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2003 06 04 ALRC Minutes MINUTES ARCHITECTURE & LANDSCAPING REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING A regular meeting held at the La Ouinta City Hall 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Ouinta, CA June 4, 2003 10:00 a.m. I. CALL TO ORDER A. This meeting of the Architectural and Landscaping Review Committee was called to order at 10:07 a.m. by Planning Manager Oscar Orci who led the flag salute. B. Committee Members present: Dennis Cunningham, and David Thoms. It was moved and seconded by Committee Members Thoms/Cunningham to excuse Committee Member Bobbitt. C. Staff present: Planning Manager Oscar Orci, Associate Planners Wallace Nesbit, Greg Trousdell and Martin Magana, and Executive Secretary Betty Sawyer. II. PUBLIC COMMENT: None. III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: IV. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1. Staff asked if there were any changes to the Minutes of April 2, 2003. There being no corrections, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Cunningham/Thom to approve the Minutes as submitted. V. BUSINESS ITEMS: A. Tentative Tract Map 30138; a request for review of Avenue 52 parkway landscaping plans for the north side of Avenue 52, approximately 0.5 miles east of Jefferson Street. 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. Staff introduced Mr. Dan Jewitt, the applicant, who stated he was available to answer questions. 2. Committee Member Cunningham asked about the entry gates. Staff explained they consisted of tubular metal. Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee June 4, 2003 3. Committee Member Thoms asked if the columns were repeated down the street. Staff stated they would be carried down the wall. Committee Member Thoms stated the wall appeared to be boring, lacking enough contrast at the entry. Mr. Jewitt stated the landscaping growth would hide the wall in six months. 4. Committee Member Cunningham concurred that the gates lacked detail, but as they were set back and the planting material would grow and cover the walls, the split face has been a good wall design for that area. Mr. Jewitt stated the landscaping will carry the look. 5. Committee Member Thoms stated he could not support the perimeter walls or gates for the entry statement as submitted. The gate and wall system need a more contrasting appearance. Mr. Jewitt stated it is consistent with other projects that are within five miles. Committee Member Thoms stated it is not the job of this Committee to design the elements. The gate system and entrance wall are plain. The wrought iron members seem spindly, and it is a weak iron system in appearance. 6. Committee Member Cunningham suggested the top wrought iron member be at three inches and the verticals at two to enhance the look. 7. Committee Member Thoms stated the gates need to be designed; the columns need to be a different finish. 8. There being no further discussion and the members unable to come to a consensus, the following is the recommendation to the Planning Commission: a. Committee Member Cunningham liked the design with the brown slumpstone as he believes the wall blends in with the surrounding developments. As the gate system is set back in from the street, he has no problem with the design. b. Committee Member Thoms does not recommend the design as presented. The gate system is weak in its presentation; the wall system needs a contrasting appearance. G:\WPOOCS\ARLC\6-4-03 WO.doc Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee June 4, 2003 B. Site Development Permit 2003-770; a request of Michael Shovlin for review of development plans for a 10,580 square foot commercial building located on the north side of Highway 111, 375 feet west of Adams Street within the One Eleven La Quinta Shopping Center. 1. Planning Manager Oscar Orci presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. Staff introduced Mr. Dave Smalley, representing the applicant, who gave a presentation on the project. 2. Committee Member Cunningham asked if there were any exit doors on the rear of the building. Mr. Smalley stated they are not noted on the rear elevation. Committee Member Cunningham noted his concern about the view from Highway 111. Mr. Smalley explained the doors are inside the portico and are set back with a column. Committee Member Cunningham asked about the trash enclosure. Mr. Smalley stated there is a berm that will hide most of it. 3. Committee Member Thoms asked if they had tenants for the stores. Mr. Smalley stated there is a pool company and a real estate tenant; no food vendors. Committee Member Thoms noted there appears to be a nice "people space" that would accommodate outdoor seating. He would like to see it further developed for people to use this space. The whole complex is missing "people places". Also, the parking lot landscape islands project out to far and need to be shortened by at least four feet; even the ones at the corners. 4. There being no further questions of the applicant, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Thoms/Cunningham to adopt Minute Motion 2003-022 approving Site Development Permit 2003-770, as recommended by staff and amended: a. A condition added to require vines on the trash enclosure; b. People spaces thoughtfully developed; c. Parking islands shortened by at least four feet. Unanimously approved. G,\WPDOCS\ARLC\6-4-03 WD.doc Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee June 4, 2003 C. Site Development Permit 2003-772; a request of the City for review of architectural and landscaping plans for a 20,000 square foot Municipal Library to be located at 78-275 Calle Tampico on the Civic Center Campus. 1 . Planning Manager Oscar Orci presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. Staff introduced Scott Glasbrock, and Tom Dozci, representing the applicant, who gave a presentation on the project. 2. Committee Member Thoms stated he thought it was a nice project. He is concerned that as nice as the architectural features are, he would suggest replanting the Tipuana Tipu trees that are in front of the building as he thinks it would hide the architecture. He would suggest a low plant that would not hide the detail of the building. He agrees with the date palm, but the site would be more people oriented if the center tree was eliminated and a large Mediterranean fan palm were planted in a raised round planter to act as a wall, with a seat. The landscaping element should be more simple. The standard oleander may be better. The yellow standard oleander would be nice where the architectural detail is plain. 3. Committee Member Cunningham agreed with the comments. The area that has the wrought iron needs to be made to look like it is more a part of the building. When it is working with the building, the idea of not covering the building is important. The combination of architecture is nice and it would be a shame to hide it. Mr. Doczi stated the idea was to have a more sparse planting. 4. Committee Members commended the architect on the design. 5. Committee member Thoms asked if the Civic Center colors would be included. Mr. Glassbrock showed the color board and indicated where the colors would be used to blend with the Civic Center buildings. 6. Committee Member Cunningham noted the elements that enhanced the project. G:IWPDOCSIARLCI6-4-03 WD.doc Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee June 4, 2003 7. There being no further questions of the applicant, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Thoms/Cunningham to adopt Minute Motion 2003-023 approving Site Development Permit 2003-772, as amended: a. Condition added: Remove the center tree from the grove grouping in front of the building arid replace with Mediterranean fan palm. Construct a raised planter with a rim wide enough to sit on. b. Remove the three Tipuana trees in front of the building. c. In the rear patio area, replace the Mediterranean fan palms with the yellow oleander. Unanimously approved. D. Site Development Permit 2003-771; a request of the Prest/Vuksic Architects for review of architectural plans for a 11,200 square foot office building to be located on Parcels 6 and 7 of the La Quinta Professional Plaza at 47-000 Washington Street. 1 . Associate Planner Wallace Nesbit presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. Staff introduced Mr. Dave Prest representing the applicant who gave a presentation on the project. 2. Committee Member Thoms noted that although he lives within the Lake La Quinta development he has no real interest in property within 500 feet of this project. Therefore, he is able to review and comment on the project. 3. Committee Member Cunningham noted this is a project in evolution. The project is different than most complexes in that it is not a complex of theme buildings. The complex has a lot of well designed buildings and this building will add to the complex. The colors will be an interesting aspect over time. 4. Committee Member Thoms stated it will be a nice addition to the site. He asked where the Tenant building will be located. Staff noted there is a parking area between the two buildings and the Tenant building will be to the south of that. Go\WPDOCS\ARLC\6A-03 WD.doc Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee June 4, 2003 5. There being no further questions of the applicant, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Thoms/Cunningham to adopt Minute Motion 2003-024 approving Site Development Permit 2003-771, as recommended. Unanimously approved. E. Site Development Permit 2003-773; a request of California Cove Communities for review of architectural plans for three prototype units within the Greg Norman Course located at the northwest corner of Madison Street and Airport Boulevard. 1. Associate Planner Martin Magana presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. Staff introduced Ms. Carol Long, and Mr. Matt Mosie representing the applicant who gave a presentation on the project. 2. Committee Member Cunningham asked if the exterior was smooth stucco. Mr. Mosie stated yes. Committee Member Cunningham stated in this use, the cement tile roof does work as it is a restrained look. 3. Committee Member Thoms asked what was changed from the previous plans. Mr. Mosie stated the courtyard space was redesigned in conjunction with the casitas and the ceiling heights are changed. 4. There being no further questions of the applicant, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Cunningham/Thoms to adopt Minute Motion 2003-025 approving Site Development Permit 2003-773, as recommended. Unanimously approved F. Tentative Tract Map 29323; a request of Cornerstone Developers for a discussion of the landscaping plans for the perimeter tract areas at the northwest corner of Fred Waring Drive and Jefferson Street. 1. Associate Planner Wallace Nesbit presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. Staff introduced Mr. Ray Lopez, landscaper and Mr. Joe Swain of Cornerstone representing the project who gave a presentation on the landscaping plan. G:IWPOOCSIARLCI6-4-03 WO.doc Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee June 4, 2003 2. Committee Member Cunningham asked if the City had a design for the southwest corner of Jefferson Street and Fred Waring Drive. Staff stated it is in the General Plan, but no specifics have been made. 3. Committee Member Thoms asked if there was to be any landscape contouring. Mr. Swain stated it will be contoured as it is to serve as a retention basin as well. Committee Member Thoms stated this should be different than what is occurring on the side streets. The corner should draw attention to itself. It should have a different visual appearance. From a design standpoint he tends to object to the massive palm trees. He would suggest the walkway curve around the retention basin with the palms on either side. 4. The applicants thanked the Committee Members for their direction. G. Water Efficient Ordinance; a request of the City for review of proposed water efficient landscaping guidelines. 1. Planning Manager Oscar Orci presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department 2. Committee Member Thoms asked who was ultimately in control of what landscaping is approved. Staff stated CVWD reviews the plans to see that they meet their requirements. The City reviews them to see that they meet CVWD requirements and any other elements the City has added. 3. Committee Member Cunningham suggested the guidelines be reviewed by the Building Industry Association members for their comments. 4. Committee Member Thoms stated this City is headed toward the higher standards and he would like to see it continue. Landscaping should be required to be a design and not just plant arrangements. The design should include the standard elements but in such a way that it is a design. G,\WPDOCSIARLCI6.4.03 WD.doc Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee June 4, 2003 5. There being no further questions, it was moved and by Committee Members Cunningham/Thoms to discussion regarding Water Efficient Ordinance to meeting. Unanimously approved. seconded continue the next VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None VII. COMMITTEE MEMBER ITEMS: VIII. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Cunningham/Thoms to adjourn this regular meeting of the Architectural and Landscaping Review Committee to a regular meeting to be held on July 2, 2003. This meeting was adjourned at 11 :58 a.m. on June 4, 2003. ectfully submitted, ~y/ . SAWYER, Executive Secretary G:IWPDOCSIARLCI6-4-03 WD.doc