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Home My WebLink About2009-11-23- ARC MinutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS ARCHITECTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 23, 2009 Council Chamber, City Hall 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: Present: Absent: YTD Attendance: Paul Ortega, Chair X William Kleindienst, Vice Chair X Chris Sahlin X Lance O'Donnell X Michael King X Robert Parker X Patrick McGrew X Donald Wexler Ana Maria Escalante 18 4 20 21 19 16 5 X 2 X 1 (Roll Call record is from January 2009 thru meeting of November 23, 2009) Planning Commission Members Present: Commissioner Donenfeld APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of Minutes for meeting of November 9, 2009 with several name corrections as presented by Member Kleindienst. ACTION: M/S/C (Kleindienst / McGrew, 6-0-1 absent/ King) To approve with noted changes the minutes of November 9, 2009. 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 3.3396 Dempster House A request by James Schmidt architect for the Dempster Residence to remodel existing hillside house, to include a new 530 square foot casita and small house addition, at 1951 Camino Monte, Zone R-1- B, Section 27. (GM) AAC Chair Ortega declared a conflict of interest with this case being that he represents the applicant and recused himself from the proceedings. Assistant Planner Mlaker introduced this project and gave a brief description of the project. Jim Schmidt, architect for the applicant gave a description of the proposed project. He described the building materials, the location of the small 213 square foot house addition and the architecture of the 530 square foot casita. He mentioned that the height of the casita wall 19 feet which is taller then the maximum allowed height of 18 feet. The height of the casita will require an Administrative Minor Modification which will provide relief from the height restriction. Architectural Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of November 23, 2009 Paul Ortega, from the Desert Garden Center described the landscape plan and was available for questions. Member McGrew asked the architect to describe the existing garage/ carport and the existing roof railing. Architect Schmidt stated that the garage will be converted back to a carport and the roof railing will be eliminated. ACTION: M/S/C (McGrew/ Parker, 5-0-2 abstaining/ Ortega, absent/ King) To recommend approval to the Planning Commission, subject to conditions. AGENDA ITEM #3: Case 3.1707 — Hotel Zoso Sammy Castro landscape architect representing Hotel Zoso for a landscape refurbishment project at the hotel front entrance and the pool courtyard area located at 150 S. Indian Canyon Dr., Zone CBD, Section 14. (GM) Assistant Planner Mlaker introduced the project and mentioned that this application is for the front planter beds, and the pool courtyard area. The remaining planter beds in the rear and sides of the building will be part of Phase 2. Mr. Mlaker pointed out that the original landscape plan for the original renovation was present on the board. Sammy Castro landscape architect representing Hotel Zoso stated that the project has been divided into two phases: Phase 1A is the planning of new trees, and Phase 1 B will be the ground cover. Hotel Zoso has stated that the they do not want spiny plants at the font entrance and prefers a softer palate with trees and shrubs. Member Sahlin mentioned that he was on the original design team for the renovation of the hotel. He stated that the original landscaping has not been maintained and the original plan was to coincide with the unique architectural style. He said that the softer planting palette would be appropriate within the swimming pool courtyard. Member McGrew stated that he believes that the softer plantings will help make the pool area more inviting. Member O'Donnell supports the use of more succulents at the front entrance and softer in the courtyard. AAC members offered the following comments and recommendations: 2.a Supports the plantings proposed for the courtyard area. 2.b Redesign the proposal for more sculptured plants in the front planter beds. ACTION: M/S/C (O'Donnell/ McGrew, 5-1-1, no Parker, absent King) For re -study of front planter bed landscape plan. 2 Architectural Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of November 23, 2009 - AGENDA ITEM #4: Case 3:2293 — Public Storage Facility Oscar Lavenant representative for Public Storage to convert existing fountain to a drought tolerant landscape planter on the southeast corner of Gene Autry Trail and Dinah Shore Drive, 1000 S. Gene Autry Trail, Zone M-1, Section 20. (GM) Assistant Planner Miaker gave a brief introduction of the project. He mentioned that the AAC recommend a re -study of this request at their October 26, 2009. Oscar Lavenant was presented and described the proposed plantings for the converted fountain. Member O'Donnell suggested that the use of three Ocotillo plants be evenly spaced at the rear of the planter in the upper bed. Member McGrew stated that up lighting of the Ocotillo would be useful and to not use Fountain Grass. Member Sahlin suggested placing the Ocotillo in the upper bed .. Member Kleindienst stated that the applicant should use the two colonnades to provide a definition of design. Chair Ortega gave a brief review of the two different Ocotillo species, he said. to eliminate the Fountain Grass, use and Victorian A guava. AAC members offered the following comments and recommendations: 3.a Removed top portion of the two rear pillars so that they are flush with the rear planter bed. 3.b Plant 3 Ocotillo on the top planter bed and add up -lighting. 3.c Use Muhlenbergia — Deer Grass to fill in the planter. ACTION: M/S/C (O'Donnell/ Sahlin 5-1-1 no Kleindienst, absent King) To recommend approval with 3 conditions. AGENDA ITEM #5: Case 3.3398 MAJ — Palm Springs Unified School District Palm Springs Unified School District to construct a multi -use development on an approximately, 11.76-acre site to accommodate food services, warehouse, vehicle/fleet maintenance and operations at 150 Chase Place, Zone W-M-1-P, Section 18. (DN) Staff presentation was made by David Newell, Associate Planner, who described the proposed project. He noted this was reviewed by the AAC as a pre -application recently. Mike Sattley of PSUSD provided an additional presentation to the Committee. Member O'Donnell noted that he would have liked to seen exhibits that show how lighting affects interior, but supports the design of the buildings. Member Sahlin was in support of the project but stated the architect should carefully look at the glass facing southeast. Member Parker requested the applicant to blend the tree species used on the adjacent Escena project landscape to the northern landscape border of the project site. 3 Architectural Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of November 23, 2009 AAC members offered the following comments and recommendations: 5.a The tree species used on the northerly landscape border of the project site should incorporate similar tree species to those used on the adjacent Escena property to the north. ACTION: M/S/C (Kleindienst/ O'Donnell 6-0-1, absent King) To recommend approval, subject to the above -noted comment. CHAIRMAN / COMMITTEE / STAFF COMMENTS: Principal Planner Robertson distributed the 2010 meeting schedule to the AAC. The issue of term limits was discussed according to the City's Municipal code. The City Clerks office has a resolution stating that the AAC term limits will be regulated the same as Board's and Commissions. Mr. Robertson commended the AAC on their swift, efficient and professional review of the Palm Springs School District Distribution Center. Chair Ortega stated that the City will soon see a change in procedures relative to the review and approval of Landscape plans. Mr. Ortega is a member of the working group of the City's Sustainable committee. The City will now require all landscape plans to use water efficient plants. He mentioned that the Desert Water Agency will be available to review renovation and landscape plans. A formula will be used to calculate water use and a pass/fail system will be utilized. The new regulations will not dictate with types of plants used, rather• the amount of water usage permitted. Applicants will need to be creative in designing plans. " Mr. Ortega said that the City may want to consider developing a list of possible plantings. Member Kleindienst suggested that this item be placed on a future AAC agenda for discussion. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further comments, the AAC meeting adjourned at4:43 p.m. Submitted, J� laward obertson Principal Planner n u