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2007 08 01 ALRC Minutes MINUTES ARCHITECTURE & LANDSCAPING REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING A Regular meeting held at the La Guinta City Hall 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Guinta, CA August 1, 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 Director Les Johnson. B. Committee Members present: Jason Arnold, Bill Bobbitt, and Ronald Fitzpatrick. C. Staff present: Planning Director Les Johnson, Associate Planner Jay Wuu, Assistant Planner Yvonne Franco, 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 July 11, 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. Final Landscaping Plans 2007-012; a request of Trans West Housing for consideration of final landscaping plans for the individual residential units, located south of Avenue 54, between Madison Street and Monroe Street. 1 . Planning Director Les Johnson presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Planning Department. Staff introduced Ms. Marty Butler, representing Trans West Housing and who gave a presentation on the project. Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee August 1, 2007 2. Committee Member Fitzpatrick asked what had been approved as far as the perimeter landscaping. Planning Director Les Johnson stated the landscaping plans are coming before the Committee in phases, What is before the Committee is the final landscaping for the residential units. Discussion followed regarding how the history of the landscaping plans developed. Committee Member Fitzpatrick asked about planting in the easement areas. Ms. Butler explained the CVWD easements do not affect the front yards. Where there are sewer easements they will be planting decomposed granite. 3. There being no further questions, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Fitzpatrick/Bobbitt to adopt Minute Motion 2007-020 recommending approval of Final Landscaping Plans 2007-012, as recommended by staff. Unanimously approved. B. Site Development Permit 2007-888; a request of East of Madison, LLC for consideration of architectural and landscaping plans for the Madison Club Villas, a 19-unit residential development of single-family detached units, located at the southwest corner of Monroe Street and Avenue 52. 1 . Committee Member Fitzpatrick stated he had a potential conflict of interest due to the location of his residence and excused himself from the meeting. 2. Associate Planner Jay Wuu presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Planning Department. Staff introduced John Gamlin, representing East of Madison, who gave a presentation on the project. 3. Committee Member Bobbitt asked staff to identify the area in question regarding the relationship between this project and the two adjoining projects. Staff noted the location on the site plans. Committee Member Bobbitt asked how this landscaping relates to the issue of having view corridors. Planning Director Les Johnson stated the view corridor issue related to the perimeter landscaping along Avenue 52. This issue relates to the perimeter between this project and the two adjacent projects, Carmella and Rancho Santana. He noted the trees being planted have several years of growth and are not the typical size tree for most new construction projects. Staff is concerned that this project has two-story units with some units 2 Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee August 1, 2007 having a terrace, and staff wanted to bring this to the Committee's attention. Committee Member Bobbitt asked if either of the two adjoining projects had commented on the project. Staff noted neighborhood meetings were planned but as of this date had not been held. Committee Member Bobbitt stated he has no problems at this point in time, but he would like to hear the results of the meeting with neighboring projects. Discussion followed regarding the difference in the pad elevations. 4, Committee Member Bobbitt stated to him the bigger issue is the view corridor that will be blocked by the trees. The City does not want a wall, but he would be more sympathetic to what the adjoining projects want. 5. Committee Member Bobbitt questioned the material proposed for the ground lighting as it will tend to deteriorate over time and become a high maintenance issue. He would suggest a different type of fixture with a more substantial material. Committee Member Bobbitt asked if the trellis and railings at the back of the units would be wood and if so, he would ask that it be treated to keep its shape. He asked the depth of the reveals. Mr. Prevost stated they are set back nine inches. 6. Committee Member Arnold stated he had no objections. He was impressed with the size of the plant material being installed. 7. There being no further questions, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Bobbitt/Arnold to adopt Minute Motion 2007-021 recommending approval of Site Development Permit 2007-888, as recommended by staff. Unanimously approved. Committee Member Fitzpatrick rejoined the Committee. C. Village Use Permit 2007-035; a request of Dan Kline, Forward Architecture and Design for consideration of architecture and landscaping plans for the Plaza at Calle Tampico, located at the northeast corner of Calle Tampico and Desert Club Drive. 1. Planning Director Les Johnson presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Planning Department. Staff introduced Dan Kline, representing 3 Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee August 1, 2007 Forward Architecture and Design, and who gave a presentation on the project. 2. Committee Member Fitzpatrick stated the detail on the parapets for the shop buildings were nice. The parapets on the loading dock along Calle Tampico on the west side appear to be added on. Mr. Kline stated that from the west elevation it brings some relief to that elevation. The trellis on Shop "2" could be blended in more to have a better use of the trellis. It is very pleasing aesthetically, but it is a departure from any of the existing buildings in that area. 3. Committee Member Bobbitt stated his first reaction is that he does not like it. It states it is a Spanish/Revival and it appears to be more contemporary. His impression is that it just doesn't fit in, but with staff's recommendations, he believes it will be much improved. In regard to the parking lot landscaping the Acacia Smalli, appear to be too small as well as the tree wells should be increased in size. Along the curb line he does not want to see any plant material. He likes the metal trellis and keeping it away from the building. The creeping fig or any self clinging vines can be a maintenance problem. 4. Committee Member Arnold stated he had a concern with the Flax plant in the upper pots. He would suggest an alternate. The Acacia Smalli in the parking lot is a thorny large plant and an alternate should be considered. 5. Committee Member Bobbitt stated he agreed and it has been a continual problem as to what type of tree should be use in the parking lots. He would recommend the Acacia Aneura. 6. Committee Member Bobbitt stated he agreed that the shed roof look should be changed. Staff stated they would work with the applicant to redesign this section. 7. There being no further questions, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Fitzpatrick/Bobbitt/Arnold to adopt Minute Motion 2007-022 recommending approval of Village Use Permit 2007-035, as recommended by staff. a. Conditions added: desert vegetation shall be used b. Small Acacia Smalli in the parking lot be replaced with an alternate such as the Acacia Aneura 4 Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee August 1, 2007 c. The Flax plant in the upper pots shall be replaced with an alternate, d, The trellis shall be made of a metal material. e. The tree wells shall be a minimum of 6 feet by 6 feet f. The shed roof shall be redesigned Unanimously approved. D. Sire Development Permit 2007-890; a request of Nadel Retail Architects, LLP for Shops at Coral Mountain for consideration of architectural and landscaping plans for 105,071 square feet of commercial retail located at the southwest and southeast corners of Avenue 58 and Madison Street. 1 . Assistant Planner Yvonne Franco presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Planning Department. Staff introduced Stan Macaray, architect for the project who gave a presentation on the project. 2. Committee Member Fitzpatrick commended the applicant on the design. 3. Committee Member Bobbitt stated it is well designed and thought out. In regard to staff's recommendations, he asked the location of the drive-thru. Staff noted the location. Committee Member Bobbitt asked whether berming and landscaping was necessary for the drive-thru. Staff stated it wasn't as much an issue as it wasn't located on Highway 111. Mr. Robert Curley, landscape architect stated they would add the landscaping to screen the drive-thru, Staff noted a drive- thru would require a Specific Plan Amendment. Planning Director Les Johnson explained that the project was brought before the ALRC for review, but the drive-thru would require the applicant to submit a Specific Plan Amendment as they are not allowed in a Neighborhood Commercial District. Discussion followed regarding the different uses proposed for the Center. 4. There being no further questions, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Fitzpatrick/Bobbitt to adopt Minute Motion 2007-023 recommending approval of Site Development Permit 2007-890, as recommended by staff. Unanimously approved. VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None 5 Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee August 1, 2007 VII. COMMITTEE MEMBER ITEMS: 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 Regular Meeting to be held on September 5, 2007. This meeting was adjourned at 11 :41 p.m. on August 1, 2007. Respectfully submitted, y dftt: r-- Execu Ive Secretary 6