Loading...
2003 03 05 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 March 5, 2003 10:00 a.m. I. CALL TO ORDER fA.; This meeting of the Architectural and Landscaping Review Committee was called to order at 10: 12 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, Management Analyst Debbie Powell, Principal Planners Stan Sawa and Fred Baker, Associate Planner Martin Magana, and Executive Secretary Betty Sawyer. II. PUBLIC COMMENT: None. III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: IV. CONSENT CALENDAR: A. Staff asked if there were any changes to the Minutes of February 5, 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. Site Development Permit 2002-760; a request of Gensler Architects for Bank of America for review of architectural and conceptual landscaping plans for a 4,000 square foot bank facility with a drive through located at the northwest corner of Highway 111 and Washington Street within Point Happy Commercial Center. 1. Principal Planner Fred Baker gave an overview of the project and introduced Mr. Ronnie Dimla, architect for the project, who gave an overview of the project. He introduced Mr. Blake Hinman of Lantex who gave an explanation of the landscaping. G:\WPDOCSIARLCI3- 5-03. wpd 1 Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes March 5, 2003 2. Committee Member Thoms asked if the colors presented on the color board would be the exact colors used. Mr. Dimla stated yes. Committee Member Thoms stated he likes the colors as presented as it does offer variety. In regard to the landscaping, the trees on the east side need to be separated. Mr. Hinman suggested a more vertical tree. 3. Committee Member Bobbitt questioned the height of the wall. Planning Manager Orci stated it would meet the City's Code. Committee Member Bobbitt stated if. the wall was not sealed, water would leach through the wall. Mr. Hinman stated they would treat the wall to ensure no damage. 4. Committee Member Thoms asked the material of the wall. Mr. Dimla stated it would be a block wall covered with plaster. 5. Committee Member Bobbitt asked that any wood on the trellis not be wood but a different material such as a paralem. 6. Committee Member Cunningham stated the architecture is in line with what exists. His area of concern is the public view from Highway 111, which is the rear of the building. The effective use of the retaining wall and that it is set back from Highway 111, mitigates the impacts. Architecturally he asked if the windows were recessed. Mr. Dimla stated they are the recessed tiles. Committee Member Cunningham stated the inset tiles seem to be out of balance and should be balanced. He would also like to see something added to the wall on the drive through side below the insets. Mr. Dimla stated it was an attempt to blend it with the building to the east. 7. Committee Member Thoms asked if a plant material would be on the vertical steel trellis. Mr. Hinman stated bougainvillea would be used. Staff stated the trellis over the ATM would not have any plants. 8. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Cunningham/Thoms to adopt Minute Motion 2003-007, approving Site Development Permit 2002-760, as amended: a. Realign the tile insets on the south elevation b. Consider a change in tree variety for the two trees on the east side of the building. Unanimously approved. G:\WPDOCSIARLC\3-5-03. wpd 2 Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes March 5, 2003 B. Site Development Permit 2003-761; a request of Kleine Building and Development, Inc. for review of architectural and landscaping plans for seven commercial buildings on a six acre site located on the north side of Highway 111, 310 feet west of Dune Palms Road. 1. Principal Planner Stan Saw a gave an overview of the project and introduced Bob Kleine, representing the project, who gave a presentation on the project. 2. Committee Member Cunningham stated he has no issue with the renderings. The south elevation of Buildings 1 and 2, being set back, and with the use of the stone and landscaping, it will soften the look of the hard building. Buildings 5 and 6 are similar to what is along Highway 111. The area with no windows needs some architectural relief in the center section, as well as the south elevation on Buildings 1 and 2. Mr. Kleine stated that on the north side of Buildings 5 and 6, they will be selling to an owner/occupant. They probably have single clients on the north building. Therefore, the architectural glazing will continue across the entire wall. Committee Member Cunningham stated that wherever there is a blank wall there needs to be enhanced landscaped, or some architectural detail added. 3. Committee Member Thoms questioned the use of the stone. It appears to be added for mitigation measure and is overdone. His biggest concern is that the roof line has no relief due to the single height of all the buildings. Mr. Kleine stated they will be using an artificial cantera stone running across all the parapets of the buildings. This will allow some relief to the roof line. 4. Committee Member Cunningham stated the recessed arcade of ten feet gives relief to the front of the building. 5. Committee Member Thoms stated he questions the use of stone on these elevations. Mr. Kleine stated he wanted a similar but enhanced project to the buildings on Cook Street and Highway 111 . Committee Member Thoms stated the more you add a residential approach to a commercial building it is not a good use of the material. To make each building different would be better. Mr. Kleine stated you tend to get a lot of maintenance problems along the lower portion of the building wall which is another reason for using the stone. G:\WPDOCSIARLC\3-5-03. wpd 3 Architectural & Landscape Review Connnittee Minutes March 5. 2003 6. Committee Member Cunningham remarked how the use of stone on the Desert European Cars building is similar in appearance to the mountains. 7. Committee Member Bobbitt stated he likes the stone. He would prefer to see some relief on the roof line. On the landscaping, he asked what was on the exposed sides where there is a zero lot line. Mr. Kleine stated these were the loading and unloading areas and nothing was proposed. Planning Manager Oscar Orci explained the problem they had in designing the buildings to hide the loading areas. Mr. Kleine stated they will be following through with what was proposed for the Radio Active project to the east. 8. Committee Member Thoms asked if the roof lines could be raised in some areas to give some relief. Mr. Kleine stated they would raise the parapet walls rather than doing a hip roof. Discussion followed about the south elevations. 9. Committee Member Bobbitt asked if something could be done on Buildings 1 and 2, he would prefer it. 10. Committee Member Thoms stated more relief is needed in the roof line or elevation face itself for Buildings 1 and 2 facing Highway 111. In addition, a consideration should be given to the use of the stone material should be taken. In the landscape plan, the California Fan Palm should be mixed with the Mexican Palm to blend with the Radio Active building. 11. Committee Member Cunningham stated that due to the 65 foot setback for Buildings 1 and 2 from Highway 111, and that the buildings are different sizes, and separated, he believes by adding any architectural changes to the building it will not benefit the building or project. 12. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Cunningham/Thoms to adopt Minute Motion 2003-008, approving Site Development Permit 2003-761, as amended: a. Consideration shall be given to the use of stone on the front elevations. b. The California Fan Palm should be mixed with the Mexican Palm to blend with the Radio Active building. Unanimously approved. G:\ WPDOCSIARLC\3-5-03. wpd 4 Architectural & Landscape Review Connnittee Minutes March 5, 2003 C. Site Development Permit 2002-755; a request of St. Francis of Assisi for review of landscaping plans for a parking lot for the property located at 47-225 Washington Street 1. Associate Planner Martin Magana gave an overview of the project and introduced Father Barker, Randy Purnel, and Vince Starace, who were available to answer questions on the project. 2. Committee Member Thoms asked if the intersection would be signalized. Staff stated it would be with turn pockets to make full turn movements. 3. Committee Member Cunningham stated that with the added development of the church and the perimeter landscaping, it brings the church back into a comprehensive development of the entire area. He likes the layout of the area now. 4. Committee Member Thoms asked who did the layout. Father Barker stated RBF Engineering started the process and now Warner Engineering is finishing it as they did the La Quinta Arts Foundation. 5. Committee Member Thoms complemented them on the layout and asked that there be some variation in the retention basin to reach a more natural look. That the parking lot include the Washingtonia Palms at one of the entrances, and they need to blend use of the different palm trees on both projects. 6. Committee Member Bobbitt stated he likes the use of the Oak trees and commended the applicant on the size of the islands as they are sizeable at 15 feet and will allow the plant material to thrive. 7. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Thoms/Bobbitt to adopt Minute Motion 2003-009, approving Site Development Permit 2002-755, as amended. a. The plant pallette shall include Washingtonia Robusta to complement the parking lot to south. b. The Evergreen Pear tree shall be changed to a different variety. Unanimously approved. G:\ WPDOCSIARLC\3-5-03. wpd 5 Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes March 5, 2003 D. Commercial Propertv Improvement Proaram 2003-020; a request of Santa Rosa Developers for review of a request for funding to enhance the exterior/entry of the Santa Rosa Plaza development located at the northwest corner of Calle Tampico and Desert Club Drive. 1 . Management Analyst Debbie Powell gave a report on the request and introduced the project's representative, Mr. Jack Stewart, project manager for the project, reviewed the request. 2. Committee Member Cunningham stated he still believes this request does not meet the intent of the CPIP program in his opinion. Mr. Stewart indicated this is a similar funding request to the Andrews Bar and Grill. 3. Committee Member Thoms stated that was a remodel. Mr. Stewart stated they need an answer so they can finish their project. 4. Committee Member Bobbitt stated he understood new projects would not be excluded from the funds. If this project meets the criteria, then he has no objection funding the request. 5. Committee Member Thoms noted the upgrades that would be added with the additional funds. Mr. Stewart noted the water feature and the enhanced signage will not be added without the funds. 6. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Cunningham/Thoms to adopt Minute Motion 2003-010 denying CPIP 2003-020, with a total score of 54.5. Unanimously approved. E. Commercial Propertv Improvement Proaram 2003-021 a request of La Quinta Grill for review of a request for parking and landscape improvements for the property located at 78-034 Calle Barcelona. 1. Management Analyst Debbie Powell gave a report on the request and introduced the applicants for the project. Mr. Nick West, project manager for the project, reviewed the request. 2. Committee Member Thoms asked if this parking lot was a requirement for the added building. Planning Manager Oscar Orci stated the site plan was approved, but the specific design details were not. The City requested a minimum of 80 spaces be 0;\ WPDOCS\ARLC\3-5"03. wpd 6 Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Mioutes March 5, 2003 provided. Committee Member Thoms asked if the building could continue without the parking lot. Staff stated no. Committee Member Thoms stated that if this type of project has a requirement for a proposed building, he does not know why it is before the Committee. Because if anything built in the Village has to provide parking, you might as well give everyone the money. Management Analyst Debbie Powell stated the program ends in June of this year and Council has put it on hold for a year till it is known what the State will be doing with the funds available. 3. Committee Member Bobbitt stated the project would be done either way. If the work required is mandatory, should it fit under the parameters of the program? Staff read the brochure stating what the funds can be used for. 4. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Cunningham/Bobbitt to adopt Minute Motion 2003-011 approving CPIP 2003-021, with a total score of 83. Unanimously approved. 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 March 5, 2003. This meeting was adjourned at 11 :24 a.m. on February 5, 2003. Respectf.UIlY s~b'7tted, ~ /~~/t: 'Yf2t<J ~\~ ~~~~. . YER, EJ<ecutive Secretary City of uinta, California G:\ WPDOCSIARLC\3-5-03. wpd 7