1999 04 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
April 7, 1999
10:00 a.m.
I. CALL TO ORDER
A. This meeting of the Architectural and Landscaping Committee was called to order
at 10:08 a.m. by Planning Manager Christine di Iorio who led the flag salute.
B. Committee Members present: Bill Bobbitt and Dennis Cunningham.
C. Staff present: Planning Manager Christine di Iorio, Principal Planner Stan Sawa,
Associate Planners Leslie Mouriquand and Greg Trousdell, and Executive Secretary
Betty Sawyer.
II. PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: Confirmed.
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR:
A. Planning Manager Christine di Iorio asked if there were any changes to the Minutes
of March 3, 1999. There being no corrections, it was moved and seconded by
Committee Members CunninghamlBobbitt to approve the minutes as submitted.
Unanimously approved.
V. BUSINESS ITEMS:
A. Site Development Permit 99-619. Amendment # I; a request of RJT Homes, LLC, for
approval of architectural plans for two new prototype residences to be constructed in
Phase III and IV of Tract 25387 in La Quinta Fairways.
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.
2. Committee Member Cunningham asked staff to identify which lots are in
question. Staff indicated the lots on the map. Committee Member
Cunningham asked which roof ridge line staff was requesting the applicant
modify. Staff indicated the rear roof line. Committee Member Cunningham
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stated that from the street, this lack of detail has been a concern of the ALRC.
Mr. Chad Myer, Project Manager for RJT, stated they had met with staff and
are trying to accommodate staffs recommendations. The new plans were
designed with the living space in the front to accotmt for their location on the
perimeter of the tract and will be priced less. They have made some
revisions, but will continue to work with staff to complete the look desired
for homes backing up to Park A venue and Calle Tampico.
3. Committee Member Cunningham suggested a false dormer with a roof
ventilation system. Mr. Myer stated they would add something to the rear
elevation. Committee Member Cunningham stated the City does not want a
sea of red roofs, therefore, staff is looking to change roof elevations. They
do not want to redesign the house, but give developers the "feel" of what is
wanted.
4. Mr. Matt Evans, General Manager, RJT Homes, stated they wanted to work
with the City and they would make the changes as requested. Committee
Member Cunningham stated it was not the City's intent to add a financial
burden to the developer, but rather create variation and provide suggestions.
5. Mr. Myer stated he would work with staff to redesign the ridge line. He
further clarified that Lot 20 would be landscaped with a grotmdcover for dust
control.
6. Committee Member Bobbitt stated that dust control is an issue. Most of the
homeowner associations do not have ordinances or any type of enforcement
to control the dust. At PGA West they have provided their own dust control
because landowners would not work with them. It is an issue he would like
to see addressed by the City.
7. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Committee
Members CunninghamlBobbitt to adopt Minute Motion 99-008
recommending to the Planning Commission approval of Site Development
Permit 99-619, Amendment #1, subject to conditions as submitted.
Unanimously approved.
B. Site Development Permit 99-648; a request of Century-Crowell Communities for
approval of architectural plans for three prototype residences to be constructed in
Tract 27519 approximately 100 feet south of Desert Stream Drive and on the West
side of Dtme Palms Road in Aliso Del Rey.
1. Associate Planner Greg Trousdell presented the information contained in the
staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development
Department.
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Architectural & Lands,cape Review Committee
. April 7, 1999
3. Mr. Ed Knight, Century-Crowell Communities, project director, stated he
concurred with staff's recommendations.
4. Committee Member Cunningham asked if the colors presented were the
intended colors for the project. Mr. Knight stated they were. Committee
Member Cunningham stated it was important to work with the colors to
create as much variation as possible to break up the "sameness". He went on
to explain the City was looking to have additional detail on the side and rear
elevations as noted in the previous project they had just reviewed. He asked
if the chimney cap design would be changed. Discussion followed as to
variations that had been made on the plans. Mr. Knight stated they would
work with staff to make the changes as requested.
5. Committee Member Bobbitt asked what the rear setbacks were. Staff stated
they were 20 feet and would not interfere with the changes requested.
6. Committee Member Bobbitt asked about the Eucalyptus trees and whether or
not they would be maintained by a HOA. Mr. Knight stated an easement
would be created for the HOA them to maintain them. Committee Member
Bobbitt asked if the trees spilled over into the retention basin which is
maintained by the City. Ifthe block wall is built behind the houses and the
trees are on either side, then the City will be responsible for part ofthe trees.
Mr. Knight stated the wall is already existing and the trees are all on the one
side. The trees will be cleaned up and maintained by the HOA.
7. Committee Member Bobbitt asked about errant golf balls from the adjoining
Golf School and potential complaints by the homeowners, as it is inevitable
that someone will hit a ball that breaks a window. Has the La Quinta Golf
School been required to add screening? Mr. Knight stated the cost is
extensive and they are working with the Golf School to reach a solution. The
provision for protection is there, but they have not been resolved to date.
Committee Member Bobbitt suggested a secondary fence be installed closer
in to the golfers.
8. Associate Planner Greg Trousdell asked if the Golf School was agreeable to
the fence on the property. Mr. Knight stated the future fence would be
donated to the Golf School and hopefully placed on their property to lessen
the visual impact to their lots.
9. Committee Member Bobbitt asked ifthe City had a minimum house square
footage. Staff stated it was 1,400 square feet. Committee Member Bobbitt
suggested not using the larger Oleander species because of the blight that may
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Architectural & Landscape Review Committee
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set in. He also noted the project currently is using pine trees which he
believes is not appropriate for the desert. Mr. Knight agreed and they did not
intend on using the pine tree in the future.
10. Staff asked if the Committee wanted to specifY the species of trees or plants.
Committee Member Bobbitt stated the oleanders and pine trees should be
deleted from the plant list.
II. There being no further discussion it was moved by Committee Member
Cunningham/Bobbitt to adopt Minute Motion 99-009 recommending to the
Planning Commission approval Site Development Permit 99-648, subject to
the recommended conditions with the following changes:
a. Delete the use of the large oleanders and pine trees.
b. Decorative chimney caps shall be used.
Unanimously approved.
C. Capital Improvement Proiect 98-11; a request of the City for approval oflandscaping
plans for the parkway/stormwater channel.
I. Assistant Engineer Marcus Fuller presented the information contained in the
staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development
Department.
2. Committee Member Bobbitt stated he had no comments, but agreed that it
was a good idea to put a buffer between the turf area and the wall.
3. Committee Member Cunningham stated he had no objections or concerns.
4. There being no further discussion it was moved and seconded by Committee
Members Bobbitt/Cunningham to adopt Minute Motion 99-0 I 0
recommending to the Planning Commission approval of Capital Improvement
Project 98-11, as submitted. Unanimously approved.
VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL:
V. COMMITTEE MEMBER ITEMS:
A. Committee Member Bobbitt asked staff if there were any plans for Jefferson Street
and Washington Street widening. Staff discussed the plans that were proposed.
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Architectural & Landscape Review Committee
April 7, 1999
VI. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members
Bobbitt/Cunningham to adjourn this regular meeting of the Architectural and Landscaping
Committee to the: next regular meeting to be held on May 5, 1999. This meeting was adjourned at
11:05 a.m. on April 7,1999.
Respectfully submitted,
f
/.. ':H;X'c(]LU /f~
. B V~,'SA WYER, Executive Secretary
City MLa Quinta, California
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