HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-02-13 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, February 13, 2024, at 12:30p.m. in the Development Services
Conference Room, City Hall, located at 73510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, California.
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Commissioners, Dean Wallace Colvard, Nicholas Latkovic, Michael McAuliffe,
Vice Chair Jim McIntosh, Francisco Sanchez, and Chair John Vuksic.
Absent: Commissioner James Edward Blakeley.
City Staff
Present: Richard Cannone, Development Services Director, Nick Melloni, Principal Planner;
Carlos Flores, Principal 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 documentation and video on the following item can be viewed on the Architectural
Review Commission Information webpage at, https://www.palmdesert.gov/our-
city/committees-and-commissions/commission-information.
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER LATKOVIC, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER
MCAULIFFE, CARRIED 6-0 (COMMISSIONER BLAKELEY ABSENT), to approve the
Architectural Review Commission Regular Meeting minutes of January 23, 2024.
Tuesday
February 13, 2024
12:30 p.m.
Regular Meeting
Architectural Review Commission Minutes February 13, 2024
City of Palm Desert Page 2
CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER
None
5. ACTION CALENDAR
Associated documentation and video 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) 23-0021 (Continued from January 23, 2024)
NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration to approve a Design
Review to develop a 4-story, 128-key, 67,568 square foot Towne Place Suites by
Marriott hotel development located on a 2.87-acre vacant parcel east of Monterey
Avenue, south of Interstate 10 Freeway, and north of Dinah Shore Drive, within the
Monterey Crossings Specific Plan (Assessor’s Parcel Number 685-020-021).
APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: AO Architects, Orange, CA 92866
LOCATION: Vacant 2.87-acre parcel east of Monterey Avenue, south of Interstate 10
Freeway, and north of Dinah Shore Drive, within the Monterey Crossings Specific Plan
(Assessor’s Parcel Number 685-020-021).
ZONE: Planned Commercial - 3 (PC-3) & Freeway Commercial Overlay Zone (FCOZ)
Principal Planner, Carlos Flores, narrated a PowerPoint presentation on the item and
responded to Commission inquiries. Tom Bergeron with AO Architects, Applicant
Representative, was present in-person; Duc Huynh, Project Designer, and Hitesh
Patel, Project Manager, were present via Zoom.
Chair Vuksic opened the public comment period and invited the applicant to speak.
Tom Bergeron with AO Architects, Applicant; Duc Huyhn, Project Designer; and Hitesh
Project Manager, answered questions from the Commission. 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 VICE CHAIR MCINTOSH, SECOND BY
COMMISSIONER SANCHEZ, CARRIED 4-2 (COMMISSIONER MCAULIFFE and
CHAIR VUSKIC VOTING NO AND COMMISSIONER BLAKELEY ABSENT); to
approve Case No. DR 23-0021 with the following condition:
1. Stone veneer shall be wrapped around the second tier at the entry and terminate
at inside corner.
2. CASE NO: MISC23-0042
NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration to approve a Design
Review for a façade modification to an existing Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant located
at 72920 Highway 111.
Architectural Review Commission Minutes February 13, 2024
City of Palm Desert Page 3
APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: Marlon Gonzales, Torrance, CA 90503
LOCATION: 72920 Highway 111
ZONE: Regional Commercial Center (P.C.-3)
Principal Planner, Carlos Flores, narrated a PowerPoint presentation on the item and
responded to Commission inquiries. Lisa Gonzales, Inspire Brand, Applicant
Representative; Serge Zdravkovic and Zach Speroni, Architects with Menemsha, were
present via Zoom.
Chair Vuksic opened the public comment period and invited the applicant to speak.
Lisa Gonzales, Inspire Brand, Applicant Representative; Serge Zdravkovic and Zach
Speroni, Architects with Menemsha, answered questions from the Commission. 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 COMMISSIONER MCAULIFFE, SECOND BY
COMMISSIONER SANCHEZ, CARRIED 6-0 (COMMISSIONER BLAKELEY
ABSENT); to approve Case No. MISC23-0042 as presented.
3. CASE NO: MISC 23-0037 Amendment No. 2
NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration to approve a Design
Review to modify the approved architecture associated with a 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. Chris McFadden, Applicant, was present.
Chair Vuksic opened the public comment period and invited the applicant to speak.
Chris McFadden, Applicant, answered questions from the Commission. With no other
members of the public wishing to comment, Chair Vuksic closed the public comment
period. Commissioners provided comments for the project.
Following discussion, MOTION BY COMMISSIONER COLVARD, SECOND BY VICE
CHAIR MCINTOSH, CARRIED 6-0, (BLAKELEY ABSENT); to approve Case No.
MISC23-0037 Amendment No. 2 as presented, with the following condition:
1. No changes to the site plan are approved by this action.
Architectural Review Commission Minutes February 13, 2024
City of Palm Desert Page 4
4. CASE NO: SARC24-0002
NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration to approve a Sign
Program for a new multitenant commercial building located at 72310 Highway 111
APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: Western Sign & Awning, San Marcos, CA 92078
LOCATION: 72310 Highway 111
ZONE: Regional Commercial Center (P.C.-3)
Principal Planner, Carlos Flores, narrated a PowerPoint presentation on the item and
responded to Commission inquiries. Tiffany Del Gato with Western Sign & Awning,
Applicant, was present via Zoom.
Chair Vuksic opened the public comment period and invited the applicant to speak.
Tiffany Del Gato with Western Sign & Awning, Applicant, introduced herself and
answered questions from the Commission. 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 COMMISSIONER MCAULIFFE, SECOND BY
VICE CHAIR MCINTOSH, CARRIED 6-0 (COMMISSIONER BLAKELEY ABSENT);
to approve Case No. SARC24-0002 as presented.
5. CASE NO: Landscape (LS) 24-0003
NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration of a Design Review
for an amendment to the approved landscape plan for the Montage residential tract
(TR 37993) located at the northwest corner of Portola Avenue and Julie Lane.
Changes include reduction in quantities of trees in common area landscapes and the
reconfiguration and modification of tree species along the project frontage on Julie
Lane.
APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: GHA Montage PD, LLC, Cathedral City 92234
LOCATION: Northwest corner of Portola Avenue and Julie Drive
ZONE: Planned Residential, 20 dwelling units per acre (PR-20)
Principal Planner, Nick Melloni, narrated a PowerPoint presentation on the item and
responded to Commission inquiries. Carlos Bonilla, Project Manager for GHA
Companies, Applicant Representative, was present.
Chair Vuksic opened the public comment period and invited the applicant to speak.
Carlos Bonilla, Project Manager for GHA Companies, Applicant Representative,
introduced himself and answered questions from the Commission. 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.
Architectural Review Commission Minutes February 13, 2024
City of Palm Desert Page 5
Following discussion, MOTION BY COMMISSIONER SANCHEZ, SECOND BY
COMMISSIONER COLVARD, (BLAKELEY ABSENT) CARRIED 6-0 to continue Case
No. LS 24-0003 with the following comments:
1. Provide additional trees along Julie Lane with quantities that conform to the
approved plans by the City Council and original landscape plan. Existing trees may
remain to satisfy the quantity requirements (plant 20 trees).
2. Plant trees along Portola Avenue to conform with the preliminary plan.
3. Plant additional trees within HOA common area as depicted on sheet LP-1.104, to
replace the four shade trees omitted from the plan.
4. Provide alternative plantings to replace the 50 citrus trees omitted within HOA
common areas, as depicted on sheet LP-1.101.
5. Generally, specific quantities should match approved quantities. However, a
variation of the approved plant species and new placement location may be
proposed.
Vice Chair McIntosh left the meeting at 3:22 p.m. due to a conflicting obligation.
6. NON-ACTION ITEMS
None
7. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & COMMENTS
A. ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSIONERS
None
B. CITY STAFF
Principal Planner Melloni provided the following updates:
The Planning Division has two new staff members, Kayleen Aguirre, Planning Technician
and Kenny Taylor, Associate Planner.
The Planning Commission approved the Objective Design Standards at the meeting held
on February 6, 2024. Upon inquiry, Principal Planner Melloni provided information
regarding setbacks in relation to building heights and grades. Next Planning Commission
meeting will be held February 20, 2024, and has five items on the agenda.
Planning staff is working on an amendment to the University Neighborhood Specific Plan
which includes the North Sphere park. A community meeting regarding this update will be
held on March 21, 2024, at the Palm Desert iHub.
C. ATTENDANCE REPORT
The attendance report was provided with the agenda materials. The Commission took
no action on this matter.
Architectural Review Commission Minutes February 13, 2024
City of Palm Desert Page 6
8. ADJOURNMENT
The Architectural Review Commission adjourned at 3:28 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Melinda Gonzalez
Melinda Gonzalez, Executive Administrative Assistant
Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
Carlos Flores
Carlos Flores, Principal Planner
Secretary
APPROVED BY ARC: 2/27/2024