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2007 11 07 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 November 7, 2007 10:00 a.m. I. CALL TO ORDER A. This regular meeting of the Architectural and Landscaping Review Committee was called to order at 10:08 a.m. by Planning Manager David Sawyer. B. Committee Members present: Jason Arnold, Bill Bobbitt, and Ronald Fitzpatrick. C. Staff present: Planning Director Les Johnson, Principal Planner Stan Sawa, and Management Assistant Betty Sawyer. II. PUBLIC COMMENT: None. III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: Confirmed IV. CONSENT CALENDAR: A. Staff asked if there were any changes to the Minutes of October 24, 2007. There being no changes, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Bobbitt/Fitzpatrick to approve the minutes as submitted. V. BUSINESS ITEMS: A. Site Development Permit 2006-895; a request of K. Hovnanian Homes for consideration of architectural and landscaping plans for three prototypical residential plans for use in Tract 30092 (Piazza Serena) located at the northwest corner of Monroe Street and Avenue 58. 1. Principal Planner Stan Sawa presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Planning Department. Staff introduced John Schuller, Edinger Architects and Steve Shirrel, Landscape Development, who gave a presentation on the project and answered questions. 2. Committee Member Fitzpatrick asked staff to confirm the location of the additional units in regard to how they relate to Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee November 7, 2007 the existing tract and if any energy efficient options were being offered. Mr. Schuller explained this was an infill project and they were offering options to allow for outdoor living components. Passive components are being incorporated to the best of their ability. Committee Member Fitzpatrick asked why solar panels were not being incorporated into the project. Mr. Crandall, K. Hovnanian Homes, stated they will be using tankless water heaters, but no solar energy options are proposed. Committee Member Fitzpatrick asked who determined the front yard turf requirement should be 50%. Staff explained this has been consistent with what the Planning Commission has recently required. Discussion followed as to how the amount of turf is determined. 3. Committee Member Bobbitt suggested that a landscape cloth be used under the decomposed granite (DG) to allow the moisture to go through and keep the DG from sinking into the soil It will help the yard maintain its appearance longer. In regard to skydecks, they are a great idea, but when you are in a tract it allows you to look down into everyone's yard. It would be nice to lay it out so it does not allow a homeowner to look into their neighbor's yard. Mr. Crandall stated they are limited on where they can place the skydeck units. 4. Committee Member Arnold asked if the rear yard landscaping would be done before the homeowner purchases the home. Mr. Crandall stated it is an option the homebuyer can buy. Committee Member Arnold noted that in the area where there is a sideyard gate, where the trash containers are kept, they should limit the amount of plant material for access. Mr. Shirrell stated this has been an issue to allow pedestrian access to the backyards. 5. There being no further questions, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Arnold/Bobbitt to adopt Minute Motion 2007-029 recommending approval of Site Development Permit 2006-895, as recommended. Unanimously approved. VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None VII. COMMITTEE MEMBER ITEMS: 2 Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee November 7, 2007 A. Planning Manager David Sawyer discussed with the Committee the role and responsibilities of the Committee. 1. Committee Member Fitzpatrick asked for clarification on what level of review the Commission was required to do at their meetings. Staff reviewed the duties of the Commission. Committee Member Fitzpatrick stated he would like to know that soils reports have been submitted. Planning Director Les Johnson stated typically they are reviewing at the design development stage. Discussion followed regarding the history of the Committee. 2. Committee Member Bobbitt asked who in the City has the responsibility to see that a project does not go further when it is not something the City wants. Planning Director Johnson stated that is a policy decision of the Council. 3. Planning Director Johnson stated that typically what is submitted to the Committee for their consideration would be a site plan, landscape plan, material sample board, and elevations. Committee Member Fitzpatrick asked that a summary sheet that identifies and orientates the project for their review be included with the staff report. 4. Committee Member Bobbitt questioned why the application stated incomplete plans will not be accepted and yet they will be given the project in phases. Staff stated that the applicant can have their project considered in phases. Committee Member Bobbitt stated the biggest problem with regard to detailed plans usually occurs with a commercial project. Staff stated at the time the elevations are prepared the applicant will submit a plant listing, but not show location and detail and staff will require them to bring back a final landscape plan. Staff is looking to the Committee for the overall aesthetic and landscaping view of the project. Staff will be revamping the applications to bring greater consistency to what is submitted and brought before the Committee. 5. Committee Member Bobbitt asked why the Committee does not review any of the Public Works projects. For example, the Avenue 52 medians are currently under construction, or the parks that are built; these plans are never brought before the Committee. Staff stated this has been the direction of the 3 Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee November 7, 2007 Council and these types of projects are not brought before the ALRC without City Council direction to do so. 6. Committee Member Arnold asked for a copy of the Village Design Guidelines. Staff would see that they were distributed to all members. VIII. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Bobbitt/Arnold to adjourn this meeting of the Architectural and Landscaping Review Committee to a Special Meeting to be held on December 5, 2007. This meeting was adjourned at 11 :35 p.m. on November 7, 2007. r---- 4