The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2009-09-21- ARC MinutesCITY OF PALM SPRINGS ARCHITECTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 21, 2009 Council Chamber, City Hall 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262 CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 3:05 p.m. by Chair Chris Sahlin. ATTENDANCE: Present: Absent: YTD Attendance: Paul Ortega, Chair X 14 Will Kleindienst, Vice Chair X 1 Lance O’Donnell X 17 Chris Sahlin X 16 Michael King X 17 Robert Parker X 12 Patrick McGrew X 1 Donald Wexler X 0 Jeffrey Jurasky X 0 (Roll Call record is from January 2009 thru meeting of September 21, 2009) Planning Commission Members Present: Commissioner Donenfeld Principal Planner Robertson stated that it is the policy of the AAC that elected officers will serve for a one year term, with the beginning date of September 21, 2009. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN: Motion was made to elect Paul Ortega as the AAC Chairman. ACTION: M/S/C (O’Donnell/ King, 5-0, 2 Kleindienst & Parker absent) Motion passes. ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN: Motion was made to elect Lance O’Donnell, there was no second, motion fails. Motion was made to elect Will Kleindienst as Vice Chairman. ACTION: M/S/C (O’Donnell/ Sahlin, 5-0 2, Kleindienst & Parker absent) Motion passes. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of Minutes for meeting of September 8, 2009 . ACTION: M/S/C (O’Donnell/ King, 5-0 2, Kleindienst & Parker absent) Approval of the September 8, 2009 minutes. 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 # 4: Case 3.3381 MAA – Gisela Paz Staff presentation was made by Assistant Planner, Scott K. Taschner, who described the proposal by Architectural Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of September 21, 2009 2 Gisela Paz. Several of the committee members questioned what the original color of the rock was. There was also some question about the composition and texture of the rock material. One of the members provided some insight into the historic significance of the building. Several of the committee members also stated they appreciated that the applicant was trying to restore the façade. AAC members offered the following comments and recommendations: 1.a Be careful when sandblasting. Try an indiscrete area first. 1.b Try bead-blasting (allows use of a lower setting). It will reduce the risk of damaging the surface of the rock/stone/permarock. 1.c If wood window molding is rotted, consider a brake metal covering painted to match. It will last much longer. ACTION: M/S/C (Sahlin/King 5-0-2) To approve, with comments AGENDA ITEM # 5: Case SP 09-005 Palm Canyon Square Center Staff presentation was made by Assistant Planner, Scott K. Taschner, who stated that the item has been presented several times, but that the committee was unable to establish a quorum for this item. The item was moved to the end of the meeting in hopes of another committee member arriving to establish a quorum. Another committee member did arrive and the item was heard. The committee posed the question if the existing signs would be coming down and the applicant responded that the existing signs would be coming down. AAC members offered the following comments and recommendations: 2.a. That the existing signs should come down upon installation of the new signs ACTION: M/S/C (Sahlin/King) 4-0-3, to approve as submitted AGENDA ITEM # 6: Case 3.3384 – 1860 Vista Drive Staff presentation was made by Assistant Planner, Scott K. Taschner, who described the proposal by Dave Thompson, owner. A committee member asked if the roof pitch would match the house. The applicant responded that it will. A committee member asked if the windows would match. The applicant responded that the windows would have a metal frame with glass to match the existing. Another committee member asked about the boulders and how many would be displaced by the new garage and asked if the client could leave as many on the site as possible. The committee then began its comments and stated that the proposed garage looks good and is consistent with the style of the immediate neighborhood. They also stated that the proposed garage did not detract from the house. AAC members offered the following comments and recommendations: 3.a That the applicant try to keep as many boulders on the site as possible ACTION: M/S/C (O’Donnell/King) 5-0-2, to approve with comments AGENDA ITEM # 7: Case 3.2453 Ramona Villas HOA Staff presentation was made by Assistant Planner, Scott K. Taschner, who described the proposal by the Ramona Villas Homeowners Association. The applicant was asked if they would like to give a Architectural Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of September 21, 2009 3 brief presentation. The applicant stated that they were intending on creating a perennial garden much like the one at the other entrance off of Sunny Dunes, but that they proposed to more heavily plant the entrance area off of Ramon Road. The applicant stated that they were looking for year round color in designing the proposed landscape plan. The committee began its comments by stating that the plan looked a little stiff; that there was not much variation in the spacing of the plants and that it would look more natural if there were a few areas that were clumped together along with the proposed spacing. It would also look more natural with some swales or berms incorporated into the plan. One committee member stated they might take a look at, and possibly emulate, the nearby mobile home park. The committee also stated that the plant palette proposed a good combination of desert flowering plants, but that the plan was a little heavily planted. One of the committee members stated some of the problematic plants in their palette, namely the Coral Bells, and the Ribbon Grass. The same member also stated that the Mexican Organ Pipe grows very slowly and that they should install a larger size than what is currently being proposed. There were also questions and comments about irrigation for the existing pepper trees and a suggestion was made which would provide deep root watering for the trees. AAC members offered the following comments and recommendations: 7.a. Look for an alternative plant for the Coral Bells and the Ribbon Grass 7.b. Choose a larger size (than 5 gallon) for the Mexican Organ Pipe 7.c. Provide an irrigation plan for the existing Pepper Trees (use deep wells at the drip line) 7.d. Consider grouping and/or varying locations to the plan a more natural look 7.e. Consider adding berms and swales to give the plan a more natural look ACTION: M/S/C (Sahlin/King) 4-0-3, to approve subject to conditions and comments AGENDA ITEM # 8: Case 5.1228 CUP Del Taco Del Taco, LLC to construct a 2,163 square restaurant building with a drive through at 6620 North Indian Canyon Drive, Zone M-1-P, Section 14. (DN) Staff presentation was made by Associate Planner, David A. Newell, who described the proposal by Del Taco, LLC. The applicant, Desmond Wong, provided additional information to the Committee and noted that the drive-through can accommodate up to ten vehicles. AAC members offered the following comments and recommendations: 8.a Reduce the building height to twenty feet or less. 8.b Prefer a more sustainable building. 8.c Bring drive-through wall as far north as possible to mitigate wind at drive-through window. 8.d On-site parking for RVs / boats may be desirable. 8.e Screening of utility doors should be accommodated by landscaping. 8.f Landscaping: California Pepper tree may not survive in extreme winds – use alternative such as a Mesquite or Acacia tree. 8.g Landscaping: Bottle tree out of character for palette – use alternative. 8.h Landscaping: Fortnight Lily, Golden Carpet, Texas Privet, bird of paradise, etc. will likely struggle in the sun and wind – consider more true desert plants instead. ACTION: M/S/C (O’Donnell / Sahlin, 5-0, 2 absent Kleindienst / Parker) To recommend a re-study based on the abovementioned comments. Architectural Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of September 21, 2009 4 AGENDA ITEM # 9: Case 3.3380 & 5.1230 – Alderson Residence Case 3.3380 / 5 1230 SFR/CUP A single family residence and guest house at 1600 Avenida Sevilla (KL) Comments: 1. The Mexican Palo Verde are messy and prone to invasive seedlings; consider a cleaner palo verde variety. 2. The Fescue grass tends to burn out and die after a year; consider a Carex species of ornamental grass or be prepared for repeated replacement of the fescue. 3. Many lavender species are prone to over water and root rot; consider selection of species resistant to root rot. ACTION: M/S/C: O’Donnell/King 4-0-2, (Kleindienst & Parker absent) CHAIRMAN / COMMITTEE / STAFF COMMENTS: Principal Planner Robertson welcomed the two new members of the AAC and stated that the Planning Department is looking forward to working with the AAC. He also stated that a new alternate member to the AAC will be appointed by the Planning Commission in the near future. This will result in full committee membership with two alternates. Member King welcomed the new AAC members and is looking forward to working with them in the future. Mr. King stated that he will be absent from next months meetings. Member Sahlin stated that he appreciates the new policy of sending complete agendas, staff memos and accompanying case specific supporting materials. It helps AAC when making decisions. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further comments, the AAC meeting adjourned at 4:50 p.m. __________________________________ Edward O. Robertson Principal Planner