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2003 10 16 RDA Minutes LA QUINTA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES oCTOBER 16, 2003 A special meeting of the La Quinta Redevelopment.Agency was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by Chairperson Henderson. PRESENT: Board Members Adolph, Osborne, Perkins, Sniff, Chairperson Henderson ABSENT: None Chairperson Henderson led the audience in the pledge of allegiance. PUBLIC COMMENT - None CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA - Confirmed BUSINESS SESSION 1. CONSIDERATION AND INTERVIEWS OF BUILDING ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES FIRMS FOR SILVERROCK RANCH. Board Member Osborne abstained from participating due to a potential conflict of interest and left the dais. Assistant Executive Director Weiss presented the staff report followed by presentations by the two building architectural firms. Dahlin Group Jack Gallagher and Al Burrell, of the Dahlin Group, gave a brief presentation on the firm's history and qualifications, along with their proposal for the SilverRock Ranch project. Board Member Adolph noted the Ahmanson ranch house has historical value, and he would be opposed to setting a design standard for it. He stated "you might as well tear it down and build something new," which he indicated he would oppose. He doesn't feel the ranch house site should be the permanent location for the clubhouse because it is Redevelopment Agency Minutes 2 October 16, 2003 too far from the driving range and hotel. He feels it should later be used in conjunction with a hotel, casitas, or other upper-level-type development in the project. He wishes, at the very least, to have the exterior of the ranch house maintained but doesn't feel it should be the design concept for the remainder of the project. Board Member Perkins agreed on enhancing the building as a temporary clubhouse without destroying it. He suggested some thought be given to how the building can be enhanced and designed as a temporary clubhouse and remain useful when the new clubhouse is built. In response to Board Member Sniff, Mr. Gallagher confirmed they have experience dealing with multiple members and opinions of an agency, such as the Balboa Park Golf Course project. He stated the process they use to mobilize appropriate creative thought to an individual project is by brainstorming the Council's vision and coming back with image boards that relate those ideas. They are currently working on several projects in various stages. As project manager for this project, he indicated he would be responsible for coming up with functional and unique concepts for the project, which he would brainstorm with other members of their team. Mr. Burrell stated they are comfortable with many architectural styles, and like to create buildings that are timeless in nature. Board Member Sniff commented on the Agency's unity in wanting a project that is unassailable by its competition. He noted the ranch house is an old building and might be difficult to bring up to code. He believes Mediterranean, Spanish, and Colonial architecture are appropriate to the desert but a slight departure from that may be needed to be unique. Chairperson Henderson stated she reviewed the digital imaging disc provided by the firm, and noted although it could be a critical tool and vital to the project, the Agency will be looking at the cost. She pointed out a lot of resorts use a rock theme and asked how they would deal with changing the "sameness" that seems to exist. Mr. Gallagher stated they share the vision that the "SilverRock" theme needs to be unique. It also needs to be geographically appropriate for Southwest and Colonial images that are part of the desert life. Chairperson Henderson asked if they have designed a facility using a traditional architectural style along with a dramatic feature that has a RedevelOpment Agency Minutes 3 October 16, 2003 completely opposite style without destroying the 'integrity of the original design. Mr. Gallagher indicated the Silver Creek Country Club in San Jose has a traditional Spanish exterior with a dramatic octagonal skylight. Chairperson Henderson stated she was envisioning something really different. She asked if the architectural theme of the Ahmanson Ranch needs to be carried through the project or left as a "standalone" given its historical value. Mr. Burrell stated he feels it could work as a "standalone," and doesn't feel it needs to determine the vision of the entire project. It's compatible with architecture in the City and not a bad point of departure, therefore it could work either way. He stated it could be enhanced and some of the details carried over into the project. Chairperson Henderson noted it may be worthwhile to contact the architect who designed the Ahmanson Ranch. Board Member Sniff expressed caution in using a lot of glass because of the amount of heat in the area Mr. Gallagher indicated they take sunlight orientation into consideration in their designs. Board Member Adolph commented on the benefit of having three- dimensional images. He suggested the interior walls of the ranch house and amenities be of a temporary nature since the building will be refurbished after a permanent clubhouse is built. Chairperson Henderson referenced the problem Desert Willow has in trying to keep the dining room cool in the summer because of the windows, and asked about the use of solar panels. Mr. Gallagher stated it could be an appropriate use to explore but it's not used much in resorts. Board Member Adolph noted parapet walls are needed to hide solar .ipanels and that starts to dictate the architecture. ~-- ~Melzer Deckert & Ruder Architects (MDR) Mark Melzer and Steve Deckert, of MDR Architects, gave a brief Redevelopment Agency Minutes 4 October 16, 2003 presentation on the firm's work and how it could relate to the SilverRock Ranch project. In response to Board Member Sniff, Mr. Melzer stated they try to build a consensus when they work with multi-member agencies, and noted some cities have a golf committee with the mayor and one council member serving on the committee. He stated the scope of the project would include an early investigation of the ranch house to determine how much of it is usable. He indicated they have 10 employees in their firm, and are able to do a variety of architectural styles. He stated he personally likes the architecture principles of Frank Lloyd Wright. He went on to say they begin a project by doing a lot of research about the history of the community and the competition in the area. Mr. Deckert added they also like to work with the master planners and golf architect early on in the process to allow enough site area to do something special in the entry or arrival areas. Board Member Sniff stated he likes Moorish/Spanish architecture, and commented on the need for the project to be unique, outstanding, and functional. Board Member Adolph noted the design of the temporary clubhouse is not going to set the tone for the rest of the project. He pointed out something that still needs to be addressed is parking, which he assumes will be in the area east of the driving range with use of a shuttle to get people to the temporary clubhouse. He suggested the possibility of using the starter shack from St. Andrews near the driving range as a temporary starter shack for the project. In reference to a comment made by Mr. Melzer, he stated he would be opposed to making further'changes to the greens or tees even on a temporary basis. In response to Board Member Adolph, Mr. Melzer confirmed they have the ability to do three-dimensional presentations, as well as model or rendering forms. He indicated he feels models are more effective than computer images. Board Member Perkins commented the Agency wants to preserve the historical nature of the ranch house if it is used for a temporary clubhouse, and would like to have input on what the building can accommodate after a permanent clubhouse is built. He also commented on the need for this project to stand above all others. Redevelopment Agency Minutes 5 October 16, 2003 In response to Chairperson Henderson, Mr. Melzer stated they would , ,,,,,, have liked to use natural stone in the Indian Wells project but it's much heavier than artificial rock and due to the seismic factors, more costly to clad buildings with. He stated most people are surprised to learn the stone is artificial, and the technology has improved even more since then. He stated the use of artificial rock is becoming more the standard due to the economics of it. He indicated they work with the vision of the golf course architect in designing restrooms for the golf course to make them unobtrusive as possible with screening. He stated they do not design for the "wow" factor and have not incorporated a sudden dramatic architectural feature that was not part of the traditional architectural style of a project. He added they tend to resort to landscape elements as a "wow" factor. Mr. Deckert indicated they can provide three-dimensional images for the outside of the buildings but tour-through images are not cost effective for temporary buildings. The Agency concurred to proceed with the ballot process at this time. Ballot No. I ~-' Board Member Adolph voted for Dahlin Group i Board Member Perkins voted for Dahlin Group '~ Board Member Sniff voted for MDR Chairperson Henderson voted for Dahlin Group MOTION - It was moved by Board Members Sniff/Adolph to authorize staff to negotiate a contract for building architectural services with the Dahlin Group. Motion carried unanimously with-Board Member Osborne ABSENT. CHAIR AND BOARD MEMBERS' ITEMS - None PUBLIC HEARINGS - None Redevelopment Agency Minutes 6 October 16, 2003 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, it was moved by Board Members Sniff/Adolph to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, JUNE S. GREEK, Secretary City of La Quinta, California