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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-09-19- ARC MinutesCity of Palm Springs ARCHITECTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Council Chamber, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California 92262 Minutes of September 19, 2016 CALL TO ORDER: Chair Song called the meeting to order at 3:00 pm ROLL CALL: Committee Members Present: Fredricks, Lockyer, Purnel**, Rotman, Secoy-Jensen, Vice-Cassady*, Chair Song Committee Members Excused: Planning Commissioner Present: Doug Donenfeld Also Present: Planning Director Fagg, Associate Planner Mlaker "Arrived at 3:04 pm. "Arrived at 3:10 pm. REPORT OF THE POSTING OF AGENDA: The agenda is available for public access at the City Hall bulletin board (west side of Council Chamber) and the Planning Department counter by 4:00 pm on Thursday, September 15, 2016. ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: The agenda was accepted, as presented. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. NEW BUSINESS: 1. WELLS FARGO BANK FOR AN ART MURAL APPLICATION ON THE COMMERCIAL BANK BUILDING LOCATED AT 543 SOUTH PALM CANYON DRIVE; ZONE C-1 (CASE 16-001 MUR). (GM) Associate Planner Mlaker provided a description of the proposed art mural. Member Lockyer questioned if Public Arts Commission has seen this yet and what the process is for mural approval. Member Fredricks asked if the mural would be lit at night and how late will it be illuminated. SHAWN SMITH, applicant, responded to questions from the AAC, said they would like Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes City of Palm Springs September 19, 2016 to keep it illuminated as long as possible but will abide with conditions. Mr. Smith provided details on the lighting and material specs, instillation process, maintenance 1 repair process and image selection. Member Lockyer questioned why this mural is being proposed. Member Fredricks asked is this is the actual mural and if it has UV protection. (Yes.) Member Rotman questioned what the process is to determine the size of the mural. (Based on architecture.) Vice -Chair Cassady asked if there are any plans proposed to extend the sidewalk to access the mural. He asked why these images were chosen and how it fits into the Palm Springs' history. Member Secoy-Jensen says there seems to be a conflict with the landscape and you may want to upgrade it. (They will consider changes so mural is not obstructed.) She asked if any issues with the mural being used as signage. Chair Song commented that these have been done in other communities, and questioned if the image needs more relief of the stucco wall (or reveal) around the image. (Yes, would be open to the percentage cover area.) Vice -Chair Cassady said it would be better balanced with the building if it were aligned with the over -hang (over door); and expressed concern about the mural not being accessible to the public. He questioned the images chosen to represent the LGBT community. Member Fredricks concurred with Vice -Chair Cassady on accessibility and suggested the Fan Palm needs to be removed; vegetation is unkempt - a row of Agaves might be more appropriate to the subject matter of the mural. Member Purnel commented that the mural is out of scale and it needs to be better in proportion to the wall. He said it's a shame that pedestrians cannot get up close to see the mural and thinks the plantings need improvement. The composition and colors could be "calmer". Member Lockyer commented that it resembles graffiti - the color and textures are not harmonious with the adjacent surrounding neighborhood. Member Rotman does not think the mural is in scale and does not tie in and believes it should pull in the horizontal line of the soffit over the entry. He does not think it adds a lot of benefit to the building or the surroundings - not good public art. 2 Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes City of Palm Springs September 19, 2016 Chair Song re -iterated that it needs more relief around the mural and should move forward with the size and position of the artwork. The landscape needs access to the artwork. Member Fredricks concurred about the quality of the mural and will probably be seen more by cars but could be more "simpler" and relate to areas the community can relate with. Member Purnel suggested a different location in a smaller scale_ He thinks the complexity of lighting takes away from the art. MISIC (Fredricks/Cassady, 7-0) Resubmittal. 2. PALM SPRINGS MODERN CONSTRUCTION FOR A MAJOR ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SIXTY- FOUR (64) UNIT CONDOMINIUM (PROJECT NAMED 64@RIV) LOCATED AT 2000 NORTH INDIAN CANYON DRIVE, ZONE R-3 (CASE 3.3963 MAJ). (GM) Associate Planner Mlaker provided an overview of the proposed condominium development. Member Rotman asked what height of the project is. (24') Member Secoy-Jensen questioned the height of the adjacent Riviera Gardens. (1 and 2 stories) DENNIS CUNNINGHAM, Palm Springs Modern Homes, principal, provided details on the units, open -space, deck areas, distance between the buildings, resort pool and spa, pet park, carports in perimeter, entrance and tying -in to the Riviera Hotel. Public Comments: None. Vice -Chair Cassady requested clarification on the tying -in to the Riviera. (Through design) Member Secoy-Jensen asked what other projects they have done in Palm Springs. Member Fredricks asked about parking access for building 5 and distance to the closest area to the parking. He asked if it would it be possible to swap out the palm trees in the open parking area for shade trees. He noticed African Sumac that uses too much water and suggested a different tree_ He said the lower unit patios seem exposed and asked if they considered more plantings to screen. 3 Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes City of Palm Springs September 19, 2016 Member Purnel noted concern on parking distance from Buildings 5 and 8 and the exposure of the patios. He questioned if one trash enclosure is enough and requested details on the pet area design (shade, plantings). He noted that plant sizes are on the small side. Member Song requested clarification on: • The turnaround on the front gate. • Radius of entry drive. • Building 4 setbacks. • Wall on Indian Canyon and Via Escuela - how much will the buildings be seen from the street? • Height of parapet wall and balcony shade structure? Member Secoy-Jensen requested clarification on the rear -yard setbacks of Building 4 and Building 8. Member Fredricks said he likes the design and the only thing he'd like to see changed is the palm trees in the open parking lot changed to shade trees (36" box) and change the African Sumac to a more drought tolerant tree. Member Secoy-Jensen is supportive of the overall design, open -space, and would like to see a 24' setback for Building 4 but will let the others weigh in on this. Member Purnel concurs with Member Fredricks. MISIC (Cassady/Fredricks, 7-0) Approve with conditions: 1. Landscape - change palm trees to shade trees in open parking lot. 2. Building 4 with a 24' setback. 3. Landscape design on Indian Canyon and Via Escuela to return to the Subcommittee (Purnel, Fredricks and Song) for review. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS: None. STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: None. ADJOURNMENT: The Architectural Advisory Committee adjourned at 4:36 pm to the next regular meeting at 3:00 pm on Monday, October 3, 2016, Council Chamber, City Hall, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs. Frn:nagg, AICP Director of Planning Services 4