2002 06 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
.,
June 5, 2002
1'0:00 a:m.
I. CALL TO ORDER
A. This meeting of the Architectural and Landscaping Committee was called
to order at 10:07 a.m. by Principal Planner Stan Sawa who led the flag
salute.
B. Committee Members present: Dennis Cunningham, Bill Bobbitt, and David
Thoms.
C. Staff present: Community Development Director Jerry Herman,
Management Analyst Debbie Powell, Principal Planners Stan Sawa and
Fred Baker, Associate Planners Greg Trousdell, Wallace Nesbit, and
Martin Magana, and Executive Secretary Betty Sawyer.
II. PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: Confirmed.
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR:
A. Community Development Director Jerry Herman asked if there were any
changes to the Minutes of May 5, 2002. There being no corrections, it
was moved and seconded by Committee Members Cunningham/Thoms to
approve the Minutes as submitted.
V. BUSINESS ITEMS:
A. Site Development Permit 2002-728; a request of Stamko Development
Company to review enhanced landscaping plans for the area in front of
the new Walmart building and at the Centre at La Ouinta Centre Drive
entry located at the southeast corner of Highway 111 and La Ouinta
Centre Drive.
Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes.
June 5, 2002
1 . 'Community Development Director Jerry Herman presented the
information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file
in the Community Development Department.
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2. Mr. George Sicrea, architect for the project, gave a presentation on
the project.
3. Committee Member Thoms asked about the height of the gas
station signs. Staff noted it was an issue for the Planning
Commission. Committee Member Thoms asked if the band was
natural in color. Mr. Sic rea sated it was a French gray color to
accommodate the heavy traffic. The landscaping planting is
similar to the Auto Center but more massing with the lantana or
blooming shrubs.
4.t~mmittee Bobbitt asked if the landscaping would block the view
at the entrance. Mr. Sicrea stated that without the big shrubs the
views are safe. Plan check procedures will verify the safety
concerns.
5. Committee Member Thoms asked for one more date palm on each
side of the entrance. Mr. Sicrea stated it would take shuffling to
,accommodate more trees.
6. Ms. Chris Clarke, project developer, stated it is a right in to the
center so they need to be careful with the distance on the south
side of the property to accommodate the right turn in. The added
landscaping may block the views. Mr. Russ Beckner, representing
the developer, stated he also had a concern as to whether or not
there was enough room for the light fixtures.
7. Committee Member Cunningham stated his concern was that the
extra trees may crowd the area.
8. Community Development Director Jerry Herman asked if the
Committee had any concerns regarding the proposed changes to
the Walmart frontage landscaping. Mr. Sicrea gave a presentation
on the landscaping plan.
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9. Committee Member Bobbitt stated there is always a problem with
plant material in planters as they are never maintained properly.
10. Committee Member Thoms stated planters witll lantana do not
last. He would recommend vines be used on the columns, but
leave the ground shrubs in front of the store. Eliminate the plants
and place a picket with vines on the columns.
11 . Committee Member Bobbitt stated his concern was with the size
of the planters containing the trees in the parking lot. They need
to be larger to allow growth and staking. The minimum size
s,hould be at least 8 feet by 8 feet. Ms. Clarke stated the only
reason they are back before the Committee is for review and
approval of the enhanced entrance landscaping. They were not
required to upgrade the landscaping in front of Walmart and did so
at their own option based on a request by the City Council. They
have approval of the entire site. Committee Member Bobbitt
stated he understands, but every project has this problem, and the
City has conditioned the project for 50% shade and it is a waste
of money to plant trees when there is not enough room for them
to grow. Ms. Clarke stated she was proud of the Auto Mall
landscaping and this site will be developed the same. Lowe's
landscaping was well planned and constructed; Walmart had
'different standards.
12. Committee Member Cunningham stated this is an Issue where
staff could present alternatives to the ALRC
13. Community Development Director Jerry Herman confirmed the
conditions: 1) no lantana in front of the building; 2) add vines on
the columns; and 3) add two palm trees on the north and south
side of the island at the entrance.
14. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Committee Member Cunningham/Thoms to adopt Minute Motion
2002-020 recommending approval of Site Development Permit
2001-728, subject to the conditions as submitted and amended:
A. Lantana would not be planted in the front of the Walmart
building.
B. Pickets with vines would be added to the columns on the
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front of the building.
C. Two palm trees shall be added on the north and south side~
of the island at the entrance to the site.
Unanimously approved.
B. Site Development Permit 2001-738; a request of Affiliated
Construction/Prest Vuksic Architects, for review of architectural and
landscaping plans for a 4,500 square foot two story office building in the
La Guinta Professional Plaza located at the southeast corner of Ave"!ue
4 7 and Washington Street.
1 . Committee Member Thoms withdrew due to a possible conflict of '
interest and left the meeting.
2. Committee Member Cunningham asked if the dark brown wall on
the east elevation was offset of Building 4. Mr. Vuk,sic, archite~t
for the project, stated no, it is set up as a property line )IV,all.
Committee Member Cunningham stated the east elevation will
eventually have another building attached; Parcel 3. Until it is
constructed it has a round element and relief metal to soften t~e
look.
3. Committee Member Bobbitt asked if there were any provision'to
soften the wall if Parcel 3 is not built for an extended period of
time. Mr. Vuksic stated not at this time. Committee Member
Bobbitt stated he has no issues.
4. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Committee Member Cunningham/Bobbitt to adopt Minute Motion
2002-021 recommending approval of Site Development Permit
2001-738, subject to the conditions as submitted. Unanimously
approved with Committee Member Thoms being absent.
C. Site Development Permit 2001-743; a request of Mel Rudman/Prest
Vuksic Architects, for review of architectural and landscaping plans for a
5,063 square foot two story office building in the La Guinta Professional
Plaza located at the southeast corner of Avenue 47 and Washington
Street. Parcel 5
1. Associate Planner Wallace Nesbit presented the information
contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the
Community Development Department.
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2. Mr. John Vuksic, Prest/Vuksic Architects, gave a presentation on
the project. .
3. Committee Member Bobbitt asked if this building and the one just
approved were two different buildings. Mr. Vuksic explained the
site construction as being individual lots that will eventually be
joined together, but have different owners. Committee Member
Bobbitt asked if there were any setbacks. Staff noted there are. no
setbacks; fire walls are required. There are two different projects
at the same location with different applicants. It will eventually
appear to be one building.
4. Committee Member Cunningham stated he likes the outer
perimeter of the project. The effect on the outside community is
broken up architecturally and well done. He asked if. the doors on
the east elevation were utility doors. Mr. Vuksic stated the:y .are
utility doors. Committee Member Cunningham asked that this
elevation be given additional architectural detail perhaps using
metal, or projections to keep them from being unsightly. On t~e
site plan there should be no ability to have outdoor storage. Make
sure curbing and planting areas are done to discourage .~he
stacking of boxes. On the northern elevation he likes the 45
degree soffit and recessed boxes to break up the stucco. He
presumes they will use color for accent. Mr. Vuksic stated they
were proposing color and texture. Committee Member
Cunningham stated he likes the colored railings. The building will
add to the community. Stated his only concern was that the color
be used correctly.
5. Committee Member Bobbitt stated he likes the architecture. He
has no further comments except to be sure that any date palms
used be 15-20 feet and of good quality and not stressed to lose
their crown.
6. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Committee Member Cunningham/Bobbitt to adopt Minute Motion
2002-022 recommending approval of Site Development Permit
2001-743, subject to the conditions as submitted. Unanimously
approved with Committee Member Thoms being absent.
A. Condition: Add additional architectural detail to the utility
doors.
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Committee Member Thoms rejoined the Committee.
D. Site Development Permit 2001-739; a request of Summit Team Inc.
(David lsraelsky/Fleming Associates). for review of architectural and
landscaping plans for a 5,839 square foot one story commercial building
located west side of Washington Street, north of Calle,-Tampico, within
the La Guinta Village Shopping Center. .
1. Associate Planner Greg Trousdell presented the information
contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the
Community Development Department.
2. Mr. David Israelsky, owner of the project, gave a presentation.
3. Committee Member Thoms asked if there was a patio on the east
side. Staff stated yes with outdoor seating. Committee Member
Thoms asked where the trash enclosure was located. Staff stated
they would be on the westerly side. Committee Member Thoms
stated the patio terrace was plain and should be improved with
paving, texture, marking, or scoring. Staff noted it is outside the
20-foot setback area. Committee Member Thoms stated it could
be undulated in and out and add some imagination along the east
property line to give it some kind of enhancement.
4. Committee Member Cunningham agreed. It is not inviting and if it
. were enhanced it would be an improvement. Smaller than 10 feet
will be a problem.
5. Committee Member Thoms stated it does not need to be as long.
It could go north, the south end could go north of the electrical
area and create a larger landscape area. Along the eastern edge
there could be small pockets with smaller trees and paving strips.
It needs to be more people oriented. Staff stated they would
prefer to change the hedge between the two doors and allow extra
hardscape and have a curb section between the two doors.
6. Committee Member Bobbitt agreed, but did not want to design it
for the applicant. He asked what the setback requirements were
in regard to hardscape. Staff noted there are none in this area.
7. Committee Member Cunningham asked that the applicant enhance
the patio area and take out the linear look and if it needed to be in
the required setback area, work it out with staff and do decorative
concrete.
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8. ' There being no further discussion, it was moved, and seconded by
Committee Member Cunningham/Thoms to adopt Minute Motion
2002-023 recommending approval of Site Development Permit
2001-739, subject to the conditions as submitted.
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A. Condition: enhance patio area to take out linear look and if
it is in the required setback area, resolve it with staff.
B. Add decorative concrete.
9. Unanimously approved.
E. Site Development Permit 2001-741; a request of Michael Shovlin for Big
5 for review of architectural and landscaping plans for 9,600 square foot
commercial building in the La Quinta' Professional Plaza located at the
southeast corner of Avenue 478 and Washington Street.
1. Principal Planner Stan Saw a presented the information contained in
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the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community
Development Department.
2. Co~mittee Member Bobbitt stated that even with the planters
there is not enough room for the trees. They need to be careful
with pockets/planters as they become trash containers. Pockets
are not enough.
3. Committee Member Thoms stated the two outer columns should
have the vines planted to enhance the look.
4. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Committee Member Cunningham/Bobbitt to adopt Minute Motion
2002-024 recommending approval of Site Development Permit
2001-741, subject to the conditions as amended.
A. Condition to add vines to columns
Unanimously approved.
F. Site Development Permit 2002-742; a request of Toll Brothers for review
of architectural and landscaping plans for the prototype residential units
and golf course maintenance building for Mountain View Country Club
located at the northeast corner of Jefferson Street and Avenue 52 within
Tract 30357.
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1 . Associate Planner Martin Magana presented the informatio.~
contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the
Community Development Department.
2. Mr. Forrest Haag, architect for the project, gave a presE1ntation on
the project.
3. Committee Member Cunningham stated his only concern is that if
the maintenance facility were set back, it would be better. He
questioned the elevation difference between the building and the
road and asked if their is enough berming. Mr. Haag stated it is
away from the six foot wall and will have 22. feet of berming
setback 50 feet from the street.
4. Committee Member Cunningham asked if there were any visibility
issues from the westerly traffic. Mr. Haag stated th,ere is a blo<;:k
wall next to the CVWD access wall. Committee Me(T1per
Cunningham asked the height of the dumpster and carport. Mr.
Haag stated no higher than 6 feet.
5. Committee Member Bobbitt asked if the exterior would be painted.
Mr. Haag stated it will be painted.
6. Committee Member Thoms asked if the City approves of metal
buildings. Staff noted they have been allowed. The setback is an
advantage.
7. Committee Member Bobbitt asked if any consideration was given
to another entrance at the eastern end. Mr. Haag stated no.
8. Committee Member Thoms asked about the fencing material on
the interior. Mr. Haag stated it is chain-link only on the interio(of
the yard. Committee Member Thoms asked the purpose of the
parking. Mr. Haag, explained it was for employee parking.
Committee Member Thoms stated there was no room for the trees
with the overhang. Mr. Haag stated the spaces are 18-feet with a
1 .5 foot overhang which should allow room for the trees.
9. Committee Member Cunningham stated a consideration should be
given to plant material along the All American Canal, or make the
carport architecturally appeasing.
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10. Committee Member Thoms asked about the entry gates between
the walls. Mr. Haag stated there will be gates that are steel to
emulate the wall for security.
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. 11 . Committee Member Thoms stated he has a problem with chain-link
along the gates. The applicant needs to add black vinyl fabric for
the fence.
12. Committee Member Bobbitt questioned some of the plant material.
13. . There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Committee Member Cunningham/Bobbitt to adopt Minute Motion
2002-025 recommending approval of Site Development Permit
2001-742, subject to the conditions as amended:
A. Enhance the landscaping along the All American Canal side
for view.
B. Add black vinyl fabric to the chain-link fence in the
employee parking lot.
Unanimously approved.
Staff gave a presentation on the Commercial Property Improvement Program as
requested by the Committee.
G. Continued - Commercial Property Improvement Program 2002-012; a
request of Scott Wilson for funding of landscaping/hardscape
improvements for the property located at 78-150 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.
2. Committee Members discussed the proposal as presented.
3. Committee Member Thoms stated he was concerned that the east
side of property was not addressed in the applicant's request and
should be included in this project. Mr. Wilson stated he now owns
the entire site and would consider this area.
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4. Committee Member Bobbitt asked what he expects to do with this
portion of the site. Mr. Wilson stated that until they have a tenant
they will not know what will be done. Committee Member Bobbitt
asked if it could be cleaned up. Mr. Wilson stated this could be
done.
5. Committee Member Thom asked about the area between the wall
and the curb. Mr. Wilson asked if the Bougainville could be used
on Desert Club as well. Committee Member Thoms stated it
should be the same as the east side.
6. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Committee Members to adopt Minute Motion 2002-026 approving
CPIP 2002-012 with a score of 80. Unanimously approved.
H. Commercial Property Improvement Program 2002-016; a request of
Canali Ent. LLC-Ed Cosek for funding of landscaping improvements for
the property located at 78-121 Avenida La Fonda. '
1 . Management Analyst Debbie Powell presented the infor(T1ation
contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the
Community Development Department.
2. Committee Member Thoms asked why the Committee was hot
reviewing the building elevations. It was explained it was a
remodel of an existing building. The request before them was for
the landscaping.
3. Committee Member Thoms stated that on Avenida La Fonda the
palms are mixed and very close and could be a problem. In the
rear the Acacia is jammed in an area where they cannot grow.
4. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Committee Member Cunningham/Bobbitt to adopt Minute Motion
2002-027 approving CPIP 2002-016 with a score of 90.
Unanimously approved.
VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None
VII. COMMITTEE MEMBER ITEMS: None
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VIII. ADJOURNMENT:
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There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Committee Mell)bers
Bobbitt/Cunningham to adjourn this regular meeting. of the Architectural and
Landscaping Review Committee to a regular meeting to be held on July 3, 2002, This
meeting was adjourned at 1 :04 p,m, on June 5, 2002.
Respectfully submitted,
y
BE T AWYER, Executive Secretary
City of La Quinta, California
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