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Home My WebLink About2010-03-08- ARC MinutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS ARCHITECTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF MARCH 8, 2010 City Hall / Council Chamber 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262 CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 3.00 p.m. by Chair Paul Ortega. ATTENDANCE- YTD Present: # Absent: # Total Paul Ortega, Chair William Kleindienst, Vice Chair Chris Sahlin Lance O'Donnell Michael King Robert Parker Patrick McGrew Donald Wexler Ana Maria Escalante X 5 0 5 X 4 1 5 X 4 1 5 X 5 0 5 X 5 0 5 X 4 1 5 X 5 0 5 X X (Roll Call record is from January 2010 thru meeting of March 8, 2010.) Planning Commission Member Present: Vice Chair Caffery was absent. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of Minutes for meeting of February 22, 2010. ACTION: M/S/C (Kleindienst / Parker, 7-0) To approve the minutes of February 22, 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 PA-10-001 — Fueling Station A pre -application for a proposed liquefied natural gas fueling station on an approximately one acre parcel at 670 Garnet Road, west of Indian Canyon Drive, Zone M-1-P. (KL) In Associate Planner Lyon's absence, Principal Planner Robertson made a brief presentation describing the proposed use, site plan, elevations, and overall operations for the new liquefied natural gas fueling station. Marvin Roos, MSA Consulting, representing the applicant, Border Valley Trading, stated that this pre - application presentation before the AAC is to receive feedback on the proposed operations, site orientation, and elevations for the project. Architectural Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of March 8, 2010 Mr. Roos explained that this liquefied fueling station will serve as a mid -valley large truck fleet fueling station. It will not be open to the general public. The design of the site will utilize a drive -aisle in a "Ll" shape with the fueling tanks located in the middle. Two gates will limit access. The gas will be stored in a vertical and a horizontal tank. No signage will be utilized on the tanks. Member O'Donnell asked about the orientation of the site relative to wind direction. The use of some types of landscaping may not survive the severe wind. He stated that there are many vertical elements in that general area and this proposed use would be compatible. Member King asked if the facility would utilize on -site staff. The applicant answered that the site is self-operating; transactions will be conducted with the use of access cards. Mr. King stated that the rear of the site will front 1-10 and care must be taken to address that side of the project. He asked the applicant to come back with a creative design for the two tanks. Member Sahlin stated that the site is located in an industrial area and the project should reflect that use. Member Parker asked for the limits of the site grading, stating that grading should stop at the rear lot wall and not continue to 1-10. Vice -Chair Kieindienst applauded the applicant for siting an alternative fuel station within the City of Palm Springs. He mentioned that the site should not look anything than what it is, meaning that users of liquefied gas fuels can recognize these types of stations. The vertical tank can be considered a street icon and they should not be disguised and should not be used for advertisement. Mr. Kleindienst wanted the record to show that the Coachella Valley is a leader in alternative fueling facilities in the area. AAC members offered the following comments and recommendations: 2a. No grading beyond proposed rear property fence line. 2b. Landscaping to be sensitive to the extreme wind conditions at site. 2c. Creative design of overall site, fencing, storage tanks, associated buildings. 2d. No un-related advertisements on site. ACTION: No action needed for Pre -Application PA 10-001 AGENDA ITEM #3: Case 5.1082 PD 321 - Delano - Restudy Restudy of Delano Project, a request by Nexus, O&M LLC., to amend a previously approved PDD and TTM reducing the density from 84 condos to 53 attached and detached single family residences on approximately 8.48 acres at the southeast corner of Avenida Caballeros and Alejo Road. (KL) In Associate Planner Lyon's absence, Principal Planner Robertson stated that the AAC reviewed this request at their February 22, 2010 meeting where the AAC voted 7-0 for the applicant to restudy the project. Previous recommendations included increased quantity and disbursement of guest parking, improved pedestrian access within the community and access to neighborhood streets, and landscape changes. Architectural Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of March 8, 2010 Rob Eras, representing Nexus Corporation, stated that the project had back yard gates from the perimeter back yards to the surrounding streets and one new pedestrian gate has been added adjacent to the fire access gate at the northeast corner. It was noted that eight of the units have driveways that are long enough to accommodate guest parking in front of the garage doors (a total of 16 spaces). Landscape changes that were requested have been made. Members Kleindienst, Parker, and McGrew had no comment on the plan. Members Sahlin and King suggested that the driveways have special paving, textured and/or colored concrete to reduce the hard appearance of all the concrete driveways throughout the development. Member O'Donnell stated that the AAC encourages increased pedestrian access which will make for a better project. Chair Ortega expressed continued concern on the lack or guest parking and asked about the length of unit driveways to accommodate visitors. ACTION: M/S/C (McGrew / Sahlin, 6-1, opposed Kleindienst) To recommend approval to Planning Commission, as submitted. CHAIRMAN / COMMITTEE / STAFF COMMENTS: Principal Planner Robertson responded to Member Sahlin's previous meetings question regarding a building permit for a building located at 775 Racquet Club Drive. Member O'Donnell stated that the house elevation appears to be substantially different from the AAC review. Member McGrew asked if the AAC could receive information on the Andreas Hills specific plan. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further comments, the AAC meeting adjourned at 3:47 p.m. DY+' d and O. ob rtson Pri cipal Planner 3