The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2014-11-10- ARC MinutesCity of Palm Springs ARCHITECTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Council Chamber, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California 92262 Minutes of November 10, 2014 CALL TO ORDER: Chair Fauber called the meeting to order at 3:00 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: Commissioner Roberts Also Present: Planning Director Fagg, Associate Planner Newell and Assistant Planner Mlaker. 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 12:00 pm on Wednesday, November 5, 2014. ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: The agenda was accepted, as presented. PUBLIC COMMENTS: No comments were made. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: OCTOBER 20, 2014 M/S/C (Secoy-Jensen/Fredricks, 7-0) Approve minutes, as amended. NEW BUSINESS: 2. WEST STEVENS HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION REQUESTING APPROVAL OF A NEW LANDSCAPE PLAN REPLACING 6,000-SQUARE FEET OF TURF AREA TO DESERTSCAPE LOCATED AT 247 WEST STEVENS ROAD, ZONE R-2 (CASE 3.1246 MAA). (GM) Assistant Planner Mlaker presented the proposed project. QUESTIONS: Member Hirschbein asked what the policy is for the landscape plan review. Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes November 10, 2014 BRAD ZYLSTRA, APPLICANT, provided a history of Homeowners Association; and their discussion of purpose and budget for the project. Member Hirschbein questioned if they received funding from the Desert Water Agency or the city. Member Song congratulated the applicant on reducing the turf and conserving water. She questioned if hedges will remain, asked about increasing the number of trees and about participation of homeowners in the landscape project. Member Secoy-Jensen asked if repainting of buildings will be needed with re- landscaping. Member Purnel asked about trees being added. No public comment was made. DELIBERATION: Member Cassady said that it is fantastic that homeowners support plan. Chair Fauber asked questions pertaining to the sizing of materials. Vice -Chair Fredricks said that the materials are appropriate, but questioned the size and placement - recommended varying heights and subcommittee to review. Member Purnel agrees that variation in materials and clustering of materials; cautioned against adding more trees at corner. M/S/C (Purnel/Fredricks, 7-0) Recommend approval and appoint subcommittee (Purnel and Fredricks) to review landscaping: • Ground cover smaller. • Size of plants: Tecoma - 15 Gallon; Ocotillo - 15 Gallon Fan Palm - 15" — 24" Box Fencepost Cactus - 15 Gallon Agave - 5-15 Gallon Lantana - 1 Gallon Natal - 1 Gallon • Group plants in 3's and 5's instead of spread out. Focus on accent plants on the two corners. 3. PALM SPRINGS PROMENADE, LLC FOR A MAJOR ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION TO CONSTRUCT A 4-STORY MIXED -USE COMMERCIAL A) Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes November 10, 2014 BUILDING CONSISTING OF A 135-ROOM, 71,714-SQUARE FOOT HOTEL AND APPROXIMATELY 5,064-SQUARE FEET OF GROUND FLOOR COMMERCIAL -RETAIL 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) Associate Planner Newell presented the staff report. He reported that one story has been eliminated (now is 4 stories) and eliminated 5 hotel rooms, revisions to courtyard and pool area and identified corrections to the staff report. JOHN WESSMAN, MICHAEL BRAUN AND CHRIS PARDO, APPLICANT, clarified the setbacks at Main Street, balconies at southeast and northwest corners of building, provided additional pedestrian area on Main Street and reduced height of building. PUBLIC COMMENT: FRANK TYSEN, said it's totally unacceptable, too tall, too dense, unrelated to Palm Springs, problem with variance issues, this is the end of Palm Springs as we know it. JUDY DEERTRACK, commented that there are profound changes to the Specific Plan without input of the public, concerned about the cumulative impact of this project on overall development. PAULA AUBURN, expressed concern about the 2nd massive building on this site; hope this is held to the same standards as the Kimpton Hotel. DAVID ZIPPEL, concerned about massing and thinks drawings are misleading Member Hirschbein questioned ownership of remainder parcel on Block F. Member Song questioned elevation on the north (materials used) and termination of glass "shroud" element on south side; use of railing on both sides of glass door for Juliette balconies. Member Cassady questioned the use of turf in courtyard. Member Purnel encouraged paint palette and hardscape consistency and wants to see how entire project relates; concern about boundary planting at south side of pool and on west side (may need more privacy); rhythm of palms on south side seems irregular; olive trees may be too small - larger is better; Mexican Fan Palms at 14' may be too low; appreciates plant selection. Chair Fauber questioned the use of lounge space and opening to courtyard; would like to see "green" wall at south side (use of hanging plants to soften wall). Vice -Chair Fredricks said it's a big improvement from the last submission, but is still 3 Architectural Advisory Committee Minutes November 10, 2014 uncomfortable judging a project without context, wants to avoid a huge amount of mass. Member Secoy-Jensen said refinements are quite good and would like to see an overall landscape plan, delineation of pedestrians and vehicles on Main Street. She questioned accommodation of residential uses and services to support them. Member Purnel said they need to get a grasp on plan soon. Member Hirschbein said not enough public use and variety along Main Street, corner at Main Street and Belardo needs more public space, 6' distance between outdoor dining and bollard is too tight, curb cut for valet is too close to corner and should be pushed back. He questioned size of trees in areas over the parking structure. Member Song questioned if previous design was better because it was simpler. Member Cassady said he is less concerned with height and massing, concerned about context and needs to pull pedestrians further along Main Street (active uses on ground floor). M/S/C (Cassady/Fauber, 4-3 Fredricks, Secoy-Jensen, Song) Approve as proposed with conditions: 1. Providing more public space at Main Street and Belardo Road. 2. Reducing curb cut for valet parking; move it back from the corner. 3. Reducing ancillary uses and replace with public functions (active uses). 4. Increasing width of choke points (more than 6'). 5. Varying the plane of the facing of first floor so that it is not one continuous wall. 6. West fagade activated (interactive solution with Museum) needs detailing. 7. Enlarging plant material to 36" boxes. 8. Show building in context with other buildings. STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: None. ADJOURNMENT: The Architectural Advisory Committee of the City of Palm Springs adjourned at 4:47 pm to the next regular meeting at 3:00 pm on November 24, 2014, Council Chamber, City Hall, 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs. Flinn Fagg, AICP V Director of Planning Services El