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2010 05 13 ALRCCity of La Quinta U y ALRC Agendas are now available on the City's Web Page @ www.la-guinta.org cFM OF TN�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 MAY 13, 2010 2:00 P.M. Beginning Minute Motion 2010-002 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 April 7, 2010. V. BUSINESS ITEMS: A. Item .................. SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 2006-860 Applicant........... Prest-Vuksic Architects Location............ West side of Washington Street, Between Avenues 47 and 48 (St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church). Request ............. Consideration of Landscaping Plans for a Proposed Church Parking Lot. Action ............... Minute Motion 2010 . VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: 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 June 2, 2010, at 10:00 a.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, May 13, 2010 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 Thursday, May 6, 2010. DATED: May 6, 2010 �l� CARO14NWALKER, 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 April 7, 2009 10:01 a.m. CALL TO ORDER A. This regular meeting of the Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee was called to order at 10:01 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, Principal Planner Stan Sawa, and Secretary`Monika Radeva IL PUBLIC COMMENT: None III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: Confirmed IV. CONSENT CALENDAR: Staffasked . if there were any changes to the Minutes of December 2, 2009. There 'being no comments or corrections it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Thoms/Rooker to approve the minutes as submitted. Unanimously approved. V. BUSINESS ITEMS: A. Site Development Permit 2010-913 a request submitted by Shea Homes for consideration of Architectural and Landscaping Plans for three prototypical residential plans for use in Tract 35996 (Trilogy Annexation) located east of the CVWD Dike #4, between Avenues 60 and 62, and west of Trilogy project. 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 April 7, 2010 Committee Member Arnold asked staff if the applicant was proposing to remove the grass along the sidewalks by continuing the planter and placing a smaller grassy area further in the center. Committee Member Thoms said the grass was to be placed two feet from the curb face, or if there was a sidewalk, it would be two feet from the face of the sidewalk. Staff confirmed. Committee Member Rooker suggested the applicant reverse the design by placing the planter inward and the grass on the outside of it. Committee Member Arnold said the applicant's proposed design would prevent over spraying water on the sidewalk. Perry Devlin, General Manager for Shea La Quinta, LLC., 60-800 Trilogy Parkway, La Quinta, CA, 92253, introduced himself and said a drip -type watering system could be used to prevent over spray on the sidewalk if the landscape design was reversed. Committee Member Rooker suggested the sidewalk from the entry way of the house be continued all the way to the street for a more formal and convenient pathway for visitors. He said stepping stones could also be used instead of concrete in order to keep as much landscaping as possible. Committee Member Thorns asked the applicant if the Landscape Architect for the project was present. Mr. Devlin replied he was not. Committee Member Thorns said he agreed with Committee Member Rooker's comment regarding the pathway to the front of the house. He said the sharp turn from the driveway onto the sidewalk leading up to the house was awkward. He discussed a few of the proposed designs and how they could be softened or completely re- designed. Mr. Devlin said Shea Homes community consisted of a total of 1,203 units and the proposed project would add only 36 more homes to it. He noted the proposed units were exactly like the existing ones, except with less grass in order to comply with the current water efficiency requirements. Mr. Devlin explained the existing homes had been very well received by the public and the HOA had 98 percent customer satisfaction from its members. He said he reviewed all comments and feedback from the HOA and the P:\Reports - ALRC\2010\ALRC_5-5-10\ALRC MIN_4-7-10_Draft 2.doc 2 Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee Minutes April 7, 2010 sidewalk to the front of the house had never been brought up as an issue. Mr. Devlin explained the HOA was in support of the further development of the community because there was a keen interest in maintaining a continuity of the existing architecture in the execution of the project. He said he felt confident the HOA would understand reasonable changes to the community's theme and landscape design; however, they would like see as much cohesiveness as possible to what was already built. Committee Member Arnold asked if the HOA allowed homeowners to upgrade their front yards. Mr. Devlin, replied the HOA maintained all front yards and no alterations were allowed. Committee Member Rooker -referenced, the photographs of the model homes submitted as Attachment #3 to the staff report showing some of them with a separate pathway extending from the front entrance of the house to the street. He asked why the proposed plans did not indicate the same pathway which he found to be much more formal and elegant. Mr. Devlin replied the photographs were of the model homes which were designed slightly, different for circulation purposes, to accommodate the anticipated foot traffic of potential home buyers. Committee Member Thorns asked for clarification on the exact location of the project in: relation to the existing Shea Homes community and, if it would be fenced off from the street. Staff explained the location and replied the wall would be extended to enclose the proposed homes. Committee Member Thoms said he was not pleased with the architecturaldesign of the homes as there was no variation of the setbacks from the street giving it a boring and track -home -like look. He suggested front- and rear -loading the homes to avoid the continuing track -home image of the community and to provide some streetscape variation. He said an upscale community could present a better architectural design. Committee Member Arnold said Trilogy was a very high -end and pristine development and the photographs provided did not accurately depict the character of the community. Mr. Devlin explained the photographs submitted represented an area of the P:\Reports - ALRC\2010\P.LRC_5-5-10\ALRC MIN _4-7-10_Draft 2.doc 3 Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee Minutes April 7, 2010 community that was very recently completed. He said the developer had worked very closely with the HOA and the members to ensure satisfaction and continuous improvement of the architectural design. The homeowners' feedback showed that the homes were very well received. He invited the Committee Members to visit the site and offered to give them a tour around the community to get a better feel for its character. General discussion followed regarding architectural and driveway design, variation in streetscape, and street curvature. Committee Member Thorns asked ,if the applicant was simply duplicating the units that had , been previously built in the community. Mr. Devlin confirmed. Planning Manager Sawyer said'=`the applicant had stated that the proposed project was designed to blend in with the existing homes. He noted the Committee had made comments recommending variations to the architectural design.' .He suggested, if desired, the Committee could form: -the -recommended architectural variations into a motion for the Planning Commission, Committee Member Thorns moved to adopt Minute Motion 2010- 001, recommending approval,of Site Development Permit 2010-913 as submitted, with the following,recommendations: • Soften the pathway to the front door so that it is not so awkward, • Re -design the front yard; landscaping as well as hardscape. • Adjust the location of the home on the site to allow for streetscape variations. The motion'.died due to the lack of a second. Committee Member Rooker said he did not agree with Committee Member Thorns' recommendation to re -locate the homes on the site to allow for streetscape variations. He said the tract map showed a gentle curvature of the streets which accomplished the same effect. Committee Member Rooker said he had concerns about the pathway to the front entrance of the homes. He said he did not want to widen the driveway as suggested by Committee Member Thorns, he wanted to keep as much area as possible landscaped. P:\Reports - ALRC\2010\ALRC_5-5-10\ALRC MIN_4-7-10_Draft 2.doc 4 Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee Minutes April 7, 2010 He recommended the pathway be either extended to the street, connected to the driveway, or simply have stepping stones placed in the landscaping. He noted he would like to see the maximum amount of grass allowed in the front and recommended the use of drip -type watering system to address staff's concern of sidewalk overspray. Committee Member Thorns said he agreed with staff's recommendation to add palms to the retention basin. He said he considered Oleanders to be freeway plants and inappropriate to be placed at front entrances. He said there were five or six lots that were corner lots with a side wall and the plans did not indicate adequate landscaping on that side wall. He recommended landscaping, such as bougainvillea, be ,placed along these side walls as well as additional trees to soften the impact of the walls. Committee Member Thorns said he shared Committee Member Rooker's concern about the front pathway to the proposed homes and found his comments regarding the side walls landscaping to be very appropriate. Committee Member Thorns asked why there was grass in the retention basin. Mr. Devlin explained that turf absorbed the moisture best and it was easiest to maintain. Committee Member Arnold commended the applicant on their choice of grass in the retention basins. Discussion ''followed regarding different types of possible cover materials for retention basins and the maintenance issues associated with each of them. Committee Member Arnold said he was pleased with the proposed project. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Rooker/Thoms to adopt Minute Motion 2010- 001, recommending approval of_Site Development Permit 2010-913 as submitted, with the following recommended suggestions: • Provide a better access to the front entrance of the home by addressing the front pathway. P:\Reports - ALRC\2010\ALRC_5-5-10WLRC MIN_4-7-10_Draft 2.doc 5 Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee Minutes April 7, 2010 • Add palm clusters to the basin area per staff's recommendation. • Use a watering system for the front turf area next to the sidewalk that would not overspray the sidewalk. • Replace the Oleanders by the front entrance with a different type of plant that would be more appropriate for an entrance plant. • Add landscaping and trees to the side -yards and walls of the cornerlots. Unanimously approved. Committee Member Thoms asked staff to ensure that the Landscape Architect be present for future projects presented to the Committee for review and consideration as his/her expertise would be quite helpful. VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None VII. COMMITTEE MEMBER ITEMS: A. Quarterly Attendance Report Committee Member Thorns asked staff why the Quarterly Attendance Report was included. Staff replied` the report was included quarterly to keep the Committee informed of their attendance status. VIII. PLANNING STAFF ITEMS: None 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 May 5, 2010. This meeting was adjourned at 10:46 a.m. on April 7, 2010. Respectfully submitted, MONIKA RADEVA Secretary P:\Reports - ALRC\2010\ALRC_5-5-10\ALRC MIN_4-7-10_Draft 2.doc 6 La A Qk t 4a�w u � 5 S cF'y oe'cKE�k ARCHITECTURE AND LANDSCAPE REVIEW COMMITTEE DATE: MAY 5, 2010 CASE NUMBER: SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 2006-860 APPLICANT: PREST-VUKSIC ARCHITECTS ARCHITECT: PREST-VUKSIC ARCHITECTS PROPERTY OWNER: DIOCESE OF SAN BERNARDINO LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT: HSA DESIGN GROUP REQUEST: CONSIDERATION OF LANDSCAPING PLANS FOR A PROPOSED CHURCH PARKING LOT LOCATION: WEST SIDE OF WASHINGTON STREET, BETWEEN AVENUES 47 AND 48 ZONING: LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL (RL) SURROUNDING ZONING - LAND USES: NORTH: LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL - HIGHLAND PALMS SOUTH: LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL - VACANT LAND EAST: COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL - OFFICES AND RESTAURANTS WEST: OPEN SPACE - MOUNTAIN/VACANT LAND 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 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 although, in this instance, there are no architectural items proposed for review. 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 St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church is located on the west side of Washington Street just south of Avenue 47 (Attachment 1). The church applied for Environmental Assessment 2002-463, Conditional Use Permit 2002-073, and Site Development Permit 2002-755 to construct the current temporary parking lot in 2002. The current unpaved temporary lot consists of grass and gravel, has 12 foot high shoebox lighting fixtures, and utilizes telephone poles to separate vehicles. The City Council approved their request on May 20, 2003. St. Francis Church returned in April of 2006 with new applications to construct a permanent parking lot over the existing temporary one. At that time, the adjacent vacant property to the south of the church was being proposed for a residential development. Because the proposed residential development needed a secondary access, an agreement was made between St. Francis and the developer, Laing Luxury Homes, to construct a shared signalized intersection at Washington Street and Via Marquessa. Following the agreement, Laing Luxury Homes went into bankruptcy and no longer owns the adjacent parcel. St. Francis Church was forced to redesign their project without the shared driveway or intersection. In order to accommodate stormwater drainage from Highland Palms, the Church will be entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of La Quinta for the maintenance of the proposed retention basin, which requires approval by the City Council. PROJECT REQUEST The applicant is proposing to construct a permanent parking lot, a temporary 2 overflow parking lot, retention basin, and landscaping within the southern portion of the existing church site. With the exception of the proposed temporary parking area, project layout and circulation will remain relatively unchanged from the current site plan. The northern half of the church site is not a part of the project and will remain unchanged, though the applicants have indicated that they will likely be replacing the turf with desert landscaping at some point in the future. Preliminary grading plans, preliminary landscaping plans, preliminary lighting plans, and a view study have been submitted for the proposed project (Attachment 2). Landscaping Design The applicants are proposing a water -efficient landscaping design in accord with recent landscaping code changes. A variety of desert -appropriate trees and shrubs are being proposed along the frontage road and around the retention basin. Proposed tree species include 24 to 36 inch box size Palo Verdes, Texas Ebony, and Hybrid Mesquite trees with a minimum 1.5 inch caliper trunk. Shrubs include a variety of water -efficient desert species that include Desert Cassia, Texas Rangers, Bougainvillea, and Century Plants, complimented by groundcover species such as Lantana. Five gallon containers are proposed for shrubs with most groundcover species proposed from one gallon container sizes. The bottom of the retention basin will contain 9,502 square feet of turf. The applicants have included a color perspective sheet conceptualizing the appearance of the proposed landscaping upon maturity. Lighting Design The applicants are proposing to install new energy -efficient contemporary lighting fixtures within the improved parking area and relocate the existing black shoebox- type fixtures to the proposed temporary parking lot. The applicants have also submitted documents identifying compliance with current Title 24 energy code requirements. Three new lighting fixtures are being proposed with this project. The proposed type "A" fixtures are a 12 foot high freestanding contemporary design outfitted with a 27-inch diameter circular copper visor that will turn verdigris over time. These fixtures will be located along the main driveway and entrance to the church site. The type "A" fixtures are dark -sky compliant and will incorporate a 175 watt metal halide bulb. Type "B" and "C" fixtures are 18 foot high black shoe -box type fixtures containing 150 to 250 watt high-pressure sodium bulbs. The existing fixtures identified as type "R" are similar in appearance to type "B," but are 12 feet in height and contain 150 watt high-pressure sodium bulbs. Landscaping is also proposed to be uplighted with low -profile 25 watt fluorescent lighting fixtures. c ANALYSIS The proposed church parking lot plans are a positive improvement that will enhance the church site, provide much -needed parking, and will provide attractive landscaping along,a highly -visible portion of Washington Street. The proposed lighting fixtures and level of lighting are appropriate for the project. The preliminary planting and irrigation plans are well -designed, provide a colorful variety of desert - appropriate plants, and will comply with both the City and the Coachella Valley Water District's landscaping and water use requirements. Staff is especially supportive of the applicant's use of large planter areas within the proposed parking lot. The proposed landscaping design of the new southern parking lot contrasts with the northern half of the church site, which primarily consists of turf. The applicants have stated that they will likely reduce the turf and water use on the northern half of the church at some point in the future. Staff has some concerns with the quantity of turf proposed within the retention basin. Although turf should be located in functional and usable areas, the applicant's use of turf to line the bottom of the retention basin is justifiable because of the location's high visibility and because turf maintains its appearance better than decomposed granite gravel after holding standing water. Lining the bottom of the retention basin with turf can help reduce drywell maintenance, which will be performed by the City under the proposed Memorandum of Understanding. Staff believes the quantity of turf proposed, approximately 9,502 square feet, could be moderately reduced without sacrificing aesthetic quality. As an alternative, Staff is recommending that a portion of turf from the northern part of the basin be reduced and replaced with an elongated cobble stream. Finally, the size of the proposed landscaping material is less than what is normally installed on similar projects. Staff is recommending that medium and large shrubs have a minimum 10 gallon size container and that all planted trees have a minimum 2.5 inch caliper trunk sizes. RECOMMENDATION Recommend to the Planning Commission approval of Site Development Permit 2006- 860, subject to the following Conditions of Approval: The applicant shall submit the final 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 4 by the Planning Director. Final landscape plans for on -site planting shall be reviewed and approved by the Planning Director. Said review and approval shall occur prior to issuance of first building permit unless the Planning Director determines extenuating circumstances exist which justify an alternative processing schedule. Final plans shall include all landscaping associated with this project. Irrigation design and water use shall comply with the efficiency requirements of Chapter 8.13 of the Municipal Code. NOTE: Plans are not approved for construction until signed by both the Planning Director and/or the City Engineer. 2. The applicant shall revise the plans to identify that all trees have a minimum 2.5 caliper trunk size and that all large and medium shrubs come from minimum 10 gallon container size. 3. The applicant shall work with Planning and Public Works staff to reduce the square footage of turf within the retention basin. A portion of turf from the northern part of the basin shall be reduced and replaced with an elongated cobble stream. Prepared by: JAnw Mogensen, AICP Attachments: 1 . Aerial Site Plan 2. Conceptual Grading, Lighting, Landscaping and View Study Plan Set 5 j� d a^ .'.•: a G a C❑❑ a❑❑ a a a❑ L C°❑ C Co ❑ 1 � l� ❑ i c ❑ ir, nno❑❑'a❑v ^'. ...�.. =`loot❑❑ y rw� w ^ . a t � Attachment I vipx- 4k 4 A } rwr 5i