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Home My WebLink About2021-08-24 ARC Regular Meeting Minutes CITY OF PALM DESERT ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2021 – 12:30 P.M. ZOOM VIRTUAL MEETING I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Van Vliet called the meeting to order at 12:31 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Current Meeting Year to Date Commissioners Present Absent Present Absent Chris Van Vliet, Chair X 4 0 Karel Lambell, Vice Chair X 4 0 Nicholas Latkovic X 4 0 Michael McAuliffe X 4 0 Jim McIntosh Juan Mireles X X 4 4 0 0 John Vuksic X 3 1 Also Present: Rosie Lua, Principal Planner Nick Melloni, Associate Planner Kevin Swartz, Associate Planner Melinda Gonzalez, Recording Secretary Deborah Glickman, Business Advocate III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Associate Planner, Nick Melloni, advised the Commission there were no comments or inquiries received for the meeting. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. MINUTES of the Architectural Review Commission meeting of August 10, 2021. Rec: Approve as presented. Upon a motion by Commissioner Mireles, seconded by Commissioner Latkovic, and a 6-0 vote of the Architectural Review Commission, the minutes for MINUTES ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 24, 2021 2 August 10, 2021 were approved as presented. (AYES: Lambell, Latkovic, McAuliffe, McIntosh, Mireles, and Van Vliet; NOES: None; ABSENT: Vuksic). V. CASES It should be noted, associated staff reports, memos, attachments, and discussion on the following items can be viewed by visiting the Architectural Review Commission Information Center website at, https://www.cityofpalmdesert.org/our-city/committees- and-commissions/architectural-review-commission-information-center. A. FINAL DRAWINGS 1. CASE NO: SARC 21-0008 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration to approve a request to install new neon signage for Mimmo’s Italian Restaurant and Bar. APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: Riofine Neon, Cathedral City, CA 92234 LOCATION: 73540 Highway 111, Suite #4 ZONE: DO Associate Planner, Nick Melloni, presented the item. Mr. Melloni provided a summary on the background to this item, noting it started as a code compliance case as the owner did not obtain City approval for modifications made to the awning to accommodate an expansion to the restaurant. This item was reviewed by the Architectural Review Commission (ARC) on July 13, 2021 for a request to approve the installation of a new single awning covering the whole restaurant, including the expansion area, and the addition of a neon sign on the new awning. The case was continued with comments from the ARC. Since the ARC meeting in July, the applicant has planned to revert the awning in violation to its original design. The item is back for review by the Commission to request approval of the addition of a new neon sign located on the valance of the expansion area. Discussion on the item ensued with Commissioners providing comments and concerns for the project. Upon a motion by Commissioner Mireles, seconded by Commissioner McAuliffe, and a 6-0 vote of the Architectural Review Commission, Case No. SARC 21-0008, was approved subject to the following: 1) A fabric sample for the awning on the expansion area shall be provided to Planning Staff for review and approval prior to its installation; and 2) Staff shall verify the original neon sign has been reinstalled prior to the reopening of the restaurant. (AYES: Lambell, Latkovic, McAuliffe, McIntosh, Mireles, and Van Vliet; NOES: None; ABSENT: Vuksic). 2. CASE NO: MISC 21-0024 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration to approve a request for a façade enhancement for a new restaurant, Porta Via. APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: Porta Via, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 MINUTES ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 24, 2021 3 LOCATION: 73100 El Paseo, Suites 1 & 2 ZONE: D Associate Planner, Nick Melloni, presented the item. Discussion on the item ensued with Commissioners providing comments and concerns for the project. Upon a motion by Commissioner Mireles, seconded by Commissioner McAuliffe, and a 6-0 vote of the Architectural Review Commission, Case No. MISC 21-0024, was approved subject to the following: 1) Final engineering drawings shall include an accurate rendering showing the level of visibility of the steel staircase structure through the decorative breeze block wall on the north side of the building. (AYES: Lambell, Latkovic, McAuliffe, McIntosh, Mireles, and Van Vliet; NOES: None; ABSENT: Vuksic). 3. CASE NO: SARC 21-0009 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration to approve a request for a sign program for six (6) exterior wall signs and one (1) blade sign for Leeds and Son Fine Jewelers. APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: Best Signs, Inc., Palm Springs, CA 92264 LOCATION: 73670 El Paseo ZONE: D Associate Planner, Nick Melloni, presented the item. Mr. Melloni stated this item was previously brought before the ARC for review in February 2021 for a façade modification which was approved by the Commission. The item is being brought back to the ARC for approval of a master sign program. Discussion on the item ensued with Commissioners providing comments and concerns for the project. Upon a motion by Commissioner Latkovic, seconded by Commissioner Mireles, and a 5-1 vote of the Architectural Review Commission, Case No. SARC 21-0009, was approved as presented, subject to the following: 1) Exceptions for inclusion of the Blade Sign in the master sign program, as well as the exceeded signage area limit on the north elevation are approved; and 2) Flag Banner sign is not approved for inclusion in the master sign program. (AYES: Lambell, Latkovic, McAuliffe, McIntosh, Mireles; NOES: Van Vliet; ABSENT: Vuksic). 4. CASE NO: MISC 21-0019 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration to approve a request for architectural elevations and a landscape plan for 196 units; 64 duplex units, 84 cluster units, 48 single-family homes, and a recreation building. APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: Lennar Homes, Corona, CA 92879 LOCATION: University Park TTM 36342 ZONE: PR-18 MINUTES ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 24, 2021 4 Associate Planner, Kevin Swartz, presented the item. Mr. Swartz turned the presentation over to the applicant, Lennar, whose team provided a detailed presentation on revisions to the project. Discussion on the item ensued with Commissioners providing comments and concerns for the project. Upon a motion by Commissioner Latkovic, seconded by Commissioner Mireles, and a 6-0 vote of the Architectural Review Commission, Case No. MISC 21-0019, was approved subject to the following: 1) Applicant will provide accurate color samples for the revised color schemes to Planning Staff. (AYES: Lambell, Latkovic, McAuliffe, McIntosh, Mireles, and Van Vliet; NOES: None; ABSENT: Vuksic). B. PRELIMINARY PLANS None C. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS None VI. COMMENTS Associate Planner, Kevin Swartz, provided an update for the Chandi Project on San Pablo and Fred Waring. Mr. Swartz advised the applicant submitted their construction drawings which has gone through its first round of review and was returned to the applicant. The applicant is currently working on revisions for their second submittal. Mr. Swartz provided an update for Avenida Palm Desert. Avenida Palm Desert, recently submitted renderings for the screening of the roof top equipment. It is anticipated the applicant will present their request to the ARC in September. Mr. Swartz provided an update for Sinclair Gas Station. Sinclair has indicated they would like to keep the current landscape modifications as is. Mr. Swartz stated he will take photos of the modifications and present them to the Commission at a future ARC meeting for consideration. Associate Planner, Nick Melloni, provided an update for the Abronia Trail 4-plex. Mr. Melloni reported the applicant appealed the ARC’s denial and is scheduled to go before City Council on August 26, 2021. The staff report provided to City Council is available for Commissioners to review. Mr. Melloni explained City Council can either deny their request or approve it, which would allow the project to move forward to the Planning Commission. Principal Planner, Rosie Lua, provided the Commission with an update regarding recent City staff promotions, transfers, and changes. At the request of Commissioner McAuliffe, a final staff organization chart will be provided to Commissioners. MINUTES ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 24, 2021 VII. ADJOURNMENT With Architectural Review Commission concurrence, Chair Van Vliet adjourned the meeting at 2:20 p.m. Rosie L , ecretary Melinda Gonzalez, Recording cretary