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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-09-06- ARC MinutesCity of Palm Springs ARCHITECTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Council Chamber, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California 92262 Minutes of September 6, 2016 CALL TO ORDER: Chair Fredricks called the meeting to order at 3:01 pm. ROLL CALL: Committee Members Present: Miller, Rotman, Secoy-Jensen, Song, Vice -Chair Cassady, Chair Fredricks Committee Members Absent: Lockyer Committee Members Excused: Purnel Planning Commissioner Present: Lisa Middleton Staff Present: Planning Director Fagg, Associate Planner Mlaker, Assistant Planner Kikuchi, Principal Planner Robertson REPORT OF THE POSTING OF AGENDA: The Agenda was posted 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, September 1, 2016. ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: Member Secoy-Jensen requested postponing the minutes to the later in meeting until a voting quorum is available. The agenda was accepted, as amended. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: AUGUST 1, 2016 UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 2. HILTON PALM SPRINGS FOR A MINOR ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION FOR THE REMOVAL OF 19,200 SQUARE FEET OF TURF AND THE INSTALLATION OF DROUGHT -TOLERANT LANDSCAPE ON THE TAHQUITZ Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes City of Palm Springs September 6 2016 CANYON WAY, CALLE ENCILIA, AND CALLE EL SEGUNDO FRONTAGES AT 400 E. TAHQUITZ CANYON WAY, ZONE RA (CASE 3.1750). (NK) Assistant Planner Kikuchi presented the revised landscape plan as outlined in the staff memorandum. AFTAB DADA, hotel manager, Hilton Hotel, introduced himself and was available for questions. TOM DOCZI, TKD Landscape Architects, provided details on the turf conversion using a Power Point presentation describing the landscape, lighting and focal points on the frontages along Tahquitz Canyon and Calles El Segundo & Encilia. Member Song requested information on: • Steel edging to separate rock materials. • Groupings of plants. • Access to dog run. • Specifications for lighting fixtures. • Irrigation of existing trees. Member Rotman had a question on the type of existing hedges and liked the design. Member Miller questioned the dog run design. (Existing lawn area that is not fenced.) Chair Fredricks questioned removal of the existing plant material, choice of Canariensis and Carissa use (provided around boulders) and size of Bismarck Palms. Comments: Member Secoy-Jensen is supportive of the direction it's going and likes the metal banding instead of the bender board in the previous submittal. Vice -Chair Cassady prefers the steel banding disappear as much as possible but will leave it up to the applicant to determine which is best. Member Song hopes the composition will "bleed" from distinct strips and bands to adjacent surfaces. MISIC (Fredricks/Secoy-Jensen, 6-0-2 absent Lockyer/Purnel) Approve, as submitted. NEW BUSINESS: 3. SUN1A INVESTMENTS LLC., FOR A MAJOR ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TWENTY-FOUR (24) UNIT Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes City of Palm Springs September 6 2016 CONDOMINIUM PROJECT LOCATED AT 305 WEST SAN RAFAEL ROAD, ZONE R-2 (CASE NOS. 3.3959 MAJ, TTM 37143). (GM) Associate Planner Mlaker presented an overview of the proposed condominium project. Member Song requested clarification on the College Park Specific Plan access requirements. Member Rotman had a question about the wall along San Rafael. Public Comments: LANCE O'DONNELL, project architect, provided details relating to the building layout and design, courtyards, amenities, the wall along San Rafael, solar -electric systems and drought tolerant landscaping. DAVID DOGCHAEUX, landscape architect, addressed questions by the Committee_ Member Song requested clarification and/or commented on: • Parking design. • Could courtyard concept be designed at portals to the site? • Sidewalk on San Rafael. • Location and detail of Pergola vs. fiat awnings. Member Rotman questioned if the project is gated - (yes) and the distance from the parking lot to the center units - (275 feet). He commented that it is a long way to walk in the desert heat (carrying groceries) without a lot of shade Member Miller noted concern about parking and asked if they had any other alternatives for parking. MR. O'DONNELL responded that given the street condition on all three sides, the wind and security concerns they fairly quickly arrived at this opportunity. Member Secoy-Jensen sees wonderful design opportunities for the courtyards; however, noted concern with the vehicles on the perimeter. She requested clarification on the amenity buildings. Vice -Chair Cassady questioned if on -street parking is allowed on San Rafael. Chair Fredricks questioned if they would consider a continuous (broken shade) structure through the center of the site. He asked questions pertaining to the perimeter wall, offset of panels and material of fire access gate. He questioned if discussion was made on having on incorporating the same material into the exterior wall? He asked 3 Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes City of Palm Springs September 6.2016 how the sand as a groundcover will be treated in this windy area. Member Song requested clarification on the exterior elevations of the buildings along San Rafael, down spouts and utility fencing. Discussion/Comments: Member Song said it's a wonderful project and the courtyard is a jewel. She believes the San Rafael wall design needs to be addressed and developed. She encouraged bringing any of the design features out to the corners or the parking to introduce the project from the outside to its neighborhood. Member Secoy-Jensen concurs with Member Song that the courtyard is beautifully articulated and the architecture is powerful and it works well. She expressed concern with the location of the parking, lighting of the courtyards and addition of rhythm to the perimeter wall. Member Rotman concurred with the architecture of the project; however, he has concern with the wall along San Rafael and the distance of parking from the units. Vice -Chair Cassady said if he were a resident there he would like to see motorized gates along the two driveways to add more seclusion and security. He agrees with all the architectural comments and spoke in support of the project as it is proposed. Chair Fredricks said he would like to see more detail on the wall. He expressed concern with the distance of parking from the units and suggested incorporating a few more shade structures in the center of the courtyard. He commented that the interior may be a maintenance problem and recommends decomposed granite over natural sand. He is concern about the security since the parking is far away from the units and supports a gated parking lot. MISIC (Song/Secoy-Jensen, 6-0-2 absent Lockyer, Purnel) Approve as designed with conditions: 1. Provide design of the project presence on San Rafael. 2. Temporary parking at interior of site. 3. Additional security for the parking. 4. Design the parking area to blend in with the residential portion of the site (interior courtyards - bring this concept in the parking). 5. Subcommittee to review the wall design on San Rafael (Secoy-Jensen, Song and Cassady) A recess was taken at 4:34 pm. The meeting resumed at 4:39 pm. 4. HOME PARTNERS REQUEST FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO 4 Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes City of Palm Springs September 6, 2016 CONSTRUCT 14-UNIT HOTEL VILLAS, A BANQUET HALL AND CAFE AT AN UNDEVELOPED 1.8 ACRE PARCEL LOCATED AT 282 SOUTH INDIAN 6 CANYON DRIVE, ZONE LSC/C-1AA & C-2, SECTION 14 (CASE NOS. 5.1396- CUP / 3.3965-MAJ). (ER) Principal Planner Robertson presented an overview of the proposed 14-unit hotel as outlined in the staff memorandum. Member Rotman asked for clarification on the parking requirement per the zoning code. Member Song questioned if having the five and six bedrooms assumes that large families will rent out the units. Member Secoy-Jensen questioned the dimensions of driveway length before the first parking space. PHILIP BATES, Home Partners, principal, explained the company's concept targets multi -generational families, corporate, wedding parties and groups of friends. He said the parking is different because groups are largely arriving together in one vehicle as opposed to the business traveler in one car. BARBARA BESTOR, architect, provided details on the architectural design, materials, site plan and rooftop pools. Member Song had the following technical questions: • Details of the plaster finish. • Details of the recessed windows vs. flush windows. • Is the roof drain internal? (yes.) • Design of parking. • Size of landscape materials. • Design of banquet building from the street side. Member Secoy-Jensen noted concern about the length of the driveway throat depth; direction of angled parking on Calle Encilia; do units have to be ADA compliant? (and location of ADA parking stalls). Vice -Chair Cassady asked if the units could be divided. (no) Member Rotman thinks it's a fascinating concept and said he noticed sky bridges in the drawings (the last two units - is an option not set); function of banquet hall, loading space for food service. Chair Fredricks requested a description of the perimeter wall and plantings at the Calle F� Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes City of Palm Springs September 6, 2016 Encilia side. Comments: Member Secoy-Jensen said it's a creative solution to a design problem especially with a long narrow lot like this. She said that there are a lot of logistics to resolve but trusts that the applicant is creative and they can take it to the next step. She supports the project. Member Song supports the project but the windows have to be recessed, the trees have to be large to shade the building and ensure that the paving on the central street distinguishes cars from pedestrians. Vice -Chair Cassady concurs with the other comments and likes the idea of using the central courtyard for events; however, he suggested delineating traffic from pedestrians by using pavers and not concrete. He supports the project and thinks they will find that a pedestrian gate on Calle Encilia will be very helpful and to expect 1 car per occupant - a parking study is important. Member Rotman said a loading space for the banquet hall needs to be looked at. Chair Fredricks noted concern with: the landscaping, a parking study and a variation of tree sizes. He spoke in support of the project. MISIC (Fredricks/Cassady, 6-0-2 absent Lockyer, Purnel) Approve, as submitted. 5. SHIELDS RESIDENTIAL FOR A MINOR ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION TO CONSTRUCT A 804.7 SQUARE -FOOT ADDITION TO AN EXISTING 2,114 SQUARE -FOOT SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE, ESTABLISH A 771.6 SQUARE -FOOT ACCESSORY SECOND DWELLING UNIT AND A 425.1 SQUARE -FOOT TWO -CAR GARAGE ON A MAJOR THOROUGHFARE AT 1679 SOUTH SUNRISE WAY, ZONE R-1-C (CASE NO. 3.1255 MAA). (NK) Assistant Planner Kikuchi presented an overview of the proposed project. STEVEN SHIELDS, applicant, provided details on the proposed addition. Member Song said the solar panels do not need to be screened; and would prefer a pitched roof at the garage. Member Secoy questioned what is the garage door material (metal); and what is the material of the addition? (match existing) Vice -Chair Cassady concurs with Member Song that the garage does not blend in well, Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes City of Palm Springs September 6, 2016 but there is no easy solution. Member Song said she has an issue with the boxy-ness of the garage and thinks it should blend in more. Member Rotman concurred with Member Song and would like to see a different roofline on the garage. Member Secoy-Jensen would like to see the applicant take another look at the roof form. MISIC (FredrickslSong, 6-0-2 absent Lockyer, Purnel) Approve subject to Subcommittee (Song and Secoy-Jensen) for review on: 1. Roof design of the garage. 6. CANYON WEST ESTATES FOR A MINOR ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION FOR THE CONVERSION OF EXISTING 14,026 SQUARE FEET OF TURF LANDSCAPE TO DROUGHT -TOLERANT LANDSCAPE ON THE PALM CANYON DRIVE AND LA VERNE WAY FRONTAGES AT 2000 SOUTH PALM CANYON DRIVE, ZONE PD (CASE NO.3.993). (NK) Assistant Kikuchi provided an overview of the turf conversion as outlined in the staff memorandum. JOHN ZAYNE, HOA president, landscape designer, provided details on the 4 design elements and materials for the landscape plantings. Member Song had a question about the size of the dry riverbed and size of material of river rock. Chair Fredricks had the following questions: type of irrigation for existing trees (bubblers under dripline); condition of existing trees - healthy; choice of plant materials - Pampas grass is invasive; Gazania and Ice Plant may not survive and suggested other groundcover. Comments: Chair Fredricks noted concern with mature trees dying and the bubblers may not be adequate. He suggested that the Jacarandas be trimmed back before new irrigation installed. MISIC (FredrickslSong, 6-0-2 absent Lockyer, Purnel) Approve, with changes: 7 Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes City of Palm Springs September 6. 2016 1. Install new Irrigation 2. Reconsider three plants: Pampas Grass, Gazania and Ice Plant OTHER BUSINESS: 7. ELECTION OF OFFICERS 7A. ELECTION OF CHAIR MISIC (Cassady/Rotman, 6-0-2 absent Lockyer, Purnel) Nominate Member Song as Chair. 7B. ELECTION OF VICE -CHAIR MISIC (Fredricks/Secoy-Jensen, 6-0-2 absent Lockyer, Purnel) Nominate Member Cassady as Vice -Chair. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS: None. STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: Director Fagg reminded the Members of the upcoming Joint Meeting with the Planning Commission and AAC on September 14th at 11:30 am. He welcomed Sheila Miller as the new AAC member. ADJOURNMENT: The Architectural Advisory Committee of the City of Palm Springs adjourned at 6:10 pm to the next regular meeting at 3:00 pm on Monday, September 19, 2016, Council Chamber, City Hall, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs. FI nn Fagg, AICP Director of Planning Services 8