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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-01-02- ARC MinutesCity of Palm Springs ARCHITECTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Council Chamber, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California 92262 Minutes of January 2, 2018 CALL TO ORDER: Chair Song called the meeting to order at 3:00 pm ROLL CALL: Committee Members Present: Miller, Rotman, McCoy, Lockyer, Jakway, Vice -Chair Cassady and Chair Song Committee Members Excused: Doczi Planning Commissioner Present: Michael Hirschbein Staff Present: Planning Director Fagg, 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) and the Planning Department counter by 12:00 pm on Thursday, December 21, 2017. ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: Cassady, seconded by Rotman to accept the agenda as presented. AYES: Jakway, Lockyer, McCoy, Miller, Rotman, Cassady, Song PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: DECEMBER 4, 2017 Cassady, seconded by Rotman to approve minutes as presented. AYES: Jakway, Lockyer, McCoy, Miller, Rotman, Cassady, Song Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes January 2, 2018 City of Palm Springs UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 2. BRAVO PROPERTIES INC., FOR A MAJOR ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 4,595-SQUARE FOOT HOUSE ON A HILLSIDE LOT LOCATED AT 350 EL PORTAL, ZONE R-1-13. (CASE 3.4066 MAJ) (GM) Associate Planner Mlaker presented the proposed hillside house as outlined in the staff memorandum. Member Lockyer verified the 6 ft. wall height is the limit in the zoning code. Member Jakway noted that the wall height may not apply as it is not on the property line. JAMES MCEACHERN, applicant, stated that he met with the adjacent property owner and made changes to the landscape and wall accordingly. Member Jakway verified if the palm trees in the rear yard are existing- (yes). He questioned if the planter could be extended and location of the mechanical equipment. Member McCoy verified the following items: • Which palms are existing; • Planter at the retaining wall should be extended; • Questioned if encapsulated tree would survive; • Front layout has been "softened" appropriately; Vice Chair Cassady verified the location of the future pool. AAC Comments: Vice Chair Cassady said the applicant has resolved the wall in satisfactory way and questioned why they want to see the planter extended. Member Lockyer said reasonable changes have been made and suggested the backyard could use additional materials. Member Rotman said the applicant has responded to the AAC comments. Member McCoy said he has concurs with the previous comments. Member Jakway concurs with the AAC comments and thinks that changing the wall in the backyard is up to the homeowner. Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes January 2, 2018 City of Palm Springs Member Miller concurred with the other board members. Chair Song thinks the palm trees in the front need to be recorded on the plans and there are geometric lines on the retaining wall that are a little too harsh. Cassady, seconded by Lockyer to approve project as submitted. AYES: Jakway, Lockyer, McCoy, Miller, Rotman, Cassady, Song NEW BUSINESS: 3. REVIEW OF REPLACEMENT LANDSCAPE MATERIALS AT THE FRANCES STEVENS SCHOOL LOCATED AT 538 - 550 NORTH PALM CANYON DRIVE, ZONE O (OPEN LAND) (CASE HSPB 7). (FF) Planning Director Fagg gave a presentation on the history of the landscape revisions and the recommendations of the Historic Site Preservation Board (RSPB). Member Rotman questioned the approval process for the landscape plan. Member Lockyer verified the scope of review for the Architectural Advisory Committee (AAC). Member Jakway verified the existing trees and replacement of the dead trees. He commented that the proposed landscape materials should include existing materials on the site, such as verbena, and that the use of hibiscus was inappropriate. Chair Song stated that the perimeter areas along North Palm Canyon have a lot of pedestrian traffic, and plant materials in those areas may be crushed by pedestrians from the on -street parking spaces. She recommended a more durable material such as pavers for those areas. In addition, she recommended that the landscape plan acknowledge the different conditions on the edges of the site: Palm Canyon is more urban and pedestrian oriented, Granvia Valmonte should be acknowledged as the principal entry to the school, and Indian Canyon in more auto -oriented. Member McCoy agreed with Chair Song that the various site areas should be treated differently based on context, and that the scheme for the Palm Canyon frontage would require more durable materials. In visiting the site, in stated that the plants that had been installed along Palm Canyon would be more appropriate adjacent to the parking area on the east side of the site, and that agaves might more appropriate along Palm Canyon. He stated that the proposed plant list was appropriate, with the exception of the hibiscus; he also suggested that natal plum should be added to the plant list for the site. 3 Chair Song suggested that the City's minimal in one area of the site, rather than attemptin that need replacement. Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes January 2, 2018 City of Palm Springs g budget for the project should be focused to sparsely plant all of the buffer areas Member Jakway agreed with the other committee members that more durable materials are needed along Palm Canyon due to the pedestrian traffic, such as pavers or artificial turf. Member McCoy noted that there were traffic issues with the decomposed granite at the comers of the site, and that the weed barrier was already showing through in places. He also suggested that the color of the decomposed granite was out of harmony with other areas along Palm Canyon. Member Lockyer noted that pavers may be cost prohibitive, and that if used, they should be located in areas of high traffic, such as the buffer area closest to Palm Canyon and Alejo. He noted that it was difficult to review the plant list out of context. Member Rotman agreed with Member Lockyer, and stated that the area closest to Palm Canyon and Alejo would need the most durable materials, and might be appropriate to have a bench in that location. Chair Song stated that it was difficult to give recommendations to the HSPB without knowing the spacing, quantities, or locations of the plant materials. She suggested that it would be helpful to review the proposed master plan for the site once it's completed. She stated that the decomposed granite should be neutral in color, and that the master plan needs to address height and layering of plant materials as they relate to the buildings. Vice Chair Cassady noted that turf may be appropriate for areas of the site, as it serves as a park. Member Jakway noted that he attended school at Frances Stevens, and discussed the historical configuration of planters and plant materials that formerly existed on the site. The Committee summarized their recommendations as follows: 1. The proposed list of plant materials is appropriate for the site, with the exception of the hibiscus plant. Consider adding verbena and natal plum to the list of plant materials. 2. Focus the immediate budget on a specific area of the site, instead of trying to cover all replacement areas with limited plant materials. Address other areas of the site as more funds become available. 3. Treat the landscape design for each of the frontage areas differently, based on function and context: 4 Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes January 2, 2018 City of Palm Springs a. Palm Canyon has more pedestrian traffic volume and is more urban in nature; b. Granvia Valmonte serves as the principal entrance to the campus; and c. Indian Canyon is more auto -oriented in character. 4. High -traffic areas, such as the perimeter areas along Palm Canyon, should utilize durable materials such as pavers or artificial turf. 5. The decomposed granite should have a more neutral color/appearance. 6. Refer the landscape master plan for the site to the AAC for review and comment, as may be appropriate. There being no further questions or comments, Chair Song closed the discussion on the item. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS: Vice Chair Cassady will not be in attendance for the Jan. 16th meeting. STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: None. ADJOURNMENT: The Architectural Advisory Committee of the City of Palm Springs adjourned at 3:55 pm to the next regular meeting at 3:00 pm on Tuesday, January 16, 2018, Council Chamber, City Hall, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs. FII n Fagg, AICP Director of Planning Services 5