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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-10-03- ARC MinutesCity of Palm Springs ARCHITECTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Council Chamber, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California 92262 Minutes of October 3, 2016 CALL TO ORDER: Chair Song called the meeting to order at 3:03 pm. ROLL CALL: Committee Members Present: Fredricks, Purnel, Rotman, Secoy-Jensen, Song, Vice -Chair Cassady and Chair Song Committee Members Absent: Lockyer Committee Members Excused: None Planning Commissioner Present: Commissioner Middleton Staff Present: Planning Director Fagg, Associate Planner Lyon, Associate Planner Mlaker, Associate Planner 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 4:00 pm on Thursday, September 29, 2016. ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: Chair Song requested Item 4 moved to the Consent Calendar. The agenda was accepted, as amended. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. CONSENT CALENDAR: MISIC (Song/Fredricks, 6-0) Approve Item 1 and Item 4 under the Consent Calendar. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: AUGUST 1, 2016, SEPTEMBER 6, 2016 AND SEPTEMBER 19, 2016 2. Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes City of Palm springs Octoher 3, 2016 • August 1, 2016 Minutes_ Approved with changes. (Noting Chair Song and Commissioner Fredricks' abstention.) • September 6, 2016 Minutes: Approved with changes. (Noting Member Purnel's abstention. • September 19, 2016 Minutes: Approve with changes. 4. ED FREEMAN ON BEHALF OF PINNACLE DEVELOPMENT, LLC FOR A MAJOR ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION FOR A PROPOSED SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE ON A HILLSIDE LOT LOCATED AT 2365 VISTA DISTANCIA, LOT 94 OF THE DESERT PALISADES SPECIFIC PLAN, ZONE ESA-SP, PLANNING AREA 4 (CASE 3.3969 MAJ). (KL) Approved, as submitted. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 2. 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) Planning Director Fagg provided an overview on the modifications to the mural as outlined in the staff memorandum. CHARLIE SCHALLIOL, Site Enhancement Services, said they studied the recommendations by the AAC and addressed the reduction in size, slope in front of the mural - the costs significantly outweigh the overall budget of the project. He requested reconsideration is made on the paving aspect. He addressed the LED illumination and landscaping. BETH CURRY, Wells Fargo Bank, said one of the ways they would like to address this issue is to place a double -sided replica of the mural in the window next to the door (it faces outward towards the street and inwards towards the branch) and be able to educate the public about it. Member Secoy-Jensen noted landscape details are missing and questioned how this should be handled. Member Rotman asked for clarification on: • Will the air vent in the wall be covered? (Yes - non-functional) • Is the light bar continuous? (yes) • Can the mural be on the parking lot side? 2 Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes City of Palm Springs October 3 2016 Member Secoy-Jensen noted that the ATM location may prevent the mural being placed on the parking lot side. Chair Song questioned if the number of lighting brackets could be reduced. She commented if the images should be scaled to traffic scale if not oriented to pedestrians. Member Fredricks verified the tree to be removed; has the scale of the mural changed in line with change in proportions and reduction in size. Discussion: Member Fredricks commented that the landscape is important and suggested removing the existing hedge and add a continuous line of vegetation under the mural. Member Secoy-Jensen supports that they listened to several of their recommendations and made a motion of approval. MISIC (Secoy-Jensen/Cassady, 6-0-1 absent/Lockyer) Approve with conditions: The revised landscape plan to return to the AAC for review. The AAC recommended the art content be simplified. NEW BUSINESS: 3. PALM SPRINGS PROMENADE FOR A SIGN PROGRAM TO ESTABLISH CRITERIA FOR THE COMMERCIAL BUILDING LOCATED AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF TAHQUITZ CANYON WAY AND BELARDO ROAD ON BLOCK C-1 OF THE DOWNTOWN PALM SPRINGS SPECIFIC PLAN, ZONE CBD, SECTION 15 (SP 16-004). (DN) Associate Planner Newell provided an overview on the proposed sign program as outlined in the staff memorandum. Member Rotman requested clarification on the window signage. Member Fredricks verified the size of signage relative to the existing standards. JIM CROSS, Best Signs, addressed details of the sign program and was available for questions. Member Fredricks questioned what the decision was to locate the hotel sign at the proposed height. He stated that signage for storefronts should be sized for pedestrian viewing. Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes City of Palm springs October 3, 2016 Member Secoy-Jensen requested clarification on the font for the Kimpton sign vs. generic details for storefronts. Member Rotman had the following questions: the location of the sign at the hotel Porte Cochere, justification for the sign on the west elevation and illumination of channel letters. (internally illuminated) Vice -Chair Cassady verified the intent of the sign program and the dimension of the sign size on Block A. Member Secoy-Jensen clarified that the additional letter height could be processed as a Variance. Chair Song verified details of the "Stout" tenant signage and design of tenant signs (individual letters vs. box). Discussion: Vice -Chair Cassady noted concern with variations from the regulations, but generally in support. Chair Song suggested looking at the signage in three parts: (1) The Rowan (2) Stout's (3) future tenants. A recess was taken at 3:23 pm. The meeting resumed at 3:29 pm. Member Fredricks expressed concern with setting precedence and wondered if this could be done with a variance. He would like to see that signs be oriented to pedestrians. Member Secoy-Jensen questioned a comparison of the signage to the Hyatt; signage on the west side should be lowered; and noted concern that the signage is too large. Member Purnel preferred that tenants who want unique signage, a variance should be filed; and agreed lowering the tower sign on the west side for the sensitivity of perspective on the mountain side. Member Rotman agreed with lowering the hotel sign on the west side (and potentially on the east); and tenant signs should conform to the code and a variance for larger signs. Chair Song questioned if the sign is needed on the west elevation of the hotel. She felt that the tenant signs should be reviewed in context_ Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes City of Palm Springs October 3, 2016 Member Rotman pointed -out that the tenant signs should have a minimum clearance above the sidewalk. MISIC (Secoy-Jensen/Song, 6-0-1 absent Lockyer) Approve with staffs recommendations subject to: 1. Hotel sign - on the west elevation shall be lowered to the mid -section of elevation (no higher than the upper edge of white box) or removed. S. NEW CHURCH II, LLC FOR RENOVATING THE EXISTING HISTORIC CHURCH AND ORCHID TREE BUNGALOWS FOR ADAPTIVE RE -USE AND DEMOLISHING PORTIONS OF THE SITE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF A HOTEL WITH ACCESSORY SPA, RESTAURANT AND MEETING SPACE ON A 3.1-ACRE SITE LOCATED AT 222 S. CAHUILLA ROAD, ZONE R-3, SECTION 15 (CASE 5.1345 CUP, HSPB 23, HSPB 72 & 3.0678 MAJ). (DN) Associate Planner Newell provided an overview of the proposed construction as outlined in the staff memorandum. Member Secoy-Jensen verified the scope of review. Member Purnel verified the materials. Member Rotman verified the height of buildings. Chair Song requested clarification on the view corridor referenced in the staff report. RICHARD WEINTRAUB, applicant, provided details on the revisions reducing the overall scope and scale of the hotel project. Member Rotman said it looks like a great project and questioned what the thinking behind the variations in architecture was. Member Secoy-Jensen requested clarification on the justification for parking on Baristo Road. Member Fredricks questioned if the tandem spaces will be valet parking. Member Fredricks supports the changes but noted that they have not seen the landscaping plan yet. Member Purnel supports the landscape images in the renderings (simplified and E Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes City of Palm Springs October 3, 2016 organized) and would like to see something like this in the landscape plans. MISIC (Fredricks/Cassady, 6-0-1 absent Lockyer) Approve, as submitted. 6. ARMADA REAL ESTATE GROUP FOR A MAJOR ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION AND FINAL PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT APPLICATION FOR "VIBE" (FORMERLY "JUL") A RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT OF 93 MULTI FAMILY UNITS AND 72 SINGLE FAMILY HOMES ON SMALL LOTS ON A 24-ACRE PARCEL LOCATED AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF SOUTH FARRELL DRIVE AND EAST BARISTO ROAD (CASE 5.1046 PDD 232 AMND AND 3.3974 MAJ). (KL) Chair Song and Member Fredricks noted their recusal on this item and would not be participating in the discussion or vote. Chair Song and Member Fredricks left the Council Chamber. Associate Planner Lyon provided an overview on the proposed development as outlined in the staff report. Member Secoy--Jensen verified issues from Exhibit A of the staff report. Member Rotman clarified the setbacks between the multi -family units and how the architectural styles will be used. Vice -Chair Cassady requested clarification on the pedestrian gates on each residence and perimeter. He questioned if the dog parks are accessible to the general public (no) and verified if the historic "tie -downs" will be preserved. (no) JP SECOUSSE, Amada Real Estate Group, principal, provided further details on the proposed development. RON GREGORY, RGA Landscape Architects, provided details about the eight foot wall and was available for questions. MIKE WOODLEY, Woodley Architectural Group, provided details about the layout, cluster, roof -decks, windows and privacy and plantings. Public Comment: STEPHANIE AUSTIN, thinks it's a nice development and the location is good. She believes the community park is not large enough and does not support gated communities. 6 Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes City of Palm springs October 3 2016 Member Rotman questioned the architectural details on Plan 1. Member Secoy-Jensen thinks the left elevation on exhibit A-18 could be restudied; and requested clarification on the gated component of the development. Member Purnel commented that landscape could help soften the blank walls on the shared -use easement; landscaping and mounding can help mask and highlight the walls; and noted that configuration of park may change based on the demographics. Vice -Chair Cassady verified the location of the trash enclosure. (trash cans will be stored inside garages) Discussion: Member Secoy-Jensen thinks it's an excellent presentation and thanked the applicant for the professionalism. She supports the project and is okay with the 8 foot wall in certain places. Member Purnel said the project has improved and is well -thought out. He supports staffs recommendations and would like to see this project move forward. Member Rotman likes the mate rialslcolors but noted it looks arbitrary on the front elevations. He suggested that a simplified approach on the front elevation may improve the appearance. MISIC (Cassady/Purnel, 4-2-1 abstain Fredricks/Song, absent/Lockyer) Approve with staffs recommendations. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS: None. STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: None. ADJOURNMENT: The Architectural Advisory Committee of the City of Palm Springs adjourned at 5:57 pm to the next regular meeting at 3:00 pm on Monday, October 17, 2016, Council Chamber, City Hall, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs. FI n Fagg, AICP Director of Planning Services