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2006 01 17 ALRC ~of.(wa~ ARCHITECTURE AND LANIDSCAPING REVIEW COMMITTEE A G E N DA A Re-Scheduled Meeting to be Held at the La Ouinta City Hall Session Room 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Ouinta, California JANUARY 17, 2006 10:00 A.M. Beginning Minute Motion 2007-001 I. CALL TO ORDER A. Pledge of Allegiance B. Roll Call II. PUBLIC COMMENT This is the time set aside for public comment on any matter not scheduled for public hearing. Please complete a "Request to Speak" form and limit your comments to three minutes. III. CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA IV. CONSENT CALENDAR: Approval of the Minutes of September 20, 2006. V. BUSINESS ITEMS: A. Item ....................... SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 2006-876 Applicant ................ Laing Luxury Homes Location ................. Washington Street and north of the Avenue 48 terminus. Request................ .. Consideration of architectural and landscaping plans for prototypical residential plans for use in Tentative Tract 35060. Action .................... Minute Motion 2007- - ARCHITECTURE AND LANDSCAPING REVIEW COMMITTEE VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL VII. COMMITTEE MEMBER ITEMS: VIII. ADJOURNMENT This meeting of the Architecture and Landscape Review Committee will be adjourned to a Regular Meeting to be held on February 7,2007 at 10:00 a.m. DECLARATION OF POSTING I, Betty J. Sawyer, Executive Secretary of the City of La Ouinta, do hereby declare that the foregoing Agenda for the La Ouinta Architectural and Landscaping Review Committee Rescheduled Meeting of Wednesday, January 17, 2007, was posted on the outside entry to the Council Chamber, 78-495 Calle Tampico, and the bulletin board at the La Ouinta Post Office bulletin board. 78-630 Highway 111, on Friday, January 12, 2007 DATED: January 12, 2007 ~~~~tive Secretary City of La Ouinta, California G:\ WPDOCS\P.LRC\Agenda .doc MINUTES ARCHITECTURE & LANDSCAPING REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING A Special meeting held at the La Ouinta City Hall 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Ouinta, CA December 6, 2006 10:00 a.m. I. CALL TO ORDER A. This meeting of the Architectural and Landscaping Review Committee was called to order at 10:07 a.m. bY Planning Manager Les Johnson. B. Committee Members present: Bill Bobbitt, Frank Christopher and Tracy Smith. C. Staff present: Planning Manager Les Johnson, Principal Planners Stan Sawa and Fred Baker, and Executive Secretary Betty Sawyer. II. PUBLIC COMMENT: None. III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: Confirmed. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR: A. It was moved and seconded by Committee Members Christopher/Smith to approve the Minutes of October 18, 2006 as submitted. Unanimously approved. V. BUSINESS ITEMS: A. Specific Plan 99-035, Amendment No. l' a request of East of , Madison, LLC for consideration of final working drawings for Avenue 52, 54, and Monroe Street perimeters around the Madison Club for the property located south of Avenue 52, and east of Madison Street. 1. Principal Planner Stan Sawa presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. Staff introduced Cindy Zamorez, representing East of Madison, who gave a presentation on the project. 2. Committee Member Bobbitt asked if any solution had been reached regarding the view corridors. Staff stated they were provided, but needed some revision on Monroe Street. t::.\ \^,pn()r~\ 1\ I Rr\ 1 ?_~_()~ nnr Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee December 13, 2006 3. Committee Member Christopher stated they did need to weigh the attributes of the community within and surrounding in order to resolve the issue. He suggested the trees be moved even to 150 feet apart and tiered down the slope. 4. Committee Member Bobbitt stated the berms are excessive to begin with, but to add trees on top is an over kill. Staff noted that due to the excessive berms, staff would be closely reviewing specific plans in the future for the perimeter treatments. Ms. Zamorez stated they would like to request that the placement of the trees be coordinated with the development of the golf course. Committee Members agreed that it be spaced sporadically and not just 150 feet apart. 5. There being no further questions, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Christopher/Smith to adopt Minute Motion 2006-034 recommending approval of Specific Plan 99- 035, Amendment No. 1, as recommended. Unanimously approved. B. Site Development Permit 2006-865; a request of CNL Desert Resorts, LP for consideration of architecture and landscaping plans for a Signature Pool Facility located on the west side of Avenida Obregon, south of Avenida Obregon, in the La Ouinta Resort. 1. Principal Planner Stan Sawa presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. Staff introduced David Urban of CNL Desert Resorts, and Anne Guillebeaux, EDSA, lead designer, stated they were available to answer any questions. 2. Committee Member Christopher asked what units are privately- owned units. Staff noted the tennis villas and explained where the property locations were on the site. Committee Member Christopher noted there will be an enormous amount of equipment that will create a lot of noise that will need to be mitigated as well as the movie equipment. Discussion followed regarding complaints that had been received about the project. 3. Committee Member Bobbitt stated the noise element will be significant. Mr. Urban explained how the mechanical equipment would function and that a noise study was being required. The movie screen is not a permanent fixture, but an amenity to be used on occasion. Many of the tennis villas, adjacent to the r::.\\^,pnnr~\l\r Rr\1 ?_,c:_nj::l nnr 2 Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee December 13, 2006 wave pool, are in the rental pool of the hotel. Planning Manager Les Johnson clarified that the environmental review would be completed before the project was taken to the Planning Commission or City Council. 4. Committee Member Smith asked if there would be a wall separating the tennis villas from the pool area. Ms. Guillebeaux stated there currently is a three foot wall but, they would be required to fence the entire area. It will have a six foot tall fence and access will only be through the main entrance. Committee Member Smith stated that in regard to the plant material, he has no concerns. There are some plants that he was unfamiliar with, but since this is private property, the applicant will replace what does not work. He would recommend the removal of the Parkinsonia trees as they are thorny and can be a nuisance. Discussion followed regarding the species that were messy and will be high maintenance. 5. Committee Member Christopher asked about the date palms. Ms. Guillebeaux explained they would not be transplanting any of the trees, but would be adding new younger trees to the site. 6. Committee Member Bobbitt asked that any palm trees used in high traffic area be healthy young trees and special care will need to be taken when any trees are transplanted. 7. There being no further questions, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Smith/Bobbitt to adopt Minute Motion 2006-035 recommending approval of Site Development Permit 2006-865, as recommended with the removal of the Parkinsonia trees and consider less deciduous trees. Unanimously approved. C. Site Development Permit 2006-874; a request of Komar Investments LLC for consideration of architectural and landscaping plans for seven commercial buildings located on the south side of Highway 111 at Depot Drive. 1. Principal Planner Fred Baker presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the. Community Development Department. Staff introduced Keith Pittsfird, SPGA Architecture and Planning, Peter Brandow, Peter Brandow and Associates Landscape Architects, Clint Knox, Project Manager, Vache Hanessian and Jim Brockman with Komar, who gave a presentation on the project.. r::.\\^,pnnrc;:\,~' Rr\1 ?h_ns::: nnr 3 Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee December 13, 2006 2. Committee Member Christopher asked if the circulation plan was coordinated with Costco. Staff noted the main driveways and internal design were dictated by Costco. 3. Committee Member Bobbitt asked about the graphic art panels on the sides of some of the buildings. Staff explained the proposal. 4. Committee Member Christopher asked if the art work would be lit. Mr. Pittsford stated each piece will be lit in some manner with florescent tube lighting. 5. Committee Member Bobbitt explained he did not want any buildings with back wall that had no articulation. Mr. Pittsford explained the landscaping proposed and potential art work. Staff explained the concern was the loading dock on Building IIA". Mr. Pittsford explained this building was a showroom and not a warehouse. There would not be a lot of deliveries. Staff noted the loading dock could be reduced in size. Mr. Pittsford stated there will be a gate to help screen the area. Planning Manager Les Johnson asked if the entrance to the loading dock could be arranged to minimize people cutting the corner. Mr. Brandow explained they were proposing to extend the planter to keep this from happening as well as allow the truck to pull in and out. 6. Staff discussed the treatment they were recommending for the rear of the building walls that face areas easily viewed by the public. Discussion followed regarding screen walls and landscaping that was proposed to be used for screening. Mr. Pittsford explained they will need help from the Fire Department and others regarding the wording that would be required on the doors. 7. Committee Member Christopher suggested using a hedge instead of a wall for the parkway entrance. Mr. Pittsford asked about a green-screen that creates a hedge that is four feet in width that could be used against the building. Mr. Brandow suggested a short hedge be used to blend in with the rest of the center. 8. Committee Member Bobbitt stated it would depend on the species of hedge. He suggested alternative species. r::.\\MPnnrC::\lll J:lr\1 ?_h_ns::: nnr 4 Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee December 13. 2006 9. Committee Member Smith asked that the thorny trees be replaced as well as changing some of the deciduous species. Also, use a different vine that is not poisonous. 10. Staff explained the articulation being recommended for Building "H" where the rear wall faces the gas station. Mr. Pittsford explained the articulation they have added. 11. Committee Member Christopher asked that the access doors on the buildings be better defined. Committee Members all agreed with the use of artwork on the back of the buildings. Committee Member Christopher questioned the circulation at the center entrance. Why was there an island and not a two lane driveway all the way into the center. Staff explained it is an area of concern and will be monitored to see where the traffic flows. Discussion followed regarding how the traffic circulation would flow. Committee Member Christopher asked if the steel beams on Building "D" would be treated. Mr. Pittsford explained the material and treatment. 12. There being no further questions, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Smith/Christopher to adopt Minute Motion 2006-036 recommending approval of Site Development Permit 2006-874, as recommended with the deletion of the Gleditsia Tricanthos "Sunburst" trees and Gelsemium Sempervirens vine, and adding a linear hedge on the east side of Building "E" as well as Building "H"; Building "A" delete the screen wall. Unanimously approved. VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None VII. COMMITTEE MEMBER ITEMS: None VIII. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Christopher/Smith to adjourn this Regular Meeting of the Architectural and Landscaping Review Committee to a Regular Meeting to be held on January 3, 2007. This meeting was adjourned at 11 :38 a.m. on December 6, 2006. Respectfully submitted, BETTY J. SAWYER Executive Secretary r::.\\^,pnnrC::\1~1 Qr\1 ?_h_ns::: nnr 5 ~of4La.~ ARCHITECTURE AND LANDSCAPE REVIEW COMMITTEE DATE: JANUARY 17, 2007 CASE NO: SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 2006-876 APPLICANT: LAING LUXURY HOMES ARCHITECT: ROBERT HIDEY ARCHITECTS LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT: THE COLLA BORA TIVE WEST REQUEST: CONSIDERA TION OF ARCHITECTURAL AND LANDSCAPING PLANS FOR PROTOTYPICAL RESIDENTIAL PLANS FOR USE IN TENTATIVE TRACT 35060 LOCATION: WASHINGTON STREET AND NORTH OF THE AVENUE 48 TERMINUS BACKGROUND: This 28.33 acre site is located on the west side of Washington Street north of Laguna De La Paz and south of St. Francis of Assisi Church. The project site was the former location Ifor the La Quinta Arts Foundation. A Tentative Tract Map was previously approved for 74 lots in November of 2004 by a previous owner. Proposed is a new Tentative Tract Map (#35060) consisting of the same number of residential lots but in a different configuration. PROJECT PROPOSAL: Proposed along the perimeter of the project are 25 single family detached units (Haciendas) on lots ranging in size from 10,320 to 19,057 square feet. The interior of the project consists of 49 clustered single family detached units (Bungalows) on lots ranging in size front 6,281 to 9,395 square feet. Vehicle access to the project will be from two locations. The main entry will be from Washington Street with right-in, right- out turning movements while the second entry will be shared with the church property to the north and will lead to a signalized intersection at Washington and Via Marquessa. P:\Reports - ALRC\2007\ '-3-07\Laing\SDP 2006-876.ARLC rpt,doc Page 1 A common open space area is proposed at the center of the project consisting of turf and landscaping with a water feature and a shade Ramada with seating. This proposed open space area provides common area outdoor space adjacent to the clustered bungalow units and retains views to the Santa Rosa Mountains. Three paseos are proposed in an east/west routing through the bungalow units allowing interior pedestrian linkage for the project that connects to an open space/landscape setback along Washington Street. The open space/landscape setback area serves as a landscaped storm water retention area and includes pathways that link the paseos, main entry and two of the private roads. The pedestrian circulation routes traverse the basins through distinctive planting and desert shade trees, creating a physical and visual amenity for the residents. Architecture Plans Haciendas Proposed are twenty-five "hacienda" units ranging in size from 3,700 square feet to 4,100 square feet and are essentially located along the south and west property lines. Three plan types are proposed with two different elevations per plan designed in traditional Spanish architecture. All of the proposed hacienda units are single story and designed around a central outdoor living space. All are proposed to be constructed with pitched clay tile roofs, wood trim eaves enhanced with decorative rafter tails and stucco treatments. Chimney caps are proposed to be of a decorative sheet metal accented by brick to match the unit. Aluminum clad wood windows are proposed in a variety of colors creating distinctions between the homes. Walls are proposed to be a fine sand stucco finish with wood garage doors and arched entryways. Stuccoed walls are proposed to be accented by adobe brick, hand-painted tiles, architectural concrete, and ornamental iron details at the windows, doors, and gable ends. Bungalows A total olf 49 "bungalow" units are proposed that range in size from 2,392 square feet to 3,207 square feet that make up the interior of the projects. The bungalow units consist of six different plans in the traditional Spanish architecture with two different elevations per plan. Two of the plans propose a second story guest suite. Vehicle access to the uniits is proposed via shared driveways highlighted by either stamped concrete or brick paving. Much of the materials and detail treatments proposed for the bungalows are similar to the haciendas. Pitched clay tile roofs are proposed with eaves enhanced with decorative rafter tails and stucco treatments. Chimney caps are proposed to be of a decorative sheet metal accented by brick. Aluminum clad wood windows are proposed in a variety of colors to create distinction between the homes. Walls are proposed to be a fine sand stucco finish with wood garage and entry doors. Stuccoed walls are proposed to be accented by adobe brick, hand-painted tiles, architectural concrete, and ornamental iron details at the windows, doors, and gable ends. The bungalows abutting the Washington P:\Reports - ALRC\2007\ 1-3-07\Laing\SDP 2006-876,ARLC rpt,doc Page 2 bungalows abutting the Washington Street common area include view terraces. As proposed, the terrace design provides a small useable outdoor space overlooking the open space landscape area. Guardhouse and Entry Tower The main entry to the project proposes an entry plaza with a guard house and a 28 foot high entry structure that is reached via a bridge over the landscaped basin into the entry plaza. The plaza is proposed to have enhanced brick paving and is centered on the guardhouse. The entry plaza area is enclosed by a modeled stucco wall with decorative cap that ties into the tower. The guard house is proposed to be 22 feet high with a clay tile roof and a brick veneer with second story fenestration. The entry tower is proposed as an architectural icon identifying the project site and providing a gateway to the private pedestrian pathways. The entry tower is proposed to be 27 feet in height with a clay tile roof and stuccoed walls that will house an office, restrooms, storage and porch. Landscape Plans Common area and perimeter landscaping and wall plans are proposed. Landscaping is proposed along all perimeter edges of the project. The Washington Street frontage consists of a 150 foot landscape setback and retention basin which includes undulating landscape berming with a staggered/broken linear wall that will also provide sound mitigation for the project. Pad elevations for those units closest to Washington Street are approximately 5 feet higher than the fronting street. Based upon this design, the applicant has proposed the perimeter wall and berm for Washington Street at a maximum height of 12 feet. Trees proposed for the retention basin area include Afghan Pine, Pepper, Palo Verde, Mesquite, Sweet Acacia and Shoestring Acacia, Desert Ironwood, and Lemon Bottlebrush. Those trees proposed along the frontage area will be larger specimens in an attempt to soften the transition with the existing established frontage landscaping to the south as well as the transition between the proposed residences and Washington Street. The proposed landscape palette is drought tolerant has been selected from the CVWD plant palette. Three different water use levels or zones are depicted on the landscape plan illustrating the project. A 20-foot landscape buffer is proposed along the north project perimeter with an additionalllandscape area proposed for (and agreed to) the adjacent church property. A 20-foot landscape buffer is also proposed along the south project perimeter. The applicant has reported that the design of this landscape buffer has been reviewed and agreed to by the adjacent property Homeowner's Association. Proposed is a variable 15-85 foot wide landscape buffer along the west project perimeter. A stuccoed perimeter wall with a cap emphasizing a more traditional Spanish design is proposed. P:\Reports - ALRC\2007\ 1-3-07\Laing\SDP 2006-876,ARLC rpt.doc Page 3 The combined wall and berm along Washington Street will vary somewhat in height with a maximum height of 12 feet as the wall is proposed to be constructed along the undulating landscape mounding. Preliminary typical landscaping plans are proposed for each of the units. Most of the units will have a 20-25 foot landscaped front yard with the exception being for six of the bungalow units. A variety of trees are proposed that include Palms, Citrus, Pine, and Oak. All front yard landscaping will be maintained by the HOA. ANALYSIIS: The perimeter wall along Washington Street is proposed to be 6 foot high installed on a 6 foot berm that tapers at the ends and opening for the main entrance. The wall is proposed to be setback between 20 and 31 feet from the property line with staggered openings provided approximately every 120 feet. The impact of 12 foot visual barrier along Washington Street is significant. Staff is recommending the combined total height of the wall and the mounding be no more than eight feet with a maximum wall height of six feet; and that the wall have staggered openings every 100 feet. Should additional acoustic relief be necessary upon review of final construction plans, either garden walls adjacent to the units and/or acoustic insulation could be used. Additional landscaping trees could also be added to the basin should the applicant wish to maintain a strong aesthetic buffer along the frontage. In addition, the proposed perimeter stuccoed block wall presents a long linear image and needs to have visual relief. Staff is recommending pilasters be added at each opening and at the center of the 1 00 foot sections. The pilasters shall occur at every wall transition point along the Washington Street frontage. At the northwest portion of the property is a proposed cut into the base of a sand dune area with stepped retaining walls designed to eliminate erosion and drainage potential. The threE> tiered retaining walls runs a total length of approximately 450 feet. The three tiered walls rise approximately 8 feet, then 9 feet, and then 9 feet, totaling approximately 28 feet in height. Proposed is a four foot or less separation between each wall that provides a limited area for landscaping. The retaining walls are located approximately 700 feet from Washington Street with limited views, if any expected from the Washington Street frontage. Staff considers this a modern engineered approach to solve erosion and drainage concerns; however, the proposed design provides inadequate space and a 2: 1 slope between each wall for trees and shrubs to successfully grow. Staff recommends the retaining walls have additional stepping and design details that integrate the walls with natural elements such as rock outcroppings. Staff recommends additional trees and/or large shrubs be added to soften the potentially significant aesthetic impact of the proposed walls. Four foot spacing between the walls and a 2: 1 slope is not adequate to insure that trees will grow; staff recommends a minimum of six P:\Reports - ALRC\2007\ 1-3-07\Laing\SDP 2006-876.ARLC rpt,doc Page 4 a minimum of six feet between walls and a maximum of 3: 1 slope in locations where trees are proposed. As previously noted, the applicant is proposing Afghan Pines and Pepper Trees in the tree palette. Staff recommends that the ALRC discuss the appropriateness of these two trees being used in the proposed plant palette. RECOMMENDATION: That the Architecture and Landscape Review Committee review the development plans and if acceptable, adopt a minute motion recommending to the Planning Commission approval of Site Development Permit 2006-876, subject to the following Conditions of Approval: 1. A Community Development Department application for Final Landscape Plan Check shall be submitted for final landscaping plans and reviewed by the ALRC pelf the Code and application requirements with final approval by the Community Development Director. 2. The six foot tall perimeter wall proposed along north and south property lines shall be measured from the finished grade of the residential lots. Said walls shall be constructed of solid materials that prevent direct views of adjacent properties. 3. The applicant shall redesign the perimeter wall and berming along the Washington Street frontage for a maximum combined height of wall and berming not to exceed eight feet, of which the wall height shall not exceed six feet. Said wall shall have staggered openings every 100 feet and pilasters shall be placed at each end as well as the center of the 100 foot sections. 4. The applicant shall redesign the three tiered retaining walls. Said retaining walls shall have a curvilinear pattern with additional stepping and design details that integrate the walls with natural elements such as rock outcroppings. Additional trees and large shrubs shall be incorporated into the design to soften the visual impact of the proposed walls. A minimum of six feet between said walls and a maximum slope of 3: 1 shall exist in locations where trees and/or large shrubs are proposed. Attachments: Architectural and Landscape plans Prepared by: c~~ Fred Baker, AICP Principal Planner P:\Reports - ALRC\2007\ 1-3-07\Laing\SDP 2006-876,ARLC rpt.doc Page 5