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Home My WebLink About2012-10-22- ARC MinutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS ARCHITECTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Council Chamber, City Hall 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262 MINUTES OF OCTOBER 22, 2012 CALL, TO ORDER: Chair Kleindienst called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. ATTENDANCE -YTD Present: # Absent: # Total William Kleindienst, Chair X 15 5 20 James Harlan, Vice Chair X 19 1 20 William Fauber X 19 1 20 Gary Fredricks X 15 6 20 Susan Secoy-Jensen X 17 3 20 Randy Purnel 18 X 2 20 Paul Ortega X 14 6 20 Dan Thompson X 12 N/A (Attendance record begins on January 2012 through the meeting of October 22, 2012.) Planning Commission Members Present: Munger APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of Minutes for meeting of September 24, 2012 with correction. ACTION: M/S/C (Kleindienst / Fauber, 4-0-3, abstain Ortega, Secoy-Jensen, Fredricks) To approve the minutes of September 24, 2012 with corrections. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of Minutes for meeting of October 8, 2012. ACTION: M/S/C (Kleindienst / Secoy-Jensen, 6-0-1, abstain Thompson) To approve the minutes of October 8, 2012 with corrections. REVISIONS TO AGENDA: PUBLIC COMMENTS: Three (3) minute time limit per person on matters within the jurisdiction of the Architectural Advisory Committee. There were no public comments. AGENDA ITEM #2: Case 3.1098 MAA — La Plaza — New Doors David Christian representing La Plaza Investments for the installation of two new exterior doors at La Plaza, a Class 1 historic site, located at 160 A & B South Palm Canyon Drive, Zone CBD, Section 15. (GM) Architectural Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of October 22, 2012 Assistant Planner Mlaker stated that the Historic Site Preservation Board (RSPB) reviewed this project at their October 9, 2012 meeting and voted 4-1, McGrew against to approve the project as presented. The request is to re -install two previously existing door openings leading to new tenant spaces facing South Palm Canyon Drive. The new doors will be frameless in an area that once contained a door and one to replace an existing display window. David Christian architect, representing the property owner described the project and was available to answer questions. Member Secoy-Jensen asked for clarification when the tiled foot sill was installed and if the proposed design could preserve the current status. Vice Chair Harlan stated that the existing lighting within the store is very bright at night. Member Thompson stated the he supports the proposal. Member Fauber stated that the proposed new doors are a good solution for the problem. ACTION: M/S/C (Fauber / Thompson, 7-0) To recommend approval as submitted. AGENDA ITEM #2: Case PA 12-003 - Alcazar Hotel — Pre -Application A pre -application by Pacifica Colony Palms, LLC for a five story hotel with restaurant and retail uses, off-street parking and landscaping on a roughly 1.13 acre site at 750 North Palm Canyon Drive; Zone C-1 / R-3. Resort Combining Zone, Las Palmas Historic District. (KL) Planner Lyon presented the project. The AAC members had the following comments: Secoy-Jensen: • Why didn't the applicant consider underground parking to better meet their parking requirements? • Room sizes seem very large. • This scheme seems more traditional than the previous one; • Appreciates the departure from the previous 45 degree angle scheme. • Concern that the historic guidelines have not been given much thought. • Hopes there will be revisions to show more respect for context of the neighborhood • Not clear how the stainless steel elements work? • Is parking open or secured? (secured) Thompson • Doubt that you can see the west side pool from the street; • Why does the project have to be so close to the street? (Palm Canyon side) • Project does not relate to adjacent buildings • Concern about the heaviness of the overhang along Palm Canyon. Fauber: • How do you enter the west side pool? (Seems like you have to go thru the restaurant?) 2 Architectural Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of October 22, 2012 • Asked for clarification on the roof terraces. • Arrival sequence is not clear. • The building is too close to the street along Indian Canyon; perceived as a long flat wall. • Overhang along Palm Canyon a concern; not integrated with context like Cheeky's is. i • Project is akin to "50 pounds in a 30 pound sack" • Historic zone requirements need more respect. Harlan: • Concern about massing and would like to better understand the exterior materials • "How do you manipulate the building to be sympathetic with its neighboring buildings; • Seems there's not a clear sense of how this building is viewed from the adjacent structures, or how it fits with the adjacent context. • Need more understanding of the upper floor stainless steel screens • Very monolithic and all facades seem alike, too monotonous • Not very `village -like'; does not work very well as an "infill" building because it makes no attempt to relate to the context. • Needs to look "less corporate" • More variety, more liveliness, "happier" look is needed. • Concern about the heavy overhang looming over Palm Canyon • Concern about sight lines • Need to show adjacent buildings to better understand context • Art wall could be great • Why not show pool edge along Indian Canyon also? • This is infill on a 'precious' block of the city; need to be more sensitive and acknowledge and show respect for the surroundings. • Needs to better align with the historic district guidelines; "Currently not "wowed" by this proposal". • Would be helpful to enlarged plans for key areas such as typical hotel rooms and other important spaces. Ortega • Concerns about the drop off • Is parking attended parking or self park (attended) • Concern on the Indian Canyon side; appears harsh and "back of house'; needs more thought put into the NICD fagade. • The placement of palms along the Indian Canyon side is too close to the building. • Drop off along Palm Canyon a concern given relative high speed of traffic there; (safety) • Appreciates the detail of materials and surfaces. Fredricks: • Concern with lack of open space at ground level; doesn't give anything back to the community in terms of open space. • Building is not compatible with its surroundings. • Art wall will not work; too close to road; can't be seen, space too narrow; Kleindienst: 3 Architectural Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of October 22, 2012 • This is a remarkable opportunity to make something special; between two prestigious residential communities (Las Palmas and Movie Colony) • A good site for a mixed use hotel • Indian Canyon side is a blank vertical wall; feels like a compound; says "don't come in". • Need more 'movement' along Indian Canyon (no context with the surroundings) • No sense of welcome • The 10 foot recess of the upper floors won't be sensed at street level. • Encroachment concept along Palm Canyon: "What's the City getting in exchange"? • Very limited visibility of the second floor west pool; can only see a bit from the opposite side of the street. • There is context in the neighborhood of modern buildings; Doesn't have to be 'Spanish colonial" • Great concern with massing, density, and scale — has to some how be better addressed. • Need to respond more favorably with the neighborhood; does not seem compatible with the neighborhood. • "needs to give back something to the neighborhood'; • More obligations are needed to the Las Palmas Historic District Guidelines. ACTION: (No action is taken on Pre -applications) CHAIRMAN / COMMITTEE / STAFF COMMENTS: Chair Kleindienst asked staff to review the status of curb restrictions on the Arenas Road side of Lulu's restaurant relating to the sidewalk overhang. Currently temporary cones are being used. Vice Chair Harlan asked for a status update on the sign program for La Plaza. Principal Planner Robertson stated that a revised program will be submitted for AAC review. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further comments, the AAC meeting adjourned at 4:48 p.m. �e_6� 4 Edward O. Robertson Principal Planner 4