The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2022-03-22 ARC Regular Meeting MinutesCITY OF PALM DESERT ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 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 12:33 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Commissioners Current Meeting Year to Date Present Absent Present Absent Chris Van Vliet, Chair X 15 0 Karel Lambell, Vice Chair X 14 1 Nicholas Latkovic X 15 0 Michael McAuliffe X 15 0 Jim McIntosh X 15 0 Juan Mireles (Resigned) 8 1 John Vuksic X 14 1 Also Present: Martin Alvarez, Director of Development Services Rosie Lua, Planning Manager Kevin Swartz, Associate Planner Nick Melloni, Associate Planner Melinda Gonzalez, Recording Secretary III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Planning Manager, 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 February 22, 2022. Rec: Approve as presented. MINUTES ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MARCH 22, 2022 Upon a motion by Commissioner McAuliffe, seconded by Commissioner Vuksic, and a 5-0 vote of the Architectural Review Commission, the minutes for February 22, 2022, were approved as presented. (AYES: Latkovic, McAuliffe, McIntosh, Van Vliet and Vuksic; NOES: None; ABSENT: Lambell). 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:Hwww.cityofpal mdesert. ora/our-city/committees- and-commission s/architectural-review-commiss ion- information -center. A. FINAL DRAWINGS None B. PRELIMINARY PLANS 1. CASE NO: PP/CUP 22-0002 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration to approve a request for a recommendation to the Planning Commission for approval of a Precise Plan, Conditional Use Permit, and a Mitigated Negative Declaration to construct a 176-unit multi -family (affordable housing) residential community consisting of four (4) three-story apartment buildings, five (5) two-story apartment buildings, a single -story clubhouse, pool area, and private outdoor recreation areas on an 11-acre parcel located at the southeast corner of Gateway Drive and Dick Kelly Drive and west of Cortesia Way. APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: UHC 00357 Palm Desert, L.P. a California Limited Partnership, Santa Ana, CA 92705 LOCATION: APNs: 694-130-017 and 018 ZONE: PR-22 Commissioner McAuliffe advised the Commission his place of residence is adjacent to the proposed project. Commissioner McAuliffe recused himself from this item due to a conflict of interest. Associate Planner, Kevin Swartz, presented the item. The request is to develop a 176-unit multi -family affordable housing residential community. Mr. Swartz turned the presentation over to the applicant, Urban Housing Communities (UHC) and their architect team, KTGY Group Inc., who provided additional details on the proposed project architecture and answered questions from the Commission. Discussion on the item ensued with Commissioners providing comments and concerns for the project. Upon a motion by Commissioner Vuksic, seconded by Chair Van Vliet, and a 4-0 vote of the Architectural Review Commission, Case No. PP/CUP 22- 0002, was continued subject to the following: 1) Explore alternative options for placement of A/C ground units; 2) Revisit solar allocation on carports and confirm it meet solar requirements; 3) Consider staggering top cap from accent 2 MINUTES ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MARCH 22, 2022 board on stone detail located at the entrances; 4) Provide locations of B-vents and consider the use of chimney elements for screening grouped vents; 5) Street exposed windows should be further recessed; 6) Increase depth of base to provide an offset from top floor; 7) Consider the use of low walls in addition to landscape to screen ground mounted utility equipment and to assist with noise mitigation, with particular attention to street exposed equipment; and 8) Confirm number of trash enclosures is adequate for number of units and offset enclosures from the drive aisle. (AYES: Latkovic, McIntosh, Vuksic, and Van Vliet; NOES: None; ABSENT: Lambell, McAuliffe) C. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS 1. CASE NO: PP/CUP 22-0004 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Preliminary review and discussion to provide architectural comments on a proposed 150-unit affordable apartment community adjacent to Spanish Walk along Gerald Ford Drive and north of Frank Sinatra Drive. APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: Western National Group, 8 Executive Circle, Irvine, CA 92614 LOCATION: 75580 Gerald Ford Drive ZONE: PR-19 Commissioner McAuliffe rejoined the meeting. Associate Planner, Kevin Swartz, presented the item. The preliminary review and discussion is regarding a proposed 150-unit affordable apartment community. Mr. Swartz noted the applicant's project submittal was reviewed by Planning staff and determined to be incomplete at this time. Mr. Swartz turned the presentation over to the applicant, and their architect team, TCA Architects, who provided a more detailed presentation on the proposed project and answered questions from the Commission. Discussion on the item ensued with Commissioners providing comments and concerns for the project. Comments and concerns provided during the discussion include, but are not limited to: • Provide more recess for windows where available. • Revisit parapets to ensure all ends are concealed and/or returned inward enough to provide a three-dimensional appearance. • Material transitions should be in different planes. • Incorporate more architectural details from the recreation building into the residential buildings. • Include lighting details on perspectives. • Revisit proposed tree species between buildings to ensure their maximum growth potential does not exceed the proposed allocated space and encroach on the adjacent buildings. 3 MINUTES ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MARCH 22, 2022 • Further research options for noise mitigation with particular attention to the north side of the site. • Applicant should be mindful of flashing details to avoid contrast with clean forms of building. No formal action was taken on this item as it was brought forth solely for commissioner's comments to the applicant. VI. COMMENTS Commissioner Latkovic stated he has received inquiries regarding the property located on the corner of Portola and Frank Sinatra. Associate Planner, Kevin Swartz, advised this property belongs to the Successor Agency to the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency (SARDA). This property is overseen by city staff member, Eric Ceja, and is not for sale at this time. Planning Manager, Rosie Lua, stated staff can provide an update on this property at a future meeting. Commissioner Vuksic provided an update on the last Cultural Arts Committee meeting. A detailed presentation on the design concept for Lupine Plaza was shared by the contracted firm as well as the results of a public survey conducted for feedback on preferred designs. Ms. Lua shared the information on Lupine Plaza provided on the City's "Engage Palm Desert" website and reminded Commissioners this website is a great resource for updates on the City and ongoing projects and programs. Additionally, the committee has started selection of the new art pieces for El Paseo. Chair Van Vliet inquired about the timeline for returning to in person meetings. Ms. Lua advised staff has identified potential meeting locations and will advise Commissioners as soon as there is a change in format for meetings. Commissioner McIntosh prompted discussion on a new paint job located on the fagade for the Syndicate building on Highway 111. Staff advised this paint change did not come before the Commission. Currently, there is not an established process for approval of mural requests. However, staff is working internally to develop this process. Commissioner McAuliffe requested an update on the International Lodge renovations. Associate Planner, Nick Melloni, reported the contractor will be removing the vinyl and chain link fencing and replacing it with tubular fencing. They are also replacing the faded canvas awnings. Staff has also requested a landscaping plan. In response to inquiry by Commissioner McAuliffe, Mr. Melloni replied they are removing the plywood on the windows. In reply to inquiry by Commissioner McAuliffe, Mr. Melloni stated he would research the anticipated start date for the renovations and provide an update at a later meeting. The owners are still working with Code Enforcement to ensure the property remains in compliance. Ms. Lua advised the Commission there have been several recent changes within the Development Services Department and provided details on the organizational changes and noted there will be a new Deputy Director of Development Services. MINUTES ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MARCH 22, 2022 VII. ADJOURNMENT With Architectural Review Commission concurrence, Chair Van Wet adjourned the meeting at 2:42 p.m. Rosie Lua, Secretary Melinda Gonzalez, Recording s6retary