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Home My WebLink About2021-10-12 ARC Regular Meeting Minutes CITY OF PALM DESERT ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2021 – 12:30 P.M. ZOOM VIRTUAL MEETING I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Van Vliet called the meeting to order at 12:32 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Current Meeting Year to Date Commissioners Present Absent Present Absent Chris Van Vliet, Chair X 7 0 Karel Lambell, Vice Chair X 7 0 Nicholas Latkovic X 7 0 Michael McAuliffe X 7 0 Jim McIntosh Juan Mireles X X 7 7 0 0 John Vuksic joined the meeting at 12:35 p.m. X 6 1 Also Present: Martin Alvarez, Director of Development Services Rosie Lua, Principal Planner Nick Melloni, Associate Planner Kevin Swartz, Associate Planner Melinda Gonzalez, Recording Secretary III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Principal Planner, Rosie Lua, advised the Commission no comments or inquiries were received prior to the meeting. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. MINUTES of the Architectural Review Commission meeting of September 28, 2021. Rec: Approve as presented. MINUTES ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION OCTOBER 12, 2021 2 Upon a motion by Vice Chair Lambell, seconded by Commissioner Mireles, and a 6-0 vote of the Architectural Review Commission, the minutes for September 28, 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 None B. PRELIMINARY PLANS None C. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS 1. CASE NO: MISC 21-0023 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Preliminary review and discussion to provide architectural comments on the proposed four-story Staybridge Suites hotel. APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: ACE Design, LLC, Folsom, CA 95630 LOCATION: 74755 Technology Drive ZONE: PC-2 Commissioner Vuksic advised the Commission his firm acted as a consultant, providing critiques for the projects design. Commissioner Vuksic recused himself due to conflict of interest and left the meeting room. Associate Planner, Kevin Swartz, presented the item. Mr. Swartz informed the Commission in March 2015 the City Council approved the Millennium Specific Plan which encompassed multiple parcels and created specific development and zoning standards for these parcels. The proposed project is located on a parcel which is under the parameters of the Millennium Specific Plan. Mr. Swartz advised the Commission this item was approved by the Planning Commission in July 2018 as a two phased project, Precise Plan 18-0002. The current project is part of phase two. This item was reviewed and approved by the Architectural Review Commission (ARC) in March 2019. Since then, the applicant has changed architects and the item is being resubmitted for preliminary review and feedback on the revisions made to the originally approved plan. Mr. Swartz turned the presentation over to the project architect, ACE Designs. MINUTES ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION OCTOBER 12, 2021 3 Jaspal, of ACE Designs, advised the Commission the main reason for the revised proposal is to conform with the hotel brand’s new design. Mr. Jaspal provided a summary of the elevations and revisions made to the layout. Shortly into the presentation, Vice Chair Lambell expressed it was difficult to follow the presentation with another person controlling it instead of Mr. Jaspal. Mr. Jaspal apologized for the inconvenience and noted he was unable to be at his office for today’s meeting. Vice Chair Lambell suggested the item be deferred to a future meeting date when the project architect is available and can access his materials. With Commission concurrence the item was continued without further discussion. VI. COMMENTS Principal Planner, Rosie Lua, inquired about commissioner’s availability for the ARC meeting date of November 23, 2021, as it is just before an observed holiday. Majority of commissioners stated they are available to attend this ARC meeting. Principal Planner, Rosie Lua, provided an update on DSRT Surf. Ms. Lua stated DSRT Surf is tentatively scheduled to go before the Planning Commission at the end of November and City Council in December. Concurrently, the Economic Development Division is working on a Disposition and Development Agreement with the developer for this project. Principal Planner, Rosie Lua, provided an update on NEC of El Camino and Panorama Drive (International Lodge). Ms. Lua advised the Commission the City’s Code Compliance department is aware of this location and has an ongoing dialogue with the property’s representative. This property suffered an electrical fire a couple of years ago. This resulted in an entire upgrade to the electrical system for all seven buildings on this property. There are 52 independently owned units which has made the project more complex. Currently, there is an active electrical permit for the property and plans have been submitted for an interior remodel which includes exterior upgrades. The City’s Building and Safety inspector reported there is one contractor working on the project, so while progress is being made it is at a slow rate. Ms. Lua also informed a code officer will be patrolling the area during the evening hours. Director of Development Services, Martin Alvarez, assured the Commission the City will continue to work with the property and reiterated that this project will most likely take a while to complete. Associate Planner, Kevin Swartz, provided an update on McGowan’s Irish Inn located at 73340 Highway 111. Mr. Swartz informed the Commission there are plans to demolish the building and clean up the site. Associate Planner, Nick Melloni, provided an update on Abronia Trail 4-Plex Planning Commission consideration. Mr. Melloni informed the Commission the item was approved by the Planning Commission with a 4-0 vote. Currently, the City is waiting for the applicant to submit plans for review. Upon inquiry by Chair Van Vliet, Director of Development Services, Martin Alvarez advised construction on the two parking lots located along Highway 111 and El Paseo and Larkspur down to Portola are moving along. Mr. Alvarez acknowledged there were MINUTES ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION OCTOBER 12, 2021 major setbacks in the initial phase of the project due to the discovery of old underground utilities which have since been replaced. Currently, the project is slightly behind schedule and the anticipated completion date is the end of the calendar year. Associate Planner, Kevin Swartz, provided an update on Avenida, Palm Desert. Mr. Swartz shared Commissioner Vuksic, Commissioner McAuliffe, and staff met with the applicant to discuss screening options. The applicant stated they would go over the comments received and would resubmit their plans for a future ARC meeting. Mr. Swartz also provided an update on Dining Decks. Currently, restaurants have until October 31, 2021, to modify their dining decks to comply with the current safety and design guideline standards. Staff has received five applications and anticipate three additional applications in the upcoming week. Staff will go before City Council at their upcoming meeting on Thursday, October 14, 2021, to request an extension of the deadline to allow restaurants additional time to comply with the requirements. VII. ADJOURNMENT With Architectural Review Commission concurrence, Chair Van Vliet adjourned the meeting at 1:20 p.m. Rosie Lua, Secretary Melinda Gonzalez, Recording Secre ry