2007 10 24 ALRC
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ARCHITECTURE AND LANDSCAPING
REVIEW COMMITTEE
AGENDA
A Special Meeting to be Held at the
La Ouinta City Hall - South Conference Room
78-495 Calle Tampico, La Ouinta, California
OCTOBER 24, 2007
10:00 A.M.
Beginning Minute Motion 2007-028
I. CALL TO ORDER
A. Pledge of Allegiance
B. Roll Call
II. PUBLIC COMMENT
This is the time set aside for public commeht 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 19, 2007.
V. BUSINESS ITEMS:
A. Item ........................ SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 2006-892
Applicant ................ Tarlos & Assocites, Architect
Location.................. Southwest corner of Depot Drive and Highway
111
Request.................. Consideration of architectural and landscaping
plans for a 7,000 square foot freestanding
restaurant building
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 November 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 Special Meeting of Wednesday, October 24, 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, 78-630 Highway 111, on Friday, October 19, 2007.
DATED: October 19, 2007
~~,~cutive Secretary
City of La Ouinta, California
G: \ WPDOCS\ALRC\Agenda. doc
MINUTES
ARCHITECTURE & LANDSCAPING REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING
A Regular meeting held at the La Ouinta City Hall
78-495 Calle Tampico, La Ouinta, CA
September 19, 2007
10:00 a.m.
I. CALL TO ORDER
A. This regular meeting of the Architectural and Landscaping Review
Committee was called to order at 10:07 a.m. by Planning Director Les
Johnson.
B. Committee Members present: Jason Arnold and Bill Bobbitt. It was
moved and seconded by Committee Members Bobbitt/Arnold to
excuse Committee Member Ronald Fitzpatrick.
C. Staff present: Planning Director Les Johnson, Principal Planner Andrew
Mogensen, and Executive Secretary Betty Sawyer.
II. PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: Confirmed
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR:
A. Staff asked if there were any changes to the Minutes of September 5,
2007. Committee Member Bobbitt asked that Page 2, Item 7 be
amended to state, "...keep the water out of the street"; also Page 3,
Item 8, "Committee Member Fitzpatrick asked if the...." There being
no further changes, it was moved and seconded by Committee
Members Bobbitt/Arnold to approve the minutes as submitted.
V. BUSINESS ITEMS:
A. Review of Landscaping plans for the Dune Palms Neighborhood
Apartments and Community Center; a request of Coachella Valley
Housing Coalition for consideration of landscaping plans for the Dune
Palms Neighborhood apartments and Community Center located at the
northwest corner of Dune Palms Road and Avenue 48.
1 . Planning Director Les Johnson presented the information
contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the
Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee
September 19, 2007
Planning Department. Staff introduced Ron Gregory, landscape
architect, who gave a presentation on the project.
2. Committee Member Bobbitt asked if the adjoining projects were
in favor of the design. Staff explained the discussions that had
taken place with the neighboring projects. Committee Member
Bobbitt commended the applicant on the design of the project.
He asked about the sycamore tree as he was not sure how it
would do in the desert. Mr. Gregory stated he was not involved
in the plant selection, but they would be using the London Plain
species which should do fine. Committee Member Bobbitt
stated the other tree is the Elm which can be a very messy tree
and questioned whether it would be a high maintenance
problem. He had no other objections. Discussion followed
regarding the different species and watering systems.
Committee Member Bobbitt asked that the clumping bamboo
tree be used and not the running.
3. Committee Member Arnold questioned the pyracantha as it was
prone to disease and the thorns. Mr. Gregory stated it was
being used in this location for a specific purpose.
4. Committee Member Bobbitt stated he wanted to be sure the
trees do not grow to the point that they extend over the top of
the roof of the building. Mr. Gregory suggested the City host a
forum on landscaping design and/or maintenance to keep
landscaping designs from. becoming the "left over" part of the
overall design of a project. Projects are designed with the
landscaping being the last element in the design and most often
there isn't enough room left to do the landscaping properly.
Committee Member Bobbitt stated he questioned using the 48-
inch box trees at the onset as they will have a harder time
establishing a good root system. A smaller tree will outgrow
the 48-inch box tree because it can acclimate to the area faster.
The larger tree may have the visual impact, but the root system
may not hold up.
5. There being no further questions, it was moved and seconded
by Committee Members Bobbitt/Arnold to adopt Minute Motion
2007-027 recommending approval of Site Development Permit
857, as recommended. Unanimously approved.
VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None
2
Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee
September 19, 2007
VII. COMMITTEE MEMBER ITEMS: None
VIII. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Committee
Members Arnold/Bobbitt to adjourn this meeting of the Architectural and
Landscaping Review Committee to a Regular Meeting to be held on October 3,
2007. This meeting was adjourned at 10:41 p.m. on September 19, 2007.
Respectfully submitted,
BETTY J. SAWYER
Executive Secretary
3
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DATE:
OCTOBER 24, 2007
CASE NO:
SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 2007-892
APPLICANT:
TARLOS & ASSOCIATES, ARCHITECT
REQUEST:
CONSIDERATION OF ARCHITECTURAL AND LANDSCAPING
PLANS FOR A 7.000 SQUARE FOOT FREESTANDING
RESTAURANT BUILDING
LOCATION:
SOUTHWEST CORNER OF DEPOT DRIVE AND HIGHWAY 111
BACKGROUND
The applicant, Tarlos and Associates, is proposing a 7,000 square foot Souplantation
restaurant on the southwest corner of Depot Drive and Highway 111 (Attachment 1),
on a pad within the Komar Desert Center shopping center. Komar Desert Center was
originally approved by the City Council on January 1, 2006 under Specific Plan 05-
075. The ALRC previously reviewed and approved the landscaping and architecture for
seven adjacent retail buildings within the shopping center on December 6, 2006 and a
Mimi's Cafe restaurant on April 4, 2007.
PROPOSAL:
The proposed 7,000 square foot restaurant is contemporary building with tiered
massing that includes painted plaster, stack stone highlights, recessed windows, and
canopies. A portion of the north elevation facing Highway 111 will consist of split-face
blocks. All windows on the building are either recessed or covered by a canopy. The
service yard located at the northeast corner of the site will be fully enclosed by a wall
with a metal gate painted to match the building. All proposed lighting fixtures attached
to the building will be dark-sky compliant.
The building has been designed to have some variation and undulation of both the
massing and height. Forward depth of the building elevations will range from one to
two feet. Variation of the roofline will range by five feet with the tallest point of the
building at 24 feet in height. Roofline parapets will have a metal cap painted a
contrasting color. The building is located behind the landscaping setback and berm,
56.5 feet from the Highway 111 right-of-way.
Landscaping
The applicants have identified a water-efficient landscaping design containing Chinese
Pistache and Shoestring Acacia trees, and Texas Rangers, Agave, Red Yucca, Desert
Spoon, and Desert Ruellia for shrubs. The Komar Desert Center landscaping palate
uses the same plant selections but has a greater variety. The groundcover will consist
of decomposed gravel. The applicants will be providing landscaping around the
immediate perimeter of the building, as the surrounding landscaping has already been
approved as a part of the Komar Desert Center.
ANALYSIS:
The proposed restaurant is a geometrically-designed contemporary style similar to the
approved buildings in the Komar Desert Center and consistent with the Komar Desert
Center Specific Plan design guidelines. The color scheme will consist of a palate similar
to the other existing and approved buildings on the site. The landscaping palate will
also be consistent with the Komar Desert Center landscaping palate.
Although the applicants have revised the building to meet the Komar Desert Center
design guidelines, Staff has some concern with the building's cubic design and blank
walls. The applicants have provided some level of detail and variation to the building
elevations, but the general footprint remains rectangular. The use of canopies,
expansion joints, and recessed windows provide some relief. Staff recommends the
applicant provide a few additional trees along the south elevation to provide some
additional shading for parking and the building. Staff also recommends substituting the
Texas Rangers along the split face block wall on the north elevation with an alternative
specimen that provides some vertical relief, similar to those identified in the color
elevations.
RECOMMENDATION:
Review the development plans and if acceptable, recommend to the Planning
Commission approval of Site Development Permit 2007-892, subject to the following
Conditions of Approval:
1. Final landscaping and irrigation plans shall be prepared by a licensed landscape
professional. shall be reviewed by the ALRC and Public Works Director, and
approved by the Planning Director prior to issuance of the first building permit.
An application for Final Landscape Plan Check shall be submitted to the Planning
Department for final landscape plan review. Said plans shall include all
landscaping associated with this project, including perimeter landscaping, shall
be certified to comply with the 50% parking lot shading requirement, and be in
--- -
compliance with Chapter 8.13 (Water Efficient Landscaping) of the Municipal
Code. The landscape and irrigation plans shall be approved by the Coachella
Valley Water District and Riverside County Agriculture Commissioner prior to
submittal of the final plans to the Planning Department.
2. Exterior lighting shall comply with Section 9.100.150 (Outdoor Lighting) of the
La Ouinta Municipal Code.
3. All trash enclosures shall have a color and finish consistent with the buildings.
4. The applicant shall provide two additional trees along the south elevation in
order to provide some additional shading for parking and the building.
5. The applicant shall substitute the Texas Rangers along the split face block wall
on the north elevation with an alternative specimen that provides some vertical
relief, similar to those identified in the color elevations.
Transmitted by:
~'""" ---
Principal Planner
Attachments: 1 . Site plans and line elevations
2. Color building elevations
3. Color building rendering
4. Color landscaping plans
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City Council Agendas are
available on the City's Web Page
@ www.la-quinta.orq
CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA
LA QUINT A SENIOR CENTER
MULTI-PURPOSE ROOM
78-450 Avenida La Fonda
La Quinta, California 92253
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2007 - 5:00 P.M.
Adjourned meeting of the City Council for the purpose of meeting jointly with the
Planning Commission/Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee
Historic Preservation Commission
Investment Advisory Board
Community Services Commission
CALL TO ORDER
Roll Call:
Council Members: Henderson, Kirk, Osborne, Sniff, and Mayor Adolph
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
PUBLIC COMMENT
At this time, members of the public may address the City Council on any matter
not listed on the agenda. Please complete a "request to speak" form and limit your
comments to three minutes. Please watch the timing device on the podium.
Joint City CouncillCommission Agenda
October 23, 2007
STUDY SESSION
Joint Session - Planning Commission/ALRC - 5:00 p.m.
Roll Call: Planning Commissioners: Barrows, Engle, Quill, and Chairman Alderson
ALRC Members: Arnold, Bobbitt, Fitzpatrick
1. DISCUSSION OF MATTERS OF JOINT INTEREST TO THE MEMBERS OF THE
CITY COUNCIL, PLANNING COMMISSION, AND ARCHITECTURE AND
LANDSCAPING REVIEW COMMITTEE INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
THE VILLAGE STRATEGIC PLAN, CVWD LANDSCAPING ORDINANCE, AND
WATER EFFICIENCY STANDARDS.
Joint Session - Historic Preservation Commission - 6:45 p.m.
Roll Call:
Puente, Redmon, Sharp, Wright, Chairperson Wilbur
1. DISCUSSION OF MATTERS OF JOINT INTEREST TO THE MEMBERS OF THE
CITY COUNCIL AND THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE CURATION STUDY.
Joint Session - Investment Advisory Board - 7:15 p.m.
Roll Call:
Commissioners: Moulin, Park, Rassi, Ross, Chairperson Deniel
1 . DISCUSSION OF MATTERS OF JOINT INTEREST TO THE MEMBERS OF THE
CITY COUNCIL AND THE INVESTMENT ADVISORY BOARD.
Joint Session - Community Services Commission - 7:45 p.m.
Roll Call:
Commissioners: Gassman, Leidner, Long, Sylk, Chairman Weber
1. DISCUSSION OF MATTERS OF JOINT INTEREST TO THE MEMBERS OF THE
CITY COUNCIL AND THE COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION.
Joint City Council/Commission Agenda
2
October 23, 2007
.
ADJOURNMENT
The next regular meeting of the City Council will be held on November 6, 2007,
commencing with closed session at 3:00 p.m. and open session at 4:00 p.m. in the
City Council Chambers, 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Ouinta, CA 92253.
DECLARATION OF POSTING
I, Veronica J. Montecino, City Clerk of the City of La Ouinta, do hereby declare
that the foregoing agenda for the adjourned La Ouinta City Council Joint Meeting of
Tuesday, October 23, 2007, was posted on the outside entry to the Council
Chamber at 78-495 Calle Tampico and on the bulletin boards at 51-321 Avenida
Bermudas and 78-630 Highway 111, on October 19, 2007.
Joint City Council/Commission Agenda
3
October 23, 2007
~oflpa.~
TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
Honorable Chairman and Members of the Planning Commission
Honorable Members of the Architecture And Landscape Review
Committee
Les Johnson, Planning Directo~ q
October 23, 2007
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT: Discussion of Matters of Joint Interest to the Members of the City
Council, Planning Commission, and Architectural and Landscaping
Review Committee Including but not Limited to the Village Strategic
Plan, CVWD Landscaping Ordinance and Water Efficiency Standards
The purpose of this memorandum is to identify several discussion items for the
upcoming City Council, Planning Commission, and Architecture and Landscape
Review Committee joint meeting.
Village Strategic Plan
With the completion and adoption of the Village Parking Study last year, Planning
staff is now focusing upon the work program item to develop a Strategic Plan for
the Village. Key factors to be considered in the development of the Strategic Plan
aTe:
. Assessment of existing Village Zoning Code requirements and their limitations
in promoting a diverse mix of projects appropriate for the Village.
. Development of an enhanced context sensitive street design that promotes
and encourages a pedestrian friendly environment creating more intimate
"Village scale" settings. The streetscape design standards would focus on
traffic calming design and features, street trees and landscaping, outdoor
lighting, furniture, accessibility, etc., while also considering the streetscape
relationship with buildings and structures.
. Propose new innovative Village Design Guidelines. Potential to allow three-
story structures for specific uses, within certain limits. Consider setbacks for
the second and third story of multi-story buildings.
01
Planning staff is currently preparing a Request for Proposals to be circulated for
consultant assistance in updating the guidelines. Staff is requesting input from the
Council, Commission, and Committee Members regarding the type of design issues
to be considered as part of the update process.
Landscaping and Water Efficiency Standards
Over the past few years, both the City Council and planning Commission have
discussed and deliberated the topic of water efficiency. A Landscape Efficiency
Subcommittee was formed in 2005 with the purpose of evaluating the City's
standards and consideration of possible amendments. Much of the subcommittee
discussion at that time, focused upon changing the ET (evapotranspiration)
adjustment factor from the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) standard of .6
to .5. No changes were brought forth at that time as it was mentioned that CVWD
was already considering a reduction to .5.
On August 28, 2007, CVWD revised their landscape and irrigation system design
criteria. The new criteria went into effect on October 1, of which some of the key
amendments include reducing the ET adjustment factor to .5, limiting the amount
of turf for new and renovated golf courses, restricting placement of aboveground
emitter heads within two feet of the curb, and imposing monetary penalties for
violations of the new provisions.
At the August 28, 2007 Planning Commission meeting, Commissioners discussed
both landscaping and water efficiency standards ultimately directing staff to
prepare text amendments for these items. The new CVWD criteria addressed the
landscaping items identified by the Commission. The water efficiency standards
that were discussed are as follows:
1. Water features not use a potable water source.
2. Water features be located adjacent to and visible from the proposed
residential homes, rather than along a right-of-way.
3. Water features should be surrounded by a walking path and landscaping,
providing a recreational feature and aesthetic amenity for homeowners.
4. The water feature utilized a recreational or habitat function, such as
containing fish.
5. Water features served a dual purpose including use as a reservoir for storm
water, nuisance water, and/or irrigation storage purposes.
Staff is preparing amendments to the Municipal Code that will address the new
CVWD criteria and establish water effiCiency standards.
02