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Home My WebLink About2009-03-23- ARC MinutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS ARCHITECTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF MARCH 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 Chris Sahlin. ATTENDANCE: Present: Absent: ' YTD Attendance: Chris Sahlin, Chair X 4 Paul Ortega, Vice Chair X 5 Doug Hudson X 5 Lance O'Donnell X 5 Michael King X 5 Robert Parker X 4 Donald Wexler X 0 Jeffrey Jurasky X 0 (Roll Call record is from January 2009 thru meeting of March 23, 2009) Planning Commissioner Present: Commissioner Hochanadel APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of Minutes for meeting of March 9, 2009. Corrections to meeting Minutes for March 9, 2009: Page 4, Committee Comments - Misspelled member Ortega's name and Tamarisk Street. Staff made note, and corrections are made. ACTION: M/S/C (Hudson/ King) 6-0 for the approval of the minutes from March 9, 2009 meeting. REVISIONS TO AGENDA: None PUBLIC COMMENTS: Three (3) minute time limit per person on matters within the jurisdiction of the Architectural Advisory Committee. Chair Sahlin clarified the AAC policy on receiving public comments. Comments project specific will be heard at the time of the case review. AGENDA ITEM #3: CASE 3.2679 - Akeena Solar to place solar panels equaling 88 square feet on two sides of the building at 3700 Tahevah Drive, Zone M-1-P, Section 10 (GM). Staff presentation was made by Glenn Mlaker, Assistant Planner, who described the project and directed attention to the presentation boards showing a site plan and pictures. Joe Dolan for Akeena Solar described the details of the proposal, stating that the panels will be an active system generating electricity. The placement of the panels on the side of the building above the overhang will allow for easy building attachment. The Committee came to a consensus that the Akeena tenant space should not be viewed as a stand alone unit. According to the Committee, there is a great opportunity to design an overall system for the entire building. AAC members offered the following comments and recommendations: 3.a Solar panels should be an integrated part of the building architecture AAC AGENDA Item #2 Architectural Advisory Committee Meeting Page 2 of Minutes of March 23, 2009 3.b Sensitivity to the building structure should be taken when attaching panels and electrical supply lines. 3.c Provide an innovative plan for integrating the solar panels into the canopy design for the entire building. ACTION: M/S/C (O'Donnell/ King) 6-0 to recommend a re -study of this case. AGENDA ITEM #4: CASE 3.1467 MAA - Luciano Ramirez, owner of Latino Books Y Mas, to install dark green fabric awning and valance to underside of existing eve at the business at 180 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Zone CBD, Section 15. (ST). Staff presentation was made by Scott Taschner, Assistant Planner who provided information on the proposal and the concerns that staff had regarding the materials, other awning structures on nearby portions of the building. The AAC discussed and offered comments. Some of the discussion included comments on the red piping, the need/purpose for the awning, comments that the existing canopy is adequate for solar control, and comments on the scalloped treatment. There were also suggestions on how better to use the Fagade Impartment Program to improve the businesses storefront. AAC members offered the following comments and recommendations: 4.a Provide a design that does not include the scalloped treatment 4.b Provide a design that does not include the red piping treatment ACTION: M/S/C (O'Donnell/Hudson) 6-0, to recommend restudy of the project AGENDA ITEM #5: CASE 3.1018 - Tara Lazer owner of Cheeky's restaurant for the construction of a 4 foot to 4.5 foot high perimeter wall/fence around a lawn area at 622 North Palm Canyon Drive, Zone CBD, Section 10. (GM) Member Ortega recused himself from the proceeding due to possible conflict of interest. Glenn Mlaker, Assistant Planner, presented and described the project and directed attention to the presentation boards showing a site plan and photos. He mentioned that this case is before the AAC for review of the perimeter wall/fence. He also stated that staff wanted an overall view of the project and requested conceptual plans for future uses contained within the lawn area. Tara Lazer, along with her architect, Wendell Veith and landscape architect, described the future use of the lawn as a multi -purpose public area to include a community garden, raised planter beds, and citrus trees. A description of the details for the wall/fencing ensued. Ms. Lazer stated that the main purpose for the fencing is to provide a containment area as required by the ABC. Committee members' comments focused on the design of the fencing and how it relates to the Spanish style of the building. AAC members offered the following comments and recommendations: 5.a Entrance to the community garden should provide a focal point ending on the tower element of the building 5.b Simpler wall design along Palm Canyon Drive 5.c Provide landscape plan for area between the fence and the sidewalk. ACTION: M/S/C (Parker/ King) 5-0-1 Ortega abstaining, to recommend re -study. AGENDA ITEM #6: CASE 3.3126 MAA - Jose Cervantes, representative for Fresh & Easy, is proposing revisions to a previously approved project that includes exterior changes to the former Jensen's Market building at 102 South Sunrise Way, Zone PDD76/NCC, Section 13. (ST) Architectural Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of March 23, 2009 Page 3 of 3 Staff presentation was made by Scott Taschner, Assistant Planner, who described the proposal and informed the committee of previous approvals, recommendations, and other pertinent background information regarding the brisesoleil. Staff mentioned that the committee has seen several applications over the last several years and that one of the conditions of a previous approval is that the brisesoleil was to be replaced. The AAC then went into their comments. Some of the discussion of the committee members included the change in the model for a grocery store over the last several decades, the incredible view provided by the wall of storefront windows, and the history and character of the building. There was also discussion between the applicant (contractor) and the committee about the various problems with reinstallation, different methods of reinstallation, and the costs involved with each method. AAC members offered the following comments and recommendations: 6.a Return to the AAC with a proposal which achieves solar control 6.b Return to the AAC with a proposal that is well designed/elegant ACTION: M/S/C (O'Donnell/Hudson) 6-0, to recommend restudy of the project. CHAIRMAN / COMMITTEE / STAFF COMMENTS: Chair Sahlin would like to compliment the Public Works Department on their quick response to cleaning up the large amount of debris left after the recent wind storm. The Chair asked for a clarification on attendance requirements for the upcoming California Preservation Conference. Vice Chair: Ortega made mention of the case load for the Palm Springs AAC versus nearby Cathedral City. Member Hudson: Made comment about the new restaurant, Rick's Daily Grill, located at the corner of N. Palm Canyon Drive and Vista Chino. Staff informed the committed that the signage has been approved and the re -paint of the building was not substantially different than the previous paint color. The AAC will be reviewing the landscape plan for this project in the near future. Member O'Donnell: Questioned Planning Commission Chair Hochanadel on future project outlook. Staff: In response to Chair Sahlin's question on the upcoming California Preservation Conference, Staff will need to consult with conference registrar. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further comments, the AAC meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m Respectfully submitted, ,- 0 J ward O. R bertson Principal Planner