HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-01-12 ARC Regular Meeting MinutesCITY OF PALM DESERT
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION
MINUTES
TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2021 – 12:30 P.M.
ZOOM VIRTUAL MEETING
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Chris Van Vliet called the meeting to order at 12:33 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Present: Absent:
Chair Chris Van Vliet Vice-Chair Karel Lambell
Commissioner Allan Levin
Commissioner Michael McAuliffe
Commissioner Jim McIntosh
Commissioner John Vuksic
Also Present:
Ryan Stendell, Director of Community Development
Russell Grance, Director of Building & Safety
Eric Ceja, Principal Planner
Kevin Swartz, Associate Planner
Nick Melloni, Assistant Planner
Monica O’Reilly, Management Specialist II
III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. MINUTES of the Regular Architectural Review Commission meeting of December 8,
2020.
Rec: Approve as presented.
Upon a motion by Commissioner Levin, seconded by Commissioner McAuliffe, and a
5-0 vote of the Architectural Review Commission, the minutes were approved with a
correction to the title of the minutes and striking “the conditions of approval” for the two
motions (AYES: Levin, McAuliffe, McIntosh, Van Vliet, and Vuksic; NOES: None; ABSENT:
Lambell).
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ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JANUARY 12, 2021
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V. CASES
A. FINAL DRAWINGS:
1. CASE NO: MISC 20-0019
NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration to approve a
request to convert the former EZ Lube building into a design showroom for H3K
Design.
APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: H3K Design, 501 South Palm Canyon Drive, Palm
Springs, CA 92264
LOCATION: 74180 Highway 111 ZONE: DO
Associate Planner Kevin Swartz presented the staff report and noted that this approval
is for the perimeter wall. The addition to the project would return to the Architectural
Review Commission for review and approval under a Precise Plan application.
Commissioner Vuksic moved to, by Minute Motion, approve the wall design around
the perimeter for Case No. MISC 20-0019. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Levin
and carried by a 5-0 vote (AYES: Levin, McAuliffe, McIntosh, Van Vliet, and Vuksic; NOES:
None; ABSENT: Lambell).
2. CASE NO: SARC 20-0006
NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration to approve a
request to modify a previously approved monument sign for Avenida located at
40445 Portola Avenue.
APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: PC/APDG Palm Desert, LLC, 130 Newport Center
Drive, Suite 220, Newport Beach, CA 92660
LOCATION: 40445 Portola Avenue ZONE: PR-5, SO
Assistant Planner Nick Melloni presented the staff report.
Commissioner McIntosh moved to, by Minute Motion, continue Case No. SARC 20-
0006, subject to the following: 1) Consider comments made by the Commission (Zoom
meeting recording is available at https://www.cityofpalmdesert.org/our-city/committees-and-
commissions/architectural-review-commission-information-center); 2) provide a perspective
drawing showing both sides of the monument sign to see how it wraps around the corner;
and 3) provide a solution for screening the utility of the raceway on the back wall. The motion
was seconded by Commissioner Vuksic and carried by a 5-0 vote (AYES: Levin, McAuliffe,
McIntosh, Van Vliet, and Vuksic; NOES: None; ABSENT: Lambell).
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ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION JANUARY 12, 2021
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3. CASE NO: SARC 20-0010
NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration to approve a
request to establish a sign program for the El Paseo Market Place.
APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: Commerce Realty, 149 Palos Verdes, Suite E,
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
LOCATION: 73540, 73560, & 73580 El Paseo ZONE: DO
Commissioner Michael McAuliffe recused himself from this item due to a conflict of
interest and left the meeting.
Mr. Melloni presented the staff report.
Commissioner Vuksic moved to, by Minute Motion, approve Case No. SARC 20-0010.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner McIntosh and carried by a 4-0 vote (AYES:
Levin, McIntosh, Van Vliet, and Vuksic; NOES: None; ABSENT: Lambell and McAuliffe).
B. PRELIMINARY PLANS:
None
C. MISCELLANEOUS:
None
VI. COMMENTS
Principal Planner Eric Ceja stated that staff consulted with the City Attorney regarding a
committee or commission member recusing himself or herself from an item due to a
conflict of interest. The City Attorney advised that the member should not participate and
leave the meeting. If a member is representing the applicant, another staff person from
his or her office could present the item.
The Commission asked what if they have no other employees.
Mr. Ceja responded that he would consult with the City Attorney.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
With the Architectural Review Commission concurrence, Chair Van Vliet adjourned the
meeting at 2:11 p.m.
ERIC CEJA, SECRETARY
MONICA O’REILLY, RECORDING SECRETARY