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2009 12 02 ALRCCity of La Quinta o� o UALRC Agendas are now available on the City's Web Page 3 ,® @ www.la-guinta.org �fiM of T�9� 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 DECEMBER 2, 2009 10:00 A.M. Beginning Minute Motion 2009-008 I. CALL TO ORDER A. Pledge of Allegiance B. Roll Call 11. 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 October 7, 2009. V. BUSINESS ITEMS: A. Item .................. VILLAGE USE PERMIT 2008-042 Applicant........... Dr. Kathryn Carlson, DVM Location............ East of Eisenhower Drive Between Avenida Montezuma and Avenida Martinez in the Village Commercial District. Request ............. Consideration of Architectural and Landscaping Plans for the Village Animal Hospital; an 8,752 Square Foot Veterinary Facility With On -Site Boarding. Action ............... Minute Motion 2009-. VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: VII. COMMITTEE MEMBER ITEMS: Vill. 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 January 6, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. DECLARATION OF POSTING I, Monika Radeva, 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, December 2, 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 Wednesday, November 25, 2009. DATED: November 25, 2009 MONIKA RADEVA, 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 October 7, 2009 10:04 a.m. CALL TO ORDER A. This regular meeting of the Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee was called to order at 10:04 a.m. by Planning Manager David Sawyer who led the Committee in the flag salute. B. Committee Members Present: Jason Arnold, Ray Rooker and David Thorns. Committee Member Absent: None C. Staff present: Planning Manager David Sawyer, Associate Planner Jay Wuu, 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 August 5, 2009. There being no comments or corrections it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Rooker/Thoms to approve the minutes as submitted. Unanimously approved. Committee Member David Thorns said the minutes were very well done and very complete. Committee Member Rooker said the minutes were very accurate and due to the difference in opinions between the Committee Members they were a bit confusing. He suggested the use of a different format such as outlining each Committee Member's points instead to make for an easier reading for the Planning Commission. V. BUSINESS ITEMS: A. Final Landscaping Plans 2009-049 a request submitted by East of Madison, LLC. for consideration of Final Landscaping Plans for the Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee Minutes October 7, 2009 Madison Club Clubhouse located within the Madison Club; south of Avenue 52, east of Madison Street, west of Monroe Street. Associate Planner Jay Wuu presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Planning Department. Jeffrey Prevost, Vice President for Discovery Land Company, 80955 Avenue 52, La Quinta, CA, introduced himself and thanked the Committee for their time. Committee Member Rooker said, in general; he found the plans to be very well done, even a bit excessive on the maturity and amount of plants proposed, but he relied''on the landscape architect's expertise to determine the correct amount of landscaping for,the project. He said he was intrigued,by the choice of Pinus Pinea pine trees selected for the parking lot, as they were sapdroppers and released a messy yellow powder during certain times of the year. This could be a possible nuisance for the members' cars. He questioned the choice of the Pinus Halapensis. He stated he found it an interesting dichotomy to have such a pristine Spanish - Mediterranean building, as the Clubhouse, and such low trees at the main entrarance: He suggested the use of bolder landscaping to emphasize the entrance. Mr. Prevost explained the proposed landscaping was a continuation of _ the already,, existing landscaping theme and palette of the Madison Club. He said if you were to drive down Madison Street, there were pine trees everywhere, thus that was continued into the Clubhouse as well Mr. Prevost addressed -Committee Member Rooker's concerns regarding the proposed pine trees in the parking lot and explained that every member was entitled to a free weekly car wash. He noted this free service did not eliminate the problem of potential sapping, but it was a way of taking care of the members if their cars were subject to it. He said the falling of pine needles was regularly addressed by the club's expert maintenance staff. Mr. Prevost said the Pinus Halapensis was selected because it was currently the predominant pine tree in the Madison Club, and the applicant's intent was to carry out the same theme. Committee Member Rooker asked if there was any remedy to the sap issue. Mr. Prevost replied he was not aware of any. He explained that the sapping was usually caused because a branch P:\Reports - ALRC\2009\12-02-09\ALRC_Draft MIN_10-7-09.doc 2 Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee Minutes October 7, 2009 had been cut off due to maintenance trimming, otherwise, no sapping would occur. Committee Member Rooker questioned the selection of the two small oleander trees identified on the plans for the entrance of the courtyard instead of something a bit larger and fancier to emphasize the entrance. Mr. Prevost explained the courtyard was designed on the basis of the European modern architectural style and the idea was to have no trees planted in the center or around the courtyard. Committee Member Rooker pointed out that the area around the courtyard was very nicely landscaped and it didn't make sense to have two simple yellow oleanders at such a major entryway. He said the oleander was known as a freeway plant and he did not find it to be the appropriate tree type to use for the courtyard entrance. He recommended the applicant bring this to the landscape architect's attention for reconsideration. Committee Member Thorns said he was not a member of the Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee when the preliminary landscaping plans were originally submitted. He said he found the proposed landscaping plans to be overplanted and to have too much variety. Committee Member Thorns suggested the applicant reconsider the proposed "planting strip" in the parking lot due to the high maintenance it required. He was concerned that cars would park too close to the curb, drive over the plants, and people would walk through them. He said his experience was that in a couple of years most people get tired of the plants' high maintenance in such high - traffic areas and replace them with decomposed granite. He encouraged the applicant to recognize this could become an issue in the future and to address it at this stage instead. Mr. Prevost replied the club offered valet parking for all members, thus members would not be accessing the parking lot. He explained the applicant would like the clubhouse to be fully landscaped with mature plants and trees giving the impression that it had been there for fifty years. In order to achieve that effect, the proposed landscaping was necessary; even if some of it might have to be trimmed or removed at a later time. P:\Reports - ALRC\2009\12-02-09\ALRC_Draft MIN_I0-7-09.doc 3 Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee Minutes October 7, 2009 Committee Member Thoms pointed out that the landscape architect's stamp on the submitted landscape plans did not contain the license's expiration date. Committee Member Arnold said he thought the project was very well done. He stated he had only one comment regarding future maintenance issues with the Bowsmith multi -outlet emitter irrigation system. He suggested the use of a newer irrigation alternative called Netafin dripper line which was supposed, to perform much better. He explained the operational differences between the two systems. General discussion followed regarding different irrigation techniques and more efficient alternatives.; There being no further questions; it was 'moved and' "seconded by Committee Members Rooker/Arnold 'to. adopt Minute Motion 2009- 007, recommending `approval of Final Landscaping Plan 2009-049 , with the recommendation that the number of proposed plants and trees be reconsidered and the landscape architect's license expiration date be verified. Una nimousl :approved. VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None VII. COMMITTEE MEMBER ITEMS: Committee Member Rooki ,for Fresh & Easy located Fred Waring Drive and Jef VIII. PLAN NING,STAFF.'fTEMS: asked staff for an update on the landscaping Jefferson Square on the southeast corner of son Street. A. Planning Commission Update Planning Manager Sawyer said the Planning Commission recommended approval to the City Council for the Clubhouse and the Golf Villas at PGA West. He briefly discussed the residential feedback received during the meeting, as well as comments regarding the architectural style and color palette. He said the project was scheduled to be presented to the City Council on Tuesday, October 6, 2009, but due to a request to allow more time for public comments and attendance. With the applicant's permission the item was continued October 20, 2009. P:\Reports - ALRC\2009\12-02-09\ALRC_Draft MIN_10-7-09.doc 4 Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee Minutes October 7, 2009 B. Discussion of Joint Council meeting topics Planning Manager Sawyer explained that every year the City Council took time to meet with the City's Commissions and Committees. As the ALRC is a supporting Committee to the Planning Commission, the time would be shared between the Commission and the Committee. He noted the meeting would last 30 minutes and it has been scheduled for October 27, 2009, at 5:00 p.m. Discussion followed regarding what topics of discussion should be selected for the joint meeting. Committee Member Thorns commented on the nice median landsaping design on Fred Waring Drive, done by the City of Indio, to identify its City limits. General discussion followed regarding the trees selection and their maintenance. Staff said the City of La Quinta was in the process of putting together median landscaping plans for Highway 111 that would make a similar statement and identify La Quinta City limits. Discussion followed regarding possible overwatering solutions to avoid wasting money to make projects look nice. IX. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Rooker/Thoms to adjourn this meeting of the Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee to a Regular Meeting to be held on November 5, 2009. This meeting was adjourned at 10:54 a.m. on October 7, 2009. Respectfully submitted, MONIKA RADEVA Secretary P:\Reports -. ALRC\2009\12-02-09\ALRC_Draft MIN_10-7-09.doc 5 BI # A � C� ` Z 4„QU&rC4V u n& y OF 71 ARCHITECTURE AND LANDSCAPE REVIEW COMMITTEE DATE: DECEMBER 2, 2009 CASE NO: VILLAGE USE PERMIT 2008-042 REQUEST: CONSIDERATION OF ARCHITECTURAL AND LANDSCAPING PLANS FOR THE VILLAGE ANIMAL HOSPITAL; AN 8,752 SQUARE FOOT VETERINARY FACILITY WITH ON -SITE BOARDING. LOCATION: LOCATED EAST OF EISENHOWER DRIVE BETWEEN AVENIDA MONTEZUMA AND AVENIDA MARTINEZ IN THE VILLAGE COMMERCIAL DISTRICT. APPLICANT AND PROPERTY OWNER: ARCHITECT: LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT: ENGINEER: ZONING: GENERAL PLAN DESIGNATION: SURROUNDING ZONING/LAND USE: DR. KATHRYN CARLSON, DVM MARK R. HAFEN, AIA, NCARB, ANIMAL ARTS TRACY SMITH, LS 2000 INC. ESSI SHAHANDEH, PE, ESSI ENGINEERING VC, VILLAGE COMMERCIAL VC, VILLAGE COMMERCIAL NORTH: MULTI -FAMILY RESIDENTIAL APARTMENTS, VILLAGE COMMERCIAL SOUTH: LA QUINTA COMMUNITY PARK EAST: VACANT LAND, VILLAGE COMMERCIAL WEST: SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL, COVE RESIDENTIAL VUP 08-042 Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee Staff Report 1 2/02/09 - Page 1 of 6 P:\Reports - AlRC\2009\12-02-09WUP 08-042 ALRC Staff Report. doe PURPOSE OF REV The purpose of this Village Use Permit is to provide specific design review of the proposed architecture and landscaping. The Architecture and Landscape Review Committee's (ALRC) role in reviewing this type of application is to provide 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 Village Park Animal Hospital, currently located on the southeast side of the La Quinta Community Park, has outgrown its space and seeks to expand with a new building. The existing animal hospital was approved by the Planning Commission on April 14, 1998, under Conditional Use Permit 98-039. This Conditional Use Permit approved the use of a veterinary office in an existing mixed -use building, which has a residential unit on the second story. The existing location was approved with a total of 10 on -site parking spaces provided, including six on -street parking spaces located in front of the property. Staff is not aware of any plans for the use of the office space in the existing building after it is vacated. PROPOSAL Project Overview: The applicant is proposing to construct an 8,752 square foot, 31 foot high, two-story animal hospital with Mission -Contemporary styled architecture on a 16,205 square foot parcel located across the park from the existing animal hospital (Attachments 1 and 2). This proposed site is across the park from their current location. This new site has an existing building, built in 1980, which will be demolished to construct the new animal hospital. The proposed new animal hospital has a main entrance oriented northeast towards both the parking lot and Avenida Martinez, with pedestrian access from all surrounding VUP 08-042 Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee Staff Report 12/02/09 - Page 2 of 6 P:\Reports - ALRC\2009\12-02-09WIJP 08-042 ALRC Staff Report.doc streets. The building will be situated three feet from the property line adjacent to Eisenhower Drive, five feet from the property line adjacent to Avenida Montezuma, and 9 feet from the property line along Avenida Martinez. The new building will contain all of the necessary components of an animal hospital, including a sound -proofed boarding facility, diagnostic equipment, a veterinary pharmacy, grooming services, and a pet rehabilitation center. Due to the angled orientation of the property line at the corner of Eisenhower Drive and Avenida Montezuma, the applicants have submitted a concurrent request for a right-of-way vacation which would enlarge a small portion of the existing property. Photographs of the proposed site are attached for your reference as Attachment 4. Site Design Building Location and Orientation The building is located on the northwest side of the La Quinta Community Park, bounded on three sides by city streets, with the parking lot situated on the northeast side of the building (Attachment 2, Page 1). The main entrance to the building will face northeast towards the parking lot with a side portico facing Avenida Martinez. Secondary entrances to the building are located on the southeast side, including an exterior stairwell primarily used as a fire exit leading to the second story and a first -floor side door for quarantined pets. A portion of the outer corner of the building at the corner of Eisenhower and Montezuma will have decorative wrought iron fencing for the use of a narrow dog walk for pets. Vehicular Circulation and Parking Vehicles will enter the parking lot for the site via either Avenida Montezuma or Avenida Martinez (Attachment 2, Page 1). Each street will have access to a one-way driving aisle passing through the parking lot and exiting on the opposite side. The project requires 28 parking spaces under the parking ordinance, but provides 14 on -site parking spaces and one golf -cart parking space. Although the project has a shortage of 14 parking spaces under the code, alternative parking arrangements are permitted in the Village Commercial zoning district, off -site parking is available, and the terms of a special parking arrangement are currently being evaluated by staff. The final parking arrangement for the animal hospital will be reviewed by the Planning Commission and approved by the City Council, and will not affect the design of the site plan as proposed. Pedestrian Access and Circulation The proposed animal hospital will have sidewalks placed adjacent to the street on all three sides of the building with crosswalk access to the park and the cove neighborhood across Eisenhower Drive (Attachment 2, Page 1). ADA parking will be located across from the front entrance with a corresponding path of travel. Sidewalks at the front entry and all cross -walks intersecting the proposed parking lot driveways VUP 08-042 Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee Staff Report 12/02/09 - Page 3 of 6 PAReports - ALRC\200902-02-09\VUP 08-042 ALRC Staff Report.doc will be paved with decorative brick pavers will remain as -is. Architecture Existing sidewalks along Eisenhower Drive The applicants are proposing to construct an 8,752 square foot, 31 foot high, two- story structure (Attachment 2, Pages 4-7). The white stucco building has been designed with a combination of traditional and Mission -Contemporary style architectural elements. Building materials will include a traditional three -tone clay tile roof supported by treated and stained wooden beams, textured glass blocks, and decorative wrought - iron fencing and railings. The balcony at the northeastern corner of the building will feature a decorative metal screening material patterned with a silhouette of the surrounding mountains underneath a stained and treated wooden trellis. All windows on the building will consist of insulated and tinted glass with black aluminum framing. Most windows on the building will be covered by a tiled roof awning or otherwise located underneath building eaves to reduce solar exposure. Glass blocks will also be incorporated into the building architecture, primarily to permit light into the kennel areas while providing insulation for sound. The building incorporates tiered massing to reduce the visual impact from being situated close the adjacent streets, with the second story generally set a few feet further back from the first story. Massing is further broken up by the addition of the balcony, the covered entryway, an exterior stairwell on the southeastern elevation, reveals (stucco "pop -outs" and crevasses), and a narrow roofline above a portion of the first story adjacent to Eisenhower Drive. The second story is topped with three -tone clay -tile hip roofing on the southwest half of the building and a parapet along the northeast portion. Mechanical equipment will be fully screened from view within a 5 foot 7 inch deep utility recess on the roof. A photograph of the materials board is attached for your reference as Attachment 5; the board will also be available for review at the time of the public hearing. Landscaping The applicants are proposing a simple desert landscaping design that enhances the existing streetscape with water -efficient shrubs and decorative boulders (Attachment 2, last page [L-11). The existing palm trees that ring the park and a portion of landscaping already in place along Eisenhower will remain. A portion of the building facade oriented towards the parking lot will contain a large grid trellis planted with Bougainvillea. Synthetic turf is proposed within the dog walk area behind the fencing at the corner of Eisenhower Drive and Avenida Montezuma. Proposed live oak trees and fruitless olive trees will provide shading within the parking area and compliment the existing palm trees. A small re -circulating water fountain is proposed at the building entrance underneath the entry foyer. VUP 08-042 Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee Staff Report 12/02/09 - Page 4 of 6 P:\Reports - ALRC\2009\12-02-09\VUP 08-042 ALRC Staff Report.doc Lighting The applicant has provided a conceptual lighting plan for the proposed parking area consisting of three, 20 foot high, black "shoe -box" type lighting fixtures with shielding containing metal halide bulbs (Attachment 2, Lighting Page). No parking lot or security lighting fixtures are proposed on the building. Sustainability Although the applicants are not proposing any specific elements of environmental sustainability or energy efficiency, the building has been designed mindful of solar exposure and water usage. All window glazing will be insulated and incorporate solar tinting. The proposed landscaping plan is water -efficient and the proposed water feature at the entrance will utilize fewer than 25 gallons of re -circulating water. Even with the water feature included in the water use calculations, the project is expected to be well below the annual water allowance. ANALYSIS The proposed animal hospital is consistent with the style of architecture in the Village District, complies with the Village Design Guidelines and, with the exception of parking, meets all of the development code provisions. As parking variations are permitted in the Village Commercial zoning district, staff is currently evaluating a potential off -site alternative regarding the unmet parking requirements. Staff has found the overall style and layout of the proposed project, including the landscaping design, the level and quality of lighting within the parking area, pedestrian connectivity, architectural design, building scale and massing, and project layout to be acceptable. The Mission -Contemporary style building is pedestrian oriented and incorporates a variety of architectural elements, including graduated heights, two balconies, recessed and extended building sections, and staggered setbacks. The project is similar in style and orientation to recent Village projects such as the La Quinta Museum, and includes architectural elements reflective of the current Village Animal Hospital, one of the original Village buildings whose architecture influenced the current Village Design Guidelines. As the project is well designed and complies with all of the necessary code provisions, staff believes the proposed animal hospital will make a positive contribution to the Village. RECOMMENDATION That the Architecture and Landscape Review Committee recommend approval of Village Use Permit 2008-042 to the Planning Commission, subject to the following Conditions of Approval: 1 . 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 an additional visor if deemed necessary by staff, VUP 08-042 Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee Staff Report 12/02/09 - Page 5 of 6 P:\Reports - ALRC\2009\12-02-09\VUP 08-042 ALRC Staff Repon.doc 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 reviewed and approved with the building permit. 2. All rooftop mechanical equipment shall be completely screened from view behind the parapet and roofline. Utility transformers or other ground mounted mechanical equipment shall be fully screened with a screening wall or landscaping and painted to match the adjacent building or landscaping. 3. Final landscape plans for on -site planting shall be reviewed by staff and approved by the Planning Director. Said review and approval shall occur prior to issuance of a building permit unless the Planning Director determines extenuating circumstances exist which justify an alternative processing schedule. NOTE: Plans are not approved for construction until signed by both the Planning Director and/or the City Engineer. 4. All signs shall be approved under a separate sign permit application. 5. The water feature shall use a high efficiency pump to the satisfaction of the Planning Director. The final design of the water feature shall be included in the Final Landscape Plan review and be included in the water use calculations as per La Quinta Municipal Code Chapter 8.13. Prepared by: Andr J. Mogensen, AICP Prin ipal Planner ATTACHMENTS 1. Area Map 2. Proposed Village Animal Hospital Plan Set 3. Large -Format Color Landscaping Plans 4. Site Photographs 5. Materials Board Photograph (original will be provided at the hearing) VUP 08-042 Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee Staff Report 12/02/09 — Page 6 of 6 P:\Reports - ALRC\2009\12-02-09\VUP 08-042 ALRC Staff Report.doc a , �n � �� i s � }, � ' �� ` t 3 � t�! � i �� ��� �\ �►;> m � r , ':; � �,�; �� T 'N 4 r� �� l � - s i�� �, ,'u �„�_— �'^.'T.. _. —. _.R,Q,�an,4; �� � �: r,�� �,f 't e'.; �� o ,�.° .- t � ° ��;'». � v ��� � A y`, / �T r 1±� � ��� u � �3 � ' 1 ,�,„�-L�� d � � ' f k i :.f Vic' „� #` � *�. Fes, . ,�. +� III �1j .r ATTACHMENT # 5 nj CLAY ROOF TILF, Dcl,s,: Buffstonc, WOO I1 S'UCCO MW: F,bony mt MY2718 arble WNW 0942 4y y! ,w � m m-Ft Al KWN: Dark limn ,, Iin GLAKIN(; PPG Sular{;ra, GLASS BI 0( h PC: D�wora Pats. rn ANIMAL ARTS .NARK R HAIIN ARt 111ltt I VILLAGE PARK ANIMAL HOSPITAL