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1998 11 20 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 November 20, -1998 9:00 AM. I. CALL TO ORDER " A This meeting of the Architecture and Landscaping Committee was called to order at 9:02 a.m. by Planning Manager Christine di Iorio who lead the flag salute. B. Committee Members present: Bill Bobbitt and Dennis Cunningham. C. Staff present: Planning Manager Christine di Iorio, Principal Planner Sawa, Associate Planner 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 October 20, 1998. There being no changes it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Cunningham/Bobbitt to approve the minutes as submitted. Unanimously approved. V. BUSINESS ITEM: A Site Development Permit 98-631; a request of Mainiero Smith and Associates, Inc. for A G. Spanos Corporation for approval of architectural and landscaping plans for 160 condominium units on 10.17 acres. I. Greg Trousdell presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. 2. There being no questions of staff at this time, the applicant was . asked to address the commission. Mr. Jack Lucas, Project Manager for the Spanos Corporation and this project, explained the architectural detail changes that had been made. He further explained the building fascia was drawn incorrectly by the architect. It will be tight to the building, compatible with the rest of the project, and will be a plastered overhang. 3. Committee Member Cunningham stated that the overhang was an excellent added detail and asked what material would be used on the garage doors. Mr. Lucas stated metal. C:\My Documents\WPDOCSIALRCll-20-98.wpd 1 Architectural & Landscaping Review Committee Minutes 'November 20,1998 4, Committee Member Cunningham asked if the notch over the garage could be taken straight across. Staff stated this was one of the recommendations. He stated that as this was a multi-family area with single family residences across the street, that by not bringing a lot of attention to the buildings by use of the hips on the ends, it is better to keep it clean to create subtlety to the building. This will blend with the neighborhood as the applicant is not building stacked rows of condominiums. There is some variation between the roof elements. In regard to the exterior colors shown on the color board, they are lighter than the color elevations and he has no objections. 5. Committee Member Bobbitt agreed with Committee Member Cunningham's architectural recommendations. He would prefer to have the lines cleaner to fit in better with the existing single family homes. 6. Committee Member Bobbitt stated that in regard to the landscaping, he has no problem with most of the plants proposed. The Phoenix Date palms that are being proposed, from a safety standpoint, have a certain inherent propensity for crown breakage as compared to the Washingtonia Palms that do not. This can create a safety concern and he is only making it known that they can be a problem. He would suggest using a less mature palm. 7. Committee Member Cunningham asked about the use oflandscaping in the parking lots where there are small planter areas as these palm trees do not work well in the planters and can be a problem. 8. Committee Member Bobbitt stated that any type of tree in a planter in a parking lot does not have enough room to grow. Upon installation it can look beautiful, but ten years down the road the homeowner's association has responsibility and are stuck with hardscape replacement that is very costly. He would like to work toward altering the guidelines dealing with trees and where to plant what species. Trees that are planted around residential units need to be of a variety that the full growth width of the head of the tree is acceptable for the area in which it is planted. Date Palms should be located at an entrance, not in highly populated recreation areas. 9. Mr. Jose Estrada, RHA Landscape Architects, commented on the Phoenix Palms or Phoenix Canariensis (Canary Island Date Palm) in that he thought the problem was mostly due to disease. Discussion followed as to problems that had been found in the Date Palm trees. Committee Member Bobbitt believes trees should be kept away from the concrete due to its root growth. '"l Architectural & Landscaping Review Committee Minutes November 20, 1998 10. Committee Member Cunningham asked for additional information regarding the proposed trees on Dulce Del Mar and if the existing Oleanders will remain. If they are not destroyed by disease, the proposed trees will be dispersed throughout the site. Staff is recommending they be more cylindrical. 11. Committee Member Bobbitt stated the proposed trees were a nice mix to give a variety of shape and colors. 12. Committee Member Cunningham suggested there be more and spaced better. Mr. Lucas stated the engineers had done a line of sight drawing which showed they needed to be sensitive to the location and size of the trees to mitigate the line of sight and insure privacy. They will add rnore trees as needed and some of them will be site specific. The existing Oleanders are healthy and 14 feet in height which will help mitigate the issue of privacy. Discussion followed as to plants that could be used. 13. Committee Member Cunningham recommended the landscaping proposed for the five foot wall along the Dulce Del Mar be increased. Planning Manager Christine di Iorio suggested additional trees be planted along the perimeter wall on Dulce Del Mar to better buffer the view of the residents. Trees could be relocated and added to better screen the project from the adjacent residences. Increase the box or tree size. 14. Committee Member Bobbitt suggested the removal of the Agapanthas unless used on the north side and suggested the removal of the Date Palms from the poo I area. 15. Committee Member Cunningham asked if there was anyone in the audience that would like to speak regarding this project. Mr. Bill Hansch, 78-175 Dulce Del Mar, asked when this project would be referred to as rental apartments, which they actually were. 16. Committee Member Cunningham clarified this meeting was for architectural and landscaping purposes only. Mr. Hansch stated that in front of his house he is going to have a 32-33 foot building. It only has a 20 foot setback and something needs to be done to change that setback. He suggested there be greater setbacks and/or move the building closer to Adams Street. Associate Planner Greg Trousdell clarified it was 20 feet to the street and then the street width. Mr. Hansch stated he would like to see the building heights reduced. Mr. Lucas stated they had met with the homeowners and they had requested moving the building, lower the heights, etc., and it was the opinion of the Spanos company that they had mitigated as many of their concerns as possible and still create a usable plan for the land use. C:\My Documents\ WPDOCSIALRC 11-20-98. wpd 3 Architectural & Landscaping Review Committee Minutes November 20, 1998 17. Committee Member Cunningham asked the height of the buildings. Associate Planner Greg Trousdell stated they were 30 feet. Committee Member Cunningham stated the Oleanders were currently 14 feet high. The view from Mr. Hansch's property would only be affected by the loss of a small portion of the Santa Rosa Mountains. The applicant has created a good land use pilip.. Mr. Lucas stated there was no view from the buildings within Lake La Quinta. The second floor windows that face the lake are all glass block which you cannot see out of or into. 18. Mr. Dutch Dilsaver, 78-835 Dulce Del Mar, stated his property is Lot 200. He was an ownerlbuilder and had to go through the City process to build his house. Across the street from him is a single family house that sits back 30- feet. Their windows look down into his yard because of the pad differentials at Lake La Quinta. The oleanders on Dulce Del Mar currently stand at 14 feet high from curb level. The builders stated the pads will be built up five feet. Add to that the 30 feet to the ridge line. This will be 36 feet above curb. Put 38 feet on top of 14 feet and now there is 24 feet extending above the Oleanders with a 20 foot setback. The buildings will be twice as high and closer to the curb. Something has to be done to prevent this oppression created by the buildings. He suggested helium balloons be placed at each of the building locations to determine the impact. It is up to the City to stop this at the beginning and consider the existing homeowners and those who have built up the City. 19. Mr. Ben Rosger, 47675 Via Montessa, stated he did not live adjacent to the project, but several hundred yards away, but he can see this will be an architectural monstrosity. People who have moved into an affluent community who are basically retired and want the beauty of the community are being asked to accept this project. Lake La Quinta is a gem for the La Quinta community. It should be noted that architecturally speaking this project does not fit next door to the existing community. Why would the City want to do this to a community that has built a pleasant community. Open car garages adjacent to their homes is not acceptable. He was told this was going to be a condominium project, not apartments. It is bad architecture to place this project next to single family homes. 20. Ms. Terry Tasso, Lake La Quinta resident, stated her concern was the second story balconies facing the single family yards and being able to look down into their bedrooms and yards. Mr. Lucas stated there are architectural details that are proposed that are higher than the allowable height of the rear yard fencing. It would be an architectural barrier that would not be as attractive as landscaping. Ms. Tasso asked why there have to be two story units. Mr. Lucas stated the entitlements for the property allow two or even three story C:\My Documents\WPDOCS\ALRCll-20-98.wpd 4 Architectural & Landscaping Review Committee Minutes November 20, 1998 units. The land use plan that was developed to utilize this property is for two story units. Ms. Tasso asked how this was allowed in an upscale community. Mr. Lucas stated that if the property entitlements allow the property owner to do this, then they can do so. 21. Committee Member Cunningham clarified that this is not the place for these type of comments. We would like to keep the comments to architectural and landscaping issues. The project has already been through the Code review process of determining what uses can be allowed. If the Lake La Quinta people want to change those uses, they need to address this under a different forum. Due to those property entitlements it is now this Committee's responsibility to make sure the plan complies with all applicable architectural and landscaping requirements. As a property owner he has the right to develop his property within those guidelines. The complaints that are being raised are not valid at this meeting. As to balconies, this Committee believes that with the use oflandscaping and additional trees, based on the zoning and entitlements, this plan is valid. Ifthe balconies are negatively impacting the surrounding neighborhood, they need to look at this. 22. Ms. Tasso stated that to use trees as camouflage does not keep out the noise. Mr. Lucas stated that in regard to the balconies a sound mitigation measure could be used similar to that used for the balconies that face Adams Street or 47th Avenue. A plastic or glass sound mitigation shield could be used to go on top of the balcony wall. Planning Manager Christine di Iorio asked how many balconies are proposed that will face the residents to the west. Mr. Lucas stated there are two buildings or a total of four balconies. All others have windows that face the street consisting of glass block which prevent view into the adjacent yards. 23. Committee Member Cunningham stated there is a substantial distance between the yards and the units with balconies. There is also the fact that there is a line of sight into the backyards. However, he does believe this could be mitigated by the use of trees that are substantial in size. Otherwise you can move the balconies. Planning Manager Christine di Iorio asked if garages were proposed to be constructed in front of the units with balconies; what is the height of the garages. Mr. Lucas stated their height would be 12 feet. The balcony would be above the roof. Committee Member Cunningham suggested the applicant be required to plant full grown trees to block visibility from the balconies and he would like this added as a condition. 24. Mr. Jay Baden, stated his concern was regarding the five foot wall that it would not be sufficient, especially if they were to lose the existing Oleanders. The raised grade on the Spanos side would reduce the height of the wall. The wall needs to be placed on the raised pad or berm to maintain the five C:\My Documents\WPDOCSIALRCII-20-98.wpd 5 Architectural & Landscaping Review Committee Minutes November 20, 1998 foot, and he would prefer a six foot. Associate Planner Greg Trousdell stated it was a five feet wall proposed above curb height. Discussion followed regarding the pad elevations. Mr. Lucas stated the wall could be placed on the berm. Conunissioner Cunningham stated this should be added to the conditions. 25. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Cunningham/Bobbitt to adopt Minute Motion 98-010 reconunending approval of the architectUral and landscaping plans for Site Development Permit 98-633 as followed: a. Specimen trees (24-, 36- and 48-inch boxes) shall be used for planting purposes around the project perimeter and adjacent to open parking spaces. b. The overall height of the recreation building shall be reduced to 22 feet to comply with Section 9.50.020 of the Zoning Ordinance. This design change shall be made before building permits are issued. c. Prior to issuance of building permits, subject to the Conununity Development Department approval, the building elevations shall be modified as follows: 1) remove the middle gable eave-end from garage elevations; and 2) modify eave mounted architectural popouts on side building elevations of Buildings 6, 7, 9 and 10 to match other buildings. d. Detached garage structures shall be architecturally compatible with other on-site buildings including stucco walls and hip, and tile roofs. e. Relocate and add landscaping/trees per the view analysis to best screen the adjacent residences along Dulce Del Mar. f. Relocate the Date Palms and use a different species III the conunon/pool areas. g. Provide trees large enough to block the view into the single family homes from the balconies that face to the west. h. Provide berm and wall combination along Dulce Del Mar at six feet high from the pad deviation of the project. Unanimously approved. G. Site Development Permit 98-638: a request of Citrus Development, LLC (Peter Jacobs), for approval of architectural plans for a new prototype residential unit. r.\Mv Dorllmp.nt<:.\WPDOCS\ALRCll-20-98.wud 6 Architectural & Landscaping Review Committee Minutes November 20, 1998 I. Principal Planner Stan Sawa presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. 2. Committee Member Cunningham stated he had no concerns as it appeared to tie in with what is existing. 3. Committee Member Bobbitt stated he had no cOmments. He liked the units and hoped the flowers will look that good when planted as they do on the exhibit. 4. Mr. Peter Jacobs, representing the applicant, stated the minimum number of front yard trees is four 24 inch box trees and they go up to six tree. They also have different walkway and driveway schemes. Probably will have two different elevations for each plan. 5. Principal Planner Stan Sawa suggested another facade be submitted for approval by staff. 6. There being no further discussion it was moved and seconded by Committee Members CunninghamlBobbitt to adopt Minute Motion 98-011 recommending approval of Site Development Permit 98-638 subject to the following modifications to the conditions: a. An additional facade be submitted and approved by staff. Unanimously approved. H. Plot Plan 94-543. Amendment #1; a request of David Chapman for approval of building elevation modifications for a 550+ square foot expansion of an existing building (formerly Sesame') for use as a restaurant I. Principal Planner Stan Sawa presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. 2. Committee Member Cunningham stated the modifications enhance the building and enclosing the patios makes it more inviting. 3. Committee Member Bobbitt asked if the arches would remain. Staff stated they would remain and a window would be added against the inside of the arch. C;\My Documents\WPDOCSIALRCII-20-98.wpd 7 Architectural & Landscaping Review Committee Minutes November 20, 1998 4. Mr. Fedderly, representing the applicant, stated they would add a tree facing Washington Street to hide the two utility doors. Staff asked Mr. Fedderly what restaurant would be going in. Mr. Fedderly stated it would be called "The Back Tee" and it would contain some personal furniture of Arnold Palmer along with his name. "I o 5. ~' It was moved and seconded by Cunningham/Bobbitt to approve the Plot Plan 94-543, Amendment #1 as recommended by staff. Unanimously approved. 1. Capital Improvement Proiect 98-09; a request of the City for approval of median and parkway landscaping. 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. Commissioner Bobbitt questioned how many lanes would be provided across the bridge. Staff stated three lanes, sidewalk and bike lanes on each side of the median and proceeded to explain the traffic flow on Washington Street and 50th Avenue. The landscaping plan was prepared for the City by Ray Lopez, landscape architect, and is consistent with the approved median and parkway landscaping plans. 3. Mr. Wayne Nystrom, representing the Homeowners' Association for Duna La Quinta, stated they approved of the plan, especially that portion that goes over the bridge. In addition, they stated their appreciation of staff and how they have been working with them. They have two problems remaining they would like to address. If possible, the HOA would like to take possession of the 13 Palm trees which the HOA intends to plant at locations of their choice and expense. Half are to be relocated onto 50th A venue and the remainder distributed throughout their compound. They would like to request that small dwarf Palm trees (Mediterranean Fan Palm) be planted in the five foot setback adjacent to Duna La Quinta. 4. Committee Member Bobbitt stated they were not called out on the plans, but he would have no difficultly approving them. 5. Mr. Wayne Nystrom stated secondly, they have 13 fluorescent light fixtures lighting the existing wall on the outside. Staff has stated they will be replaced with 90 watt halogen lights. His question was why do they have to be replaced with such high wattage bulbs. The City's Dark Sky Ordinance does not allow the flourescent. Planning Manager Christine di Iorio stated landscaping lighting is allowed and the lights mentioned on the plans are to highlight the landscaping per the City's Ordinance. C:\My Documents\WPDOCSIALRCll-20-98.wpd 8 Architectural & Landscaping Review Committee Minutes November 20, 1998 6. Committee Member Bobbitt commented the difference is accent lighting versus spot lighting. Planning Manager Christine di Iorio stated landscaping lighting with a wattage under 160 watts is exempt and the other lighting has to be shielded. 7. Committee Member Bobbitt stated the Country Club has been using the 13 watts which cast a smaller highlight. What needs to be considered are the lumans and not the wattage. Thirteen watts is 625 lumans. Some of the Country Clubs are going to the 13 watts which last longer and produce better accent lighting. Planning Manager Christine di Iorio stated staff would look at the wattage and review this in accordance with the City's landscaping lighting regulations. 8. Committee Member Bobbitt asked what treatment would be given to the west side of the sound wall. Assistant Engineer Marcus Fuller stated that all is available to them will be grass due to the existing street. It will be reduced to about two feet. Their major concern was the treatment of the concrete used for the retaining wall. 8. Mr. Wayne Connell, also with the HOA, stated his concern was the height of the wall above grade as it gets closer to 50'h A venue for sound mitigation. There is a direct line from road grade against the houses to the existing wall. The proposed wall will be higher than the existing wall. It is his understanding the wall can be raised if the sound is a problem. They would appreciate the City's consideration that as the grade raises going up the bridge, the houses will be less impacted by the noise. First they will be set down, but the houses closest to the street will be affected by the noise. They would like to have the wall raised a foot as long as the footings are called for. Senior Engineer Steve Speer stated the City has done the sound study and the wall proposed does meet the sound mitigation requirement. If the level of sound goes above what has been mitigated, the City will raise the wall. 9. Committee Member Cunningham asked if the wall would have a top cap that would be 12-inches to look like a band so it did not appear like an add on. Senior Engineer Steve Speer stated this is an issue for the City Council to decide as they do not want to raise the wall any higher than is needed. 10. Mr. Connel stated his concern was that sound is raised due to the speed of the vehicles traveling on the street. Since it is difficult to lower the speed limit, they discussed having a round-a-bout to reduce the impact on the speed. Committee Member Cunningham stated the only issues this Committee would discuss are the landscape and architectural plans. C:IMy DocumentsIWPDOCSIALRCII-20-98.wpd 9 Architectural &. Landscaping Review Committee Minutes November 20, 1998 II. Senior Engineer Steve Speer stated the round-a-bout was discussed at meetings with the HOA. Presently, however, staffis not comfortable with the a round-a-bout concept at this location. This project will be going to the City Council for approval of the geometric layout and if the HOA wants the round-a-bout, the HOA could suggest the idea to the City Council. Discussion followed regarding round-a-bouts. 12. Planning Manager Christine di Iorio stated the Zoning Code allows the unshielded outdoor illumination of any building or landscaping plan is prohibited excepted with incandescent fixtures less than 160 watts. Discussion followed regarding what light fixtures could be used. 13. Committee Member Cunningham stated he would like to suggest that when room is available around a proposed bridge, landscaping be used to make a statement. One site where this could be used is the area on either side of the bridge on Washington Street north of the Whitewater Channel to soften the appearance. 14. Assistant Engineer Marcus Fuller explained the art design that would be incorporated into the bridge as the railing. Discussions followed as to the design and detail work that would be used. 15. There being no further discussion it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Bobbitt/Cunningham to adopt Minute Motion 98-013 recommending approval of Site Development Permit 98-638 as submitted. Unanimously approved. VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: V. COMMITTEE MEMBER ITEMS: 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 December 3, 1998. This meeting was adjourned at a.m. on November 16,1998. C:\Mv Documents\ WPDOCSIALRC 11-20-98.wpd 10