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2004 11 03 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 November 3, 2004 10:00 a.m. I. CALL TO ORDER A. This meeting of the Architectural and Landscaping Review Committee was called to order at 10:04 a.m. by Interim Community Development Director Oscar Orci who led the flag salute. B. Committee Members present: Bill Bobbitt, Frank Christopher, and David Thoms. C. Staff present: Interim Community Development Director Oscar Orci 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 October 6, 2004. Committee Member Christopher asked that Page 2, Item 6 be amended to add "stainless steel". There being no further changes, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Christopher/Bobbitt to approve the Minutes as submitted. Unanimously approved. V. BUSINESS ITEMS: A. Village Use Permit 2004-025; a request of Desert Builders, Inc. for consideration of architectural and landscaping plans for three live-work spaces in The Village at La Ouinta located on the north side of Calle Amigo, one lot east of Avenida Bermudas. 1 . Interim Community Development Director Oscar Orci presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. Staff introduced John Deleo, marketing agent for Dr. F.H. LaBranche, Jr., project representatives, who gave a presentation on the project. G:\WPDOCS\ALRC\11-3-04.doc Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee November 3, 2004 2, Committee Member Bobbitt asked what type of business would be here. Mr. Deleo stated they would be law firms, with satellite offices. The Village Commercial designation does not prohibit the living space. The zoning does not require a setback; however, and yet they will have a five foot setback. The color board will be a traditional La Ouinta styling similar to the La Ouinta Hotel. It will have red stacked tile with painted royal blue trim, Landscaping will be a design to provide shade, but they are trying to maximize the use of the lot, but will abide with Architecture and Landscape Review Committee desire. 3. Committee Member Thoms asked if the driveway will be as shown in the computer rendering. Mr. Deleo stated it will not have the rollup curb. There will have a separation. Committee Member Thoms suggested the paver stones, tumbled would be excellent. Mr. Deleo suggested a raised planter between the driveway elements. Committee Member Thoms stated a low raised planter would be fine. His issue with the elevation is that even the color it is bland; there is no real detail. He would prefer the barrel tile and capped. Mr. DeLeo suggested traditional Spanish tiling with weeping, 4. Committee Member Bobbitt stated there will be problems with the turf in some of the areas as it will need to be irrigated. He would suggest a drip system be used, or something similar. In regard to the planters it will have to be level and as the site is not level, they will need to address the elevation change. This will affect the height and could be a safety issue. Mr. Deleo suggested a very low planter with drought resistant plants. Committee Member Bobbitt reiterated it will need to have drip irrigation. 5. Committee Member Christopher stated the computer generated drawings do not transfer into what is being described. If it is going to be a hand-trolled exterior with a Spanish look, it should be delineated in the conditions. Mr. Deleo stated he has no issue with adding a condition requiring the hand trolled, with the royal blue trim around the doors. He noted each entrance has an interior courtyard at the entrance. 6. Committee Member Thoms stated there are no light fixtures on the wall noted on the rendenings. He noted the site has a nice clump of palm trees at the northeast corner and he would like to see them retained or relocated on the site. G:I WPDOCSIALRCI 11.3.04.doc 2 Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee November 3, 2004 7. Committee Member Bobbitt suggested the bottle trees be eliminated. 8. Committee Member Christopher stated there are no mullions noted on the windows. 9. Committee Member Thoms stated he is concerned about the number of issues they have raised and he wants to be sure they are passed on to the Planning Commission. Staff noted their comments will be recommended to the Planning Commission. 10. There being no further questions of the applicant, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Thoms/Christopher to adopt Minute Motion 2004-032 recommending approval of Village Use Permit 2004-025, as recommended by staff and amended: a. Condition added: Palm trees will be retained or relocated on the site. b. Exterior shall be hand trowelled stucco finish c. The wall shall have cap detailing. d. Window and doorway surrounds shall have detailing. e. Moulin windows and doors shall be provided. f. Wall caps shall be the cobblestone g. Bottle trees shall be eliminated from the plant list. h. Tumbled cobble stone shall be used for the driveway. I. The roof shall be a mudded Spanish tile Unanimously approved. B. Site Development Permit 2004-817; a request of Bill Sanchez for consideration of architectural and conceptual landscaping plans for three commercial bounded by Highway 111, Avenue 47, Washington Street and Adams Street. 1. Interim Community Development Director Oscar Orci presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. Staff introduced the applicant, who gave a presentation on the project. 2. Committee Member Christopher stated the northwest elevation IS a service area, but as it does front onto a road corridor, it G:\WPDOCS\ALRC\ 11-3-Q4.doc 3 Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee November 3, 2004 could use some additional detail, such as trellis work, for Pad 6. The applicant stated there is only six feet between the building and the curb which makes it tight to add any detail. They will be layering to create different massing along that elevation. They will be adding a planter area to soften the look of the area. Committee Member Christopher noted that in areas where there is a higher degree of public exposure there are black canopys. He would suggest added the same detail/canopy over the doorways to add something to give dimension to the walls. The applicant agreed. 3. Committee Member Thoms asked if they were different facias and not just color that overlay each other. The applicant stated yes. Committee Member Thoms asked that the pedestrian area in the center of the parking area, with the design element needs some work. It should not be brought out into the paved area, the driveway area. The applicant stated they would look at some way to seal it to protect it. Committee Member Thoms suggested it stop before the 36" band. Mr. Sanchez stated they would look into different finishes to find a better way to care for the concrete. Committee Member Thoms stated that as no pedestrian will be in this area it does not function as a people space. It needs to be cut off at the curb line and not extend out into the driveway area. 4. Committee Member Bobbitt questioned the use of the Chilean Mesquite. It is a fast growing, shallow rooted tree and after a couple of years you will lose a large percentage due to the wind and lack of maintenance and area to grow. He would suggest using a different variety. Mr. Sanchez stated that in this plan there are seven of these trees along the Highway 111 perimeter. 5. Committee Member Bobbitt stated the parking area where pedestrians will walk through the planer area should have appropriate stepping stones or some surface to allow them to walk through. 6. There being no further questions of the applicant, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Bobbitt/Thoms to adopt Minute Motion 2004-033 recommending approval of Site Development Permit 2004-817, as recommended by staff and amended. G,\WPDOCS\ALRC\ ".3.04.doc 4 Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee November 3, 2004 a. Condition added: The pedestrian circle shall be eliminated at the outer edge banding. b. Condition added: The planter areas adjacent to the parking lot shall have some type of material to allow a pedestrian walkway. c. Condition added: A trellis structure shall be added to northwest elevation of Pad 6. d. Condition added: An alternative design for shop 3 for use of vehicles and pedestrians to be maintained in an adequate manner that it will not fade. e. Suggestion: An alternative tree to the mesquite trees should be considered. Unanimously approved. C. Site Development Permit 2004-818; a request of La Quinta Partners North for consideration of architectural and landscaping plans for two new prototype residential units with two facades each located on the west side of Caleo Bay, approximately 270 feet north of Avenue 48. 1 . Interim Community Development Director Oscar Orci presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. Staff introduced Jim Thompson, representing the applicant, who gave a presentation on the project. 2. Committee Member Bobbitt stated the tract needs some undulation, but not sure it is possible. Staff noted the Code requires staggering on every fifth home. Mr. Thompson stated there is a minimum of 20 feet to the garage. 3. Committee Member Thoms asked if they could have less of a setback. Staff noted with a side entry garage it can be 15 feet. Discussion followed regarding alternatives. 4. There being no further questions of the applicant, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Christopher/Bobbitt to adopt Minute Motion 2004-034 recommending approval of Site Development Permit 2004-818, as recommended. Unanimously approved. G:\WPDOCS\ALRC\ 11-:)-04.doc 5 Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee November 3, 2004 D. Tentative Tract Map 32397; a request of Foxx Homes for consideration of preliminary landscaping plans for Washington Street perimeter located on the west side of Washington Street, north of Laguna de la Paz. 1. Interim Community Development Director Oscar Orci presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. Staff introduced Jim Foxx and Dave Denning of Foxx Homes and Mike Horton of HSA Landscaping, who gave a presentation on the project. 2. Committee Member Bobbitt stated the artificial rock can be a big mistake if it is not done right. As long as it looks like the mountain behind it, the effect should be beautiful. Mr. Foxx stated that is their intent. It will be a mixture of real and artificial rocks. 3. Committee Member Christopher asked the width of the lanes. Mr. Horton stated it has two lanes in at the call box and one lane exiting. 4. Committee Member Thoms asked why there was no gate house. Mr. Foxx stated the cost was the reason. 5. Committee Member Christopher stated there is no specific plan that relates to the plant pallet. The elevation needs to show the height differentials with the trees. 6. Committee Member Thoms stated no where along Washington Street does this type of impact take place. He is concerned that it may be too dramatic for the street. Mr. Foxx stated it will have a resemblance of a continuation of the rock outcropping of Point Happy. 7. Committee Member Christopher asked the height of the rock features. Mr. Foxx stated 20 feet and tapers down the closer you get to Washington Street. 8. Committee Member Bobbitt asked what was to be behind the perimeter wall. Mr. Foxx stated there is no sod between the house and the street. G,IWPDDCSIALRCI11-3-04.doc 6 Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee November 3, 2004 9. Committee member Christopher stated that in order to do anything viable is going to require this big of an effort, If you look at what is across the street and the Church they have an austere look, This will be an enhancing look to the Washington Street Corridor. 10. Committee Member Bobbitt stated he would like to see the Chilean Mesquite eliminated. 11 . There being no further questions of the applicant, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Christopher/Bobbitt to adopt Minute Motion 2004-035 recommending approval of Tentative Tract Map 32397, as recommended and amended by staff. 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 Landscaping Review Committee to a regular meeting to be held on December 1, 2004. This meeting was adjourned at 11: 41 a.m. on November 3, 2004. Respectfully submitted, ~1 /)7':c'~Y!.C~' ,- 7i{IP/ j/ ,~s6tf, J 'is./' YER . Executive ecretary G :IWPDOCSIALRCI 11 -3-04.doc 7