2001 10 03 ALRC Minutes
MINUTES
ARCHITECTURE & LANDSCAPING REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING
A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall
78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA
October 3, 2001
10:00 a.m.
I. CALL TO ORDER
A. This meeting of the Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee
was called to order at 10:03 a.m. by Planning Manager Christine di lorio,
who led the flag salute.
B. Committee Members present: Dennis Cunningham and Bill Bobbitt.
C. Staff present: Planning Manager Christine di lorio, Principal Planners Stan
Sawa and Fred Baker, Planning Consultant Nicole Criste, Associate
Planner Greg Trousdell, and Executive Secretary Betty Sawyer.
II. PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: Confirmed.
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR:
A. Planning Manager Christine di Iorio asked if there were any changes to
the Minutes of September 5, 2001. There being no corrections, it was
moved and seconded by Committee Members Cunningham/Bobbitt to
approve the minutes as submitted.
V. BUSINESS ITEMS:
A. Site Development Permit 2001-671. Amendment #1; a request of Toll
Bros. for review of architectural plans for one new prototype residential
unit on the north side of Airport Boulevard, east of Madison Street within
the Norman Golf Course
1 . Principal Planner Stan Sawa presented the information contained
in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community
Development Department.
2. Committee Member Cunningham asked if the applicant would like
to address the commission. Mr. Gary Lemon stated he was in
agreement with the staff's recommendation.
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Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes
October 3,2001
3. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Committee Members Cunningham/Bobbitt to adopt Minute Motion
2001-039 recommending approval of Site Development Permit
2001-671, Amendment #1, subject to the conditions as
recommended.
B. Site Development Permit 2001-715; a request of Sean Kearney for
review of architectural plans for a single family residence located at 78-
775 Lowe Drive, within Acacia.
1. Planning Manager Christine di Iorio presented the information
contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the
Community Development Department.
2. Committee Member Bobbitt stated he had a potential conflict of
interest due to the proximity of his residence to this home and
therefore, withdrew from the meeting.
3. There being no quorum due to the possible conflict of interest, the
application was removed from the agenda and no action was
taken.
C. Site Development Permit 2001-714; a request of John Vuksic for
elevations and landscaping plans for one retail building (Building #2)
located at the northwest corner of Highway 111 and Washington Street
within Point Happy Specific Plan
1 . Principal Planner Fred Baker presented the information contained
in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community
Development Department.
2. Committee Member Cunningham asked if they were windows or
blockout as shown on the elevations. Staff stated it was to be
windows and the applicant could explain in more detail.
3. Mr. John Vuksic, representing the applicant, gave a presentation
on the project.
4. Committee Member Cunningham asked what the users would be
Mr. Vuksic stated so far they had a Tuxedo shop and realtor.
Committee Member Cunningham stated he liked the windows on
Washington Street with the pop-outs, and asked if there were any
City codes that would preclude someone from advertising in the
window. Planning Manager Christine di Iorio stated the Specific
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Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes
October 3, 200 I
Plan and Sign Ordinance which restricts the amount of window
advertising.
5. Committee Member Bobbitt asked what material the window
frames would be constructed of. Mr. Vuksic stated they were a
sage green aluminum.
6. Committee Member Cunningham stated he had no issues and
thought it would be a good addition to the center.
7. Committee Member Bobbitt stated he agreed.
8. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Committee Members Cunningham/Bobbitt to adopt Minute Motion
2001-040 recommending approval of Site Development Permit
2001-714, as recommended.
D. Site Development Permit 2001-708; a request of Tom Lathrop for review
of building elevations and landscaping plans for a 25,240 square foot
two story building located on Avenue 47, west of Adams Street within
the Washington Square Specific Plan
1. Principal Planner Fred Baker presented the information contained
in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community
Development Department.
2. Committee Member Cunningham asked if the applicant would like
to address the Commission. Mr. Tom Lathrop gave a presentation
on the project.
3. Committee Member Cunningham asked if the exterior would be a
sand finish. Mr. Lathrop stated it would be machine sprayed, and
noted some of the ,architectural details on the building. Committee
Member Cunningham stated the gables portico in the upper center
appears to be light in stature in relation to the balance of the
building. The columns on either side do not carry down with
scale. Planning Manager Christine di Iorio asked if the Committee
wanted the columns enhanced and increase the size of the
quatrafoil. Committee Member Cunningham stated yes. Mr.
Lathrop stated this side of the building is pushed very close to
Avenue 47 so you are basically within 20 feet of the building
when driving by. Across the street is residential and he was not
trying to make any type of a statement, but actually playing it
down. Committee Member Cunningham stated he didn't want to
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Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes
October 3,2001
add detail, but that the building seemed out of balance and should
have something to balance the weight of the entire building.
Discussion followed regarding the roof line.
4. Committee Member Bobbitt stated it was a standard desert plant
pallette. Some of the tree varieties are fast growing and are short
rooted which tends to make them high maintenance. He would
not use as many of this variety because they are high maintenance
and can be a liability if not maintained. In addition, the date palms
in front of the building should be bought at a younger stage
because the older ones can be a liability in high traffic areas
because of crown drop. The large planting areas for the shade
trees are great as the trees will be healthier. Mr. Lathrop stated
they were restricted on what plants they could use because of the
Washington Square Specific Plan. Discussion followed on date
palm trees.
5. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Committee Members Cunningham/Bobbitt to adopt Minute Motion
2001-041 recommending approval of Site Development Permit
2001-708, as recommended.
a. Prior to issuance of building permit revise the south building
elevation increasing the size of the portico columns and the
quatrafoil to match the lower gable on either side of the
main structure.
E. Villaqe Use Permit 2001-010; a request of Edwin G. Cosek (Andrews Bar
and Grill) for review of exterior remodeling plans for an existing one story
commercial restaurant building (formerly Chez Moniquel on 0.17 acres to
include outdoor patio dining, landscaping and vehicle parking areas
located at 78-121 Avenida La Fonda.
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. Committee Member Cunningham asked if the applicant would like
to address the Commission. Mr. Ed Cosek stated he was available
to answer any questions.
3. Committee Member Bobbitt asked about the steel tubing indicated
on the patio cover. Mr. Cosek stated the steel columns would be
supporting the main beam that the rafters run on. The steel
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Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes
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beams would be covered with resawn cedar and stained to match.
Committee Member Bobbitt asked what would be on top of the
lattice for shade. Mr. Cosek stated it would be an open lattice.
Committee Member Bobbitt stated his concern was that the wood
would warp and turn. Mr. Cosek stated they would be using
blocking and are adding a fascia in front. It would also be stained.
Committee Member Bobbitt stated that if they were to have the
open ends it should have some type of gingerbread finish.
4. Committee Member Cunningham stated he would suggest a
laminated material or paralams for the patio cover. Committee
Member Cunningham stated the blocking would not keep the
wood from turning. The only thing he has found that works in the
desert is gluilams or paralam as they will not turn and will stain
well. He then asked how the existing roof ties in, or does not tie
in with the existing fascia. Mr. Cosek stated they would be
removing the existing fascia and run the boards back underneath.
The pilasters will be stuccoed the same color as the building.
They would be using lexon glass enclosures rather than wrought
iron on the windows. Committee Member Cunningham stated his
only concern was the use of woods and would recommend
paralams be used. Discussion followed on how the roof
construction would tie in.
5. Staff asked if the Committee had any concern regarding the box
frame system not having lattice work above. Committee Member
Bobbitt stated he had seen some that are open and are attractive
if heavy enough. He asked the size of the wood. Staff stated
they would be 4" X 6".
6. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Committee Members Cunningham/Bobbitt to adopt Minute Motion
2001-042 recommending approval of Village Use Permit 2001-
010 as amended:
a. Para lams shall be used for the patio cover joists.
F. Villaqe Use Permit 2001-012; a request of Santa Rosa Plaza, LLC for
review of landscaping and architectural plans for 18 buildings "Casitas"
portion of a 14 acre site to be located on the north side of Calle Tampico,
between Desert Club and Avenida Bermudas.
1. Principal Planner Stan Sawa presented the information contained
in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community
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Development Department.
2. Committee Member Cunningham asked if the applicant would like
to say anything. Mr. Dan Brown, representing the applicant, gave
a presentation on the project.
3. Committee Member Bobbitt asked the height of the buildings. Mr.
Brown stated 26 feet. Committee Member Bobbitt asked about
the brackets shown on the elevations and whether or not they
were structural. Mr. Brown stated they were not structural and
were made out of wood. Committee Member Bobbitt went over
the plant list and suggested they eliminate the eucalyptus trees.
Barrel Cactus are expensive and can be a liability. Committee
Member Bobbitt recommended the date palms be inspected and
young in age.
4. Committee Member Cunningham stated he liked the project and
had no objections.
5. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Committee Members Cunningham/Bobbitt to adopt Minute Motion
2001-043 recommending approval of Village Use Permit 2001-
012, as recommended.
G. Site Development Permit 99-659; a request of Point Happy Ranch LLC
for review of architectural and landscaping plans for a mixed use project
consisting of commercial buildings and senior care living in villas and
multi-tenant buildings located on the west side of Washington Street,
south of Highway 111.
1. Principal Planner Stan Sawa presented the information contained
in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community
Development Department.
2. Committee Member Cunningham asked if the applicant would like
to address the Committee. Mr. Dennis Sunstrom, the applicant,
gave a presentation on the project.
3. Committee Member Bobbitt stated that on an existing date grove
it is wise to get rid of all the older trees. The design of the
buildings are dramatic and very attractive. He asked what the
commercial uses would be. Mr. Sunstrom stated they would
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Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes
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primarily support the residential use of the facility.
4. Committee Member Cunningham stated the historical value is a
private value in this case. It is a good project and he has no
objections.
5. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Committee Members Cunningham/ Bobbitt to adopt Minute Motion
2001-044 recommending approval of Site Development Permit 99-
659, as recommended.
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
Cunningham/Bobbitt to adjourn this regular meeting of the Architecture and
Landscaping Review Committee to a regular meeting to be held on November 7,2001.
This meeting was adjourned at 11 :18 a.m. on October 3, 2001.
Respectfully submitted,
/7
~'z4/ pla.Lj,) .~
7 BETV SAWYER, Executive Secretary
City of La Guinta, California
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