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Home My WebLink About2014-10-20- ARC MinutesCity of Palm Springs ARCHITECTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Council Chamber, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California 92262 Minutes of October 20, 2014 CALL TO ORDER: Chair Fauber called the meeting to order at 2:59 pm. ROLL CALL: Committee Members Present: Cassady, Hirschbein, Purnel, Secoy-Jensen, Song, Vice -Chair Fredricks and Chair Fauber Committee Members Absent: None Planning Commissioner Present: Lisa Middleton Also Present: Director Fagg and Associate Planner 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 6:00 pm on Wednesday, October 15, 2014. ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: The agenda was unanimously accepted. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: OCTOBER 6, 2014 M/S/C (Secoy-Jensen/Fauber, 7-0) Approve with corrections. NEW BUSINESS: 3. PALM SPRINGS PROMENADE, LLC FOR THE FINAL DEVELOPMENT PLANS OF A PREVIOUSLY APPROVED PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 6-STORY HOTEL ON BLOCK "C- 1" OF THE MUSEUM MARKET PLAZA SPECIFIC PLAN / DOWNTOWN PALM SPRINGS RENOVATION PROJECT LOCATED AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF WEST TAHQUITZ CANYON WAY AND BELARDO ROAD, ZONE CBD (CASE 5.1290 PD-361). (DN) Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes October 20, 2014 Associate Planner Newell identified the changes as outlined on page 4 of the staff report in reference to reduction in room and square footage. Mr. Newell indicated that there are minor changes to the elevations, and that landscaping will be brought back for final review/approval. Chair Fauber asked questions about the balconies on the west side of the building. APPLICANT (JOHN WESSMAN, MICHAEL BRAUN AND CHRIS PARDO) discussed the following items: • Reduction in square footage to increase pedestrian and plaza areas; • The "fins" on the west side of building and continuing them further along the west (to section line 4 on elevation drawing); • Balconies and sliding glass doors; additional stairway on north side of building; outdoor dining on north and east side of building. The following public comment was made: FRANK TYSEN commented that this is not the kind of building that Palm Springs guests expect. He expressed concern with the light pollution and that the building will stick out like a beacon. Member Cassady questioned the elimination of interlocking boxes on the west and east side of the building. Member Secoy-Jensen said that she appreciates the reduction in size and questioned the development on the remainder of the block. Member Hirschbein also questioned the remaining development on Block C. Vice -Chair Fredricks asked about the difference in columns on the porte-cochere Member Song asked about the fins and areas of glazing between the fins; expressed a preference for the previous version and balconies, and greater horizontality to facades. Member Hirschbein asked questions regarding the feature staircase in lobby and exterior. Member Song asked how the balconies will drain and expressed concern with the exposed drains. Chair Fauber asked about the ability to clean the glass due to the fins and architectural features. 2 Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes October 20, 2014 Member Song expressed concern about the pedestrian experience adjacent to the building. She said it needs a different landscape scale and additional time is needed to review the drawings. Member Hirschbein said the drawings should have been seen sooner. Member Secoy-Jensen said she appreciated the reduction in size and agrees with extending the fins to the point as discussed by the applicant; however, she is concerned with the urban design. Chair Fauber said he would like to see the fins extended. Vice -Chair Fredricks expressed concern with extending the fins. He noted that softening of the trees will improve pedestrian spaces and would like to see how the buildings relate to each other (instead of seeing stand-alone buildings). Member Purnel commented on the preliminary concepts for the landscape; and would dike to see a unified landscape plan so there is consistency in the landscaping. Member Song suggested extending the fins to gridline 8. APPLICANT responded that the fins on Belardo will encroach on the sidewalk. Member Hirschbein commented that it's a better building with the reduced square - footage; however, he is not in favor of the popped out balconies and prefers the original. He is in favor of the original porte-cochere design, as well. M/S/C (Fredricks/Fauber, 7-0) Recommend approval to the Planning Commission with conditions: • Fins continue to grid 4. • Balconies to the original design (preference). • Return to the original design of the porte-cochere. 2. PALM SPRINGS PROMENADE, LLC FOR A MAJOR ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION TO CONSTRUCT A 5-STORY MIXED -USE COMMERCIAL BUILDING CONSISTING OF 144-ROOM HOTEL AND APPROXIMATELY 4,023-SQUARE FEET OF GROUND FLOOR COMMERCIAL ON BLOCK "F" OF THE MUSEUM MARKET PLAZA SPECIFIC PLAN / DOWNTOWN PALM SPRINGS RENOVATION PROJECT LOCATED AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF BELARDO ROAD AND MAIN STREET, ZONE CBD (CASE 3.3785 MAJ). (DN) 3 Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes October 20, 2014 Associate Planner Newell presented the proposed project as outlined in the staff report. Member Hirschbein asked about parcel to the west. Member Purnel asked about the landscape plan per staffs recommendations. Member Song questioned if the parking on the south side will be finished as a part of the project. Chair Fauber asked questions about valet parking and traffic patterns. Member Hirschbein asked about the driveway ownership under the west wing of building. Chair Fauber asked about the number of existing spaces in garage to the south; and whether the landscape plan is finalized. Member Secoy-Jensen asked about the number of phases for the Museum Market Plaza Specific Plan; and which phase will the hotel be built in? APPLICANT (JOHN WESSMAN, MICHEAL BRAUN, and CHRIS PARDO) discussed the Specific Plan and location of hotel in relation to the new streets and parking; discussed elevations and materials. The following person provided public comment: FRANK TYSON, commented the process has been strange with an atmosphere of intimidation; he questioned when is too much? It looks like a 1960's government building; it will ruin this town. Member Hirschbein asked about the hotel brand and the hotel's objection to the balconies. Vice -Chair Fredricks asked about the height on the remaining undeveloped parcels Chair Fauber asked about the height of the hotel. (60 feet to roof). Member Cassady asked about balcony material. (powder coated steel) Member Song questioned if prodema could also be used at the retail location on Belardo; use of shades at windows on south face of building. Vice -Chair Fredricks said he would like to table the discussion on landscape as they have not had the time to review it. C! Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes October 20, 2014 Member Hirschbein asked about the Juliette balcony and how it is represented on the plans. Member Purnel commented that the planter seats under trees are not inviting. The plant palette is dated and disappointing; it needs to work with the architecture. He expressed concern with the columns towards the west side of the building. Chair Fauber confirmed that setbacks are adequate. Vice -Chair Fredricks commented that details, shades and materials are appropriate, but the north side is too monolithic; it creates a canyon effect. He is concerned with the shading of event space during the winter months. Member Secoy-Jensen noted a concern with how the north side responds to the green space. She would like to see the entire urban design plan instead of fragments; and expressed concern with the flatness on north side. Chair Fauber expressed concern with the shading of the event space; he likes the international -style approach of west side and columns. Member Hirschbein commented that this references the wrong architectural style. He expressed concern with the uses facing Main Street (break room and mechanical room) and needs more pedestrian space on the Main Street frontage; not concerned with flatness of building. Member Cassady said that board -formed concrete as backdrop for pool seems inappropriate and needs to be more inviting. Member Song noted that the building has the scale of repetition and does not have the energy of the Kimpton Hotel. Vice -Chair Fredricks said the north side will be the only fagade viewed in its entirety. M/S/C (Fauber/Fredricks, 7-0) To continue with the following conditions: • Provide solutions for the pool and courtyard area to make more inviting, by reevaluating the formality and rigidity of the courtyard seating, and reevaluating the wall surface on the north side of the pool area. • Flatness of north fagade (vertical and uniform). • Pedestrian space on Main Street at corner is tight and needs to have more depth. • Context of other buildings - show in plans. • Uses along Main Street need to be revisited - more public uses along Main Street. 5 Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes October 20, 2014 COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS: None. STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: None. ADJOURNMENT: The Architectural Advisory Committee adjourned at 5:55 pm to the next regular meeting at 3:00 pm on November 10, 2014, Council Chamber, City Hall, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs. rt'-E�7 - Flinn Fagg, AICP Director of Planning Services 31