2014 04 02 ALRB MinutesCALL TO ORDER
ARCHITECTURAL AND LANDSCAPING
REVIEW BOARD
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2014
A regular meeting of the La Quinta Architectural and Landscaping Review Board was
called to order at 10:00 a.m. by Planning Manager David Sawyer.
Planning Manager Sawyer led the Board into the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENT: Board Members Richard Gray, Kevin McCune, and Ray Rooker
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Planning Manager David Sawyer, Consultant Planner Nicole
Criste, Principal Planner Wally Nesbit, and Executive Assistant
Monika Radeva
PUBLIC COMMENT - None
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA - Confirmed
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion - A motion was made and seconded by Board Members Gray/McCune to
approve the Architectural and Landscaping Review Board Minutes of January 15,
2014 as submitted. Motion passed unanimously.
BUSINESS SESSION
Site Development Permit 2013-934 submitted by T. D. Desert Development
LP for consideration of architectural and landscaping plans for Andalusia at
Coral Mountain. The project proposed the construction of 39 new single-
family homes on 1 1 .21 acres and an amendment to Final Map 31681-3 to
widen the lots from 55 to 65 feet to accommodate the newly proposed three
model types. Location: Andalusia at Almeria, within the existing Andalusia at
Coral Mountain project located at the southeast corner of Madison Street and
Avenue 58.
ARCHITECTURAL AND LANDSCAPING APRIL 2, 2014
REVIEW BOARD MINUTES 1
Consultant Planner Nicole Criste presented the information contained in the
staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development
Department.
Mr. Nolan Sparks, Construction Manager with T.D. Desert Development, L.P.,
La Quinta, CA - introduced himself, gave a brief presentation of the project
and answered the Board's questions.
Mr. Marc McAlpine, Sr. Vice President with T.D. Desert Development, L.P., La
Quinta, CA - introduced himself, gave an overview of the project, and
answered the Board's questions.
Board Member Rooker said he would like to condition the applicant to add a
direct pedestrian walkway leading from the street to the front entry in addition
to the existing driveway access. He stated he felt strongly about
incorporating this as a required condition and if the Board's recommended
action to the Planning Commission did not include it as such, it would result in
his inability to vote for approval of the project.
General discussion followed regarding the proposed driveway access to the
residence.
Motion - A motion was made and seconded by Board Members McCune/Gray
recommending approval of Site Development Permit 2013-934, as submitted
with staff's recommendations. AYES: Board Members Gray and McCune.
NOES: Board member Rooker. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None.
2. Site Development Permit 2013-933 submitted by Nexus Palm Springs for
consideration of architectural and landscaping plans for Tract 36279, The
Orchards. The project proposed the construction of 11 new single-family
homes on 9.14 acres. Location: southwest corner of Madison Street and
Vista Bonita Trail (Avenue 51).
Principal Planner Wally Nesbit presented the information contained in the staff
report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department.
Mr. Steve Turley, Architect with Elemental Architecture, Palm Springs, CA -
introduced himself, gave a brief overview of the projects, and answered the
Board's questions.
Mr. Thomas Doczi, President and Landscape Architect with TKD Associates,
Inc., Rancho Mirage, CA - introduced himself and answered the Board's
questions.
ARCHITECTURAL AND LANDSCAPING APRIL 2, 2014
REVIEW BOARD MINUTES 2
Mr. David Turner, President with Coachella Valley Engineers, Palm Desert, CA
- introduced himself and answered the Board's questions.
Board Member Rooker inquired as to the reason for the selection of the post-
modern architectural style. Mr. Turley replied it was requested by the
applicant and the architectural firm contracted for the development was
renowned for its modern architectural designs.
Board Member Rooker expressed a concern that the predominant architectural
style of the city of La Quinta was much different than the one of Palm
Springs. Particularly the area of the proposed project located directly across
from the Polo grounds and surrounded by traditional haciendas and
Mediterranean stucco -type, tile roof structures. Further, the very light color
palette proposed strongly accentuated the modernistic style and he found the
proposed landscaping to be extremely sparse and rigid. He said the proposed
post-modern architectural design was very well executed; however, he found
it to be inappropriate for the proposed location.
Board Member McCune asked if the homes would be visible from the outside
of the development, with the proposed perimeter landscape and wall design.
Mr. Turley replied they would not be visible outside of the walls of the
development.
Board Member Gray asked what property was located to the south of the
project. Mr. Turley replied it was a separate tract and the development was
called The Orchards.
Board Member McCune asked if the two developments would share an entry
gate. Mr. Turley replied they would not. He added that similar modern
architectural style homes were located within the Madison Club development
located further to the south of the project.
Motion - A motion was made by Board Member McCune recommending
approval of Site Development Permit 2013-933 as submitted with staff's
recommendations.
Motion died from the lack of a second.
Motion - A motion was made and seconded by Board Members Rooker/Gray
recommending denial of Site Development Permit 2013-933 as submitted
with staff's recommendations due to the proposed modernist architectural
style which was perceived to be inappropriate for this location. AYES: Board
Members Gray and Rooker. NOES: Board Member McCune. ABSENT: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
ARCHITECTURAL AND LANDSCAPING APRIL 2, 2014
REVIEW BOARD MINUTES 3
3. Site Development Permit 2013-932 submitted by Prest Vuksic Architects for
consideration of architectural and landscaping plans for a 3,400 square -foot,
one-story medical/general office building, in the La Quinta Professional Plaza
commercial center. Location; Parcel 2 or PM 29889 located on the south side
of Avenue 47, ± 300 feet east of Washington Street.
Principal Planner Wally Nesbit presented the information contained in the staff
report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department.
Mr. Colin McDermott, Owner, Indian Wells, CA — introduced himself, gave a
brief overview of the projects, and answered the Board's questions.
Mr. John Greenwood, Project Manager with Prest Vuksic Architects, Palm
Desert, CA — introduced himself and answered the Board's questions.
Motion — A motion was made and seconded by Board Members Rooker/Gray
recommending approval of Site Development Permit 2013-932 as submitted
with staff's recommendations. Motion passed unanimously.
CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL - None
REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS - None
BOARD MEMBER ITEMS
■ Board Member McCune's current term is expiring effective June 30, 2014.
The deadline to submit applications for re-election is June 2, 2014. The
recently updated guidelines for all Boards and Commissions citywide allow for
any Board Member or Commissioner to serve two consecutive three-year
terms to the same Board or Commission.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Board Members
Gray/Rooker to adjourn this meeting at 11 :31 a.m. Motion passed unanimously.
RespecERADE
ed,
L'
MONIK,Executive Assistant
City of La Quinta, California
ARCHITECTURAL AND LANDSCAPING APRIL 2, 2014
REVIEW BOARD MINUTES 4