, but the berm heights will be about
five feet above the perimeter property line.
Chair Jakway said there are 48-inch box trees on top of the berms and questioned how
that will be achieved on the boulders. Mr. O'Donnell responded they plan to create
areas within the boulders, either by planting early or creating a planter space in the
boulders. He described the proposed Olive tree versus the Mesquite tree.
Chair Jakway said he likes the architecture and appreciates the changes made in
response to the ARC comments. However, he expressed concern with the proposed
two-story design; noting that no other houses within the area were designed in such
manner. He said other homes are tucked below the building or within the hillside. He
does not think the two-story design fits within the neighborhood.
Vice Chair Rotman agreed that the design is well done but does not think the second -
story element complies with the hillside criteria.
Member Thompson respectfully disagreed and referenced other designs in the
neighborhood with two-story elements. He said the design could be improved with
additional vertical windows on the west side of the two-story element.
Member Walsh concurred with Chair Jakway; noting that the site is large and thinks it's
difficult to determine how to best fit the use of the space and design of the home.
Member Doczi said the site slopes about 15 feet and thinks there are opportunities to
look at design that provides views.
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Architectural Review Committee Minutes
October 4, 2021
City of Palm Springs
Rotman, seconded by Poehlein to deny, as presented.
AYES: DOCZI, MCCOY, POEHLEIN, WALSH, ROTMAN, JAKWAY
NOES: THOMPSON
ABSTAINED: LOCKYER
NEW BUSINESS: NONE.
NEW BUSINESS: NONE.
COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS:
STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS:
• Upcoming meetings
ADJOURNMENT: The Architectural Review Committee of the City of Palm Springs
adjourned at 6:15 pm to the next regular meeting at 5:30 pm on Monday, October 18,
2021, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs.
David Newell, AICP
Assistant Director of Planning
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