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Home My WebLink About2018-10-1- ARC Minutes City of Palm Springs ARCHITECTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Council Chamber, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California 92262 Minutes of October 1, 2018 CALL TO ORDER: Chair Song called the meeting to order at 3:02 pm ROLL CALL: Committee Members Present: Cassady, Lockyer, Rotman, Vice Chair Jakway, Chair Song Committee Members Excused: Doczi, McCoy Planning Commission Present: Peter Moruzzi Staff Present: Principal Planner Robertson 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 Wednesday, September 26, 2018. ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: Cassady, seconded by Jakway to continue minutes of June 18, 2018 and September 4, 2018 to the meeting of October 15th. AYES: Cassady, Lockyer Rotman, Jakway, Song PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: JUNE 18, 2018 AND SEPTEMBER 4, 2018 Tabled due to a lack of voting quorum. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 2. PINNACLE PALM SPRINGS, LLC, FOR A MAJOR ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 3,378-SQUARE FOOT HOUSE ON A HILLSIDE LOT LOCATED AT 1721 PINNACLE POINT (LOT 2), ZONE PDD 79 (CASE 3.4090 MAJ). (GM) Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes October 1, 2018 City of Palm Springs 2 Principal Planner Robertson provided an update on the revisions made to the proposed project per the AAC recommendations. Member Lockyer verified that staff's recommendation not to exceed 1,000 lumens is the total count- (yes, they have been reduced to four lights). He would like the conditions to specify the maximum allowed per light will be 250 lumens. Member Cassady verified if the HOA has approved the color and revised plan. Vice Chair Jakway questioned proposed height of the 10 ft. rear wall. He also questioned if the grading plan shows the grade differential from the neighbor's property line. BRIAN FOSTER, applicant, provided details on the revisions made and indicated that they complied with most of the AAC comments including: modified the overhangs, reduced the lighting, leveled the sloped roof lines, modified the landscaping (rock color) added solar panels, created a trash area, added a door from outside of garage to backyard; added sconce lighting required by code and a direct vent for the fireplace. He clarified that the HOA does not have a problem with some grading off-site as the neighboring lot #3 is part of the same development. Mr. Foster stated that 250 lumens per bulb will be insufficient and inadequate since most landscape bulbs are 30 - 40 watts that produce about 300 lumens and are quite dim. TOM FORD, would like to see the lights inside of the house on the plans. He likes the changes that have been done but noted concern that the five light boxes will face outward. RENE GLICKMAN, resides around the corner, has a view of the lot from her bedroom window and her main concern is the lighting; she noted that the current homes fit into environment and no lights can be seen. MARK MATTHEWS, nearby resident, said he appreciates that the applicant has toned down the color and the architecture. He said he's unclear about the lighting and would like it pursued a little further; and noted seeing bighorn sheep on the mountain. Member Rotman verified the type of glazing that will be used- (solarban 60/low E clear). Member Lockyer questioned re-naturalizing of the site- (it will be a combination of tube steel fencing, boulders, retaining walls and other cut rock which will be consistent with the community). He verified the solar panels and height of parapet walls. Member Cassady verified the status of approval from the HOA- (yes, the HOA is okay with the modifications and the neighbors are happy with the color choices). Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes October 1, 2018 City of Palm Springs 3 Vice Chair Jakway verified that the electric and gas meters will be located behind the garden wall so it's not visible from the street and thinks a guardrail (safety) is needed for the walking surface along the back of the side of the pool. Chair Song questioned if grading on adjacent property is allowed- (applicant responded yes). She questioned if fascia on the front elevation and on lower parapet above the bedroom could be increased by 18". She questioned if the Ocotillo could be changed for a canopy tree in the front- (a big canopy tree would hit the overhang and doesn't think it would be appropriate; palm trees are the type of trees for this environment but are not allowed). AAC Comments: The AAC Members made the following comments/recommendations: Member Rotman: • Architecture- bring out eyebrow at entry which would be much cleaner at the intersection. • Grading- the grade in relationship to the retaining walls along east and west elevations; and the south elevation (guardrail along pool edge or fencing) need to be resolved and brought back. • Solar- concerned that 1 ft. parapet wall is inadequate. (A ceiling that is 14'-16' could be dropped a foot or more without harming interior space.) • Lighting- 1000 lumen watt per fixture is acceptable outside the bedroom (as long as properly shielded and recessed); and suggested a tinted glaze to help mitigate the glare from interior lighting. Member Lockyer: • Architecture- would like to see accurately drawn sections that reflect a lower ceiling or different truss system that accommodates both a flat ceiling and sloped roof; and shielded solar panels from the south. • Grading- re-naturalized slopes on the site and measures to mitigate some of the negative impact that it may have on lower sites; possibly a percentage along southern property line where boulders are required to rise above the plane; certain massing of wall- suggested staggering walls back a bit or re-naturalize with boulders; and staggered wall along the west side; • Landscape- a more naturalized landscape with less concrete and softened with a variety of plantings and broader plants (groupings). • Lighting- exterior is fine now; the interior could be a concern but not certain how much AAC should get involved in; a flat roof would help more than a sloped ceiling. Member Cassady: • Architecture- is fine. Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes October 1, 2018 City of Palm Springs 4 • Grading- would like to see the final grading and location of the walls; and fencing around pool. • Landscaping- is fine with geometry but if amount of concrete could be reduced would be preferred. • Solar- 14'-16' high is more than enough to bring it down a foot or so to help with creating the light box to not complicate the ceiling lighting leading to the outside. Vice Chair Jakway: • Architecture- applicant has listened to their concerns and great response to new final color palette; and concern with the drainage. • Solar- noted where roof slopes 18" from south to north side and solar panels are mounted opposite direction of pitch- suggested reversing the slope of the roof to slope 18" from the north side towards the south- which makes the parapet on the south side two feet tall and will allow screening of panel. • Site- if wall needs to be taller than 6' then two walls with minimum 30" separation between them to allow for planting with attention given to footings so that roots will be able to grow there. Verification from the HOA to allow this property to do grading off-site. • Lighting- agrees with use of tinting glazing but also thinks it would be very beneficial to add tinted glazing to the 14' tall glass that has no overhang. Chair Song recapped the AAC comments and requested clarification from staff, and with this a motion was created. Cassady, seconded by Jakway to recommend approval of architecture subject to approval by subcommittee (Lockyer, Jakway) on grading and landscape plan as follows: • Height of parapet at a maximum of 18 feet with the roof sheathing reduced to 16 feet at highest to screen the solar equipment. • Revise the eyebrow on the front elevation (north side). • Use tinted glazing to reduce light glare. • Flat ceiling on interior great room. For subcommittee review: • New and completed grading site plan. • Showing proof of approval to grade on adjacent common area. • Landscape to eliminate artificial turf and group the plants in a more natural setting with a more organic desert design. • Reduce surface area of gravel percentage with more natural groundcover (shrubbery). • Provide specific wall elevations, design and fence color. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS: • Introduce Planning Commissioner in attendance. Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes October 1, 2018 City of Palm Springs 5 STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: None ADJOURNMENT: The Architectural Advisory Committee of the City of Palm Springs adjourned at 5:15 pm to the next regular meeting at 3:00 pm on Monday, October 15, 2018, Council Chamber, City Hall, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs. ________________________________________ Flinn Fagg, AICP Director of Planning Services