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Home My WebLink About2011-04-11- ARC MinutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS ARCHITECTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Council Chamber, City Hall 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262 MINUTES OF APRIL 11, 2011 CALL TO ORDER: Chair Kleindienst called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. NI I GI\YNI\VG - I I Y William Kleindienst, Chair X 3 0 -- 3 James Harlan, Vice Chair X 3 0 3 William Fauber X 3 0 3 Gary Fredricks X 2 1 3 Susan Secoy Jensen X 3 0 3 Randy Purnel X 3 0 3 Pierre -Andre Monney X 3 0 3 Donald Wexler 0 N/A Paul Ortega 0 N/A . (The attendance record is from March 2011 through the meeting of April 11, 2011) Planning Commission Members Present: Commissioner Conrad APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of Minutes for meeting of March 2, 2011 (Special Meeting) and March 21, 2011. ACTION: M/S/C (Jansen / Monney, 7-0) To approve the minutes of March 2, 2011 (Special Meeting) and March 21, 2011. 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 3.3467 MAA Re -Study — Towne Construction Towne Construction for a new 3,948 square foot industrial block building with roll -up door and windows located at 253 Oasis Road, Zone M-1, Section 34. (GM) Assistant Planner Mlaker gave a brief description of the previous recommendations of the March 7, 2011 AAC review. He stated that the applicant has made some changes to the proposal to reflect the AAC concerns. Tony Gonzales from Amir Engineering representing the applicant was available to answer questions. Architectural Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of April 11, 2011 Chair Kleindienst stated that the plans are not complete and is concerned about the dumpster location, electrical panel, roof drainage, fire suppression system, and parking lot configuration. Principal Planner Robertson asked Chair Kleindienst to continue this item until such time that a complete application is submitted. ACTION: No formal action taken. AGENDA ITEM #3: Case 3.0079 MAA — Re -Study — California Nursing Hospital California Nursing Rehabilitation Center for the placement of a 2,000 square foot accessory metal building located in the southwest corner of the property at 2299 North Indian Canyon Drive, Zone R-2, Section 3. (GM) Assistant Planner Mlaker stated that the AAC first reviewed this project at their February 7, 2011 meeting. Staff has met with the applicant to discuss possible ways to place a steel building while being sensitive to the overall site. Revised plans include substantial landscaping placed around the building. Eric Shaffer, owner of the nursing facility stated that the steel .building proposal is within the facilities budget constraints and the State of California has licensing standards for the nursing facility. Member Monney asked Staff if Zanjara Road, on the west property line is a City street and could this street possibly be extended. In reviewing the landscaping plan, he asked for the spacing between proposed trees and a larger tree box size would be recommended. Member Purnel asked the applicant if he would consider a combination of steel and other material in the building construction. He also stated that if the plantings fail the building will be exposed. Vice Chair Harlan stated that he has concerns: the building size is too large; fire regulations may require alternate ingress/egress. Chair Kleindienst stated the size of tree proposed would not camouflage the building and questioned the intent of the landscaping. He does not support a steel structure in the City. AAC members offered the following comments and recommendations: 2.a Applicant to study an alternative building material to steel; combination of another construction material. 2.b Use larger tree box size. 2.c Roof line to be similar to existing building. 2.d Explore another material for front facade. ACTION: M/S/C (Harlan / Fauber, 7-0) For re -study. E Architectural Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of April 11, 2011 AGENDA ITEM #4: Case 8.254 SI VAR / SI 11-039 — LULU California Bistro Best Signs, Inc. for a sign variance to install signage for LULU California Bistro located at 200 South Palm Canyon Drive, Zone CBD, Section 15. (DN) Associate Planner Newell provided a brief introduction of the project as outlined in the staff report. The proposal exceeds the maximum sign area permitted and the maximum letter heights allowed. Vice Chair Harlan questioned the thickness of accessory signage and the method of sign area measurement for the main signs. Also, what type of lighting would the main sign be, front- and back -lit? Mr. David Christian, Architect, gave some background of the property and spoke about the changes to the exterior and interior of the building. Mr. Jim Cross of Best Signs, Inc. clarified that brushed aluminum will be used for the main signs. Reverse -lighting will be used for both elements of the main sign. The color of the lighting will match the respective colors of the large letters and circular elements. The "California Bistro" portion of the main sign will have white halo -lighting. Member Pierre believes the signage is proportional. Vice Chair Harlan believed the sign was too large for the neighborhood. ACTION: M/S/C (Monney / Fredricks 5-2, opposed: Fauber and Harlan) To recommend approval, as submitted. AGENDA ITEM #5: Case 3.088 MAA — Sunset Palms Apartments Wayne Deitz of Global Premier Development Inc. for the renovation of the Sunset Palms Apartment Complex to include new doors, windows, landscaping, and building repaint at 1433 North Indian Canyon Drive, Zone R-2, Section 10. (GM) Assistant Planner Mlaker stated that this project will be a rehabilitation of a blighted property for low income senior housing coordinated with the City Redevelopment Authority. The Sunset Palms Apartments rehab will be for the entire 23-unit complex. Wayne Deitz of Global Premier Development stated that his firm has received a funding commitment from the City and is working on an application for a low income tax credit from the State of California. Member Fauber asked the applicant for clarification on the proposed treatment of the patio areas currently enclosed by lattice. Member Purnel commented on the removal of old electrical wires, hanging lights, wall mounted air conditioner units, and proposed landscaping. Vice Chair Harlan asked for the removal of unit front security doors, lattice, and upgrade of W Architectural Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of April 11, 2011 exterior lighting. He also asked the applicant if they had considered a rehab scheme that distinguishes between the three buildings. Chair Kleindienst stated that several curb cuts for non -existing driveways should be removed and replaced with sidewalk. In addition, concrete sidewalk adjacent to the second -story building should be removed and landscaping added. Member Fredericks stated that the proposed color scheme is very similar to existing conditions. AAC members offered the following comments and recommendations: 5.a Removal of non -existing driveway curb cuts replaced with sidewalk. 5.b Remove concrete sidewalk between the 2nd story building and the edge of the sidewalk. 5.c Landscape area between public sidewalk and second -story building. 5.d Submit final landscape plan. 5.e Exterior lighting plan for all parking areas and building exterior. 5.f Remove wall mounted A/C units. 5.g Site plan to show location of central A/C units. 5.h Security doors to units to be removed. 5.i Dumpster enclosure to be shown on site plan. 5.j Landscape parking lot shade requirements per Zoning Code. 5A Fire sprinkler apparatus to be shown on a site plan and screened. 5.1 Existing sign to be removed. ACTION: M/S/C (Kleindienst / Monney, 7-0) To recommend conceptual approval, subject to the above -noted conditions with return to the AAC for final review. AGENDA ITEM #6: Case 5.0666- PDD 321 — Escena Alta Verde Escena to amend a previously approved Planned Development District Area 9A to allow four different prototype homes at the Escena Development located at 1000 North Gene Autry Trail, Zone PD 321, Section 7. (ER) Staff presentation was provided by Edward Robertson, Principal Planner. He stated that the proposal will amend the previously approved Final Development plans for Planning Areas 9A and 9B at the Escena Development. According to the applicants, twelve new homes made up of four new product types and elevations will be built in different phases. The residential component of the Escena Development calls for 1,450 units; to date, 64 homes have been built. Finally, Edward stated that the proposed architectural designs are consistent with the design guidelines approved for the project site in 1994 and amended in 2003. Anthony Poon, the project architect provided additional electronic presentation to the AAC. Overall, the committee was pleased with the proposed design; but had some questions and concerns regarding the following: • Review landscape plant selections to include sustainable planting • Consider the proposed species of wood sidings; Cedar or Redwood 0 Architectural Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of April 11, 2011 • Ensure that required setbacks are met • Block walls are required for sides and rear fencing for consistency • Solar Panels are optional; appropriate screening required • Using wood for exterior product may not be durable in the desert • Consider other options in place of wood materials • Side elevation; could be problematic with sun ACTION: M/S/C (Fauber / Jensen, 7-0). Recommended approval to the Planning Commission with the above -noted comments. AGENDA ITEM #7: Discussion of City Sign Ordinance At the request of the AAC, a discussion of the City Zoning Ordinance Section 93.20.00 (ER) Principal Planner Robertson distributed a packet containing the text of the City Zoning Ordinance. He asked that the AAC members review this information, Staff will place this item on an upcoming AAC agenda for further discussion. Chair Kleindienst suggested that an AAC study session may be in order for this subject; he volunteered to lead the session and urged staff to make necessary arrangements for the study session. Principal Planner Robertson thanked the Chair for the offer; and stated that he would like to present the matter to the Director of Planning Services and will report back to the Committee at the next meeting. The AAC members agreed that a discussion work shop on the sign ordinance would be appropriate. CHAIRMAN / COMMITTEE / STAFF COMMENTS: No comments. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further comments, the AAC meeting adjourned at 5:21 p.m. Edward i _ •bertson Principal Planner