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Home My WebLink About2021-11-09 ARC Regular Meeting Minutes CITY OF PALM DESERT ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 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 9 0 Karel Lambell, Vice Chair X 9 0 Nicholas Latkovic X 9 0 Michael McAuliffe X 9 0 Jim McIntosh X 9 0 Juan Mireles X 8 1 John Vuksic joined the meeting at 12:32pm X 8 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, invited comments from attendees on items not on the Agenda, to which there were none. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. MINUTES of the Architectural Review Commission meeting of October 26, 2021. Rec: Approve as presented. Upon a motion by Commissioner Latkovic, seconded by Commissioner McAuliffe, and a 6-0 vote of the Architectural Review Commission, the minutes for MINUTES ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION NOVEMBER 9, 2021 2 October 26, 2021, were approved as presented. (AYES: Lambell, Latkovic, McAuliffe, McIntosh, Van Vliet and Vuksic; NOES: None; ABSENT: Mireles). 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. Mr. Melloni advised this is the second time this item is being reviewed by the Architectural Review Commission (ARC). The request is for a façade modification which consists of the application of paint to the building, requiring approval of the Architectural Review Commission. The item was continued at the last meeting to allow the applicant to consider comments from Commissioners. 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. Mr. Melloni stated the advisory committee, along with staff, met with the applicant which resulted in four modified options for the Commission to consider. 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. Upon a motion by Commissioner McIntosh, seconded by Commissioner Latkovic, and a 5-1 vote of the Architectural Review Commission, Case No. MISC 21-0029, Option One, was approved subject to the following: 1) Quality of artwork shall be executed at a quality which is equal to or exceeds the elevation which was presented and approved; and 2) Applicant shall provide regular maintenance to preserve the quality of the artwork as was approved. (AYES: Lambell, Latkovic, McAuliffe, McIntosh, and Van Vliet; NOES: Vuksic; ABSENT: Mireles). MINUTES ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION NOVEMBER 9, 2021 3 2. CASE NO: MISC 21-0017 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration to approve a request for a wall exception (height and setback) for a 5-foot-high masonry block wall located within 8 feet of the curb face in the front yard of an existing single-family residence. APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: Karen Gottwald, Palm Desert, CA 92260 LOCATION: 45820 Mountain View Avenue ZONE: R-1 Associate Planner, Nick Melloni, presented the item. Mr. Melloni noted this item has been reviewed by the Commission previously at the ARC meeting held on July 13, 2021. The item was continued to allow the applicant to consider comments from the Commission. Discussion on the item ensued with Commissioners providing comments and concerns for the project. Upon a motion by Vice Chair Lambell, seconded by Commissioner Latkovic, and a 6-0 vote of the Architectural Review Commission, Case No. MISC 21-0017, was continued subject to the following: 1) Provide elevations which illustrate a front view perspective; 2) Provide plans which reflect pool placement, drainage, and all dimensions; 3) Consider increasing the height of the wall located along the southern side yard property line to match the height of the proposed front yard wall; and 4) Explore other options for front gate and wall which allow for better integration with the neighboring walls. (AYES: Lambell, Latkovic, McAuliffe, McIntosh, Vuksic and Van Vliet; NOES: None; ABSENT: Mireles). 3. CASE NO: MISC 21-0030 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration for a request to approve a wall height and material exception to add a metal screen to the top of an existing block wall located in the side yard of a single-family residence located at 43550 Vanda Circle. APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: Carmen Becerra, Palm Desert CA 92260 LOCATION: 43550 Vanda Circle ZONE: R-1, 9,000 Associate Planner, Nick Melloni, presented the item. The request is for a height and material exception for a decorative metal screen already installed on the property’s existing interior southern wall. Mr. Melloni advised as required, a notice was sent to all property owners within a 300-foot radius and staff received several comments in support of this exception and one comment in opposition, all of which were provided as public record. Mr. Melloni turned the presentation over to the applicant who provided additional information regarding the request. MINUTES ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION NOVEMBER 9, 2021 4 Discussion on the item ensued with Commissioners providing comments and concerns for the project. During the meeting public comment was provided by Richard Odekirk, Alfonso Becerra, and Nerces Zeitounian, in support of this request. Public comment was provided by Jim Mesarch in opposition to this request. Additionally, seven comments were received prior to the meeting, five comments received from different members of the public in favor of the request and two comments provided by the same resident, in opposition to the request. Upon a motion by Chair Van Vliet, seconded by Vice Chair Lambell, and a 6-0 vote of the Architectural Review Commission, Case No. MISC 21-0030, was denied. (AYES: Lambell, Latkovic, McAuliffe, McIntosh, Vuksic and Van Vliet; NOES: None; ABSENT: Mireles). B. PRELIMINARY PLANS None C. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS 1. CASE NO: PA 21-0001 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: A preliminary discussion regarding a request to construct a 241-unit apartment community at the northwest corner of Gerald Ford Drive and Technology Drive. APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: Palm Communities, Irvine CA 92618 LOCATION: Parcel 8 of PM 36792 ZONE: PR-22 Associate Planner, Nick Melloni, presented the item. This item is a pre- application request from Palm Communities, who are currently engaged in an exclusive negotiation agreement with the City for a 10-arce parcel, designated as Parcel 8, within the Millennium Specific Plan. The applicant is proposing an affordable housing development including 241-units which will be built out in two phases. Mr. Melloni turned the presentation over to the applicant who provided a more detailed presentation on the proposed project. Discussion on the item ensued with Commissioners providing comments and concerns for the project. Due to conflicting obligations, Commissioner Vuksic left the meeting at 3:12 p.m. and Commissioner McIntosh left the meeting at 3:30 p.m. Comments and concerns provided during the discussion include, but are not limited to: • Explore other options for placement of the HVAC units, placement of these units on the patio as presented is discouraged. • Provide screening for all HVAC units and similar utilities. MINUTES ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION NOVEMBER 9, 2021 5 • Provide full details, including dimensions, on the proposed HVAC units. • Revisit proportion of arches on buildings, consider increasing mass between the two-story rounded arch and smaller rounded arches. • Provide plans which show potential locations for roof top solar panels, including access points to the panels for maintenance. • Provide plans/renderings for carports, including solar proposed on carports. • Consider the addition of a swimming pool as an all-age friendly amenity. • Consider introducing alternate colors to assist with breaking up the scale and mass of the buildings and to help accent interplay between the stories. • Should the units require individual gas meters, integrate the placement of these meters into the architecture. • Consider adding additional articulation to the maintenance and laundry room buildings to add interest. • Concern regarding the size of the units was asserted. • Consider using larger, more mature plants which can withstand the higher winds experienced in the area. Principal Planner, Rosie Lua, noted staff has also requested a street perspective, as well as proposed placement of down spouts or gutters. No formal action was taken on this item as it was brought forth solely for commissioner’s comments to the applicant. VI. COMMENTS Due to the extended length of the meeting, and with Commission concurrence, items listed under Comments on the agenda were deferred to the next ARC meeting scheduled for November 23, 2021. VII. ADJOURNMENT With Architectural Review Commission concurrence, Chair Van Vliet adjourned the meeting at 4:00 p.m. Rosie Lua, Secretary Melinda Gonzalez, Recording Secretary