2007 09 19 ALRC Minutes Special Meeting
MINUTES
ARCHITECTURE & LANDSCAPING REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING
A Regular meeting held at the La Ouinta City Hall
78-495 Calle Tampico, La Ouinta, CA
September 19, 2007
10:00 a.m.
I. CALL TO ORDER
A. This regular meeting of the Architectural and Landscaping Review
Commitltee was called to order at 10:07 a.m. by Planning Director Les
Johnson.
B. Committee Members present: Jason Arnold and Bill Bobbitt. It was
moved and seconded by Committee Members Bobbitt/Arnold to
excuse Committee Member Ronald Fitzpatrick.
C. Staff present: Planning Director Les Johnson, Principal Planner Andrew
Mogensen, and Executive Secretary 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 September 5,
2007. Committee Member Bobbitt asked that Page 2, Item 7 be
amended to state, "...keep the water out of the street"; also Page 3,
Item 8, "Committee Member Fitzpatrick asked if the...." There being
no further changes, it was moved and seconded by Committee
Members Bobbitt/Arnold to approve the minutes as submitted.
V. BUSINESS ITEMS:
A. Review of Landscaping plans for the Dune Palms Neighborhood
Apartments and Community Center; a request of Coachella Valley
Housing Coalition for consideration of landscaping plans for the Dune
Palms Neighborhood apartments and Community Center located at the
northwest corner of Dune Palms Road and Avenue 48.
1 . Planning Director Les Johnson presented the information
contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the
Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee
September 19, 2007
Planning Department, Staff introduced Ron Gregory, landscape
architect, , who gave a presentation on the project.
2. Committee Member Bobbitt asked if the adjoining projects were
in favor of the design. Staff explained the discussions that had
taken place with the neighboring projects. Committee Member
Bobbitt commended the applicant on the design of the project.
He asked about the sycamore tree as he was not sure how it
would do in the desert. Mr. Gregory stated he was not involved
in the plant selection, but they would be using the London Plain
species which should do fine. Committee Member Bobbitt
stated the other tree is the Elm which can be a very messy tree
and questioned whether it would be a high maintenance
problem. He had no other objections. Discussion followed
regarding the different species and watering systems.
Committee Member Bobbitt asked that the clumping bamboo be
used and not the running.
3. Committee Member Arnold questioned the pyracantha as it was
prone to disease and the thorns. Mr. Gregory stated it was
being used in this location for a specific purpose.
4. Committee Member Bobbitt stated he wanted to be sure the
trees do not grow to the point that they extend over the top of
the roof of the building. Mr. Gregory suggested the City hold a
forum in regard to landscaping to keep it from becoming the
"left over" part of the overall design of a project. Projects are
designed with the landscaping being the last element in the
design and most often there isn't enough room left to do the
landscaping properly. Committee Member Bobbitt stated he
questioned planting 48-inch box trees at the onset as they will
have a harder time establishing a good root system. A smaller
tree will outgrow the 48-inch because it can acclimate to the
area faster. The larger tree may have the visual impact, but the
root system may not hold up.
5. There being no further questions, it was moved and seconded
by Committee Members Bobbitt/Arnold to adopt Minute Motion
2007-027 recommending approval of Site Development Permit
857, as recommended by staff. Unanimously approved.
VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None
2
Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee
September 19, 2007
VII. COMMITTEE MEMBER ITEMS: None
VIII. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Committee
Members Arnold/Bobbitt to adjourn this meeting of the Architectural and
Landscaping Review Committee to a Regular Meeting to be held on October 3,
2007. This meeting was adjourned at 10:41 p.m. on September 19, 2007.
Respectfully submitted,
.~,~
e Secretary
3