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1999 10 07 ALRC Minutes MINUTES ARCHITECTURE & LANDSCAPING REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA October 7, 1999 10:00 a.m. 1. CALL TO ORDER A. This meeting of the Architectural and Landscaping Committee was called to order at 10:06 a.m. by Planning Manager Christine di Iorio who led the flag salute. B. Committee Members present: Bill Bobbitt, Dennis Cunningham, and Frank Reynolds. C. Staff present: Planning Manager Christine di Iorio, Principal Planner Stan Sawa, Associate Planner Leslie Mouriquand, and Executive Secretary Betty Sawyer. II. PUBLIC COMMENT: None. III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: A. Associate Planner Leslie Mouriquand informed the Commission that Mr. Kent Armstrong, Century-Crowell Communities, had called to state he was going to be late and requested that if his item came up before he arrived could the Agenda be rearranged to take his item last. The Committee agreed. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR: A. Planning Manager Christine di Iorio asked if there were any changes to the Minutes of September 15,1999. There being no corrections, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Cunningham/Bobbitt to approve the minutes as submitted. Unanimously approved with Committee Member Reynolds abstaining. V. BUSINESS ITEMS: A. Site Development Permit 98-658; a request of Eisenhower Medical Center and La Quinta Medical Group for approval of architectural and landscaping plans for a two story medical office building (Phase I). 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. C:\My Documents\ WPDOCSIALRC 10-7-99. wpd I Architectural & Landscape Review Committee October 7, 1999 2. Committee Member Cunningham stated the building is too plain. He concurs with staff that the front elevation needs more articulation to bring some interest. This size of the building makes a statement and it should have more detail. He asked if the overhang would have exposed rafters. Staff stated it would. Committee Member Cunningham stated the four by four rafters need some beefing up. 3. Committee Member Bobbitt stated he agreed and asked if the roof line would be broken up and would the recommendation be sufficient. The ends of the building need some help as well. Planning Manager Christine di Iorio stated that if the Committee Members recommend a change, it would be up to the archite"t to submit changes. Committee Member Bobbitt asked about the height limitations. Principal Planner Stan Sawa stated the Specific Plan has a height limit of36 feet and the Code allows 50 feet. Adjacent to residential uses, lower heights are generally preferred. 4. Committee Member Reynolds stated his concern was the maneuverability of the trash and delivery trucks. The access needs to be moved to the south or east side. Staff stated that due to the residential uses being on the east and south sides, it was suggested the trucks enter from the west due to the noise. 5. Committee Member Bobbitt stated his concern with the Date Palm trees and the high concentration around the courtyard area. He would prefer to see a different type of palm that is not as dangerous due to crown drop. In regard to the other plants, the Ash tree in the parking lot will be messy and has an invasive root system that will tear up the parking surface. He would recommend that it be changed. Other than that, he has no problems with the plant pallet. 6. Mr. Jim Cioffi, architect for the project, stated the windows would be recessed and staff recommendations will be taken into consideration. The design was to let the masses and forms play off themselves. In regard to the roof, it is his impression that it does have a lot of variation and he passed out a rendering showing the details of the roof. They could articulate the tower, but the suggestion regarding changing the hip will not gain anything. It is a two piece tile roof. Planning Manager Christine di Iorio asked Mr. Cioffi to explain his comment in regard to the hip roof. Mr. Cioffi stated he understood staff wanted the hip raised, but as shown in the rendering, the roof did have variations. Staff explained the desire was to raise the roof line with a parapet design. With regards to the hip roof staff is recommending extending the roof overhang to eliminate the tile roof awning. Mr. Cioffi stated they had lowered the roofline and would be using six-inch by six-inch rafters for extra emphasis. They would however, introduce some articulation to the ends of the buildings and they will be using a steel sash, recessed windows. Their concern is that they do not want to put residential detail on a commercial building. C:IMv Documents\ WPDOCSIALRC I 0-7-99. wDd 2 Architectural & Landscape Review Committee October 7, 1999 7. Committee Member Cunningham stated the roof design as shown by the rendering looks nice. 8. Mr. Cioffi stated they would review the trash element and if staff would give them some leverage with the parking they will see what can be done to remove parking that may be in the way. However, the adjoining residents were adamant about not having to hear the trucks coming and going. 9. Committee Member Cunningham asked if they concurred with staffs recommendation. Mr. Cioffi stated yes, but he was questioning the window treatment. Staff stated that what was wanted was a variety of size and shapes to bring interest to the building. 10. Committee Member Bobbitt asked what the response was from the Lake La Quinta residents. Staff stated one property owner had been in to see the project and they were not overly concerned with the project. Mr. Cioffi stated they had met with the Homeowners' Association (HOA) who were pleased with the design, and will meet with the HOA for Rancho La Quinta. 11. Committee Member Bobbitt stated he supported the look as displayed in the rendering and believed the structure should go along with the look of the church and the shopping center. 12. Mr. Coiffi stated they would look at the use oflintels, as well as the roofline, window locations and shapes. 13. Planning Manager Christine di Iorio stated the only change to the conditions is removing the recommendation for a parapet roof. The plant palette is fine except for the use of Date Palm and Ash trees. Discussion followed regarding the different trees. 14. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Cunningham/Bobbitt to adopt Minute Motion 99-019 recommending approval of Site Development Permit 98-658, subject to conditions as recommended. Unanimously approved. B. Site Development Permit 99-655; a request of First School of the Desert for approval of architectural and landscaping plans for a preschool facility located at the northeast comer of Adams Street and Miles Avenue. 1. Associate Planner Leslie Mouriquand presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. C:\My Documents\WPDOCSIALRCI 0-7-99.wpd 3 Architectural & Landscape Review Committee October 7, 1999 2. Mr. Mark Hastings, representing the School, stated the architectural elements would be the same as those contained in the pictures submitted of their Cathedral City and Palm Springs Schools. Discussion followed regarding the different architectural and landscaping elements on the different schools. 3. Committee Member Cunningham stated he thought the use of the property is excellent and very attractive. 4. Committee Member Bobbitt agreed. 5. Committee Member Reynolds asked how the property would drain. Ms. Margo Williams, with Mainiero Smith and Associates, stated it would drain down Ladera Street into the existing basins to the east. 6. Committee Member Bobbitt asked if the City intended to install any left turn lanes at the signal at this intersection. Mr. Hastings explained their drop off procedure. The children will be taken to the classroom and dropped off with the teacher and all the play areas are in the rear of the property. 7. Committee Member Cunningham asked the hours of operation. Mr. Hastings stated 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. five days a week When they started their Cathedral City they were in an existing residential area and they had to address issues regarding circulation and traffic. 8. Committee Member Bobbitt asked how many students. Mr. Hastings stated 128 students. 9. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Bobbitt/Cunningham to adopt Minute Motion 99-020 approving Site Development Permit 99-655 as recommended. Unanimously approved. C. Site Development Permit 99-660; a request of Century-Crowell Communities for approval of architectural and landscaping plans for two new prototype residential condominium units within Tract 20158, along the south side of Calle Norte, east of A venida Las Verdes, within Duna La Quinta. I. Associate Planner Leslie Mouriquand presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. Staff noted the correction in square footage for the units. 2. Committee Member Bobbitt asked if this site was currently being graded. Mr. Armstrong stated yes and the differential is nine feet causing the split level unit design. C:IMy DocumentsIWPDOCSIALRClO-7-99.wpd 4 Architectural & Landscape Review Committee October 7, 1999 3. Committee Member Cunningham stated the design appearance is good and he has no objection. 4. Committee Member Bobbitt stated the split level units are a nice look and offers a.variation in the floor plan. 5. Committee Member Bobbitt asked ifthere would be any drainage problems with the split level units for the area behind the garage. Mr. Armstrong stated no, they would be using a sealant as well as drainage systems to assure there were none. 6. Committee Member Reynolds stated he too agreed the design and layout were attractive. 7. Planning Manager Christine di Iorio asked if flat tile or "S" tile was proposed to be used. Mr. Armstrong stated the units would have a mix of flat and "S" tile with two to three colors. 8. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Cunningham/Bobbitt to adopt Minute Motion 99-021 approving Site Development Permit 99-660 as recommended. Unanimously approved. VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None V. COMMITTEE MEMBER ITEMS: None VI. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members CunninghamlBobbitt to adjourn this regular meeting of the Architectural and Landscaping Review Committee to the next regular meeting to be held on November 3, 1999. This meeting was adjourned at 11 :18 a.m. on October 7, 1999. C:\My Documents\ WPDOCSIALRC I 0-7-99.wpd 5