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Home My WebLink About2020-08-25 ARC Regular Meeting MinutesCITY OF PALM DESERT ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES AUGUST 25, 2020 (VIRTUAL ZOOM MEETING) CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 12:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Commissioners Chris Van Vliet, Chair Karel Lambell, Vice Chair Allan Levin Michael McAuliffe Jim McIntosh Jim Schmid John Vuksic Current Meeting Present Absent X X X X X X X Also Present Ryan Stendell, Director Community Development Eric Ceja, Principal Planner Kevin Swartz, Associate Planner Nick Melloni, Assistant Planner Russel Grance, Director Building & Safety Janine Judy, Recording Secretary Cancelled meeting: 12/24119. 3/10/20, 3/24/20, 4/14/20, 8111/20 C•T.'TT�•Z• ii1TITi17I�IL«7��L•1►1±� None IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: July 28, 2020 Year to Date Present Absent 10 2 11 1 12 11 1 11 1 11 1 11 1 Action: Commission Levin moved to approve the July 28, 2020 meeting minutes. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Lambell and carried by a 7-0 vote, with Lambell, Levin, McAuliffe, McIntosh Schmid, Van Vliet, and Vuksic voting YES. ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION - Virtual MINUTES August 25, 2020 V. CASES: A. Final Drawings: 1. CASE NO: SARC 20-0006 APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: PC/APDG PALM DESERT, LLC 130 Newport Center Drive, Suite 220, Newport Beach, CA 92660 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT_: Consideration to approve a request for a 6' monument sign; Avenida. LOCATION: 40-445 Portola Avenue ZONE: PR-5, S.O. Mr. Nick Melloni, Assistant Planner, presented a request to construct a new monument sign for the Avenida active senior community. The sign will be located at the southwest corner of Via Tuscany and Portola Avenue, near the main entrance of the community. It is designed in a contemporary style incorporating the same finishes and materials used on the apartment buildings with stacked stone on a full block veneer and extensive plantings of desert native shrubs around the base. The sign will stand at a height of 5' with a decorative end pillar extending up to a height of 6'. The Commission thought this sign was well thought out with good proportions and materials, as well as the lighting and style of lettering. They recommended approval. ACTION: Commissioner McIntosh moved to approve as presented. Motion was seconded by Commissioner McAuliffe and carried by a 7-0 vote, with Lambell, Levin, McAuliffe, McIntosh, Schmid, Van Wet, and Vuksic voting YES. 2. CASE NO: MISC 18-0018 APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: AN OH, 73-444 Ironwood Street, Palm Desert, CA 92260 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration to approve a request for a material and height exception for two existing wooden 5'- 10" gates, setback 14'-6" from the face of curb. LOCATION: 73-444 Ironwood Street ZONE: R-1, 20,000 GAPIenningWsnine Judy1ARC\20201Minuisa%200825min.dwx Page 2 of 6 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION - Virtual MINUTES August 25, 2020 V. CASES: A. Final Drawings: 1. CASE NO: SARC 20-0006 APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: PC/APDG PALM DESERT, LLC 130 Newport Center Drive, Suite 220, Newport Beach, CA 92660 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration to approve a request for a 6' monument sign; Avenida. LOCATION: 40-445 Portola Avenue ZONE: PR-5, S.O. Mr. Nick Melloni, Assistant Planner, presented a request to construct a new monument sign for the Avenida active senior community. The sign will be located at the southwest corner of Via Tuscany and Portola Avenue, near the main entrance of the community. It is designed in a contemporary style incorporating the same finishes and materials used on the apartment buildings with stacked stone on a full block veneer and extensive plantings of desert native shrubs around the base. The sign will stand at a height of 5' with a decorative end pillar extending up to a height of 6'. The Commission thought this sign was well thought out with good proportions and materials, as well as the lighting and style of lettering. They recommended approval. ACTION: Commissioner McIntosh moved to approve as presented. Motion was seconded by Commissioner McAuliffe and carried by a 7-0 vote, with Lambell, Levin, McAuliffe, McIntosh, Schmid, Van Vliet, and Vuksic voting YES. 2. CASE NO: MISC 18-0018 APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: AN OH, 73-444 Ironwood Street, Palm Desert, CA 92260 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration to approve a request for a material and height exception for two existing wooden 5'- 10" gates, setback 14'-6" from the face of curb. LOCATION: 73-444 Ironwood Street ZONE: R-1, 20,000 GAPIanninglJonine JudyNARCU020XMinules\200825min.doex Page 2 of 6 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION - Virtual MINUTES August 25, 2020 Mr. Nick Melloni, Assistant Planner, reminded the Architectural Review Commission (ARC) that this item came before them twice before on October 23, 2018 and July 28, 2020, as a response to a code compliance case. The applicant is requesting a material and height exception for two (2) existing gates 5'-10" tall setback approximately 14'-6" from the face of curb and constructed from tubular steel and finished with stained wood. As recommended by the ARC at the previous meeting, the applicant has made some changes to their property to increase the compatibility of the fence and the home. They have changed the roofing material which has a more contemporary type of finish, repainted the home, and changed out the entry door. Staff is recommending approval of the proposed fence and granting the exception as proposed. The Commission's primary concern is that over time with the heat and the intense sunlight the finish would fade over time. They suggested that staff draft a long-term maintenance agreement to include refinishing the fence every year, that the approval will run with the property, and this condition of approval will be enforced as long as the fence remains. ACTION: Commissioner Vuksic moved to continue Case No. MISC 18-0018 subject to: staff drafting a long-term maintenance agreement. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Lambell and carried by a 7-0 vote, with Lambell, Levin, McAuliffe, McIntosh, Schmid, Van Vliet, and Vuksic voting YES. B. Preliminary Plans: Commissioner Vuksic recused himself from this project and left the zoom meeting. 1. CASE NO: CUP 20-0007 APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: SMARTLINK, 2033 San Elija Avenue #600, Cardiff, CA 92007 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration to approve a design review to construct a new 65' wireless telecommunication facility designed as a palm tree. LOCATION: 73-750 Dinah Shore Drive ►k91 L�1l Mr. Nick Melloni, Assistant Planner presented a request from AT&T Smartlink to construct a 65' tall wireless telecommunications tower (WTF) camouflaged as a palm tree within an existing personal storage complex. The tower will feature twelve (12) panel antennas, and thirty-six (36) remote radio units mounted at a height of 56' and screened by faux palm fronds, and two (2) circular microwave antennas mounted below the main arrays and fronds. The proposed WTF conforms with height and setback requirements but will require an exception for separation distance from an G.Vionninquanine JudylARM20201Minulaa1200825min.docx Page 3 of 6 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION - Virtual MINUTES August 25, 2020 existing 65' WTF located within a landscape planter at the eastern edge of the property, currently owned by Verizon Wireless, approximately 332' to the south-east. The applicant has chosen a portion of the site that constrains the potential for live palm plantings as required by the code. Before the ARC considers granting an exception for this, staff recommends the Commission provide to the applicant a list of specific design comments regarding the tower placement and screening to conform with all city code requirements. Staff recommended a continuance. The Commission reviewed and discussed the area where the cell tower will be located on the eastern most edge of the property. They had concerns with the general design, as well as the lack of available space for a cluster of live palm trees because of encroachment issues into the drive aisle. The Commission discussed the poor condition of the existing cell tower and Mr. Eric Ceja, Principal Planner, stated that staff will review American Tower's Conditional Use Permit regarding their maintenance agreement and follow-up. The Commission suggested that to avoid future maintenance issues with the proposed tower they asked staff to draft a long-term maintenance agreement to be enforced through the conditions of approval. ACTION: Commissioner Lambell moved to continue Case CUP 20-0007 subject to: 1) drafting a long-term landscape maintenance agreement; 2) re -designing the tower to better screen all antennas; 3) verify drive aisle clearance with Fire Marshall; and 4) re -design the tower to incorporate a cluster live palms around the tower. Motion was seconded by Chair Van Vliet and carried by a 6-0-1 vote, with Lambell, Levin, McAuliffe, McIntosh, Schmid, and Van Wet voting YES and Vuksic abstaining. Commissioner Levin recused himself from this project and left the zoom meeting. 2. CASE NO: PP 19-0006 APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: KOLA OLATUNBOSUN, 73-360 Catalina Way, Palm Desert, CA 92260 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration to approve a design for a new single -story residential duplex. LOCATION: 73-721 San Nicholas Way ZONE: R-2 Mr. Nick Melloni, Assistant Planner, reminded the Commission that this case appeared before them on October 22, 2019 and May 26, 2020. The applicant is proposing to construct a 3,452-square-foot single -story residential duplex. The architecture is characterized by a complex roof structure at a maximum height of 19'-11" and exterior materials consisting G.TianningUenineJudylARM020VHinutes%200825min.docx Page 4 of 6 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION - Virtual MINUTES August 25, 2020 V. CASES: A. Final Drawings: 1. CASE NO: SARC 20-0006 APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: PC/APDG PALM DESERT, LLC 130 Newport Center Drive, Suite 220, Newport Beach, CA 92660 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration to approve a request for a 6' monument sign; Avenida. LOCATION: 40-445 Portola Avenue ZONE: PR-5, S.O. Mr. Nick Melloni, Assistant Planner, presented a request to construct a new monument sign for the Avenida active senior community. The sign will be located at the southwest corner of Via Tuscany and Portola Avenue, near the main entrance of the community. It is designed in a contemporary style incorporating the same finishes and materials used on the apartment buildings with stacked stone on a full block veneer and extensive plantings of desert native shrubs around the base. The sign will stand at a height of 5' with a decorative end pillar extending up to a height of 6'. The Commission thought this sign was well thought out with good proportions and materials, as well as the lighting and style of lettering. They recommended approval. ACTION: Commissioner McIntosh moved to approve as presented. Motion was seconded by Commissioner McAuliffe and carried by a 7-0 vote, with Lambeil, Levin, McAuliffe, McIntosh, Schmid, Van Wet, and Vuksic voting YES. 2. CASE NO: MISC 18-0018 APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: AN OH, 73-444 Ironwood Street, Palm Desert, CA 92260 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration to approve a request for a material and height exception for two existing wooden 5'- 10" gates, setback 14'-6" from the face of curb. LOCATION: 73-444 Ironwood Street ZONE: R-1, 20,000 GAPIanningWanine dudlAARC120201Minutesl200825min.docx Page 2 of 6 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION - Virtual MINUTES August 25, 2020 Mr. Nick Melloni, Assistant Planner, reminded the Architectural Review Commission (ARC) that this item came before them twice before on October 23, 2018 and July 28, 2020, as a response to a code compliance case. The applicant is requesting a material and height exception for two (2) existing gates T-10" tall setback approximately 14'-6" from the face of curb and constructed from tubular steel and finished with stained wood. As recommended by the ARC at the previous meeting, the applicant has made some changes to their property to increase the compatibility of the fence and the home. They have changed the roofing material which has a more contemporary type of finish, repainted the home, and changed out the entry door. Staff is recommending approval of the proposed fence and granting the exception as proposed. The Commission's primary concern is that over time with the heat and the intense sunlight the finish would fade over time. They suggested that staff draft a long-term maintenance agreement to include refinishing the fence every year, that the approval will run with the property, and this condition of approval will be enforced as long as the fence remains. ACTION: Commissioner Vuksic moved to continue Case No. MISC 18-0018 subject to: staff drafting a long-term maintenance agreement. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Lambell and carried by a 7-0 vote, with Lambell, Levin, McAuliffe, McIntosh, Schmid, Van Wet, and Vuksic voting YES. B. Preliminary Plans: Commissioner Vuksic recused himself from this project and left the zoom meeting. 1. CASE NO: CUP 20-0007 APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: SMARTLINK, 2033 San Elija Avenue #600, Cardiff, CA 92007 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration to approve a design review to construct a new 65' wireless telecommunication facility designed as a palm tree. LOCATION: 73-750 Dinah Shore Drive ZONE: S.I. Mr. Nick Melloni, Assistant Planner presented a request from AT&T Smartlink to construct a 65' tall wireless telecommunications tower (WTF) camouflaged as a palm tree within an existing personal storage complex. The tower will feature twelve (12) panel antennas, and thirty-six (36) remote radio units mounted at a height of 56' and screened by faux palm fronds, and two (2) circular microwave antennas mounted below the main arrays and fronds. The proposed WTF conforms with height and setback requirements but will require an exception for separation distance from an G01anningWamne Judy%ARM0205Minutes120082$min,docx Page 3 of 6 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION - Virtual MINUTES August 25, 2020 Mr. Nick Melloni, Assistant Planner, reminded the Architectural Review Commission (ARC) that this item came before them twice before on October 23, 2018 and July 28, 2020, as a response to a code compliance case. The applicant is requesting a material and height exception for two (2) existing gates 5'-10" tall setback approximately 14'-6" from the face of curb and constructed from tubular steel and finished with stained wood. As recommended by the ARC at the previous meeting, the applicant has made some changes to their property to increase the compatibility of the fence and the home. They have changed the roofing material which has a more contemporary type of finish, repainted the home, and changed out the entry door. Staff is recommending approval of the proposed fence and granting the exception as proposed. The Commission's primary concern is that over time with the heat and the intense sunlight the finish would fade over time. They suggested that staff draft a long-term maintenance agreement to include refinishing the fence every year, that the approval will run with the property, and this condition of approval will be enforced as long as the fence remains. ACTION: Commissioner Vuksic moved to continue Case No. MISC 18-0018 subject to: staff drafting a long-term maintenance agreement. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Lambell and carried by a 7-0 vote, with Lambell, Levin, McAuliffe, McIntosh, Schmid, Van Wet, and Vuksic voting YES. B. Preliminary Plans: Commissioner Vuksic recused himself from this project and left the zoom meeting. 1. CASE NO: CUP 20-0007 APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: SMARTLINK, 2033 San Elija Avenue #600, Cardiff, CA 92007 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Considerations to approve a design review to construct a new 65' wireless telecommunication facility designed as a palm tree. LOCATION: 73-750 Dinah Shore Drive FIC07Z141&1111 Mr. Nick Melloni, Assistant Planner presented a request from AT&T Smartlink to construct a 65' tall wireless telecommunications tower (WTF) camouflaged as a palm tree within an existing personal storage complex. The tower will feature twelve (12) panel antennas, and thirty-six (36) remote radio units mounted at a height of 56' and screened by faux palm fronds, and two (2) circular microwave antennas mounted below the main arrays and fronds. The proposed WTF conforms with height and setback requirements but will require an exception for separation distance from an GAPIanningWanine Judy1ARM02DWinutes120002$min.dvcx Page 3 of 6 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION - Virtual MINUTES August 25, 2020 existing 65' WTF located within a landscape planter at the eastern edge of the property, currently owned by Verizon Wireless, approximately 332' to the south-east. The applicant has chosen a portion of the site that constrains the potential for live palm plantings as required by the code. Before the ARC considers granting an exception for this, staff recommends the Commission provide to the applicant a list of specific design comments regarding the tower placement and screening to conform with all city code requirements. Staff recommended a continuance. The Commission reviewed and discussed the area where the cell tower will be located on the eastern most edge of the property. They had concerns with the general design, as well as the lack of available space for a cluster of live palm trees because of encroachment issues into the drive aisle. The Commission discussed the poor condition of the existing cell tower and Mr. Eric Ceja, Principal Planner, stated that staff will review American Tower's Conditional Use Permit regarding their maintenance agreement and follow-up. The Commission suggested that to avoid future maintenance issues with the proposed tower they asked staff to draft a long-term maintenance agreement to be enforced through the conditions of approval. ACTION: Commissioner Lambell moved to continue Case CUP 20-0007 subject to: 1) drafting a long-term landscape maintenance agreement; 2) re -designing the tower to better screen all antennas; 3) verify drive aisle clearance with Fire Marshall; and 4) re -design the tower to incorporate a cluster live palms around the tower. Motion was seconded by Chair Van Vliet and carried by a 6-0-1 vote, with Lambell, Levin, McAuliffe, McIntosh, Schmid, and Van Vliet voting YES and Vuksic abstaining. Commissioner Levin recused himself from this project and left the zoom meeting. 2. CASE NO: PP 19-0006 APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: KOLA OLATUNBOSUN, 73-360 Catalina Way, Palm Desert, CA 92260 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration to approve a design for a new single -story residential duplex. LOCATION: 73-721 San Nicholas Way ZONE: R-2 Mr. Nick Melloni, Assistant Planner, reminded the Commission that this case appeared before them on October 22, 2019 and May 26, 2020. The applicant is proposing to construct a 3,452-square-foot single -story residential duplex. The architecture is characterized by a complex roof structure at a maximum height of 19'-11" and exterior materials consisting GAPIanningWanine JudykARC%20204Minutes=OB25min.doex Page 4 of 6 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION - Virtual MINUTES August 25, 2020 existing 65' WTF located within a landscape planter at the eastern edge of the property, currently owned by Verizon Wireless, approximately 332' to the south-east. The applicant has chosen a portion of the site that constrains the potential for live palm plantings as required by the code. Before the ARC considers granting an exception for this, staff recommends the Commission provide to the applicant a list of specific design comments regarding the tower placement and screening to conform with all city code requirements. Staff recommended a continuance. The Commission reviewed and discussed the area where the cell tower will be located on the eastern most edge of the property. They had concerns with the general design, as well as the lack of available space for a cluster of live palm trees because of encroachment issues into the drive aisle. The Commission discussed the poor condition of the existing cell tower and Mr. Eric Ceja, Principal Planner, stated that staff will review American Tower's Conditional Use Permit regarding their maintenance agreement and follow-up. The Commission suggested that to avoid future maintenance issues with the proposed tower they asked staff to draft a long-term maintenance agreement to be enforced through the conditions of approval. ACTION: Commissioner Lambell moved to continue Case CUP 20-0007 subject to: 1) drafting a long-term landscape maintenance agreement; 2) re -designing the tower to better screen all antennas; 3) verify drive aisle clearance with Fire Marshall; and 4) re -design the tower to incorporate a cluster live palms around the tower. Motion was seconded by Chair Van Vliet and carried by a 6-0-1 vote, with Lambell, Levin, McAuliffe, McIntosh, Schmid, and Van Vliet voting YES and Vuksic abstaining. Commissioner Levin recused himself from this project and left the zoom meeting. 2. CASE NO: PP 19-0006 APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: KOLA OLATUNBOSUN, 73-360 Catalina Way, Palm Desert, CA 92260 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration to approve a design for a new single -story residential duplex. LOCATION: 73-721 San Nicholas Way ZONE: R-2 Mr. Nick Melloni, Assistant Planner, reminded the Commission that this case appeared before them on October 22, 2019 and May 26, 2020. The applicant is proposing to construct a 3,452-square400t single -story residential duplex. The architecture is characterized by a complex roof structure at a maximum height of 19'-11" and exterior materials consisting GAPlanningWanine Judy%ARCk202OVAinutes%200112Smin.docx Page 4 of 6 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION - Virtual MINUTES August 25, 2020 of stucco siding and asphalt roof shingles. The front yard features landscaping and two (2) side -entry carport structures setback 16' from the curb face; the reduced setback for the carport structure will require a setback reduction granted by the Architectural Review Commission (ARC) based on design merit. At the May 26, 2020 meeting, the ARC raised design comments on the roof form, as well as compatibility of the contemporary style carport with the traditional character of the main home. Since that meeting, the applicant has re -designed the roof by removing the large central gable that ran the length of the roof line. The new design features a complex roof shape consisting of multiple adjoining roof shapes. Minor changes to the front facade include an addition of a new window trim and relocation of the main entry to each unit to make it more compatible with the architecture of the primary home. The Commission reviewed and discussed the design changes to the roof. They were concerned with the design for the reason that along with the carport it looks like three separate projects. The larger roof in the back works but the transition between the front three roof elements to the rear is a bit abrupt and said this could be easily softened without redoing or restructuring to visually quiet down what is going on there. The Commission and the applicant discussed techniques to make this project appear as one single project. The Commission discussed the carport design and recommended that the applicant take a drive through the Palm Desert Country Club neighborhood to check out a variety of carport examples and how they are a direct extension of the homes themselves. The issue is not so much about the 16' setback as it is about the quality of what they're putting out in front to make that 16' setback defensible. The Commission explained that it's really about unifying the overall project. They believe that the applicant can unify this so that at the end of the day, they are ending up with the best project they can possibly have. ACTION: Commissioner Lambell moved to continue Case PP 19-0006 subject to: 1) submit a complete site plan that adequately shows all site details, including the location of trash bin storage areas, utilities and meter locations; 2) design the transition between the front and rear portions of the roof to better unify the two forms; 3) redesign the carport to appear more unified with the architectural character of the primary structure; and 4) unify all elements of the exterior elevations. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Schmid and carried by a 6-0-1 vote, with Lambell, McAuliffe, McIntosh, Schmid, Van Vliet, and Vuksic voting YES and Levin abstaining. GAPIanningWenine JudylAAC%2620%Minulesl20OB25min.dacx Page 5 of 6 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION - Virtual MINUTES C. Miscellaneous Items: None VI. COMMENTS August 25, 2020 Commission and staff discussed pool safety and a future study sessiom`workshop to focus on the expectations for downtown inf ill developments. VII. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Levin moved to adjourn the Architectural 2:00 p.m. ERIC CEJA PRINCIPAL NNER SECRETARY V,� (-L -�;� - JMI UDYRING SECRETARY Review Commission meeting at GAPIanningUanine JudylARG1202OWinutes120082$min.docx Page 6 of 6