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Home My WebLink About2022-08-23 ARC Regular Meeting Minutes CITY OF PALM DESERT ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2022 – 12:30 P.M. ZOOM VIRTUAL MEETING CITY OF PALM DESERT, CA I. CALL TO ORDER Planning Manager, Rosie Lua called the meeting to order at 12:36 p.m. II. OATH OF OFFICE City Clerk, Anthony Mejia, swore in newly appointed commissioner, Dean Wallace Colvard. III. ROLL CALL Commissioners Present Absent Dean Wallace Colvard X Nicholas Latkovic (Left meeting at 1:59 p.m.) X Michael McAuliffe X Jim McIntosh X John Vuksic X Also Present: Chris Escobedo, Assistant City Manager/Director of Development Services Richard Cannone, Deputy Director of Development Services Anthony Mejia, City Clerk Rosie Lua, Planning Manager Nick Melloni, Senior Planner Kevin Swartz, Associate Planner Randy Chavez, Community Services Manager Shawn Muir, Management Analyst Melinda Gonzalez, Recording Secretary IV. APPOINTMENTS A. SELECTION of a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson. Planning Manager Lua advised selection of a Chair and Vice Chair would be through nomination by Commissioners. MINUTES ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 23, 2022 2 Commissioner McIntosh moved to appoint Commissioner Vuksic as ARC Chair. The motion was seconded by Commissioner McAuliffe and carried by a 5-0 vote. (AYES: Colvard, Latkovic, McAuliffe, McIntosh, and Vuksic; NOES: None; ABSENT: None; ABSTAIN: None). Commissioner Vuksic moved to appoint Commissioner McIntosh as ARC Vice Chair. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Latkovic and carried by a 5-0 vote. (AYES: Colvard, Latkovic, McAuliffe, McIntosh, and Vuksic; NOES: None; ABSENT: None; ABSTAIN: None). In response to inquiry, Planning Manager Lua requested permission from Chair Vuksic to address commissioner comments in the comments section of the agenda after the review of action items. Chair Vuksic allowed comments by the requesting commissioner to be heard at this time in the meeting. It was asserted that five commissioners on the Architectural Review Commission (ARC) was more appropriate than seven members. With consideration to the members who are volunteering their time and to applicants, five qualified members on the commission is more efficient. With seven members there is too much discussion, not all comments are constructive, and slows down the process. There should be a focused and structured approach to reviewing agenda items to allow for review process to be more expeditious. Additionally, it was observed that for many years the ARC operated with five members, when membership increased to seven members there was a noticeable change and the meetings slowed down. When there were five members attendance was good, meetings were efficient, and items moved along quickly. Reference was made to Planning Commission and City Council as examples to support the recommendation of five members for the ARC. It was noted that beyond five members, the comments have diminishing returns in value. Comments that need to be said are often accomplished in the first three to five reviews. Planning Manager Lua advised staff would relay comments and concerns stated by commissioners to the Committee/Commission Review Subcommittee. In response to inquiry, Planning Manger Lua stated City councilmembers wanted seven members on the commission to include a variety of representation consisting of the members of the public and appropriate professional expertise to allow for continued business even with recusals due to a conflict of interest of a commissioner(s). Planning Manager Lua advised there will be an appointment of a new ARC member going before the City Council at their next meeting on August 25, 2022, and commissioners can speak during the public comment period regarding their concerns. MINUTES ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 23, 2022 3 B. SELECTION of Commission liaison for the Cultural Arts Committee. Planning Manager Lua advised selection of a liaison for the Cultural Arts Committee (CAC) will be conducted annually and called for a nomination by Commissioners. Commissioner Colvard volunteered to be the commissions liaison for the CAC noting he is an artist and is well acquainted with the artist community. Chair Vuksic moved to appoint Commissioner Colvard as commission liaison for the Cultural Arts Committee. The motion was seconded by Commissioner McAuliffe and carried by a 5-0 vote. (AYES: Colvard, Latkovic, McAuliffe, McIntosh, and Vuksic; NOES: None; ABSENT: None; ABSTAIN: None). V. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Planning Manager 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. VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. MINUTES of the Architectural Review Commission meeting of June 28, 2022. Upon a motion by Chair Vuksic, seconded by Commissioner Latkovic, and a 4-0-1 vote of the Architectural Review Commission, the minutes for June 28, 2022, were approved as presented. (AYES: Latkovic, McAuliffe, McIntosh, and Vuksic; NOES: None; ABSENT: None; ABSTAIN: Colvard). VII. 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/commission-information. A. FINAL DRAWINGS 1. CASE NO: MISC22-0014 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration of a wall setback exception to the City of Palm Desert Fence and Wall Ordinance for a five-foot tall decorative block wall with breeze block accents at a setback of twelve feet from the face of curb. APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: Stacey Harding, Palm Desert, CA 92260 LOCATION: 45420 Abronia Trail ZONE: R-3 MINUTES ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 23, 2022 4 Associate Planner, Kevin Swartz, presented the item. Associate Planner Swartz advised the applicant has requested this item be continued to the next regularly scheduled Architectural Review Commission meeting. Associate Planner Swartz advised commissioners per Palm Desert Municipal Code (PDMC) wall and fence exceptions require notice be sent to adjacent property owners. Notice was sent as required by the PDMC, therefore, staff recommended the ARC allow for public comment on this item. The public was invited to provide comments on this item, to which there were none. Upon a motion by Commissioner McAuliffe, seconded by Chair Vuksic, and a 4-0-1 vote of the Architectural Review Commission, Case No. MISC22-0014 was continued to the September 13, 2022 meeting. (AYES: Latkovic, McAuliffe, McIntosh and Vuksic; NOES: None; ABSENT: None; ABSTAIN: Colvard). 2. CASE NO: MISC22-0013 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration of a recommendation to the Planning Commission for approval to construct Mechanics Bank, a new 3,830 square-foot commercial building located in the Jensen’s Shopping Center at 73611 Highway 111. APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: McAuliffe & Co. Architects, Palm Desert, CA 92260 LOCATION: 73611 Highway 111 ZONE: DO Commissioner McAuliffe advised the Commission his firm is representing the applicant. Commissioner McAuliffe recused himself from this item due to a conflict of interest. Planning Manager Lua advised that according to the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) rule of necessity, Commissioner McAuliffe will be required to participate as a voting member for this item. Staff consulted with the City attorney and Commissioner McAuliffe’s participation is legally required to establish the minimum members necessary to form a quorum for action on this item. Additionally, the item will be presented by another party. Senior Planner, Nick Melloni, presented the item, noting this item is a final approval by the ARC. The presentation was turned over to the applicant, and their team including Jennifer Guinn and Bill Lang who presented additional details on the project 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 Latkovic, seconded by Vice Chair McIntosh, and a 4-0-1 vote of the Architectural Review Commission, Case No. MISC22-0013 was approved subject to the following: 1) Add landscape in the area between the proposed block wall and public sidewalk on the north and MINUTES ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 23, 2022 5 east portions of the property; and 2) Applicant will return to the ARC for review of a more developed illustration of rake detail including how detail terminates into the surrounding element prior to building permit issuance and specific details for proposed wood fascia siding. (AYES: Colvard, Latkovic, McIntosh, and Vuksic; NOES: None; ABSENT: None; ABSTAIN: McAuliffe). 3. CASE NO: MISC22-0009 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration to approve a request for a new front entry façade modification and minor addition to the Palm Desert Community Center located within the Civic Center Park. APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: Desert Recreation District, Indio, CA 92201 LOCATION: 43900 San Pablo Avenue ZONE: P At this time in the meeting Commissioner Latkovic advised staff he was unable to rejoin the meeting due to internet connection issues and left the meeting at 1:59 p.m. Due to lack of a quorum this item has been deferred to a date uncertain. 4. CASE NO: PP21-0009 – Amendment #1 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration of an amendment to PP21-0009 revising the exterior architecture for the 330-unit multi- family residential community on a 15-acre parcel located at the northeast corner of Gerald Ford Drive and extension of Technology Drive. APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: Apogee Professional Services, Omaha, NE, 68144 LOCATION: NE Corner of Gerald Ford Drive and Technology Drive ZONE: Millennium Specific Plan Area 7, PR-22 Due to lack of a quorum this item has been deferred to a date uncertain. B. PRELIMINARY PLANS 1. CASE NOS: PP/CUP 22-0006 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration of a recommendation to the Planning Commission for approval of a Precise Plan and Conditional Use Permit to construct a 394-unit apartment community located on the southwest corner of Frank Sinatra Drive and Portola Avenue. APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: Hayes Dietrich, LLC, Edina, MN 55436 LOCATION: SW Corner of Frank Sinatra Drive and Portola Avenue MINUTES ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 23, 2022 6 ZONE: PR-22 Due to lack of a quorum this item has been deferred to a date uncertain. 2. CASE NO: PP22-0005 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration of a recommendation to the Planning Commission for approval of a Precise Plan for West Coast Storage Facility, a 53,378 square-foot personal storage facility located at the northwest corner of Dick Kelly Drive and Dinah Shore Drive. APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: Scott A. Mommer Consulting, Peoria AZ, 85383 LOCATION: NWC - Dick Kelly Drive and Dinah Shore Drive ZONE: SI Due to lack of a quorum this item has been deferred to a date uncertain. C. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS 1. DISCUSSION and feedback regarding proposed amendment to Ordinance No. 1374 § 1 and Ordinance 1258 § 1, revising Section 24.04.060 (Invasive Plant Species) of the Palm Desert Municipal Code relating to Prohibited Landscape Material for Development Design and Installation. Due to lack of a quorum this item has been deferred to a date uncertain. VIII. COMMENTS Planning Manager Lua introduced Assistant City Manager, Chris Escobedo, to the Commission. Comments from the commission included a request to hold a meeting between staff and commissioners to discuss how the ARC moves forward in an efficient manner by outlining the expectations and responsibilities of commissioners, establishing a structured approach for efficiency, objectively critiquing and analyzing a project, reinforcing criteria to applicants, and minimizing repetitive comments by commissioners. Planning Manager Lua stated staff could set up a study session to address commissioner’s request and comments. IX. ADJOURNMENT With Architectural Review Commission concurrence, Chair Vuksic adjourned the meeting at 2:41 p.m. Rosie Lua, Secretary Melinda Gonzalez, Recording Secretary