2002 08 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
August 7, 2002
10:00 a.m.
I. CALL TO ORDER
A. This meeting of the Architecture and Landscaping Committee was called
to order at 10:06 a.m. by Associate Planner Greg Trousdell who led the
flag salute.
B. Committee Members present: Bill Bo.bbitt and David Thoms. It was
moved and seconded by Commissioners Bobbitt/Thoms to excuse
Committee Member Cunningham. Unanimously approved.
C. Staff present: Management Analyst Debbie Powell, Associate Planners
Greg Trousdell and Wallace Nesbit, and Executive Secretary Betty
Sawyer.
II. PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA:
A. Staff informed the Committee that Item A on the agenda had been pulled
at the request of the applicant.
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR:
A. Staff asked if there were any changes to the Minutes of July 3, 2002.
Commissioner Thoms noted some minor changes. There being no further
corrections, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members
Bobbitt/Thoms to approve the Minutes as corrected.
V. BUSINESS ITEMS:
A. Specific Plan 2001-051, Amendment #1 and Village Use Permit 2001-
007, Amendment #1; a request of Cameo Homes for review of
architectural and landscaping plans for a multi-storied 200 unit apartment
complex and two commercial buildings on 12 acres in a Village
Commercial District located north of Calle Tampico and east Eisenhower
Drive.
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Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes
August 7, 2002
1. Associate Planner Greg Trousdell gave an explanation of the
project and introduced Mr. Forrest Haag, landscape architect, and
Mr. Keith Labus, KTGY Group, architect for the project, who gave
presentations on the project.
2. Committee Member Bobbitt asked what had happened to. the
previous Vista Montana project. Mr. Haag stated Desert Sands
Unified School District had purchased 12 acres of the site for a
school which caused a change in the master plan.
3. Committee Member Thoms asked if the stucco was to be smooth.
Mr. Haag stated smooth trowel was anticipated, but had not yet
been determined.
4. Committee Member Bobbitt asked what material would be used to
construct the parking structure. Mr. Haag stated wood with
structural steel and glu-Iams. Committee Member Bobbitt
suggested paralams be used instead and asked if the land use was
appropriate. Staff stated the Specific Plan would have to be
amended, but apartments are allowed on the site. Mr. Haag stated
that in the Village area of the City, this type of use is encouraged
to create vibrance to sustain the commercially planned
developments.
5. Committee Member Bobbitt asked the height of the buildings in the
Village Commercial district. Staff stated it is 35 feet.
6. Committee Member Thoms stated the buildings are packed onto
the site with only one "people place". There needs to be another
kind of recreational area. Mr. Haag stated there is a reservoir east
of the project that will be a green belt with a potential for some
kind of court.
7. Committee Member Bobbitt agreed there should be some
additional recreational area on the site.
8. Committee Member Thoms asked what material would be used for
the ground cover. Mr. Haag explained turf and shrubs with a
decomposed granite trail connecting the buildings, common area,
and parking areas. In regard to the recreational areas, it is hard to
justify having two swimming pools with only 200 units.
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Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes
August 7, 2002
9. Committee Member Thoms reviewed the plans noting there js
space on the site that could be developed for open space anq he
will recommending a secondary people space be added.
10. Committee Member Bobbitt stated he would like to see the final
plant palette be brought back to the Committee. Mr. Haag asked
if the final plan could come back to the ALRC, Staff stated they
could.
11 . Committee Member Thoms asked that between the peripheral wall
and the parking spaces their is a nuisance area that should consist
of a decomposed granite and the wall be a solid wall for sound
attenuation.
12. Committee Member Bobbitt stated that if trees are to be added on
the perimeter, the applicant should provide enough room to allow
the tree to grow. Mr. Haag explained what they had proposed,
13, Committee Member Thoms stated that if they planted a substantial
tree instead of two or three smaller ones, it can work better. He
asked what the commercial uses would be, Mr. Haag stated the
vision is retail on the first floor and residential on the second floor.
Committee Member Thoms stated his concern that there wasn't
much visibility from the street.
14. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Committee Members Bobbitt/Thoms to adopt Minute Motion
2002-032 recommending approval of Village Use Permit 2001-
007, subject to the conditions as submitted and amended:
A. Secondary people spaces be added within the units.
B. The south and east side walls be a solid wall with
decomposed granite material between the parking spaces
and the perimeter wall.
C, The final planting concept drawings be brought back to the
ALRC identifying the plant sizes and location at a 1" = 20'
scale.
Unanimously approved.
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Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes
August 7, 2002
B. Site Development Permit 2001-702, Amendment #1; a request of La
Guinta Congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses for review of architectural
plans for a second church building located on the east side of Dune Palms
Road, across from the La Guinta High School.
1. Associate Planner Greg Trou~dell explained the project and
introduced Mr. Allen Elkins, Project Chairman for the project, who
gave a presentation on the project.
2. Committee Member Bobbitt asked if the second building was
similar in design to the first building. Mr. Elkins, representing the
applicant, stated the Planning Commission had directed them to
have different roof lines.' 'Committee Member Bobbitt stated the
roof lines need to be differentiated to enhance the building and
give interest. On the landscaping they need to add plant materials
with differing heights to help break up the building. Some of the
island wells need to be enlarged and he would suggest using a
larger variety of trees.
3. Committee Member Bobbitt asked what material would be used on
the north and south perimeter wall. Mr. Elkins stated it would be a
block wall with shrubs. The south has an existing chainlink fence
that needs to be removed and they are working with the adjoining
property owner to resolve the problem.
4. Committee Member Thoms questioned why the landscape plan
, was not included. Staff went over the history of the project and
stated it had been approved with the first building submittal.
Committee Member Thoms stated the elevations on the drawings
do not reflect what was submitted in the Committee's packet.
There is no articulation on the building and he would like to see
something added. Mr. Elkins stated one side faces the well site
and the other the retention basin. Committee Member Thoms
stated there will be development to the north that will see the
blank wall. Mr. Jeff Stofker, representing the applicant, stated it
is more fully addressed on the site plan. Staff stated the original
approval allowed the applicant to have staff approval.
5. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Committee Member Bobbitt/Thoms to adopt Minute Motion 2002-
033 recommending approval of Site Development Permit 2002-
702, as modified.
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Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes
August 7, 2002 ,
A. Landscaping added to break up the exterior building walls.
Unanimously approved.
C. Site Development Permit 2002-749; a request of David F.
Hauck/Ponderosa Homes for review of architectural" plans for three
residential plans to be constructed in' Tract 29323 located on the
northwest corner of Fred Waring Drive and Jefferson Street.
1 . Associate Planner Wallace Nesbit introduced Mr. David Hauck,
Ponderosa Homes, who gave a presentation on the project.
2. Committee Member Thoms complemented the applicant on the
entry tower on Plan 2.
3. Committee Member Bobbitt asked if they would have the same
roof tile. Mr. Hauck stated there would be a variety of style and
color.
4. Committee Member Thoms asked about the garage doors. Mr.
Hauck stated it would depend on what was available. Committee
Member Thoms asked if the entry landscaping would be brought
back to the Committee. Staff stated when the applicant was
ready it would come before the Committee for a recommendation.
5. 'Committee Member Bobbitt asked about the grade change and the
existing homes in Bermuda Dunes Country Club. Staff explained it
has been the City's position that there not be a grade differential
of more than three feet to be compatible with the adjoining
project.
6. Committee Member Bobbitt asked about the rear yard walls. Mr.
Hauck stated they would be block, but he did not know what
material would be used.
7. Committee Member Thoms stated his concern was the streetscape
along Fred Waring Drive and Jefferson Street. Staff stated it
would be brought back to the Committee for their review and
recommendation.
8. Committee Member Bobbitt asked what material would be used for
the shutters. Mr. Hauck stated it would be a composite material.
Committee Member Bobbitt asked if additional articulation could be
added to the side elevations.
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Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes
August 7, 2002
9. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Committee Member Thoms/Bobbitt to adopt Minute Motion 2002-
034 recommending approval of Site Development Permit 2Q02-
749, subject to the conditions as submitted. Unanimously
approved.
D. Commercial Property Improvement Program 2002-018; a request of
Augustin and Francisca Martinez for funding of exterior improvements for
the property located at 78-100 Calle Tampico.
1 . Management Analyst Debbie Powell presented the information
contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the.
Community Development Department and introduced Mr. '
Augustine Martinez, owner of the property, who gave a
presentation on the request.
2. Committee Member Thoms asked why this project was beihg
brought to the Committee. Mr. Martinez Stated the funding was
to enhance the look of the building. Committee Member Thoms
stated he did not think this would improve the building's
appearance. Mr. Martinez stated their future plans are to convert
the building to a restaurant.
3. Committee Member Bobbitt stated the building is an eyesore to
begin with. If he was to allocate City money, it would not be for
gates, but for architecture elements to enhance the building. As
far as the patio cover, it needs to be built out of a different
material.
4. Committee Member Thoms stated he could not approve City funds
for this proposal.
5. Committee Member Bobbitt agreed and suggested Mr. Martinez
resubmit a plan that would enhance the look of the building.
6. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Committee Member Bobbitt/Thoms to adopt Minute Motion 2002-
035 denying CPIP 2002-018, but encouraged the applicant to
resubmit with a different proposal. Unanimously approved.
VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None
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Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes
August 7, 2002
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 September 4, 2002, This
meeting was adjourned at 11:42 p.m. on August 7, 2002.
Respectfully submitted,
. S y ~ecretary
uinta, California
7
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