2008 05 21 ALRC MinutesMINUTES
ARCHITECTURE & LANDSCAPING REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING
A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall
78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA
May 21, 2008 10:04 a.m.
CALL TO ORDER
A. This regular meeting of the Architecture and Landscaping Review
Committee was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by Planning Manager
David Sawyer who led the Committee in the flag salute.
B. Committee Members present: Jason Arnold, Bill Bobbitt, and Ronald
Fitzpatrick.
C. Staff present: Planning Director Les Johnson, Planning Manager David
Sawyer, Associate Planner Jay Wuu, Assistant Planner Yvonne
Franco, and Executive Secretary Carolyn Walker.
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 March 19,
2008. There being none, it was moved and seconded by Committee
Members Bobbitt/Arnold to approve the minutes as submitted.
Unanimously approved.
V. BUSINESS ITEMS:
Final Landscape Plans 2008-033; a request of East of Madison, LLC for
consideration of final landscaping plans for the Madison Club Villas front
yard typical and common area landscaping, located within the Madison Club,
south of Avenue 52, east of Madison Street, west of Monroe Street.
Committee Member Ronald Fitzpatrick recused himself at the advice of
Counsel.
Associate Planner Jay Wuu presented the information contained in the staff
report, a copy of which is on file in the Planning Department.
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Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee
May 21, 2008
Committee Member Bobbitt complimented the applicant on a good overall
plan. He had a question of staff regarding whether the water efficiency
standards used were those of the City or the Coachella Valley Water District
(CVWD). Planning Director Les Johnson said the City had its own standards
similar to the CVWD standards. He explained their (CVWD) analysis of the
water consumption was more accurate and very detailed.
Committee Member Bobbitt said the landscaping was beautiful but
commented on the viability of some of the species recommended; i.e., the
passaflora vine, the agapanthus, and the asparagus ferns. He included the
euryops stating it was a favorite of architects, in new developments,
because of the color but was only good for a year or two. There are 810 of
them shown on the plans. He explained to the applicant these were just
suggestions. The plants identified would look awesome but would not last.
Committee Member Bobbitt said he was concerned about the choice of the
Bear's Lime tree. His own experience was to stop using them several years
ago due to the fact they were vulnerable to Quick Decline, which is a viral
infection that spreads. He said there is nothing you can do to eradicate the
infection and you must remove the trees immediately as the infection tends
to spread quickly.
Committee Member Bobbitt liked the idea of the use of Oak trees, but not
the use of Schinus Molle (California Pepper Tree) as it tends to blow over
and is messy. He added the date palms should not be purchased from a
grove unless they are inspected by someone who is qualified. He mentioned
their tendency to get crown bloom and should not be used in a high traffic
area.
Applicant's representatives, John Gamlin and Jeff Prevost were introduced.
Mr. Gamlin then replied the date palms were to be relocated from another
area in the development and were acclimatized to the location. He said there
shouldn't be a problem in the motor court area.
Committee Member Arnold said he liked the plan. He visited the site and
was in agreement with Committee Member Bobbitt on the plant palette.
Committee Member Bobbitt reiterated the Committee's comments were just
suggestions.
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Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee
May 21, 2008
Mr. Gamlin said he really appreciated their comments and had made changes
on previous plans, from the Committee's suggestions. The applicant was
concerned about the plant mortality and long-term expense and takes the
Committee's comments very seriously.
Committee Member Bobbitt said the changes would also benefit the
homeowner's association in preparing their annual budget as the
maintenance would be lower with the plant palette change. This would also
benefit the future homeowners.
Mr. Gamlin said the comment was right-on-point. In their annual budgets
they apply real maintenance costs and non-turf areas are very high-
maintenance. They try to apply good maintenance and budget principals for
future homeowners' association members.
Committee Member Bobbitt gave an example of what happens when the
landscaping is done improperly and then becomes very high maintenance.
Committee Member Arnold concurred.
Committee Member Bobbitt asked if there was going to be a median on
Avenue 54. Mr. Gamlin replied there would not be a median; only striping.
There being no further questions, it was moved and seconded by Committee
Members Bobbitt/Arnold to adopt Minute Motion 2008-011, recommending
approval of Final Landscape Plans 2008-033, as recommended Unanimously
approved.
Committee Member Fitzpatrick rejoined the meeting.
Final Landscape Plans 2008-037; a request of La Quinta Country Club for
consideration of final landscaping plans for the La Quinta Country Club
Clubhouse Site, located on the northeast corner of Eisenhower Drive and
Avenue 50; within the La Quinta Country Club.
Associate Planner Jay Wuu presented the information contained in the staff
report, a copy of which is on file in the Planning Department.
Committee Member Fitzpatrick asked a question about the Conditions of
Approval for Site Development Permit (SDP) 2007-885 as listed on Page 6,
No. 58, regarding retention of qualified engineers and such other appropriate
professionals, etc. Planning Director Les Johnson replied this was a page of
conditions of approval written for the SDP and the Committee's focus should
only be on the landscape conditions. The reference to "others" is typical to
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Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee
May 21, 2008
the final landscape plans. Staff goes through a final review process, and he
then went over the process for approval of landscaping and building plans.
Committee Member Fitzpatrick restated they were only to look at the Final
Landscaping Plans, but mentioned he was interested in the clubhouse and its
footprint. He didn't know whether it was a temporary clubhouse or not.
Staff offered to go over the plans and answer any questions he might have
on the project at a later time.
Committee Member Fitzpatrick said it was a nice set of plans but he was
curious about the history.
Applicant Ron Gregory of RGA Landscape Architects, Inc. gave him an
explanation of the history of this project.
Committee Member Bobbitt commented on the staff comments on Page 2,
No. 2, regarding the applicant providing "...additional landscaping, in the
form of mature trees and/or palms..." He asked if that was for screening.
Staff replied it was.
Committee Member Bobbitt added the plans say mature date palms and was
concerned about where these were being obtained. Mr. Gregory said they
were being transplanted from another place on the site.
Committee Member Bobbitt said there should be clarification about size,
even though the conditions state they should be mature trees or palms. Mr.
Gregory said there was a more qualified explanation in his letter shown as
Attachment #3.
Committee Member Bobbitt said the plant palette was fine, but had concerns
with the use of date palms and Italian Cypress. He asked why the Italian
Cypress was chosen. Mr. Gregory said, historically, this was the plant used
on this site. Their use was a compatibility issue.
Committee Member Bobbitt wanted to make sure the applicant knew the
Chinese Palm was a deciduous tree. Mr. Gregory said he was aware of it.
Committee Member Bobbitt said this is a private clubhouse inside a private
club with a responsible architect. He didn't feel it was the Committee's
position to tell them how to prepare the landscape.
There being no further questions, it was moved and seconded by Committee
Members Bobbitt/Arnold to adopt Minute Motion 2008-012, Final Landscape
Plans 2008-037, as recommended. Unanimously approved.
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Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee
May 21, 2008
Final Landscape Plans 2008-030; a request of Tarlos & Associates for
consideration of final landscaping plans for Souplantation, located on the
southwest corner of Depot Drive and Highway 1 1 1.
Committee Member Arnold recused himself due to a conflict of interest.
Assistant Planner Yvonne Franco presented the information contained in the
staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Planning Department.
Committee Member Bobbitt said it is a straight-forward plan and the
applicant has complied with the Committee's suggestions. He appreciated
them taking the recommendations. The only comment he had was, in
commercial centers, ,a lot of architects tend to use too many varieties of
plant material. He suggested limiting the number of species.
Committee Member Fitzpatrick commented on how well organized the plans
were. The applicant's representative, Mark Raber was introduced and
replied this landscaping was for only one pad and was fairly cut-and-dried
landscaping. The only challenge they had was going through the Water
District (CVWD). They did require some changes which would be done.
Committee Member Bobbitt commented on the fact he has been having a lot
of meetings with the Water District (CVWD) and their water specialists. He
had them come out to PGA West to start working on awater-efficient
landscaping plan. Their current landscaping is all lush. He was given the
new CVWD criteria and how the requirements are changing. The CVWD
water specialists are now taking a closer look at all new plans. That is to
the City's advantage, if they have a question, since the specialists look at
these plans all day long. He appreciated their input and said it makes the
City's job easier because if a plan passes the Water District's criteria, it will
certainly be acceptable to the City. He said he was very pleased the City
had taken a big step forward in water efficiency.
Committee Member Bobbitt asked Mr. Raber when the building would be
completed. Mr. Raber could not give him a definite date, but went over the
process for completion and approval.
There being no further questions, it was moved and seconded by Committee
Members Bobbitt/Fitzpatrick to adopt Minute Motion 2008-013,
recommending approval of Final Landscape Plans 2008-030, as
recommended. Unanimously approved.
Committee Member Arnold rejoined the meeting.
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Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee
May 21, 2008
VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None
VII. COMMITTEE MEMBER ITEMS:
Discussion regarding the Committee's summer meeting schedule.
Staff relayed the fact Council would be going dark the second meeting in
August (8/19/08) and possibly the first meeting in September (9/2/08).
Committee Member Fitzpatrick said he would be on vacation from September
8-18, 2008. The other members had no specific plans. It was unanimously
decided to continue with the regularly scheduled meetings and have no
"dark" meeting dates for 2008.
Planning Director Johnson advised the Committee Members if their plans
changed, before the next meeting, they could re-address the "dark" meeting
issue at that meeting. He emphasized staff wants to accommodate the
Committee Members.
Discussion regarding new Committee Members:
Committee Member Fitzpatrick asked about new committee members.
Planning Director Johnson replied the City has received two candidate
applications.
Committee Member Bobbitt mentioned former Committee Member David
Thoms had contacted him about the position. He qualifies as a landscape
architect.
Committee Member Bobbitt said he has also been contacted by a gentleman,
from PGA West that wanted to apply. He qualifies as a member of the PGA
West Homeowners' Association Architectural Committee.
Discussion regarding the procedure for re-application at end of term:
Committee Member Arnold had a question about application when their
current term expires. Committee Member Bobbitt explained the procedure
and advised them to quickly follow up on anything they receive from the City
Clerk's office.
Committee Member Arnold asked if all the members' terms were two years.
Committee Member Bobbitt said yes but one member has an alternate term
expiration.
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Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee
May 21, 2008
Discussion of the new logo:
Committee Member Fitzpatrick asked about a new City logo he had seen in
the Gem. Planning Director Johnson said the new logo was being used for
marketing purposes and explained the reason for the logo. The Quail logo
was still the one the City would be using.
Committee Member Fitzpatrick asked if that went through any of the
planning process and the commissions. Staff replied that was not something
that was decided through the planning process.
Committee Member Fitzpatrick said he thought it was a nice logo.
Discussion of alternate landscape:
Committee Member Arnold said he had recently visited Victoria Gardens in
Rancho Cucamonga and was very impressed with the landscaping and
walkability of the development. He wanted to know what the staff thought
of it.
Planning Manager David Sawyer said he thought it was very nice and
wanted to go back to see the project again now that there has been some
time for the landscaping to fill in.
Committee Member Arnold said it was an amazing outdoor mall. He was
there a couple of weeks ago and there were an incredible number of people
walking through the development. He added his wife said you could not
have this type of landscaping in the desert.
Planning Manager Sawyer commented on some of the pertinent items of
interest in the Victoria Gardens development.
Discussion of project updates:
Committee Member Bobbitt asked about the affordable housing project
behind the Chevron station on Highway 111. Staff gave the Committee
Members highlights of what was proposed as well as a tentative timeline.
Committee Member Bobbitt asked about the vacant piece of property across
from Best Buy. Staff replied it is in a family trust. The City has not seen
any proposals. Staff discussed the upcoming Highway 111 improvements
and their circulation benefits.
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Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee
May 21, 2008
Discussion of dust control:
Committee Member Fitzpatrick asked about dust control on vacant property.
Staff said the City Code has provisions for dust control and gave examples
of projects in progress and what applicants are subject to.
Committee Member Fitzpatrick relayed a situation at his housing
development and information received from someone on the City's staff. He
could not remember who that person was. Staff suggested he contact the
Public Works Department since it is an active site and they have a PM-10
plan which is a requirement.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Committee
Members Bobbitt/ Fitzpatrick to adjourn this meeting of the Architectural and
Landscaping Review Committee to a Regular Meeting to be held on June 4, 2008.
This meeting was adjourned at 11:27 a.m. on May 21, 2008.
Respectfully submitted,
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CAROLY WALKER
Executive Secretary
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