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Home My WebLink About2016-05-02- ARC MinutesCity of Palm Springs ARCHITECTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Council Chamber, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California 92262 Minutes of May 2, 2016 CALL TO ORDER: Chair Fredricks called the meeting to order at 3:00 pm ROLL CALL: Committee Members Present: Fauber, Lockyer, Secoy-Jensen, Song, Vice -Chair Cassady and Chair Fredricks Committee Members Excused: Purnel Planning Commissioner Present: Kathy Weremiuk Also Present: Flinn Fagg, Glenn Mlaker and David Newell REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA: The agenda was posted at the City Hall bulletin board (west side of Council Chamber) and the Planning Department counter by 12:00 pm on Thursday, April 28, 2016. ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: The agenda was accepted, as presented. PUBLIC COMMENTS: FRANK TYSEN, questioned the architectural review process for the Woodbridge project prior to analysis of the PDD by the Planning Commission. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: APRIL 4, 2016 AND APRIL 18, 2016 MISIC (Fredricks/Secoy-Jensen, 6-0-1 absent Purnel) Approve the minutes of April 4, 2016, as submitted. MISIC (Fredricks/Song, 4-1-2, absent 1 Purnel, abstain Secoy-Jensen/Fauber) Approve the minutes of April 18, 2016, as presented. Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes May 2, 2016 UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 2. DEVELOP GOOD: CHRIS PARDO DESIGN ON BEHALF OF JOHN WESSMAN (LESSEE) FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 66-ROOM, THREE- STORY HOTEL BUILDING WITHIN THE PLAZA DEL SOL SHOPPING COMPLEX LOCATED AT 1555 SOUTH PALM CANYON DRIVE (CASE NOS. 3.3937 MAJ AND 5.0177 PD-131 AMEND). (DN) Associate Planner Newell provided background information and an overview of the modifications made to the proposed project. Member Song had questions about the parking lot shading. Member Secoy-Jensen verified the proposed materials. CHRIS PARDO, applicant, provided details on the circulation plan, pedestrian access, proposed materials, elevations of the entire buildings on the property and landscape plan. FRANK TYSEN, said the AAC is not discussing the relationship to other buildings and architecture on projects. JUDY DEERTRACK, resides at Tahquitz Mesa Villas, expressed concern with the mass and density, and project boundaries - how buildings related to one another (the building, the landscaping and parking). ELENA PETERSON, landscape architect, provided details on the landscape plan. Member Song noted the intricate form and shape of the building and suggested removing some of the parking and adding more landscaping to buffer the south and west side. Member Secoy-Jensen (in response to public comment) said this site is far away from other buildings and land use is not their purview. She agrees that the stairwell and landscaping could be further refined with the buffer on the south and west side. Member Fauber said he likes the project; however, agrees removing some parking spaces and adding more trees and plants to add to more "texture" to the project. He prefers the stairwell to be simpler. Member Cassady concurs with most of the other comments; noting that this is a smart way to make use of the vacant building. He suggested integrating the color of the existing building to the new building but overall is very supportive of the project. Chair Fredricks said he likes the new building but would like to see the following 2 Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes May 2, 2016 changes: • Add more Palo Verde trees to the parking areas. • Remove 4 parking spaces on west side of building to create a landscape buffer. • The frontage on South Palm Canyon needs more height, accents and sculpture to provide more interest. Member Song suggested the following changes: • Remove (8) parking spaces on the west side. • Add additional landscaping in the parking lot. • Flat work redesign needed at south tower stairwell. Member Lockyer commented that additional landscape is needed between the existing and new buildings. MISIC (Fredricks/Fauber, 6-0-1 absenttPurnel) Approve subject to Subcommittee review (Fredricks, Fauber and Lockyer): 1. Increase shading in the parking lot by adding more Palo Verde trees. 2. Remove eight (8) parking spaces and convert into landscape buffer with variation in heights to soften the transition to the parking lot. 3. Add trees and landscape, if necessary, to the north and south side of the hotel to soften the facade of the building. 4. Submit a new landscape plan for South Palm Canyon Drive section showing more height and dramatic landscaping. 5. Revise the sidewalk flatwork design at south stair tower. 6. Modify the landscape plan to show the existing olive trees as currently located. A recess was taken at 4:06 pm. The meeting resumed at 4:12 pm. NEW BUSINESS: 3. JPM BUILDING, LLC, OWNER OF THE 500 BUILDING REQUESTING A MINOR ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SOLAR CARPORT STRUCTURE ON THE SOUTH PROPERTY LINE LOCATED AT 500 SOUTH PALM CANYON DRIVE (CASE 3.2312 MAA). (GM) Associate Planner Mlaker presented the proposed solar carport project. Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes May 2, 2016 The Committee asked questions pertaining to: • Location of mechanical equipment. • Size and width of extended beam. • Was keeping the mature trees for shading versus solar carports considered? • Does this structure affect the adjacent Class I building (Bank of America Building) site? • Were solar panels considered for placing additional panels on the equipment room? • Why was the light gray chosen instead and tying the color to the solar panels. MARIO GONZALEZ, representing the applicant, said he worked closely with the owner of the property when he purchased and remodeled it. Mr. Gonzalez explained that the chiller needs to be open for airflow and addressed the existing landscape, building and solar panel color. Member Song voiced concern about the loss of the existing trees. She would like to keep the existing trees and remove the solar panels. Member Lockyer questioned if eliminating one parking space and making it a planter or relocating the trees to the northwest or eastside of the property was considered. Member Secoy-Jensen said the submittal is too confusing to evaluate without the applicant present to answer questions. M/SIC (Secoy-Jensen/Fredricks, 6-0-1 absent/Purnel) Table. 4. MESQUITE COUNTRY CLUB HOA FOR A MINOR ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION TO REPLACE APPROXIMATELY 45,161 SQUARE FEET OF TURF WITH DROUGHT TOLERANT LANDSCAPE ALONG THREE STREET FRONTAGES OF THE CONDOMINIUM COMPLEX LOCATED AT 500 S. FARRELL DRIVE (CASE 5.0173 MAA). (DN) No applicants were present. M/S/C (Fredricks/Fauber, 6-0-1 absent/Purnel) Table. 5. WOODBRIDGE PACIFIC GROUP ON BEHALF OF PALM CANYON 65 LLC TO CONSTRUCT A MIXED -USE PROJECT ON 12.4-ACRES CONSISTING OF (57) SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCES ON LOTS AVERAGING 5,362-SQUARE FEET IN SIZE AND (25) MULTI -FAMILY RESIDENTIAL CONDOMINIUMS LOCATED AT 777 SOUTH PALM CANYON DRIVE (CASE NOS. 5.1378 PD- 379, ZC 3.3876 MAJ AND TTM 36914). (DN) 4 Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes May 2, 2016 Associate Planner Newell provided background information and presented the changes to the proposed development. TODD CUNNINGHAM, applicant, Woodbridge Pacific Group, provided details on the modifications to the residential development (elimination of the commercial units). TIM ERKINS, expressed concern with the density and elevations. He suggested the access should be walkable. MARIO GONZALEZ, seller of the property, spoke in support of the project. He noted that there are plenty of existing sidewalks for circulation. TODD CUNNINGHAM was available for questions. Member Fauber said he is concerned about the gates; however, supports the changes to the plan. Member Song said overall she is positive about the changes made to the project. She supports the scale/buffer on Palm Canyon and prefers additional area on the corner at Palm Canyon and Tahquitz Creek. She understands the need for a gated community. Member Secoy-Jensen thinks the corner element is unresolved and could be more powerful possibly by simplifying it. She supports the paseos and likes the changes. Member Lockyer said it feels like the project is closer to the road without the parking lot buffer. He commented that the multi -family architecture is not resolved - the folded plate roof detracts and expressed concern about the glass railings. Vice -Chair Cassady agrees that the architecture seems busy. He is in support of the gated community. Chair Fredricks concurs with Members Song and Secoy-Jensen that the architecture on the corner needs to be resolved. He supports the gated community and recommended several replacements for the trees. MIS/C (Fredricks/Secoy-Jensen, 6-0-1 absent/Purnel) Approve subject to Subcommittee review (Secoy-Jensen, Song, Lockyer): 1. Simplify/refine the of the South Palm Canyon fagade and gate design. 2. All plant material shall be 5 gallon minimum size, the groundcover plants shall be 1 gallon in size. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS: None. 5 Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes May 2, 2016 STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: None. ADJOURNMENT: The Architectural Advisory Committee of the City of Palm Springs adjourned at 5:36 pm to the next regular meeting at 3:00 pm on May 16, 2016, Council Chamber, City Hall, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs. Flinn Fagg, AICP Director of Planning Services