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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-09-12 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 2449, this meeting may be conducted as a hybrid meeting allowing public access via teleconference or in person. 1. CALL TO ORDER A Regular Meeting of the Architectural Review Commission (ARC) was called to order by Chair Vuksic on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at 12:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber Conference Room, City Hall, located at 73510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, California. 2. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners James Edward Blakeley, Dean Wallace Colvard, Nicholas Latkovic, Michael McAuliffe, Francisco Sanchez, Vice Chair Jim McIntosh, and Chair John Vuksic. Chair Vuksic left the meeting at 3:50 p.m. due to a conflicting obligation. Vice Chair McIntosh left the meeting at 3:50 p.m. due to a conflicting obligation. Absent: None City Staff Present: Richard Cannone, Director of Development Services; Nick Melloni, Principal Planner; Carlos Flores, Senior Planner; Anna Dan, Associate 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 documents on the following items can be viewed on the Architectural Review Commission Information webpage at, https://www.palmdesert.gov/our-city/committees-and- commissions/commission-information. Tuesday September 12, 2023 12:30 p.m. Regular Meeting Architectural Review Commission Minutes September 12, 2023 City of Palm Desert Page 2 Chair Vuksic opened and closed the public comment period for the Consent Calendar. No public comments were provided. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MCAULIFFE, SECOND BY VICE CHAIR MCINTOSH, CARRIED 7-0, to approve the Consent Calendar. A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MCAULIFFE, SECOND BY VICE CHAIR MCINTOSH, CARRIED 7-0; to approve the Architectural Review Commission Regular Meeting minutes of July 25, 2023. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MCAULIFFE, SECOND BY VICE CHAIR MCINTOSH, CARRIED 7-0; to approve the Architectural Review Commission Regular Meeting minutes of August 8, 2023. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER: Items removed from the Consent Calendar for separate discussion will be considered at this time. None 5. ACTION CALENDAR Associated documents on the following items can be viewed on the Architectural Review Commission Information webpage at, https://www.palmdesert.gov/our-city/committees-and- commissions/commission-information. A. FINAL DRAWINGS 1. CASE NO: Design Review (DR) 23-0003 (Continued from August 8, 2023) NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration to approve a Design Review related to a Conditional Use Permit (CUP), Tentative Parcel Map (TPM), and Precise Plan (PP) to develop two (2) condominium units totaling 2,118 square feet each at the northeast corner of Alessandro Drive and San Jose Avenue (Assessor’s Parcel Number 627-182-006) APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: 34 San Luis, LLC, Newport Beach, CA 92660 LOCATION: Northeast corner of Alessandro Drive and San Jose Avenue (Assessor’s Parcel Number 627-182-006) ZONE: Downtown Edge Transition Overlay (DE-O) Senior Planner, Carlos Flores, narrated a PowerPoint presentation on the item and responded to Commission inquiries. Felipe Gonzalez, Applicant Representative, Carlos Sanchez, Draftsman, and property owners, Robert Downing and Tracy Boomer, were present and answered questions from the Commission. Chair Vuksic opened the public comment period. Alex, Member of the Public, voiced concern for the quality of life for future tenants due to the current conditions of the street which are dangerous, including no sidewalks and no speed bumps. Architectural Review Commission Minutes September 12, 2023 City of Palm Desert Page 3 With no other members of the public wishing to comment, Chair Vuksic closed the public comment period. Discussion on the item ensued with Commissioners providing comments for the project. Following discussion, MOTION BY CHAIR VUKSIC, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MCAULIFFE, CARRIED 7-0; to approve Case No. Design Review (DR) 23-0003 with the following conditions: 1. The Washingtonia Filifera palms shall be a minimum of fourteen (14) feet tall brown trunk height (BTH) and shall be of matching heights at the time of planting. 2. The parapet on the simulated wood element located on the west elevation shall return eight (8) feet beyond the adjacent parapet. 3. The parapet on the vertical cementitious siding located on the east elevation shall return a minimum of six (6) feet beyond the adjacent parapet. 4. Applicant shall provide details, including dimensions for proposed metal flashing, parapets, and corner trim pieces at or before construction documents are submitted. 5. An eyebrow shall be added over the sliding door on the right half of the west elevation. 2. CASE NO: SARC23-0007 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration to approve a revision to an existing comprehensive sign program for Business Park of the Desert located at 41990 Cook Street APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: Time Unwind Medical Group Inc., Irvine, CA 92619 LOCATION: 41990 Cook Street ZONE: Office Professional (O.P.) Associate Planner, Anna Dan, narrated a PowerPoint presentation on the item and responded to Commission inquiries. Dr. Raihan Haque with Time Unwind Medical Group Inc, /Rancho Hawk, LLC., Applicant, and Glenn Davis with Signarama, Applicant Representative, were present and answered questions from the Commission. Dr. Haque provided an additional presentation focused on front lit signs. Chair Vuksic opened and closed the public comment period. No public comments were provided. Discussion on the item ensued with Commissioners providing comments for the project. Following discussion, MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MCAULIFFE, SECOND BY VICE CHAIR MCINTOSH, CARRIED 7-0; to approve Case No. SARC23-0007 with the following conditions: 1. The sign program language shall be amended to include the allowance of front-lit signage which are limited to the color white and must be the same white color temperature. 2. Rheostats are required on all signs. 3. All other sign elements shall adhere to the Palm Desert Municipal Code. 4. Lighting levels shall be uniform across the entire elevation. 5. Illuminated signs are permitted and may be constructed out of metal (aluminum, steel, titanium, or materials with similar properties.) Architectural Review Commission Minutes September 12, 2023 City of Palm Desert Page 4 3. CASE NO: SARC23-0008 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration to approve a Sign Design Review for four (4) new exterior business identification wall signs, including a height exception for new commercial building located at 73611 Highway 111 APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: Chandler Signs, Dallas, TX 75235 LOCATION: 73611 Highway 111 ZONE: Downtown Core Overlay District, Scenic Preservation (D.O., S.P.) Commissioner McAuliffe announced his recusal due to a conflict of interest as his architectural firm was retained for this project and left the conference room. Commissioner Sanchez announced his recusal due to a conflict of interest as his firm was retained to provide landscaping design services for this project and left the conference room. Associate Planner, Anna Dan, narrated a PowerPoint presentation on the item and responded to Commission inquiries. Benn Sisk, Applicant Representative, was present and answered questions from the Commission. Chair Vuksic opened and closed the public comment period. No public comments were provided. Discussion on the item ensued with Commissioners providing comments for the project. Following discussion, MOTION BY VICE CHAIR MCINTOSH, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BLAKELEY, CARRIED 5-0, (COMMISSIONER MCAULIFFE and COMMISSIONER SANCHEZ ABSENT); to continue Case No. SARC23-0008 with the following comments: 1. Sign E should be revised to one line. 2. Consider a different location for Sign B, additionally, reconsider scale of sign in relation to the identified alternate location for placement. 3. Applicant shall revisit the scale and proportion of the business logo located on the entry doors. At the conclusion of this item, Commissioners McAuliffe and Sanchez rejoined the meeting. 4. CASE NO: Design Review DR23-0007 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration to approve a Design Review related to a Precise Plan (PP) and Environmental Assessment (EA) to develop a 3,140-square-foot Cardiff bus wash and storage facility on a vacant parcel on the north side of 42nd Avenue, between Eclectic Street and Corporate Way (Assessor’s Parcel Number 622-250-014) APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: Gary E. Cardiff, Palm Desert, CA 92211 Architectural Review Commission Minutes September 12, 2023 City of Palm Desert Page 5 LOCATION: Vacant parcel on the north side of 42nd Avenue, in between Eclectic Street and Corporate Way (Assessor’s Parcel Number 622-250-014). ZONE: Service Industrial (S.I.) Associate Planner, Anna Dan, narrated a PowerPoint presentation on the item and responded to Commission inquiries. Rob Pitchford, Applicant Representative, was present and answered questions from the Commission. Chair Vuksic opened and closed the public comment period. No public comments were provided. Discussion on the item ensued with Commissioners providing comments for the project. At 3:50 p.m. Chair Vuksic and Vice Chair McIntosh announced that due to conflicting obligations they would need to leave for the remainder of the meeting. Commissioner McAuliffe stepped in as Chair for the remainder of the ARC meeting. Following discussion, MOTION BY COMMISSIONER LATKOVIC, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COLVARD, CARRIED 5-0, (CHAIR VUKSIC and VICE CHAIR MCINTOSH ABSENT); to approve Case No. Design Review DR23-0007 with conditions: 1. The ARC approves the exception to the screening standards, including wall height, setback, undulation spacing, and landscaping. 2. The Applicant shall be required to provide additional plant material in the public right of way, which shall be in conformance with PDMC 24.04 for water-efficient landscape. 3. All landscape and hardscape materials associated with the project shall be subject to a landscape maintenance agreement recorded prior to occupancy. 4. The gable roof on the covered wash shall be revised to a hip roof design. 5. CASE NO: Design Review (MISC) 23-0037 NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration to approve a Design Review to modify the approved architecture for an approved Precise Plan, Conditional Use Permit, and Environmental Assessment to develop a 69-unit residential development located on 30 acres within Palm Desert Country Club APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: Villas PD, LLC, Palm Desert, CA 92211 LOCATION: Palm Desert County Club (Approximately 30 acres within the former Palm Desert Country Club Executive Course APNs 637-190-021, -027, -040). ZONE: Mixed Residential (R-2) Principal Planner, Nick Melloni, narrated a PowerPoint presentation on the item and responded to Commission inquiries. Wilf Weinkauf, Applicant, and Chris McFadden, Applicant Representative, were present and answered questions from the Commission. Acting Chair, Commissioner McAuliffe opened and closed the public comment period. No public comments were provided. Discussion on the item ensued with Commissioners providing comments for the project. During discussion Principal Architectural Review Commission Minutes September 12, 2023 City of Palm Desert Page 6 Planner Melloni informed the Commission that the applicant, Wilf Weinkauf, invited commissioners out to the project site to view the modified units. Commissioners Latkovic, Colvard, and Sanchez stated they visited the project site individually at different times. Following discussion, MOTION BY COMMISSIONER COLVARD, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER LATKOVIC, CARRIED 5-0, (CHAIR VUKSIC and VICE CHAIR MCINTOSH ABSENT); to approve Case No. Design Review (MISC) 23-0037 as presented. 6. NON-ACTION ITEMS None 7. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & COMMENTS A. ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSIONERS In response to interest in sharing the objective design standards with the Cultural Arts Committee due to mentions of Public Art in the draft document, Principal Planner Melloni explained that the document is still a draft and the language included in the draft document will be revised from “Public Art” to “Decorative Art” which is placed internally on the project site, not in the public right of way. Principal Planner Melloni further explained that the objective design standards are not meant to set standards for Public Art, as Public Art has its own municipal codes and process but is meant to set standard for proposed decorative art. Upon inquiry, Principal Planner Melloni provided a brief update on the DSRT Surf project, noting the project will be going before the City Council at the next regularly scheduled meeting to approve a final map for the project. Inquiry was made regarding the sculptures that are placed outside for the Melissa Morgan Fine Art Gallery on El Paseo. Principal Planner Melloni stated the sculptures are meant to be a sculpture garden which was approved by staff through a Temporary Use Permit (TUP). Comment was provided that it does not appear as a sculpture garden and the number of sculptures is too dense. Principal Planner Melloni stated staff would look into the matter. B. CITY STAFF Principal Planner Melloni provided the following updates: • The Parks and Recreation Committee have formed a subcommittee to name the new parks in University Park. The parks will have college themed names. • The University Medical Office Park will be presented to the Planning Commission at the next regular meeting on September 19, 2023. • There is a new timeline for the Objective Design Standards (ODS). The ARC may discuss ODS as an informational item at the regularly scheduled meeting of October 10, 2023. The ODS is scheduled to go before the Planning Commission Architectural Review Commission Minutes September 12, 2023 City of Palm Desert Page 7 on October 17, 2023, to City Council for adoption on November 16, 2023, and again to City Council for a second reading on December 14, 2023. • In response to inquiry, Principal Planner Melloni advised he would contact staff member, Ryland Penta, regarding whether the Civic Academy will be offered via zoom and would follow up with the requesting commissioner. • Three projects have been identified as close to ready for ARC subcommittee review including Urban Crossings, West Coast Self Storage, and Bravo Gardens. C. ATTENDANCE REPORT The attendance report was provided with the agenda materials. The Commission took no action on this matter. 8. ADJOURNMENT The Architectural Review Commission adjourned at 4:26 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Melinda Gonzalez Melinda Gonzalez, Senior Administrative Assistant Recording Secretary ATTEST: Nick Melloni Nick Melloni, Principal Planner Secretary APPROVED BY ARC: 10/10/2023