HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-02-06- ARC MinutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS
ARCHITECTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Council Chamber, City Hall
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262
MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 6, 2012
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Kleindienst called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
William Kleindienst, Chair
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James Harlan, Vice Chair
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William Fauber
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Gary Fredricks
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Susan Secoy Jensen
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Randy Purnel
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Paul Ortega
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Dan Thompson
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Donald Wexler
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(Attendance record begins on January 2012 through the meeting of February 6, 2012.)
Planning Commission Members Present: Commissioner Hudson
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of Minutes for meeting of January 23, 2012.
ACTION: M/S/C (Jensen / Fredricks, 6-0-1, Ortega abstain) To approve the minutes of
January 23, 2012.
REVISIONS TO AGENDA: None
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 3.3075 MAA — Warehouse Building
A request for front elevation changes to a warehouse building located at 3443 Anza Road,
Zone M-1, Section 34. (GM)
Assistant Planner Mlaker presented the project and stated that this case had previously
received approval in 2007 for the construction of a steel warehouse building with windows in
the east and west elevation. During construction, the windows were eliminated along with
approved glass block at the entry door areas. He stated that the new proposal will enhance
the front fagade by adding four second -story windows thirty feet long by four feet tall with a
ten inch wide metal eyebrow above the windows. Two canopies will be added over the two
entry doors and tile panels will be placed adjacent for architectural relief.
Architectural Advisory Committee Meeting
Minutes of February 6, 2012
Nerig Mazmanian property owner, and Stan Pollakusky, architect were present and
answered questions. Mr. Mazmanian stated that the elimination of the glass block will
enhance security in the building. The placement of the tile will provide some interest to the
front fagade. He stated that the front parking lot will be paved with concrete according to the
original approval.
Member Fauber asked if the new window would be inoperable.
Member Fredricks asked if the metal doors would be painted and stated that he does not
support the tile placement. Mr. Mazmanian responded that a paint color has not been
chosen.
Member Purnel stated that the placement of the tile on the corrugated metal building is a
concern.
Vice Chair Harlan would like to see the tile removed from the proposal.
Member Jensen stated that she can support the new window scheme and does not support
the placement of the tile on the building which will appear "applied and foreign".
Chair Kleindienst stated that he supports the window and tile proposal. The painting of the
roll -up and man doors can be an opportunity for color.
ACTION: M/S/C (Jensen / Kleindienst, 7-0) To recommend approval of windows as
presented - To recommend a restudy of the two entry door areas with the following
suggestions:
2.a Restudy the use of tile at the man door entry
2.b Present roll -up and man door color samples
2.c Fully design entry door canopy and possible architectural feature
AGENDA ITEM #3: Case 3.1245 MAA— Re -Study— Palm Canyon Villas
Palm Canyon Villas HOA for the removal of turf to be replaced with desert landscaping
located at 5301 Waverly Drive, Zone R-3, Section 29. (GM)
Assistant Planner Mlaker stated that this project was previously reviewed by the AAC on
December 12, 2011 and 8 recommendations were made. The applicant re -worked the plan
to group plants, provide a transition area between phases, and have turf remain in the swale
area.
Ray Hungerford of the Palm Canyon Villas HOA was present to answer any questions.
Member Fredricks asked if an arborists report had been prepared, and stated that the strip
barrier between the DG and turf may be an issue. He is concerned with the plant size
selection on the slower growing plants.
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Architectural Advisory Committee Meeting
Minutes of February 6, 2012
Member Purnel stated that he is worried about erosion of the decomposed granite along the
steep slopes and in the swale area as well as the existing tree health. Mr. Hungerford
responded by stating that the cobble or rubble placed in the swale would wash away and turf
is a better solution. Member Purnel continued by saying that the landscape plan as
presented is inadequate. The layout of the bender board relative to the design of the swale
area is not compatible.
Member Ortega stated that an adequate irrigation plan would need to be reviewed. He
continued by stating that the landscape plan as presented does not support the idea of
grouping accent plants and he does not support turf in the swale area.
Vice Chair Harlan asked for the color of the retaining wall.
Chair Kleindienst stated that the plan presented shows no relationship between the
placement of the bender board and the swale area. He would like the applicant to submit a
detailed area of the corner of Golf Club Drive and East Palm Canyon Drive as well as an
emphasis on the street side plantings as seen from the road and pedestrian pathway.
Member Jensen stated that the retaining wall color should relate to the condo complex
repaint color scheme.
AAC members offered the following comments and recommendations:
3.a Development of a cohesive landscape plan that takes into consideration the
changes in the terrain relative to placement of transition areas, plant types,
rocks and rubble.
3.b Provide a detail plan for the area at the corner of Golf Club Drive and East
Palm Canyon Drive focusing on the clustering of accent plants.
3.c Provide an arborist report on the health of existing trees.
3.d Submit an irrigation plan showing all zones.
3.e Retaining wall color to relate to the condo complex repaint color scheme.
3.f Box sizes for slower growing plants to be reconsidered.
ACTION: M/S/C (Purnel / Ortega, 7-0) For a re -study based upon AAC comments and
recommendations.
AGENDA ITEM #4: Case SP-10-006 — Eisenhower Medical Center
Best Signs, Inc. on behalf of Eisenhower Medical Center for an amendment to a previously
approved sign program afa commercial complex located at the southwest corner of Sunrise
Way and Tahquitz Canyon Way, Zone RA (Section 14 Master Plan), Section 14. (DN)
Associate Planner Newell presented the sign program amendment to the Committee as
outlined in the staff report. The proposed amendment will result in the same number of signs
in different locations and not result in an increase as incorrectly described in the staff report.
Mr. Jim Cross of Best Signs, Inc. explained the reasons for the amendment. He clarified that
the height of the proposed wall shown in the exhibits is incorrect. The proposed wall will
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Architectural Advisory Committee Meeting
Minutes of February 6, 2012
match the existing garden wall heights in the complex.
Vice Chair Harlan noted that the existing landscape walls on site are roughly three-foot and
ten inches in height.
Chair Kleindienst was not in favor of the tenant having three signs visible near the Sunrise
Way driveway entry to the site. These signs include (1) the existing wall sign on the north
elevation of the building; (2) the existing monument sign on the northerly side of the vehicular
entry point from Sunrise; and (3) the proposed CMU garden wall sign.
Vice Chair Harlan recommended reducing the height of the proposed CMU wall by six inches
below those walls that exist on site.
AAC members offered the following comments and recommendations:
3.a Remove building wall signs on north, east and south elevations and repair to
match existing;
3.b Allow the proposed Option A (sign on curved landscape wall);
3.c Curved wall to be reduced to a height of three-foot and four inches and located
outside of corner cutback; proposed sign on wall to be reduced proportionally.
3.d Allow relocation of monument sign as proposed;
3.e All landscape in front of proposed wall to be low growth to not block signage.
ACTION: M/S/C (Kleindienst / Fauber 7-0) To recommend approval with the five
recommendations.
AGENDA ITEM #5: Case 3.3531 SFR — Etchason House
An application by Lorrie and James Etchason for an approximately 3,398 square foot single-
family residence on a roughly 19,602 square foot lot, Zone R-1-B, Section 35. (KL)
Concern was expressed that the landscape plan should be reviewed by the applicant to
assure proper spacing for trees and other plant material such that it does not become
crowded once it reaches full maturity.
ACTION: M/S/C (Kleindienst/O'Donnell 6-1, Ortega opposed) To recommend approval,
subject to the above -noted comment.
AGENDA ITEM #6: Case 5.0881 / PD 269 AMND — Alta Verde Sereno
Alta Verde Sereno, LLC for modifications to a previously approved Final Development plan
for 60 proposed single-family residences within an 89-unit residential subdivision known as
Monte Sereno located at 1040 Bogert trail, Zone W-R-1-B, Section 35. (DN)
Associate Planner Newell described the project as outlined in the AAC staff report.
Mr. Andrew Adler of Alta Verde Group and Mr. Anthony Poon of Poon design provided
background on the proposal and history of meetings with the existing HOA and residents.
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Architectural Advisory Committee Meeting
Minutes of February 6, 2012
Member Fredricks asked about the proposed plant sizes for the landscape plan as none are
shown. He recommended substituting the Saguaro Cactus with an alternate species.
Vic Chair Harlan expressed concern that the proposed architecture does not adequately
incorporate materials used on existing homes. Slope and roof massing are not used
effectively in Esplanade plan.
Member Ortega stated that the Agave Attenuata and Yucca Glororiosa species do not do
well in high sun exposure areas. The Chitalpa tree appears to be a new introduction to the
subdivision.
Public Comment: Mr. Howard Soloman, resident and HOA president, spoke in support of
developer's efforts and the proposed project.
ACTION: M/S/C (Kleindienst / Fredricks 6-1, Harlan opposed) To recommend approval,
subject to a subcommittee consisting of members Fredricks, Ortega and Purnel providing a
recommendation on the final landscape plans.
CHAIRMAN / COMMITTEE / STAFF COMMENTS:
Principal Planner Robertson reminded the AAC that the next meeting is scheduled for
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 due to the Presidents holiday.
Member Fauber asked for Staff clarification on recent approvals for the Mojave Blue
apartment complex along East Tahquitz Canyon Way.
Member Fredricks asked Staff to make arrangements to gain gate access when agenda
items are located in private communities.
Vice Chair Harlan invited AAC members to attend an event on February 17, 2012 at the new
Palm Springs Art Museum — Edward Harris Center.
Member Ortega mentioned that Member Jensen will be speaking during Modernism Week.
Members Jensen and Ortega stated that they will be absent at the February 21, 2012 AAC
meeting.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further comments, the AAC meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m.
Edward46ib'UPA
i Robertson
Principal
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