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Home My WebLink About2022-02-08 ARC Regular Meeting MinutesCITY OF PALM DESERT ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2022 — 12:30 P.M. ZOOM VIRTUAL MEETING CITY OF PALM DESERT, CA I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Van Vliet called the meeting to order at 12:34 p.m. Commissioners Current Meeting Year to Date Present Absent Present Absent Chris Van Vliet, Chair X 13 0 Karel Lambell, Vice Chair X 13 0 Nicholas Latkovic X 13 0 Michael McAuliffe X 13 0 Jim McIntosh X 13 0 Juan Mireles (Resigned) 8 1 John Vuksic X 12 1 Also Present: Rosie Lua, Principal Planner Kevin Swartz, Associate Planner Nick Melloni, Associate Planner Mitchell Wexler, Assistant Planner Melinda Gonzalez, Recording Secretary I I I �d t 1 sd•] a� f ,�, n1, f [�7tr r [•] >, 6? Principal Planner, Rosie Lua, read aloud oral communications advising the public of their opportunity to speak on items not on the agenda at this time in the meeting. No public comments were provided. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. MINUTES of the Architectural Review Commission meeting of January 25, 2022. Rec: Approve as presented. MINUTES ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION FEBRUARY 8, 2022 Upon a motion by Vice Chair Lambell, seconded by Commissioner Vuksic, and a 6-0 vote of the Architectural Review Commission, the minutes for January 25, 2022, were approved as presented. (AYES: Lambell, Latkovic, McAuliffe, McIntosh, 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.orct/our-city/committees- and-commissions/arch itectu ral-review-comm ission-i nformation-center. A. FINAL DRAWINGS 1. CASE NO: MISC 21-0032 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration to approve a request to modify the architecture for an approved 388-unit multi -family apartment community, PP/CUP 16-394, formerly known as "The Sands" apartments located on a vacant 18.13-acre parcel on the south side of Hovley Lane East. APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: Bravo Gardens Apartments LLC, Palm Desert, CA 92260 LOCATION: SE Corner of Hovley Lane East and Jasmine Court ZONE: PR-17.5 Associate Planner, Nick Melloni, presented the item. Mr. Melloni noted this item previously appeared before the Commission on December 14, 2021 and was continued with numerous comments from the Commission for the applicant to address. Mr. Melloni advised the applicant provided a letter with responses to each of the comments from the Commission which was included in their resubmittal. Mr. Melloni turned the presentation over to the applicant and their architect, Vince Chupka, who answered questions from the Commission and provided additional details on the proposed architectural modifications to the project's residential buildings and clubhouse. Discussion on the item ensued with Commissioners providing comments and concerns for the project. Principal Planner, Rosie Lua, invited comments from the public, to which there were none. Upon a motion by Commissioner Vuksic, seconded by Commissioner Latkovic, and a 5-1 vote of the Architectural Review Commission, Case No. MISC 21-0032, was approved subject to the following: 1) Revisit prominent architectural forms, massing and breaks in plane, with particular attention to details that cover multiple stories, proportion, depth, and size; 2) Revisit three- story arch design, consider the use of a base or other elements to provide more mass to the outer plane of the arch; 3) Revisit and increase depth of 6-inch wall 2 MINUTES ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION FEBRUARY 8, 2022 masses; 4) Explore alternative options for placement of mechanical equipment to avoid overcrowding and excessive noise; 5) All mechanical equipment should be properly screened with access for service, use of other methods of screening in addition to landscape is encouraged; 6) Applicant will work with Planning staff to develop a landscape maintenance agreement which will ensure the upkeep of landscape utilized for screening and as a buffer between the project and Via Venezia; and 7) Project will be reviewed by staff and return to the ARC should there be any items that cannot be resolved with Applicant. (AYES: Lambell, Latkovic, McAuliffe, Vuksic and Van Vliet; NOES: McIntosh; ABSENT: None) A. PRELIMINARY PLANS 1. CASE NO: PP 22-0001 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration of a recommendation to the Planning Commission for approval of a Precise Plan and Environmental Assessment to construct a new administrative facility building, storage building, parking lot expansion for The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens located at 47900 Portola Avenue. APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: PVG Architects, Palm Desert CA 92260 LOCATION: 47900 Portola Avenue ZONE: P Commissioner Vuksic advised the Commission his firm is representing the applicant. Commissioner Vuksic recused himself for this item due to a conflict of interest. Associate Planner, Nick Melloni, presented the item. Mr. Melloni mentioned this expansion project is in addition to the master plan for The Living Desert; a three phased project approved by the Planning Commission in 2015. Mr. Melloni turned the presentation over to the applicant and architect John Greenwood of PVG Architects, who answered questions from the Commission and provided additional details on the proposed project. In response to inquiry by Vice Chair Lambell, Mr. Greenwood explained there are a couple of places on the facilities building which provide an alternate option for materials. These alternates are included for approval to allow room for a budget friendly option should there be a need. He further added there is no change in the architecture, just the materials. Discussion on the item ensued with Commissioners providing comments and concerns for the project. Principal Planner, Rosie Lua, invited comments from the public, to which there were none. Upon a motion by Chair Van Vliet, seconded by Vice Chair Lambell, and a 5-0 vote of the Architectural Review Commission, Case No. PP 22-0001, was approved as presented. (AYES: Lambell, Latkovic, McAuliffe, McIntosh, and Van Vliet; NOES: None; ABSENT: Vuksic) 3 MINUTES ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION 2. CASE NO: PP 21-0005 FEBRUARY 8, 2022 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration of a recommendation to the Planning Commission for approval of a Precise Plan for a Hillside Development Plan to construct a 1,103-square-foot casita on a property located at 72240 Upper Way West. APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: Level 7 - Palm Desert, CA 92260 LOCATION: 72240 Upper Way West {•7:I=R:f0a Commissioner Vuksic rejoined the meeting. Associate Planner, Nick Melloni, presented the item. Mr. Melloni noted this item was reviewed by the ARC for discussion only in April 2021. Staff is recommending approval based on the findings and subject to the ARC's direction for staff to develop conditions of approval to ensure the re -naturalization and incorporation of grading practices that preserve a natural appearance to the hillside area prior to the project proceeding to Planning Commission. Mr. Melloni turned the presentation over to the applicant, Rodolfo Lizarde, and owner, Mike Reilly, who answered questions from the Commission and provided additional details on the proposed project. Discussion on the item ensued with Commissioners providing comments and concerns for the project. Principal Planner, Rosie Lua, invited comments from the public, to which there were none. Upon a motion by Vice Chair Lambell, seconded by Commissioner McAuliffe, and a 6-0 vote of the Architectural Review Commission, Case No. PP 21-0005, was approved subject to the following: 1) Explore other material options for stone veneer detail with consideration to angular cuts necessary for application of material, if stone veneer is not used a dark color should be used in this area to assist with breaking up fagade; 2) Consider increasing the massing of areas which the stone veneer is applied; 3) Street exposed windows should be recessed; 4) Fascia should be a metal material, avoid use of wood; 5) Incorporate different materials/color for cool roof instead of proposed white to minimize contrast to surrounding natural environment; and 6) Staff shall develop conditions of approval that assure all exterior building finishes, paving, ground covers, and re -naturalized slopes are appropriate to the hillside area prior to the project proceeding to Planning Commission. (AYES: Lambell, Latkovic, McAuliffe, McIntosh, Vuksic and Van Vliet; NOES: None; ABSENT: None) B. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS None VI. COMMENTS Principal Planner, Rosie Lua, provided an update for the Desert Surf project. At the meeting held January 27, 2022, the City Council approved the DSRT Surf project with no conditions and a Development Agreement. Currently, DSRT Surf is through their 4 MINUTES ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION FEBRUARY 8, 2022 first plan check and have recently submitted their building plans including the hotel, surf center, surf lagoon, and all off -site improvement. Anticipated completion for the project is 2024. Associate Planner, Kevin Swartz, provided an update on Avenida, Palm Desert. Last week staff and Commissioner McAuliffe met with the project architect who put together 3-D modeling and will formally submit renderings to staff soon. Once provided, staff will review and circulate to the subcommittee members, Commissioners' McAuliffe and Vuksic, for review as well. Staff feels they are close to an approvable submittal. Ms. Lua moved onto the next item, an update on the Cultural Arts Committee. Commissioner Vuksic reported the next regularly scheduled Cultural Arts Committee meeting is February 9, 2022. Ms. Lua informed the Cultural Arts Committee recently held a special meeting to provide guidance on how to move forward with art pieces, including the rules and regulations, selection and/or voting process. Ms. Lua provided an update on Lincoln elementary school's exterior paint color. The school has plans to repaint the wall a lighter gray color soon, however, currently it remains a dark color. Ms. Lua introduced the next topic, the home addition being constructed on El Cortez. Staff recalled this item was reviewed as a discussion item by the ARC a while back. At that time, the area had just been changed to an R2 zone, previously R1 zone, which changed the development standards. With new development standards for this area, staff brought the project to the Commission for a courtesy review and feedback. The project did not return to the ARC for review because it met the development standards as a permitted use, allowing approval at staff level. Commissioner McIntosh asserted his discontentment for the approval of construction for this project which the Commission had expressed numerous concerns for when providing feedback. Commissioner McIntosh inquired as to whether the City will reevaluate the situation. Ms. Lua advised she has been tasked to study and reevaluate the R2 zone. In reply to inquiry by Chair Van Vliet, to make changes staff would need to recommend a zoning change to the Planning Commission and then City Council for approval. Staff would need to complete a study to determine what would be presented to the Planning Commission and City Council for consideration to address concerns for the entire R2 zone. VII. ADJOURNMENT With Architectural Review Commission concurrence Chair Van Vliet adjourned the meeting at 3:16 p.m. r Rosie Lua, Secretary � i .W .J &'I' l404� a _f: Y Melinda Gonzalez, Recording Sec ry