2002 12 04 ALRC Minutes
MINUTES
ARCHITECTURE & LANDSCAPING REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING
A regular meeting held at the La Guinta City Hall
78-495 Calle Tampico, La Guinta, CA
December 4, 2002
10:00 a.m.
I. CALL TO ORDER
A. This meeting of the Architectural and Landscaping Committee was called
to order at 10:02 a.m. by Planning Manager Oscar Orci who led the flag
salute.
B. Committee Members present: Bill Bobbitt and David Thoms. It was
moved and seconded by Committee Members Thoms/Bobbitt to excuse
Committee Member Cunningham. Unanimously approved.
C. Staff present: Planning Manager Oscar Orci, Associate Planner Martin
Magana, and Executive Secretary Betty Sawyer.
II. PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
Ill. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: Confirmed.
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR:
A. Staff asked if there were any changes to the Minutes of November 6,
2002. There being no corrections, it was moved and seconded by
Committee Members Thoms/Bobbitt to approve the Minutes as
submitt,ed.
V. BUSINESS ITEMS:
A. Site Development Permit 2002-753; a request of Evergreen Devco, Inc.
for review of architecture and landscaping plans for a 14,560 square foot
drug and retail store on a 4.03 acre site located at the northeast corner
of Washington Street and Avenue 48.
1. Committee Member Thoms stated he does reside a distance
further than 500 lineal feet from this project and believes he has
no conflict of interest with the project.
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Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes
December 4, 2002
2. Associate Planner Martin Magana, introduced the applicants for
the project. Mr. Reuben Garbett, Associate Project Manager for
Evergreen Devco, Inc. gave a presentation on the project. He
stated the first phase will be the Walgreens building with a
developer to build the remainder of the site.
3. Committee Members Thoms and Bobbitt agreed this design was
an improvement over the other stores.
4. Committee Member Thoms asked the purpose of the pedestrian
area at the corner of Avenue 48 and Washington Street. Mr. John
Peruzzi, Peruzzi Architects, stated they are required to have the
public access according to the Building Code, Title 24. Committee
Member Thoms suggested it become something more than a path,
but part of the landscaping. In connection with the monument
sign, and a little imagination they could create something more
than a path, but still serve as a path. Something art-like, or
utilizing artwork in the setting. Mr. Tom Doczi, landscape
architect, suggested a plaza.
5. Planning Manager Oscar Orci stated there may be some
topographic changes as it does undulate at the corner.
6. Mr. Tim O'Neil, Senior Project Manager for Evergreen Devco, Inc.
stated they understood the issue and would look into it.
7. Committee Member Bobbitt asked about the border where it calls
for decomposed granit (DG) along Avenue 48. Mr. Doczi stated
that a screen wall is adjacent to the DG. The wall will screen the
parking lot. Committee Member Bobbitt asked the height of the
wall. Mr. Doczi stated it was three feet. Committee Member
Bobbitt asked if the plants would be on the wall, or in the DG. Mr.
Doczi stated they would be planted along the wall to grow over
the wall.
8. Committee Member Bobbitt asked about the size of the parking lot
island shade trees; would it be possible to create a little more
space for the base of the trees? Mr. Garbett stated the space is
six feet. Committee Member Bobbitt stated the size is larger than
what most developments create, but he would rather see them
eight feet by eight feet. There may be a problem with the trees on
the west side. Mr. Garbett stated they are designed to be six feet
as well.
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Architectural & Landscape Review Corrunittee Minutes
December 4, 2002
9. Committee Member Bobbitt asked about the small flower beds
around the parking spaces in front of the building which become
more of a nuisance than an attractive feature due to the pedestrian
tlcaffic. He suggested a smaller planting area be used with vines
and that the area be paved to facilitate pedestrian access.
10. Committee Member Thoms agreed and suggested eliminating the
plants in front of the cars and use small planting beds around the
columns. The planting beds along the side that does not have
parking should survive. Mr. Tim O'Neill asked what makes the
determination as to whether or not to make the change as
recommended by this Committee. Staff stated this Committee's
recommendation is taken to the Planning Commission and changes
would be made after that meeting.
11 . Committee Member Bobbitt questioned the trees along the north
property line. Mr. Garbet stated all the landscaping as proposed
would remain and would be setbacks from the buildings
themselves.
12. Committee Member Thoms suggested they use something other
than lantana, like bougainvillea.
13. Committee Member Bobbitt asked if the City had any requirements
regarding the undeveloped lots. They will be using soil
stabilization, but it might be better if it were planted with grass.
Planning Manager Oscar Orci stated the phasing of the project
needs to be discussed with the applicant before this could be
decided.
14. Committee Member Thoms noted the landscaping along
Washington Street and Avenue 48 frontage is already planted with
grass; how do you coordinate the existing with the new
landscaping. Planning Manager Oscar Orci stated the developer
will be conditioned to maintain the corner. Mr. Dorzi stated it will
be separated out and the two will be constructed to function
together.
15. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Committee Members Bobbitt/Thoms to adopt Minute Motion
2002-043 recommending approval of Site Development Permit
2002-753 as amended:
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Architectural & Landscape Review Connnittee Minutes
December 4, 2002
1. Artistic detail given to the pedestrian access at the corner
of Washington Street and Avenue 48.
2. Planting on the west elevation in front of the building to be
reduced and planted with vines only along the columns.
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
Bobbitt/Thoms to adjourn this regular meeting of the Architectural and Landscaping
Review Committee to a regular meeting to be held on January 8, 2003. This meeting
was adjourned at 10:47 a.m. on December 4, 2002.
Respectfully submitted,
,~Ye:.~~ ;x(~
'~-F~ . A ER, Exec4ive Secretary
City of La uinta, California
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