2002 11 06 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
November 6, 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, Principal Planner Fred Baker,
Associate Planner Wallace Nesbit, 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 October 2,
2002. There being no corrections, it was moved and seconded by
Committee Members Bobbitt/Thoms to approve the Minutes as
submitted.
V. BUSINESS ITEMS:
A. Sire Development Permit 2002-751; a request of Washington 111, L TD-
Dale Frank and Associates for review of architecture and conceptual
landscaping plans for the first phase of Washington Park Commercial
Center located on the south side of Highway 111, between Washington
Street and Adams Street.
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Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes
November 6, 2002
1 . Principal Planner Fred Baker gave an explanation of the project and
introduced Mr. Dale Frank, developer of the project, gave
presentations on the project and introduced Mr. Saeid Shantiyai,
Project Director for MCG Architecture, Mr. Greg Lyon, Director of
Design for MCG Architecture, Mr. Hal Hall with HH Landscaping,
Mr. Fred Stephenson, Director of Marketing for Moorefield
Construction, who were available to answer questions.
2. Committee Member Thoms asked if there was a proposed tenant
for Buildings 3 and 4. Mr. Frank stated he has not concentrated
on the smaller users, but on the larger users. Committee Member
Thoms asked about the space between the smaller tenants
building and Lowe's building. Mr. Frank stated the space will be
for the required storm retention and it will also be spread out
throughout the site and landscaped. Between the buildings there
will be a fountain/water feature that re-circulates. It will be an Art
in Public Places feature. Committee Member Thoms stated that
between Building 3 and 4 there appears to be a place for public
use. Mr. Frank indicated the public use areas on the plan.
Committee Member Thoms stated it is more visual appealing if you
do not have cars parked in front of that area. The south side does
not have cars and the north has cars headed in. He would like to
see that moved. Staff stated the entire specific plan is under
review including landscape setbacks and additional right of way.
Committee Member Thoms stated he would like to restrict any
parking in front of the public use area.
3. Committee Member Bobbitt asked about the parking area behind
Building 3; what divides this area from the Lowe's parking. Mr.
Frank stated there is no access through to Lowe's but an area with
a planter. It is for deliveries and employee parking. Lowe's has a
five foot perimeter landscaping around their building. Committee
Member Bobbitt asked about the shade structures in front of
Target. Mr. Shantiyai, stated there were no covers; the area was
for cart storage. Committee Member Bobbitt asked about small
planters in front of the building. Mr. Frank stated they originally
had them, but removed them. Committee Member Bobbitt asked
if there was any exterior wood work. Mr. Greg Lyon, MCG
Architecture, gave a presentation on the building architecture.
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Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes
November 6,2002
4. Committee Member Bobbitt asked if the front of the building was
wainscot. Mr. Shantiyai stated yes, but there is a change in
material to break up the building. Committee Member Bobbitt
asked if the shade covers would be wood or metal. Mr. Shantiyai
stated they are going toward metal due to the weather in the
desert. Committee Member Bobbitt stated the same material
should be for trash enclosures.
5. Committee Member Thoms asked if the Target building was block.
Mr. Shantiyai stated it will be split face and precise block to break
it up and create depth and the wainscot effect. Mr. Shantiyai
stated the purpose is to break up the mass of the building.
6. Committee Member Bobbitt asked about the mechanical
equipment. Mr. Shantiyai stated it would be hidden behind the
parapet wall.
7. Committee Member Thoms stated he had a concern about the
building having so much grey material. Mr. Shantiyai stated they
will be introducing different colors. The sample board shows
texture, not color. The Target building will have different colors
and textures.
8. Committee Member Thoms stated he has no problems with the
landscape concept. He would like to see at key points some scale
and interest versus having a lot of plants. Get some strength out
of the landscape materials to give importance to certain areas. Mr.
Shantiyai stated they have done this on the entrances to the site.
Committee Member Thoms stated it is not important to
concentrate on the smaller areas where people travel. Mr. Frank
stated the City has a requirement for mounding that will lend itself
to the site.
9. Committee Member Bobbitt stated the trees proposed for the
parking lot will give a good feel to the site. What he is concerned
about is that the planting areas being too small for a tree to
survive. He would suggest the Mesquite tree not be used in a
small area. He would also suggest using a different tree than the
Bottlebrush to eliminate the mess. Also, do not use the Date
palms in heavy traffic areas and they should not come from an old
grove to see that they are not stressed.
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Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes
November 6, 2002
10. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Committee Member Thoms/Bobbitt to adopt Minute Motion 2002-
041 recommending approval of Site Development Permit 2002-
751, as amended:
A. Condition added: Parking in front of Building 3 parking shall
be restricted to handicapped only.
B. Condition: Delete Bottlebrush trees from the landscape
pallette.
Unanimously approved.
B. Site Development Permit 2002-752; a request of Cornerstone
Development for review of architecture and landscaping plans for a model
complex, located at the northwest corner of Jefferson Street and Fred
Waring Drive.
1. Associate Planner Wallace Nesbit gave an explanation of the
project and introduced Mr. Alan Levin and Joe Swain, representing
Cornerstone Development, who gave a presentation on the project.
2. Committee Member Thoms asked about the contour mounding as
it appears to be partly in the planting area and partly in the lawn
area and he would prefer it be in the lawn area only. He asked if
they would be doing both the front and rear yard landscaping. Mr.
Swain stated front only.
3. Committee Member Bobbitt stated it would be nice to upgrade the
irrigating system as well as the planting material.
4. Committee Member Thoms asked if the front yards would be
maintained by the homeowners' association (HOAI. Mr. Alan
Levin stated no, the HOA would only take care of the entries and
perimeter landscaping. There would be no common area meters.
5. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Committee Member Bobbitt/Thoms to adopt Minute Motion 2002-
042 recommending approval of Site Development Permit 2002-
752, as amended:
A. Condition: Contouring to be in the lawn area only and not
in the planting area.
Unanimously approved.
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Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes
November 6, 2002
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 December 4, 2002. This meeting
was adjourned at 11 :37 a.m. on November 6, 2002.
Respectfully submitted,
~~/Lyp1a'L'JV
( BETTJ;<fA'AWYER, Executive Secretary
City 0 La Quinta, California
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