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2003 02 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 February 5, 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: 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 Planner Stan Sawa, Associate Planners Wallace Nesbit and Greg Trousdell, 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 January 8, 2003. Committee Member Thoms asked that Page 3, Item 10 be amended to state he "...requested architecture and site work...". Also, Page 4, Item 4, be amended tp state, ".. .retention basin hoped it would be eliminated", There being no further corrections, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Cunningham/Thom to approve the Minutes as amended. V. BUSINESS ITEMS: A. Site Development Permit 2002-752; a request of Cornerstone Developers for review of common area and perimeter landscaping plans for Tentative Tract Map 29323-Esplanade. 1 . Associate Planner Wallace Nesbit gave an overview of the project and introduced Ray Lopez, Ray Lopez Associates who gave an overview of the project. G:\ WPDOCSIARLC\2-S-03. wpd Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes February 5, 2003 2. Committee Member Cunningham asked how the individual homeowners' walls are constructed when they landscape the interior lots. Mr. Lopez stated it is all private and handled through the CC&R's and with the homeowners' association (HOA). Committee Member Cunningham suggested they request Art and Public Places funds for the corner. He further asked if the City has any stipulation requiring only male palms on street side. 3. Committee Member Bobbitt asked about the planter area outside the sidewalk along Fred Waring Drive. Mr. Lopez stated all the plant material for this area is low growing or where it is no more than two feet he leaves it as decomposed granite (DG). Committee Member Bobbitt stated it is a problem maintaining plant material too close together, or at the edges. It is trimmed too closely and becomes unattractive. Mr. Lopez stated they were using Red Yucca or something like where it is a problem. Emitters are also a problem as to their location. Committee Member Bobbitt asked if there was a reason the entrance islands have a different variety of trees along Fred Waring Drive. Mr. Lopez stated it was just to have variety. Committee Member Bobbitt suggested using the standard or multi-trunk palms, as some species are very prone to wind damage. The multi-trunk are better. Mr. Lopez explained the perimeter is multi-trunk and the interior would be the standard. Committee Member Bobbitt suggested the majority be multi-trunk. He then asked what was proposed for Lot C. Staff stated the entire landscape area is labeled Lot C. Mr. Lopez stated it would be a passive recreation area. Committee Member Bobbitt asked what type of material the exterior wall would be constructed of. Staff stated it would a tan slumpstone material with a cap. Committee Member Bobbitt asked if any plant material would be on the wall. Mr. Lopez stated no. 4. Committee Member Thoms stated the landscaping at the corner of Fred Waring Drive and Jefferson Street, should be more of an opportunity to use the plant forms as a design element. It appears to be a scattered grove of palms. Behind there is a grove of citrus in a staggered form and then a lawn and border that does not reflect any kind of design element. The corner may look nice as a landscaped area, but does not make a landscape design statement. These are prominent corners in the City and should make a design statement versus just being a streetscape. He G:\ WPDOCS\ARLC\2-5-03. wpd 2 Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes February 5, 2003 asked if the turf was flat or contoured, etc. Mr. Lopez stated he was questioning himself whether to do a design that was formal or informal and decided to mix the two. 5. Committee Member Cunningham commented that the plans need to be looked at from a maintenance point as well. The widening of Jefferson Street, development of the other corners, and the effects of that will all play into the picture. The opposite side of the street is the City of lndio and will be spruced up as the sites develop. The grass area could have great potential utilizing plants, but will be the easiest to maintain as the area and street develops. It does need to be tightened up and become more cohesive in the design by adding the palms. This design does resemble the PGA West entrance. He would keep the grass and bring more uniformity to the dates. Mr. Lopez suggested they come back with an alternative design for the corner landscaping only. 6. Committee Member Bobbitt suggested he take some alternatives to the Planning Commission for their review. Staff stated the applicant was directed to not address the corner as it is an area the City Council may want to address as an entry statement. In regard to the maintenance, it may become a part of a lighting and landscaping district at some point in time. 7. Committee Member Thoms stated unless some other body in the City has designed what will be placed at this corner, it should be addressed at this time. The whole corner should be rearranged with the plant materials to create a land form. It needs to be a visual statement. 8. Planning Manager Oscar Orci informed the Committee that staff was working with the developer of the corner to the south to also create an entrance statement for the corner. 9. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Thoms/Cunningham to adopt Minute Motion 2003-004, approving Site Development Permit 2002-752, as amended. a. The landscaping at the northwest corner of Jefferson Street and Fred Waring Drive shall be developed and reviewed and redesigned to become more of a design statement for the short term and long term. Unanimously approved. G ,\ WPDOCS\ARLC\2-5 -03. wpd 3 Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes February 5, 2003 B. Village Use Permit 2003-016; a request of Frank Glynn for review of architecture and landscaping plans for a five unit apartment building located on the east side of Avenida Martinez, south of Calle Tampico. 1 . Principal Planner Fred Baker gave an overview of the project and introduced Mr. Frank Glynn, architect for the project, who gave a presentation on the project. 2. Committee Member Bobbitt stated it is a very boxy looking building. The second floor is all right, but the profile needs to be enhanced. 3. Committee Member Cunningham stated the projects in La Guinta recently have been improving in style and moving up in quality, recognizing the economics. The Village has sat for a long time and is now beginning to develop into its own. His opinion is that this is standard architecture to house people. We now have an opportunity and he would like to see a design that is more in keeping with where the Village is headed. There is a responsibility now in the Village to improve the architecture that provides shelter as well as makes an architectural statement. This project as designed is not acceptable. Mr. Glynn stated he agrees with everything as stated, however his client has requested this design. With the direction from the Committee, it allows him the opportunity to relay this information to his client to allow him to develop a better looking building. 4. Committee Member Thoms stated he agreed with Committee Member Cunningham. All bare land is an opportunity to develop to the highest quality it can be. 5. Committee Member Bobbitt stated the parking structure appears to be constructed out of wood, he would recommend an alternative material be used that will hold up over time. 6. Committee Member Thoms stated the landscape material is not appropriate in the present locations. 7. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Thoms/Cunningham to adopt Minute Motion 2003-005, denying Village Use Permit 2003-016, directing the applicant to prepare a design that addresses the following concerns: G:\ WPDOCS\ARLC\2-5 -03. wpd 4 Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes February 5, 2003 a. The architectural style of the building should be redrawn to reflect more of a Village theme; b. An alternative to wood materials shall be used on the parking structure; and c. A landscape material palette designed to be more appropriate for the site and exposures. C. Site Development Permit 2002-759; a request of Sedona Homes, Inc. for review of prototype architecture plans for four residential unit types located northeast of the intersection of Jefferson Street and Avenue 54 within The Hideaway, Tract 29894. 1. Principal Planner Stan Sawa gave an overview of the project and introduced Lance Alcama, representingSedona Homes, who gave a presentation on the project. 2. Committee Member Bobbitt commended the applicant on his design of the garages. He asked if there was still a requirement for three car garages for three bedroom homes. Staff stated it was no longer required. 3. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Thoms/Bobbitt to adopt Minute Motion 2003-006, approving Site Development Permit 2002-759, as submitted. Unanimously approved. D. Review of the Commercial Property Improvement Program. Debbie Powell, Management Analyst stated that at the January meeting, the Committee asked staff for an overview of the program in regard to the spirit and intent. Staff reviewed the guidelines and found that any business within the Village could apply. There is no stipulation as to whether it has to be a particular size, income, old or new business. There was nothing that precludes a new project or business from applying. 1. Committee Member Bobbitt stated it was strange to give money to a new business. It seems it should be for the existing older businesses to bring them up to a better quality. Assistant City Manager Mark Weiss stated staff receives several requests for all types and sizes of businesses for economic development. The program was originally designed to facilitate facade and landscaping improvements for the existing Village area. Through G: I WPDOCSIARLC12 - 5-03. wpd 5 Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes February 5, 2003 the years, staff has received requests for other types of funding and with those requests, staff has analyzed these requests with an extensive rate of return analysis. Performance analysis are submitted; it is a very extensive process and not all business have. the ability to go through this type of analysis. We do not have programs available just for small businesses. With all types of businesses approaching the City for assistance and not having anything to try to stimulate and guide the type of development we want to encourage, we changed this Commercial Property Improvement Program (CPIP) to address this need. Something that was less bureaucratic, but would still meet the intent of enhancing the Village and stimulating economic development in the Village in an aesthetically pleasing manner consistent with the intent of the CPIP program. With this in mind, staff did not anticipate having applications submitted for the CPIP assistance after going through the more formal application process for approval. There was nothing in the CPIP guidelines that precluded it and as staff reviewed the application, it was determined this was not a bad idea to have both types of businesses go through the process to see whether or not their request enhances the Village area and see that it fits with the overall process. In order to go through this program and receive this grant, it would require the applicant to work with Committee to determine if there was an enhancement and make sure the project itself fits with the City's overall object for the Village. This is not a one time review. If the application, in the opinion of the Committee, does not meet the criteria, then the Committee can work with the applicant to achieve that goal. Economic development stimulation is the basis for the program. Each project should be reviewed to see if it is an enhancement from what was approved by the City through the normal planning process. 2. Committee Member Bobbitt stated he has a problem following this through. A new project is submitted to the City and he submits a less than good project and the City says we will give them $15,000 to "kick it up" a notch. 3. Committee Member Cunningham states he has no problem with that. It gives the Committee the opportunity to say whether or not the project has been "kicked up" a notch. The question is what was he proposing and how has he kicked it up the notch. G:\ WPDOCSIARLC\2-5-03. wpd 6 Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes February 5, 2003 As presented today, he has no objection to reviewing a project on that basis. In the future, the goals of the program may be somewhat different. A person who comes in with a $50 million dollar project, should maybe not be included in the program. Each project should be reviewed in light of the "spirit of the program." Assistant City Manager Mark Weiss stated that he agrees with the comments and at some point it should be reviewed and amended. . Committee Member Cunningham stated he would think at some point new construction should not be included. 4. Committee Member Thoms stated he hoped this would cause another review of the program. He appreciates staff's comments and their time to explain the program. E. Commercial Property Improvement Program 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 applicants for the project. Mr. Jack Stewart, project manager for the project, reviewed the request. 2. Committee Member Thoms asked if the applicant had a copy of the plans proposed. Mr. Stewart gave a review of the entrance stating the artist design for the sign and water feature are what the entrance will be enhanced with. 3. Committee Member Cunningham reviewed what was proposed with the enhancement and stated that in order to review this accurately, there would still need to be more information which would define what has been approved by the City and what they proposed to do to enhance the entry. A detail of the water feature and sign with the total cost is needed to show why this would not be constructed without the funds. 4. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Cunningham/Thoms to continue CPIP 2003- 020, with direction to staff to have the applicant submit a clear definition as to what the funds will be used for to enhance the entry. What is approved and what is proposed with the funding. Unanimously approved. G; I WPDOCSIARLC\2- 5-03. wpd 7 Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes February 5, 2003 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/Bobbitt 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. Re~eCtfUII~~SUb itted, ~ <1 //4 . 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