HomeMy WebLinkAbout35 Lupine Plaza RemovalSTAFF REPORT
CITY OF PALM DESERT
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
DATE: December 16, 2021
PREPARED BY: Eric Ceja, Deputy Director of Development Services
REQUEST: Receive and file a report on the removal of Lupine Plaza temporary
improvements
Recommendation
By Minute Motion, receive and file report on the removal of Lupine Plaza
temporary improvements.
Strategic Plan
The removal of the temporary improvements at Lupine Plaza does not impact or implement
any of the goals of the Palm Desert Strategic Plan.
Background Analysis
As a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, in September 2020, the City Council
authorized the creation of a temporary outdoor plaza and outdoor dining area at Lupine
Lane, north of El Paseo. Known as "Lupine Plaza," the outdoor area is an inviting open-
air dining destination consisting of artificial grass, tables, chairs, colorful umbrellas,
cabanas, string lights, and landscaping.
On May 13, 2021, the City Council provided staff direction to develop a Request for
Proposals (RFP) to explore the creation of a permanent plaza space. In addition, the
City Council provided staff to maintain and refresh the temporary plaza improvements
through the 2021/2022 season.
On September 30, 2021, the City Council approved a Professional Service Agreement
with MIG, Inc. to provide professional design services for the creation of a permanent
Lupine Plaza at the current location. The project schedule will take four to five months,
depending on community input and MIG Inc., has already held one meeting with the Lupine
Plaza subcommittee and hosted a community meeting on December 3' 2021 at Lupine
Plaza. The development of the overall vision and alternative designs will be developed with
significant community input prior to selection of a preferred conceptual option. An
Engineering and Traffic analysis will be prepared, along with California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA) documentation and artist coordination. Selection of a final conceptual
design will come back to City Council for approval prior to preparation of construction
drawings.
December 16, 2021 — Staff Report
Removal of Temporary Improvements at Lupine Plaza
Page 2 of 2
Discussion
Since the time of the previous City Council direction, staff has received a number of
complaints and concerns from nearby merchants regarding the overall appearance of the
temporary plaza area. Specific concerns have been expressed related to the overall
cleanliness, quality issues related to the improvements, limited vehicular access, and the
space being unmonitored and underutilized.
Recently, staff has met with El Paseo representatives and some of the merchants in the
immediate area to discuss their concerns. Staff has responded with a plan to increase
security, change out the furniture, and add cameras. However, their request is to remove
the improvements based upon the feedback of their clientele and focus more on a long
term, higher quality, solution. Those representatives and adjacent merchants have
responded that they are supportive of a more permanent design solution and that they
would support the effort but wanted issues revolving security, one-way access, higher
quality design elements integrated
Based on their feedback, combined with the feedback from the Council sub -committee, the
City Manager directed staff to remove the temporary improvements, and clean up the area,
pending a more permanent, inclusive design solution
Proposed Schedule
Working with MIG, Inc., staff anticipates the process for conceptual design will take
approximately four to six months, inclusive of public meetings and presentations to various
boards and commissions. Once the subcommittee is confident with a final design, staff will
prepare a report and bring the design to City Council for final consideration. It is anticipated
that this will happen sometime in Spring 2022.
Fiscal Analysis
There is no fiscal impact related to the staff's proposal. Selection and award of contract will
be reviewed at a later meeting in which monies will be appropriated for the design.
LEGAL REVIEW
DEPT. REVIEW FINANCIAL REVIEW
N/A Ezic eoetrix>4
ASSISTANT CITY
MANAGER
N/A -Andy Firestine
Robert W. Hargreaves Martin Alvarez, Director of Janet Moore
City Attorney
Development Services Director of Finance
City Manager L. Todd Hileman:
Andy Firestine
Assistant City Manager
L . Todd I-t-LLevt'dEY COUNCIL ACTION
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RECEIVED a 0.1P 4
DENTED
OTHER
MEETING DATE 12 '1t '2-0 2-1
AYES:
NOES: NO`
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ABSTAIN:
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VERIFIED BY: Ntr4 ( ,S
Original on File with City Clerk's Office