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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-05-24- ARC MinutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS ARCHITECTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Council Chamber, City Hall 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262 MINUTES OF MAY 24, 2010 CALL TO ORDER: Chair Ortega called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. Al 1 CN LPAN%,C - i l U r'TV5t:[1L; fF AUDCn6. » I WLU. Paul Ortega, Chair X 10 0 10 William Kleindienst, Vice Chair X 9 1 10 Chris Sahlin X 9 1 10 Lance O'Donnell 9 1 10 Michael King X 10 0 10 Robert Parker 7 3 10 Patrick McGrew X 10 0 10 Donald Wexler 1 X N/A Ana Maria Escalante 2 X N/A (Roll Call record is from January 2010 thru meeting of May 24, 2010.) Planning Commission Members Present: Commissioner Scott APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of Minutes for meeting of May 10, 2010, with corrections as noted. ACTION: MIS/C (King / McGrew, 5-0-2, absent O'Donnell, Parker) To approve the minutes of May 10, 2010 with corrections 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 3.1513 — Canyon Granada HOA Grant Grauatte representing the HOA of Canyon Granada Condominiums for landscape changes at 255 Avenida Granada, Zone R-2. (GM) Assistant Planner Mlaker introduced the project and stated that the applicant is seeking approval for the removal of turf to be replaced with desert landscaping. The total square footage is approximately 8,000. The Desert Water Agency has reviewed the plans and has stamped them certifying that the proposal will meet the State's Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance. MaryAnn Padia; the HOA landscaper, was present and answered questions from the AAC. Member McGrew stated that he had no comment. Architectural Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of May 24, 2010 Member King stated that he had no comment. Member Sahlin asked if the removal of the turf was for the area fronting S. Palm Canyon Drive. Vice -Chair Kleindienst asked if the mature Jacaranda trees would be removed. Chair Ortega stated that the landscape plan, as presented, is insufficient due to the lack of symbols representing the different types of plants and the AAC can not make a decision. He recommended a re -study. AAC members offered the following comments and recommendations: 2.a A revised landscape plan that meets the minimum City standard to be resubmitted. 2.b Place symbols coinciding with plant material on a revised landscape plan. 2.c Include placement of boulders and other features on landscape plan. ACTION: M/S/C (McGrew / King, 5-0-2, absent O'Donnell and Parker) To recommend a re- study. AGENDA ITEM #3: Case 3.0913 — Indian Canyon Gardens HOA James Meyer representing the HOA of Indian Canyon Gardens for landscape bed changes of approximately 150 square feet in front of individual units at 2200 Indian Canyon Drive, Zone R-2. (GM) Assistant Planner Mlaker introduced the project and stated that the HOA has compiled a list of plants acceptable to be placed in the front entry gardens. Each homeowner can pick from this plant palette and implement once HOA approval was obtained. In addition, the request is for the removal of two turf areas behind existing carports and the placement of decomposed granite. A letter from a concerned member of the HOA was distributed before the meeting for AAC member's review. James Meyer, the applicant, described the process for a homeowner to obtain approval from the HOA. He stated that each individual homeowner will pay for their own landscaping. Member McGrew would like to see a landscape master plan for the entire development showing all plants. Member King was concerned with the lack of specifics on the plant sizes. He referred to a letter sent to the AAC by a community resident. Member Sahlin would like to see a more uniformed approach to garden designs. He also stated that flexibility in picking plant types is good. Vic -Chair Kleindienst stated that this was a good first attempt at developing a landscape upgrade for the development. He stated that the applicant should broaden the plant list.. He would like to see an overall landscape plan for the entire site. He asked the applicant if there was a time frame for home owners to change out the landscaping. 2 Architectural Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of May 24, 2010 Chair Ortega asked staff the procedures for AAC review on smaller projects. ACTION: M/S/C (Sahlin / Kleindienst, 3-2-2; opposed, King and McGrew; absent O'Donnell, and Parker) To recommend approval as submitted. AGENDA ITEM #4: Case 5.1243 CUP — Restudy for BBVA Compass Bank Drive-Thru Herron + Rumansoff Architects, on behalf of BBVA Compass Bank for a Conditional Use Permit to construct a drive-thru facility for ATM machine at an existing bank located at 420 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Zone CBD. (GM) Assistant Planner Mlaker gave a brief description of the first AAC review and discussed the recommendations for the re -study. Russell Rumansoff, project architect, stated that the applicant received the AAC comments from the last meeting and either revised the plans or gave an explanation for not being included. Two ATM kiosk design schemes were presented, one that was brown and the other blue which is the preferred bank option. The design is contemporary and will provide shade for cars parked at the ATM. Landscaping is being added and stacking will remain at 7 cars which meet the City requirement. Vice -Chair Kleindienst asked if the berm along Indian Canyon Drive was being enhanced. Member Sahlin stated that the revised ATM design is better than previously proposed. Member King is concerned with lighting associated with the new ATM structure. Bollards should be painted so as to be part of the design and blend in. Member McGrew stated that he appreciates that the applicant submitted a complete plan. He supports the proposal. Chair Ortega said that the landscape has changed for the better. ACTION: M/SIC (McGrew / King 5-0-2, absent Parker and O'Donnell) To recommend to the Planning Commission approval with use of the blue color scheme. AGENDA ITEM #5: Case 3.1047 — DAP Solar Carports Realgoods Solar representing the ,Desert Aids Project for new construction of eight (8) carports with solar panels at the Vista Sunrise apartments, 1313 E. Vista Chino Road, Zone R-2. (GM) Assistant Planner Mlaker presented the DAP's request to remove existing carports and replace them with eight structures with roof top solar panels. Representatives from Realgood Solar were present to make a presentation and answer questions. They stated that the conduit for the roof top mounted panels will be tucked away into the ' I" -Beams and could be mounted on the inside. The older carports are not strong enough to support the weight of the solar panels. 3 Architectural Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of May 24, 2010 Member King stated that he is concerned about the screening of the inverter boxes attached to the building. Member Sahlin stated that sheet metal could be used to fully encase the conduit on the carports. He asked about the lighting underneath the carports. Vice -Chair Kleindienst stated that he supports the placement of solar panels on the carports. He is concerned about the look of the shut-off box attached to the carport. In addition, the inverter boxes on the buildings will need to be screened. Chair Ortega stated that the AAC cannot make a decision on this project until the screening of the inverter boxes is reveled. AAC members offered the following comments and recommendations: 5.a Revise the carport elevation to mask conduit. 5.b Provide screening method for inverter boxes attached to building. ACTION: M/S/C (Kleindienst / King 6-0-2, absent O'Donnell and Parker) To recommend a re- study and applicant to revise plans based upon above recommendations. AGENDA ITEM #6: Case 10-015 — Delano Sales Trailer Nexus Development for the placement of a sales trailer for the Delano project to include landscaping, and perimeter fence of 444 Avenida Caballeros, Zone PD 321. (GM) Assistant Planner Mlaker directed the attention of the AAC to the presentation boards and pointed out several changes to the proposal since the last review. Changes include a double front entry with trellis structure, enhanced landscaping and revised fence type. Representatives from Nexus Development were present to make a presentation and answer questions. Vice -Chair Kleindienst stated that the applicant proposes landscaping on three of the four exposed trailer sides. Add landscaping behind the sales trailer. Member Sahlin asked to see an elevation of the proposed sales trailer. Ne elevation was available. Member King asked for clarification on the type of lighting proposed for the sales trailer. Member McGrew asked according to the City regulations, how long is temporary. Temporary can be up to 90-days, anything after that time frame is considered permanent. Chair Ortega stated that a sales trailer should invoke what is to come for the proposed site. ACTION: M/S/C (Sahlin / Kleindienst, 5-0-2, absent O'Donnell and Parker) To recommend a re- study and instruct the applicant to submit revised plans and building elevations. 4 Architectural Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of May 24, 2010 CHAIRMAN / COMMITTEE / STAFF COMMENTS: Principal Planner Robertson stated that Mr. Parker did email staff to announce his inability to attend today's meeting. Member King stated that he believes that meeting minutes should capture important discussions and recording the meetings may help staff. He stated that at times the minutes do not reflect the AAC comments. Vice -Chair Kleindienst gave a brief history of the AAC and how meetings were conducted in the past. He stated that in the past the AAC did not take minutes, did not receive pre -meeting agenda packets, or emails. Member McGrew stated that minutes do not always reflect the intent of the AAC. He asked staff as to why the Welwood Murray Memorial Library would not be returning for review by the AAC. He is disappointed that the Planning Director approved the project and believes that at times Planning staff is biased. He would like to see a sub -committee of the AAC formed that would review the process of applicant submittals. Principal Planner Edward O. Robertson stated that reference to the Planning Department and the Director as being biased was unfounded. He also stated that AAC minutes will only reflect motions and actions of the committee. According to the Principal Planner, the department lacks the resources to provide minutes in verbatim and also that was not the direction given to staff when the decision was made to start taking minutes of the AAC. Chair Ortega would like to see the meetings recorded. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further comments, the AAC meeting adjourned at 5:25 p.m. Edward O. ertson Principal Planner N