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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-05-07- ARC Minutes City of Palm Springs ARCHITECTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Council Chamber, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California 92262 Minutes of May 7, 2018 CALL TO ORDER: Chair Song called the meeting to order at 3:01 pm. ROLL CALL: Committee Members Present: Jakway, Lockyer, McCoy, Poehlein, Vice Chair Cassady, Chair Song Committee Members Absent: Doczi Committee Members Excused: Rotman Planning Commissioner Present: Kathy Weremiuk Staff Present: Planning Director Fagg, Assistant Planner Kikuchi, 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 6:00 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2018. ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: Jakway, seconded by Cassady to move Item 4 to the Consent Calendar and accept the agenda as amended. AYES: Jakway, Lockyer, McCoy, Poehlein, Cassady, Song ABSENT: Doczi, Rotman PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. CONSENT CALENDAR: Cassady, seconded by McCoy to approve Item #1 and #4 as part of the Consent Calendar. AYES: Jakway, Lockyer, McCoy, Poehlein, Cassady, Song ABSENT: Doczi, Rotman Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes May 7, 2018 City of Palm Springs 2 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: APRIL 16, 2018 Approved, as amended. 4. GORDON JIROUX FOR A MINOR ARCHITECTURAL APPROVAL TO ADD A 750-SQUARE FOOT CASITA TO AN EXISTING SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE ON A 1.36-ACRE HILLSIDE PARCEL LOCATED AT 911 JUAREZ AVENUE, ZONE R-1-A (CASE 3.0725 MAA). (ER) Approved, as presented. NEW BUSINESS: 2. GML, INC., ON BEHALF OF THE FIREBIRD ESTATES HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, FOR MINOR ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW APPROVAL TO ALTER AN EXISTING 15,630 SQUARE-FOOT LANDSCAPE AT 2033 EAST RAMON ROAD, ZONE RGA 8 (CASE 3.0748). (NK) Assistant Planner Kikuchi presented the proposed landscape conversion as outlined in the staff memorandum. Vice Chair Cassady questioned if the decomposed granite is darker than the one used in Phase 1. (It is the same color as used in Phase 1.) Chair Song questioned the clustering of Mediterranean Fan Palms at the corner. ELVIS ARANDA, Grand Mark Landscape (applicant), responded to questions from the AAC relative to the existing and proposed layout of the trees. Member Poehlein verified the position of the Mexican Fan Palms; and asked if the corner visibility was an issue. Member McCoy expressed concern with visibility at the corner of Parocela and Cerritos. He agrees with staff's recommendation on the quantity of plants and should reflect clustering as in Phase 1. Member Lockyer questioned how the landscape responds to the views from the interior of the building. Mr. Lockyer commented that he does not see how it's possible without analyzing what the views are from the interior. He discussed the rigid placement of plantings along the sidewalk; and questioned the sizing of the boulders. Chair Song commented that the green carpet under the trees in Phase 1 should be used in Phase II. Ms. Song questioned the continuity of materials in Phase 1 and Phase II; and verified the use of crushed rock and placement. Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes May 7, 2018 City of Palm Springs 3 Member Poehlein commented that the design looks fairly close to Phase I with just a few tweaks as discussed and moving the Fan Palms back with more clustering. Member Jakway thinks the green carpet between the trees should be provided; and other than that he likes it and Phase I looks great. Member Lockyer said he needs to see how it relates to the architecture and views. Chair Song commented that the fan palms add a textured layer and suggested a more precise location in the corner to avoid visibility issues. Member Jakway prefers moving the cluster out of the site line but keep it clustered. Jakway, seconded Lockyer to approve with conditions subject to: 1. Fan Palm cluster in line with Palo Verde; 2. Fill in gaps between trees to create a green carpet; AYES: Jakway, Lockyer, McCoy, Poehlein, Cassady, Song ABSENT: Doczi, Rotman 3. CONSERVE LANDCARE ON BEHALF OF PALM SPRINGS CHURCH OF CHRIST REQUESTING APPROVAL FOR A MINOR ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION TO CONVERT APPROXIMATELY 7,025-SQUARE FEET OF EXISTING LANDSCAPING TO DROUGHT TOLERANT LANDSCAPE AT 1450 NORTH AVENIDA CABALLEROS, ZONE PD 161 (CASE 5.0332 MAA). (ER) Principal Planner Robertson provided an overview on the proposed drought tolerant landscape conversion as outlined in the staff report. Chair Song verified the location and condition of turf. BRENT SPRAGUE, on behalf of applicant, explained that in order to reduce the budget for the church they decided to reduce the plant size from 5 ga. to 1 ga. size knowing that most of these plants will thrive and spread rapidly. Vice Chair Cassady questioned what was the reasoning behind the placement of Bougainvillea- (to add color and focus around the Agave); and asked the height of the mounding- (not to exceed 12"). Chair Song said there is no question this is an improvement to the existing condition. Ms. Song discussed the placement of materials; and noted concern that the Agave will get lost as the focal point. Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes May 7, 2018 City of Palm Springs 4 Member Poehlein questioned if the irrigation will be adequate for the existing trees- (will install drip rings). Member McCoy questioned how tall the Bougainvillea will grow- (if maintained properly, it will keep at 30"); and verified if the client is aware of how the Caesalpina looks like in the winter- (they've discussed with the board how maintenance should be provided for the plantings). Member Lockyer commented the landscape should engage with architecture and views of building. He noted concern with how the new materials interact with the existing hedge and would rather see the Yucca and boulders in a more modest composition. Chair Song discussed the composition of materials. Member McCoy said he does not see any relationship to the architecture. He noted concern with the existing hedge materials against the building and plant materials are not consistent across the frontage. Member Jakway said the Agave does not relate to the other plantings. He likes that the Bougainvillea is clustered with the shaped edges of the decomposed granite between the different plant groups rather than one solid mass of plants. Mr. Jakway said the Agave brings your attention to the center of the long blank wall and he thinks the "prow" of the church should be the focus of the landscape. Member Poehlein said more focus should be made on the stained glass of the church and the Agave seems lonely in that spot. He commented that more clustering and open space would be a good addition. Chair Song said they would like to see modifications and return with a revised design. She said this is an amazing effort to improve the landscaping and it's a beautiful church; but the landscape needs to enhance the building. Lockyer, seconded by Cassady to return for redesign of the landscape plan and work with staff to incorporate the AACs comments. AYES: Jakway, Lockyer, McCoy, Poehlein, Cassady, Song ABSENT: Doczi, Rotman A recess was taken 3:57 pm. The meeting resumed at 4:05 pm. 5. FREEHOLD COMMUNITIES, LLC, REQUEST FOR A PRELIMINARY PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT AND MAJOR ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A 153-UNIT CONDOMINIUM COMPLEX ON A 16.1 ACRES OF UNDEVELOPED PARCEL IN PLANNING Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes May 7, 2018 City of Palm Springs 5 AREA 5 OF PHASE 1 WITHIN THE MIRALON PROJECT LOCATED AT 801 SUNRISE PARKWAY, ZONE PDD 290(CASE NOS. 5.0982-PD 290 & 3.4075- MAJ) (ER). Principal Planner Robertson presented the proposed development in Planning Area 5 of Phase 1 as outlined in the staff memorandum. Member Jakway verified if the fire department reviewed this project- (yes, conditions were provided); and questioned when the olive grove would be planted- (in the next week or two). BRAD SHUCKHART, Freehold Communities, noted that this development is surrounded by nearly seventy acres of open space and provided details relating to the connectivity and accessibility to community clubhouse. COLIN LIU, Robert Hidey Architects, provided an overview on the landscape and hardscape plans. Member Jakway verified the off-site amenities; trash collection arrangement; and questioned if specific plans would return at the Final PDD process. Member McCoy questioned if there will be street lighting- (there are no street lights in the entire project; only at the clubhouse); and will house #'s be illuminated- (yes, will comply with requirements). Member Lockyer questioned the hardscape materials and building relationship. He verified if pools will be provided- (the clubhouse will have two pools and a spa). Vice Chair Cassady verified construction of clubhouse- (will go to bid on June 1st); and noted providing area for plunge pools would be important. He requested clarification on the route to the clubhouse and verified if guest parking would be provided. Chair Song noted concern with: • The variation of elevations (3 elevations per floor plan x 5 plans); • Placement of one-story and two-story units and quality of paseo space; • Location of control joints on elevations; • Encouraged symmetrical design in elevations of 1-story units. Member Lockyer commented that some of the elevations look bland and suggested more dispersal of plant material. He thinks a pool would be nice to have but is not mandatory. Member McCoy said that this area is very windy and a tough place to plant; however these plant selections should survive out there. He likes the social spaces/shades structures and would like to see some gathering areas. Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes May 7, 2018 City of Palm Springs 6 Member Jakway thinks the shade structures should be pulled away from the path and include seating. He noted concern that everything seems very linear- the one-story and 2-story should be mixed. He thinks the paseo cuts off access- there will be issues with truck access for trash collection and the use of individual bins will create unsightly views. He thinks the paseo design is too rigid and the plan suffers because of density. Member Poehlein said he would like to see a closer connection between the paseo and clubhouse. He commented that from the den of the two-story you can see directly into the bedroom of the one-story; and there may be site line issues in the design. The two- story on the west of the paseo will potentially block the view of the mountain which is one of the best amenities and thinks some accommodation for trash enclosures would be important. Vice Chair Cassady would like to see more variation off the straight line grid with a large enough outdoor space to add a swimming pool, plunge pool or spa and not take up the entire patio. He doesn't the know constraints on the amount of space and questioned if there is a way to provide some variation in the shape of the "U" so that some of the units would push out into the grove a little bit almost forming zig-zag units down the side. Chair Song said this is such an orthogonal design that you almost see the edge of the olive groves on the side yards of the last row of homes. She suggested the street could curve and create more mystery and less of a bowling alley effect. Ms. Song commented that it's a gorgeous design but very rigid. The hardscape needs additional thought and composition opportunities are being missed. Member Jakway said the general architecture style is very appropriate for the desert. The flat roofs and massing is nice, but the windows are too flat and could be recessed to add some shadow lines on the buildings. The approach to the front door is invisible and there's a larger percentage of garage-door than building which takes away from the opportunity to make the streetscape more attractive. Member Lockyer agrees that the windows and doors need more depth. He said it feels like the condo section has turned it's back on the olive groves and it may be helpful to mix up the hardscape materials with pavers, exposed aggregate and alternate materials to blend-in with the landscape so that the grove area will intermingle with the architecture. Vice Chair Cassady said the alignment of windows on the second-story units do not line up. Member McCoy commented that there is so much land out there and this center feels constricted. He thinks it’s a good layout and will be a very nice community. He said the idea of plunge pools and location of equipment could become issues for neighbors. He Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes May 7, 2018 City of Palm Springs 7 thinks a stronger emphasis could be made on the gathering areas. Planning Director Fagg noted that the map has been recorded for this subdivision and the applicant must work within the existing framework. He said the project must adhere to the R-3 standards in terms of setbacks and there is a limitation on how much they can push out to the groves. Mr. Fagg said this development encourages "pedestrian activity" particularly in this case where they have they such a wonderful clubhouse. Chair Song commented that they are not suggesting going into the grove but rather using the edges to add a small angle so they can break away from the orthogonal design. Cassady seconded by Song to continue to allow the applicant to add appropriate modifications based on the AAC's comments. AYES: Jakway, Lockyer, McCoy, Poehlein, Cassady, Song ABSENT: Doczi, Rotman COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS: • "Welcome to Palm Springs" sign on Palm Canyon sign is missing. • Revise Design Guidelines- to reflect how landscape plans impact the views. STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: • Notify staff of absence. ADJOURNMENT: The Architectural Advisory Committee of the City of Palm Springs adjourned at 5:34 pm to the next regular meeting at 3:00 pm on Monday, May 21, 2018, Council Chamber, City Hall, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs. ________________________________________ Flinn Fagg, AICP Director of Planning Services