2001 02 07 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
February 7, 2001
10:00 a.m.
I. CALL TO ORDER
A. This meeting of the Architectural and Landscaping Committee was called
to order at 10:06 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 Bobbitt/Reynolds to excuse
Commissioner Cunningham.
C. Staff present: Planning Manager Christine di lorio, Management Analyst
Britt Wilson, Principal Planner Stan Sawa, Associate Planners Greg
Trousdell and Wallace Nesbit, 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 January 3, 2001. There being no corrections, it was
moved and seconded by Committee Members Bobbitt/Reynolds to
approve the minutes as submitted.
V. BUSINESS ITEMS:
A. Commercial Propertv Improvement Proqram 2000-008; a request of Mary
Hope Franco, La Ouinta Video and Paging for funding for property
improvement program for external painting located at the south side of
Avenida La Fonda at Avenida Bermudas.
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.
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February 7, 2001
2. Committee Member Bobbitt questioned the bids that had been
submitted as to whether or not there was any stipulation requiring
which bid must be accept. Staff stated no; if the bid is over
$3,000 a different bidding procedure has to be followed.
3. Committee Reynolds stated it appears they are bidding on two
different things. The bid for $2,900 is for two coats of paint. The
other bid has a sealer and two coats of paint. Staff stated one of
the issues is that there are no plans or specifications required.
4. Committee Member Bobbitt stated that if there are no.
specifications then different contractors will bid according to what
they think is needed. If the lower bid is acceptable to the
applicant, it should be up to the applicant to make that decision,
as long as it is a reputable contractor.
5. Ms. Franco stated she would be going with the lower bid.
6. Commissioner Reynolds stated it seemed better to have the sealer
as it is an older building.
7. Commissioner Bobbitt stated it should have the same score as the
previous application as it is a continuation of the work previously
reviewed.
8. There being no discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Committee Members Bobbitt/Reynolds to adopt Minute Motion
2001-005 recommending approval of CPIP 008 with a scoring
total of 72.5, as the previous application. Unanimously approved.
B. Villaqe Use Permit 2001-007; a request of KSL Development Corporation
for review of landscaping and architectural plans for the residential and
office components of a 33 acre site located on te north side of Calle
Tampico, and bounded on the west by Eisenhower Drive and the east by
Avenida Bermudas.
1. Planning Manger Christine di Iorio presented the information
contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the
Community Development Department. Staff noted that due to the
generality of the landscaping it be brought back to the ALRe.
2. Mr. Forrest Haag, representing the applicant, gave a presentation
on the project, and stated he had no objections to the conditions
as submitted by staff.
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February 7, 2001
3. Mr. Frank Stalls, South Coast Architects made a presentation on
the architectural plans.
4. Committee Member Bobbitt asked about the eXisting height
restrictions. Staff stated they were 35 -feet for the buildings and
any buildings along an Image Corridor, within 150 feet of the right-
of-way, cannot exceed 22 feet in height. Committee Member
Bobbitt asked if they exceed that height. Staff stated yes, but the
Planning Commission would address this issue at their meeting.
Committee Member Bobbitt asked what the actual use of the
buildings would be. Mr. Haag stated they will be single family
attached, whole ownership partnership that can include lock off
guest rooms. An individual unit can lock off a room and lease it.
Planning Manager Christi di Iorio stated they are designed for to
allow individual rooms to be locked off.
5. Committee Member Reynolds asked if they could be used by the
La Quinta Hotel as rentals. Mr. Haag stated yes. With the
success of the Resort Homes at the Hotel, the owners of these
units can allow the Hotel to use the keyed rooms for rentals. KSL
has not yet defined how that leasing will work.
6. Committee Member Bobbitt asked if it is like a condo, pud, and
who will maintain the grounds. Mr. Haag stated there will be an
HOA who will be responsible for the common area with their HOA
dues. Committee Member Bobbitt asked if the building
maintenance will be handled by HOA. Mr. Haag stated yes.
7. Committee Member Reynolds stated that when this area was
considered for an elementary school there was problems with the
access off of Eisenhower Drive and a determination was made that
it should be a right in and out. Mr. Haag stated the traffic study
stated that at the City's buildout, they were directed to use the
City's traffic engineer and he determined that no left turn out
would be allowed. There would be a right in and out on
Eisenhower Drive. As there is room in the median a left turn in
would be allowed with no traffic signal. Full turn movement would
be allowed at the Calle Tampico entrance. At the office site it
would have a full turn movement at Avenida Bermudas.
8. Mr. Jack Di Benedetto, representing Williams Scotsman, stated
they were a modular contractor, and the plan is to fabricate the
frame of the buildings (commercial coach) in Riverside and
transport them in sections to the site. He proceeded to explain the
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Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes
February 7, 2001
construction of the units. The modulars will be used as the KSL
corporate headquarters. Mr Haag stated the veneers proposed for
this commercial coach will replicate the feel of the residential
component of this site. Mr. Di Benedetto stated they are
unfinished when they arrive. The plan is to have all modules
installed and secured within two days. The exterior will be a
constructed of plywood with a stucco covering to have the
appearance of a residential house. Staff asked what the depth of
the widows would be. Mr. Di Benedetto stated they will be inset.
The walls will have a ten to 12 inch thick.
9. Committee Member Bobbitt stated the windows need to have the
same appearance as the condos. The rendering shows some
shutters and others do not and this should be clarified. He does
have a concern with the term modular as they can be unsightly
and the current ones used by KSL are unsightly. If they have a
stucco finish it will improve their appearance. He asked if it was
to be a tile roof or mansard. Mr. Di Benedetto stated trusses will
be applied on site. Mr. Haag stated it was a shed roof with a
parapet. Committee Member Bobbitt. asked about the air
conditioning equipment. Mr. Di Benedetto stated it will be hidden
within the roof well. Committee Member Bobbitt asked if it would
be a concrete slab foundation. Mr. Di Benedetto stated it will be
a monolithic concrete stem wall foundation with concrete
supports. Committee Member Bobbitt asked if the grade was
existing or lower. Mr. Di Benedetto stated it would be 18 inches
above the grade. Committee Member Bobbit stated that may be
a problem with the type of soils in this area and asked what type
of arrangements are being made to get the water out from under
the floor. Mr. Di Benedetto stated a concrete slurry seal with drain
to storm system system.
10. Committee Member Reynolds asked how many years other
modular units that they have installed have lasted. Mr Di
Benedetto stated the corporate office buildings were 20 years old.
Committee Member Reynolds stated it appears to be a temporary
building. Mr. Di Benedetto stated it is anything but temporary.
Mr. Don Ferguson, also with Williams Scotsman, stated they have
been doing buildings like this especially with the military. Now
commercial uses are being used as well as hospitals. Mr. Haag
asked the square footage cost of the of these buildings. Mr. Di
Benedetto stated approximately $100 a square foot. Mr. Haag
stated that KSL, with their limited timeline for use of their site
development permit for their existing location, they are looking to
use this type of building because of their fast construction time.
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Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes
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They are becoming an asset to while minimizing the site impacts.
Mr. Di Benedetto went on to explain the State building
requirements they have to meet.
11. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Committee Member Bobbitt/Reynolds to adopt Minute Motion
2001-006 recommending approval of Village Use Permit 2000-
007, as recommended.
a. Prior to issuance of a building permit, the office building
elevations shall include the depth of the window insets and
design treatment as well as the texture of the wall to be
similar to the residential component.
Unanimously approved.
C. Site Development Permit 2000-688; a request of John Vuksic,
Architectural Project Manager, for building elevations and landscaping
plans for two retail buildings located at the northwest corner of Highway
11 and Washington Street within the Point Happy Commercial center.
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. John Vuksic, architect for the project, made a presentation of
the project.
3. Committee Member Bobbitt asked what the uses would be. Mr.
Viksic gave the uses. Committee Member Bobbitt asked if the
widows and surrounds on the windows would be as proposed as
he likes the shutters. He was concerned however, about whether
or not there was any other treatment that could be applied to them
to have them hold up in this weather to not let them dry up and
crack. Mr. Vuksic stated they could be made out of metal which
would not have the same look. Discussion followed.
4. Committee Member Reynolds stated he had no comment.
5. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Committee Member Reynolds/Bobbitt to adopt Minute Motion
2001-007 recommending approval of Site Development Permit
2000-688, subject to the conditions. Unanimously approved.
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Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes
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D. Villaqe Use Permit 2001-006; a request of Desert Sage II, LLC for review
of exterior remodeling plans of an existing restaurant and landscaping
plans for a new parking lot.
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. Mr. Steve Fortun, partner in the restaurant, gave a presentation of
the project.
3. Staff asked the applicant to explain the signage. Mr. Fortn stated
it would be on the front of the awning and possibly on the sides.
There are no street lights currently, and they would like to use soft
lighting on the front of the building. Staff informed everyone that
they are required to meet parking lot lighting standards per the
Zoning Code.
4. Committee Member Bobbitt stated that the perimeter trees will
cover almost 50% of the parking and with the extra two trees it
may meet the requirement. Staff stated that what they are
showing appears to be acceptable.
5. Mr. Fortun asked if there were any lighting specifications for the
parking lot. Staff stated the requirements.
6. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Committee Members Bobbitt/Reynolds to adopt Minute Motion
2001-008, recommending approval of the landscaping and building
elevations for Village Use Permit 2001-006, as recommended with
the following changes.
b. Condition #1.b.: Specify the roof treatment for the air
conditioning cooler shall be a parapet roof.
c. Condition #2.B.: Remove the word "three".
Unanimously approved.
E. Site Development Permit 2001-689 a request of Ashbrook Communities
for review of architectural and landscaping plans for three new prototype
residences each with two facades at the northeast corner of Black
Diamond and Avenue 58 in PGA West.
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.
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Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes
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2. Mr. Joe Digrado, architect for the project, gave a presentation on
the project. They were asking to keep the hip roofs for Plans 2
and 3 so as to maintain a lower profile of the house. As the
buildings are fairly wide, with two houses together it is too
massive. They are trying to achieve a lower profile. They do have
12 color schemes and the street scene will be different.
3. Committee Member Bobbitt stated the plant palette is fine in most
aspects, but some of the plants proposed will not last here in the
desert. The soils are too high in alkaline and he went on to list the
plants that should be replaced. In regard to the trap fence, will
there be any community pools? Staff stated no. Committee
Member Bobbitt stated that any metal that will come in contact
with the soils, will deteriorate. In regard to the hip roof, the roof
lines do look similar and there needs to be some diversity. Staff
suggested adding gable roofs to give the diversity. Mr. Digrado
stated there are popouts on the rear that could be changed. Staff
stated the concern was with the front elevations. Mr. Digrado
stated they could address this issue on one of the smaller units.
4. Committee Member Bobbitt asked who would be responsible for
the landscaping. Mr. Tom Evans, project manager for Ashbrook
Communities, stated they would be maintained by the HOA.
Committee Member Bobbitt stated his concern about the use of
the Cats Claw vine in regard to the HOA maintenance and
recommended it be replaced.
5. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Committee Members Reynolds/Bobbitt to adopt Minute Motion
2001-009 recommending approval of Site Development Permit
001-689 as modified:
a. Condition #2: Plan 2 B facade shall include a gable roof.
Plan 3.B. shall have over the garage storage area.
F. Site Development Permit 2001-691; a request of McDermott Enterprises
for review of architectural and landscaping plans for Phase I of the La
Quinta Professional Plaza at the southeast corner of Washington Street
and 47th Avenue.
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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Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes
February 7, 2001
2. Committee Member Reynolds asked how much copper would be
used. Staff stated minimal. Mr. Mike Mokray, representing the
applicant, stated approximately four or feet by five feet and will
not change the color to green, but will darken with time.
3. Committee Member Bobbitt asked the location of the temporary
building. The applicant stated it would be located away from the
street, and it was their intention to construct the temporary
building as soon as possible.
4. Committee Member Bobbitt asked when the permanent building
would be built. Mr. Colin McDermott stated about 18 months; as
soon as they have the Specific Plan and accompanying
applications submitted and approved. Staff stated the building
architecture is consistent with what is anticipated for the entire
site.
5. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Committee Members Bobbitt/Reynolds to adopt Minute Motion
2001-010 recommending approval of Site Development Permit
2001-691, as recommended. 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 March 7, 2001 . This meeting
was adjourned at 11 :40 a.m. on February 7, 2001.
Respectfully submitted,
'''I~
A ER, ~xecutive Secretary
Quinta, California
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