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Home My WebLink About2015-03-09- ARC MinutesCity of Palm Springs ARCHITECTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Council Chamber, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California 92262 Minutes of March 9, 2015 CALL TO ORDER: Chair Fauber called the meeting to order at 3:00 pm. ROLL CALL: Committee Members Present: Cassady, Hirschbein, Song, Vice -Chair Fredricks and Chair Fauber Committee Members Excused: Purnel and Secoy-Jensen Planning Commissioner Present: None Also Present: Planning Director Flinn Fagg, Assistant Planner Mlaker, Associate Planner Lyon and Principal Planner Robertson 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 5:00 pm on March 3, 2015. ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: The agenda was accepted, as presented. PUBLIC COMMENTS: No comments. CONSENT CALENDAR: The following routine matters may be acted upon by one motion. Individual items may be removed by the Board for separate discussion at this time or under Approval of the Agenda. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 23, 2015 Table to next meeting (due to a lack of voting members). NEW BUSINESS: Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes March 9, 2015 2. BARBARA FOSTER HENDERSON, OWNER REQUESTING A MAJOR ARCHITECTURE APPLICATION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 4,879-SQUARE FOOT HOUSE ON A HILLSIDE LOT AND LOCATED AT 888 LA MIRADA CIRCLE (CASE 3.3834 MAJ). (GM) Assistant Planner Mlaker presented the proposed project. Discussion: Member Song asked questions regarding the color / material board. Member Cassady verified the height of screen wall and AMM requirement. Member Song asked questions about the screen wall; location and distribution of HVAC lines. Vice -Chair Fredricks asked about the container size / or box size for Italian Cypress. He questioned if decomposed granite is also being used. (Applicant responded yes.) Chair Fauber asked if the screen is freestanding. He questioned the screen material. Member Hirschbein said he supports the use of cypress trees. M/S/C (Fredricks/Fauber, 5-0-2 absent Purnel/Secoy-Jensen) Approve with added conditions: • Specifying the size of containers of the Cypress Trees; • Specify color and location of decomposed granite. 3. DESERT LA PALME HOA REQUESTING APPROVAL FOR CONVERSION OF 48,883-SQUARE FEET OF TURF AREA TO DESERTSCAPE ALONG BARISTO ROAD, EL CIELO ROAD, AND RAMON ROAD LOCATED AT 401 S. EL CIELO ROAD (CASE 3.2131 MAA). (GM) Vice -Chair Fredricks noted his abstention due to a property -related conflict of interest. Assistant Planner Mlaker presented the proposed project. BILL ROBINSON, applicant, discussed the plan and removal of certain trees. Public Comment: ►a Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes March 9, 2015 BILL ROBINSON, applicant, discussed the plan and removal of certain trees. JUAN ALVARADO, Sands to Greens Landscape, described details of proposed plantings. LAWSON BRYANT, property manager, spoke about retaining the ficus trees. Member Song requested clarification on the improvements to the Baristo Road frontage. Member Hirschbein asked about the size of the decomposed granite. (The applicant responded that it will be compacted and wet so that it remains in place.) Member Cassady said he feels symmetry of palm trees is appropriate at the entrance Member Song asked questions about the formal aspects of plantings versus organic/informal areas. Ms. Song recommended more informal design at entryway. She asked about the height of proposed palm trees at entry. Chair Fauber commented that the palm trees are appropriate to replace ficus trees at entryway. Member Song suggested the remaining trees be shade trees. M/S/C (Song/Fauber, 4-1-2 abstain Fredricks, 2 absent Purnel/Secoy-Jensen) Approve with added conditions: 1. Entry layout of ground cover is more organic. 2. Replace 2 ficus trees with 2 palm trees at complex entry. 3. Plant 5 shade trees to replace diseased or damaged trees. 4. GONDO PROPERTIES REQUESTING APPROVAL OF A MAJOR ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION TO CONSTRUCT AN APPROXIMATELY 96,445- SQ. FT OFFICE SPACE, WAREHOUSE AND SELF STORAGE FACILITY ON APPROXIMATELY 4.5-ACRE PARCEL LOCATED AT THE SOUTH EAST CORNER OF GENE AUTRY TRAIL & TACHEVAH DRIVE, ZONE M-1-P (3.3830-MAJ). (ER) Principal Planner Robertson presented the proposed project. Discussion: Member Hirschbein requested clarification on the need for a variance. Member Song asked if it was the same applicant. 3 Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes March 9, 2015 Chair Fauber asked further clarification on the variance application and asked about the fagade projections on Building B. Project Architect; Ariel Valli - discussed materials and how they are used to give variety to the fagade. Vice -Chair Fredricks asked why the colored version and landscape plan is not in the packet. Member Song questioned the shaping of the west elevation of Building A and height of canopy. She questioned the difference between fagade of buildings A & B. Member Hirschbein verified the number of trees along Tachevah (4 trees on landscape plan versus 8 on the elevation). Member Song asked about the proportions of fagade elements on Building B. Chair Fauber asked questions about the color and material board; and asked the applicant to explain the difference between the exterior and buildings and perimeter buildings. Public Comment: TOM GOTBURG, representing adjacent property, said they are pleased with the proposed plan. Member Hirschbein said the site plan is very clever; however, the landscaping needs to be more substantial. Vice -Chair Fredricks commented that more landscaping is better; 24' box is inadequate, it needs to be proportionate (36" or 48" or mix) and expressed concern with the tree selection in a windy area. Member Song cited that frontage on Tachevah should be given some consideration as Gene Autry. Vice -Chair Fredricks said landscape needs additional lushness and an increase in agave plant sizes (mix 5 and 15 gallon plant sizes). M/S/C (Song/Fauber, 5-2 absent Purnel and Secoy-Jensen) To return to the subcommittee for review and approval. 1. Consider better massing/composition on Tachevah and match landscape. 2. Increase sizes of some Desert Accent plantings from 5 gal. to 15 gal. M Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes March 9, 2015 3. Consider the location of the site relative to wind issues 4. Increase tree sizes to 36" and 48" box for all trees and increase tree count. 5. Add articulation to wall masses to better match the design elements in Building A. 6. Add trees along Bldg. B on Tachevah frontage to mitigate proposed setback variance. 7. Consider raising the height of Building B to assure screening of the large Bldg. E. 5. SUNRISE VILLAS HOA REQUESTING APPROVAL FOR TURF REMOVAL / WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE REVISIONS ALONG THE SUNRISE WAY PARKWAY LOCATED AT 1200 SOUTH SUNRISE WAY, ZONE PD 19 (CASE 3.0234 MAA). (KL) Associate Planner Lyon presented the proposed project. BRANDON MULVIHILL, Sunrise Villas, HOA president, said they made alterations to the project. COLLIN SALVADOR, Sunshine Landscape, cited the changes made to the landscape plan: 1. Increased plant material; 2. Increased decomposed granite size; 3. Variation in plant heights from front to back; 4. Increased plantings at corners. Vice -Chair Fredricks questioned the size of the boulders; why not use bigger and smaller sizes. (The applicant said that 1' is the average size but will vary.) Member Song questioned how the quantity was increased. (The applicant said they increased it by 20% - 30% over the previous plan.) Member Song commented that there is still quite a bit of distance between the plants. Chair Fauber reviewed the staff recommendation and verified that they are not yet incorporated. Vice -Chair Fredricks said he appreciates the effort (since previous submittal); however, the plan needs additional changes. Member Hirschbein cited that staff recommendations are very clear; the plan needs to be re -worked. Vice -Chair Fredricks said he understands the budget concerns but other HOA's have E Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes March 9, 2015 brought plans with more plant materials. If you do put more plants in; massing them together will be helpful. Chair Fauber said this is a very important project; and it will set the standards for the streetscape. M/S/C (Fredricks/Cassady, 5-0-2 absent Purnel/Secoy-Jensen) Resubmit with comments of the AAC and staff recommendations. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS: No comments. STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: No comments. ADJOURNMENT: The Architectural Advisory Committee of the City of Palm Springs adjourned at 4:28 pm to the next regular meeting at 3:00 pm on March 23, 2015, Council Chamber, City Hall, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs. t-� I \' Fli n Fagg, AICP Director of Planning Services 0