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2009 04 01 ALRCT o� City of La Quinta �a F ALRC Agendas are now available on the City's Web Page @ www.la-guinta.org 5 cFM OF'C1�'�� ARCHITECTURE AND LANDSCAPING REVIEW COMMITTEE AGENDA A Regular Meeting to be Held at the La Quinta City Hall — Study Session Room 78-495 Calle Tampico La Quinta, California APRIL 1, 2009 10:00 A.M. Beginning Minute Motion 2009-004 I. CALL TO ORDER A. Pledge of Allegiance B. Roll Call II. PUBLIC COMMENT This is the time set aside for public comment on any matter not scheduled for public hearing. Please complete a "Request to Speak" form and limit your comments to three minutes. III. CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA IV. CONSENT CALENDAR Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 4, 2009. V. BUSINESS ITEMS: A. Item .................. FINAL LANDSCAPING PLAN 2009-047 Applicant........... Milestone Management (Dan Schultz) Location............ Southwest Corner of Jefferson Street and Fred Waring Drive. Request ............. Consideration of Final Landscaping Plans for CVS Pharmacy in Jefferson Square Shopping Center. Action ............... Minute Motion 2009- B. Item .................. SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 2008-905 Applicant........... Leslie Lippich Architect & Assoc., Inc. (for owner, Yuri Levitan) Location............ East Side of Washington Street Approximately 780 Feet North of Fred Waring Drive. Request ............. Consideration of Architectural and Landscaping Plans for a 4,924 Square Foot Express Car Wash. Action ............... Minute Motion 2009- . VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: A. Attendance Update VII. COMMITTEE MEMBER ITEMS: VIII. PLANNING STAFF ITEMS: A. Planning Commission Update IX. ADJOURNMENT: This meeting of the Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee will be adjourned to a Regular Meeting to be held on May 6, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. DECLARATION OF POSTING I, Carolyn Walker, Executive Secretary of the City of La Quinta, do hereby declare that the foregoing Agenda for the La Quinta Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee meeting of Wednesday, April 1, 2009 was posted on the outside entry to the Council Chamber, 78-495 Calle Tampico and the bulletin board at the La Quinta Cove Post Office, 51-321 Avenida Bermudas, on Friday, March 27, 2009. DATED: March 27, 2009 CAROL N WALKER, Executive Secretary City of La Quinta, California MINUTES ARCHITECTURE & LANDSCAPING REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA February 4, 2009 CALL TO ORDER 10:00 a.m. A. This regular meeting of the Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by Principal Planner Stan Sawa who led the Committee in the flag salute. B. Committee Members present: Jason Arnold, Ronald Fitzpatrick and Ray Rooker. C. Staff present: Principal Planner Stan Sawa, Assistant Planner Yvonne Franco, and Secretary Monika Radeva. II. PUBLIC COMMENT: None III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: Confirmed IV. CONSENT CALENDAR: Staff asked if there were any changes to the Minutes of January 7, 2009. It was moved and seconded by Committee Members Fitzpatrick/Arnold to approve the minutes as submitted. Unanimously approved. V. BUSINESS ITEMS: A. Final Landscaping Plan 2008-040 (for Site Development Permit 2007-898) a request submitted by K.L. Charles Architects, Inc. (Adrian Mora) for consideration of Final Landscaping Plans for a 13,929 Square Foot Fresh & Easy Market located at the southwest corner of Jefferson Street and Fred Waring Drive. Principal Planner Stan Sawa presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Planning Department. Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee Minutes February 4, 2009 Representing the applicant were Adrian Mora, Architect with K.L. Charles Architects, Inc. and David Closson, Landscape Architect with Closson & Closson, Inc. Committee Member Arnold asked where the irrigation plans were located in the report. Staff pointed him to the plans and said the landscape architect had used a drip watering system and noted the plans had been approved by CVWD and the Riverside County Agricultural Commissioner. Committee Member Fitzpatrick asked staff if this was the last of the landscaping plans for the entire project. Staff replied the landscaping plans for the area around CVS Pharmacy had not yet been approved and would be presented for review and approval some time in the future. Committee Member Fitzpatrick wanted to clarify there were two components to the project, one was the Fresh & Easy building and the other was the CVS Pharmacy. Staff confirmed. Committee Member Rooker said he found the Fresh & Easy building to be outstanding from an architectural perspective. He commented that on the north side of the building the initial presentation materials had identified three large trees which now had been changed to one tree on the right corner and other smaller shrubs. His concern was that those would not be sufficient and suggested more trees be added. Mr. Mora replied the reason the trees had been replaced with the shrubs was to prevent signage obstruction. Discussion followed on the locations and types of trees that could be used to soften the north elevation of the Fresh & Easy building without restricting the sign visibility. There being no further questions, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Rooker/Arnold to adopt Minute Motion 2009-002, recommending approval of Final Landscaping Plan 2008-040 (for Site Development Permit 2007-898), with the recommendation that a minimum of two more trees be added to the north elevation of the building and the Red Bird of Paradise shrubs be either eliminated or if remaining must be five gallon in size. Unanimously approved. P:\Reports - ALRC\2009\3-4-09\ALRC_MIN_2-4-09_Draft.doc 2 Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee Minutes February 4, 2009 B. Site Development Permit 2006-874 a request submitted by Komar Investments, LLC. for review of Graphic Panels to be Mounted on the Walls of Buildings within the Komar Desert Center located South of Highway 111 at Depot Drive. Assistant Planner Yvonne Franco presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Planning Department. Representing the applicant was Clint Knox, Project Manager with Komar Investments. Committee Member Rooker asked who had originally suggested the use of the graphic panels. Staff replied it was the applicant and their intent was to try to break up the walls and fill in some of the blank space on them. Committee Member Rooker said he did not find the graphic panels necessary as the architecture of the buildings was interesting and the landscaping was very nice. He noted he would prefer if the graphic panels were installed, instead of desert plants, to have the images be characteristic of the individual tenants. Assistant Planner Franco explained staff wanted to avoid the use of any images that could be perceived as advertising for the tenants. Mr. Knox added the applicant had originally considered the idea of possibly incorporating a characteristic of the tenants, but staff was wary of the fact that it would be viewed as advertising. He explained the applicant then had thought of installing the graphic panels which would allow them to do seasonal themes and change them periodically bringing some variety to the look of the center. Committee Member Fitzpatrick asked who would monitor the condition of the signs and the panels. Mr. Knox replied the on - site property manager would be responsible of ensuring the panels and the images were maintained in good condition at all times. Committee Member Fitzpatrick asked staff why the staff report had stated that the images in the graphic panels were not considered public art and who had the authority to determine that. Assistant Planner Franco replied the determination was made by the City's Community Services Department and the P:\Reports - ALRC\2009\34-09\ALRC_MIN_2-4-09_Draft.doc 3 Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee Minutes February 4, 2009 reason the images were deemed not to be public art was due to the short longevity of their lifespan. Mr. Knox noted the applicant had ventured into the possibility of using images that would have been considered public art, but the criteria for that determination was that original artwork had to be used and the cost had become prohibitive. He added staff wanted ALRC to review the graphic panels to have a second approval in place. The determination was that the graphic panels were not considered signage. Committee Member Fitzpatrick expressed his concern in regards to the maintenance of the appearance of the images and panels and the possibility of them becoming a nuisance. Mr. Knox stated the panels had been used at a center in Washington built by Komar Investments and they had proven to last for two years. Committee Member Arnold asked how many panels there would be all together. Mr. Knox replied there would be a total of six panels and, with the eighteen images proposed, they would have two possible changes of the displayed images. Committee Member Arnold said he thought the graphic panels would be beneficial to the overall image of the center, but he also acknowledged Committee Member Fitzpatrick's concern on the maintenance possibly becoming an issue in the future. There being no further questions, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Rooker/Fitzpatrick to adopt Minute Motion 2009-003, recommending approval of Site Development Permit 2006-874, noting the graphic panels were not deemed necessary from an architectural perspective and granting the applicant the right to omit them at any time in the future. Unanimously approved. VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None VII. COMMITTEE MEMBER ITEMS: The Committee suggested the following discussion topics for the Joint Meeting: Water features P:\Reports - ALRC12009\3-4-09\ALRC_MIN_2-4-09_Draft.doc 4 Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee Minutes February 4, 2009 • Define the expectations of the Architecture and Landscape Review Committee by the Planning Commission • Green buildings and sustainability Staff said the suggestions had been noted and would be forwarded to the Planning Director. Committee Member Fitzpatrick asked if a date had been set for the Joint Meeting. Staff replied the meeting had been scheduled for Tuesday, March 10, 2009, at 6:00 p.m. in the Study Session room. Discussion followed on the Committee's responsibility to review projects from an architectural as well as landscaping perspective, on the City's efforts to promote water and energy efficient building, and on green building and sustainability. Vill. PLANNING STAFF ITEMS: Planning Commission Update: Principal Planner Stan Sawa said there were no updates. IX. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Fitzpatrick/Rooker to adjourn this meeting of the Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee to a Regular Meeting to be held on March 4, 2009. This meeting was adjourned at 10:55 a.m. on February 4, 2009. Respectfully submitted, MONIKA RADEVA Secretary P:\Reports - ALRC2009\34-09\ALRC_MIN_2-4-09_Draft.doe 5 BI # A a o`` _U CE OF'Ct'9�� ARCHITECTURE AND LANDSCAPE REVIEW COMMITTEE DATE: APRIL 1, 2009 CASE NO: FINAL LANDSCAPING PLAN 2009-047 (FOR SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 2007-898) APPLICANT: MILESTONE MANAGEMENT (DAN SCHULTZ) LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT: CLOSSON & CLOSSON, INC. REQUEST: CONSIDERATION OF FINAL LANDSCAPING PLANS FOR CVS PHARMACY IN JEFFERSON SQUARE SHOPPING CENTER LOCATION: SOUTHWEST CORNER OF JEFFERSON STREET AND FRED WARING DRIVE SURROUNDING LAND USES: NORTH: RESIDENTIAL USES SOUTH: RESIDENTIAL USES EAST: COMMERCIAL USES IN CITY OF INDIO WEST: PARK, RETENTION BASIN AND CVWD WELL SITE PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of the Architectural and Landscape Review Committee's (ALRC) review of the Final Landscape Plan is to verify that the submitted plan is consistent with the project's approved Preliminary Landscape Plan and that it is in compliance with the project's landscape related conditions of approval. The ALRC's review culminates in a recommendation to the Planning Director who has responsibility for approval of the Final Landscape Plans. BACKGROUND: The property at the southwest corner of Jefferson Street and Fred Waring Drive is rectangular in shape with approximately 815 feet of frontage on Jefferson Street and 572 feet on Fred Waring Drive (Attachment 1). The project site is a 10.7 acre site for which a 90,440 square foot multi -building shopping center has been approved by the City Council. This freestanding CVS Pharmacy building is one of the buildings in the PAReports - ALRC\2009\4-01-09\f1p 2009-047 CVS.doc center (Attachment 2). There are existing single family residences immediately to the south of the center with a retention basin, park and CVWD well site immediately to the west. To the north across Fred Waring Drive is a large landscaped area and residences, with a shopping center in Indio to the east across Jefferson Street. Preliminary development plans for most of the buildings in the project, including this CVS Pharmacy building were reviewed by the Architectural and Landscape Review Committee (ALRC) on February 6, 2008 and recommended for approval with conditions. On April 8, 2008, the Planning Commission recommended to the City Council approval of the project (Specific Plan 2002-062 Amendment #2 and Site Development Permit (SDP) 2008-898), with the City Council approving the applications on May 6, 2008. Final landscaping plans for the center, excluding the areas immediately around Fresh & Easy and CVS Pharmacy were approved for the master developer (Regency Marinita) on October 7, 2008 by the Planning Director after review by the ALRC on October 1, 2008. Final landscaping plans for Fresh and Easy were reviewed by the ALRC on February 4, 2009 and subsequently approved by the Planning Director. As a brief recap, the approved design of the center includes five one story buildings with a Spanish -Mediterranean style highlighted by tower features extending above the main roof height (Attachment 3). CVS Pharmacy is located near the intersection of Jefferson Street and Fred Waring Drive. Planting is provided on the north, south and east sides of the building. The west side of the building abuts their loading and delivery area. The preliminary plant palette approved around this building as part of SDP 2008-898 consisted primarily of desert and other low water use plants with no turf proposed to be used. The SDP approval included the following project -specific landscape -related conditions of approval: 57. The applicant shall comply with LQMC Sections 13.24.130 (Landscaping Setbacks) & 13.24.140 (Landscaping Plans). 59. Landscape and irrigation plans for landscaped lots and setbacks, medians, retention basins, and parks shall be signed and stamped by a licensed landscape architect. 60. The final landscaping and irrigation plans shall be prepared by a licensed landscape professional, be reviewed by the Architecture and Landscape Review Committee and Public Works Director, and approved by the Planning Director prior to issuance of the first building permit. An application for Final Landscape Plan Check shall be submitted to the Planning Department for final landscape plan review. Said plans shall include all landscaping associated with this project and be in compliance with Chapter 8.13 (Water Efficient Landscaping) of the 2 P:\Reports - ALRC\2009\4-01-09\f1p 2008-047 CVS.doc Municipal Code. The landscape and irrigation plans shall be approved by the Coachella Valley Water District and Riverside County Agriculture Commissioner prior to submittal of the final plans to the Planning Department. Final landscape plans for on -site planting shall be reviewed by the ALRC and approved by the Planning Director prior to issuance of first building permit. Final plans shall include all landscaping associated with this project. NOTE: Plans are not approved for construction until signed by the Planning Director. 63. The front and side walkway areas of all buildings shall be provided with small planters for shrub, groundcover, vines, decomposed granite and where possible small growing trees, the number and variety of which shall be to the satisfaction of the Planning Director. PROPOSAL: The applicants have prepared and submitted final irrigation and planting plans for the planting immediately around the CVS Pharmacy building (Attachment 4). The Landscape Architect for the CVS Pharmacy also prepared the landscaping plans for the overall center and Fresh & Easy. ANALYSIS: Compliance with Approved Preliminary Landscape Plan The proposed landscaping plans are in conformance with the approved conceptual landscaping plans previously reviewed by the ALRC, Planning Commission and City Council. The submitted plans in fact show more landscaping areas than the original plan as a result of Condition # 63 above which requires additional planting around the building (Attachment 5). The preliminary plans only showed shrubs in the few planters that were shown. There was shown a tree at the southeast corner of the building in the parking lot. It is still being provided but it is shown as part of the overall center landscaping plans and not this set of plans. Compliance with Approved Conditions of Approval The submitted plans are exempt from Section 13.24.130 of the LQMC because it is not adjacent to a public street, and therefore, no street side landscape setback is required. The plans have been prepared and signed by a licensed landscape architect as required by Section 13.24.140 of the LQMC. Condition of Approval #63 requires specific revisions to the landscaping. It requires additional planting be provided around the building. The submitted plans now show a planter near the northeast corner of the building adjacent to the public entry. Additionally, five large concrete pots (42"x42"x30") with planting are shown on the 3 PAReports - ALRC\2009\4-01-09\f1p 2008-047 CVS.doc north side of the building with three pots provided on the south side (Attachment 6). The pots are proposed to be planted with a 15-gallon Mexican Bird of Paradise and lantana. The planter is shown with a 15-gallon Western Redbud (Cercis occidentalis) two 5-gallon Brittlebrush and several one gallon Desert Cassia (Cassia nemophila). Compliance with Standard Code Requirements The Final Landscape and Irrigation Plans have been reviewed by Staff and meet the requirements of the City's Water Efficiency Ordinance and have been approved by both the Coachella Valley Water District and the Riverside County Agricultural Commissioner. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the Architectural and Landscape Review Committee adopt a minute motion recommending to the Planning Director approval of Final Landscape Plan 2008- 047 for Site Development Permit 2007-898. Attachments: 1. Location map 2. Site Plan 3. Approved architectural elevations (for reference only) 4. Final irrigation and planting plans 5. Excerpt from preliminary landscape plans showing CVS building 6. Concrete Creations planter box cut sheet Prepared by: Stan Sawa, Principal Planner 0 PAReports - ALRC\2009\4-01-09\f1p 2008-047 CVS.doc CASE MAP FLP 2008-047 CVS PHARMACY ATTACHMENT 1 RT SCALE: NTS ATTACHMENT 2 ADM^1NT mmmv Re y JEFFEH.SON a SITE MAP �4T YYtfiATJ!1 YNv. ON l 2 PROJECT SITE N.T.S. 0 RENT 3 O]a�y,r ,W F." ATTACHMENT 4 SEE LARGE PLANS PRELIMINARY LANDSCAPING PLAN ATTACHMENT 5 Square :allfornla TREE LIST error eooncervwwt raE --w'�ion xem t xow _namFwt sea a�er�> //''�� murlisu slog \ia•✓J_ ew.tei.uoui� rrem ���ytl�.11Ya�tl F�1 M'FY �y �j/��ii FMNXBIYN ANFATI. NMY �P/la Y9mf SHRLY13 LIST lneoi emnrx alr carox wiE e� Q�--tvrRV1F. WMG IEOxOFI01Fn 644 ® 'Cdtl/.' OWONMrFA lAV. ©�GF9F1FrYF�F111C1EWVM 1®OrLCFPIPb16E 6fal ®�__ �CAtiu,IE1�P16F� p6�lFypN !(YL ®��BeStllFMXO!/� MFItEMM !4K ®�rliHWOEFMYRW RFOTLY 6Vl ( -- ill®Il.,i! acmorzswn eau ®r�1EVCMMLW FWI6�r lFM1iNXfEA 6OFL 0 111NElBEII[S\CIPFiIfO PENYYT tlut -eV{[11R�ll,M1FTJ WNrrrgp., 1GK s rnpeomv.waee oeFnaFba trva 4�--.PIFLUf£MWMM MMFC9rN 1OK GROUNDCOVER LIST nnen eorulrx vle cor�maamaE s� axttxcuaEr +auOtzoc visianaw�alr ton o>oc M8E}ii tUIC'PC p11RRE WOMM laa O>O[ Mlw4gOUNINu tan0'oc MIeBJf/�ClaY ib10>OC ,wry, tan 0>Ot ii BIIN/�laFC!l4LLOFla n� �N 11� AMENDED 3.24.08 — KTGY GROUP,lNr osza2oo9 51 Architecture ■ Planning ® 14115'SLSWR M SMWMCA90S01 =`3103ng,, 23ca oa 3,CL3942525 a Fgr16acC'� a 9� O01 .•'2008�9 AO=. Symphony Squared [Symphony Squared] : Concrete Creations, the art of concrete design Page 1 of 2 ATTACHMENT 6 Symphony Squared Symphony Squared larger image The Symphony Squared planter box is a classic shape and is really very impressive especially in the larger sizes. Shown in the main photo in 42" w x 42" 1 x 50" h in smooth #90 finish in Coffee color. o You can select any other size, squared, round, 112, inside corner, or outside corner. a You can add or eliminate ribs, modify the shape, base or opening size. o You can add trash receptacles and ash urns as a set. o Available finishes: smooth #90, semi smooth, and antique stone finish in over 120 colors. o You can specify any size holes. ® All pots are sealed from both interior and exterior with no extra charge. o Available also as a fountain please specify use when ordering. For more photos scroll down to end of page. Some Available Sizes: 54" h 48"wx48 "1x50"=42" h x 48" 36"wx36"1x48" h�-45wx54"1x 54" w x 54" 1 x 48" 48" w x 48" 1 x 48" 42" w x 42" 1 x 42" 36" w x 36" 1 x 36" 10 http://coneretecreationsia.com/catalog3/index.php?main—Page=product info&cPath=98_1... 3/ 19/2009 Symphony Squared [Symphony Squared] : Concrete Creations, the art of concrete design Page 2 of 2 54" w x 54" h 1 x 42" 48" w x 48" h 1 x 42" 11 42" w x 42" h 1 x 36" 36" w x 36" h 1 x 30" 54" w x 54" h 1 x 36" 48" w x 48" h 1 x 36" 11 42" w x 42" h 1 x 30" 36" w x 36" h 1 x 24" 54" w x 54" 1 x 30" h 48" w x 48" 1 x 30" h 11 42" w x 42" 1 x 24" h 36" w x 36" 1 x 18" h 54" w x 54" h 1 x 24" 48" w x 48" h 1 x 24" 42" w x 42" h 1 x 18" �-- 301 " w x 30" h 1 x 48 26" w x 26" h 1 x 48" 24" C' w x 24" 1� x 48" I 18" w x 18" h 1 x 36" 30" w x 30" h 1 x 42" 26" w x 26" h 1 x 42" 24" w x 24" h 1 x 42" 18" w x 18" h 1 x 32" 30" w x 30" h 1 x 36" 26" w x 26" h 1 x 36" 24" w x 24" h 1 x 36" 18" w x 18" h 1 x 24" 30" w x 30" h I x�30" 26" w x 26" h I x 30" 24" w x 24" h I x 30" 18" w x 18" h I x 22" 30"wx30"Ix24" h 26"wx26"1x26" h 24"wx24"Ix24" h 18"wx18"Ix18" h 30" w x 30" h I x 18" 26" w x 26" h I x 88" 24�w L_ x 24" " 1 x 18" E_ larger image i larger image larger image http://coneretecreationsia.com/catalog3/index.php?main_page=product info&cPath=98_ 1 11 3/ 19/2009 Page I of l :ice:-�'_..� _:�---�---- - - -------- --- - http://concretecreationsia.com/catalog3/images/box-symphony-sq_OI -jpg 12 3/ 19/2009 t;- 0 cEy OF Q ARCHITECTURE AND LANDSCAPE REVIEW COMMITTEE DATE: APRIL 1, 2009 CASE NUMBER: SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 2008-905 APPLICANT: LESLIE LIPPICH ARCHITECT AND ASSOCIATES, INC. OWNER: YURY LEVITAN ARCHITECT: LESLIE LIPPICH ARCHITECT AND ASSOCIATES, INC. LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT: PAUL STURWOLD ASSOCIATES, ASLA ENGINEER: JHA ENGINEERING REQUEST: CONSIDERATION OF ARCHITECTURAL AND LANDSCAPING PLANS FOR A 4,924 SQUARE FOOT EXPRESS CAR WASH LOCATION: EAST SIDE OF WASHINGTON STREET, APPROXIMATELY 780 FEET NORTH OF FRED WARING DRIVE ZONING: COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL (CC) SURROUNDING ZONING AND LAND USE: NORTH: CC / OFFICE BUILDING SOUTH: CC / APPROVED SHOPPING CENTER (MAYER VILLA CAPRI) EAST: OFFICE COMMERCIAL / MITCHELL PAIGE MIDDLE SCHOOL WEST: RESIDENTIAL USES IN PALM DESERT PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of a Site Development Permit is to provide specific design review of a project's proposed architecture and landscaping. The Architecture and Landscape Review Committee's (ALRC) role in reviewing this type of application is to provide 1 the Planning Commission with a recommendation regarding the design of the proposed project and its compliance with the City's various development regulations. When reviewing applications, the ALRC is responsible for reviewing architectural design, site design, and landscape design. Architectural items for review include, building mass, scale, architectural style, and aesthetic details, including materials, roof style, and colors. Site related items include exterior lighting fixtures, project entries, streetscape, water features, pedestrian circulation, and similar amenities. Landscape review includes plant types, plant location and size, landscape screening of equipment and undesirable views, and the emphasis of prominent design features. Such coordinated review is necessary to promote a unifying project design, compatibility with other surrounding uses, and aesthetic consistency with existing architecture and the level of quality prevalent in the community. Once reviewed, the ALRC's recommendation will be included in the staff report presented to the Planning Commission. To assist the ALRC in this review, the following background and analysis is provided. BACKGROUND: The .98 acre vacant site is located in the north end of the City, on the east side of Washington Street between Fred Waring Drive and Darby Road (Attachment 1). Immediately north of the site is an office building constructed within the last three years. To the south of the site is the recently approved Mayer Villa Capri shopping center. To the east is the playground for Mitchell Paige Middle School. A residential tract is located to the west across Washington Street in the City of Palm Desert. The Public Works Department and Planning Department have reviewed the site plan for circulation and function. The Public Works Department has requested several minor changes to the site plan to ensure that the operation's circulation functions as safely and efficiently as possible. Not all of the revisions are yet reflected on the submitted plans but those that are not do not substantially change the plans as submitted. The landscaping and grading plans are also being revised to reflect the new site plan. These revised plans will be submitted to the Planning Commission when they consider this request. No specific conditions are needed to address the revised plans. PROJECT REQUEST: The applicant has submitted site, architectural and landscaping plans for a 4,924 square foot express (self -serve) car wash on the site (Attachment 2). The facility would consist of the car wash structure and out side vacuum stations. The 150, wide by 285' deep site would take access to Washington Street through a single driveway near the north end of the site. 2 The car wash building would be set back 73' ± back from the ultimate Washington Street curb and be placed adjacent to the south property line (with a 5' setback) with the car wash entrance at the east end and exit at the west end. The twenty- four vacuum stations, as well as three employee parking spaces are provided adjacent to the north side of the building. Cars entering the site line up in the lanes along the north property line, pay at the pay station and circle around to the car wash entry. The operation includes washing and drying the car. After exiting the car wash tunnel, customers have the option of leaving the site or using the vacuums. After vacuuming, the car exits on to Washington Street. The car wash will employ 2 to 3 employees at any one time, depending on the time of day and weather. Hours of operation are to be 6 am to 10 pm, seven days a week. The customer stays in the car while going through the car wash. Architectural Design, Mass, and Scale The design of the car wash structure is southwest in nature, utilizing a sand finish exterior plaster walls, cultured stone veneer, composite wood trellises, metal lattice plant panels, wrought iron wall decor over ceramic tile inlay accent, decorative wall mounted light fixtures and a curved bronze 16mm polycarbonate twin wall roof (Attachment 2 — sheet 3). The car entrance and exit will have aluminum roll -up grills that will be down when the car wash is closed. Architectural features include curved parapets and windows, decorative cornices and light fixtures, and the ceramic tile accents previously described. Plaster colors will be two shades of beige, with the trellises a redwood color and the stone shades of light tan to brown (Attachment 3). The building is rectangular in shape with three deep popouts on the north side facing the vacuum area (Attachment 2 — sheet 2). These popouts house the restroom, a small office, and equipment and storage areas. Between and at the extreme ends of these popouts, trellises will be provided. Windows into the car wash are shown beneath two of the trellises. The south side of the building will look similar to the north, with the exception of the trellises and the fact that the popout areas extend 8" to one foot out. Signage will be part of a separate sign program submittal and will include a request for a monument sign near the driveway entry. The height of the building is primarily 22 feet with the exception 'of the entry and exit areas which are 17.5' high. The 22 foot high area is the curved polycarbonate roof that runs the length of the 160 foot long building. 3 Landscaping Streetscape and Lighting The applicant has submitted preliminary -level landscaping plans that identify the various trees, shrubs and groundcover proposed (Attachment 2 — sheet P1 .0). The tree palette includes 24" box size Willow and Sweet Acacias, 24" box size Palo Verde's, 24" box size dwarf Citrus, 36" box size African Sumacs, 15' high California Fan Palms and 36" box size Mediterranean Fan Palms. Shrubs are desert and other low water use plants in 5 and one gallon sizes. Groundcover consists of Lantana, Palm Springs gold fines, 5-6' boulders and rock cubble. A six foot high masonry wall is proposed on a portion of the south side facing the approved shopping center and on the east side facing the school yard adjacent to the car wash opening. Trees are shown around the perimeter of the site, with a heavy concentration near the car wash tunnel exit for screening. Bougainvillea vines are to be used on the building wall along the rear (south) side and on some of the trellises. Parking lot lighting will be provided but is not specified at this time. Lighting will be shoe box type with recessed light sources. ANALYSIS: The proposed southwest architectural style is essentially compatible with many surrounding and nearby retail projects such as the recently constructed adjacent office building. The bronze colored polycarbonate roof is an unusual material for buildings in this area. However, since the building's long side is orientated away from and set back from Highway 111, its visibility is limited. Furthermore, the building is essentially unoccupied and does not need to be air conditioned which eliminates any roof heat gain concerns. The proposed landscaping consists of relatively dense tree planting along all of the perimeters which minimizes visibility from off -site. Furthermore, the 6' high wall adjacent to the car wash tunnel entry minimizes visibility and noise to the school play ground. The height, massing, and scale of the building is appropriate for the location. The maximum height of 22' complies with the corridor image requirement of 22' height within the first 150' from Washington Street. The Community Commercial zoning district permits structures up to 40 feet in height which this building does not exceed. The proposed building is provided with four side architecture. It does provide adequate depth and architectural detail around the building. Landscaping, especially on the north side of the building, breaks up the linear appearance of the building. 2 The proposed conceptual landscaping plans are a desert -appropriate design and tree sizes are comparable to other commercial projects. This project is proposing adequate trees to provide fairly dense screening around the site. The new partial block walls around the site provide further screening of the site and compatibility with the surrounding land uses, especially the school to the east. RECOMMENDATION: That the Architecture and Landscape Review Committee recommend approval of Site Development Permit 2008-905 to the Planning Commission, subject to the following Conditions of Approval: 1. All parking areas shall be screened from view through the means of a landscaped berm, a three foot high decorative masonry wall, landscaped hedges or bushes with significant foliage, or a combination of all three methods. All screening shall be reviewed and approved by the Planning Director. 2. Exterior lighting shall be consistent with Section 9.100.150 (Outdoor Lighting) of the La Quinta Municipal Code. All freestanding lighting shall not exceed 20 feet in height, shall be fitted with a visor if deemed necessary by staff, and be turned off or reduced to a level deemed appropriate by the Planning Director within one hour following closing hours. Lighting plans shall be submitted with the final landscaping plans for a recommendation to the Planning Director for his approval. 3. All rooftop mechanical equipment shall be completely screened from view behind the parapet. Utility transformers or other ground mounted mechanical equipment shall be fully screened with a screening wall or landscaping and painted to match the adjacent buildings. 4. The applicant shall submit the landscape plans for approval by the Planning Department and green sheet sign off by the Public Works Department. When plan checking has been completed by the Planning Department, the applicant shall obtain the signatures of CVWD and the Riverside County Agricultural Commissioner, prior to submittal for signature by the Planning Director. Where City Engineer approval is not required, the applicant shall submit for a green sheet approval by the Public Works Department. Final landscape plans for on -site planting shall be reviewed by the ALRC and approved by the Planning Director. Said review and approval shall occur 5 prior to issuance of a building permit unless the Planning Director determines extenuating circumstances exist which justify an alternative processing schedule. Final plans shall include all landscaping associated with these units. NOTE: Plans are not approved for construction until signed by both the Planning Director and/or the City Engineer. 5. All signs shall be approved under a separate sign program application. Prepared by: Stan Sawa Principal Planner Attachments: 1. Vicinity Map 2. Proposed architectural and landscaping plans 3. Material and color samples R ATTACHMENT 1 CASE MAP CASE Na NORTH SOP -2008-905 SCALE: LIPPICH ' - 1 NT %9 7 ATTACHMENT 2 SEE LARGE PLANS ATTACHMENT 3 SEE LARGE EXHIBIT VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL A. Attendance Update Architecture & Landscape Review Committee Attendance Tracking July 2008 - March 2009 Jason Arnold Ray Rooker Ronald Fitzpatrick 07/02/08 Present Present Present 08/06/08 Present Present Present 09/03/08 Present Present Present 10/01/08 Present Present Present 11/05/08 Present Present Present 12/03/08 No Meeting No Meeting No Meeting 01/07/09 Present Present Present 02/04/09 Present Present Present 03/04/09 No Meeting No Meeting No Meeting