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2007 06 06 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 June 6, 2007 10:00 a.m. I. CALL TO ORDER A. This special meeting of the Architectural and Landscaping Review Committee was called to order at 10:05 a.m. by Planning Manager Les Johnson.. B. Committee Members present: Bill Bobbitt, and Tracy Smith. It was moved and seconded by Committee Members Bobbitt/Smith to excuse Committee Member Christopher C. Staff present: Planning Manager Les Johnson, Principal Planners Stan Sawa and Andrew Mogensen, Assistant Planner Jay Wuu, and Executive Secretary Betty Sawyer. II. PUBLIC COMMENT: None. III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: Confirmed IV. CONSENT CALENDAR: A. It was moved and seconded by Committee Members Bobbitt/Smith to approve the minutes of May 23, 2007 as submitted. Unanimously approved. V. BUSINESS ITEMS: A. Site Development Permit 2006-886; a request of LDD SilverRock LLC for consideration of architectural and landscaping plans for a :!: 14- acre Boutique Hotel site consisting of a :!: 25,000 square foot parking structure, 29 hotel buildings with 200 units and 259 keys, meeting facility, restaurant, and resort spa located at Avenue 52 and SilverRock Way. 1 . Planning Manager Les Johnson and Principal Planner Andrew Mogensen presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. Staff introduced Troy Worgull, Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee June 6, 2007 architect, Nikola Radosavljevic, with Oz Architects, who gave a presentation on the project. 2. Committee Members discussed the different aspects of each of the parts of the project with the architect and staff. 3. Committee Member Smith asked that additional plants be added to the parking structure. Staff clarified the plant pallet would be integrated throughout the whole project. 4. Committee Member Bobbitt asked if the trail system would connect at SilverRock Way. Staff stated it would at some time in the future. 5. Committee Member Smith asked what three optional items staff was proposing. Planning Manager Les Johnson explained the alternatives for the main entry design. Mr. Worgull went into detail on the design and signage. Committee Member Smith asked about the sidewalk path. Staff explained how the pathway would be integrated into the design. Committee Member Smith suggested smaller paseos be used. Mr. Worgull reviewed the materials proposed for the project. 6. Committee Member Smith stated his concern about the ~mount of wood proposed. Over the long term in this desert environment there will be problems. The larger beams should hold up. 7. Committee Member Bobbitt stated this has been an issue here in the desert. He also had a concern about some of the other natural products that will be exposed to the sun. Wood framing on the windows will cause a lot of maintenance concerns. He suggested using some of the "Trek" products which will give the same appearance without the maintenance problems. The underlying beams will not be as great a concern, but mostly the wood products with direct exposure to the sun. Staff stated the Hotel owner will have the ultimate responsibility to maintain the buildings. Committee Member Bobbitt asked what provisions are planned behind the walls for drainage. Mr. Worgull explained the drainage plan. Committee Member Bobbitt asked whether or not there was a requirement for a certain number of trees around the parking structure. Planning Manager Les Johnson stated all parking areas would have trees. 2 Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee June 6, 2007 Committee Member Bobbitt asked if the 40-foot height restriction was within the City's requirements. Staff stated it was. Committee Member Bobbitt asked if there was any landscaping on the patios for the condominium units and how would that drainage be handled. Mr. Worgull stated there was access for the maintenance people to maintain any landscaping. Committee Member Bobbitt asked if there would be any parking bumpers. Mr. Worgull stated yes, there would be. 8. Committee Member Smith stated he agrees with staff's recommendation on using a different variety instead of Bottle trees. 9. Committee Member Bobbitt stated he would not suggested the California Pepper as it will not hold up, the Bottle trees are a very messy tree, and the Bottlebrush, unless it is maintained properly, will not make it. Mr. Radosavljevic, landscape architect, stated the schinus would have a lacey appearance and would be used along the entry drive. 10. There being no further questions, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Bobbitt/Smith to adopt Minute Motion 2007-012 recommending approval of Site Development Permit 2006:886, as recommended by staff and amended as follows: a. The applicant was urged to use an alternative to the wood where it is exposed to the sun. b. The applicant shall replace the Bottle trees, schinus, and Califronia Pepper with a different variety. Unanimously approved B. Site Development Permit 2006-887; a request of Eisenhower Medical Centerfor consideration of development plans for an 85,655 square foot three story medical building located south of the intersection of Washington Street and Seeley Drive. 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. Staff introduced James Lenhart, Boulder Associates, architect, and Ali Tourkaman, Eisenhower Medical Center, and Ron Gregory, landscape architect, who gave a presentation on the project. 3 Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee June 6, 2007 2. Committee Member Bobbitt asked if the large landscape area would be for future expansion. Mr. Lenhart stated it would only be used for future parking needs. Mr. Gregory stated he was concerned that adding a walking path through the landscape area would not be used. Committee Member Bobbitt stated he agreed. Mr. Gregory stated he would not want people to interpret this as a permanent sidewalk as it will be removed at some point in the future for parking. Mr. Lenhart stated they would prefer to create an open space area between the buildings rather than in the landscape area. Discussion followed regarding the landscape treatment along the parkway. 3. Committee Member Smith stated his concern about the flying canopy at the entry. If the material is not designed for the heat, it will not last. It was noted it is weather resistant and the same material that is used at the Palm Springs Airport 4. There being no further questions, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Smith/Bobbitt to adopt Minute Motion 2007-013 recommending approval of Site Development Permit 2006-887, as recommended by staff and amended as follows: a. The applicant shall add additional landscaping along Washington Street and the channel to the well site with alternating Date palms and shade trees. Unanimously approved C. Site Development Permit 2006-862; a request of Highland La Quinta LLC for consideration of final landscaping plans for three commercial buildings in Phase 2 located on the north side of Highway 111, between Jefferson Street and Dune Palms Road within the Dunes Business Park. 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 Smith asked why staff was recommending the use of the different Palo Verde. Staff clarified a Planning Commissioner wanted a local variety to be used. 4 Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee June 6, 2007 3. There being no further questions, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Bobbitt/Smith to adopt Minute Motion 2007-014 recommending approval of Site Development Permit 2006-862, as recommended by staff.. Unanimously approved D. Site Development Permit 2006-885; a request of La Quinta Country Club for consideration of architectural and landscaping plans for a new clubhouse, cart barn, and maintenance building; the relocation of the tennis courts and parking lot; and redesign of the driving range for the property located at the northeast corner of Eisenhower Drive and Avenue 50. 1. Assistant Planner Jay Wuu presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. Staff introduced Ron Sakahara, architect, who gave a presentation on the project. 2. Committee Member Smith asked if recommendations for landscaping along. Staff stated it is owned by the City and applicant. Mr. Sakahara presented a Committee consideration. there were any Eisenhower Drive. maintained by the new drawing for 3. Committee Member Bobbitt stated he prefers the new design but should address the additional articulation staff was requesting. He would recommend a tall linear tree along the street. 4. Committee Member Bobbitt asked if steps had been taken in regard to the problems that caused this building to be constructed; the earthquake issues. Mr. Sakahara explained the structural details that had been added to the building. Committee Member Bobbitt asked about the earthen wall staff was recommending. Staff explained the idea was to have a plant pallet to soften the berm and keep it from looking new. The height of the berm with a wall is also to prevent golf balls from clearing the wall. 5. There being no further questions, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Bobbitt/Smith to adopt Minute Motion 2007-015 recommending approval of Site Development Permit 2006-885, as recommended by staff and amended as follows: 5 Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee June 6. 2007 a. Condition #2: the last sentence shall be deleted b. Condition #3: deleted c. Condition #4: additional plants shall be added on the outside of the Eisenhower Drive wall. Unanimously approved VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None VII. COMMITTEE MEMBER ITEMS: VIII. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Bobbitt/Smith to adjourn this meeting of the Architectural and Landscaping Review Committee to a Special Meeting to be held on June 27, 2007. This meeting was adjourned at 12:29 p.m. on June 6, 2007. Respectfully submitted, 6