HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-08-24- ARC MinutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS
ARCHITECTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF AUGUST 24, 2009
Council Chamber, City Hall
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 3:07 p.m. by Chair Chris Sahlin.
ATTENDANCE: Present: Absent: YTD Attendance:
Chris Sahlin, Chair X 14
Paul Ortega, Vice Chair X 12
Doug Hudson X 14
Lance O’Donnell X 15
Michael King X 15
Robert Parker X 11
Donald Wexler X 0
Jeffrey Jurasky X 0
(Roll Call record is from January 2009 thru meeting of August 24, 2009.)
Planning Commission Members Present: None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of Minutes for meeting of August 10, 2009.
ACTION: M/S/C (Hudson/ King, 4-0, 2 absent Ortega/Parker) Approval of the August 10,
2009 minutes, with several correction, 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 # 5.066 MAJ – Lennar Homes - Escena
Randy Schroeder of Lennar Homes for the placement of a 30 sq.ft. engraved wall sign at
Escena on the northeast corner of E. Vista Chino and N. Gene Autry Trail, Zone PD 231,
Section 7. (GM)
Randy Schroeder of Lennar Homes and L. J. Edgecombe, representing the land owner,
described the project. Both speakers mentioned that the new wall will be temporary until
such time that a hotel will locate on the corner of Vista Chino and Gene Autry Trail. The new
wall will include a 30 square foot signed etched into the wall limestone and black lettering to
match other existing monument signs.
Member Hudson stated that the engineering plan does not properly show existing and future
conditions in terms of the location of the wall relative to the meandering sidewalk along Gene
Autry Trail.
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Discussion ensued as to the landscaping at the corner of Vista Chino and Gene Autry Trail.
A consensus of the AAC agreed that enhanced landscaping should be added to this very
visible corner.
ACTION: M/S/C (Sahlin/ Hudson, 2-2 O’Donnell/King, 2 absent Ortega/Parker) To
recommend approval of the wall sign as presented and applicant submit a
revised landscaping plan to be approved by staff prior to the installation of the
sign.
AGENDA ITEM # 3: Case # SP-09-005 – Sign Program – Palm Canyon Square
O2 Architecture to establish a sign program for the Palm Canyon Square Commercial Center
located at 1021-1079 South Palm Canyon Drive, Zone C-1/R-3, Section 22 (ST)
Committee Member O’Donnell recused himself from the discussion.
Assistant Planner Mlaker gave a brief overview of the three types of signs proposed to
include: one monument/complex identification sign, two pedestrian directory signs, and
several tenant signs all located throughout the office park.
Lance O’Donnell of O2 Architecture provided an overview of the project explaining the details
of the monument sign and the way finding directories.
The committee members made mention of the size of the vertical letters being too large. The
monument sign seems crowded. There was a question on the placement of the monument
sign and possible blocking of sight lines.
ACTION: M/S/C (King/Hudson, 3-0. 1 recused/O’Donnell, 2 absent Ortega/Parker) To
recommend approval of the signs, as presented, with the understanding that
existing wall signs will be removed.
AGENDA ITEM # 4: Case # 3.3357 – Jackie Lee Houston Plaza
Al Smoot, City of Palm Springs for final landscape plan review of the ‘Jackie Lee Houston
Plaza’ at 281 North Calle Alvarado, Zone HR, Section 14 (GM)
Assistant Planner Mlaker described the final landscape plans for the new plaza. He
mentioned that the AAC had reviewed this item on June 8, 2009, and recommended to the
Planning Commission approval with a condition that the final landscape plans be reviewed by
the AAC.
Al Smoot, project manager for the City of Palm Springs gave a presentation of the status of
the project. He mentioned that the Planning Commission reviewed the project in June 2009,
and received approval.
ACTION: M/S/C (O’Donnell/ Hudson, 4-0, 2 absent Ortega/Parker) To recommend
approval of final landscape plan.
AGENDA ITEM # 5: Case SI – 09-095 – Holiday Inn Signs
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Swain Sign for Holiday Inn Corp. for the placement of two building signs equaling 107 sq. ft.
each at 1800 E. Palm Canyon Dr., Zone R-3, Section 24 (GM)
Assistant Planner Mlaker gave an overview of the two proposed signs. He mentioned that
two directional signs have been recently approved incorporating the Holiday Inn’s new image.
Tom Van Winkle, representing the Holiday Inn, and Clint Scarbrough of Swain Signs testified
that the overall corporate image of the hotel is changing and the proposed signs are part of
the re-branding.
Members of the AAC questioned the overall size of the proposed signs. The large ‘H’ located
within the green box, and the sign text is large and not to scale with the building.
AAC members offered the following comments and recommendations:
5.a Contact architect of the recent remodel to obtain advice.
5.b Overall scale of the signs are too large compared to building.
5.c Reduce the size of the green box.
ACTION: M/S/C (King/ O’Donnell, 4-0, 2 absent Ortega/Parker) To recommend a re-study.
AGENDA ITEM # 6: Case 3.3374 MAJ
Aunt Effie’s Gardens to construct a retail garden shop with outdoor display located on
approximately 0.57 acres at 2393 North Palm Canyon Drive, Zone C-1, Section 13. (DN)
Associate Planner David A. Newell gave a presentation of the proposed nursery garden shop.
He informed the AAC that a determination request was approved to allow the subject use at
the said location.
The AAC requested the applicant give a brief presentation about the proposed project. Paul
Mahoney of Aunt Effie’s Gardens provided background of the proposal and answered
questions.
AAC members offered the following comments and recommendations:
Driveway safety from North Palm Canyon Drive is a concern. An interior sidewalk needs to
continue into site from street sidewalk. (Hudson)
Details of wood fence need to be carefully composed. (King)
The interior sidewalk should be perpendicular with street sidewalk. (Sahlin)
A fence with transparency should be utilized along Palm Canyon Drive in order for the public
to identify the property as a garden center. The landscaping along Palm Canyon Drive could
mimic row crops or trees. (O’Donnell)
ACTION: M/S/C (O’Donnell/Sahlin 2-2 King/Hudson, 2 absent Ortega/Parker) To
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recommend approval, subject to noted comments. Motion failed.
ACTION: M/S/C (O’Donnell/King 4-0, 2 absent Ortega/Parker) To recommend approval of
the overall site plan (building, parking lot and fencing locations) but restudied the
following:
6.a More turning radius into first parking stall adjacent to N. Palm Canyon Drive.
6.b Details on fence – provide street elevation
6.c Details on entry arbor
6.d Landscaping
AGENDA ITEM # 7: Case 3.3375 – Desert Water Agency
Lance O’Donnell representing Desert Water Agency for the construction of a 3,600 sq. ft.
warehouse-storage building, at 1200 S. Gene Autry Trail, Zone M1, Section 20. (GM)
AAC member O’Donnell recused himself on this agenda item.
A brief introduction was given by Assistant Planner Mlaker explaining the basic site plan and
elevation details.
Lance O’Donnell presented the plan and mentioned that the intended use of warehouse/
storage is for the protection of heat sensitive sewer pipes. In addition, a large truck will be
stored within the building. Mr. O’Donnell said that the new building will be similar in materials
as the maintenance building constructed in 2003.
ACTION: M/S/C: (Hudson/ King, 3-0, 1 recused/O’Donnell, 2 absent Ortega/Parker) To
recommend approval to the Planning Commission.
CHAIRMAN / COMMITTEE / STAFF COMMENTS:
Chair Sahlin stated that he was appointed Chair of the AAC six months ago and has enjoyed
the opportunity and wishes to continue. In the future, the committee may decide to limit the
chairmanship to 6 months.
Committee Member Hudson questioned staff on the recent sign program approval for the
Works Tile and Carpet center located along S. Gene Autry Trail. He would like staff to
compare the approved size of the main size to the approved permitted drawings. Mr. Hudson
announced that he will be leaving the AAC for a seat on the Planning Commission. He would
like to thank his fellow AAC members for all there hard work and looks forward to working
with staff.
Committee Member O’Donnell asked for the status of vacancies on the AAC.
Principal Planner Robertson stated that two new members will be appointed soon. He also
stated that the AAC may want to seek out two new alternative members.
ADJOURNMENT:
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There being no further comments, the AAC meeting adjourned at 4:36 p.m.
________________________________
Edward O. Robertson
Principal Planner