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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-08-10- ARC MinutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS ARCHITECTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF AUGUST 10, 2009 Council Chamber, City Hall 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262 CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 3:04 p.m. by Vice Chair Paul Ortega. ATTENDANCE: Present: Absent: YTD Attendance: Chris Sahlin, Chair . X X 13 Paul Ortega, Vice Chair X 12 Doug Hudson X 13 Lance O'Donnell X 14 Michael King X 14 Robert Parker X 11 Donald Wexler X 0 Jeffrey Jurasky X 0 (Roll Call record is from January 2009 thru meeting of August 10, 2009) Planning Commission Members Present: None APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of Minutes for meeting of July 20, 2009. ACTION: M/S/C (King/ Hudson, 5-0-1 Sahlin) To approve the meeting minutes of July 20, 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. CONSENT AGENDA ITEM # 2: Case # 3.3140 — Blum House Committee had no comments and recommended approval. CONSENT AGENDA ITEM # 3: Case # 3.1132 — Sunrise Alejo HOA Committee recommends that plantings, Bird of Paradise be clustered together, and proper irrigation be implemented. CONSENT AGENDA ITEM # 4: Case # 3.0943 — Tony's Pasta Mia Committee recommended several color scheme changes, see detailed plans. CONSENT AGENDA ITEM # 5: Case # 3.1299 — Cork n Bottle Building This item was deferred until after the August 11, 2009 HSPB meeting. Architectural Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of August 10, 2009 ACTION: M/S/C (King/ Hudson, 5-0-1 Sahlin absent) For approval of all 4 consent agenda items as stated above. AGENDA ITEM # 6: SP 09-006 — Fresh & Easy Sign Image National, Inc., to amend the current sign program for the Fresh & Easy shopping center (formerly Von's / Jensen's shopping center) to include an additional wall sign for Fresh & Easy and allow a sub lessee sign for Wachovia Securities, Zone PD 76, Section 13. (ST) Staff presentation was made by Assistant Planner, Scott Taschner. In his presentation he outlined the existing sign program for the shopping center, and outlined the proposed amendments to the sign program. The Committee began their comments with many of the members questioning the necessity of the third sign for Fresh & Easy. AAC members offered the following comments and recommendations: 6.a To deny the request for the third sign for 'Fresh & Easy' 6.b To reduce the size of the sub -lessee sign for'Wachovia' to 12 square feet maximum ACTION: M/SIC: (Parker/O'Donnell, 4-1-1 Sahlin/absent) To deny the request for the third Fresh &Easy sign, and to reduce the 'Wachovia Sign to 12 square feet maximum. AGENDA ITEM # 7: 5.1227 CUP & 6.517 VAR — Royal Street Communications at Rimrock Plaza Royal Street Communications requesting the installation of wireless communication monopole designed as an artificial date palm to be located at the rear of the Rimrock Plaza shopping center at 4733 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Zone W-C-D-N, Section 30. (DN) Staff presentation was made by Associate Planner, David A. Newell, who described the proposal by Royal Street Communications California, LLC. He noted that there are two other similar monopalms located on the western portion of the shopping center. AAC members offered the following comments and recommendations: 7.a Would like to have seen all wireless providers in shopping center on one taller pole instead of multiple poles. ACTION: M/S/C (Hudson/King, 5-0-1/Sahlin absent) To recommend approval as a slim -line monopole (instead of the proposed monopalm) that is desert tan in color. AGENDA ITEM # 8: 3.3345 MAA — Royal Street Communications at Hyatt Hotel Royal Street Communications requesting the installation of wireless communication antennas on the rooftop of the Hyatt Hotel located at 285 North Palm Canyon Drive, Zone CBD, Section 15. (DN) Staff presentation was made by Associate Planner, David A. Newell, who described the proposal by Royal Street Communications, LLC. He explained that there are existing wireless communication - antennas on top of the hotel and that the proposed antennas would match the adjacent building color. - 2 Architectural Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of August 10, 2009 A presentation was made by the applicant, Veronica Arvizu of CMH Consulting Group. Ms. Arvizu provided further information of the carrier (MetroPCS) seeking approval. ACTION: M/S/C (O'Donnell/King, 5-0-1 Sahlin/absent) To recommend approval as submitted. AGENDA ITEM # 9: 09-004 Pre -Application — Von's Fuel Center Travis Companies, Inc. on behalf of Vons-A Safeway Company to construct a Vons fuel center at the northwest corner of the Rimrock Plaza shopping center located at 4733 East Palm Canyon Drive, Zone W-C-D-N, Section 30. (DN) Staff presentation was made by Associate Planner, David A. Newell, who described the proposal by the Travis Companies, Inc. He explained that the design intent by the applicant was to match the architecture of the existing shopping center. Mr. Newell explained that the pre -application was being brought before the Architectural Advisory Committee as a courtesy and that no recommendation by the Committee is required. The applicant, Karl Huy of the Travis Companies, Inc., provided a brief presentation. Shawn Bennett - Natoli of Palm Springs stated that the lighting should be carefully looked at so that it's not obtrusive to adjacent properties. AAC members offered the following comments and recommendations: 9.a Canopy and kiosk building are too tall. 9.b Concerned about proposed architecture trying to mimic shopping center. 9.c Building and canopy need to redesigned. 9.d Mansard roof should be eliminated from design. 9.e Faux trellis piece should be removed. 9.f Screening walls and landscaping should be incorporated into design for screening. 9.g Signage is too large. 9.h Lighting scheme needs to be looked at carefully 9.i Applicant should look at other gas stations within the City for design ideas. Gas stations along North Palm Canyon Drive and North Indian Canyon Drive were recommended. ACTION: M/S/C — No action required on Pre -applications. AGENDA ITEM # 10: 3.3243 — Rimrock Plaza Robert H. Ricciardi, Architect for a minor revision to a previously approved pad building at the Rimrock Plaza shopping center located at 4791 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Zone W-C-D-N, Section 30. (DN) Staff presentation was made by Associate Planner, David A. Newell, who described the proposal by Luanne Carter of Robert H. Ricciardi, Architect. Ms. Carter provided additional photographs of existing roofs at the shopping center and of the proposed tile. ACTION: WS/C (Parker/Hudson; 5-0-1 Sahlin/absent) To recommend approval, as submitted. K Architectural Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of August 10, 2009 AGENDA ITEM #11: Pre -Application 09-003 — Palm Springs Unified School District AAC members offered the following comments and recommendations: Hudson: • Concerns about night time traffic, noise and fighting affecting the adjacent residential neighborhood. • Concerns about need for a traffic light at Gene Autry. (Must review with Cal Trans and City Engineering). • Review front door entries relative to protection from prevailing winds. • Carefully review the architecture and the details and elements, let the functionality of the building dictate the exterior articulation, not simply treating it as a "decorated box". • Consider the "quality of life" for the workers/occupants. King: • Consider integration of outdoor break/lunch space integrating it between this. and the future administration building; study the entire future campus development and integrate outdoor shared spaces accordingly. • Carefully consider providing shade trees from the bus drop-off on Gene Autry to the site. • Consider the Photo -voltaic on the building roof instead of on roofs of carports to reduce visual clutter of carport roofs. Ortega: • Concerns with proper and adequate review with Cathedral City officials and residents. • Concern with proper screening between this site and Escena to the north. Parker: • Give consideration to adequate site security. • Give consideration to adequate shade and other amenities for pedestrian access to and from the site. O'Donnell: • Consider impacts to neighbors and general access to and around the building for after- hours workers. • Consider alternative to asphalt for the expansive areas of parking lots, especially the service yard lot, consider concrete or permeable paving and additional landscaping. • The architecture of the grounds/mechanics shop could be simpler. • Difficult orientation of the mechanic's building with wind and blowing sand on the north - facing doors and openings. • Integrate day lighting into as many parts of the buildings as possible. • Consider the mechanical systems, where swamp cooling could be utilized in lieu of mechanical chilling. ACTION: M/S/C No action is required on Pre applications 4 Architectural Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of August 10, 2009 AGENDA ITEM # 12: 3.0706 —Wyndham Hotel Wyndham Hotel for the repaint of the exterior of the building to include the courtyard, and a refurbishment of the entry way water feature and new monument sign. (GM) The general manager of the Wyndham was on hand and made a presentation showing the applicants preferred paint color of Hubbard Squash and Banana Cream. He described the refurbishment of the main entry water and landscape feature to include new natural stone, and two water sculptures. He made mention of a new monument sign placed in the existing driveway median. AAC Committee members gave the following comments: Parker: • Stone columns on front entry are not an improvement. • No issue with monument sign • Likes water feature improvement. • Does not like color. • Stone veneer do not use in water feature. Hudson: • Yellow color too strong — look at sand color. King: • Yellow too much. • Stone to be consistent. • Look at adding pavers to driveway when you enter. O"Donnell• • Stepping element on the building is dated to the 1980's. • Don't emphasize this element by doing two colors. • Use single color and 2"d color to match for timeless beauty. • Use color that matches mountains or matches stone on property. ACTION: M/S/C: (King/ Parker, 5-0-1 Sahlin/absent) To recommend a re -study of the proposed paint color, concept of monument sign and water feature recommend approval. AGENDA ITEM # 13: 3.3377 — City Hall Parking Lot. Robert Parker recused himself from the meeting, due to a business conflict. Assistant Public Works Director, Marcus Fuller gave a presentation on the overall concept for the parking lot project. He stated that the City is undertaking this project due to the deteriorated nature of the parking lot surface. The City Council has previously approved the revised configuration of the parking lot. The revised layout removes the existing parking area near the corner of Tahquitz Canyon Way and Civic Drive. The City has been moving forward with a separate project which will provide the City with schematic landscape plans for re -landscaping the Tahquitz Canyon Way median and an overall schematic landscape plan for City Hall. The City's landscape architect (RGA) has prepared a preliminary schematic landscape plan for City Hall and it includes the options for re -landscaping the parking area removed by the revised configuration of the parking lot. The options requiring AAC consideration are: 5 Architectural Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of August 10, 2009 • Decorative paving in front of City Hall. • Proposed Demonstration Garden in area of parking removed. • Detention basin with turf in area of parking removed. • 10 new mesquite trees to replace existing carob trees in east side of parking lot • 4 new tipu trees along front 1 south side of parking lot. The City's landscape architect for the Tahquitz Canyon Way median re -landscaping, and City Hall schematic landscape plan, Robert Parker from RGA, made a presentation describing the project. Mr. Parker stated that the AAC is to review the items listed above. The overall schematic landscape plan for City Hall and associated conceptual 3-D drawings were presented for informational purposes only to show the AAC how the options for re -landscaping the parking area were determined and would relate to the City Hall schematic landscape plan. The AAC will be provided an opportunity to review and comment on the entire schematic landscape plan in the future following public review and comment. Public Testimony Sydney Williams, gave an historic overview of the City Hall site stating that she was opposed to any plan that would alter the historic nature of the campus. Robert Inbrig, testified that the plan as proposed does not respect or relate to the City Hall setting. This plan should look at the bigger picture, the flat plane and the proposal is contrary to the refinement of City Hall. AAC members offered the following comments and recommendations O'Donnell — Supports the removal and replacement of the trees in the east parking lot, likes the mass grouping of plants in the demonstration garden. Mentioned that the plan seem to be busy. King — Long planter along Tahquitz Canyon Way in front of Bogart statue should be re-evaluated. Demo garden contains too many plants. Look at contemporary design. Hudson — Said that the process is flawed and stated that less is more in terms of plants. Simplify the landscaping. Location of Demo garden is not ideal. There is no direct access from sidewalk to plaza because of long landscape planter. Ortega — Asked if the AAC would review the final plant palette. Mr. Ortega expressed a dislike to the turf area located in the middle of the plan. Shade trees should be used more often in parking lot areas. He stated that the Demo garden concept is good, but not at the proposed location. ACTION: Motion was made by O'Donnell to add shade trees in east parking lot, installation of Tipu trees in front of City Hall, discourage the use of decorative pavers in the drive aisles, demo garden placed in alternative location to be replaced with retention area, and turf to be flush with remaining area. Motion did not receive a second. Motion fails. ACTION: Committee member King made a new motion keeping all previous recommendations, however to include enhanced pavers to the plan as presented. (King/ O'Donnell, 2-2) AAC could not reach a consensus on this project. 6 Architectural Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of August 10, 2009 CHAIRMAN / COMMITTEE / STAFF COMMENTS: There were no Chair, Committee Member, or Staff comments. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further comments, the AAC meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m. E and Oqaebertson Principal Planner