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2003 05 07 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 May 7, 2003 10:00 a.m. 1. CALL TO ORDER A. This meeting of the Architectural and Landscaping Review Committee was called to order at 10:09 a.m. by Planning Manager Oscar Orci who led the flag salute. B. Committee Members present: Bill Bobbitt, Dennis Cunningham, and David Thoms. C. Staff present: Planning Manager Oscar Orci, Principal Planner Stan Sawa, Associate Planners Greg Trousdell and Martin Magana, Management Analyst Debbie Powell, and Executive Secretary Betty Sawyer. 11. PUBLIC COMMENT: None. 111. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: IV. CONSENT CALENDAR: A. Staff asked if there were any changes to the Minutes of April 2, 2003. There being no corrections, it was moved and seconded by Commi~tee Members Thom/Bobbitt to approve the Minutes as submitted. V. BUSINESS ITEMS: A. Tentative Tract Map 30521; a request of Cornerstone Developers for review of street perimeter landscaping plans for La Ouinta Del Oro located at the northeast corner of Washington Street and Miles Avenue. 1 . Principal Planner Stan Sawa gave an overview of the project and introduced Mr. Ray Lopez, landscape architect for the project, who gave a presentation on the project. 2. Committee Member Thoms asked if the area to the east, that contained grass, had a curved sidewalk. Mr. Lopez stated there was a meandering sidewalk. Committee Member Thoms asked if the applicant was using the taller palm trees because they were G:\WPDOCSIARLC\5-7-03. WPD 1 Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes May 7, 2003 available. Mr. Lopez stated the owner of the project had another project in the City of Indio where approximately 300 palm trees and will have to be removed he would prefer to transplant them than destroy them. Committee Member Thoms asked if Mr. Lopez would be selecting them personally. Mr. Lopez stated yes and he would be doing the planting design only and not the sidewalk. Committee Member Thoms asked if Mr. Lopez would be doing the drawings for the sidewalk or just the planting plans. Mr. Lopez stated he would be doing the planting. The layout of the sidewalk and the wall is done by the civil engineer. Committee Member Thoms stated the design of the sidewalk and the grading, not the engineering portion, should be done by the landscape architect. Mr. Lopez stated he did work with the civil engineers to design them, but he wanted it on their plans so when the grading is done, they know where the wall and sidewalks are going. Committee Member Thoms stated he would like to see the landscape architect more involved in the design portion of the entire project. He asked that his comments note that he would like to see the landscape architect provide a concept grading and sidewalk plan prior to the civil engineer plans being prepared. He believes the landscape architects has the ability to design the sidewalk and that the civil engineer should do the engineering. On this project the walk and planting location especially. He has no problem with the design of this project. 3. Committee Member Bobbitt asked if Mr. Lopez had any experience with the aluminum edging that is proposed. Mr. Lopez stated he is using it on his own home and it held up very well. Committee Member Bobbitt stated that under certain soil conditions it will deteriorate. He is concerned about it being so thin and under regular maintenance, edgers will not be able to be used. Mr. Lopez stated there is very little area to be edged and he would not be adverse to installing a concrete mow strip instead. Committee Member Bobbitt suggested using the composite border boards or even better, concrete. In regard to pulling date palms out of a grove that may not have been watered and maintained, may have been stressed over any period of time and this stress will show up at the crown. He strongly recommended Mr. Lopez hand pick the best trees. He asked what type of material would be used on the perimeter wall. Staff stated it had not been determined. Committee Member Bobbitt asked if any vines would be used. Mr. Lopez stated only at the entry around the date palms trees for G:\WPDOCSIARLCI5-7-03. WPD 2 Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes May 7, 2003 vertical color. He stated they were considering planting shrubs in front of the wall. Committee Member Bobbitt asked staff to pay attention to what type of material is used on the wall as most of the plants are low and design will be important. The wall will need some type of architectural style. Mr. Lopez stated they have been looking at the existing wall to the north. It is stuccoed with a reveal and they are looking at options such as making a transition with a pilaster. 4. Committee Member Cunningham stated they should submit three concepts for review. Mr. Lopez showed an example of one they are considering. Slumpstone is one material they prefer and he showed examples of wall materials they were considering. Committee Members commented on the examples. 5. Committee Member Thoms asked that it be a light colored wall with squeeze joints, a square double detailed cap with natural cement joints, laid up in a soldier coarse with a different complimentary contrasting color. 6. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Cunningham/Bobbitt to adopt Minute Motion 2003-01, approving the preliminary perimeter landscaping plans for Tentative Tract Map 30521, as amended: a. A concrete mow strip shall be provided; b. Perimeter wall be a light colored slump block wall, with squeeze joints, light, a square double detailed cap laid up in a soldier course with different complimentary contrasting color. c. Landscape architect to pick the field palm trees. d. Landscape architect shall submit a concept grading walkway layout path to be reviewed and approved by staff prior to the civil engineer drawings being prepared. Unanimously approved. B. Site Development Permit 2003-754; a request of Ross Canon/Marinita Development Company for review of architectural and landscaping plans for a shopping center located at the southwest corner of Jefferson Street and Fred Waring Drive. G:\WPDOCSIARLC\5-7-03. WPD 3 Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes May 7, 2003 1 . Associate Planner Martin Magana gave a report on the request and introduced the project's representative, Mr. Ross Canon, applicant, Mr. John Berg, engineer, and Mr. Charlie Trokage, architect for the project, gave a presentation on the project. 2. Committee Member Cunningham asked what was happening west of the project. Mr. Canon explained it was open space with a park, well site, and retention basin. 3. Committee Member Thoms asked for a definition of the truss look on the top. Mr. Canon stated it was a treatment given to the top of the building to break them up. It will be a scoring in the stucco for a shadow effect. Committee Member Thoms stated he likes the architecture and it has a good color selection. His objection is that all shopping centers are a function of the neighborhood and look the same. The design is dictated by major tenants which normally does not lend much to architecture. However, this does have good architecture in breaking up the mass of the buildings. He just does not see the creativity in the site plan. It seems the architect shows little imagination. It would be nice to have something different. Mr. Canon stated the site design is dictated by the major tenant. Committee Member Thoms stated they should not be governed by the tenant requirements. Mr. Canon stated they chose to use a landscape architect to break up some of the parking lot. Committee Member Thoms stated he believes the landscape architect should take the niche areas and create more people spaces. Mr. Canon noted the area they had provided for pedestrian use. Committee Member Thoms noted this is only one space and there should be more of these in the Center. 4. Committee Member Cunningham stated the buildings are architecturally alive and have enough articulation to make it look more like a village center. He agrees with Committee Member Thoms in regard to the pedestrian collector area. His objection is the rear elevation. Mr. Canon stated they are intending to plant trees to screen it from the west. 5. Staff stated that the General Plan designates a secondary gateway for the City at the southwest corner of Jefferson Street and Miles Avenue. Committee Members asked who would be responsible for reviewing the design. Staff stated it is yet to be determined. Committee Members asked that the design of the City gateway sign come to this Committee for review. G:\ WPDOCSIARLCI5-7-03. WPD 4 Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes May 7, 2003 6, Committee Member Bobbitt stated he too is concerned with the rear elevation. He appreciates that no plantings are next to the building. Commercial developments typically have too many plant beds where pedestrians will walk through them and they become unattractive. It appears Brachy cyiton (Bottle Tree) are to be used and they are a messy, hearty tree and in this location it might work. The Rhus Lancea is a supple tree that will require double staking and it is in a narrow area and they ideally need an area that is 8 X 8. There needs to be some type of plantings/trees that will stand up by themselves. The Sumac would be an excellent example. The growth habits need to be considered when determining what to use where. Discussion followed. 7. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Cunningham/Thoms to adopt Minute Motion 2003-017 approving Site Development Permit 2003-754, as amended: a. More people spaces shall be created by the landscape architect. b. Incorporate some decomposed granite in the planters between the car overhang and the western property line. c. A different type of tree that is substantial on its own to be used in the parking lot. d. The Secondary Gateway sign design at the northeast corner of the site shall come back to the ALRC for review. e. More sensitivity given to the rear elevation with planting. Unanimously approved. C. Site Development Permit 2003-764; a request of Paul Ehline/Medallist Development, Inc. for review of landscaping plans for four prototype units at PGA West Norman Estates located at 81-480 Madison Street. 1. Associate Planner Martin Magana gave an overview of the project and introduced, Mr. Frank Scole and Paul Ehline, landscape architect and developer for the project respectively, who were available to answer questions on the project. 2. Committee Member Thoms stated he likes the models but it needs a better roof treatment such as the better "S" tile. 5 G:\ WPDOCSIARLC\5-7-03.WPD Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes May 7, 2003 3. Mr. Scole explained there will be a two piece barrel made of concrete to create a more authentic Spanish look. 4. Committee Member Cunningham stated he defers to the architect and developer for projects that are behind gates. They will suffer for the lack of detail. If the buyers are not there, they will change the style. The market will make the determination. A consideration may be to lower the pitch to allow less roof to be seen. Staff stated the buildings are at 22 feet. 5. Committee Member Thoms agreed, but when something is shown at this meeting, to him that is the example of what is proposed to be used. Applicants should be showing what will be used. He understands they are market driven. If the attitude of the Committee is to allow the developer to make that determination he does not see why the projects should be brought before the Committee. 6. Committee Member Bobbitt stated he likes the units and the comments on the roof are well stated. 7. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Thoms/Cunningham to adopt Minute Motion 2003-018, approving Site Development Permit 2003-764, with the following recommendations: a. The roof treatment as verbally presented by the architect shall be used. Unanimously approved. D. Site Development Permit 2003-768; a request of Santa Rosa Builders for review of architectural and landscaping plans for Tract 30487 located on the north side of Avenue 58, south of PGA West and west of Madison Street. 1. Associate Planner Greg Trousdell gave an overview of the project and introduced Dave Brudvik, representing the project, who gave a presentation on the project. 2. Committee Member Thoms stated this is an exciting plan even though it is located on a long lot. He asked who designed the G:\WPDOCSIARLC\5-7-03. WPD 6 Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes May 7, 2003 retention basin planting schemes in the front of the project. Mr. Brudvik stated they were his landscape architects (Casa Verde Landscape), who were unable to attend the meeting. Committee Member Thoms stated the planting designs are not very good. It appears to be complicated and probably not what they want at the front of the project. The street exposure is like the front yard of a house. This needs to go back to the landscape architect as it is too complicated for this project. Staff gave a history of the project. 3. Committee Member Bobbitt asked if the French doors were to be made of wood. Mr. Brudvik stated it is not wood, but composite wood material. 4. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Thoms/Cunningham to adopt Minute Motion 2003-019, approving Site Development Permit 2003-768, as amended: a. The five retention basins shall be redesigned by the landscape architect and reviewed and approved by the Community Development Department. Unanimously approved. E. Site Development Permit 2003-769,; a request of Jim Hayhoe for Mike Lang for review of architectural and landscaping plans for Tentative Tract 31289 located at the northeast corner of Caleo Bay and Via Florence within lake La Quinta. 1 . Committee Member David Thoms excused himself due to a potential conflict of interest due to the proximity of his residence to this project and left the room. 2. Associate Planner Greg Trousdell gave an overview of the project and introduced Ray Martin, landscape architect, who gave a presentation on the Caleo Bay parkway landscaping. 3. Committee Member Cunningham stated he likes the visual relief for Lake La Quinta to take the residential out to Caleo Bay to make them mini-estate houses. 7 G:\WPDOCSIARLC\5-7-03. WPD Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes May 7, 2003 4. Committee Member Bobbitt stated the Pittosporm "Wheeleri" and Agapanthas will burn in the summer heat (on the west exposure) and the buxus are bad over the long term. They need more sun tolerant plants. 5. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Bobbitt/Cunningham to adopt Minute Motion 2003-020 approving Site Development Permit 2003-769, as amended: a. The applicant shall revise the plant pallette to utilize more sun tolerant plants. Unanimously approved with Committee Member Thoms being absent. Committee Member Thoms rejoined the meeting. F. Commercial Property Improvement Program 2003-022,; a request of La Guinta Real Estate-Rupert Yessayian for review of a request fund exterior improvements at 78-023 Calle Estado. 1 . Management Assistant Debbie Powell gave an overview of the project and introduced Rupert Yessayian representing the project, who gave a presentation on the request. 2. Committee Member Cunningham stated this is what the program was designed for in the Village area. Committee Members Thoms and Bobbitt agreed. 3. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Cunningham/Bobbitt to adopt Minute Motion 2003-021, approving CPIP 2003-022, with a total score of 88. Unanimously approved. VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None VII. COMMITTEE MEMBER ITEMS: G: \ WPDOCSIARLC\5-7 -03. WPD 8 Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes May 7, 2003 VIII. 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 Review Committee to a regular meeting to be held on June 4, 2003. This meeting was adjourned at 11 :47 a.m. on May 7, 2003. Respectfully submitted, ~WJV J AWYER, Executive Secretary a Quinta, California G:\WPDOCSIARLC\5-7-03. WPD 9