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2002 07 03 ALRC Minutes MINUTES ARCHITECTUFlE & LANDSCAPING REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING A re~lular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA July 3, 2002 10:00 a.m. I. CALL TO ORDEH A. This meeting of the Architectural and Landscaping Committee was called to order at 10:06 a.m. by Principal Planner Stan Saw a who led the flag salute. B. Committee Members present: Bill Bobbitt, 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, Principal Planner Stan Sawa, Associate Planner Martin Magana, and Executive Secretary Betty Sawyer. II. PUBLIC COMMENT: None. III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: Confirmed. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR: A. Principal Planner Stan Sawa asked if there were any changes to the Minutes of June 5, 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. Site DeveloDment Permit 2002-746; a request of Toll Bros./Forrest Haag for review of architectural and landscaping plans for a gatehouse, clubhouse, and spa facility located at the northeast corner of Jefferson Strelet and Avenue 52. 1. Associate Planner Martin Magana gave an explanation of the project and introduced Mr. Forrest Haag who gave a presentation on the project. G:\ WPDOCSIARLC\ 7 -3..02. wpd 1 Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes July 3, 2002 2. Committee Member Thoms asked what type of citrus was planned for the area around the gatehouse. Mr. Haag explained they are typically grapefruit trees as they are durable. Commissioner Thoms asked what the ground surface would be under the palms and citrus. Mr. Haag stated it was turf to accent the trees. Committee Member Thoms asked what material would be used for the finish on the front of the building. Mr. Haag stated it would be smooth white stucco troll with barrel or "S" tile for the roof. Committee Member Thoms complimented the project. 3. Committee Member Bobbitt asked if they could use a material that would require less maintenance than the wood on the doors to the gatehouse. Mr. Haag stated they would look at the issue and see what alternative materials could be used. Committee Member Bobbitt asked if purposely left off overhangs for the guardhouse and clubhouse. Mr. Haag stated that for consistency of architecture and maintenance issues they chose not to have them. Committee Member Bobbitt complimented the architecture on the buildings and asked that they use good quality palm trees with no constrictions or stress to avoid crown drops. 4. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Thoms/Bobbitt to adopt Minute Motion 2002-028 recommending approval of Site Development Permit 2002-746, subject to the conditions as submitted and amended: A. Healthy good quality palm trees Unanimously approved. B. Site Development Permit 2002-740; a request of Mark Carpenter/Dutch Parent/The Casey Group Architects for review of architectural and landscaping plans for a 217 unit apartment complex located at the northeast corner of Washington Street and Fred Waring Drive. 1. Associate Planner Martin Magana explained the project and introduced Mr. Paul Casey, architect for the project, who gave a presentation on the project. 2. Committee Member Bobbitt asked if the railings would be wood. Mr. Paul Casey stated no, they would be made of fiberglass and almond in color to match the stucco. Committee Member Bobbitt asked if there was a detailed drawing on the carports. Mr. Casey G:\ WPDOCSIARLc\ 7-3-02. wpd 2 Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes July 3, 2002 stated they were flat steel structure, almond in color and work best in this type of environment. Mr. Carpenter stated the slanted roofs take away from the building design. 3. Committee Member Thoms asked what would be planted in the landscape area between the perimeter wall and the carport structure. Mr. Mike Horton, landscape architect, stated they intend to use a drier, more drought tolerant plant material around the edge. Mr. Casey stated the curb is the car stop. Mr. Horton stated the turf and plant material would be held back from the area where the cars abut. 4. Committee Member Bobbitt asked the size of the area where the shade trees are in the parking area. Mr. Horton stated they would be six feet. Committee Member Bobbitt stated they may not be able to obtain the 50% shade coverage as required by the City because of the lack of tree growth, but the trees will be healthier due to the size of the islands. Committee Member Bobbitt asked if the developer would be having the landscape architect make a final inspection. Mr. Carpenter stated there would be a final inspection. Discussion followed regarding the grading of the retention basin. 5. Committee Member Thoms asked about the cris-cross trellis on the hand railings of the building's end elevations. Mr. Casey stated they would be solid and the pattern is added to the stucco. The end walls would be solid. 6. Committee Member Bobbitt asked about the window popouts. Mr. Casey explained they will be stucco based with acrylic coating, pillions. 7. Committee Member Thoms asked about the architecture of the front elevation where there is a shed roof and the rear there is a gable. Mr. Casey stated it is to create interest. Committee Member Thoms questioned the colors being used. Mr. Casey explained how the color was being used to break up the building and add charm. Committee Member Thoms asked about the grade change where a portion of the building is buried. Mr. Casey explained the patio slab is essentially flush with the normal grade, but they berm up around the building with a concrete wall that goes up approximately three feet to help screen the height of the building. G:\ WPDOCSIARLC\ 7-3-02. wpd 3 Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes July 3, 2002 8. Committee Member Bobbitt asked if the applicant was aware that the vines proposed would stick to the buildings and can be a maintenance problem. Mr. Horton stated they may use a different species. 9. Committee Member Thoms asked what the material was proposed for the perimeter wall. Mr. Horto,n slump stone with a slurry finish. 10. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Committee Member Bobbitt/Thoms to adopt Minute Motion 2002- 029 recommending approval of Site Development Permit 2002- 740, as requested. Unanimously approved. C. Site Development Permit 2002-747; a request of Peter Jacobs Homes, Inc./BBG Architects for review of architectural plans for two single story prototype house plans located at the west side of Turnberry Way and south of Brown Deer Park within the Norman Course 1 . Principal Planner Stan Sawa introduced Mr. Peter Jacobs who gave a presentation on the project. 2. Committee Member Bobbitt asked who would be maintaining the landscape area. Mr. Jacobs explained the front would be maintained by the homeowners' association (HOA) and the rear by the property owner. Committee Member Bobbitt asked that all the roof lines not be the same. Mr. Jacobs stated they would propose to use hip and gable roofs to create different designs. 3. Committee Member Thoms stated he does not like windows on garage doors. Mr. Jacobs stated they would have an architectural element, but no windows and wood would not be used. 4. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Committee Member Thoms/Bobbitt to adopt Minute Motion 2002- 030 recommending approval of Site Development Permit 2001- 747, subject to the conditions as submitted. Unanimously approved. A. No windows in the garage doors. G:\ WPDOCSIARLC\7-3-02.wpd 4 Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes July 3, 2002 D. Site DElVelooment Permit 2002-745; a request of Marvin Investments/SGPC Architecture Planning, for review of architectural and landscaping plans for Phase 1 of Old Town La Quinta, located northeast corner of Desert Club Drive and Avenida La Fonda. 1 . Principal Planner Stan Sawa explained the project and introduced thl~ architect, Mr. Michael Cather of SGPC Architecture and Planning and Jose Estrada, Herman & Associates, landscape architect for the project gave a presentation on the project. 2. Committee Member Bobbitt stated his concern that the tower elements might have to be lowered to meet the height restrictions. He asked where the trash storage and the mechanical equipment would be located. Mr. Cather stated the buildings would be kept within the height restrictions. It is their intent to keep them down to a pedestrian scale. In regard to the trash enclosures, they are still looking at potential sites. These are four-sided buildings which makes it very difficult to site them. In regard to the mechanical equipment, they would be using mansards and/or parapets that would shield the equipment. 3. Committee Member Thoms stated the architecture and detailing are excellent, but the site plan for the entire project is lacking. There is no core to the site. There are several block buildings and their architecture is excellent. This is a very important site to the City and he doesn't see the imagination in the site plan. The only "people" place is the plaza area. He doesn't see it becoming a "well used site" for the center of the City. Mr. Cather stated the focal point is the mainstreet for pedestrian traffic and still introduce the vehicular method of travel. They would review the site plan with the Committee's comments in mind. 4. Committee Member Bobbitt stated he wanted to be sure the tree wells were large enough for the trees to grow. He concurs there needs to be a civic center to draw the project together. Discussion followed as to whether or not the site plan could be brought back to the Committee for review. It was suggested the Committee have an opportunity to review the architecture and landscaping in appropriate specific plans before being submitted to the Planning Commission to allow them input before it reaches this stage in the design process. G:I WPDOCSIARLCI 7-3-02. wpd 5 Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes July 3, 2002 5. Committee Member Thoms asked that his statements be entered into the record that the site plan does not meet, what he thinks, should be the theme for the area. It needs more detail to bring some life to the site. Landscaping should be a significant part of the planning process. 6. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Committee Member Bobbitt/Thoms to adopt Minute Motion 2002- 031 recommending approval of Site Development Permit 2001- 745, subject to the conditions as submitted with comments noted on the site plan. Unanimously approved. E. Commercial Prooertv Imorovement Proaram 2002-017; a request of David Chapman/Ciro's Restaurant for funding of electrical and parking improvements for the property located at 78-110 Calle Estado. 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. John Owens, representing the owner for the project gave a presentation on the project. 2. Committee Member Bobbitt stated there have not been a lot of requests for utility improvements, and he is not sure it is appropriate to spend CPIP funds on utility improvements. CPIP Guidelines are not clearly defined regarding this type of request. Staff agreed it generally has been for aesthetics. Committee Member Bobbitt stated he could approve a portion for the lighting, but not the entire amount for electrical work. He would like to have a site plan for the lighting work proposed showing the fixture styles. In addition, he would request the lighting be separated from the utility improvements. 3. Committee Member Thoms agreed. 4. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Committee Member Bobbitt/Thoms to continue CPIP 2002-017, to the meeting of August 7, 2002. Unanimously approved. VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None G:\WPDOCSIARL07-3-02.wpd 6 Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes July 3, 2002 VII. COMMITTEE MEMBER ITEMS: A. Committee Member Bobbitt stated that during his reappointment interview he was asked some very poignant questions by Council regarding the median landscaping. They made a suggestion that the Committee be more involved in the conceptual design work for projects. He would like to request a better definition of what the Committee should be reviewing. 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 August 7, 2002. This meeting was adjourned at 12:07 p.m. on July 3, 2002. Respectfully submitted, .~ f ZJ., /12 ~ Jdii~/ /c{(lL.j(~ BETTY,d/ AWYIER, Executive Secretary ~ City of La Quinta, California G:\ WPDOCSIARLC\7 -3.02. wpd 7