HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-09-08- ARC Minutes
City of Palm Springs
ARCHITECTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Council Chamber, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California 92262
Minutes of September 8, 2020
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Jakway called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm.
ROLL CALL:
Committee Members Present: Doczi, Lockyer, McCoy, Poehlein, Walsh, Alternate
Thompson, Vice Chair Rotman, Chair Jakway
Committee Members Excused: None
Planning Commission Present: None
Staff Present: Development Services Director Fagg, Principal
Planner 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) and the Planning
Department counter by 6:00 pm on Thursday, September 3, 2020.
ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA:
Director Fagg noted agenda item #3 would be continued to a date certain of September
21, 2020.
Chair Jakway noted agenda item #2 was on the consent calendar and would be moved
for approval as a part of that agenda, unless AAC members removed the matter for
discussion at this time.
Vice Chair Rotman, seconded by McCoy to accept the agenda as proposed.
AYES: DOCZI, LOCKYER, MCCOY, POEHLEIN, WALSH, ROTMAN, JAKWAY
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
CHRIS MENRAD referred to the letter he sent to the Committee this morning in his
comments regarding Item #5 and expressed concerns with the proposed building and
architecture. He asked the Committee to be critical of the architecture.
Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes
City of Palm Springs
September 8, 2020
2
CONSENT CALENDAR:
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: JULY 20, 2020
2. ROBERTO GRACIANO, FOR A MAJOR ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION TO
CONSTRUCT A SINGLE-FAMILY HOME AT 2180 NORTH SUNRISE WAY
(CASE 3.4175 MAJ). (AP)
Item #2 was approved as recommended in the staff memorandum as part of the
consent calendar.
Member Thompson said the meeting minutes stated he voted on items, but he was not in
attendance at the July 20th meeting. Director Fagg said that will be corrected prior to
finalizing the minutes.
McCoy, seconded by Walsh to accept the consent calendar as amended.
AYES: DOCZI, LOCKYER, MCCOY, POEHLEIN, WALSH, ROTMAN, JAKWAY.
NEW BUSINESS:
3. EVERETTE BRUNELLE PROPOSING A 3,500 SQUARE FOOT SINGLE
FAMILY RESIDENCE ON A HILLSIDE LOT LOCATED AT 2400 BISNAGA
ROAD (ZONE R-1-B, GENERAL PLAN: ER), CASE 3.4169 MAJ / 7.1607 AMM
APN: 510-210-025. (KL)
Continued to a date certain of September 21, 2020 as part of the acceptance of
the agenda.
4. REQUEST BY FUMIKO DOCKER OF PENCIL BOX ARCHITECTS, INC., ON
BEHALF OF COOKIES, FOR A MINOR ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION AND
A SIGN PERMIT APPLICATION TO PAINT TWO (2) EXTERIOR COLUMNS IN
‘COOKIE BLUE’ AND INSTALL SIGNAGE AT A NEW CANNABIS
DISPENSARY FACILITY LOCATED AT 777 NORTH PALM CANYON DRIVE
(APN: 505-283-008), ZONE C-1, SECTION 10 (CASE 3.229 MAA & 20-015 SI).
(NK)
Associate Planner Kikuchi provided an overview of the proposed modifications to the
exterior of the existing building.
Chair Jakway verified zoning code requirements relative window signage.
Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes
City of Palm Springs
September 8, 2020
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ALLY FUMIKO DOCKER and ALY DEAN, on behalf of the applicant, described the
proposed project.
No members of the public requested to speak regarding the item.
Vice Chair asked about signage and the existing paint colors for the existing tenant.
Member Lockyer questioned if existing landscape was removed; Director Fagg
responded that staff would verify if the property is in compliance with the approved
landscape plan and direct that any missing landscape be installed.
Member Walsh asked about the material for columns (the applicant noted that they are
proposing anodized aluminum tubing in a dark brown color); Mr. Walsh also verified the
details of the trellis structure.
Chair Jakway asked if the business exists in other locations and if the proposed color
scheme is different than those locations. Ms. Dean responded there are other locations,
and this would be different as the other locations have blue on the entire building.
Member Lockyer said the proposed blue isn’t offensive, but expressed concern on the
lack of landscaping.
Member Poehlein agreed that the blue color is fine and felt the signage was good if it
complied with the sign regulations relate to height.
Member Doczi said there should be some continuity in color with the other columns.
Member Walsh and Vice Chair Rotman expressed concern with only painting two of the
columns blue, noting it would create inconsistencies on the building. Vice Chair Rotman
said the signage gets lost in its proposed location and there could be a more effective
location to place signage.
Chair Jakway was not in support of the signage or blue color as proposed, as well.
Member Doczi, seconded by Rotman, to approve signs as recommended by staff and
continue the paint scheme for further study.
AYES: DOCZI, LOCKYER, MCCOY, POEHLEIN, WALSH, ROTMAN, JAKWAY
A recess was taken at 6:14 pm. The meeting resumed at 6:21 pm.
Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes
City of Palm Springs
September 8, 2020
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5. DTPS B-3, LLC FOR A MAJOR ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION TO
CONSTRUCT A 6-STORY, 82,577-SQUARE FOOT MULTI-FAMILY
RESIDENTIAL CONDOMINIUM BUILDING WITH 62-UNITS 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 business conflict and turned off his camera.
Principal Planner Newell provided a presentation on the proposed project, and discussed
conformance to architectural review criteria.
Member Lockyer asked about circulation from the parking garage and elevator access,
and questioned the building height relative to the previously approved hotel at the project
site. Planner Newell responded there are two elevators for the project, and said the
building is 60-ft. in overall height, which is close to the height of the previously approved
hotel, which ranged in height from 60-ft. to 70-ft.
Member Walsh noted the underground plan only shows one elevator that descends into
the garage, even though there are two elevators shown on the other floors.
Member McCoy questioned the shading of the proposed project compared with the
previous hotel building.
Chair Jakway clarified the trash and loading zones for the building.
MICHAEL BRAUN, representing the applicant, provided background on the downtown
development project and the reasons for the proposed project.
MARK KIRKHART, Architect representing the applicant, described the design the
development and responded to questions. Parking and trash/loading facilities are located
on the north side of the building. He described the different materials used on the exterior.
DION MCCARTHY, Architect representing the applicant, responded to questions from the
Committee about the building design and how it responds to its location relative to
mountain views and solar exposure.
Member McCoy said the plant and tree selections are appropriate, but was concerned
with the east elevation. The public art could helpful address the concern.
Member Thompson expressed concern with the south elevation at the ground floor, and
additional glazing is needed at that location.
Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes
City of Palm Springs
September 8, 2020
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Member Walsh said he appreciated the challenges of density and design, but was
concerned with the overall massing. He was concerned with the owner access to the units
and the flow of circulation in the courtyard. Pool space seems challenging as unrelated
outdoor space, which relates back to the building as a whole.
Member Poehlein felt the second (northerly) elevator should extend into the garage to
serve the upper floor resident at the northeast corner of the building. He was concerned
with the pedestrian experience and the proposed design along the streets – Belardo could
use some enhancements.
Member Lockyer questioned if there will be homeowner’s association restrictions to limit
outdoor uses on balconies and patio spaces to prevent towels on railings. Mr. Braun said
there will be restrictions to address this issue.
Member Lockyer commented that the building design seems too busy. He said the
applicant should look at simplifying the building materials and colors. For example, the
east façade has perforated metal, yellow/gold accents, and variety of other materials. He
was concerned with the circulation and user experience – applicant should introduce
landscaping into upper terraces, especially on east side of the building.
Vice Chair Rotman said the building could use some simplification and was concerned
with the proposed six-story courtyard. The building appears as a housing tenement and
overall seems too generic.
Chair Jakway agreed with other Committee members. The project seems like a six-story
“box” and some architectural relief and movement is needed. The proposed window
eyebrows are inadequate for solar control. The east elevation is problematic and is too
busy in trying to address a vertical and flat elevation.
Vice Chair Rotman suggested the applicant look at redesigning the building to respond
to the environmental elements in its surrounding, instead of using the same elements on
all sides of the building.
Member Poehlein recommended the applicant introduce barbecue areas in outdoor
communal spaces.
Member McCoy agreed with other member comments and felt a shade study would be
helpful. He was concerned with the tower element facing the park as a large blank piece
of the project.
Rotman, seconded by McCoy, to continue for further study, based on the following:
Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes
City of Palm Springs
September 8, 2020
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1. Massing – minor change involving the removal of vertical architectural element
from the north, south and west elevations. The rectangular element extended
above the roofline in the original design and with its removal, the building creates
a horizontal design composition.
2. Building Design –
a. With the removal of the vertical architectural elements, there is a
continuation of horizontal lines around the building from the balconies and
the attached glass railings. Additionally, the accent colors have been
removed and softer color tones are proposed.
b. The outdoor communal walkway balconies on the east side of the building
have been staggered in plan view, which creates areas to integrate live
plant materials and provides different shading patterns on this side the
building as the sun rises.
c. Perforated metal screens are proposed on the outside of the balconies to
provide added privacy and visual interest on the exterior. The screens are
movable and will create different compositional rhythms on the west
elevation and on the interior (west) courtyard elevation.
d. Landscape is proposed throughout the balcony areas.
3. Pedestrian experience – glazing area expanded on south elevation.
4. Circulation – modified and relocated the second elevator on the north side of the
building, providing access from the parking garage to the top floor.
5. Outdoor amenities – a barbeque is proposed on the third floor pool deck.
Chair Jakway requested that staff forward concerns to the Planning Commission about
the traffic signal placement and bus stop location on the Sunrise Way frontage.
AYES: LOCKYER, MCCOY, POEHLEIN, WALSH, THOMPSON, ROTMAN,
JAKWAY
RECUSED: DOCZI
COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS: None.
STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: None.
ADJOURNMENT: The Architectural Advisory Committee of the City of Palm Springs
adjourned at 7:50 pm to the next regular meeting at 5:30 pm on Monday, September 21,
2020.
_____________________________________
David A. Newell, AICP
Principal Planner