Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-10-15- ARC MinutesCity of Palm Springs ARCHITECTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Council Chamber, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California 92262 Minutes of October 15, 2018 CALL TO ORDER: Chair Song called the meeting to order at 3:02 pm. ROLL CALL: Committee Members Present: Cassady, Doczi, Lockyer*, McCoy, Rotman, Vice Chair Jakway, Chair Song Committee Members Excused: None. Planning Commission Present: Staff Present: 'Arrived at 3:03 pm. Peter Moruzzi Planning Director Fagg, Associate Planner Mlaker, 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 2:00 pm on October 11, 2018. ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: Member Doczi noted his abstention on Item 2. Jakway, seconded by Cassady to accept the agenda as presented. AYES: Cassady, Doczi, McCoy, Rotman, Vice -Chair Jakway, Chair Song ABSENT: Lockyer PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. CONSENT CALENDAR: McCoy, seconded by Rotman to approve Consent Calendar as amended. • Minutes of June 18, 2018 tabled. • Members Cassady and Lockyer, rescused on minutes of September 4, 2018. • Members Cassady, Lockyer and McCoy, rescused on minutes of September 17, 2018. Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes City of Palm Springs October 15, 2018 • Member Doczi recused on Item 2. AYES: Cassady, Lockyer, McCoy, Rotman, Vice -Chair Jakway, Chair Song 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: JUNE 18, SEPTEMBER 4 AND SEPTEMBER 17 Approved, as part of the Consent Calendar. (Noting, minutes from June 18th tabled. Members Cassady and Lockyer abstained on minutes of September 4th. Members Cassady, Lockyer and McCoy abstained on minutes of September 17th.) 2. S. WINTERS AND D. CURTIS, OWNERS FOR RECOMMENDATION OF APPROVAL FOR A PROPOSED 594 SQUARE FOOT DETACHED CASITA ON A HILLSIDE LOT LOCATED AT 1000 CORONADO AVENUE, ZONE R-1-A, (CASE 3.4103 MAA). (KL) Approved, as part of the Consent Calendar. (Noting, Member Doczi's abstention.) UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 3. THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, OWNER, FOR REVISIONS TO THE PROPOSED RESTORATION OF THE COURTYARD AT THE WELWOOD MURRAY MEMORIAL LIBRARY, A CLASS 1 HISTORIC SITE, LOCATED AT 100 SOUTH PALM CANYON DRIVE (RSPB #31 CASE 3.1032 MAA). (KL) Associate Planner Lyon presented the proposed revisions for restoration of the courtyard at the Welwood Murray Library as outlined in the staff report. Member Rotman verified the location of transformer in the courtyard. Member Lockyer verified if the A/C condenser units are a part of the library- (yes). Member Jakway questioned if adjacent the building is using the courtyard for fire access -(yes). Chair Song verified if a program was provided to the landscape architect. Member Rotman questioned what the budget is for the project. Member McCoy questioned if the signage on the adjacent building is approved. JEANNIE KAYS, library director, responded to questions from the AAC. No public comment. 2 Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes City of Palm Springs October 15, 2018 Vice Chair Jakway suggested a partial hedge to help screen the adjacent building and seating not be fixed. JEANNIE KAYS noted concern about using stackable furniture because it will be stolen and they don't have the staffing to bring it indoors and maintain it. Member Jakway verified the location of the public restrooms- (Plaza Las Flores); and questioned if Plaza Las Flores maintains the easement. Member Cassady questioned how the space will be used- (as an outdoor reception area for story time and special events); how many benches are needed and if they are in concurrence with staff recommendations- (concerned about plant choices; and would like lighting on the building or landscaping and metal gates). Member Rotman questioned if there is any possibility to move the condensers- (it would cost too much); and where the primary access is to the courtyard- (both from building and from street). Member Doczi verified if the subcommittee reviewed the proposed plan- (yes); and if they are concerned about the proposed pavers- (they are open to other options). Chair Song commented that the courtyard is not designed for an audience and does not provide flexibility for use. Member Lockyer verified the exits from the building into the courtyard and the existing trees- (Tipuana). Chair Song recapped the competing issues: • Maintenance of space • Library - outdoor use • Public use • Historic Structure Ms. Song understands about sustainability but there are places for grass and trees. A determining factor of when we cannot have grass or trees if there is an issue of servicing or maintaining it. Member McCoy expressed concern about the design of pavers- angled design; grass is inappropriate for use/space; program should include children; and suggested re- thinking what has been presented. Member Doczi said he'd like to see some kind of focal point. There should be a diagram providing space with use of planters to define the space; "living wall" to screen A/C condenser units. Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes City of Palm Springs October 15, 2018 Member Rotman agrees that the courtyard needs focal point and specimen tree. He suggested benches engaged with A/C units; use of greenery on walls; concrete pavers would be appropriate; security door should be historically appropriate; and seating around a planter would be adequate. Member Lockyer suggested simplifying paving; combine planters and seating; simplify plant palette; and suggested a subcommittee to review these items. Member Cassady would like to see the central courtyard tree restored; use of moveable benches; and decomposed granite would be appropriate. Vice Chair Jakway thinks the gate should be historically appropriate; paver pattern is too busy; and suggested simplifying the plant material. Chair Song emphasized doing a circulation plan to figure out where people are coming in and out and know how much space you have to do your program. Members Doczi and Lockyer were appointed to subcommittee for review of AAC concerns. No action was taken; comments only. NEW BUSINESS: 4. JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF PALM SPRINGS FOR A MINOR ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION TO REPLACE TURF WITH DROUGHT TOLERANT LANDSCAPE AT 332 WEST ALEJO ROAD, ZONE PD-135 (CASE 3.1911 MAA). (DN) Associate Planner Newell presented the proposed turf replacement as outlined in the staff memorandum. Member Rotman verified the property line on Vine Ave. relative to landscape area. Member Doczi verified if any renovation will be made to the existing raised panels- (no). LARRY FECHTER, Board of Trustees, vice president, (master gardener) explained that at the height of the drought a decision was made to develop desert landscaping and turned off all of the irrigation outside. Consequently, a number of ficus trees were lost and the balance of landscaped looked bad. He explained they have cleaned it up and hired a landscape designer to provide a plan. Member Lockyer verified the groundcover materials. Chair Song questioned why the scale of landscaping was brought down- (Paul Ortega Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes City of Palm springs October 15, 2018 responded that he considered the location and position against the building). She asked the applicant about the intent of the planting scheme; and verified the damaged trees. Member Doczi verified details of the planting area at the corner of Vine Ave. and W. Alejo Road. Member McCoy said he's glad to see a cohesive package; and supports the plan as submitted. Member Doczi noted concern about how planting will reinforce architecture; and suggested certain areas could be simplified. Member Rotman agreed with staffs recommendation relative to planting vines. Member Lockyer said landscaping along W. Alejo is underwhelming; and would like to see plantings on other side of wall along the street. He thinks the design should coordinate with raised planters. Member Jakway questioned if the elephant trees should be clustered. Chair Song said that the building is significant and planting should be compatible. The existing planters should be incorporated as part of the design. The foreground planters should be composed together with raised planters and relocate the elephant trees so that there is more space. Jakway, seconded by Doczi to continue to allow the applicant to incorporate the following into the project: • Planting in planters included in proposal. • Provide drawing at larger scale for areas adjacent to building. AYES: Cassady, Lockyer, McCoy, Rotman, Vice -Chair Jakway, Chair Song 5. DEVON SELF STORAGE, FOR A MINOR ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION FOR THE INSTALLATION OF DESERT LANDSCAPING WITHIN A 14,500- SQUARE FOOT AREA FRONTING ALONG ROSA PARKS DRIVE WITH A MAIN ADDRESS OF 500 WEST RADIO ROAD, ZONE R-21PD 87 (CASE NO. 5.0067 PD 87). (GM) Associate Planner Mlaker presented the proposed desert landscaping as outlined in the staff memorandum. ALBERT SALDIVAR, applicant, was available for questions from the AAC. Chair Song questioned if he would be open to increasing the Tipuana to 36% (yes); and 41 Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes City of Palm Springs October 15, 2018 verified if the applicant would be open to additional shrub materials. Member McCoy asked if trees would provide additional shade for the bus stop. Member Doczi questioned if there is any mounding or berms- (no); and had some concern with the Tipuana and wind damage in that area and suggested a Palo Verde, Ironwood or other stronger tree varieties. Chair Song asked the applicant if he would substitute Ironwood instead of the Tipuana trees- (yes). Member Lockyer thinks they may want to define stricter specifications for the berming. Member Doczi suggested Palo Verde instead of Tipuana tree or Ironwood- or a combination of both. Lockyer, seconded by Cassady to approve subject to final review of mounding by subcommittee (Doczi and McCoy). 1. The Tipuana Trees (one tree shall be 36" box size). 2. Add a Sweet Acacia on each side. 3. Place trees adjacent to bus stop to provide shade. 4. Mounding to come back for review to subcommittee showing where the mounds will be and the height distance. 5. Replace the Tipuana with combination of Palo Verde and Ironwood trees in variation of 24" and 36" box size. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS: • Increase size of plans. STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: • One meeting will be held in November. ADJOURNMENT: The Architectural Advisory Committee of the City of Palm Springs adjourned at 5:30 pm. to the next regular meeting at 3:00 pm on November 5, 2018, Council Chamber, City Hall, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs. TFn�nEFagg, AIC Director of Planning Services 6