2000 12 06 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
December 6, 2000
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, Dennis Cunningham, and Frank
Reynolds.
C. Staff present: Planning Manager Christine di lorio, Management Analyst
Britt Wilson, Principal Planner Stan Sawa 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 November 1, 2000. There being no corrections, it was
moved and seconded by Committee Members Reynolds/Cunningham to
approve the minutes as submitted.
V. BUSINESS ITEMS:
A. Site Development Permit 2000-686; a request of Century-Crowell
Communities for review of ten single family prototype architectural plans
for a subdivision of 206 homes on the west side of Jefferson Street
between Fred Waring Drive and Miles Avenue.
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 Dennis Cunningham asked if the applicant
would like to address the Committee. Ms. Marty Butler,
representing Century-Crowell Communities, explained how her
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Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes
December 6, 2000
project would blend in with the adjacent and surrounding tracts
with the use of wrought iron and split face block wall. She stated
Ron Gregory, their landscape architect, suggested using a lighter
beige color than the other developments with the split face to give
it some identity. The perimeter wall would be split face and the
interior would be precision block with no cap.
3. Committee Member Cunningham stated he likes the proposal as
submitted. It gives it a softer exterior look.
4. Committee Member Bobbitt stated the use of drought tolerant
plants is good. The Mesquite trees are beautiful, but in the long
term they blow over, and are a high maintenance. As it is a
privately maintained development he is concerned about the use
of decomposed granite as a lot of developments become unsightly
due to the lack of maintenance.
5. Committee Member Cunningham stated the use of the Palm
Springs Gold is interim until the landscaping fills in.
6. Committee Member Bobbitt stated that if it is maintained until the
groundcover grows in, it should be all right. Coachella Valley
Water District will eventually require this type of landscaping to
conserve water. He then asked if there will be a wall between the
commercial site and the residential. Ms. Butler stated it will have
to have a wall for sound attenuation.
7. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Committee Member Bobbitt/Cunningham to adopt Minute Motion
2000-026 recommending approval of the architectural plans for
Site Development Permit 2000-686, as amended. Unanimously
approved.
B. Commercial Propertv Improvement Proqram 2000-002; a request of
David Cetina, EI Ranchito Mexican Restaurant for a funding request to
install new landscaping fence, and awning with illuminated sign for the
property located at 78-040 Avenida La Fonda.
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. Committee Member Reynolds stated he was glad to see this back
and that the applicant was able to achieve his desired architectural
style.
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Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes
December 6, 2000
3. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Committee Member Bobbitt/Reynolds to adopt Minute Motion
2000-027 recommending approval of the funding for a patio cover
and concrete work for Commercial Property Improvement Program
2000-002, with a score of 98. Unanimously approved.
B. Commercial Propertv Improvement Proqram 2000-005; a request of
Charles Dunn Real Estate for Leroc Partners - Plaza Tampico for a funding
request for landscaping and irrigation for the property located on the
north side of Calle Tampico, east of Desert Club Drive.
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. Planning Manager Christine
di Iorio stated the landscaping proposed will bring it up to
conformance with the originally approved landscaping plan for the
site.
2. Committee Member Bobbitt asked if this was for the entire site.
Mr. Ed Wise, representing the applicant, stated it is for Buildings
1 and 2 as the vacant land is not part of the proposal. All
perimeter landscaping will be included. Mr. Wise went on to
describe the landscaping.
3. Committee Member Cunningham asked what happened that the
landscaping had not been maintained over the last ten years. Have
there been different property owners? Mr. Wise stated there had
been two previous owners. The buildings are 13-14 years old. It
was originally owned by Landmark Land Company. Committee
Member Cunningham stated his concern that if they had owned
the building for ten years and have not kept it in shape, what is to
guarantee it will be maintained now. Ms. Marge Almond, Charles
Dunn Company, stated it was due to an absentee owner.
4. Committee Member Bobbitt stated it will return to its current state
if it is not maintained. Ms. Dunn stated there were some inherent
problems with the original irrigation which caused the problems.
They are rectifying the problems with this funding request. Her
office has been hired to maintain the building and it is closer which
gives her the ability to oversee the site better.
5. Management Analyst Britt Wilson stated they have to enter into a
rebate agreement which is in effect for five years which requires
them to maintain the site.
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December 6, 2000
6. Committee Member Reynolds asked where the property lines were
located. Mr. Ed Wise explained the property lines. Committee
Member Reynolds asked if the covered parking was included. Mr.
Wise stated yes.
7. Committee Member Bobbitt asked how the areas would be
distinguished. Mr. Wise stated everywhere there is asphalt would
be included in the upgrade work.
8. Committee Member Bobbitt questioned one of the contractor bids
as he believes any funds given by the City should go to a licensed
California contractor. He is not familiar with Quality Maintenance
Service as to whether or not they are licensed. Also, the costs are
not broken down as to what work will actually be done. He would
like to see a comprehensive plan that indicated what plants would
be used and the location of the planting.
9. Committee Member Cunningham stated a preliminary landscaping
plan should be submitted. Discussion followed regarding funding
criteria for a commercial development.
10. Committee Member Bobbitt asked if the applicant would be
replanting what was there originally. Mr. Wise stated they would
be following that plan.
11 . Committee Member Bobbitt went over the bids that had been
submitted.
12. Committee Member Reynolds stated the benefit to the general
public is limited to Calle Tampico only as the interior work would
not be visible from the street. Mr. Wise stated there were
originally flower beds along Calle Tampico and over the years they
have been grown over with grass. They are wanting to bring
these flower beds back.
13. Committee Member Cunningham stated he is comfortable with
what is presented and as there is substantial foot traffic by the
general public on the interior, he has no objections.
14. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Committee Member Bobbitt/Reynolds to adopt Minute Motion
2000-028 recommending approval of the funding for landscaping
and irrigation for Commercial Property Improvement Program
2000-005, with a score of 70. Unanimously approved.
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Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes
December 6, 2000
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
Bobbitt/Reynolds to adjourn this regular meeting of the Architectural and Landscaping
Review Committee to a regular meeting to be held on January 3, 2000. This meeting
was adjourned at 11 :08 a.m. on December 6, 2000.
Respectfully submitted,
".--(~:!i~' .~<~ \/
~~ . SAWYEf'f, Executive Secretary
Cit of La Quinta, California
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