HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-10-25 ARC Regular Meeting Minutes
City of Palm Desert Page 1
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION
CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA
MINUTES
(HYBRID MEETING)
Pursuant to Assembly Bill 361, this meeting may be conducted by teleconference and there
will be no in-person public access to the meeting location.
1. CALL TO ORDER
A Regular Meeting of the Architectural Review Commission was called to order by Chair
Vuksic on Tuesday, October 25, 2022, at 12:31 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Commissioners Dean Wallace Colvard, Nicholas Latkovic, Michael McAuliffe,
Francisco Sanchez, Vice Chair McIntosh, and Chair John Vuksic.
Absent: None
City Staff
Present: Richard Cannone, Director of Development Services; Rosie Lua, Deputy Director
of Development Services; Nick Melloni, Senior Planner, and Melinda Gonzalez,
Recording Secretary, were present at Roll Call.
3. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT
Chair Vuksic opened and closed the non-agenda public comment period. No public
comments were provided.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
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.
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER COLVARD, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER LATKOVIC,
CARRIED 6-0, to approve the consent calendar.
Tuesday
October 25, 2022
12:30 p.m.
Regular Meeting
Architectural Review Commission Minutes October 25, 2022
City of Palm Desert Page 2
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER COLVARD, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER LATKOVIC,
CARRIED 6-0, to approve the Architectural Review Commission Special Meeting minutes
of October 5, 2022.
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER COLVARD, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER LATKOVIC,
CARRIED 6-0, to approve the Architectural Review Commission Regular Meeting minutes
of October 11, 2022, with comments.
CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER: Items removed from the Consent Calendar for separate
discussion will be considered at this time.
None
5. ACTION CALENDAR
A. FINAL DRAWINGS
1. CASE NOS: PP/CUP22-0006
NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration of a recommendation
to the Planning Commission for approval of a Precise Plan, Conditional Use Permit, and
a Mitigated Negative Declaration to construct a 394-unit market-rate multifamily
community consisting of thirteen three-story apartment buildings, a two-story fitness
center, a single-story clubhouse, two (2) pool areas, and private outdoor recreation areas
on an 18.67-acre site located at the southwest corner of Frank Sinatra Drive and Portola
Avenue (APNs: 620-400-030 and 620-400-031).
APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: Hayes Dietrich, LLC, Edina, MN 55436
LOCATION: SW Corner of Frank Sinatra Drive and Portola Avenue
ZONE: PR-22 (Planned Residential – 22 dwellings per acre)
Senior Planner, Nick Melloni, narrated a PowerPoint presentation on the item and
responded to Commission inquiries. Cody Dietrich and Calvin Hayes, Applicant(s),
and their team including, Christine Pecard, with ESG Architecture and Design, and
Mike Rowe, with MSA Consulting, 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. Chair Vuksic opened the public comment period. The
following comments were provided:
Edith Taylor, a Palm Desert resident, asked if there were any changes to the proposed
Type C building and voiced concerns regarding existing external guide poles and
added there was discussion about having electrical installed underground.
Jeff Cameron, a Palm Desert resident, voiced opposition for the project, stating the
design appeared “corporate,” and not community. Further concerns included massing
of buildings and the sound of traversing vehicles bouncing off building walls that are
too close to the street.
Architectural Review Commission Minutes October 25, 2022
City of Palm Desert Page 3
Cameron Cameron, a Palm Desert resident, voiced opposition for the project, noting
concerns regarding overall building height including revised parapets which add
height. Further concerns were regarding the project design which was compared to a
school dormitory and presented utilitarian and boxy.
Linda James, a Palm Desert resident, voiced concerns regarding the building height
which will block her views.
Pam Hoekstra, a Palm Desert resident, voiced concerns regarding added height to
three story buildings placed on a grade that sits higher than the curb. Further concerns
were the building design which presented as industrial and requested assurance the
proposed landscaping will be part of the final landscape plan.
There being no others desiring to speak, the public comment period was closed.
Following discussion, MOTION BY CHAIR VUKSIC, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER
MCAULIFFE, CARRIED 6-0 to:
1. Recommendation of denial of Case No. PP/CUP22-0006 with comments.
2. Balconies should be better integrated into the architectural design.
3. Revisit horizontal eyebrow element.
4. Revisit sloped parapets, including visibility of top and backside of parapet, ensure
it cannot be seen by the public from all vantage points. If top is visible ensure its
massing is such that it appears as three-dimensional architecture.
5. Revisit and improve massing along street frontages to break down massing, create
better hierarchy, and variation.
6. Create more interest through use of one and two-story elements that overlap
different vertical sections of the building.
During the course of deliberation, individual Commissioner(s) offered commentary as
follows. The below points do not necessarily reflect consensus:
• Support for incorporating more green space as shown in alternative parking option
plan provided by applicant.
• Revisit horizontal eyebrow element incorporated into the balconies, integrate
element into building versus it appearing as an extension to the building.
• Consider variation in building types and setbacks to avoid repetition and allow relief
of large masses along street frontages.
• Reconsider sloped parapets, they do not enhance architecture, high corners are
not cohesive with desert architecture, and add height that is unnecessary.
• Building walls appear flat, add more depth in between planes.
• Revisit metal panel elements and how they terminate into window.
• Walls at stairwells and balconies need to be thickened.
2. CASE NOS: 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
Architectural Review Commission Minutes October 25, 2022
City of Palm Desert Page 4
ZONE: Public (P)
Senior Planner, Nick Melloni, narrated a PowerPoint presentation on the item and
responded to Commission inquiries. Troy Strange, Applicant, and his architect, Matt
Acton with Holt Architecture, 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. Chair Vuksic opened and closed the public comment period.
No public comments were provided.
Following discussion, MOTION BY VICE CHAIR MCINTOSH, SECOND BY
COMMISSIONER LATKOVIC, CARRIED 6-0 to:
1. Approve Case No. MISC22-0009 with conditions.
2. Narrow entry signage a minimum of six inches from top and bottom.
3. Revisit size, scale, and placement of Desert Recreation District logo placed in
recess next to the entry door to avoid overcrowding of area.
During the course of deliberation, individual Commissioner(s) offered commentary as
follows. The below points do not necessarily reflect consensus:
• Recommend “Palm Desert Community Center” be placed in a single line on entry
signage.
• Consider use of light or light fixtures to accent building walls.
• Consider removing spokes on back of entry signage and make it a solid cover.
• Consider extending spokes past front of entry signage to add an additional element
of design.
3. CASE NOS: PP/EA 22-0005
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 53,604 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: Service Industrial (SI)
Senior Planner, Nick Melloni, narrated a PowerPoint presentation on the item and
responded to Commission inquiries. Scott Mommer, Applicant, and his team including
Christian Serrano, Jim Fitzpatrick, Architects, and Collen Nolan, Landscape Architect,
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. Chair Vuksic opened and closed the public comment period.
No public comments were provided.
Architectural Review Commission Minutes October 25, 2022
City of Palm Desert Page 5
Following discussion, MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MCAULIFFE, SECOND BY
COMMISSIONER LATKOVIC, CARRIED 6-0 to:
1. Approve Case No. PP/EA22-0005 with conditions.
2. Remove the four storage units which connect the east and west building segments
and replace with a further recessed screen wall and additional landscaping.
3. Remove sloped metal panel detail and change to a vertical detail which stops
approximately 12 inches from the top of parapet. (Reference Pg. A-9)
4. Cobble be further studied per Commission’s comments as to the layout. The
design should incorporate a more continuous undulating design.
5. Signage shall comply with the Palm Desert Municipal Code and not utilize
raceways, backers, or phone numbers.
6. The walls of the trash enclosure shall be finished with stucco to match the primary
building.
7. All roof mounted mechanical equipment should be screened from all vantages of
surrounding public areas with consideration to the varying parapet heights.
8. The offsets of the masses shown in the presentation be maintained as the project
is developed into construction documents.
9. Any glass not under an awning be recessed a minimum of six inches from any and
all adjacent surfaces.
During the course of deliberation, individual Commissioner(s) offered commentary as
follows. The below points do not necessarily reflect consensus:
• Be mindful of ribbed line detail of metal panels used for tower element as this will
be reviewed in the project’s final construction documents.
B. MISCELLANEOUS
None
6. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & COMMENTS
A. ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSIONERS
In response to inquiry, Deputy Director of Development Services, Rosie Lua, informed the
ARC’s comments regarding the denied case would be conveyed to the next body who
reviews and takes action on the project. Because the case is a Precise Plan Application
and a Condition Use Permit Application staff will seek clarification from the City attorney
as to whether the project will be reviewed by the Planning Commission or City Council.
Brief discussion was held on the sculptures that are planned to be installed and those that
are already installed on the roundabouts on San Pablo.
Vice Chair McIntosh left the meeting at 3:45 p.m. due to a conflicting obligation.
Regarding inquiry of a potential project near the entrance of Desert Willow, Deputy
Director Lua and Senior Planner, Nick Melloni, reported this area has been used for
different purposes including a staging area for DSRT Surf, a storage area for the City
during a rehabilitation project for Cook street, and a storage area for a rehabilitation
project for Southern California Edison.
Architectural Review Commission Minutes October 25, 2022
City of Palm Desert Page 6
Deputy Director Lua and Senior Planner Melloni provided explanation as to Palm Desert
Municipal Code Ordinance 25.68.40 Findings of the ARC, Section C, and general purview
of the ARC, in response to request for clarification.
B. CITY STAFF
Deputy Director Lua and Senior Planner Melloni provided an update on Palm Villas
Apartments, Refuge Specific Plan which was approved through the Planning Commission
and the Smartlink Group AT&T monopalm cell tower.
C. ATTENDANCE REPORT
The attendance report was provided with the agenda materials. The Commission took no
action on this matter.
7. ADJOURNMENT
The Architectural Review Commission adjourned at 4:07 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Melinda Gonzalez, Senior Administrative Assistant
Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
Rosie Lua, Deputy Director of Development Services
Secretary
APPROVED BY ARC: 11/8/2022