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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-03-23- ARC MinutesCity of Palm Springs ARCHITECTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Council Chamber, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California 92262 Minutes of March 23, 2015 CALL TO ORDER: Vice -Chair Fredricks called the meeting to order at 3:00 pm. ROLL CALL: Committee Members Present: Cassady, Hirschbein, Purnel, Secoy-Jensen, Song, and Vice -Chair Fredricks Committee Member Excused: Chair Fauber Planning Commissioner Present: None Also Present: Assistant Planner Mlaker, Associate Planner Newell and Planning Director Fagg 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 19, 2015. ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: Director Fagg reported that a request was received from the applicant to continue Item 6 (Orchid Tree) to April 6, 2015. M/S/C (Fredricks/Secoy-Jensen) Accept the agenda, as amended. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Vice -Chair Fredricks opened public comments and with no speakers coming forward public comments was closed. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: FEBRUARY 23, 2015 AND MARCH 9, 2015 M/S/C (Secoy-Jensen/Purnel 4-2-1 abstained Cassady/Hirschbein, absent Fauber) Approve minutes of February 23, 2015, as presented. Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes March 23, 2015 M/S/C (Song/Hirschbein 4-2-1 abstained Secoy-Jensen/Purnel, absent Fauber) Approve minutes of March 9, 2015, as amended. 2. CANYON VISTA ESTATES HOA FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF APPROXIMATELY 4,900-SQUARE FEET OF TURF WITH DESERT LANDSCAPING AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF LA VERNE AND TWIN PALMS WAY AT 1508 E. LA VERNE, ZONE R-1-C (CASE 3.389 MAA). (DN) Member Purnel commented that the decomposed granite is incorrect on the current plan (is not the same as across the street) and some plants are over -scaled in size. Member Song said they had an issue with the Canyon Vista sign and the landscape that was chosen was to be changed so that it will not obstruct the signage, noting that the revised plan shows 1-gallon plant sizes. Member Purnel responded that the 1 gallon is appropriate (only comes in small size). BRUCE PONS, Canyon Vista Estates HOA, president, spoke about their plans to reduce water usage by replacing the turf. M/S/C (Song/Purnel, 6-1 absent Fauber) Approve with condition • Decomposed granite to match color across the street. NEW BUSINESS: 3. WKS RESTAURANT CORP. REQUESTING APPROVAL FOR THE EXTERIOR REMODEL, REPAINT, RE -ROOF, AND REVISED LANDSCAPING AT DENNY'S RESTAURANT LOCATED AT 63960 20TH AVENUE (CASE 3.3842). (GM) Assistant Planner Mlaker presented the proposed project. Member Purnel questioned if it would have to go before the DWA for review. (It was clarified that Mission Springs Water District is the provider in the area in question.) DAVE THOMPSON, WKS, Design Consultant, provided details on the building renovation, colors, landscaping and lighting plans. Members Hirschbein and Song asked questions about the color of valence over the windows and if there are any options on the color; the valance color should match the Member Secoy-Jensen questioned if the parking lot would be re -slurried and re -striped. 2 Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes March 23, 2015 (Applicant responded yes.) Ms. Secoy-Jensen commented that this is a great improvement over the vacant property. Member Hirschbein spoke in support of the project. Member Purnel suggested 5 gallon shrubs instead of 1 - 2 gallon size and noted that the dead hedge material along the side property line needs to be replaced. Member Fredricks agreed with Member Purnel and commented that the shrubs should be 5 gallon size (Carissa, Needle Plum and Deer Grass) and Texas Ranger could go up to 15 gallon size. Member Song said she appreciates the stone veneer - it adds character to the building. M/S/C (Fredricks/Secoy-Jensen, 6-1 absent Fauber) Approve with condition: • Increase plant size to: 5 gallon size - Carissa, Needle Plum and Deer Grass. 15 gallon size - Texas Ranger 4. CITY OF PALM SPRINGS REQUESTING REVIEW OF PHASED LANDSCAPE PLAN FOR THE PALM SPRINGS VISITOR CENTER, A CLASS 1 HISTORIC SITE LOCATED AT 2901 NORTH PALM CANYON DRIVE (CASE 3.0635 / HSPB #33). (GM) Assistant Planner Mlaker presented the proposed phased landscape plan. Member Hirschbein asked what the phasing timeframe is. PATRICK SWEENEY, applicant, (Facilities Director) said all three phases will be requested for Measure J funding. MICHAEL BUCCINO, Landscape Architect, provided details on their plans to tie into the native character of the landscape and desert. Member Hirschbein questioned if the existing perimeter wall will be removed. (One section will be removed.) He asked if there will be any other features to encourage people to stay such as picnic tables. (There are benches throughout the area.) Vice -Chair Fredricks asked if any thought was given to provide trees that provided more shade. He questioned if they considered identifying plant material for the public with the use of markers. Member Secoy-Jensen asked about the bench details; noting that less is more and the benches should not compete with the architecture of the building (original bench detail 3 Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes March 23, 2015 rejected). She asked about the water feature noting the windy area and there may be overspray issues (sheltered by large native boulders). Member Song questioned the open space in the lawn area. (The applicant is receptive to adding more shade/trees if desired.) Member Cassady asked if the lawn would be used as an event space. (The applicant liked the idea of adding more trees to get more use and provide shade.) Member Purnel said this is well received with good use of indigenous materials and likes the educational aspect. Vice -Chair Fredricks thinks this is an excellent project and admires the placement of plants. He would like to see plant identification markers for educational aspects. He recommended additional shading for the seating areas. M/S/C (Secoy-Jensen/Purnel, 6-1 absent Fauber) Approve with conditions: 1. Consider plant identification plaques. 2. Add trees (similar type) to the lawn and shading for the seating area. 3. Existing benches be shown on the plan; with new benches to be reviewed by subcommittee. Subcommittee to consist of: Song, Secoy-Jensen and Cassady 5. DOUG JONES REQUESTING A SIGN PROGRAM CONSISTING OF TWO SIGNS AT INDUSTRIAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 1258 MONTALVO WAY, (CASE 15-001). (GM) Assistant Planner Mlaker presented the proposed sign program. DOUG JONES, applicant, requested the bottom of the sign to be 8 feet not 6 feet. He would like to put in ocotillos below the sign. Member Song asked about the sign placement on the fagade. Member Hirschbein asked how close it will be to the underside of the wall detail (2 feet below); and questioned the construction of sign letters (will be faced with translucent vinyl). Member Purnel questioned about the font sizes and colors. Member Hirschbein noted that the percentage of sign area to the elevation is minimal and of detail in color. He also stated that the font is almost immaterial based on the S Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes March 23, 2015 size of the signs. Member Song asked what the window height is. Member Cassady said he appreciates the efforts to locate the sign within the architecture of the building. M/S/C (Cassady/Fredricks, 6-1 absent Fauber) Approve as submitted, noting change in height. 6. 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 OF A NEW BANQUET HALL AND THREE-STORY HOTEL ON A ROUGHLY 3.1- ACRE SITE LOCATED AT 222 S. CAHUILLA ROAD (CASE 5.1345 PD-372 / CUP / HSPB 23 / HSPB 72 / 3.0678 MAJ). (DN) Table to April 6, 2015. 7. FAR WEST INDUSTRIES FOR ARCHITECTURAL APPROVAL TO CONSTRUCT 12 SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCES ON HILLSIDE LOTS WITHIN AN EXISTING GATED 15-LOT SUBDIVISION (TRACT 28495) LOCATED ALONG TUSCANY HEIGHTS DRIVE, SOUTH OF WEST RACQUET CLUB ROAD, ZONE R-1-13 (CASE NOS. 3.3803 MAJ — 3.3814 MAJ AND 7.1456 AMM — 7.1467 AMM). (DN) Associate Planner Newell provided an overview of the proposed single-family residences. Member Hirschbein requested clarification on the elevation differences of the lots. Member Song asked if the floor plans are the same as original houses; is the front setback the same as existing houses and does the street width allow for on -street parking. BRYAN BERKSON, applicant, Far West Industries, spoke about the roof height and roof decks on certain lots. He said the issue may be concerning some residents on privacy issues; however, he explained that privacy is not as a large of an issue. GEORGE ALVAREZ, applicant, Far West Industries, explained that these homes are considerably smaller than the previous ones. He provided details on the height and Member Song asked if they considered lowering the pitch of the roof to 3:12. She felt it 5 Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes March 23, 2015 would make it more grounded to the site. Ms. Song questioned if they have done site sections to show if the roof deck will impact neighbors to the east. Member Secoy-Jensen asked if the existing houses are 20 feet high. She asked if the utilities will be underground. (They are underground - were put in place by previous developer.) Member Fredricks questioned the size of the landscape materials and verified the lack of turf. He noticed the roof deck on Lot 15 may pose the greatest impact. Member Hirschbein questioned the dimensions of the driveway and garage access. Member Purnel also questioned the lawn in the front yard. Member Cassady said while the roof decks will not impact adjacent private yard space of neighbors to the east - they will look into the windows. He also expressed concern about the garage access. Member Song commented that lower roof height will be in better proportion to the lot; and encouraged the applicant to redesign the roof decks for greater privacy. The Members discussed the lots that would need a redesign of the roof decks; it was determined that Lots 15, 12 and 10 will need a restudy. Member Purnel suggested no view fencing on the deck to reduce the impact. Member Secoy-Jensen suggested reducing the size of deck to reduce the impact. M/S/C (Song/Purnel, 6-1 absent Fauber) Approve with conditions: 1. Redesign to lower the building height to 20'. 2. Redesign roof decks on lots 10, 12 and 15 prior to Planning Commission review. 3. No lawn in front yards. 4. Verify car maneuvering clearances on Plan 2AX. 5. Include the sizes of Washingtonia Palms on landscape plan. 8. NATHAN AND GINA OTTO REQUESTING APPROVAL OF AN ART MURAL APPLICATION FOR AN EXISTING MURAL ON THE COMMERCIAL BUILDING AT 810 N. FARRELL DRIVE (CASE 15-001 MUR). (FF) Director Fagg provided background information on the regulations for art murals. Member Hirschbein questioned the difference between signage and a mural. 0 Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes March 23, 2015 Member Song asked about the maintenance plan for the mural. NATHAN OTTO, applicant, provided background information on the mural. Member Song said she likes that it fits the building and it will be maintained. Member Secoy-Jensen said she supports the project with the conditions. M/S/C (Fredricks/Cassady, 6-1 absent Fauber) Approve, as submitted with staffs recommendations. 9. FUNKEY BAR, INC. REQUESTING APPROVAL OF AN ART MURAL APPLICATION FOR AN EXISTING MURAL ON THE COMMERCIAL BUILDING AT 340 N. PALM CANYON (CASE 15-002 MUR). (FF) Director Fagg provided an overview of the existing mural. Member Secoy-Jensen asked if there have been complaints. (There have been informal complaints.) Member Song asked if there is any specific limitation on the size of the murals. Member Cassady said this one is more of a clear-cut mural and fits the building well and supports it. M/S/C (Secoy-Jensen/Fredricks, 6-1 absent Fauber) Approve, as submitted with staffs recommendations. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS: No comments. STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: No comments. ADJOURNMENT: The Architectural Advisory Committee adjourned at 5:02 pm to the next regular meeting at 3:00 pm on April 6, 2015, Council Chamber, City Hall, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs. Flinn Fagg, AIC �3 Director of Planning Services 7