HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-06-11- ARC MinutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS
ARCHITECTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Council Chamber, City Hall
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262
MINUTES OF JUNE 119 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
9
2
11
James Harlan, Vice Chair
X
11
0
11
William Fauber
X
11
0
11
Gary Fredricks
X
10
1
11
Susan Secoy-Jensen
X
10
1
11
Randy Purnel
X
11
0
11
Paul Ortega
X
9
2
11
Dan Thompson
X
6
0
N/A
Donald Wexler
N/A
(Attendance record begins on January 2012 through the meeting of June 11, 2012.)
Planning Commission Member Present: Klatchko
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of Minutes for meeting of May 21, 2012.
ACTION: M/S/C (Secoy-Jensen / Fredricks, 7-0) To approve the minutes of May 21, 2012.
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 SP 12-001 — La Plaza Sign Program
David Christian, Architect to establish a sign program for the commercial complex known as
La Plaza located at 115 South Indian Canyon Drive, Zone CBD, Section 15. The complex is
designated as a Class 1 historic site. (DN)
Associate Planner Newell summarized the sign program as outlined in the staff report. The
proposed sign program includes a mix of signage options for each of the various tenant
spaces due to the size of the complex.
David Christian, Architect, presented the proposed sign program to the Committee. The
existing monument directory sign in the center of La Plaza at Palm Canyon Drive would
Architectural Advisory Committee Meeting
Minutes of June 11, 2012
remain and is used to identify food service tenants only. Business' in arcade would have
better exposure with proposed sign program.
Member Fredricks asked about permitted signage in arcade and different sizes allowed.
Member Jensen was not in favor of the proposed location of the See's Candy sign on the
west elevation. According to her, the sign should be located entirely on wall and not hang
below as shown in exhibits.
Vice Chair Harlan questioned if sign program allows security signs. He said the existing
awnings need to be repaired or replaced prior to any signage being installed. He felt a
standard template should be used for accessory signage.
Member Fauber agreed that a standard template and size should be used for blade signs.
He felt the retail tenants at the southwesterly corner of complex (shown on Page 14b) should
not have signs located on canopy awnings above bay windows; signs should only be allowed
on glazing in this location.
Chair Kleindienst believed the See's Candy letters should be eighteen inches tall, not twenty-
four inches. Illumination of awning signs should be standardized. Address numbers should
identify tenants consistently throughout complex (similar to Page 9 in photograph exhibits).
He believed the AAC should review details of signage for restaurant tenants at northwest
corner of complex and retail tenants at southwest corner of complex (south of Bobby G's).
He noted his opposition of A -frame signs for tenants in the center and stated that all A -
frames should adhere to the Ordinance.
Member Ortega requested that banners be limited in the sign program to thirty days.
Member Fauber felt the west elevation wall sign for See's Candy should be mounted entirely
on the building surface (not hanging) with three inches above and below the surrounding
edges.
Vice Chair Harlan believed more information on the existing signage is necessary in order to
compare it with the proposed sign program.
ACTION: M/S/C (Kleindienst / Ortega 7-0) To re -study the proposal based on the
following comments:
1. See's Candy sign on west elevation to be installed on wall surface and have clearance
of three inches above and below the sign;
2. Lighting on awnings to be standardized;
3. A -frames and banners to be defined in adherence as appropriate;
4. All electrical conduit to be fully concealed;
5. Blade signs to be consistent throughout the complex;
6. Signs on window glazing to be defined as a percentage for review;
7. Page 12 (sign program text) — Reduce lighting options;
8. Restaurant signage at northwest corner of complex to be reviewed by the AAC;
2
Architectural Advisory Committee Meeting
Minutes of June 11. 2012
9. Signs south of Bobby G's at southwest corner of complex to be reviewed by the AAC;
10. Chapel sign at north entrance to bungalow area to be horizontal only (vertical option
shown not allowed);
11. Provide greater definition of color, font & style for window signs.
AGENDA ITEM #3: Case PA 12-002 — Senior Rental Complex — Path Ventures LLC
A pre -application by Path Ventures, LLC proposing an 81-unit senior rental complex on
roughly 4.99 acres at the southeast corner of North Palm Canyon• Drive and via Olivera,
Section 3, Zone C-1 / R-2. (KL)
AAC members offered the following comments and recommendations (initials indicate the
AAC member who offered the comment):
1. (JH) The stairs appear to be in the setbacks; (Staff comment: Staff will work with the
applicant to ensure conformance with development standards). Concern that the stairs could
be better integrated with the architecture of the buildings, currently seem "tacked" on.
2. (JH) Concern about fire equipment access (Staff comment; Staff will coordinate FD comments
with the applicant).
3. (GF) The four units that face North Palm Canyon may be better located further from that
noisy road. Also the placement of the stairs seems awkward, move to the sides to allow more
landscaping.
4. (RP) Push the buildings further away from Palm Canyon.
5. (BF) Would like to see what the perimeter wall looks like.
6. (BF) Accessible parking should be as close to the units as possible. Walking distances from
parking lots to units should be as minimal as possible.
7. (BF) Might a deceleration lane on Via Olivera be appropriate for vehicles entering the site?
8. (BF) The fountain is nice, but it is inaccessible for pedestrian enjoyment; consider moving it
into a landscaped area where it can be a community gathering and focal point for pedestrian
activity.
9. (BF) Washer dryers shown on the second floors should be located on the first floors also.
10. (SCJ) Great fit — vehicular circulation needs work; eliminate the dead end parking lots.
11. (SCJ) Focus on the hardscape and softscape; make the fountain a place to gather, not just to
look at.
12. (SCJ) The project appears to have a bit of a Spanish Ranch style motif; study the columns to
see if there is a more appropriate profile for them to better fit the style. Also, not clear how the
clubhouse architecture "fits" with the rest of the project, seems unrelated.
13. (SCJ) The building facades need more "depth" to them; more "in and out" undulation of the
exterior walls to "break up" the boxy look of the buildings.
14. (SCJ) Would like to see the buildings be more responsive to the environmental direction
(north, south, east, west) that they are oriented, just the same building design rotated on the
site.
15. (WK) Be sure to resolve the trash enclosure locations so they are convenient, but not
unpleasant sources of noise and odors.
16. (JL) The project would benefit from having a more significant "presence" on Palm Canyon;
maybe locating the community building and/or manager's unit as a more "iconic" frontage
building.
17. (WK) Wider drive aisles in parking lots for senior apartments would be good.
18. (WK) Reexamine the site design; the green space seems "left over" after all the building and
parking lots are located. None are substantial enough to be pleasant unto themselves; make
the usable outdoor spaces more "usable" and "place -like" instead of left over scraps of land
Architectural Advisory Committee Meeting
Minutes of June 11, 2012
between buildings and parking lots. There is no "central garden" or outdoor activity/gathering
space (except the pool). Create a set of "outdoor options".
19. (WK) Project needs a more deliberate pedestrian "linkage" to Palm Canyon walkable to
nearby retail centers, bus stops or other nodes.
20. (WK) The entry sequence with two entrances seems confusing; needs more clarity of entry.
Not clear what the egg -shaped island is doing to improve the entry sequence.
21. (WK) Work to create a better articulated architectural style.
22. (WK) Work with staff to assure conformance with building height limits for the zone.
ACTION: None, a Pre App receives comments only; no recommendations.
AGENDA ITEM #4: Green Building Program Presentation
A presentation of the Green Building Program — Coachella Valley Association of
Governments (CVAG)
A presentation by the Coachella Valley Association of Governments with speakers - Katy
Barrows and Ruel. Young explaining the elements of a Sustainability Pledge signed by the
Mayors from each of the Valley Cities promoting the elements included in the program titled
"Green for Life". Elements of this program include:
• Inventory of Greenhouse Gases
• Energy Action Plans
• Climate Action Plans
• City Facility Benchmarking
• City Facility Retro-Commissioning
• City Facility Utility Management
• Volunteer Green Building Program
The Voluntary Green Building Program is ready for consideration by each Valley City. This
program will assist those who are remodeling their homes or businesses by providing a
framework needed to exceed the buildings original energy efficiency. The potential
outcomes from this educational program will produce new energy -efficient buildings,
upgrading / modernizing our existing building stock and increasing the community's level of
understanding. The program facilities the City's ability to work with residents and building
owners on "green initiatives" when building, remodeling or replacing equipment at their
homes and businesses.
ACTION: M/S/C (Kleindienst / Ortega, 7-0) To recommend approval of the Green For Life
Voluntary Green Building Program to the Planning Commission.
CHAIRMAN / COMMITTEE / STAFF COMMENTS:
No discussion
C!
Architectural Advisory Committee Meeting
Minutes of June 11, 2012
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further comments, the AAC meeting adjourned at 5:23 PM.
1011
• • • Robertson
Principal
5