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Home My WebLink About2011-01-10- ARC MinutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS ARCHITECTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Large Conference Room, City Hall 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262 MINUTES OF JANUARY 10, 2011 CALL TO ORDER: Chair Kleindienst called the meeting to order at 3:05 p.m. ATTENDANCE - YTD Present: # Absent: # Total William Kleindienst, Chair X 1 0 1 Lance O'Donnell, Vice Chair X 1 0 1 Chris Sahlin X 1 0 1 Paul Ortega X 1 0 1 Robert Parker X 0 1 1 Patrick McGrew X 1 0 1 Donald Wexler 0 N/A Ana Maria Escalante 0 N/A (The attendance record is from January 2011 through the meeting of January 10, 2011) Planning Commission Members Present: Commissioner Munger APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of Minutes for meeting of December 20, 2010. ACTION: M/S/C (O'Donnell / Ortega, 5-0) To approve the minutes of December 20, 2010. 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 SP-10-008 Desert Medical Plaza RioFine Neon Sign Company representing owner of Desert Medical Plaza for a sign program to allow building fagade and two freestanding signs at 1100 North Palm Canyon Drive, Zone C-1, Section 10. (GM) Assistant Planner Mlaker gave a brief overview of the proposed sign program. He stated that the proposal is for the following signs: • Four (4) internally illuminated channel letters or reverse halo lit letters on second story fascia located at the southwest and southeast building corners. (two signs existing) • Two (2) building identification signs located on the first -story. (existing) • Two (2) freestanding non -illuminated tenant identification signs at eight (8) feet tall Architectural Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of January 10, 2010 — tenant panel to be 2.2 square feet each. • One (1) freestanding complex identification sign along Indian Canyon Dr. (existing) He stated that this sign program will bring into conformance all existing signs. Fine' Score, owner of RioFine Neon Sign Company representing the ownership of Desert Medical Plaza stated that the sign program with the two freestanding signs will provide signage for the many smaller building tenants. Vice Chair O'Donnell asked Staff for a clarification on the existing and proposed size of the second -story signage. He stated that there does not appear to be much pedestrian traffic in the area around the office building and the 2.2 square foot panels on the freestanding sign will not be legible for passing motorists. Mr. O'Donnell asked the applicant if there was a definition for what constitutes a major building tenant. Member Sahlin asked Staff if there are other office building complexes that have multi -tenant freestanding signs. He also would like to see an exhibit showing a graphic depicting the location and size of the proposed signs on the southeast corner of the building. Member Ortega asked the applicant if both sets of second -story signs will be identical in size and design. He stated the 2.2 square foot panels on the freestanding signs are too small and will not be visible from a passing motorist. AAC members offered the following comments and recommendations: 2.a Sign Program text to define a "major tenant" eligible for a second -story sign. 2.b Eliminate freestanding signs other than complex identification monument. 2.c Devise a comprehensive plan for all existing signs and lighting. ACTION: M/S/C (McGrew / O'Donnell, 5-0) To recommend a re -study of the project. AGENDA ITEM #3: Case 5.1241 CUP / 6.521 VAR — Von's Fuel Center Re -study Karl Huy of Travis Companies, Inc. on behalf of Von's for a final review of an approved gasoline fuel center for the property located at 4701 East Palm Canyon Drive (Rimrock Plaza), Zone W-C-D-N, Section 30. (DN) Associate Planner Newell provided background on the project. He stated that the project is an approved gasoline station that was redesigned based on City Council conditions and AAC recommendations. Member Sahlin questioned the material of the new equipment screen wall. Staff responded that the wall will be CMU with stucco applied that matches the adjacent building. Mr. Karl Huy presented the revised proposal. The rooftop mechanical equipment was relocated to the ground in order to reduce the overall height of the kiosk building. The "cloud" roof structure was removed from the proposal and the canopy structure will now be a PA Architectural Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of January 10, 2010 solid piece that covers the kiosk building and fuel pump areas. The stacked stone was removed from the canopy columns. Vice Chair O'Donnell disclosed that he had exchanged emails with the applicant regarding the design of the gas station. Member McGrew stated the aesthetics have come a long way. He believed there could be some more refinements to improve the project but was in support of the changes made. Motion: Mr. McGrew recommended approval of the project, which was seconded by Member Sahlin. The Committee discussed the proposed plant material on the building, and Member Sahlin suggested that the applicant not use a plant material with thorns. ACTION: M/S/C (McGrew / Sahlin, 5-0) To recommend approval as submitted. CHAIRMAN / COMMITTEE / STAFF COMMENTS: Principal Planner Robertson stated that the Planning Commission wishes for retiring members Sahlin, and Vice -Chair O'Donnell to remain on the AAC until such time those new members can be appointed. Member McGrew mentioned that perspective AAC members will be interviewed by the entire Planning Commission and not a sub -committee. A discussion ensued between the AAC members and Principal Planner Robertson concerning communication between applicants and AAC members. Mr. Robertson reminded the AAC that the City Attorney has stated that communication between applicants and AAC must be limited to an open and public meeting. There cannot be discussions outside of a public realm. Chair Kleindienst stated that AAC members must refrain from revealing their position on issues prior to the AAC meeting or until a formal motion is made. Vice -Chair O'Donnell suggested that the AAC discuss recommending to the Planning Commission a policy that would address the situation when a case is reviewed by bodies and finally reaches the City Council only to be remanded back to the AAC for redesign review. Can the AAC make recommendations to the applicant to produce a better end product. Principal Planner Robertson stated that the AAC can appoint a sub -committee to work with an applicant on the project design for final review by the entire AAC. 3 Architectural Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of January 10, 2010 ADJOURNMENT: There being no further comments, the AAC meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m. Ed and O. obertson Principal Planner 4