1991 11 06 DRBA G E N D A
A Regular Meeting to be held at the
La Quinta City Hall, 78-105 Calle Estado
La Quinta, California
November 6, 1991
5:30 P-A4.
I. CALL TO ORDER - Flag Salute
II. ROLL CALL
III. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Approval of Minutes of October 2, 1991
V.BUSINESS SESSION
A. SIGN APPLICATION 91-159; a request of Simon Plaza to install a
shopping center identification sign, directional signs and multiple
building signs for a future office/commercial facility planned on five
acres.
B. PUBLIC USE PERMIT 91-012; a request of Boys and Girls Club of
Coachella Valley for approval of plans for a Boys and Girls Club
facility.
C. SPECIFIC PLAN 89-014 & PLOT PLAN 90-434; a request of Transpacific
Development Company for approval of landscaping plans for of III -La
Quinta shopping center.
D. Plot Plan 91-468; a request of the Automobile Club of Southern
California for approval of architectural and landscaping plans.
VI. OTHER
A. Street Name Signs for the Village; consideration of street name signs
for the Village Specific Plan area.
B. Additional meeting on November 13, 1991.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
STAFF REPORT
DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
DATE: NOVEMBER 6, 1991
REQUEST: SIGN APPLICATION 91-159: SIMON PLAZA, PLANNED SIGN
PROGRAM. REQUEST TO INSTALL A SHOPPING CENTER
IDENTIFICATION SIGN, DIRECTIONAL SIGNS AND MULTIPLE
BUILDING SIGNS FOR A FUTURE OFFICE/COMMERCIAL
FACILITY PLANNED ON FIVE ACRES
LOCATION: SOUTHEAST CORNER OF HIGHWAY 111. AT WASHINGTON
STREET
APPLICANT: SIMON PLAZA, INC.; MR. PHILLIP M. PEAD
SIGN
DESIGNER: MR. SKIP BERG, DGI SIGNS
BACKGROUND:
At your last meeting, the Applicant's sign contractor, DGI, presented sketches of
the freestanding signs to the Board pursuant to the Design Review Board's review
of Plot Plan 91-466 and Variance 91-019. It was recommended that the sign package
be deferred to the next meeting due to the members not having adequate time to
review the proposal. Therefore, the signage request was carried over to this
meeting. Since the meeting, the Applicant has also submitted a building sign
package.
PLOT PLAN 91-466 AND VARIANCE 91-019:
The Planning Commission has not reviewed the project development at this time. The
Commission will review the project on November 26, 1991.
MASTER PLANNED SIGN PROGRAM:
The Sign Ordinance requires the Applicant to obtain Design Review Board and
Planning Commission review of their program. Therefore, the Design Review Board
is a recommending advisory board for the Planning Commission. The Applicant is
aware the Planning Commission review is required.
PROPOSED SIGN PLAN:
The Applicant has submitted a freestanding center identification sign, a concept
building sign program, and directional signs for the proposed multiple use complex.
A. Freestanding Identification Signs: The freestanding sign is 12-feet in height
and the graphic sign cabinet is approximately 50 square feet excluding the
decorative arched top. The sign is internally illuminated and the cabinet will
be stuccoed to match the proposed building color (Navajo White) . The "Simon
DRBST.013
1,..I.v . 6 0
0 2
Plaza" portion of the sign will be blue whereas the decorative arched top will
be royal blue (translucent vinyl over white plexi-glass). The cabinet base
will be tiled. The triangular sign will be located at the northwest corner of
the site.
B. Directional Parking Signs: The freestanding directional signs are three feet
in height and three square feet. The signs will be lighted and the design is
consistent with the center identification sign.
C. Attached Building Signs: The building signs are located on various areas of
the easterly -most building complex which will house the future bowling alley,
fitness center, and restaurant. The illuminated channel lettered signs are to
have blue plexiglass faces (#607-1GP Acrylite Blue) except for a slight
variation in the bowling alley sign adding orange/white/red to the blue. The
sign program will consist of:
1. Restaurant
a. Highway 111 elevation = 12" letters (10 sq. ft.)
b. Parking lot elevation = 18" letters (22.5 sq. ft.)
2. Family Fitness Center
a. Parking lot elevation = 18" letters (43.5 sq. ft.)
3. Bowling Alley
a. Highway 111 elevation = 24" letters (52 sq. ft.)
b. Parking lot elevation = 14" letters (18.5 sq. ft.)
TOTAL = +146.5 sq. ft.
ZONING CODE PROVISIONS (EXCERPTS):
00
DRBST. 013
and
and
1. Freestanding Signs.
a. Each commercial complex containing a multiple -tenant
building or multiple buildings is permitted one complex
identification sign per street frontage. The area of any
one sign shall not exceed one -quarter of a square foot of
sign area per lineal foot of street frontage, or fifty square
feet, whichever is less. The aggregate area of all such
signs shall not exceed one hundred square feet and sign
area may not be combined among street frontages.
b. Not pertinent for this report.
c. The maximum height of any freestanding sign shall be
twelve feet.
2
0Ou
M. Directional Signs. Nonadvertising, freestanding signs used to identify
street entrance and exit. Said signs must have three square feet of
sign area and be three feet in height.
2. Attached Signs
a. Each tenant within a multiple -tenant commercial complex
may have one attached identification sign not to exceed one
square foot of sign area per lineal foot of tenant space
frontage along a street, or frontage along a common use
parking lot where no direct street frontage is provided,
not exceeding fifty square feet. Corner, end, or separate
tenant spaces may split the allowable frontage sign area
among two signs."
STAFF COMMENTS:
The monument sign and directional signs are consistent with the design theme of the
project, and the proposed colors are appropriate for this area. The signs would be
architecturally compatible with surrounding businesses uses. A summary of our
thoughts on the building sign package are as follows:
A. Building Sign Colors: The blue copy of the building letters are a contrast to
the architectural style of the project and although the blue letters will be
legible during the day and at night, the color might not be appropriate for
this building. As the Board will recall, the building complex is painted Navajo
white with a brown and rust accents and clay -tile roofing. Our thoughts on
this program would be to use either a rust plexiglass or black/white plexiglass
for this project. The black/white plexi-glass is a newer product which is
black in the day and white at night. This type of product was used in a
commercial project in Cathedral City at Date Palm Drive and Converse Road,
and it is very attractive if the individual letter returns are painted to match
the building. However, we will leave the color selection up to the Board.
B. Building Signage Locations: The signs are located in acceptable locations on
the building except for the fitness center sign on the parking lot elevation.
This sign is sandwiched in between the second and third story windows and
designed to detract from the architecture style of the building complex. The
Side Ordinance does not allow signs on the building for second story tenants.
Staff would prefer that the sign designer and architect find another solution
for this business tenant. This might involve a revising of the first floor
elevation to accommodate the proposed sign.
C. Sign Lettering Height: Sign lettering is a key component of building
identification, but architectural compatibility is also an ingredient, as well as
human -scale. As noted before, the sign contractor has proposed lettering
heights of 12" to 24" for this project. Therefore, the legibility of the signs
from a distance will be approximately:
DRBST. 013
004
Maximum
Readability
Readable
Letter Height
Impact
Distance
12"
120'
525'
14"
150,
630'
18"
180'
750'
24"
240'
1,000'
NOTE: Red, black, or white letters (maximum) with 10% variation for other
colors (e.g., blue) .
In summary, the size of the letters for the project will be easy to read for all
patrons in the parking lot area and for passing motorists on either main
thoroughfare depending on your direction of travel.
D. Reverse Channel Letter Signing: If the Design Review Board is not
comfortable with the proposed channel lettering of design of the Applicant,
the Board might want to consider a reverse channel lettering program for this
center. A reverse channel letter has an open back which allows the neon
lighting to be cast on the building thus ghosting the non -transparent face of
the letter. This type of sign creates a softer affect on the building than an
internally lit plexi-glass sign as proposed by DGI, Inc. Another type of sign
the Board might consider is a individual letter (cast, molded, etc.) which can
be uplighted from the front of the sign. In this alternative, the lighting
fixture is a critical element of sign design and if not developed appropriately
it can look unattractive.
RECOMMENDED CONDITIONS:
1. Each freestanding sign should be a minimum of five feet from the future
property line it abuts. No signs should be placed in the City's right-of-way.
2. The master sign program should be reviewed by the Planning Commission.
3. All signs should be reviewed by the Engineering Department to assure sign
visibility is not obstructed by the installation of each respective sign.
4. Site address numbers should be on the main monument sign as a supplemental
to the building addressing plan. The minimum size should be four inches and
contrasting to the background it is affixed to.
Any and all proposed illuminated signs shall be installed to avoid undue
brightness which would distract passing motorists and/or pedestrians.
The sign colors should be approved by the Design Review Board.
Any signs for the office building which fronts Washington Street on the
satellite restaurant/bank should be reviewed separately by the Design Review
Board and Planning Commission since the sign package was not submitted for
review.
DRBST. 013
a ... ITV v 0 05
B . The directional parking signs shall be limited to a single directional arrow and
to the word "parking" for each driveway access point as shown on Sheet #1.
9. The proposed fitness center sign should be located in close proximity to the
first floor level of the building and located to be architecturally compatible
with the building facade. Revised plans to be approved by Staff.
10. Reverse channel letter "signs" should be encouraged for this project.
11. No exposed raceways, crossovers, conduits, conductors, transformers, etc.,
should be permitted. All supplemental electrical hardware should be behind
the building structure.
12. The Planning Commission should consider the Applicant's request for a minor
sign adjustment for the bowling alley sign on Highway 111 since it is slightly
larger than 50 square feet and if the fitness center sign is located on the
second story portion of the building.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff would recommend that the Design Review Board approve the sign concept and
forward this matter to the Planning Commission for final consideration.
Attachments:
Sign graphics
Site plan sketch with sign locations
DRBST.013
006
1) Vacant
r �
Plaza La Quints Parking
Beef & \
Brew
J
im
Point Happy Ranch
Existing Tract Homes
Washington Street Frontage
Road
Existing'Traffic Signal
Vacant Land
a
CASE MA
CASE Nm
SIMON PLAZA PROJECT
LOCATION MAP
Raised Median
Vacant Building
ORT
SCALE:
/"; a yio'
STAFF REPORT
DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
DATE: NOVEMBER 6, 1991
PROJECT: PUBLIC USE PERMIT 91-012
REQUEST: APPROVAL OF PLANS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB FACILITY
APPLICANT: THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF COACHELLA VALLEY
ARCHITECT: REUEL YOUNG, INTERACTIVE DESIGN CORPORATION
LOCATION: NORTHWEST CORNER OF PARK STREET AND 50TH AVENUE ON
CITY PROPERTY
BACKGROUND:
The proposed project consists of a facility for the Boys and Girls Club which will
consist of approximately 24,000 square feet of floor space. Included in the facility
will be a gymnasium, activity rooms, library, kitchen, computer room, offices, and
an arts and crafts area. Additionally there will be an outside patio area which has
been designated as a palm court because of the use of Palm Trees.
This facility would be located adjacent to the east side of the recently completed
YMCA child care center. The facility would front on the existing parking lot with
the back facing 50th Avenue.
ARCHITECTURAL PROPOSAL:
As described by the architect, the building is neither residential in nature as the
adjacent child care center or more international style such as the adjacent school
buildings. The Applicant has tried to distinguish the building from the institutional
character of the school. Exterior materials consists of plaster walls, aluminum
window frames and a "terra cotta" color metal standing seam slopped roof. Windows
are rectangular in nature. Exterior colors range from a pale purpose to a sandy
color emulating sunrise and sunset colors of the Valley. Attached is a written
description of the project from the Applicant.
The structure varies in height from a maximum 38 feet 6 inches at the gymnasium
area on the west side to 23 feet at the classroom area on the east side of the project.
To date, a landscaping plan has not been submitted. As earlier mentioned, there is
a palm tree grouping to be provided within the courtyard area on the southeast
corner of the structure.
STAFF COMMENTS:
Architecturally, the project is felt to be compatible with the area and
community.
DRBST. 016
, 00e
The wall material utilized and colors are compatible with the project area. As
previously mentioned, the proposed slopped roof areas consists of a "terra
cotta" colored metal standing seam roof. The City of La Quinta has generally
developed a Early California/Desert Southwest style. Specifically, the Village
area requires a "desert oasis" theme which includes concrete or clay tile
roofing. Additionally the SR (Special Residential) single family zone in the
Cove area and the areas surrounding Washington Street and Calle Tampico
requires a clay or concrete tile roof. The subject property is zoned R-2 which
has no specific exterior material requirements.
RECOMMENDED CONDITIONS:
Preliminary landscaping plans shall be submitted to the Design Review Board
for review and approval prior to installation.
RECOMMENDATION:
The Design Review Board should review the plans in light of the above comments and
if deemed acceptable, recommend approval of the architectural plans to the Planning
Commission.
Attachments:
Location map
Floor plans, section
Expanded statement
DRBST.016
plans, and elevation plans
to use permit application submitted by Applicant
Pro
lJ U� �r: rl_ p�r
EXPANDED STATEMENT TO USE PERMIT A Li AT' N2 a t991 U
FORMEN T
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF COACHELL VALhii;,
LA QUINTA UNIT "
The Boys and Girls Club of Coachella Valley, La Quinta Unit, sits at the entry to the school and
community center complex for La Quinta. The site is triangular in shape, fronting on 50th
Avenue and Park Road. The existing topography has been altered by stockpiling from the
school construction, grading the building pad for the Community Center, and the street
improvements to 50th and Park. The majority of the site is flat, approximately three feet below
adjacent street grade. A mound, the remnants of a sand dune and stockpile from earlier
construction, exists along the western boundary. Mature citrus trees cover the flat portion of
the site. This site is the lowest point of the previous drainage system for the citrus groves which
at one time covered the school site and the land to the north and east. To provide proper
drainage for the Boys and Girls Club, the site will be filled, though the finish floor of the
building will be lower than the adjacent Community Center.
The combination of several influences helped shape the site and the building. It is practical to
share the existing parking and access to the site, and we definitely did not want to place cars at
the apex of the triangle - the corner of 50th and Park. So the building naturally took a shape
that was linear in the northwest/southeast direction. In addition, the bulk of the gymnasium had
to be placed as far back from 50th as possible. While this arrangement provided a significant
setback from 50th, it was clear that other rooms had to be clustered around the gym with its 24
foot high interior space. Fortunately a well run gymnasium program requires weight and
exercise rooms as well as lots of storage - all opening directly onto the gym. So the bulkiest
portion of the building could be camouflaged by these lower masses. The club's activity areas
and arts and crafts rooms clearly would be enhanced by south -facing outdoor spaces, so the
building wraps around a court facing 50th. This also creates a sense of an openness to the
building and to the citizens of La Quinta as they drive by.
Once the problem of camouflaging the gymnasium had been solved, and the internal circulation
and organization had been sorted out, the question of image had to be addressed. Because this
new building would assume a prominent role - introducing the entire community and school
complex - several issues came into play. The first, was the appropriate character for the
building. The school buildings set a strong tone of international style influence with their earth
colors and flat roofed horizontal building mass. The school clearly communicates its
institutional nature and seriousness of purpose. The more recent Community Center/Child Care
Center communicates a much more residential nature. Its size, materials, and form resemble
a home, and defers to the overall image of La Quinta. The problem the Boys and Girls Club
has to address is which of the two characters/styles should it take its cue from. On the one hand
it is a building of great importance to the entire community because it is the club for all children
of the community. Therefore it should have stature, yet the Boys and Girls Club rules, unlike
the school's, are "open-door" and relatively non -demanding. Therefore, we think the building
must distinguish itself from the institutional character of the school.
1-v oil
From the beginning, the design team felt that a sloped roof would achieve several important
goals: reduce the bulk of the building; convey a familiar image - homelike, but clearly not a
house; provide a continuity of form with the Child Care Center, as well as with the surrounding
residential projects. The sheer size of the building (24,000 SF) and its height (dictated by the
gymnasium) would give the building stature. The right character (vibrant, yet friendly) is
conveyed by a standing seam metal roof. Using a terra cotta color will link it to the roof tile
common on residences and shopping centers, yet the smooth texture and crisp lines convey a
more active and athletic quality.
OCT 2 8 1991"
012
(N
W
Q
W
L7
Q
U
N
Z
ItW
m
Lo
1.0
W
Z
t` V
N 4
0O
r3 �O
v
Ln W
N o
LY
W
J
V �O
n �D
1f7 N
d
L,
Li
l
LD
Vl
H
N
o
N
o
N
ul
W
l.7
Q
Lr)
(ham
�-'
.N.
NN
Lr5
~ Vl
Ln N
I-
N m
..
O
O
li
~
i
i
ti
�
(n
�
(�
W
a'
7
O
o
�t N
O
.r
CDC
C.j
O� Ld
,4n
1i3
Vi
W
•t 1�
N (U
Rl ;_
m .�
Li
U:
V5
Li
n
w
UU
�OQOf
Q
N
�U
'DQ
Q
O
mo
In
N
n
LO
^o
o" ID
1- L`
n
L-
r .-4
.`-. (U
� v
(L 4
�
H
W
J
W
K Q
LO
a
Lll
J
N
J
Q
o
>
o
Cl
IY
i
a
o
Cl
LD
U
PG
d
H
�
1,
LL
0
J
W
J
v /�
vJ
/
C3JWod
13-
Q
H
0LIJ
to
U
v
=
mO
F-J
d
I
a
STAFF REPORT
DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
DATE: NOVEMBER 6, 1991
PROJECT: SPECIFIC PLAN 89-014 & PLOT PLAN 90-434
REQUEST: APPROVAL OF LANDSCAPING PLANS FOR PHASE ONE AND
PHASE TWO OF 111 LA QUINTA SHOPPING CENTER.
APPLICANT: TRANSPACIFIC DEVELOPMENT COMPANY
LANDSCAPE
ARCHITECT: CATHCART/BEGIN ASSOCIATES, INC., GARY L. BEGIN
LOCATION: NORTH SIDE OF HIGHWAY 111 BETWEEN WASHINGTON STREET
AND ADAMS STREET.
BACKGROUND:
The property in question is the 111-La Quinta shopping center approved in April,
1990, for 800,000 square feet of floor space. To date, no construction or grading
has taken place. However, the Applicant has prepared various drawings and plans
for the project, including these landscape plans. Landscaping plans are required
to be approved prior to issuance of any building permits.
PROJECT SUBMITTAL:
The Applicants have submitted preliminary construction and landscaping plans for
Phase 1, which is approximately the westerly 1/3 of the project. They have also
submitted working drawings for Phase 3, which is the WalMart portion of the project
along the easterly end of the site. These plans do not include the northwest corner
of Adams Street and Highway 111 which was included in the Shell Oil service station
approval, recently granted.
STAFF COMMENTS:
1. The concept of the plans leans towards a native, low water usage concept.
The plant material to a great extent, matches that used in the Shell service
station recently reviewed and approved.
Along Washington Street and Highway 111 an eight fool: meandering sidewalk
is provided. In the area between the sidewalk and curb, the Applicant has
provided smaller shrubs and Palm Springs Gold Sand. In the area between the
sidewalk and parking lot, various landscaping materials including trees,
shrubs, and ground cover is provided. Within the Caltrans right-of-way
along Highway 111, the Applicant has not shown any trees, pursuant to their
requirements.
DRBST. 015
The Applicant has limited the use of lawn to areas between the sidewalk and
parking lot along Washington Street and Highway 111. Along Adams Street
there is some lawn adjacent to the curb. The plans indicate that all perimeter
landscaping, including the lawn areas, will be irrigated by a drip irrigation
system. Therefore, the use of lawn along Adams curb would be acceptable to
Staff.
4. One of the requirements for the Specific Plan is that parking lot surfaces be
screened from view of the perimeter streets. The Applicant has proposed to
do this through a combination of shrub planting or berming. In the areas
where berming is shown, there is no information on the heights of these
berms. These berms need to be at least three and a half feet high in order to
achieve the needed screening. Before Staff can accept this type of screening,
it will be necessary to review a grading plan showing the heights of the
berms.
5. In the street perimeter area immediately to the east of the building F-3, on
Sheet P-4, there is no berming or shrub planting shown to screen the parking
lot area. This will have to be corrected. This area is shown in Phase 3 which
is the working drawings.
6. The Applicant has prepared final working drawings for the Phase 3 area which
is where the WalMart department store is to be located. The Applicant has
drawn the working drawings due to the fact that they wish to obtain the
WalMart building permit soon.
7. The landscaping plans show locations of monument and center identification
signs. A review of these locations indicate that not all approved sign locations
are noted. The plans should be revised to include all approved signs and
proper locations.
8. The plans include the theme plaza at the northeast corner of Washington
Street and Highway 111. This theme plaza will include a work of art as
required by the specific plan approval and City Arts in Public Places
Ordinance. The Applicant has indicated that the design for this area may be
revised. The actual sculpture has not yet been chosen and is subject to
approval by the Arts in Public Places Committee.
9. Along Adams Street to the east of the WalMart garden center, the meandering
six foot wide sidewalk is shown immediately adjacent to the parking lot with no
landscape planter between. This portion of the sidewalk should be revised so
that there is at least a three foot wide planter between the parking lot and
meandering sidewalk.
lo. With regards to plant materials, Staff would offer the following comments:
A. The plans indicate that Pennisetum Setaceum (Fountain Grass) is being
used. Because of the invasive nature of this plant, Pennisetum
Setaceum "Cupreum" should be used. This variety of the plant tends
not to set viable seed.
DRBST. 015
018
B. The Applicant indicates that all lawn will be sodded with Tall Fescue
"Watersaver 211.
11. The Engineering Department has indicated that they wish to review and
approve the perimeter drawings prior to their installation. Therefore after
this Design Review Board approval, the Applicant will need to submit the
plans to the Engineering Department for review.
RECOMMENDED CONDITIONS:
1. That Pennisetum Setaceum "Cupreum" shall be used.
2. That prior to issuance of a building permit a grading plan shall be submitted
to the Planning and Development Staff showing grading of the site including
proposed berming which is to be utilized for screening of the parking lot area.
This is to insure that berming is adequate.
3. In areas where shrubs are used for screening of parking area, shrubs shall
be planted in a solid hedge, three and a half feet on center as noted in the
landscaping plans.
4. On Sheet P-3 the meandering sidewalk east of WalMart garden center shall be
separated from the parking lot by a three foot wide planter area.
5. All freestanding signs including center identification and monument signs
shall be shown on landscaping plans.
6. On Sheet P-4 in area immediately to the east of building F-3, berming or shrub
planting shall be provided adjacent to the parking lot for screening purposes.
7. As required by the specific plan, final landscaping plans shall be approved
by the Agricultural Commissioner and Coachella Valley Water District.
8. Applicant shall submit landscaping plans to the Engineering Department for
approval as required by the Engineering Department.
Landscaping and irrigation plans shall be submitted to Caltrans for approval
prior to installation. Any changes to the plans by Caltrans shall be submitted
to the City Staff.
10. Final working drawings for the Phase 1 area shall be submitted to the Planning
Staff for final approval.
RECOMMENDATION:
The Design Review Board should review the submitted plans in light of the above
comments. If determined acceptable, Staff would recommend that you approve the
plans subject to the recommended conditions.
DRBST. 015
Attachments:
Location map
Submitted landscape plans
DRBST. 015
020
IEESTWAR :
rRoLj . .
W-1
' I
STAFF REPORT
DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
DATE: NOVEMBER 6, 1991
PROJECT: PLOT PLAN 91-468
REQUEST: APPROVAL OF ARCHITECTURAL AND LANDSCAPING PLANS
FOR AUTOMOBILE CLUB BUILDING IN 111 I.A QUINTA CENTER.
APPLICANT: AUTOMOBILE CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
ARCHITECT: DENNIS WEHMUELLER, ARCHITECT
LOCATION: NORTHEAST CORNER OF WASHINGTON STREET AND HIGHWAY
111 IN 111-LA QUINTA CENTER.
BACKGROUND:
The Applicants are proposing to construct a 8,000 square foot automobile club office
on one of the pad locations within the 111 La Quints, shopping center, which was
approved as Specific Plan 89-014 in April, 1990.
To date, architectural plans for the main buildings and Shell gas station have been
approved.
DESIGN PROPOSAL:
The building is laid out with the long axis of the building parallel to Washington
Street. The main public entry into the building will be along the east side of the
building with the employee entry on the north side of the building. The architecture
of the building utilizes many of the architectural features utilized on the approved
major uses in the main building area. Additionally, all colors and materials match
those used in the project.
All four sides of the building would be provided with a covered walkway feature to
match that used in the shopping center. The maximum height of the structure is
2116" with the exception of a narrow tower feature which would be five feet higher
along the east and west sides of the building.
Adjacent to the northwest corner of the building facing toward the parking lot, there
will be an emergency generator, utility transformer and trash enclosure. Although
these will be adjacent to Washington Street, they will be screened by a plastered
block enclosure.
The Applicant has submitted a landscaping plan which includes the planted areas
immediately adjacent to the building along the north and east sides. The south side
of the building is adjacent to the theme plaza which the master developer is
preparing plans for. The west side of the building is the perimeter along Washington
Street and will be landscaped by the master developer. The planting materials
DRBST.014
chosen by the Applicant while not native are fairly water efficient. Only a small area
of lawn along the north side of the building is proposed. The plant pallet indicated
is attractive but uses very few of the plants which are proposed in the common areas
of the shopping center.
The Applicant has indicated signage for the proposed use. On each face of the
building in blue plastic base channel letters the name "Automobile Club" would be
provided. The Applicant indicates that these signs would be .a maximum 50 square
feet. On the Washington Street and east side of the buildings, the sign would be
placed on the tower structure. On the parking lot (north) and Highway 111 south
elevations, the signs are proposed on the parapet wall above the tile roof. As drawn
by the architect, the signs on the east and west (Washington Street) scale out at
approximately 35 square feet. The signs on the north and south (Highway 111) scale
out at approximately 63 square feet larger than the 50 square feet maximum noted.
STAFF COMMENTS:
1. The architecture of the proposed building is very similar to the shopping
center and will be compatible.
2. Glass areas are shaded by the overhang on all sides of the building.
3. The block wall surrounding the trash/transformer and generator, should be
provided high enough to screen them from Washington (Street.
4. The plan indicates that two species of Phoenix Palms will be used. Because of
a quarantine regarding these palm trees, Staff understands that they can only
be utilized if they are purchased within the Valley from an approved source.
5. Although the plant materials proposed do not completely match those proposed
in the rest of the center, Staff feels they are acceptable since they are only
utilized immediately around the building.
6. It will be necessary for the Applicant to coordinate landscaping with the
master developer adjacent to his building along the west and south sides.
Although the Applicant has indicated that where his signs are proposed to be
and letter style, the Applicant submitted no material samples or dimensions for
the signs. The approved sign program requires that the internally illuminated
individual letters have matt black returns or trim. Staff feels that the signs
proposed for the east and west elevation, are conceptually acceptable.
However, for the signage on the north and south, Staff feels that it should be
placed below the tile roof line or substantially reduced in size.
CONDITIONS TO BE CONSIDERED FOR APPROVAL:
1. That the screen walls for the trash bin, transformer, and emergency
generator, shall be high enough to screen them from view from Washington
Street and the parking lot. Plans showing wall height and equipment shall be
reviewed and approved by Staff prior to issuance of a building permit.
DRBST. 014
023
2. Final landscaping plans shall be approved by Agricultural Commissioner and
Coachella Valley Water District, prior to issuance of a building permit.
3. Applicant shall work with master developer to provide coordination of
landscape planting along south and west sides of the building.
4. Final sign program shall be submitted separately prior to issuance of a
building permit. Signage shall be in conformance with approved sign
program. Signage on north and south elevations shall be restudied with
consideration given to providing signage below the tile roof line.
RECOMMENDATION:
The Design Review Board should review the plans in light of the above comments,
and if deemed acceptable, recommend approval to the Planning Commission.
Attachments:
1. Site location plan, floor plan, elevation plans, elevation plans
DRBST. 014
3
n24