2001 04 18 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
April 18, 2001
10:00 a.m.
I. CALL TO ORDER
A. This meeting of the Architectural and Landscaping Committee was called
to order at 10:03 a.m. by Planning Manager Christine di Iorio who led the
flag salute.
B. Committee Members present: Bill Bobbitt and Frank Reynolds. It was
moved and seconded by Committee Members Reynolds/Bobbitt to excuse
Committee Member Cunningham.
C. Staff present: Planning Manager Christine di lorio, Principal Planners Stan
Sawa and Fred Baker, 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 March 21, 2001. There being no further corrections, it
was moved and seconded by Committee Members Bobbitt/Reynolds to
approve the minutes as submitted.
V. BUSINESS ITEMS:
A. Site Development Permit 2001-696; a request of Lundin Development
Company for review of development plans for a 74-080 square foot
commercial building in Rancho Cielo Shopping Center located at the
northwest corner of Avenue 50 and Jefferson Street.
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.
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2. Committee Member Bobbitt asked staff to explain Condition #3.
Staff explained that until the final drawings are reviewed staff will
not know if the parking lot is adequately screened therefore, this
condition assures that it will be properly screening. Mr. Mike
Smith, engineer for the project, stated they want to use mounding
where they can.
3. Committee Member Reynolds stated he had a problem with the
location of the retention basin. He would prefer it be moved to the
rear of the project. In its current location, it will be a maintenance
problem. Staff stated this was addressed in the Specific Plan
approval. Mr. Mike Smith stated it is difficult to meet the
landscaping and retention requirements and still make it work.
4. Mr. Ray Lopez, landscape architect for the project, stated this type
of retention is used in other locations in the Valley, but not in the
same type of soils. They are located in the front and they use
desert materials. Mr. Smith suggested they use a gravel bottom.
5. Committee Member Bobbitt asked if they could be conditioned to
ensure it is done. Mr. Greg Bever, developer for the project,
stated they will record a common area maintenance agreement
that pertains to this. Staff stated it is a part of the engineering
conditions.
6. Committee Member Bobbitt asked if the entrance off Jefferson
Street, where there is a left turn lane going north, is there also a
right turn only? Staff stated that was correct. There is a left turn
in on Avenue 50. Committee Member Bobbitt asked if the City
of lndio was going to build the market as advertised. Staff stated
it is unknown whether building pans had been submitted.
7. Committee Member Bobbit asked about the facade elevation to the
east of the Albertsons sign frontage could be changed. Mr. Roger
Watson, representing Albertsons, stated that as long as they can
retain the roof height, they could make any changes on the front
elevation. They do not, however, want to take from the tower
element. Planning Manager Christine di Iorio asked what the
height of the parapet was from the flat root to the top. Mr. Bever
stated it was 23 feet. Mr. Watson stated the tower was to create
interest. The area in question does have a trellis. Staff asked if
it could be dropped out. Mr. Watson stated they could ask the
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April 18, 2001
architect to address this, Committee Member Bobbitt asked that
a condition be added to require the applicant to work with staff to
resolve the look.
8. Committee Member Bobbitt stated his concern regarding the
staking of the parking lot shade trees. Mr. Ray Lopez stated this
was a problem in the City of Palm Desert as well and they are now
requiring metal stakes. Committee Member Bobbitt stated that if
they are planted properly with doble metal stakes on the upwind
side with ties they will last. Maintenance is a important. Mr.
Forrest Haag stated the problem is the shallow water to support
the crown. Committee Member Bobbitt stated the biggest problem
is enough room in the planter to allow the growth.
9. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Committee Member Reynolds/Bobbitt to adopt Minute Motion
2001-015 recommending approval of Site Development Permit
2001-696, subject to the additional conditions:
a. Condition #4: The applicant shall work with the Community
development Department to reduce the impact of the "plant-
on" look of the supermarket facade in the area between the
two main towers, (i.e., specifically, the small area of
parapet wall in relationship to the adjacent tower pitched
roofs) .
b. Condition #5: The applicant shall specify that all canopy
trees are to be double staked with a minimum two inch
diameter stake tied with "l" lock type ties or an equivalent.
Unanimously approved.
B. Site Development Permit 2000-697; a request of RGC Courthomes, Inc.
for a compatibility review of architectural plans for two new prototype
residential units with one facade located at the northeast corner of
Camino Quintana and Calle Mazatlan within the Santa Rosa Cove Country
Club.
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. Staff noted there was no quorum due to the absence of
Committee Member Cunningham and the potential conflict of
interest with Committee Member Reynolds residential proximity to
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the project. Therefore, there was no discussion and staff would
send the project to the Planning Commission without a
recommendation.
C. Site Development Permit 2001-698; a request of Jerry Walker for review
of building elevations and landscaping plans for Del Taco drive through
restaurant 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 Bobbitt asked staff to identify the location of
the building. Staff noted the location on the site plan. Committee
Member Bobbitt stated he would like to see the same architectural
treatment on the south elevation as what was required on the
Starbucks building. Staff stated a condition would be added to
require the metal trellis.
3. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Committee Member Bobbitt/Reynolds to adopt Minute Motion
2001-016 recommending approval of Site Development Permit
2001-698, subject to the conditions as amended:
a. A metal trellis shall be installed on the south elevation
Unanimously approved.
D. Villaae Use Permit 2001-007: a request of KSL Development Corporation
for review of landscaping plans for the perimeter residential and office
component of a 33 acre sit located on the north side of Calle Tampico,
between Avenida Bermudas and Eisenhower Drive.
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. Mr. Forrest Haag, representing KSL, presented the landscaping
plan.
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April 18, 2001
3. Committee Member Bobbitt stated he like the reintroduction of the
date palms and his concern is always the safety of the tree crowns
and proximity to pedestrian traffic. He questioned the trees on the
pool decking. Discussion followed regarding the growth of the
tree.
4. Committee Member Bobbitt questioned the use of the Bottletree
due to the mess and maintenance problems they create.
5. Mr. Haag asked about Condition #3, as to whether or not the
exclusion would require another Planning Commission approval.
Staff noted no; the reason for the condition was to ensure the
Specific Plan document was updated.
6. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Committee Member Bobbitt/Reynolds to adopt Minute Motion
2001-017 recommending approval of Village Use Permit 2001-
007, subject to the conditions. Unanimously approved.
E. Canital Proiect Imnrovement Program 2001-005; a request of Mike/Annie
FisherlVillage Animal Hospital for relief from design element/condition for
brick cap on block wall under the CPIP .
1 . Management Analyst Britt Wilson presented the information
contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the
Community Development Department.
2. Mr. Mike Fisher presented the new site plan for the block wall
without the red cap and stated all materials would match the
existing walls.
3. Committee Member Bobbitt stated he had no objection.
4. Committee Member Reynolds stated he thought it would look
better with the red cap. His concern, however, was that the
contractor bid the job with the red cap. Management Analyst Britt
Wilson stated Mr. Fisher exceeded the amount required by the
City, but the staff could review the costs to ensure the costs did
not exceed the allowed funding.
5. Mr. Fisher stated the issue was not the money, but to retain the
original look as it is a historical building. Discussion followed
regarding the design of the wall and the cost difference with and
without the cap.
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6. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Committee Member Bobbitt/Reynolds adopt Minute Motion 2001-
018 recommending approving the wall without the wall cap for
CPIP 2001-005, subject to the conditions. Unanimously approved.
VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None
VII. COMMITTEE MEMBER ITEMS: None
VIII. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members
Reynolds/Bobbitt to adjourn this regular meeting of the Architectural and Landscaping
Review Committee to a regular meeting to be held on May 2, 2001. This meeting was
adjourned at 11: 1 0 a.m. on April 18, 2001.
Respectfully submitted,
~~xecutive Secretary
a Quinta, California
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