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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-12-12- ARC MinutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS ARCHITECTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Council Chamber, City Hall 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262 MINUTES OF DECEMBER 12, 2011 CALL TO ORDER: Chair Kleindienst called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. James Harlan, Vice Chair William Fauber Gary Fredricks Susan Secoy Jensen Randy Purnel Paul Ortega * Dan Thompson ** Donald Wexler X 17 2 X 19 0 X 19 0 X 12 7 X 18 1 X 16 3 X 9 0 X 4 0 19 19 19 19 19 9 4 N/A (Attendance record begins on January 2011 through the meeting of November 7, 2011. * Member Ortega's attendance record begins on August 8, 2011; Member Thompson's attendance record begins on October 10, 2011) Planning Commission Members Present: Commissioner Munger APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of Minutes for meeting of November 21, 2011 with one correction to agenda item #2 as noted. ACTION: M/S/C (Jensen / Fauber, 5-0-2, abstain Kleindienst, Fredricks) To approve the minutes of November 21, 2011 with one correction to agenda item #2 as noted. 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 3.0420 MAA — Sparrows Hotel Sparrows Hotel (formerly El Rancho Lodge) for exterior renovations to an existing 19-unit hotel located at 1330 East Palm Canyon Drive, Zone R-2, Section 23. (DN) Associate Planner Newell described the proposed exterior modifications. The buildings will be repainted white; door and windows will be replaced; a stone wainscot will be Architectural Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of December 12, 2011 applied to the buildings; and the existing roofs will be replaced with a standing metal seam roof. Mr. Ricardo Aguilar provided additional information on the project and was available for questions. Member Purnel expressed concerns of citrus trees installed adjacent to East Palm Canyon Drive and their obstruction of line of sight. Vice Chair Harlan recommended palm trees along East Palm Canyon Drive consistent with existing corridor. Member Fauber would like to see proposed stone wainscot. Member Ortega didn't believe the Palm Springs Gold shown on the material.board was accurate. Chair Kleindienst recommended a subcommittee review final material selections. AAC members offered the following recommendations: 2a. A subcommittee consisting of Members Purnel, Ortega and Fauber to review and provide recommendation on final materials selection; 2b. Plant Washingtonia Robusta palm trees in a consistent pattern along the East Palm Canyon Drive corridor instead of citrus trees. ACTION: M/S/C (Harlan / Jensen, 7-0) To recommend approval, subject to the recommendations above. AGENDA ITEM #3: Case 3.1467 MAA — Mary N Stewart - Repaint Mary N Stewart for re -paint of exterior storefront at 120 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Zone CBD, Section 15. (DN) Associate Planner Newell presented the proposed repaint to the Committee. He noted that the repaint had already occurred. The applicant, Mr. Mike Rasmus, was available for questions. Vice Chair Harlan was comfortable with the colors as proposed. Member Ortega felt the colors were acceptable with the exception of the Autumn Orange. He felt a dark orange would be more acceptable. Member Fredricks agreed that the Orange was too bright and should be a neutral tone. Member Purnel believed the colors were too bold and was not in favor of proposal. He 2 Architectural Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of December 12, 2011 suggested terracotta orange be used instead of the Autumn Orange. ACTION: M/S/C (Kleindienst / Fredricks, 6-1, Harlan opposed) To recommend approval of the repaint except the Autumn Orange. A subcommittee of Members Purnel, Ortega and Fauber shall review and recommend approval an alternate orange trim color, preferably a terracotta shade. AGENDA ITEM #4: Case 3.3430 MAJ, 6.526 VAR — Restudy — Freedom Assembly Freedom Assembly, Inc. proposes a two-story retail building on an approximately 8,306- square foot lot located at the southeast corner of Tramview Road and El Dorado Boulevard (4088 El Dorado Boulevard), Zone C-1-SP, Section 34. (DN) Associate Planner Newell gave background on the project and described the changes that have been made. The project designer, Ms. Cheryl du Bois, explained modifications made and was available for questions. Vice Chair Harlan felt the building is too big for the site. First floor retail should be located near the corner. Member Jensen expressed concern with the plan inconsistencies. Members Fredricks, Ortega and Purnel mentioned concerns with landscape plans. Landscape specifications are not consistent with industry standard labels. Some larger plants should not be located in the small locations shown on the plan. Shrubs used on south side of building should be used on north side instead. Some plants have too much exposure. Some bushes are too dense. Chair Kleindienst was in agreement with Committee members. He felt there was a concern with the parking layout, flow of parking and ADA accommodations. The roof parapet doesn't appear to be high enough for screening equipment. Building and site plan needs more refinements. AAC members offered the following comments and recommendations: 4a. Provide more accurate and detailed plans; 4b. Include curb and sidewalk on site plan; 4c. Provide proper maneuvering area and ADA access in parking lot; 4d. Retail on first floor should provide a sense of entry; 4e. Provide letter from Palm Springs Disposal Services stating service will be provided for proposed trash enclosure location; 4f. Provide details of elevator penthouse and equipment room; 4g. Show location of access ladders to rooftop equipment; 4h. Provide a section plan showing rooftop equipment will be adequately screened by proposed parapet; 3 Architectural Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of December 12, 2011 4i. Consider permeable pavement in parking areas; 4j. Landscape plan should be clearly defined with genus and species names; 4k. Use industry standards for plant sizes proposed; 41. Clarify lawn amount with new calculations. ACTION: M/S/C (Kleindienst / Ortega 7-0) To re -study the project. AGENDA ITEM #5: Case 3.1245 MAA — Palm Canyon Villas — Landscape Plan Palm Canyon Villas HOA for the removal of approximately 14,500 square feet of turf to be replaced with desert landscaping located at the corner of Golf Club Drive and East Palm Canyon Drive, address: 5301 Waverly Drive, Zone R-3, Section 29. (GM) Assistant Planner Mlaker gave a brief presentation regarding the plan and explained that the proposal is for the removal of 14,500 square feet of turf area that extends from Golf Club Drive along East Palm Canyon Drive approximately 280 feet. Turf will be removed and replaced with DG and water efficient landscaping. A portion of the property is located within the Caltrans right-of-way. Ray Underwood representing the Palm Canyon Villas HOA was present and stated the HOA would like to complete the landscaping of the entire Palm Canyon frontage in stages. He stated that the existing retaining walls will be painted as part of this project. The HOA recognizes that some of the mature trees are showing signs of age and distress and some may have to be removed. Vice Chair Harlan asked if the leaning retaining walls will be repaired. Member Purnel asked if an arborist has identified which trees are in distress. He also raised the question of how proposed decomposed granite will be secured located within the swift water area of the drainage swale. The steep slopes may not be able to hold the DG material during a flood event. Member Ortega asked when the next landscape phase would begin. He stated that he was concerned with the transitioning from one phase to the other. The AAC continued discussion and made the following recommendations: 5a. Landscape plan to use cobble stones and decomposed granite (DG) on steep slopes and water drainage area. 5b. The use of DG in the drainage area should be evaluated. 5c. Provide an arborists report for the health of existing trees (Jacaranda, Sumac) 5d. Develop a transition area that will blend between landscape phases. 5e. Provide an irrigation plan for existing trees and new plantings. 5f. Review and enhance the groupings of desert accent plants, and boulders on the site. 5g. Look at fixing and painting existing retaining walls. 5h. In the future the HOA could explore the possibility of removing the concrete swale in Architectural Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of December 12, 2011 replaced with on -site water retention. ACTION: M/S/C (Purnell / Fauber, 7-0) For restudy of project. AGENDA ITEM #6: Case 2.647 MAA — Lyons Commercial Building A commercial / industrial building re -paint with two separate color schemes located at 501 Sunny Dunes Road, Zone CM, Section 23. (GM) Assistant Planner Mlaker stated that staff had become aware of the building repaint which occurred prior to a formal review by the City. The paint samples that are presented today do not match existing conditions. The proposal is to paint the retail building one color with trim and the attached warehouse building another color with trim. Ray Lyons, building owner was presented and stated that the colors on the building reflect the final design. The paint chips presented do not match the final paint. Vice Chair stated that the orange color is too strong Member Fredricks asked if the top trim was black. Chair Kleindienst supports the existing color scheme and supports the presence of the two lions on the building eyebrow, however they will need to be properly secured. Member Jensen stated that the east building side (rear) should be painted the same as the sides — the orange color. Member Purnel — asked that the frame around the existing screen door be painted to match existing walls. The AAC made the following recommendations: 6a. Paint screen door frame the same color as building wall. 6b. Secure lion sculptures to building eyebrow. 6c. Orange paint to wrap around the back of the east facing wall. ACTION: M/S/C (Fauber / Fredericks, 6-1, Harlan against) To recommend approval, subject to the above -noted comments. AGENDA ITEM #7: Case SP 11-001 / HSPB 1 — Stergio's Building Sign Program Best Signs, Inc. for a sign program amendment to the Stergio's Building located at the Desert Regional Medical Center located at 1150 North Indian Canyon Drive, Zone PD- 185, Section 11. (DN) Associate Planner Newell presented the proposed sign program amendment as outlined in the staff report. Architectural Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of December 12, 2011 Mr. John Cross of Best Signs, Inc. described signage and explained the layout and need for directory signs. Mr. Dale Barnhart of Desert Regional Medical Center stated that the Joslin Diabetes Center is a new tenant. He was available for questions. Vice Chair Harlan asked that the stucco on the proposed monuments sign match the existing stucco on the building. The wrought iron on the monument directory signs should be two-dimensional and not wrap the side of the sign. Font should be same typeface throughout. Sign on trellis may be better on face of beam instead of hanging below. Member Fauber believed the cap on the monument signs should be removed. AAC members offered the following comments and recommendations: 7a. All typefaces shall be consistent throughout program with the exception of the Joslin sign; 7b. Stucco on monument directory signs shall be to match the existing building stucco; 7c. Eliminate cap on monument signs; 7d. Relocate descriptive historic plaque to east side of entry at same height as existing. ACTION: M/S/C (Harlan / Fauber 7-0) To recommend approval, subject to the above - noted comment. AGENDA ITEM #8: Case 3.1466 MAA — HSPB 1 — El Mirador Building Desert Regional Medical Center for maintenance repairs to the El Mirador Tower and review of landscape plan for buildings located at 1150 N. Indian Canyon Drive, Zone P, Section 11. (GM) Assistant Planner Mlaker stated that the proposed repairs to the balcony decking and the tower are on -going maintenance of a Class 1 historic property. The new decking will look exactly like existing in color, thickness, and design. In addition 9,000 square feet of turf will be removed and replaced with desert plantings around the El Mirador Building. New landscaping is proposed at the East Building. Chris Mills representing the applicant described the decking project as maintenance with no visible change to building and the landscaping plan will result in an upgrade. Member Fauber asked if the new concrete decking will look like existing Member Purnel supports the plan. Member Fredricks stated that the existing landscaping is not being maintained properly. Architectural Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of December 12, 2011 ACTION: M/S/C (Kleindienst / Harlan, 7-0) To recommend approval to the Historic Site Preservation Board and City Council. CHAIRMAN / COMMITTEE / STAFF COMMENTS: No Comments. ADJOURNMENT:' There being no further comments, the AAC meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m. 7