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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/8/1984 - MINUTES CITY OF PALM SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OCTOBER 8, 1984 A Special Meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs, was called to order on Monday, October 8, 1984 in the Large Conference Room, City Hall, 3200 Tahquitz-McCallum Way at 4:00 p.m. ROLL CALL: Present: Councilmembers Birer, Foster, Maryanov, Smith and Mayor Bogert Absent: None 1. PD-147 - FINAL DEVELOPMENT PLANS (SAKS) The purpose of the meeting was to meet in joint session with members of the Planning Commission and Architectural Advisory Committee to discuss and consider acting on Planned Development District 1117 final develop- ment plans for the Saks Department Store. Planning Commissioners in attendance: Curtis, Lawrence, Service, Madsen and Kaptur. Planning Director stated that both the Magnin store and the Saks store came in with building elevations which were reviewed by the Planning Commission and forwarded to the City Council with recommendation for approval ; that it was during Council 's review that question was raised how the plans related to the remainder of the project. He displayed approved preliminary elevations showing portion for the Saks store which indicated the pop-out design and trellis treatment. Councilman Foster stated that his primary concern was that the front elevation did not have much character or relationship to the trellis and, for the importance of being the central point of the downtown area, it did not have enough emphasis and appeared to be a mass of plaster. Councilman Birer stated that the size of the sign on the model helps to break up the facade, but in actuality may be smaller and the building appear more monolithic. Planning Commissioner Service stated that the Saks representatives were advised that because of the importance of this sign to the architecture, the Commission wanted to see the sign conform to the Sign Ordinance; and that to a large extent it can be concluded that the entire elevation is helped by the Saks store because its facade rises above the facial line of the remainder of the buildings. Planning Commissioner Kaptur stated that he felt the style of the architecture is very clean and crisp and emulates the type of goods that Saks sells; that the "glue-lam" beam might have been treated differently, as in the other trellis for the project; that he believed the design will be very quiet and elegant, but he would have preferred that the remainder of the Center have the same theme as that proposed by Saks, and it is one of the better buildings of the entire project. Planning Director stated that the working drawings have been approved with the exception of the individual buildings behind t,ce trellis. Mr. Kaptur stated that the mass of the concept is plaster and anything other than that for the project at this point would be contrary to the overall architectural concept. Mayor commented on the condition of rooftops in terms of mechanical items which can be seen, and questioned whether this will in fact occur in terms of the hotel units looking down on the roof of the shopping area. Robert Bridges, architect, stated that there are four Ian housings on the roof and two clear story units and that no equipment will be seen. Council Minutes 10-8-84 Page 2 1. P.D. 147 (Continued) Architectural Advisory Committee member Cioffi stated that the trellis was seen by the committee as a detail problem and thought the architecture was clean and elegant and a low profile statement with good proportions, well masked, and providing the main anchor store on Palm Canyon Drive, noting that it is a large building and can't be dealt with in a scaled manner and be kept small . Chris Mills, Architectural Advisory Committee member, stated that the architecture blends with what was previously approved, but he did not think it was very well done, noting his opinion on the fact that this is a major new structure except for the hotel along Palm Canyon Drive, and he hoped that it would give more than what was previously received. Mr. Kaptur stated that the equipment will be down drafted and will go through the roof. Mr. Bridges stated that two styles of roof are being considered at this point which will be a light color; that he has dealt with Saks in developing other stores in terms of highrise and the environmental con- siderations in looking down on roofs; and that the recess for the canopies will be down-lighted which will provide the only night lighting and should give a haloed effect for the building. He also stated that he will be coming back with Saks and other shopping center graphics. In answer to question by Council , Planning Director stated that the approximate size sign allowed would be 85 square feet. Mr. Cioffi stated it was important that the size of the sign in relationship to the panel of the building be considered when addressing the sign, and a "dinky sign" should not be the final product, otherwise design proportions will be lost. Mr. Service stated that the sign is so important in the way the building will look that it must be considered as an integral part of the entire building. Mr. Bridges stated that the sign appears to be at a scale of 6 feet high by 28 feet in width for the letters, and he can calculate the exact footage and submit a drawing. Mr. Service stated that, he sees the building as a sign board for the sign and instead of drawing a rectangle around the largest letter, that consideration should be given to calculating the actual amount of square footage per letter. Mr. Osborne, DeBartolo representative, stated that the hotel rooms Face east and west and will not overlook the roof of the plaza, and that a sign concept for the Palm Canyon frontage can be submitted, but not the specifics of the individual signs at this time. He stated that Magnin will not have a sign on the Palm Canyon frontage. 21 'r Council Minutes 10-8-84 Page 3 1. P.D. 147 (Continued) Councilman Smith stated that perhaps conditions should be placed to approve anything that goes on the roof and consider changes to the Sign Ordinance relative to the size of signs in terms of 'she architectural scale. Mr. Kaptur stated that he felt confident that the Magnin store would request a sign on the Palm Canyon frontage and the likelihood of that happening should be addressed at this time rather than waiting to react to it. Councilman Birer stated that the sign should relate i:o the frontage proportion and not necessarily overall square footage of the building in that one could have a sizeable building with a narrow frontage; and perhaps some relationship of signing based on a formula of square footage to linear footage should be developed. In answer to question by Council , Mr. Bridges stated that design carries the redwood material and the "glue-lam" without exposed hardware or fittings and keeps the detail crisp yet softens the effect of the building. Mr. Osborne stated that it is important that the mall and department stores each have a sense of their own identity in terms of entrance; and that the theme repeated by Saks helps pedestrians identify where they are and enhances respective entrances. Councilman Foster stated that as a result of the discussion, his remaining concerns relate to the parking structure which is not a subject of discussion at this point. It was moved by Smith, seconded by Maryanov, and unanimously carried that Resolution 15287 approving the final development plans for the Saks store, as recommended by the Planning Commission, be adopted; and that anything that goes on the roof of the shopping complex be submitted for approval , as well ,as any discussion concerning signs. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business at 4:50 p.m. Mayor declared the meeting adjourned. JUDITH SUMICH City Clerk