2011 12 14 ALRC MinutesMINUTES
ARCHITECTURAL & LANDSCAPING REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING
A special meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall
78 -495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA
December 14, 2011 3:03 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER
A. This regular meeting of the Architectural and Landscaping Review
Committee was called to order at 3:03 p.m. by Planning Manager
David Sawyer who led the Committee in the flag salute.
B. Committee Members Present: Kevin McCune and Ray Rooker
Committee Member Absent: Richard Gray
C. Staff present: Planning Manager David Sawyer, Associate Planner
Jay Wuu, Economic Development /Housing Manager Deborah
Powell, and Secretary Monika Radeva.
II. PUBLIC COMMENT: None
III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: Confirmed
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR: None
V. BUSINESS ITEMS:
A. Environmental Assessment 2011 -613, Conditional Use Permit
2011 -135, Tentative Tract Map 36421, and Site Development
Permit 2011-920 have been submitted by the City of La Quinta
Housing Authority and Redevelopment Agency' for consideration of
Architectural, Site, and Landscaping Plans for Rehabilitation of
Existing Apartments and Construction of Additional Units for the
Washington Street Apartments project . located at 42 -800
Washington Street.
Associate Planner Jay Wuu presented the information contained in
the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Planning
Department.
Planning Manager Sawyer briefly explained the project, exhibits
displayed for the Committee.
Architectural and Landscaping Review Committee
Minutes
December 14, 2011
Committee Member Rooker asked the applicant for additional
explanation on the wall design, and the use of proposed materials
and colors.
Mr. Eric Naslund, FAIA, Principal with Studio E Architects, 2258
First Avenue, San Diego, CA, introduced himself and replied that
the wall exhibits provided to the Committee with the staff report
showed the currently existing wall of the adjacent project,
Mediterra Apartments, and it was the applicant's intent to match
materials and color scheme of what was existing.
Mr. Naslund explained the design of the wall will also be enhanced
with a few architectural elements such as metal fins, metal sheets
cantilevered on the top of the wall and featuring cut outs in the
metal which would spell out "Washington Street Apartments" as
the sun would shine through them after a certain time during the
day.
Committee Member Rooker asked for an explanation of the
proposed colors on the submitted materials board.
Ms. Tilly Whitehead, architect with Studio E Architects, 2258 First
Avenue, San Diego, CA, introduced herself and explained in detail
where and how the proposed materials, textures, and color palette,
including primary and accent colors, featured on the submitted
materials board would be used.
Committee Member McCune asked if the existing units on the
project would remain. Associate Planner Jay Wuu replied the units
would remain; however, they would be completely rehabilitated.
General discussion followed regarding the architectural and
structural design of the existing units on the project site. Mr.
Naslund gave a few examples of what architectural features would
remain and how the design would be rehabilitated and enhanced.
Mr. Jon McMillen with Rosenow Spevacek Group Inc., 309 West
4` Street, Santa Ana, CA, introduced himself and explained the
changes in the roof line that would be implemented, the relocation
of the air conditioning units, and the replacement of the perimeter
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Architectural and Landscaping Review Committee
Minutes
December 14, 2011
wood wall with concrete walls that would separate each outdoor
space from the other, etc.
Committee Member McCune said he was pleased with the proposed
color palette as well as the split -faced wall. He asked how wide the
sidewalk would be.
Mr. Rob Parker, Principal with RGA Landscape Architects, Inc.,
74020 Alessandro Drive, Suite # E,. Palm Desert, CA, introduced
himself and replied the sidewalk would be eight feet wide.
Committee Member McCune asked if there would be any space to
plant alongside the sidewalk. Mr. Parker said there were
opportunities to plant trees on the north side Hidden River and on
the south end of Washington Street where the wall jogged in.
Committee Member McCune asked if there would be any space to
place trees on the inside of the sidewalk. Mr. Parker replied the
inside space between the sidewalk and the wall incorporates
benches and flowers, as well as it serves as the utility corridor in
certain sections.
Committee Member McCune asked about the benches shown on
the plan. Mr. McMillen explained those benches were located at
the two pedestrian gates exiting the project, providing a place for
the residents to take a short rest if needed.
Committee Member McCune said he was pleased with the
submitted plans and the architectural design of the project. He
asked for clarification on the dimensions of the proposed
amphitheater. Mr. Naslund gave him the dimensions of the inner
and outer circles and sitting area.
Committee Member Rooker said he liked the color palette and the
proposed design and architectural elements of the project.
There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Committee Members Rooker /McCune to adopt Minute Motion
2011-006, recommending approval of Environmental Assessment
2011 -613, Conditional Use Permit 2011 -135, Tentative Tract Map
36421, and Site Development Permit 2011 -920, as submitted with
staff's recommendations. AYES: Committee Members McCune and
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Architectural and Landscaping Review Committee
Minutes
December 14, 2011
Rooker. NOES: 'None. ABSENT: Committee Member Gray.
ABSTAIN: None.
VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None
VII. COMMITTEE MEMBER ITEMS:
Committee Member Rooker said he was a pleased to be serving on the
ALRC again.
Planning Manager Sawyer welcomed Committee Member Rooker and
thanked him for his interest in serving on the ALRC and willing to offer his
professional expertise.
VIII. PLANNING STAFF ITEMS: None
IX. ADJOURNMENT:
There being, no further business, it was moved and seconded by
Committee Members Rooker /McCune to adjourn this meeting of the
Architectural and Landscaping Review Committee to a Regular Meeting to
be held on January 4, 2012. This meeting was adjourned at 3:31 p.m. on
December 14, 2011.
Respectfully bmitted,
MONIKA BADE
Secretary
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