2008 01 15 RDA Minutes
LA GUINTA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
MINUTES
JANUARY 15, 2008
A regular meeting of the La Guinta Redevelopment Agency was called to
order by Chairman Osborne.
PRESENT: Agency Members Adolph, Henderson, Kirk, Sniff, Chairman
Osborne
ABSENT: None
PUBLIC COMMENT - None
CLOSED SESSION
1. Conference with Agency's real property negotiator. Douglas R. Evans.
pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8 concerning potential
terms and conditions of acquisition and/or disposition of real property
located at the southeast corner of Miles Avenue and Washington
Street. Property Owner/Negotiator: Lennar Desert Villas
Development. Gary Glazer; and CP Development La Guinta. LLC.
Richard Oliphant.
2. Conference with Agency's real property negotiator. Douglas R. Evans.
pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8 concerning potential
terms and conditions of acquisition and/or disposition of real property
located at the southeast corner of Jefferscm Street and Avenue 52.
Property Owner/Negotiator; RJT Homes-Codorniz. LLC.. Chad Meyer.
The Redevelopment Agency recessed to Ciosed Session to and until
the hour of 4:00 p.m.
4:00 P.M.
PUBLIC COMMENT - None
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA - Confirmed
Redevelopment Agency Minutes
2
January 15, 2008
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION - It was moved by Agency Members Henderson/Adolph to approve
the Redevelopment Agency Minutes of December 18, 2007 as submitted.
Motion carried unanimously.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF DEMAND REGISTERS DATED JANUARY 2 AND
JANUARY 15,2008.
2. RECEIVE AND FILE TREASURER'S REPORT DATED NOVEMBER 30, .
2007.
3. RECEIVE AND FILE REVENUE & EXPENDITURES REPORT DATED
NOVEMBER 30,2007, AND INVESTMENT SUMMARY FOR GUARTER
ENDING DECEMBER 31,2007.
4. APPROVAL OF A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH
HARVEY MILLS DESIGN FOR GOLF COURSE IRRIGATION DESIGN
FOR THE SILVERROCK RESORT SECOND GOLF COURSE
In regard to Item No.4, Chairman Osborne asked if the specs will
require using the same hardware as the first course.
Assistant City Manager-Development Services Evans stated will write
tight as possible in hope that bidders will come in with same
hardware.
Public Works Director Jonasson stated the plan is to have Raynebird
systems as the initial specification or something equal.
MOTION - It was moved by Agency Members Henderson/Sniff to
approve the Consent Calendar as recommended. Motion carried
unanimously.
Redevelopment Agency Minutes
3
January 15, 2008
BUSINESS SESSION
1. CONSIDERATION OF PRELIMINARY GOLF COURSE ROUTING PLANS
FOR SILVERROCK RESORT.
Assistant City Manager-Development Services Evans presented the
staff report.
Rex VanHuese, Jacobson Hardy, stated focus is design a first-class
golf course at the unique site of SilverRock Resort; and reviewed
Routing Plan Option A, B 1, B2 and the Preferred Routing Plan.
Agency Member Adolph stated the routing plan presented has
addressed many issues that have been considered; stated concern of
the substantial parking; stated it is necessary to provide a teaching
area; stated concern of the routing of the !:Ith hole, parallel to driving
range; and stated the Preferred Plan is an excellent golf course design.
Agency Member Henderson stated she is not particularly concerned
with the 40 acres on the corner; conveyed concern of how the area
will be utilized; and appreciates the development of the parcel in size.
Agency Member Kirk stated the general routing is good in size; stated
challenge to have the mountain as a backdrop; and questioned if the
Agency has an exclusive with Lowe on Parcel No.8. Assistant City
Manager-Development Services Evans explained Lowe has the right to
Parcel No 11 and purchase based if a project is proposed; and
explained the specific acreage is tied to spElcific map and would have
to go through a process to adjust the parcels.
Agency Member Kirk referred to Parcel No.8, and stated access is
confusing to Parcel No.8. Rex explained the access is at the 15th
green. Agency Member Kirk commented on the shape of development
parcels which seem more workable; stated open space parcel is a
concern; reduced parcel 15 by a number of acres and utilize the space
as a teaching facility, and questioned if the driving range be designed
to allow for overflow parking; stated the primary purposes of the
project is to generate long term, secure revenue; conveyed concern of
little development today with lots of parcels and the time to get to
Parcels 11 and 8; conveyed concern of providing open space and
would like to preserve parcel 1 5 at a larger size for other activities this
community desperately needs.
Redevelopment Agency Minutes
4
January 15, 2008
Agency Member Sniff stated under the current circumstances, the
consultants have done a good job; referred to the mountain
background and suggested an east west position.
Chairman Osborne referred to Parcel 15 relating to parking as well as
Parcels 11 and 8 for the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic.
John Pott, Landmark, stated Assistant City Manager-Development
Services Evans invited Landmark to review the plan and stated it is a
good routing plan overall; stated the front 9 is tight and Mr. VanHuese
has acknowledged; stated he is glad the Agency is considering to
enlarge the space for the practice facility as it is very important to
provide for the public's use; and stated it will be a good golf course.
Agency Member Henderson stated she has been in La Guinta for about
37 years and appreciates the desert and open space; stated the City
of La Guinta has done its best to provide open space and that this is a
community project; and stated the open space will need an identity.
Agency Member Kirk stated his intention for the open space was not
for passive use and this area does need it's own identity; stated it is
time to dig into this issue, first is infrastructure and second is design;
and stated if the Agency is forced into something in 10 to 20 years,
suggested to strongly take the challenge today.
Agency Member Henderson stated the follow-up on two of the parcels
which would not be developed for many years, and conveyed her
opposition to utilizing temporary parks for those parcels.
Assistant City Manager-Development Services Evans stated the scope
with HAS includes taking a more detailed design study with the corner
being developed with the golf course; stated the scope has an
aggressive design schedule for the next 6 to 8 months and suggested
to give attention to the items to be developed immediately.
MOTION - It was moved by Agency Members Adolph/Sniff to approve
the Preferred Routing Plan. Motion carried unanimously.
The Redevelopment Agency meeting was recessed to 7:00 p.m.
Redevelopment Agency Minutes
5
January 15, 2008
7:00 P.M.
The Redevelopment Agency reconvened the meetillg at 7:54 p.m.
BUSINESS SESSION (Continued)
2. CONSIDERATION OF SILVEROCK RESORT CLUBHOUSE SCHEMATIC
DESIGN PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND BUDGET UPDATE.
Assistant City Manager-Development Services Evans presented the
staff report.
Ule Rowe, HAS Design Group, reviewed the Site Plan and landscape
architecture.
Assistant City Manager-Development Services Evans commented on
the request to center the building on thl3 site; and reviewed the
reorientation of the parking lot and the effects of relocating the
staging area.
Agency Member Adolph stated the overall function and layout is great.
Mr. Rowe confirmed a caliper per box is included in the specifications
of the plan for the clubhouse, in response to Agency Member
Henderson.
In response to Agency Member Adolph, Mr. Rowe explained the use
of Mesquite trees along with desert trees.
Agency Member Henderson questioned on the use of black instead of
colored asphalt. Mr. Rowe stated the determination of using black, as
opposed to colored asphalt, may been due to a cost prohibitive factor.
Agency Member Henderson conveyed her concern of the black asphalt
retaining heat. Mr. Rowe illustrated the use of many trees in the
parking area which will provide a significant amount of shade. Agency
Member Henderson questioned the use of an oblong template rather
than square for the parking area. Mr. Rowe explained the design gives
the opportunity of not providing everything on a straight axis, and
decreasing the size of the planters may affect the growth of the trees.
Agency Member Henderson further questioned if solar panels are
planned to be utilized for the clubhouse building. Mr. Rowe stated
there are no physical structures in the plans to support solar panels.
Redevelopment Agency Minutes
6
January 15, 2008
In response to Agency Member Kirk, Assistant City Manager -
Development Services Evans stated staff can explore other
alternatives and the use of other colors for the design of the
clubhouse.
In response to Agency Member Adolph, Assistant City Manager-
Development Services Evans explained a decision has not been made
as to what decorative floor material will be used at the entrance of the
clubhouse.
Mr. Rowe explained staff has been working closely with Coachella
Valley Water District (CVWD) to comply with the new landscape
efficiency ordinance, which allows use of 72 acres of turf and an
additional 80 acres in the ancillary areas, in response to Agency
Member Kirk.
Mr. Rowe confirmed the second course does need to comply with
CVWD ordinance, and explained the existing course is using less
water than what was applied for.
In response to Agency Member Kirk, Mr. Rowe explained there are
upfront costs associated with creating a nursery of trees in 36" boxes
in preparation for planting upon completion of the parking lot; stated it
is not a common practice because of the costs associated.
Mr. Rowe explained a curb will enclose the planting area around the
trees, and that no thought has been give to the color of the curb;
stated color will be added around the trees; explained annual color will
be installed in accent, entry areas and possibly to the driving range;
consideration will be given to maintain and prune the trees without
disrupting the course activities; stated no evaluation or testing of the
soil has been conducted, in response to Agency Member Sniff.
Mr. Rowe further explained drainage of the soil will be part of the
design development process, a metered system will be installed for
irrigation, and drip system will also be utilized, in response to Agency
Member Sniff.
In response to Agency Member Henderson, Mr. Rowe explained the
planters will be curbed, and vehicle will not be able to drive through
the tree areas of the parking lot.
Mr. Robert Altevers, Altevers & Associates, reviewed the floor plans.
Redevelopment Agency Minutes
7
January 15, 2008
Agency Member Adolph stated the dome accent is an expensive
component to the project and is not necessary and it is not compatible
with the building design; stated a water feature was a better
component than a fireplace; and would rather see a hip roof with a
clear panel to allow natural light. Mr. Altevers stated the dome feature
is common in Mexican architecture.
Agency Member Henderson conveyed her appreciation of Agency
Member Adolph's concern over the costs; stated the Agency is
building something where everything on that project is supposed to
take it into the future and give it stature; conveyed her opposition to
approving a project without any identifying feature; understands the
concept of the fireplace and questioned if the feature can be a
convertible water and fire feature; stated the concept will become
better as the process proceeds; and has no problem with the dome.
Agency Member Kirk conveyed his appreciation of Mr. Altevers
attendance and spending so much time on the elevations; stated when
first saw elevations looked for something special; stated the window
treatment under the dome is fantastic and if took the dome away, this
could be almost any place in Southern California; conveyed concerned
if don't do something to identify the building it could look like a large
grocery store and a common place buildin!~; would like to see more
special features incorporated; stated in this case, some of these
additional elements may be less than 1 % of the total cost; with
respect to fire or water, supports the fireplace over the water feature
due to the water conservation issue; stated there have been
Spanish/Mexican influences in the region, and would like to see more
of the special elements; and stated the final design is 95% to
completion.
Agency Member Sniff stated the dome is great and may be a tad
larger but not necessarily higher; suggested to incorporate another
roof top feature on the left side of the building; would like to see the
use of colored tile, particularly in the archways; have no problem with
the fireplace and depends on the time of year whether to burn it or
not; stated this building could be outstanding, with a few
modifications; stated when reviewed the color rendering, first thought
of the Alamo, and suggested to give more c.olor.
Redevelopment Agency Minutes
8
January 15, 2008
Agency Member Kirk reinforced comments made by Agency Member
Sniff regarding the uniform roof; suggested to incorporate not only the
flat but the hip roof, and could go up and include the elements that
breakup the horizontal monotony.
Chairman Osborne stated this matter was discussed at a meeting
which ended about midnight, four year ago; stated he has no
comments regarding the architecture of the building.
Agency Member Kirk requested a photo montage of buildings with
parapet walls. Chairman Osborne suggested those concerns can be
addressed when the solar paneling is reviewed and discussed.
Agency Member Henderson questioned if the tile presented is only one
of many. Mr. Altevers stated the tile design will be a pallet of color
with different tiles in different areas.
Agency Member Sniff conveyed his support of the use of wrought iron
wherever possible; stated the brick effect varies the wall and expands
the dome inside; and suggested little out coves of light as they give
depth to the wall and can be very pleasing without being dominant.
Mr. Altevers stated shahs of light will be seen as there will be
skylights. Agency Member Sniff suggested the use of colored glass to
give a different hue of light.
Agency Member Henderson conveyed her appeal of the decorative
tiles and patterns displayed, but a little more subtle and symmetrical;
stated the site plan clearly illustrates the roof is necessarily a flat line;
stated she is hesitant in supporting the Planning Commission's
suggestion to use solar, but is delighted to have them incorporated.
Agency Member Kirk conveyed his concerned of the parapet style and
a long flat roof; stated there are solar products out today that can give
slopes or an angle that my be more effective; and questioned if the
dome from the interior is a bit of a faux dome. Mr. Altevers confirmed.
Agency Member Kirk further commented by stating there is something
special to looking at the building and having a literal interpretation of
the building on the inside as well as the outside; and suggested to
extend the dome. Mr. Altevers explained the interior dome can be
stepped in as the height progresses.
Agency Member Adolph conveyed his like to the material pallet; stated
the long horizontal line of the building needs to be addressed, but it
will not be seen when standing next to the building at ground level.
Redevelopment Agency Minutes
9
January 15, 2008
Chairman Osborne conveyed his support of the roof as it is presented
because it allows for the solar panels and they will not be noticed;
stated he likes the dome and making it progress all the way on the
inside, as well as the proposed color pallet.
In response to Chairman Osborne, Assistant City Manager-
Development Services Evans stated staff has spoken to the design
team regarding completion date; explained staff would need to move
up the schedule a couple of months to be able to complete the project
by the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic event in 1 he year 2010; and stated
staff can report back to the Agency regarding this issue
Agency Member Henderson stated it was her understanding the
clubhouse opening would be closely tied with the opening of one of
the hotels.
Agency Member Kirk stated the architect has received a number of
comments tonight. Assistant City Mananer-Development Services
Evans stated the next stage would be the design development which
will be more refined and have better cost estimates, and responses to
the comments made tonight.
Agency Member Adolph stated his appeall of the building and the
layout and is convinced on the two entry doors to the clubhouse;
stated he is not supportive of the dome feature as it is not compatible
to the design of the building; stated he will support the concept
nonetheless; and stated for the record he believes making a mistake if
we start into overrides of the project.
MOTION - It was moved by Agency Members Henderson/Kirk to
approve the SilverRock Resort permanent clubhouse schematic design
program and budget, incorporating the consensus comments made by
the Agency when it comes back.
In response to Agency Member Sniff, Assistant City Manager-
Development Services Evans stated additional details will come back
in the next stage that he feels will satisfy any concerns.
Motion carried by a vote of 4-1, Agency Member Sniff dissenting.
Redevelopment Agency Minutes
10
January 15, 2008
3. CONSIDERATION OF REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY REORGANIZATION.
MOTION - It was
appoint Agency
unanimously.
moved by Agency Members Henderson/Adolph to
Member Kirk as Chairman. Motion carried
MOTION - It was moved by Agency Members Osborne/Kirk to appoint
Agency Member Henderson as Vice-Chair. Motion carried
unanimously.
STUDY SESSION - None
CHAIR AND AGENCY MEMBERS' ITEMS - None
PUBLIC HEARINGS - None
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved by Agency Members
Adolph/Sniff to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
ZV,"b:;U"
VERONICA . MONTECINO, Secretary
City of La Guinta, California