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2002 04 03 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 April 3, 2002 10:00 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: Bill Bobbitt, and David Thoms. It was moved and seconded by Committee Members Bobbitt/Thoms to excuse Committee Member Cunningham. Unanimously approved. C. Staff present: Management Analyst Debbie Powell, Principal Planner Stan Sawa, Associate Planners Wallace Nesbit and Martin Magana, and Executive Secretary Betty Sawyer. II. PUBLIC COMMENT: None. III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: A. It was moved and seconded by Committee Members Bobbitt/Thoms to reorganize the agenda to take Item "D" first. Unanimously approved. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR: A. Principal Planner Stan Sawa asked if there were any changes to the Minutes of March 13, 2002. There being no corrections, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Bobbitt/Thoms to approve the Minutes as submitted. V. BUSINESS ITEMS: D. Site Develooment Permit 2001-731; a request of WG Properties, LLC for review of architectural and landscaping plans for a medical/office building consisting of 8,792 square feet to be located on the east side of Washington Street, north of Lake La Guinta Drive. G:\WPDOCSIARLC\4-3-02.wpd 1 Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes April 3, 2002 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. 2. Committee Member Thoms asked about the location of the trash enclosure. Mr. Robert Ricciardi, architect for the project, explained its location. Committee Member Thoms asked that the trash enclosure on Caleo Bay be relocated. Mr. Ricciardi agreed. Committee Member Thoms agreed with staff's recommendation on the street scape landscape design. He does not want to see parcels of property on the east frontage having different landscape schemes. Mr. Ricciardi explained it was the same on Washington Street. Committee Member Thoms explained the streetscape on the east side, Caleo Bay, should be compatible with the streetscape is to the north and south. The restaurant and this project should complement each other in regard to the landscaping. Discussion followed regarding the existing landscape material and the proposed. 3. Committee Member Bobbitt asked if the vacant pad on the site would be landscaped and who would maintained it. Mr. Ricciardo stated it would be landscaped and maintained. 4. Committee Member Thoms asked about the contents of the retention basin as he did not think it was consistent with what was to the north and south along Washington Street and Caleo Bay. 5. Committee Member Bobbitt stated he would like to see some turf. In regard to the architecture, he has no objections as he thinks it will blend in with the surrounding buildings. 6. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Committee Member Bobbitt/Thoms to adopt Minute Motion 2002- 011 recommending approval of Site Development Permit 2001- 732, subject to the conditions as submitted and amended: A. Additional turf to parkways. B. Landscaping to complement the landscaping to the north and south along Caleo Bay C. The trash enclosure shall be relocated away from Caleo Bay. Unanimously approved. G:\WPDOCSIARL04-3-02.wpd 2 Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes April 3, 2002 B. Commercial Prooertv Imorovement Program 2002-015; a request of Lori Abdelnour, Allstate Insurance for a funding request for exterior improvements for the property located at 551-650 Avenida Bermudas. 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 Member Bobbitt asked if there would be some landscape renovation. Ms. Abdelnour stated yes, it would. Committee Member Bobbitt asked if the doors and exterior work would be refinished. Ms. Abdelnour stated the windows would be replaced with glass. The roof would be fixed as well as other repairs. The color would be the original color as recommended by Historic Preservation Commission. She would like to use awnings, but she is trying to match what was there in the 1940's and add texture to the rear of the building. 3. There being no discussion, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Thoms/Bobbitt to adopt Minute Motion 2002-012 approving Commercial Property Improvement Program request of Lori Abdelnour, Allstate Insurance with a score of 95. Unanimously approved. C. Site Development Permit 2001-732; a request of Southern California Presbyterian Homes for review of architectural and landscaping plans for an 81 unit senior apartment complex located at the southwest corner of Avenue 47 and Adams Street. 1. Associate Planner Martin Magana presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. 2. Committee Member Bobbitt asked if this project had been discussed with the Lake La Quinta Homeowners' Association. Staff explained this project had addressed the issues raised by the surrounding property owners. Committee Member Bobbitt asked about the material to be used on the carports. Staff stated they would be prefabricated metal with metal canopies. Committee Member Bobbitt stated the material should be something more than a metal prefab carport design, that would fit in more with the architecture of the buildings and surrounding homes. They should 0:\ WPDOCSIARLC\4-3-02. wpd 3 Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes April 3, 2002 be given more architectural treatment. He asked if there was an issue with the Oleander hedge. Staff stated it was intended to stay as it is currently. 3. Mr. Michael Matalon, architect for the project, stated they have not met with any of the property owners. In their discussions with staff, this project was half the density of the previous project and the buildings are a lot further away from their perimeter road. Committee Member Bobbitt stated it would be wise for them to meet with the property owners to ensure there are no issues. 4. Committee Member Thoms agreed with the continuation of the wall down Avenue 47. He asked what enclosure would be constructed along the southern boundary in addition to the Oleander hedge. Staff stated the hedge would remain and berms added. Mr. Tom Doczi, TKD Associates, landscape architect for the project, stated there is an Oleander hedge with chain-link fence that secures the site. Committee Member Thoms stated it is a wire fence not chain-link. Mr. Doczi stated they intended to keep the hedge as it is for privacy. To remove would substantailly open the project up, but a solid wall would close the project in. Committee Member Thoms agrees with the hedge remaining the same, but it needs additional security. Mr. Doczi suggested installing wrought iron at this location. 5. Committee Member Bobbitt stated his problem is the Zielella bacteria infection prevalent in the Valley, which would kill the Oleander hedge. Would the property owners at that time be able to replace the fence? Mr. Doczi stated they could start a back-up planting in case this were to happen to replace the Oleanders. In addition, a wrought iron fence or wall could be installed. Committee Member Bobbitt asked where the irrigation water was coming from. Mr. Doczi stated it is currently coming from Lake La Guinta project and would have to be the responsibility of the applicant. 6. Committee Member Thoms asked what is along the southeast boundary. Mr. Matalon stated that if a second landscaping buffer is installed it would be continued to tie back in with the existing wall on the east property line. The wall would have to be recessed .10 feet to allow for the drainage easement. G:\ WPDOCSIARLCl4-3-02. wpd 4 Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes April 3, 2002 7. Committee Member Thoms asked what the applicant was referring to when they stated "Natural" landscape. Mr. Doczi stated it would be a desert landscape. Committee Member Thoms asked what is to be used on the ground to stabilize it and keep the blowing sand down. Mr. Doczi stated a combination of ground cover and stabilizer for the soil. In some areas they could use decomposed granite. Committee Member Thoms stated he would not want it to be weeds and tumbleweeds. Mr. Matalon stated it is to be an active site for the project with a walking trail. 8. Committee Member Bobbitt stated that if soil stabilization is used, the walkers will break it up. He would recommend heavier planting. Mr. Doczi stated they would look at adding more plants with the decomposed granite. Committee Member Bobbitt stated that as far as the architecture, he has no issues. 9. Committee Member Bobbitt asked about the removal of the wrought iron fencing. He has a problem with the maintenance of them and would prefer a the solid wall. Mr. Matalon stated they would like visibility in and out of the site as well and a solid wall would eliminate this. They would recommend constructing a solid wall for the first couple feet and then pilasters with the wrought iron. Committee Member Bobbitt stated it is an attractive wall, but keep it out of the irrigation. Mr. Doczi sated there could be a planter area and bring some turf panels to visually soften the look. 10. Committee Member Thoms suggested vines growing on the fence. 11. Committee Member Bobbitt suggested the wrought iron be fully welded all the way around to prevent moisture from getting in. 12. Committee Member Thoms recommended the southeast property line be enclosed and the natural area stabilized. He asked what type of lighting was proposed. Mr. Matalon stated there would be lighting within the carports with perimeter light fixtures. He is unaware what the bulb will be. Committee Member Thoms recommended low sodium lights be used. 13. Committee Member Thoms asked about the retention basin material. Mr. Doczi stated soil stabilization and ground cover. 14. Committee Member Thoms asked about the type of tile to be used on the roof. Mr. Matalon stated there are two different types of tile. G:\WPDOCSIARLC\4-3-02. wpd 5 Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes April 3, 2002 15. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Committee Member Bobbitt/Thoms to adopt Minute Motion 2002- 013 recommending approval of Site Development Permit 2001- 732, subject to the conditions as submitted and amended: A. The proposed pre-fabricated metal carports shall have a similar appearance to the buildings. These materials and colors shall match those of the proposed buildings on site. B. A six foot high block wall with stucco finish shall be installed along the southeast property boundary where the drainage easement is located and tie into the existing wall on the eastern boundary. Said wall shall match the existing materials as the existing wall on the eastern boundary. C. The proposed parking lot lights shown on Sheet E2 of the plan set, shall be amended to include low sodium instead of high sodium lights. D. The northern boundary of the site shall have a combination of a six foot high, stucco wall and wrought iron fence. Said wall shall have a two foot high block wall with stucco and stucco pilasters every 18 feet on center with wrought iron in between the pilasters. The stucco wall/wrought iron fence shall be painted to match the colors of the proposed buildings. Unanimously approved. D. Site Develooment Permit 2002-733; a request of SECO/SDC, LLC/A.G. Spanos Construction, Inc. for review of architectural and landscaping plans for a 120 room, 1-3 story hotel to be located on the east side of Washington Street, north of Avenue 48. 1. Associate Planner Martin Magana presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. 2. Committee Member Thoms asked if there was a color board. Staff stated not as this time. Only a colored elevation. Committee Member Thoms asked what type of stone would be used. Mr. Lew Bishop stated it is a Chardonnay mixed stone of regular shapes and done in the northern Italian style. They want variety and will be using three different stones to be more irregular. It is a manufactured stone. They want a very old look to the stone and the joints do not show. As far as the colors, it will range from G:\ WPDOCSIARLC\4-3-02. wpd 6 Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes April 3, 2002 light tans to off white to deep oranges and browns for the stucco. It will have a sand finish and three different kinds of exterior finishes. 3. Committee Member Bobbitt questioned the shade covers over the rooms. Mr. Bishop stated they would be metal (alumawood). The railing would be the same material. Committee Member Bobbitt stated his only concern in regard to this product is that it holds up and that it can dent very easily. Mr. Bishop stated where people come in contact with it, they would use iron. Mr. William Swank, owner of the project, gave examples of the problems they have had with the product. 4. Committee Member Bobbitt stated he liked the landscaping. Mr. Bishop stated the object is to accommodate the needs of the transient occupancy. Once you layout enough deck area for 100 people to lay in the sun, there isn't much left. They will provide the specifics at a later date for review. 5. Committee Member Thoms stated his concern is the same problem that it match the landscaping match the adjoining properties on the perimeter on Washington Street and Caleo Bay. 6. Committee Member Thoms asked if this project drained into the Lake at Lake La Guinta. Mr. Bishop stated it will. They have relocated the retention basin to accommodate the flow. 7. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Committee Member Thoms/Bobbitt to adopt Minute Motion 2002- 014, recommending approval of Site Development Permit 2001- 733, subject to the conditions as submitted and amended: A. The streets cape along Washington Street shall maintain the existing landscaping and Caleo Bay shall be compatible with the projects to the north and south. Unanimously approved. VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None VII. COMMITTEE MEMBER ITEMS: None G:\ WPDOCSIARLC\4-3-02. wpd 7 Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes April 3, 2002 VIII. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members BobbittlThoms to adjourn this regular meeting of the Architectural and Landscaping Review Committee to a regular meeting to be held on May 3, 2002. This meeting was adjourned at 11 :20 p.m. on April 3, 2002. Respectfully submitted, ~ ~ j , ~d~?~a~Jd/-- ~~~ ""%AWYER, Executive Secretary City of La Guinta, California G:\WPDOCSIARLC\4-3-02. wpd 8