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CCRES 98 076 Adoption of Village Design GuidelinesRESOLUTION NO. 98-76 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING THE VILLAGE AT LA QUINTA DESIGN GUIDELINES VILLAGE AT LA QUINTA DESIGN GUIDELINES WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of La Quinta, California, did on the 7th day of July, 1998, hold a duly -noticed Public Hearing to consider a recommendation on adoption of The Village at La Quinta Design Guidelines; and, WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of La Quinta, California, did on the 26" day of May, 1998, hold a duly -noticed Public Hearing to consider a recommendation on adoption of The Village at La Quinta Design Guidelines; and, WHEREAS, at said Public Hearing, the Planning Commission did in fact recommend that the City Council adopt The Village at La Quinta Design Guidelines; and, WHEREAS, said application has complied with the requirements of "The Rules to Implement the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970" (as amended; Resolution 83-68 adopted by the La Quinta City Council) in that the Community Development Department has prepared an Initial Study (EA 98-353); and, WHEREAS, the Community Development Director has determined that said Guidelines will not have a significant adverse effect on the environment and that a Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact should be filed; and WHEREAS, upon hearing and considering all testimony and arguments, if any, of all interested persons desiring to be heard, said City Council did find the following facts, findings, and reasons to justify adoption of said Guidelines: 1. The recommended Village at La Quinta Design Guidelines are consistent with the goals, objectives and policies of the La Quinta General Plan, as they incorporate the General Plan land use and design concepts as stated therein. 2. The recommended Village at La Quinta Design Guidelines will not have the --� potential to degrade the quality of the environment, as The Village area, under the Guidelines, will not be developed in any manner inconsistent with the General Plan and other current City standards. F:ICITYCLRKI000NCILIPLANNING\Res 98-76.wpd Resolution 98 -76 Adopted 717198 Page 2 3. The architectural design aspects as recommended in the Guidelines are compatible with the type and quality of design prevalent in the City and desired for development in The Village area. 4. The recommended Village at La Quinta Design Guidefines will not have impacts which are individually limited but cumulatively considerable when considering planned or proposed development in the immediate vicinity, in that the proposed Guidelines are a consistent representation of project types desired in The Village area under the current General Plan land use designations. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of La Quinta, California as follows: 1. That the recitations are true and correct and constitute the findings of the City Council for the recommended Guidelines. 2. That it does hereby adopt The Village at La Quinta Design Guidelines for the reasons set forth in this Resolution, and incorporated as Exhibit A, attached hereto. PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the La Quinta City Council held on this 7 t day of July, 1998, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: Council Members Adolph, Henderson, Perkins, Sniff, Mayor Pena NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None JOHN-'j,,yENAUNbyor City of La Quinta, California F:ICISYCLRKICOUNCILIPLANNINGIRes 98-76.wpd Resolution 98 -76 Adopted 717198 Page 3 ATTEST: iUNDRA L. JUHOLA, City Clerk City of La Quinta, California APPROVED AS TO FORM: &"' 0 /"",w DAWN C. HONEYWELL, City Attorney City of La Quinta, California F:ICITYCLRKICOUNCILIPLANNINGIRes 98-76.wpd EXHIBIT A i i r tY �p81't111Blit AftUd by tlm la No My Cattildy 1. I= I.A OVERVIEW 1 I.B GOALS AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES 2 I1. VILLAGE AT LA QUINTA DESIGN QUID-ELINES 3 II.A. LAND USE 3 II.B. CIRCULATION CONSIDERATIONS 5 1. Vehicle Traffic and Parking 5 2. Pedestrian Movement g II.C. SITE AND BUILDING DESIGN 9 1. Building Character 9 2. Site Design and Activity Space I 1 II.D. ACCESSORY PROVISIONS 13 1. Streetscape 13 2. Signing 13 3. Lighting/Landscaping 14 REFERENCES 17 APPENDIX 18 1. INTRODUCTION his document provides a flexible and positive approach to regulating development in The Village area. When looking at The Village, there are several problems which relate primarily to the size of parcels and the existing street patterns in the area. There are a myriad of lot sizes and configurations, which make it difficult to apply some of the most basic zoning standards, such as setback, parking and lot coverage requirements. In addition, the existing circulation system incorporates jogs, intersections and access situations which are not conducive to typical property development requirements. —However, site design and development solutions set forth by these Guidelines can serve to build on the positive attributes in the Village, such as climate, ambiance and the natural views afforded the area. I.A. Overview 0 ver the past several years, there have been numerous discussions on many different levels, involving the City Council and Planning Commission, City staff, residents, property owners, realtors and business interests, regarding development potential in The Village and what the area identity should be. The common theme continues be one of a village -oriented area that will ,maintain the quiet seclusion of the mountain surroundings and the friendly atmosphere, while encouraging business development within that context. LB. Goals and Guiding Principles aDAL..: Establish The Village at La Quinta as a mixed-use area, providing a wide range of residential and commercial opportunities. Principle - Permit a variety of commercial, residential and lodging uses, which will promote and serve The Village area while allowing private forces to dictate the extent of market availability for various uses in the area. GOAL: Promote the presence and awareness of artistic and cultural influences in The Village environment. Principle - l=ocus efforts of the Arts in Public Places Program into The Village area. Principle - Encourage public and private open spaces which can accommodate artistic displays, shows, and similar events. GOAL; Create a sense of design, scale and place that will lend itself to The Village environment. -1- -2- Principle - Provide for active and passive pedestrian space, street furniture, trafflc calming techniques and similar methods to enhance the concept of a Village environment: Principle - Prepare building, architecture and site design guidelines which promote The Village concept and allow flexibility in project proposals and staff direction to applicants in achieving a sense of that concept. 1 I . VILLAGE DESIGN GUIDELINES II.A. LAND USE These Land Use Guidelines have been developed based on La Quinta General Plan policies and other documents as listed under References. • The Village area covered by these Guidelines shall be as shown on the area map in this document (Figure 11. Land uses in all zoned properties within the Guideline boundary shall be consistent with these Guidelines to the extent that they apply, recognizing that these Guidelines are applicable in zone districts other than Village Commercial. • Village land uses shall include a diverse mix of retail, office and residential at varying densities, and scale. • Land uses in The Village shall include residential mixes, at densities as set forth by the General Plan. Uses which are 100% residential are permissible. In general, residential uses shall locate above commercial uses in common buildings, or may be located in stand-alone multi- family residential buildings. • Mixed-use development projects are defined as commercial office/retail, along with residential uses, as part of one project site or building. • Retail mixed-use projects are nor subject to any floor/area vatic fF.A. R.1 or to t coverage standards. The intensity of the commercial component and residential density shall be determined on a site-specific basis, under the Village Use Permit process. • Multi -story commercial retail/office projects shall generally locate office uses on upper floors, but will be reviewed on a site-specific basis. • Land uses which encourage entertainment, artistic displays and other interactive component.,— as part of the primary use- arf desirable. -3- _4- rri __ 1 -5- -6- on -street parking, etc. .-- • Village land use patterns will be encouraged to reflect a sensitivity Right-of-way abandonment and to the overall accommodation of merger of lots shall be pedestrian activity. encouraged and accommodated where logical and feasible. It is • Compact groupings of shops, desirable to create larger blocks offices and other uses are and parcels for siting commercial encouraged so as to promote and mixed-use projects, and such pedestrian mobility and space. actions taken for traffic purposes may also have this benefit. Attached as the Appendix to these Guidelines are excerpts from various Both City and private streetscape design documents, which visually represent projects shall equally consider thepedestrian some of the concepts referred to. and bicycle in any street improvement and site planning. 11A CIRCULA TION Streetscape items such as CONSIDERATIONS lighting, benches, bus stops and '-- shelters, trash receptacles, bicycle racks, etc., shall be Many circulation issues can be directly addressed by all private and related to street improvements and design public development projects. criteria that cannot be addressed in a generalized planning guidance document. Alleys used for vehicles shall be However, there are many aspects of site .designated one-way to reduce design that can impact circulation patterns traffic conflicts from adjacent and can be addressed to a certain degree. parking areas, deliveries and through traffic. 1. Vehicle Traffic Rights-of-way for Cabe Estado and Parking and Avenida La Fonda, between Desert Club and Bermudas, shall be investigated for reduction and • Development projects shall redesign of medians, curbs and address the feasibility of vacating sidewalks to allow better unnecessary street and alley pedestrian movement and on - rights -of --way, especially relating _ street parking design. to potential adaptive reuse as pedestrian and/or bike access, -5- -6- Access driveways and intersection configurations such as those existing at the bank building at the intersection of Calle Estado and A venida Bermudas, shall be discouraged. • The City shall establish design standards for special sidewalk and pedestrian street crossing treatments and materials. • All development projects, public and private, shall investigate the use of various traffic calming and pedestrian enhancement techniques, such as traffic chokers, curb bulbs, partial or full street closures, traffic circles, etc. as alternatives in developing all project, improvements in The Village. • Off-street parking areas shall not be located in the front of buildings, but to the rear and sides to allow integrated shared parking areas between structures and open up the street frontage to pedestrian access and outdoor activities. Parking areas shall be clustered whenever possible; any off-street parking not provided on-site shall be located in designated City (public) parking areas to achieve this. • Where feasible and appropriate, on -street parking may be credited toward meeting off-street parking requirements. 2. Pedestrian Movement • Public and private projects shall provide a clear delineation of all . Pedestrian circulation areas. If Adequate shading, through landscaping or building design features, for pedestrians along street frontages as well as interior project areas shall be provided. • Pedestrian focal points, such as community gardens, plazas, courtyards, piazzas, etc., shall be provided in public and private projects where deemed appropriate. Consideration shall be given to existing surroundings and the project relationship to the overall circulation in the vicinity. • Paving accents, interlocking stones/tiles, and other materials and patterns shall be employed in all Village projects so as to define pedestrian zones and spaces, and maintain separation from vehicle traffic. • Building frontages along streets require adequate space for pedestrian movement, street furnishings and outdoor spaces, but shall also maintain a close proximity to pedestrian travel ways. -7- -8- • Pedestrian links shall be Buildings shall be designed with -- incorporated in all public and appropriate architectural variation private development projects. and detailing to break up Linking shall consider the existing monotonous building elevations. pedestrian environment and Treatments such as graduated provide for future access heights, balconies, recessed and potential. extended building sections, staggered setbacks, etc_. should • The City shall consider linking be employed. pedestrian areas created by private and public projects into a Buildings located on corners shall Village -wide system, once attempt to orient pedestrian development activity entryways to the corner,. demonstrates the potential need. providing an opportunity for a small entry court or plaza,- water Attached as the Appendix to these feature location, etc. This also Guidelines are excerpts from various allows for better intersection design documents, which visually represent visibility. some of the concepts referred to. Retail buildings along street —. frontages shall be close to the 1I. C. SITE AND street and sidewalk areas to BUILDING DESIGN promote window shopping and streetside activity. The main focus of the site and building Commercial buildings shall be design portions of these Guidelines' is to enhanced with various promote the element of human scale, architectural elements such as consistent with the objective of creating a arcades, trellises, porches, bays, pedestrian environment in The Village. towers and balconies, with the intent of promoting the Pedestrian environment. 1. Building Buildings shall incorporate design Character elements that draw in pedestrians and reinforce street activities, • Building mass and scale shall be especially along streets such as compatible with that of Calle Estado and Avenida La surrounding structures. Fonda. -9- -10- ---• Variations in floor levels, steps and stairs, building faces, roof forms and other treatments that help create the appearance of a smaller project shall be encouraged. • Building heights shall gradually transition between each other. In order to preserve mountain views and the intrinsic qualities of The Village environment, building height shall not exceed 2 stories. However, architectural features integral to the building design and which contribute to a consistent building appearance and scale should be permitted to exceed any prescribed height limit to a --- reasonable extent. 2. Site Design and Activity Space As an area that promotes outdoor activities, proper design of outdoor spaces is essential to The Village. These spaces must provide for both passive and active outdoor needs, from sitting quietly to accommodating an an display or outdoor musical performance. • Courtyards and other types of pedestrian and passive open space shall be provided when off- site parking scenarios are employed. -11- • Layout of building sites in The Village shall consider movement of pedestrians as significant as the movement of vehicles. • Adjacent retail and mixed-use- projects ixed-useprojects shall consider use of Pedestrian alleys, which can be used to lure pedestrians to interior shop areas, plazas, courtyards, restaurants, etc. These can be used effectively to create a desire to explore a given space, drawing pedestrians to different activity areas. • The site layout for any project shall demonstrate adequate capacity for the use envisioned (e.g., an outdoor cafe will require greater streetside setback than a typical retail store); otherwise the use should not be allowed. • Water features shall be incorporated into projects where appropriate. • Structures shall be sited to create internal spaces, with pedestrian access available from the street or off-street parking areas. • Entries into shops and offices shall access directly to a pedestrian oriented street or other pedestrian access; single access multiple tenant buildings should be discouraged. -12- ILD. A CCESSOR Y PROVISIONS buildings they relate to, and be in good scale and proportion to the structures. 1 . Streetscape Village Entry identification Signs shall be established at key • Public and private development intersection locations around The projects shall encourage and Village area, and shall be facilitate provision of street supplemented with Village furnishings, such as bicycle directional signs where racks, trash receptacles, benches, appropriate. The following key drinking fountains, etc. intersection locations are identified: • Street furniture shall be. appropriately sited and should not Washington Street and obstruct or block pedestrian Calle Tampico travel, or interfere with sidewalk Eisenhower Drive and Calle businesses. Tampico • A venida Bermudas and 52nd • The City shall investigate Avenue _. establishing a streetside banner mast program, to be used for Additional or alternate locations announcing and defining the area may be identified and designated for special events such as as may be deemed appropriate. Mainstreet Marketplace. Street lighting posts could be used as Entry and directional signs shall the banner masts. be monument type, with indirect lighting. Sign designs shall • The formation of a Downtown incorporate common landscaping Business Association, which and design characteristics. would address issues such as a business improvement district, Directional signs shall be in attraction, retention and other appropriate proportion to entry assistance efforts, shall be sign design. encouraged. • Project applications involving 2. Signing specified locations will be required to participate in • Building signs shall be designed establishing these signs, inconcert as an integral feature of the with any City or other -13- -14- established procedures or programs in effect at such time. 3. Lighting/ Landscaping • Lighting shall be maintained at a low level and limited primarily to landscaped areas, consistent with the Outdoor Light Control Ordinance. • Any building mounted lighting shall be designed to highlight building entries, dramatize specific architectural features and accentuate light and shadow to articulate facades. • Landscaping treatments shall be provided to enhance architectural features and to provide shade for pedestrian and parking areas. • Continuity of landscape design shall - be maintained between adjacent developments. • Standards for tree wells and street trees shall be prepared and adopted. • Where building sites limit the available planting area, the placement of trees in parkways and paved areas shall be encouraged • Screening of parking areas, utility boxes, servicing and waste enclosures, and other unsightly areas shall be accomplished by using combinations of landscaping, walls and earthen berms. Hearty species shall be used to insure year-round effectiveness. Attached as the Appendix to these Guidelines are excerpts from 'various design documents, which visually represent some of the concepts referred to. -15- -16- REFERENCES • City of Belmont, CA; Design Control District, Belmont Zoning Ordinance, 1996 • City of Downey, CA; General Plan Design Element, 1992 • City of La Quinta, CA; Village at La Quinta Specific Plan, SP 87-009, 1988. • City of La Verne, CA; General Pian Design Element, 1990 • City of Merced, CA; Merced Village Design Guidelines, 1991 • City of San Bernardino, CA: - Property Development Standards, Development Code, 1991 - Main Street Overlay District, Development Code, 1991 • City of Seattle, WA; Making Streets That Work, Seattle Engineering Department and the Office of Planning and Management, May 1996 • County of Santa Cruz, CA; Pelton Town Plan, 1987 •Peter Calthorpe; The Next American Metropolis: Ecology, Community and the American Dream, Princeton Architectural Press, 1993 • CSPU Pomona, Department of Urban and Regional Planning; Class 431/432 Design Studio, conducted by Professor Richard E. Lloyd Chamber of Commerce, October 1996 to )uly 1997: -,,The Village" Study and Improvement Proposals, April 1997 - Village Impressions: Design Images for La Quinta Village -17- exercise for U RP for the La Quinta APPENDIX:0 GRAPHIC EXAMPLES OF DESIGN GUIDELINE REPRESENTATIONS mi .6 cz 3-�_' d y cc Co U; y H u E o ea v oc4 .G a.'�, H > y 3 u y ►e •E E O� v U va V�� •C U H w. U o 00 cO • 0o •C C y y N O v bo cq y > C °D E u 3� c o> 3 u e9 CL tW -C T E o au p u u•>�-� > . G U p - Cr >,lu y K Cea se 3 ti "C obo cz cc O U C GJsg 00 cO • 0o •C C y y ��, c0 e9 CL tW -C 6i •V .Q ti Building Design I Multi-level structures include covered patios on the ground floor and balconies above. A variety of building elements can be used to create trellises for shade on balconies and increase design appeal. A variety of . components can be used to create different and unusual effects. Wood, stucco, glass and iron work produce textures that are interesting and inviting. Planter boxes permit landscape materials to grow just about anywhere. Structures are transformed and softened with plants. Window openings should be proportionate to the buildings, should be multi -pained and allow maximum light at each level. �y Arcade Stairway at Tlaquepaque Decorative wooden balcony I '. l�, ��'O " X I' , . goo � rl 7 .i ad ir All 1?i 4�, �'� '�t -1 Plaza and Garden Desi Sidewalk design is important to the success of floe Village. Sidewalks need to provide comfort, safety and visual stimulation for pedestrian traffic. Trees that hang over the sidewalk provide protection from the hot desert sun. Trees are also visually interesting and offer a variety of shades of green and color. _ Sidewalk construction should consist of a combination of diverse textures, materials, and patterns. Creative designs and colors break up the dull image of a regular concrete sidewalk. Street Furniture Design Bus stops, newspaper racks, public telephones, and otl� services should be housed in similarly designed architectu structures. These are functional items that should not be 1 out of the design scheme. Carefully designed street furniture helps build character for the street and creates consistency in the Village. Fountains are important visual elements for streetscape. They provide decoration for open spaces and courtyards. They should be designed to enhance and complement the surroundings. The sound of running water is also soothing and stimulates relaxation and comfort. Streetscape Design Ob ■ 1 ► �/. tri Buildings should be designed to increase activity. Restaurants and entertainment adjacent to major pedestrian paths increase traffic in the Village, Outdoor uses should be encouraged in the Village. Building frontages are essential to the should be designed to locate high activity downtown pedestrian character of the village. uses such as restaurants and entertainment,, The building should provide openings at adjacent to major pedestrian paths. Outdoor street level, to allow display windows for uses are especially encouraged along pedestrians and passing traffic. These large pedestrian paths windows provide visual interest, and encourages pedestrian activity. Buildings Minimal parking spaces in front of buildings ensures a pedestrian friendly atmosphere. Streetscape Design Street Furniture There are several kinds of street furniture: benches, drinking fountains, kiosks, clocks and others. Be careful to locate street furniture away from crosswalks, curb cuts, fire hydrants, loading and bus zones. Remember that sidewalks must have five feet of clear passage to ensure pedestrian safety. best used If The community wants to: • increase social activity on a street • add distinctive features that help identify an area • provide places.to sit or get information (from laosks or signs) Street Trees bout used K • the entire block would like to plant trees along their street • neighborhood has a plan for the final design of their street • tree placement does not block existing street lighting L� • a neighborhood plan identifies streets that are most appro- priate for street tree projects • there is both adequate space for trees and for a minimum - • sidewalk width. Flower Planters and Banners Flower planters are a delightful way to show off a business district. The use of district -wide "cross- streetA or "pole" banners are an effective way to advertise upcoming events or to identify an area. bout used if • community wishes to add attractive detail to the street • community would like to create a visual link throughout entire business district • community would like to promote an area or special event • neighborhood consensus favors a consistent planter or banner program. Traffic Calming Techniques Choker A choker is a set of two curb bulbs that extend out into the street. A choker narrows the road, sometimes down to one lane, and causes motorists to slow when entering and exiting the street. —O,urb bulbs extend the sidewalk into the street. The bulbs, rhich may be landscaped, improve pedestrian crossings by roviding better visibility between pedestrians and motorists, shortening the crossing distance, and reducing the time that pedestrians are in the street. Curb bulbs located at the inter- section also prevent people from parking in a crosswalk or blocking a curb ramp. Curb bulbs may encourage motorists to drive more slowly by restricting turning speeds and narrowing the roadway. Marked Crosswalks Curb Bulbs t Legal crosswalks exist at all intersections, but they are not always marked by signs or pavement markings. Crosswalks can be marked at intersections and at midblock locations. Marked crosswalks alert motorists that they are approaching a high pedestrian location, and guide pedestrians to a safer crossing. Crosswalks are usually marked lines, either two parallel lines or a ladder—type pattern. They can also be tex- tured or made of colored concrete. Midblock crosswalks are accompanied by signs or flashing beacons. More Traffic Calming.. . Pedestrian Refuge Islands Pedestrian refuges are raised islands in the center of the street protecting the pedestrian from moving traffic. They allow pedestrians an opportunity to cross one half of the roadway, with a safe place to stop before crossing the second half of the roadway. They are typically constructed at marked crosswalks either at a midblock location or at an intersection. Full Street Closure A full closure is a physical barrier that closes the street to motor vehicles. Usually landscaped, a full closure can be built to accommodate pedestrians, bicycles and wheelchairs. best used N • street is used as a cut -through route • a less restrictive device cannot address concerns • there is a desire to create a pedestrian place. Partial Street Closure A partial closure is a curb bulb that physically blocks one direction of traffic at an intersection on an otherwise two-way street. A temporary partial closure is accomplished through striping and signs (No Right Turn, No Left Tura, Do Not Enter). Calle Estado/La Fonda: Schematic Street Plan One-way Pedestrian path One-way .......................................................................................................... 10' sidewalk �...»...._.� .12' parking Water............ 20' travel 36' center median - usable as pedestrian promenade Crosswalk ................... 4................... The above plan is a conceptual view based on the existing 100 -foot R.O.W. on both Calle Estado and La Fonda. Travel way, sidewalk, median widths, etc. would be adjusted based on desired intent for pedestrian/vehicular traffic accommodation, appropriate City standards and changes in design concept as shown. Planter areas, fountains, art, pieces and pedestrian walks are some of the improvements which are contemplated for the central median concept. Angle parking could be incorporated into such a median, or permitted in lieu of the parallel parking scheme shown here.