HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-05-24 ARC Regular Meeting Minutes
CITY OF PALM DESERT
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION
MINUTES
TUESDAY, MAY 24, 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 12:35 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present Absent
Chris Van Vliet, Chair X
Karel Lambell, Vice Chair X
Nicholas Latkovic X
Michael McAuliffe X
Jim McIntosh X
John Vuksic X
Also Present:
Richard Cannone, Deputy Director of Development Services
Rosie Lua, Planning Manager
Jason Finley, Chief Building Officer
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 May 10, 2022.
Rec: Approve as presented.
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ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MAY 24, 2022
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Upon a motion by Commissioner Latkovic, seconded by Commissioner
Vuksic, and a 5-0-1 vote of the Architectural Review Commission, the minutes for
May 10, 2022, were approved as presented. (AYES: Lambell, Latkovic, McIntosh,
Vuksic, and Van Vliet; NOES: None; ABSTAIN: McAuliffe; ABSENT: None).
V. CASES
It should be noted associated staff reports, memos, attachments, and discussion on
the following item 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 NOS: PP/CUP 20-0003, DDA and TPM 38023
NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration for approval of
the final construction documents for the Chandi mixed-use project located at
73515 Fred Waring Drive.
APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: Chandi Group USA, Indio, CA 92203
LOCATION: 73515 Fred Waring Drive ZONE: DE
Associate Planner, Kevin Swartz, presented the item. The presentation was
turned over to the applicant, Chandi Group USA, their architect, Joe
Wicentowich, with Danielian and Associates, and Senior Project Manager,
Andy Alvillar, who presented the construction documents and answered
questions from the Commission.
Discussion on the item ensued with Commissioners providing comments and
concerns for the project. Planning Manager, Rosie Lua, invited comments from
the public, to which there were none.
Upon a motion by Commissioner Vuksic, seconded by Commissioner
McAuliffe, and a 6-0 vote of the Architectural Review Commission, Case Nos.
PP/CUP 20-0003, DDA and TPM 38023 was approved subject to the following:
1) Expand mechanical enclosures on roof to appropriately accommodate retail
and restaurant tenants; 2) All windows should be attached to 2x4 nailers to
allow an additional 2-inch recess; 3) Parapet returns should be a minimum of
6 feet past the face of the building; 4) Flashing detail for edges of balconies
should be refined to ensure they are clean/crisp detail, with a drip; and 5)
Mechanical equipment should be fully screened from all points of view, avoid
excessive height for screening. (AYES: Lambell, Latkovic, McAuliffe, McIntosh,
Van Vliet and Vuksic; NOES: None; ABSENT: None).
B. PRELIMINARY PLANS
None
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ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MAY 24, 2022
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C. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
None
VI. COMMENTS
Vice Chair Lambell inquired about the former pizza hut location. Associate Planner,
Nick Melloni, advised the Commission the applicant has not submitted building plans
as they are seeking tenants prior to proceeding with their submittal.
Commissioner Vuksic inquired as to how it can be assured projects are built as
approved. Chief Building Officer, Jason Finley, stated there have already been some
modifications made to the inspection process for commercial buildings to address this
concern.
Commissioner McIntosh inquired as to the lead department for the President’s Plaza
Parking Lot project. Planning Manager, Rosie Lua, advised the City’s Public Works
department is overseeing this project. Commissioner McIntosh further inquired about
the inspection process, to which Mr. Finley informed the project is being inspected by
a private third party contracted by the City, not through the Building and Safety
department. Commissioner McIntosh noted he observed half of the solar panels
installed are facing north, which is not an optimal position for solar. Ms. Lua advised
she would relay this observation to the project manager.
Upon inquiry by Commissioner Latkovic, Ms. Lua advised Architectural Review
Commission meetings will resume virtually going forward until staff has received
direction otherwise.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
With Architectural Review Commission concurrence, Chair Van Vliet adjourned the
meeting at 2:12 p.m.
Rosie Lua, Secretary
Melinda Gonzalez, Recording Secretary