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Home My WebLink About2015-08-10- ARC MinutesCity of Palm Springs ARCHITECTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Council Chamber, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California 92262 Minutes of August 10, 2015 CALL TO ORDER: Chair Fredricks called the meeting to order at 3:00 pm. ROLL CALL: Committee Members Present: Fauber, Hirschbein, Purnel, Secoy-Jensen, Song, Vice -Chair Cassady and Chair Fredricks Committee Members Absent: None Planning Commissioner Present: Douglas Donenfeld Also Present: Flinn Fagg, Ken Lyon and David Newell 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 2:00 pm on Wednesday, August 5, 2015. ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: The agenda was accepted as presented. PUBLIC COMMENTS: CONSENT CALENDAR: APPROVAL OF MINUTES: JULY 20, 2015 MISIC (Cassady/Secoy-Jensen, 7-0) Approve, as amended. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 2. PCG-SP VENTURE I, LLC, FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR SPA USES AND A MAJOR ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION FOR RENOVATIONS, ADDITIONS AND SITE REDESIGN FOR THE CURVE HOTEL LOCATED AT 333 EAST PALM CANYON DRIVE (CASE 5.1377 CUP 13.1155 MAJ). (KL) Associate Planner Lyon presented an overview of the proposed project. Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes August 10, 2015 Member Fauber questioned if the applicant has agreed to the conditions of approval. (Yes.) Member Hirschbein questioned if there will be outside patio seating for the restaurant. Member Song verified the number of Washingtonia palms in the front setback area; and the width of the pathway for the Labyrinth. Member Hirschbein verified the plant materials in the front setbacks. Member Fauber questioned if there is an extra exit for the Labyrinth path. Member Purnel expressed concern with the plant spacing. Member Song questioned if there are any boulders in the Labyrinth. Member Purnel commented there are a few things missing for final review: 1 gal plant size is too small; • Spacing issues; • Showing correct diameter of plants on the plan; • Need specifications on decomposed granite; Need boulder size/color on plans; Irrigation system is critical. Member Song said the Labyrinth needs to be further developed. MISIC (Purnel/Fredricks, 7-0) Approve subject to staff conditions and subcommittee review (Fredricks, Song and Purnel). NEW BUSINESS: 3. WOODBRIDGE PACIFIC GROUP ON BEHALF OF PALM CANYON 65 LLC FOR THE DEMOLITION OF AN EXISTING COMMERCIAL SITE TO CONSTRUCT A MIXED -USE PROJECT ON 12.4-ACRES CONSISTING OF (60) SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCES ON LOTS AVERAGING 5,136-SQUARE FEET 1N SIZE AND (20) ATTACHED LIVEIWORK UNITS LOCATED AT 777 SOUTH PALM CANYON DRIVE (CASE NOS. 5.1378 PD-379, ZC 3.3876 MAJ AND TTM 36914). (DN) Associate Planner Newell provided an overview of the proposed mixed -use development. Member Hirschbein asked for clarification on: 2 Architectural Advisory committee Minutes August 10, 2015 • Is the Magruder dealership a part of this property? (No.) • How can project connect with the trail? • Will the driveway line up with the Cameron project? • How will the streetscape match the Cameron project? Member Secoy-Jensen asked if there is an exhibit of the perimeter site wall. (No.) Member Fauber questioned how the live/work space will be regulated? Member Cassady asked if there will be a pedestrian signal for the trail crossing on Palm Canyon. Member Purnel questioned how this project relates to the Cameron in terms of height? Chair Fredricks noted that 45% of open -space is required by the code and only 25% is proposed and questioned the relationship to the Magruder dealership. Member Hirschbein questioned the public benefit for the project. A brief recess was taken at 3:57 pm. The meeting resumed at 4:00 pm. TODD CUNNINGHAM, applicant, Woodbridge Pacific, provided details on the two access point to the trail. He stated that they can support individual gates. PUBLIC COMMENT: DR. JONATHAN FREEMAN, requested consideration of the context of development and issues associated with the Magruder building. DAVID FELTMAN, encouraged the AAC to look at the bigger picture and consideration of the Magruder building. BILL POST, commented that the Tahquitz Master Plan calls for a natural appearing berm between the homes and trail; noting that the trail needs to be improved. TIM ERKINS, said he would like to see bigger lots (more spacious) and free -flowing access to the trail. TODD CUNNINGHAM responded to comments pertaining to the Magruder site; he emphasized that this property is tribal land and commented that an access will be provided to the trail. Member Secoy-Jensen questioned if there is a street access to the Magruder site (future access). She suggested looking at moving "F" Street as through access on Magruder. kj Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes August 10, 2015 Member Song made the following comments: • Reduce street width to increase the landscape percentage; • Move parking to front to provide great separation between pedestrians and high- speed traffic; • Overhangs on the building along Palm Canyon - make similar; • Thickness of fascia at 3rd floor; • Verified exterior materials of the live/work buildings. Member Hirschbein said he needs elevations of end units (end wall) of live/work blocks; he questioned materials of perimeter wall. Member Purnel questioned the landscape and hardscape materials, elevation of single- family homes on north side; lack of articulation of single-family elevations; plant selection more sub -tropical rather than desert. Member Cassady questioned if all the homes will have a pool or as an option. Member Secoy-Jensen asked for clarification on: • What is the vision for the live/work? (office, small retail but not restaurant) • What type of signage is proposed? • Elevations for the recreation center are not provided. Member Song asked about the use of stone veneer on the live/work units. Member Hirschbein said Palm Canyon is addressed nicely; he generally likes the architecture; however, major concern is about how it addresses Tahquitz Creek and the view from Palm Canyon - the wall needs setback from the property line and properly landscaped. Member Secoy-Jensen made the following comments: • Excellent opportunity for public benefit; • Needs to see how it connects with the Cameron project and the trail; • Berm between the trail homes; • Not convinced on viability of live/work units; • Struggling with curved and angular canopies; • Reduced fascia height; • Would like to see north elevations and recreation building elevations - could be constructed using "breeze blocks". Member Fauber made the following comments: • The lack of articulation of the residential units (blank facade); needs 3-D illustration of live/work building. • Consider view fence instead of wall; • Consider "F" Street connect to Magruder; • Need colors of buildings. 4 Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes August 10, 2015 Member Purnel made the following comments: • North side of units need to take advantage of open -space; • Plantings - focus more on desert natives; • Supports reductions of street width; • Median island on Palm Canyon. Member Song said the street reduction could increase the trail width; and suggested paying attention to details of roof lines - proportions. Member Cassady said this project turns its back on Tahquitz Creek (roof decks) and slowing of traffic on Palm Canyon is critical (crosswalks). Member Fauber said he does not like gates; perhaps only on the west side, if needed. Chair Fredricks made the following comments: • As a point of comparison would like to see the Cameron elevations; • Use trail to enhance the development; • Use landscaping recommended by the Tahquitz Creek Master Plan; • Trees at interior of project need to be more desert friendly. MISIC (Fredricks/Secoy-Jensen, 7-0) Resubmit plans with the AAC comments incorporated; and include: 1. Street project elevation along Belardo Road and trail frontages; 2. Provide material samples for elevations and colors. 4. SUNRISE OASIS ESTATES INC. FOR A MINOR ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION TO CONVERT APPROXIMATELY 27,000-SQUARE FEET OF TURF AREA TO DESERTSCAPE LOCATED AT 800 NORTH SUNRISE WAY (CASE 3.11181 MAA). (GM) Associate Planner Newell presented the proposed turf conversion to desertscape. JUAN ALVARADO, Sands to Greens Landscape, responded to questions pertaining to the landscaping palette. Member Fauber verified that the hedges will remain in place. Member Hirschbein questioned how many canopy trees will remain. Member Purnel said legend does not show the existing landscape and questioned how the design will match the existing. Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes August 10, 2015 Member Song asked how the decomposed granite transitions to the salt river rock. Member Fauber questioned if the bender board would be removed. Member Purnel said the sizes and materials are fine. He would like to see a better thought process on combining the plant materials_ Chair Fredricks questioned if there is different rock/decomposed granite colors. Member Purnel recommended coordinating the color of boulders and cresta rock. He expressed concern about the lack of density. Member Hirschbein said it needs more trees grouped together. MISIC (Purnel/Fredricks, 7-0) Approve with subcommittee review: 1. Change color of cobblestone and boulders. 2. Add trees in various overall height and sizes. 3. Change from Vegas Pink to Palm Springs Gold_ 4. Subcommittee: Hirschbein, Purnel and Fredricks COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS: • Member Song spoke about the recommendations made to the applicants. • Chair Fredricks requested the plant symbols for the Curve hotel be made larger. STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: No comments. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further comments the Architectural Advisory Committee adjourned at 5:48 pm to the next regular meeting at 3:00 pm on August 24, 2015, Council Chamber, City Hall, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs. FI nn Fagg, AICP Director of Planning Services b