2007 04 04 ALRC Minutes
MINUTES
ARCHITECTURE & LANDSCAPING REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING
A Regularly Scheduled meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall
78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA
April 4, 2007
10:00 a.m.
I. CALL TO OFlDER
A. This meeting of the Architectural and Landscaping Review Committee
was called to order at 10:30 a.m. by Planning Manager Les Johnson.
B. Committee Members present: Bill Bobbitt and Frank Christopher. It
was moved and seconded by Committee Members Bobbitt/Bobbitt to
excuse Committee Member Smith. Unanimously approved.
C. Staff present: Planning Manager Les Johnson, Associate Planner
Andrew Mogensen, Assistant Planners Jay Wuu, Yvonne Franco, and
Eric Caja, and Executive Secretary Betty Sawyer.
II. PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
II. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: Confirmed
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR:
A. It was moved and seconded by Committee Members Bobbitt/Smith to
approve the Minutes of March 21, 2007 as submitted. Unanimously
approved.
V. BUSINESS ITEMS:
A. Site Development Permit 2007-872; a request of Trans West Housing
for consideration of architecture and landscaping plans for proposed
Landscape Lot "B" and Firenze Gate I Tentative Tract 34642 (Griffin
Ranch) .
1. Associate 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 Trans
West representatives who gave a presentation on the project.
2. Committee Member Christopher asked if any calculations had
been done on the gate entrances in regard to turf usage and
equestrian uses. Staff stated the turf being used is behind the
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April 4, 2007
decorative wall and not visible from the street. The turf has
been reduced but serves a dual purpose as it will work in
conjunction with the retention basin.
3. Committee Member Bobbitt asked about the amount of turf and
stated his concern's concerns. Mr. Shepardson stated the turf
area would be reduced, but they did have approval from CVWD.
They will use desertscape on the upper level and turf on the
lower level. Committee Member Bobbitt asked how the
landscaping is reviewed by staff in regard to view obstructions.
Staff explained the plants were reviewed by both the
Community Development and Public Works Department in
regard to view obstruction. Ms. Marty Butler asked if the
Committee had discretion on the size of the lake. Committee
Member Bobbitt stated he would concede to CVWD's approval.
Ms. Butler explained the Bureau of Reclamation line that runs
through the property and how it will feed the lake. Committee
Member Bobbitt asked where the pump station would be. Ms.
Butler stated it would be on the south end of the property and
will be maintained.
4. Committee Member Christopher stated he too would concede to
what CVWD approves.
5. There being no further questions, it was moved and seconded
by Committee Members Christopher/Bobbitt to adopt Minute
Motion 2007-005 recommending approval of Site Development
Permit 2007-872, as recommended. Unanimously approved.
B. Site Development Permit 2007-879; a request of The Foundation
Group, LLC for consideration of architecture and landscaping plans for
Pad Site "A" within the existing La Quinta Village Shopping Center
(Plot Plan 1991-456) located on the northwest corner of Calle
Tampico and Washington Street.
1. Assistant Planner Eric Ceja presented the information contained
in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community
Development Department.
2. Committee Member Bobbitt stated his concern is that he is not
familiar with the original plan for the center. The massing of
the building is larger than the original intent of the center. Staff
explained the original intent was to have people seen seating
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outside eating to draw them into the Village. Committee
Member Bobbitt stated his concern is that now there will be a
building sitting there after having the open space for so long.
Staff stated it is recommended that the overall size be reduced.
He distributed a letter from the applicant in regard to their desire
to have the larger building.
3. Committee Member Christopher briefly stated this submittal is
significantly better than before. The access side of the building
faces City Hall and this is a negative impact. He recognizes this
does happen in other areas and conditions have been placed to
reduce the impact. We have discussed having recesses and
steel grates with plants to hide these doors. This has been a
problem with the Fire Department, but this is the biggest
negative to the project. There needs to be a way to resolve
this. Planning Manager Les Johnson stated the applicant has
worked extensively with staff to design this building including
the reduction of the building on the east end. Staff has been
informed by the applicant that the CC&Rs of the Center restrict
them from meeting staff's conditions. He went on to review
the changes that had been worked out between staff and the
applicant.
4. Committee Member Bobbitt stated the only issue is the outdoor
space and he would suggest staff work with the applicant to
resolve this issue. The use of the space needs to be practical.
He would suggest the hedge variety be changed.
5. Committee Member Christopher asked if they would be willing
to allow a restriction to never have a restaurant on the eastern
end. Mr. Dana MacKay stated they would have no objection,
but they are restricted by the CC&R's which is the objection of
Ralph's to not have a restaurant. Discussion followed regarding
alternatives for the rear elevation.
6. There being no further questions, it was moved and seconded
by Committee Members ChristopheriBobbitt to adopt Minute
Motion 2007-006 recommending approval of Site Development
Permit 2007-879, as recommended. Unanimously approved
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C, Site Development Permit 2007-883; a request of East of Madison LLC
for consideration of buildings, parking lot, tennis court, and
landscaping plans for the Madison Club Clubhouse located on the
southwest corner of Monroe Street and Avenue 52,
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 Jeff Prevost who
gave a presentation on the project,
2. Committee Member Bobbitt stated his concern is that the height
of the building seems extremely high. Staff stated it is an
unusual height, but their Specific Plan does allow this height.
Committee Member Bobbitt questioned the date palm tree as
they are having a lot of problems with this tree in the Valley.
Mr. Jeff Prevost sated they are looking at the tree and have
become aware of some of the problems with this tree.
3. There being no further questions, it was moved and seconded
by Committee Members Christopher/Bobbitt to adopt Minute
Motion 2007-007 recommending approval of Site Development
Permit 2007-883, as recommended. Unanimously approved
D. Site Development Permit 2007-882; a request of Fancher
Development Services, Inc. (Mimi's Cafe) for consideration of
architecture and landscaping for a 7,724 square foot restaurant, in the
Komar Desert Center located at the southeast corner of Highway 111
and Depot Drive.
1. Assistant Planner Yvonne Franco presented the information
contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the
Community Development Department. Staff introduced Moni
Dosanjh who gave a presentation on the project. He asked that
Condition 1 regarding the electrical transformer, be amended to
allow them flexibility if Imperial Irrigation District (lID) asks them
to move it.
2. Committee Member Bobbitt suggested they give liD room to
install their transformer by keeping their planting back as far as
possible without changing the look.
3. Mr. Dosanjh also asked that the main entry to the building be
retained as designed as they want the main entrance to stand
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out. Condition #4 regarding the dimension of the post on the
outdoor seating area they are showing a four inch and staff is
requesting a six inch. Their design team stated the four inch is
consistent and it does help with the visibility. The last
condition is that the screen wall on their service yard being
extended. Their service yard does not stand out and is
compatible with the remainder of the building and center. They
do not understand the necessity to extend the wall.
4. Committee Member Christopher asked if staff was asking for
the extension to keep a straight line with the existing plane.
Planning Manager Les Johnson stated that in review of the
revised drawings, staff thought it is a nice design and with the
number of trips that go by this area, it would add to the look.
In regard to the transformer, staff has no objection as long as
staff has the option to be able to work with the applicant to
screen it. In regard to the posts and their desire to go to a
"New Orleans" style, staff recommends the posts be increased
to the six inch post. The applicant has been very willing to
work with staff in regard to the colors that are now consistent
with the remainder of the Center.
5. There being no further questions, it was moved and seconded
by Committee Members Christopher/Bobbitt to adopt Minute
Motion 2007-008 recommending approval of Site Development
Permit 2007-882, as recommended and amended:
a. Condition #1: the potential placement or change in
location of the transformer box will be contingent upon
the applicant resolving liD's location and if they can't
change its location it shall be screened in some way.
b. Condition #4: The extension to the service wall shall be
angled as staff illustrated on the plan up to a maximum of
ten feet.
c. Condition #5: The posts on the outside seating area shall
be six inches.
Unanimously approved
E. Site Development Permit 2007-881; a request of R. T. Hughes Co.,
LLC for consideration of architecture and preliminary landscaping plans
for a 57 home project identified as "Malaga Estates" located at the
southwest corner of Madison Street and Avenue 60.
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1 , Planning Manager Les Johnson presented the information
contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the
Community Development Department, Staff introduced Mr,
Hughes who gave a presentation on the project and stated they
have worked very closely with Travertine Development and
Andalusia to have their landscaping plan complement their
projects, They have also worked with the adjoining projects to
resolve the easement needed for the completion of Madison
Street, The irrigation line that runs through the site will be
moved as requested by CVWD.
2. Committee Member Bobbitt stated the water usage with the
amount of turf is a concern, but until the City revises its
standards to be stricter than those of CVWD, he would
recommend they use less turf. As the entrance is not at the
corner, he would suggest moving the water feature closer to
the corner. Mr. Hughes stated they hope to create a look
similar to the Madison Club. They have given up lots to create
a sense of open space areas. The applicant explained the
elevation problem and how they can make the retention basin
work. The applicant's engineer stated they wanted a retention
basin with a lake appearance. Staff stated it was not to move
the water feature to the corner but create a landscape feature
at the corner that makes a statement. There is no design for
either street which does make this difficult. In regard to the
water feature it was also a question as to who would benefit
from the lake as it is hidden back. This was their reason for
recommending the reduction of the lake. The applicant stated
that as you drive by you will be looking down into the lake.
3. Committee Member Christopher asked what the pad height was
at the lake level. The applicant stated there is a slope, and from
the pad to the upper water features is eight to ten feet.
Committee Member Christopher asked if there will be a six foot
privacy wall on the pads. The applicant stated no, it is a view
fence.
4. Committee Member Bobbitt suggested they offer a no-turf
option for the front landscaping for the homes. Mr. Hughes
stated they have designed the lots to be in continuity with each
other.
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5. Committee Member Christopher asked if they would have
masonry division walls between the houses. The applicant
stated yes and they have no objection to the pilasters on the
street sides, but not on the berm side,
6. Committee Member Bobbitt asked about the roof tiles. The
applicant stated they will be a mudded S-tile with hand
trowelled exteriors, Committee Member Bobbitt stated his
concern about the use of wood and the ability of the HOA to
maintain it. The applicant reviewed the precautions they have
in place to protect the look in their CC&Rs,
7, There being no further questions, it was moved and seconded
by Committee Members Bobbitt/Christopher to adopt Minute
Motion 2007-009 recommending approval of Site Development
Permit 2007-881, as recommended and amended:
a, Delete the Condition regarding the water feature at the
corner and urge the developer reconsider the corner
landscape feature for 200 feet each direction of the
corner once the final street design has been completed.
b, Condition added: A pilaster shall be added at the
termination of the property lines and on Madison Street
every 50 feet,
Unanimously approved
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/ to adjourn this Special Meeting of the Architectural and
Landscaping Review Committee to a Regular Meeting to be held on May 2, 2007,
This meeting was adjourned at 12:04 a.m, on April 4, 2007,
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