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Home My WebLink About2017-03-06- ARC MinutesCity of Palm Springs ARCHITECTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Council Chamber, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California 92262 Minutes of March 6, 2017 CALL TO ORDER: Chair Song called the meeting to order at 3:05 pm. ROLL CALL: Committee Members Present: Fredricks, Lockyer, Secoy-Jensen, Vice -Chair Cassady, Chair Song Committee Members Excused: Purnel, Rotman Planning Commissioner Present: None. Staff Present: Planning Director Fagg, Assistant Planner Kikuchi, Associate Planner Newell 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, March 2, 2017. ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: MISIC (Secoy-Jensen/Lockyer, 5-0-2 absent Purnel, Rotman) Accept the agenda, as presented. PUBLIC COMMENTS: No comments. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: FEBRUARY 6, 2017 AND FEBRUARY 21, 2017 Pulled from agenda due to a lack of voting quorum. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 2. GLS LANDSCAPING, INC, ON BEHALF OF PALM SPRINGS VILLAS I HOA, FOR A MINOR ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION FOR THE REMOVAL OF 46,785 SQUARE FEET OF TURF AND THE INSTALLATION OF DROUGHT - TOLERANT LANDSCAPE ON THE NORTH PALM CANYON DRIVE, WEST YORBA ROAD AND WEST SAN RAFAEL ROAD FRONTAGES AT 2801 LOS Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes March 6, 2017 FELICES ROAD, ZONE PD (CASE NO. 3.0969). (NK) Assistant Planner Kikuchi provided background information on the proposed drought - tolerant landscape plan. JOHNNY CONTRERAS, GLS Landscaping, verified the location of the trees, irrigation for existing trees (deep root system on separate valve) and addressed the concern with the Brazilian Pepper tree. Member Lockyer verified information relative to obstruction of views from the west - facing unit windows. Chair Song questioned the width of the dry riverbeds. (5' - Tin width) Member Fredricks commented that it looks like all the changes were made and the only thing he would like to see is the Barrel Cactus in 15" to 18" size. Member Secoy-Jensen thinks the project has greatly improved and is prepared to approve as submitted based on the applicant's response. MISIC (Song/Secoy-Jensen, 5-0-2 absent Purnel, Rotman) Approve with Conditions: • Barrel Cactus shall be 15" - 18" in size. • Dry riverbed rock shall be 4' - 8' in width. • Keep views in mind when installing the plantings. 3. NEXUS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION FOR A PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT, A MAJOR ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION AND TENTATIVE TRACT MAP FOR A TWO PHASE DEVELOPMENT CONSISTING OF (1) REPURPOSING CLASS 1 HISTORIC BUILDINGS ON 3.1 ACRES AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF NORTH CALLE EL SEGUNDO AND EAST TAHQUITZ CANYON WAY AND (2) FORTY-EIGHT ATTACHED RESIDENTIAL UNITS ON 5.6-ACRES LOCATED AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF NORTH CALLE EL SEGUNDO AND EAST ANDREAS ROAD, ZONE RA AND REO, SECTION 14 (CASE NOS. 5.1399 PD-385, 3.3983 MAJ AND TTM 36876). (DN) Member Secoy-Jensen noted her abstention on this Item and would not be participating in the discussion and vote. Associate Planner Newell provided an overview of the proposed changes as outlined in the staff memorandum. COREY ALDER, Nexus Development, president, said the development team is available to answer questions. 1) Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes March 6, 2017 Member Fredricks noted that the pool building design is substantially different from the remaining architecture and questioned how it relates to the project. He also noted that the landscape plan does not show shrubs or groundcover and questioned if the detailed plans would be provided. Member Lockyer verified the eave details and window frame materials (vinyl frame windows); balcony details; and verified the location of the 2nd and 3rd story units. He requested the architect review all changes to the plan. Vice -Chair Cassady questioned the sidewalk locations on the interior of the project. Chair Song commented and/or requested clarification on: • The angle of driveways on the north side of development. (reviewed with civil engineer) • Can the driveway angle be reduced? • Was consideration given for 2-story units at perimeter and 3-story on the interior of the site? • Guardrail adds more height to the product. (She expressed concern with the height impacting the community. (The applicant suggested reducing the height of the units at the driveway entry.) • Is there a pedestrian connection from the gates to the paseo on Calle Alvarado. • Need the trees to soften the verticality of units - areas for interior sidewalks may be better used as landscape area. • Composition of elevations need more work. Member Lockyer asked about the treatment on Calle Alvarado. Vice -Chair Cassady made the following comments: • More trees and shade is needed in the project. • The architecture is looks "blocky" - more like downtown L.A. than Palm Springs. • Exterior needs more work to make it look less dense and monotonous. Member Fredricks commented on; • Concern about the streetscape_ • Buildings need to be stepped back. • Color variation intensifies "looming" appearance. • Width of landscape buffers at perimeter of project is not adequate. • Needs to see more detailed landscape plans. Member Lockyer made the following comments: • Buildings appear to be bland - suggested introducing a variety in elevations. • Need materials for window frames and metal details. Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes March 6, 2017 • Need a variation in height. • Can support the 3-story if elevations had more variation and step -backs. • Are there any entry signs? MISIC (Fredricks/Lockyer, 4-1-2 abstained/Secoy-Jensen, absent Purnel/Rotman) Resubmit plans with AAC comments. NEW BUSINESS: 4. TAHQUITZ CANYON INVESTORS, LLC FOR A PROPOSAL TO REMODEL THE COURTYARD, INCLUDING THE DEMOLITION OF THREE BUILDINGS, CONSTRUCTION OF TWO MULTI -TENANT COMMERCIAL RESTAURANT BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENT OF OTHER FACADES AND LANDSCAPE AREAS, TO CREATE "THE SCENE 1N PALM SPRINGS" AT 601-789 EAST TAHQUITZ CANYON WAY, ZONE REO OF SECTION 14 SPECIFIC PLAN (CASE 5.1407 CUP AND 3.4002 MAJ). (DN) Associate Planner Newell presented the proposed project as outlined in the staff report. Member Lockyer questioned if the existing elevations of the buildings are being demolished. Member Secoy-Jensen questioned what would be permitted in terms of height. (35'; up to 100' with high rise ordinance) Member Fredricks asked if there is any intention to use valet or drop-off along Tahquitz Canyon Way. WILL AZZALINO, project architect, presented the project using a PowerPoint presentation. TOM DOCZI, landscape architect, described the land scapelhardscape changes for the project. Vice -Chair Cassady exited the meeting at 5:03 pm. Member Fredricks had the followings questions: • Can you introduce shade trees in the courtyard? • What were the thoughts behind the swooping roof as opposed to flat roofs which would be more in keeping with flat roof design of the center. • Introduce horizontal elements (bands). Member Lockyer said he is not in favor of the project; devoid of character and out -of scale. 4 Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes March 6, 2017 Member Secoy-Jensen said that it doesn't appear there's been a study of the sense of place in the project. She said there's a need to study the architectural vocabulary - materials, texture and scale. Chair Song said she understands the treatment of Tahquitz and the openness and connection toward the rear; however, the massing and vertical composition needs more study. MISIC (Secoy-Jensen/Fredricks, 4-0-3 absent Cassady, Purnel, Rotman) Continue to date uncertain. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS: Member Lockyer asked about time limits for applicant presentations. Planner Newell said he would report back to the Committee with further information. STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: None. ADJOURNMENT: The Architectural Advisory Committee of the City of Palm Springs adjourned at 5:10 pm to the next regular meeting at 3:00 pm on Monday, March 20, 2017, Council Chamber, City Hall, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs. F nn Fagg, AICP Director of Planning Services