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Home My WebLink About2021-10-26 ARC Regular Meeting Minutes CITY OF PALM DESERT ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 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 8 0 Karel Lambell, Vice Chair X 8 0 Nicholas Latkovic X 8 0 Michael McAuliffe X 8 0 Jim McIntosh Juan Mireles X X 8 8 0 0 John Vuksic X 7 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 Deborah Glickman, Business Advocate 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 October 12, 2021. Rec: Approve as presented. Upon a motion by Commissioner Mireles, seconded by Commissioner Latkovic, and a 7-0 vote of the Architectural Review Commission, the minutes for MINUTES ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION OCTOBER 26, 2021 2 October 12, 2021, were approved as presented. (AYES: Lambell, Latkovic, McAuliffe, McIntosh, Mireles, Van Vliet and Vuksic; NOES: None; ABSENT: None). 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: MISC 21-0029 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration for a request to alter the paint color of an existing commercial retail suite located at 73399 El Paseo, Suite 105. APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: Wendy Martello, Palm Desert, CA 92260 LOCATION: 73399 El Paseo, Suite 105 ZONE: D Associate Planner, Nick Melloni, presented the item. The request is for a façade modification which consists of the application of paint to the building, requiring approval of the Architectural Review Commission (ARC). Mr. Melloni noted the signage shown in the presentation is for reference only as its location currently does not conform to the current sign program. Mr. Melloni turned the presentation over to the applicant and artist, Kellie Pellegrini, who provided additional information on the proposal. Discussion on the item ensued with Commissioners providing comments and concerns for the project. It was determined by the ARC that this item should be continued to allow the applicant and artist time to consider comments from the Commission. Additionally, with Commission consent, an advisory committee was selected including Commissioner McAuliffe, Commissioner Vuksic and Commissioner McIntosh, to provide design feedback on options for potential modifications to the artwork. Director of Development Services, Martin Alvarez, queried as to whether the Commission would consider and potentially approve the placement of the signage as the business will be opening prior to the continued matter being heard. The Commission confirmed they were okay with the proposed location of the signage and were amenable to the applicant working with staff on the approval of the signage in the proposed location. Upon a motion by Commissioner McIntosh, seconded by Commissioner Vuksic, and a 7-0 vote of the Architectural Review Commission, Case No. MISC 21-0029, was continued subject to the following: 1) Explore other options with consideration to the scale of the artwork and proportion of the tenant storefront area; 2) Consider framing out the artwork or other options which MINUTES ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION OCTOBER 26, 2021 3 would allow for a more harmonious integration with the existing architecture; 3) Consider a darker shade of color for the plane in which the signage is applied; and 4) Applicant shall work with staff on proposed signage. (AYES: Lambell, Latkovic, McAuliffe, McIntosh, Mireles, Van Vliet and Vuksic; NOES: None; ABSENT: None). 2. CASE NO: SARC 21-0010 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration for a request to approve the installation of a new awning for J’s Deli located at 74225 Highway 111, Suite B. APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: Neil Thigpen, Anaheim, CA 92806 LOCATION: 74225 Highway 111, Suite B ZONE: D Commissioner Vuksic advised the Commission his firm was the architect for J’s Deli. Commissioner Vuksic recused himself from this item due to a conflict of interest. Commissioner McAuliffe advised the Commission his firm reviewed this item as well. Commissioner McAuliffe recused himself from this item due to a conflict of interest. Associate Planner, Nick Melloni, presented the item. Mr. Melloni noted the ordinance allows for up to two words on the awning, however, the applicant is requesting an allowance of four words. Discussion on the item ensued with Commissioners providing comments and concerns for the project. Commissioner Latkovic and Vice Chair Lambell expressed concern with setting precedence for the allowance of four words versus conformance to the ordinance. Vice Chair Lambell noted the awning material should be Sunbrella fabric or a comparable material approved by staff. Vice Chair Lambell stated should the applicant choose to deviate from the proposed material, another ARC review will be required. Upon a motion by Commissioner McIntosh, seconded by Commissioner Mireles, and a 3-2 vote of the Architectural Review Commission, Case No. SARC 21-0010, was approved subject to the following: 1) Awning material should be Sunbrella fabric or comparable material approved by Planning staff; and 2) Awning is permitted to reflect four words. (AYES: McIntosh, Mireles, and Van Vliet; NOES: Lambell and Latkovic; ABSENT: Vuksic and McAuliffe). B. PRELIMINARY PLANS None MINUTES ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION OCTOBER 26, 2021 4 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 and Commissioner McAuliffe rejoined the meeting. Commissioner Vuksic advised the Commission his firm is an architect for this item. Commissioner Vuksic recused himself due to a conflict of interest. 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 152 acres. In July 2018, the Planning Commission approved Precise Plan 18-0002, including two hotels on parcel 5 of the Millennium Specific Plan. This item was reviewed and approved by the Architectural Review Commission in March 2019. Since then, the applicant has changed architects and the item is being resubmitted for approval of the revisions made to the originally approved plan. Mr. Swartz turned the presentation over to the project architect, ACE Designs, who provided a detailed presentation on the proposed revisions. Jaspal, of ACE Designs, advised the Commission the main reason for the revised proposal is to conform with the hotel brand’s new design released in October 2019. Mr. Jaspal provided a summary of the elevations and revisions made to the layout. Discussion on the item ensued with Commissioners providing design comments and concerns for the project. No formal action was taken on this item as it was brought forth solely for commissioner’s comments to the applicant. VI. COMMENTS Commissioner Vuksic rejoined the meeting. Mr. Swartz provided an update on Dining Decks. Mr. Swartz reported City Council requested staff work with restaurants to modify their dining decks to comply with the current safety and design guideline standards, with a deadline of October 31, 2021. Staff received approximately four applications, two of which were approved. With the deadline approaching and several restaurants still not in compliance, staff requested an extension which was approved by City Council, provided the restaurant is working in good faith with staff. Mr. Swartz stated it is anticipated most of the dining decks on El Paseo will be in compliance by the end of November. MINUTES ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION OCTOBER 26, 2021 Commissioner Vuksic provided an update on the Arts In Public Places Commission (AIPP) and advised the Commission the City has created a website, Engage Palm Desert, which allows the public to vote on the finalist for the San Pablo roundabout sculpture. Commissioner Mireles inquired about the status of the Portola / 1-10 interchange project noting this will be important considering all the newly proposed development around this area. In response to inquiry by Chair Van Vliet, Mr. Swartz stated staff is still working with Sinclair on their landscape plan. Vice Chair Lambell, expressed concern regarding reports that the Westfield Mall is closing. Principal Planner, Rosie Lua, advised the City is following the mall's progress closely and the Economic Development department is meeting with them weekly. Additionally, the City has consulted with local firms to keep the City informed on this matter. There are several owners for this property and some have contacted the City to inquire about potential uses for the future. Ms. Lua stated she would provide the Commission with an update on this item at a future meeting. VII. ADJOURNMENT With Architectural Review Commission concurrence, Chair Van Vliet adjourned the meeting at 2:26 p.m. Rosie Lua, Secretary / 1 fk L oK za j 1„�✓ Melinda Gonzalez, Recording Secret ry