2005 05 04 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
May 4, 2005
10:00 a.m.
I. CALL TO ORDER
A. This meeting of the Architectural and Landscaping Review Committee
was called to order at 10: 1 0 a.m. by Principal Planner Fred Baker.
B. Committee Members present: Frank Christopher, Bill Bobbitt, and
David Thoms.
C. Staff present: Principal Planners Stan Sawa and Fred Baker, Associate
Planner Wallace Nesbit 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 April 6, 2005.
There being no changes, it was moved and seconded by Committee
Members Christopher/Bobbitt to approve the Minutes as submitted.
Unanimously approved.
V. BUSINESS ITEMS:
A. Site Development Permit 2005-835; a request of Stamko
Development Co. for consideration of architectural and conceptual
landscaping plans for a multi-tenant retail store consisting of 23,000
square feet for the property located at the southwest corner of
Highway 111 and Dune Palms Road within the Centre at La Ouinta
commercial development.
1 . Principal Planner Fred Baker presented the information contained
in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community
Development Department. Staff introduced Chris Clarke, Russ
Beckner, and Dave Street, the architect, who gave a
presentation on the project.
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2. Committee Member Thoms stated he was concerned about this
type of building at this corner. The building at this corner
should have a lot of attention. The "spoilers" that stick up need
to be removed. Ms. Clarke stated it was an element that was
carried throughout the Center; however, it could be removed.
3. Committee Member Bobbitt stated he does not like the boxy
look of the entire Center as well as the steel element. He does
agree however, they cannot change the theme in midstream.
4. Committee Member Christopher stated that as far as
streetscape, it is a poor design. The question is whether or not
to carryon a bad design or change it. He suggested stack
stone or something be added to give it character. The design
criteria have been established with a design this Committee
does not like, but staff's suggestions for this building are good.
He is not opposed to the colors on the accent steel element, but
the streetscape of the building needs to be enhanced. He
agrees with staff's recommendations.
5. Committee Member Thoms agreed the horizontal blue spoilers
should be eliminated.
6. Committee Member Bobbitt agreed with the addition of
wainscot or stack stone. Staff stated it was not their intention
to change the footprint, just to add some detail.
7. Ms. Clarke gave a description of the proposed landscaping to
enhance the east, west, and south elevations.
8. Committee Member Bobbitt asked about Figure #13 on the
landscape plans. There appear to be three tree wells; why was
the fourth left out? Ms. Clarke stated she didn't know, but
would ask the landscape architect.
9. There being no further questions of the applicant, it was moved
and seconded by Committee Member Christopher//Thoms to
adopt Minute Motion 2005-014 recommending approval of Site
Development Permit 2005-835, as recommended by staff and
amended:
a. Deeper window recesses, bringing out the awnings;
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b. The blue horizontal spoilers (metal beams), shall be
removed;
c. Provide additional stack stone/natural wainscoting on
parts of the front elevation of the building.
Unanimously approved.
B. Site Development Permit 2005-827; a request of Colbourn-Currier-NolI
Architecture for consideration of architectural and landscaping plans
for a 136,000 square foot retail store and a gas station located on the
southwest corner of Highway 111 and Dune Palms Road.
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 the
applicants Steve Kellogg, landscape architect, and Bill Currier.
2. Committee Member Bobbitt stated he had no problem with the
landscaping design. He did ask about the 18" header board
with decomposed granite (DG); his experience has been that it
looks terrible and is not well maintained. He recommends
taking the lawn to the curb and moving the spray heads 18
inches back from the curb. Mr. Kellogg stated CVWD requires
them to use a header board to keep the water from running into
the street. Committee Member Bobbitt recommended the pits
be eliminated. Also, the Buxus Microphilla Japonica will not do
well. The date palms should not be used in any pedestrian
traffic area. The Jacaranda and Ulmus parriflora will be
deciduous and he would not recommend them.
3. Committee Member Thoms asked that the Jacaranda be
eliminated. Also, the front yard 18-inch strip should be
redesigned to be meandering and widened if they are required to
keep it with DG and some groundcover in the widened areas.
4. Committee Member Christopher commended the redesign of the
units. He has no problem with the two-story street front on the
one-story, because the garage takes up too much of the
elevation. He would suggest radiusing the top of the garage
door sill on every third one-story unit.
5. Committee Member Thoms noted the one plan is very weak
from the street. The applicant gave a description of the unit
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stating the casitas hides the entry. The casita is hipped all
around.
6. There being no further questions of the applicant, it was moved
and seconded by Committee Member Thoms/Christopher to
adopt Minute Motion 2005-015 recommending approval of Site
Development Permit 2004-827, as recommended by staff and
as amended:
a. The sprinkler heads shall be 18 inches from the curb with
turf between heads and curbs. If the 18 inch gravel
border is required by CVWD, the 18 inch strip shall be
meandering with some groundcover in widened areas.
b. Recommended the Pinus Eldarica, Buxus Microphilla
Japonica, Jacaranda and Ulmus parriflora be eliminated
from the plant list.
c. On the front loaded one-story units, for every third unit
the garage door appearance shall be varied.
Unanimously approved.
C. Site Development Permit 2005-828; a request of Colbourn-Currier-NolI
Architecture for consideration of architectural and landscaping plans
for a 136,000 square foot retail store and a gas station located on the
southwest corner of Highway 111 and Dune Palms Road.
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 the
applicants Steve Kellogg, landscape architect and Bill Currier.
2. Committee Member Christopher asked about the five
rectangular pads in the center. The applicant identified them as
home sites that back up to the putting green. On the
architectural plans, the softened eyebrow makes a big
difference on the streetscape.
3. Committee Member Bobbitt commended the applicant on the
site plan. He asked what area was to be maintained by the
HOA. The applicant explained.
4. There being no further questions of the applicant, it was moved
and seconded by Committee Member Bobbitt/Christopher to
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Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee
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adopt Minute Motion 2005-016 recommending approval of Site
Development Permit 2004-828, as recommended by staff and
as amended:
a. The sprinkler heads shall be 18 inches from the curb with
turf between heads and curbs. If the 18 inch gravel
border is required by CVWD, the 18 inch strip shall be
meandering with some plant material in widened areas.
b. Recommended the Pinus Eldarica, Buxus Microphilla
Japonica, Jacaranda and Ulmus parriflora shall be
eliminated from the plant list.
c. On the front loaded one-story units, for every third unit
the garage door appearance shall be varied.
Unanimously approved.
D. Site Development Permit 2005-831; a request of Thomas Enterprises
for consideration of development plans for Phase 2 of the Pavilion at
La Quinta project consisting of 72,700 square feet for the property
located the northeast corner of Highway 111 and Adams Street.
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 Norm
Barrett representing Smith Consulting Architects, who gave a
presentation on the project.
2. Committee Member Christopher asked if the blue color would
be confined to the Best Buy building only. Mr. Barrett stated
yes and showed the location. Committee Member Christopher
stated the sign size should be consistent. Mr. Barrett stated
both signs are the same size and will be 179 square feet.
Committee Member Christopher noted the amount of flat roof
and stated one of the buildings should have a gable roof added.
Mr. Barrett stated they were designed to meet the tenant's
request.
3. Committee Member Bobbitt asked about staff's
recommendation to add the trellis between the buildings. Mr.
Barrett stated they could add it back on. Committee Member
Bobbitt asked about staff's recommendation on the front fa9ade
to pull the roof back another ten feet. Mr. Barrett stated they
could do that. Staff stated the rear elevations need some
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Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee
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additional detail if the downspouts are removed. Mr. Barrett
explained the detail they had added and noted it backs up to the
Post Office parking lot.
4. Committee Member Christopher asked that some stacked stone
be added to towers to match the other end of the Center. Mr.
Barrett suggested it be added to the columns.
5. Committee Member Thoms asked that the Drexel building add a
gable roof. Discussion followed regarding the concern of the
tenants. Committee Members suggested adding the stone to
the front of the Drexel building as well.
6. There being no further questions of the applicant, it was moved
and seconded by Committee Members Bobbitt/Christopher to
adopt Minute Motion 2005-017 recommending approval of Site
Development Permit 2005-831, as recommended by staff and
as amended:
a. Stack stone shall be added to the columns of the Office
Max and Drexel buildings..
b. Eliminate the recommendation for the trellis work.
c. The east elevation sign for the Best Buy building, the blue
area on the lower portion shall be reduced.
d. Landscape planters shall be provided in front of the
building in non-pedestrian areas.
e. Lengthen all tower structures at the top rear where they
meet the roof towards the rear of the building and
provide with a finished solid back to ensure they are not
visible and provide adequate bulk to the towers.
Unanimously approved.
E. Site Development Permit 2005-830; a request of GSR Andrade
Architects for consideration of architectural and landscaping plans for
a 2 story, 37,212 square foot medical office building on a 2.85 acre
site located on the east side of Washington Street, on the south side
of the La Guinta Professional Plaza.
1 . Committee Member Thoms withdrew from discussion due to a
potential conflict of interest due to the location of his residence.
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2. Associate Planner Wally Nesbit presented the information
contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the
Community Development Department. Staff introduced the
applicant, Fernando Andrade, who gave a presentation on the
project.
3. Committee Member Christopher asked if the window casing on
the west end of the building was recessed. Mr. Fernando
Andrade explained how the walls recess and popout to create
shadow lines. The entry and first floor windows are shaded by
the cover.
4. Committee Member Bobbitt commended the applicant on the
design of the building. On the parking area bordering
Washington Street, where the existing landscaping is on the
grade, is this higher than the parking lot? The applicant stated
the plants will hide the parking lot.
5. Mr. David Thoms, 47-410 Via Cordova asked the color of the
building. Mr. Andrade went over the proposed colors and
stated the building would have a smooth trowel finish. Mr.
Thoms asked if the landscaping on the west elevation could be
improved as well as the landscaping along Washington Street.
6. There being no further questions of the applicant, it was moved
and seconded by Committee Members Christopher/Bobbitt to
adopt Minute Motion 2005-018 confirming their
recommendation for approval of Site Development Permit 2005-
830, as recommended by staff and amended:
a. The applicant shall provide plans for the covered entry
way.
b. The parking lot shall have adequate landscaping on all
sides per the existing requirements, to hide the front of
the car screens from Caleo Bay and Washington Street.
c. The parking lot islands shall not have any plant material.
Unanimously approved with Committee Member Thoms being
absent.
Committee Member Thoms rejoined the Commission.
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F. Site Development Permit 2005-832; A request of William Kelly Trust
for consideration of architectural and landscaping plans for a 4,600
square foot one story office building in the La Ouinta Professional
Plaza located on Parcel 12 of Parcel Map 29889 - the east side of
Washington Street 300 feet south of Avenue 47.
1 . Associate Planner Wallace Nesbit presented the information
contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the
Community Development Department. Staff introduced D. Bill
Kelly, the applicant, and AI Cook, the architect who gave a
presentation on the project.
2. Committee Member Christopher stated he would prefer the light
aqua accent color proposed. Mr. Cook stated he would prefer
the color proposed. He would suggest using a little deeper
green or bronze.
3. There being no further questions of the applicant, it was moved
and seconded by Committee Members Christopher/Thoms to
adopt Minute Motion 2005-019 recommending approval of Site
Development Permit 2005-832, as recommended by staff and
amended:
a. Coordinate the landscaping between this project and the
project to the south.
b. Change the accent color on the window frames to either
a bronze or deeper green.
Unanimously approved.
G. Villa(Je Use Permit 2005-027; a request of Calle Estado, LLC for
consideration of architectural and landscaping plans for a 10,896
gross s.f. two story retail/office building in the Village at La Ouinta
located on the southwest corner of Calle Estado.
1 . Associate Planner Wallace Nesbit presented the information
contained in the staff report. Staff introduced Steve Nieto,
designer of the building.
2. Committee Member Christopher asked if any greenery was
proposed along the streetscape. Staff stated there are only two
tree wells.
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3. Committee Member Thoms suggested pots or something of that
nature be added. The east elevation is very blank as well.
Staff suggested something in the nature of murals until a
building is built next to it. Committee Member Thoms stated it
currently is a parking lot. Staff stated it is an illegal use.
Committee Member Thoms stated this is the elevation you see
as you come down the street. The applicant stated they would
be willing to add a mural. Mr. Nieto stated they are at the
property line and will not be able to add any projections, but
they would be willing to add tiles or color to that end of the
building. Their landscaping is minimal as the site is restrictive
on area. They would like to add a canopy tree.
4. Committee Member Thoms suggested the Tiduana Tipu.
5. Committee Member Christopher asked what plants would be in
the planters. Mr. Nieto stated it was yet to be determined.
Also, the detail is a faux finish, not a tile. Committee Member
Christopher asked if they could do a sporadic use of the
mudding on the roof tile.
6. There being no further questions of the applicant, it was moved
and seconded by Committee Members Christopher/Thoms to
adopt Minute Motion 2005-020 recommending approval of
Village Use Permit 2005-027. as recommended and as follows:
a. A design shall be added to the west facing wall with
architectural detailing/mural.
b. Trees shall be added on the south property line
c. Sporadic large planting pots shall be added at the street
level.
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/Thoms to adjourn this regular meeting of the Architectural and
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Landscaping Review Committee to a regular meeting to be held on June 1, 2005.
This meeting was adjourned at 12:10 p.m. on May 4,2005.
~S~i~t~d' .
BE W~
Executive Secretary
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