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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-02-23- ARC MinutesCity of Palm Springs ARCHITECTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Council Chamber, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California 92262 Minutes of February 23, 2015 CALL TO ORDER: Chair Fauber called the meeting to order at 3:00 pm. ROLL CALL: Committee Members Present: Purnel, Secoy-Jensen, Song, Vice-Chair Fredricks and Chair Fauber Committee Members Excused: Cassady and Hirschbein, Planning Commissioner Present: Randy Lowe Staff Present: Associate Planner Newell, Associate Planner Lyon, Principal Planner Robertson and Planning Director Fagg 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 February 18, 2015. . ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: The agenda was unanimously accepted, as presented. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: JANUARY 12, 2015 AND JANUARY 26, 2015 M/S/C (Secoy-Jensen/Song, 5-0-2 absent Cassady/Hirschbein) Approve the minutes of January 12, 2015 and January 26, 2015. Fredricks: Abstained on the minutes of Jan. 12, 2015 Abstained on Item 6 and 7 - minutes of Jan. 26, 2015 Secoy-Jensen: Abstained on Item 7 - minutes of Jan. 26, 2015 Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes February 23, 2015 2 NEW BUSINESS: 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) Associate Planner Newell presented an overview of the proposed desert landscape conversion. BRUCE PONS, Canyon Vista Estates, HOA president (applicant) explained proposed changes to the landscape plan. Chair Fauber asked staff if they would be including the landscape guidelines with these types of applications. Director Fagg responded that in the future the landscape guidelines will be used. Member Song verified the different ground cover used at corner versus the rest of the landscape area. Chair Fauber questioned if the existing stone at the base of the palm trees on Twin Palms will be removed. The applicant indicated that it will be removed. Member Purnel asked if this plan will serve as a model for future turf removal. The applicant responded yes, they would like to remove approximately 5,000 square feet per year. Chair Fauber verified the common area for the development and questioned the phasing of removal. Member Song questioned and/or made the comments:  Corner treatment more geometric/repetitive;  W ill the Fouquieria Splendens at 6 feet high block the sign?  How will the landscape impact the setting of the mid -century modern buildings? Vice-Chair Fredricks made the following comments:  Differentiation of area at corner works;  Proposed landscaping blends with what's happening across the street ;  Decomposed granite needs to match what's across the street (E. Twin Palms Drive). Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes February 23, 2015 3 Chair Fauber questioned the transition at the south betwe en the turf and decomposed granite. Member Purnell made the following comments:  Ocotillos will interrupt view of sign;  Layout is a little chaotic and too many materials for a small area;  Design is somewhat random;  The transition between fractured rock and decomposed granite needs to be better addressed. Member Secoy-Jensen commented that overall it's a good direction; she noted that the existing hedge compliments the formality of the design. Member Purnell said there is lack of foundation planting. Vice-Chair Fredricks said massing of ground cover is not necessary at this small corner, but would be necessary for future phases. Member Secoy-Jensen said that if we approve the template, it may serve as model for future phases so that the applicant does no t have to come back to the AAC. M/S/C (Fauber/Fredricks, 5-0-2 absent Cassady, Hirschbein) Resubmit, subject to revisions. 1. Simplification of the plant materials; reduce the different varieties. 2. Look at materials that will not obstruct the signage at the corner. 3. Decomposed granite to match across the street. 4. Scale - show plants at maturity. 3. VILLAGE RACQUET CLUB HOA FOR THE REMOVAL OF TREES AND APPROXIMATELY 4,650-SQUARE FEET OF TURF TO INSTALL DESERT LANDSCAPING ALONG STREET FRONTAGES AT AN EXISTING CONDOMINIUM COMPLEX LOCATED AT 900 E. RAMON ROAD, ZONE HR (SECTION 14 SPECIFIC PLAN) (CASE 3.1314 MAA). (DN) Associate Planner Newell presented the proposed project. MARK GRAHAM, applicant (Village Racquet Club) described proposed landscape plan. JEFF SANCHEZ, Sanchez Landscaping Inc., provided details on the plant and ground cover materials. Vice-Chair Fredricks asked if the river rock would be contained or feather out. (Mr. Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes February 23, 2015 4 Sanchez responded that it will be self-bordered.) Member Purnell asked why the retaining grass along the wall. (Applicant responded that they do not have the plans for that area yet.) Member Purnell verified the location of agaves and recommended that they be located in the wider buffer areas. Member Purnell expressed concern with the size of the tree wells and recommended keeping trees in the wider landscape area. Chair Fauber questioned which trees would be replaced. Member Song discussed the tree placement to screen subdivision from street. M/S/C (Fredricks/Purnell, 5-0-2 absent Cassady, Hirschbein) Approve with changes: 1. Grouping the plants where there is adequate room, but not where it's too narrow. 2. Center wider plants in the larger areas and smaller plants in narrow areas. 3. Place the trees in areas with adequate space. 4. Consider replacing desert gold and river rocks - the colors are not complementary. 5. Mexican Petunia is a difficult plant - consider replacing. 4. SUMMIT LAND PARTNERS, LLC, REQUESTS A PRE-APPLICATION, FOR A PLANNED SMALL LOT DETACHED SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT ON APPROXIMATELY 10.2 NET ACRES OF VACANT LAND LOCATED AT THE SOUTH WEST CORNER OF EAST PALM CANYON DRIVE AND MATTHEW DRIVE (PA 14-006). (ER) Principal Planner Robertson presented the pre-application as outlined in the staff memorandum. TIM UNGER, principal, Summit Land Partners, said market research was conducted which incorporates different lifestyle aspects to the plans. MIKE WOODLEY, Woodley Architectural Group, Inc. provided d etails on the site plan and architecture style of the detached, single-family residential development. He welcomed the AAC comments. RHONDA NEELY, project manager, Summit Land Partners, spoke about the changes in the project. Member Song made the following comments: Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes February 23, 2015 5  What the market is for 4 bedroom units (alternative lifestyle, extended families)  Questioned the lack of common space at park  Questioned guest parking - (parallel parking on street)  Verified that the project is not gated;  Could units face Matthew Drive? Member Purnell asked the following questions:  Are the pools optional?  Is there a pool setback? Member Secoy-Jensen made the following comments:  The project is very dense.  Lack of open-space/common space.  Lacks connection to hiking/biking trails.  Questioned what other communities served as models for this project. Vice-Chair Fredricks asked about the planting plan for the street trees and spacing. Member Song questioned if there is a function for the vertical features in the elevations. (The applicant said no, it gives variety to the façade.) Chair Fauber said he likes that there is no perimeter wall and the parallel parking on the street. He commented that density could be reduced. Member Secoy-Jensen made the following comments:  Would like to see less density and more green space;  Swimming pools are important - concerned about privacy and access to pools for cleaning;  Tennis courts or other amenity would be nice;  Likes Palm Canyon frontage. Member Song made the following comments:  With only 6' between walls - the architecture could be simplified;  Prefers 10' setback between buildings (wall to wall);  Backyard is too tight;  Project is too dense. Member Secoy-Jensen said the project needs amenities like paseos between the units (like Lido Isle in Newport Beach) and people spaces. Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes February 23, 2015 6 Member Purnell expressed the following concerns:  Integrate open space into the project;  Integrate some of the open space into the private spaces;  Servicing of the pool. The Committee thanked the development team bringing their time and efforts. A recess was taken at 4:47 pm. The meeting resumed at 4:53 pm. 5. SUNRISE RACQUET CLUB HOA REQUESTING APPROVAL OF A TURF REMOVAL / WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE RENOVATION FOR THE SUNRISE WAY PARKWAY LOCATED AT 12OO NORTH SUNRISE WAY, ZONE PDD 42; R-1- B; (CASE 3.1060 MAA). (KL) Associate Planner Lyon presented the proposed project. RAY LOPEZ, project architect, said he has $33,000 in funding by DWA. Member Song asked if he could agree to conditions by staff. (Ap plicant said generally they agree to the conditions.) Member Purnell said not to add anymore plants but to consider plants with greater coverage, dry riverbeds are not necessary and prefers removal of Jacarandas. Member Secoy Jensen praised staff and applicant for recommendations and plan. Vice-Chair Fredricks suggested using a mix in larger sizes and slower growing plants to add variety; the narrow area near the street should utilize groundcovers instead of larger plant material. Member Purnell suggested moving plants from narrow areas; use narrow area next to curb as "negative area". M/S/C (Fredricks/Purnell, 5-0-2 absent Cassady/Hirschbein) Approve, subject to review by subcommittee. Subcommittee to consist of: Fredricks and Purnell 6. MCB PROPERTIES REQUESTING APPROVAL TO REPAINT THE EXTERIOR OF THE BUILDING LOCATED AT 254-64 NORTH PALM CANYON WAY, ZONE CBD (CASE 3.0366 MAA). (KL) Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes February 23, 2015 7 Associate Planner Lyon presented the proposed building repaint. CONNIE HOLT commented that they chose the saturated colors because they will fade. Vice-Chair Fredricks questioned how much more will be muted? Member Song asked if there is any historic reference for the existing/proposed colors. (Applicant responded no.) Vice-Chair Fredricks questioned if they have considered more muted colors or using brighter colors on trim/accents. Member Secoy-Jensen commended the applicant for going through the proper process and would like to see a contrast between materials and paint color. Member Song said colors may be too intense; quieter colors are easier to touch up and fade less. Vice-Chair Fredricks said it is difficult to see without the detailed elevations. M/S/C (Fredricks/Fauber, 5-0-2) Resubmit with comments noted. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS: STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: ADJOURNMENT: The Architectural Advisory Committee adjourned at 5:38 pm to the next regular meeting on March 9, 2015, at 3:00 pm in the Council Chamber, City Hall, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs. ________________________________ Flinn Fagg, AICP Director of Planning Services