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2011 02 02 ALRC MinutesMINUTES ARCHITECTURE & LANDSCAPING REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall . 78 -495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA February 2, 2011 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, Kevin McCune, and David Thorns Committee Members Absent: None I►9 V C. Staff present: Planning Manager David Sawyer, Principal Planner Wally Nesbit, and Secretary Monika Radeva CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: Confirmed PUBLIC COMMENT: None CONSENT CALENDAR: Staff asked if there were any changes to the Minutes of January 5, 2011. There being no comments or corrections it was moved and seconded by Committee Members McCune /Thoms to approve the minutes as submitted. Unanimously approved. BUSINESS ITEMS: A. Tentative Tract Map 36279 (Preliminary Landscaping Plan) a request submitted by Pedcor Commercial Development for consideration of landscaping plans for a proposed t9 -acre tentative tract map located on the southwest corner of Avenue 51 and Madison Street. Principal Planner Wally Nesbit presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Planning Department. Committee Member Thorns said he found the proposed palette of citrus trees to be appropriate for the site. He expressed concerns Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee Minutes February 2, 2011 about relocating the existing trees on the site as citrus trees did not fare well when relocated. In addition, he noted that some of the trees on site were not very well maintained. Staff replied the approved landscaping would be subject to quality control inspections at the time of installation. Mr. Ray Lopez, Owner and Landscape Architect with Ray Lopez Associates, 49374 Gila River Street, Indio, CA 92201, introduced himself and said the applicant's intent for the proposed landscaping plans was to maintain the citrus tree as the theme tree recognizing the historical land use of that general area. Committee Member Thorns said he was not familiar with the proposed Washingtonia Filifera hybrid palm tree. Mr. Lopez explained the differences between the Washingtonia Filifera, Washingtonia Robusta, and Washington Filifera hybrid palm trees, and the benefits associated with the proposed hybrid. Committee Member Thorns asked where the Washingtonia Filifera hybrids would be used on the site. Mr. Lopez said they would be used on either side of the main entry way to the development. He also said that Washingtonia Robusta palm trees would be used in the back near the water fountain. Mr. Lopez said the applicant had not yet decided whether or not the existing water feature would remain and be renovated or if it would be turned into a planter. Staff said that a condition of approval would be included to ensure that the water feature was properly reviewed under the Final Landscaping Plans application. Staff suggested that the Committee identify in their recommendation to the Planning Commission whether or not the existing water feature was being recognized as such or as a planter, as identified on the submitted final landscaping plans. Staff said they would follow up and confer with the applicant regarding the intent for it. Committee Member McCune asked if the water feature was permitted under the original plans. Staff replied it was not. Committee Member McCune asked if Committee Member Thorns had seen the water feature during his site inspection. Committee Member MI'leports - ALRC120111ALRC_4- 6- 111ALRC MIN 2.2- 11_Approved.doc 2 Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee Minutes February 2, 2011 Thorns replied he did not as he was not able to enter into the development. Committee Member McCune asked Mr. Lopez if he thought the water feature was salvageable. Mr. Lopez said it definitely had potential, he explained it was quite large in size and the base for restoring it was there. Committee Member Thorns suggested the applicant use a mixture of the Washingtonia Robusta and Washingtonia Filifera palm trees for the entrance to create a deviation in the height of the trees. Mr. Lopez said the proposed landscaping already identified a staggering in the height of the trees; however, it only asked for the same type of palm tree. He said he would have to confer with the applicant on this suggestion. Committee Member McCune said he preferred to have only the Washingtonia Filifera hybrids for the entrance, as proposed on the plans, as it would give the entrance a more dominant effect. He said he liked the proposed groupings of palm trees for the inside and outside of the wall, and the staggered height of the palm trees as it led to the retention basin. Committee Member Thorns asked if all of the trees by the entrance would be citrus trees. Staff replied the submitted plans identified only citrus trees. Committee Member Arnold asked if there was existing irrigation on the site and if the applicant was planning on renovating it or installing new irrigation. Mr. Lopez replied there was some irrigation which was not working. He said the applicant had not yet discussed irrigation for the site, but Mr. Lopez's suggestion would be to install everything new. Committee Member Arnold said he was pleased with the proposed landscaping plan and he was looking forward to seeing the site being developed. General discussion followed regarding the maintenance and cost of citrus trees. Committee Member McCune asked if the proposed equestrian trail would be covered with decomposed granite (DG). Mr. Lopez replied it would be possibly a different color DG to create a contrast. He NReports - ALRC120111ALRC_4- 6- 111ALRC MIN 2.2.11_Approved.doc 3 Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee Minutes February 2, 2011 explained he was not experienced in equestrian trails and further research would have be done. Principal Planner Wally Nesbit said he had consulted with the City's Public Works Department regarding the trail and the response he received was that any ADA accessible material would be acceptable. General discussion followed regarding different cover options for the trail. Committee Member McCune said he was very pleased with the plans and the plant palette. He asked if some type of pavers or cobblestone would be installed to enhance the entry way. Mr. Lopez said he was not aware of any such plans. Committee Member McCune asked if the applicant would put in curb and gutter along Madison Street. Staff replied the applicant would put in full street and arterial improvements. General discussion followed regarding the project site including compliance with CVWD water conservation requirements, the existing water feature, an existing on -site storage barn, limited use of turf, installation of a rail fence for the trail, etc. Mr. Lopez asked if horses would be allowed to ride on the proposed trail. Staff replied they would be allowed. Mr. Lopez asked if that would affect the DG cover and interfere with ADA requirements. Staff replied the Public Works Department would be better able to answer that. General discussion followed about multi - purpose trails within the City that include equestrian use. Committee Member McCune said he liked the proposed lighting, but suggested that the applicant also consider LED lighting which was much easier to wire. Discussion followed regarding the benefits of LED lights. Committee Member Arnold asked if homeowners could have horses in the community. Staff replied the area was zoned for it, but the number of horses allowed would depend on the size of the lot. PAeports - ALRC120111ALRC_4- 6- 111ALRC MIN 2.2- 11_Approved.doc. 4 Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee Minutes February 2, 2011 There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Thoms /Arnold to adopt Minute Motion 2011- 002, recommending approval of Tentative Tract Map 36279 (Preliminary Landscaping Plan) as submitted, with the following recommendations: • The proposed citrus trees shall all be the same size, with a minimum box size of 24 ". • Use a mixture of Washingtonia Filifera and Washingtonia Robusta palm trees, 2/3 to 1/3 accordingly, at the entrance and at the inside corners of the project. • Use cobblestone for the entry way. Unanimously approved. VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None VII. COMMITTEE MEMBER ITEMS: None VIII. PLANNING STAFF ITEMS: None IX. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members Thoms /McCune to adjourn this meeting of the Architecture and Landscaping Review Committee to a Regular Meeting to be held on March 2, 2011. This meeting was adjourned at 10:46 a.m. on February 2, 2011. Respectfully ubmitted, 7 MONIKA ADEVA Secretary P:IReparts - ALRM20111ALRC_4- 6-111ALRC MIN 2 -2 -11 Approved.doc 5