1992 08 05 DRB Minutes
MINUTES
DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
CITY OF LA QUINT A
A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall
78-105 Cane Estado, La Quinta, California
August 5, 1992
5:30 P.M.
I. CALL TO ORDER
A. Chairman Harbison brought the meeting to order at 5:32 P.M. and Boardmember
Rice led the flag salute.
II. ROLL CALL
A. Present: Boardmembers Paul Anderson, Fred Rice, John Curtis, Randall Wright,
D. James Campbell, Planning Commission Representative Mosher, and Chairman
Harbison.
B. Staff present: Planning Director Jerry Herman, Associate Planner Greg Trousdell
and Secretary II Cristal Spidell.
m. BUSINFSS SESSION
A. Specific Plan 91-021: a request of The Tucker Companies for approval of
architectural plans for a regional mall and power center containing 153.25 acres
south of Highway Ill, north of 48th Avenue, east of Adams Street, and west of
Dune Palms Road.
1.
Boardmember Curtis excused himself due to a possible conflict of interest
and left the room.
2.
Planning Director Jerry Herman presented the information contained in the
Staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Planning and Development
Department.
3.
Mr. Tom Anglewitz introduced himself and the staff who would be
presenting the different aspects of the project.
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Mr. Claude Ireson, Tucker Companies, Project Manager.
Mr. Russ Beckner, RGB Commercial Development, Promotional
Development of Power Center.
Ms. Chris Clark, landowner of 135 acres of the total site.
Mr. David Moore, Senior Project Designer of Mall, Callison
Mr. Kevin Mequet, Design Manager of Power Center, Musial Perkowitz
Ruth, Inc.
4.
Boardmember Wright asked if the theaters were to be included and bow
many tenants were in the food court. Mr. Moore stated the theaters were
to be included and there were ten food tenants and two restaurants.
Boardmember Wright also asked what the height of the building would be
at the top of the dome. Mr. Moore stated that it would be 54 feet from
the parking lot. Planning Director Jerry Herman explained that the
definition of height as defined by the Code is the average of the entire
center.
5.
Boardmember Campbell asked if the department stores would be designed
by others. Mr. Angelwitz explained that Mr. Tucker plans to lease the
stores and maintain design control.
6.
Boardmember Anderson asked if there was a definite design for the Power
Center. Mr. Moore stated this was a concept design at this point.
Boardmember Anderson asked if the signature entries design would
continue around the building making a complete cylinder look. Mr.
Moore stated it would be. Boardmember Anderson then asked for
clarification of the skylights. Mr. Moore stated the skylight was not
continuous but rather a rhythm of skylights on the slope and the backside
would be a rhythm of clear story windows.
7.
Chairman Harbison asked if the area to the left to the Power Center was
a pedestrian area or are there traffic lanes as well. Mr. Moore stated it
was both.
8.
Boardmember Rice stated his appreciation of the Indian figures which
added some of the desert culture to the Center as well as in the use of Art
in Public Places art work.
9.
Boardmember Campbell asked if the servicing adjacent to main entries
would be screened. Mr. Moore stated they are recessed back away from
the entries and might possible be screened. In addition Boardmember
Campbell stated he felt the interior of the mall seemed to be a little
shallow, restrictive. Mr. Moore stated this was the trend in malls with
the major emphasis on the major court spaces with smaller mall . streets. .
Discussion followed.
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10. Mr. Kevin Mequet described the Power Center. Boardmember Wright
asked if there were any plans for shading in the arcade area. Mr. Mequet
stated there was to be shade provided.
11. Boardmember Campbell asked if they would be doing the major's designs
as well. Mr. Mequet state they would be setting the design criteria and
as the lease is signed it would be determined who would design the
building. Discussion followed with Planning Director Jerry Herman
clarifying that if the Design Review Board recommends approval of this
design concept to the Planning Commission then if any major changes are
made they would have to reappear before the Design Review Board for
approval.
12. Boardmember Campbell stated his concern for approving this as a literal
design concept. Planning Director Jerry Herman stated this is the concept
that is before them for approval as well as what will go before the
Planning Commission and City Council. Landscaping and sign programs
will have to come back before the Board with more detailed information.
13. Boardmember Anderson stated his concern for the elevation for the Power
Center. He felt it was to flat with an industrial look instead of
complimenting the mall. Mr. Russ Beckner stated how the design carne
into being. Discussion followed.
14. Boardmember Campbell stated his desire to see this project move forward
and inquired if there was a way to control the amount of plastic signs.
Following discussion it was noted that signage would be addressed at a
later date.
15. Chairman Harbison stated his approval of the landscaping concept.
Boardmember Anderson agreed and in addition the landscaping for the
Power Center.
16. Planning Commissioner Mosher and Boardmember Rice seconded the
motion to approve the architectural concept for the Regional Mall as
submitted. A YES: Boardmembers Wright, Rice, Chairman Harbison,
and Planning Commissioners Mosher. NOES: Boardmembers Anderson,
Campbell. ABSTAINING: Boardmember Curtis. ABSENT: None
17. Boardmember Anderson moved and Planning Commissioner Mosher
seconded a motion to have the Power Center revised with the comments
stated above and brought back before the Board. Unanimously approved.
18. The Board indicated they would be willing to hold a special meeting to
expidite the Power Center review.
19. Boardmember Curtis rejoined the Board.
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B. Plot Plan 92-484; a request of Richard and Patti McCormick for approval of a
sign program for Anchovies Pizzeria.
1. Associate Planner Greg Trousdell presented the information contained in
the Staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Planning and
Development Department.
2. Mr. McCormick stated he disagreed with the Staff recommendation and
would prefer to have the color red. Discussion followed regarding color
charts. Following discussion it was determined that the color would be
a tomato red with no gloss and the background be white.
3. Boardmember Rice suggested that a decorative border be added to the
border edges to give a Spanish look.
4. Boardmember Anderson suggested that a rear sign be installed.
5. Boardmember Wright moved and Planning Commissioner Mosher to
approve the request as submitted with the condition that the color be
,;I,; tomato red and there be a decorative border added to give a Spanish look
to be reviewed and approved by Staff. Unanimously approved.
C. La Guinta Senior Center; a request of the City for approval of the architectural
plans for the La Quinta Senior Center.
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1.
Planning Director Jerry Herman presented the information contained in the
Staff report a copy of which is on file in the Planning and Development
Department.
2.
Mr. John Walling, architect for the project gave a detailed description of
the plans.
3.
Boardmember Wright asked where the restrooms were located. Mr.
Walling pointed them out. Boardmember Wright stated that problems he
is hearing most often is the lack of toilet closets in the woman's restroom.
Mr. Walling stated the project was limited by a tight budget but he felt
that there were enough provided. Boardmember Wright inquired if the
building would be built in phases. Mr. Walling stated it would be built
at one time. Discussion followed regarding mechanical equipment and the
different uses of the building.
4.
Boardmember Anderson inquired if the amphitheater was to be a part of
the center. Mr. Walling stated it was still included in the site plan.
5.
Boardmember Rice moved and Boardmember Curtis seconded a motion
to approve the project as submitted. Unanimously approved. 'S' D! IS'
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D. Plot Plan 92-482; a request of ARCO Products for approval of a sign program
for their service station and mini-market.
1. Planning Director Jerry Herman presented the information contained in the
Staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Planning and Development
Department.
2. Mr. Criag Yamasaki, ARCO Products, gave a brief description of his
project and asked that if the corporate logo was eliminated from the
spandell signs would it still be considered a sign. Boardmember wright
questioned whether the signs were illuminated and would that not be
double the amount of square footage. Planning Director Jerry Herman
clarified the ordinance definition.
3. Mr. Yamasaki discussed removing the 24-hour sign along with the
removal of the ARCO logo on the spandrells and allow the AM/PM sign
to be included on the canopy. Chairman Harbison stated he felt the
square footage should be below I50-feet.
4. Boardmembers Wright asked what the specifications were for the
monument sign. Mr. Tom Riggle, project manager for the project, stated
the height of the sign was omitted till the screen wall height was
determined. The base of the monument sign was to be the same height
as the base of the screen wall which would be less than 8 feet,
approximately 6.5 feet. Mr. Yamasaki asked if the height could be
worked out with Staff. The problem is to be sure that the landscaping of
the berm would not block the sign. Discussion followed regarding the
wall and sign height.
5. Following discussion Boardmember Wright summarized what the Board
could support:
a.) AM/PM signs on the building.
b.) Two AM/PM signs on the canopy/
c.) Remove the two 24-hour signs.
d.) Remove the spandrells.
e. Approve the design on the monument sign in line with the berm.
Mr. Yamasaki stated he would like to have the spandrell included with no
signage on it. Following discussion it was decided the spandrells would
be eliminated.
6.
Following discussion, it was moved by Boardmember Anderson and
seconded by Boardmember Curtis to approve the sign program as
submitted and recommended by Staff as follows:
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a. Sign permit obtained
b. Spandrell and signs removed
c. Self servicing signs remains
d. Temporary window signs would be allowed
e. Monument sign 8-feet maximum
f. AM/PM sign on the canopy
g. 24-hour signs would be deleted
Unanimously approved. 1"_ - 0. {,
E. A venida La Fonda Medians; a request of the City for approval of landscaping
plans for street medians.
1. Boardmember Curtis excused himself due to a possible conflict of interest
and left the room.
2. Associate Planner Greg Trousdell presented the information contained in
the Staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Planning and
Development Department.
3. Mr. Ray Lopez, landscape architect presented a report of the project.
4. Boardmember Anderson commended Mr. Lopez for adhering to the
Boards desire to have the planting sporadic.
5. Chairman Harbison stated the Trailing Lantana should be replaced as the
area is to cold for it to last. Discussion followed relative to alternative
plants that could be used.
6. There being no further discussion, it was moved by Chairman Harbison
and seconded by Planning Commissioner Mosher to accept the landscape
plan with the condition that the Trailing Lantana be replaced.
Unanimously approved. q'J ~"!
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR
A.
Chairman Harbison asked that under Other, it should read "Gruen and
Associates". There being no further corrections, it was moved by Boardmember
Anderson and seconded by Boardmember Curtis to appro\"\: the Minutes of July
1, 1992, as corrected. Unanimously approved.
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V. OTHER
A. Planning Director informed the members that at the next meeting of the Board the
Civic Center landscaping will be before them. Boardmember Anderson asked if
Staff had any information on the test plot that the Board had required on some of
the questionable planting material.
VI. ADJO~
It was moved by Boardmember Anderson and seconded by Planning Commissioner Mosher. to
adjourn to a regular meeting of the Design Review Board on September 2, 1992, at 5:30 P.M.
This meeting of the La Quinta Design Review Board was adjourned at 8:03 P.M., August 5,
1992.
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