HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-04-09 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, April 9, 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, James Edward Blakeley, Dean Wallace Colvard, Nicholas
Latkovic, Michael McAuliffe, Vice Chair Jim McIntosh, Francisco Sanchez, and
Chair John Vuksic.
Absent: None
City Staff
Present: Richard Cannone, Development Services Director; Carlos Flores, Principal
Planner; Nick Melloni, Principal Planner, Kenny Taylor, 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 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.
Chair Vuksic opened and closed the public comment period for the Consent Calendar. No
public comments were provided.
Tuesday
April 9, 2024
12:30 p.m.
Regular Meeting
Architectural Review Commission Minutes April 9, 2024
City of Palm Desert Page 2
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER LATKOVIC, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER
MCAULIFFE, CARRIED 7-0, to approve the Architectural Review Commission Regular
Meeting minutes of March 12, 2024.
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: Landscape (LS) 24-0003 (Continued from February 13, 2024)
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. Mario Gonzales, Applicant; Carlos Bonilla and
Joe Martinez, with GHA Companies, and Josh Lillyman, with H2O Landscaping were
present.
Chair Vuksic opened the public comment period and invited the applicant to speak.
Mario Gonzales, Applicant, introduced himself and his team, provided additional
information for the project, 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 SANCHEZ, SECOND BY VICE
CHAIR MCINTOSH, CARRIED 6-0-1 (COMMISSIONER BLAKELEY ABSTAINED) to
approve Case No. LS 24-0003 with the following condition:
1. The applicant shall add two additional trees along the Portola Avenue frontage.
Architectural Review Commission Minutes April 9, 2024
City of Palm Desert Page 3
2. CASE NO: MISC23-0049 (Continued from February 27, 2024)
NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration to approve a Design
Review to modify the approved architecture associated with a Precise Plan to develop
a 120-unit residential detached development within University Park.
APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: Toll West Coast, LLC, Irvine, CA 92602
LOCATION: Planning Area 3 of the University Park Master Plan (within the University
Neighborhood Specific Plan)
ZONE: Planned Residential – 18 (PR-18)
Commissioner Sanchez announced his recusal as his firm was retained for services
related to this project and left the conference room.
Principal Planner, Carlos Flores, narrated a PowerPoint presentation on the item and
responded to Commission inquiries. David Yrigoyen, Applicant Representative, was
present and Rendi Amameda with WHA, Architect, joined via Zoom.
Chair Vuksic opened the public comment period and invited the applicant to speak.
David Yrigoyen, Applicant Representative, and Rendi Amameda with WHA, Architect,
introduced themselves 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 CHAIR VUKSIC, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER
MCAULIFFE, CARRIED 6-0 (COMMISSIONER SANCHEZ RECUSED); to continue
Case No. MISC23-0049 with the following comments:
1. Stone veneer should wrap into inside corners in all cases.
2. Provide a study of all side elevations that are exposed, including a site plan which
identifies all sides that are exposed along with elevations that correspond with the
locations that are identified on the site plan.
3. All Boutique models should have a minimum of 2” x 8” front walls with 2” x4”
nailers. Instances identified with a longer rectangular window in a flat wall should
be a 2” x 12” minimum. This also applies to some of the Contemporary models.
4. The Belletrix model, sheet A05, entry arch should be continued back at least two
feet with the stone wrapping to the inside corner.
5. The Celestia model, sheet A10, entry arch should be 2 feet deep.
6. Provide a detail, including construction, flashing, and finish, of thin brown element
on south elevation shown on sheet A12.
7. On sheet A19, offsets should be as presented on elevations not on floor plans.
8. On sheet A25, the Pulsar model, the wall for the rectangular window for the
bedroom closet and storage closet should be 2” x12”.
9. On sheet A30, the Rigel model, the wall with the rectangular window should be 2”
x12”.
10. All side loaded garages should have a minimum 2” x 12” thick wall facing the street.
11. Provide 3D drawings.
Architectural Review Commission Minutes April 9, 2024
City of Palm Desert Page 4
3. CASE NO: SARC24-0001
NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration of a design review to
replace existing signage for (3) wall signs, (1) one monument sign, wall graphics, and
exterior paint color change to an existing Del Taco restaurant located at 74617
Highway 111.
APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: Signtech Electrical Advertising, San Diego, CA 92102
LOCATION: 74617 Highway 111
ZONE: District Commercial Center (PC-2)
Commissioner Sanchez rejoined the meeting. Associate Planner, Kenny Taylor,
narrated a PowerPoint presentation on the item and responded to Commission
inquiries. Steve Terry, Applicant Representative, was present.
Chair Vuksic opened the public comment period and invited the applicant to speak.
Steve Terry, 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.
Following discussion, MOTION BY COMMISSIONER COLVARD, SECOND BY
COMMISSIONER BLAKELEY, CARRIED 7-0; to approve Case No. SARC24-0001
with the following conditions:
1. Reduce logo signs located on front and side elevations to original size of existing
signs.
2. Paint the stucco located on the top of the triangle on the monument sign to match
the new façade paint color.
4. CASE NO: MISC23-0050
NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration to approve a Design
Review for a building tenant improvement and façade modification remodel for Berri’s
El Paseo, a retail building located at 73690 El Paseo.
APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: Ochoa Design Associates, Palm Desert, CA 92260
LOCATION: 73690 El Paseo, Palm Desert, CA 92260
ZONE: Downtown (D)
Associate Planner, Kenny Taylor, narrated a PowerPoint presentation on the item and
responded to Commission inquiries. Juan Carlos Ochoa, Applicant, and Raphael
Berry, Business Owner, were present.
Chair Vuksic opened the public comment period and invited the applicant to speak.
Juan Carlos Ochoa, Applicant, and Raphael Berry, Business Owner, introduced
themselves, provided additional information on the project, shared a video which
provided conceptual animation of their project, 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 April 9, 2024
City of Palm Desert Page 5
Following discussion, MOTION BY CHAIR VUKSIC, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER
MCAULIFFE, CARRIED 7-0; to approve Case No. MISC23-0050 with the following
condition:
1. Roof hatches shall be moved inside the mechanical enclosure if feasible, if not
then add a flush gate on the east side of the building to screen the opening into
the enclosures.
5. CASE NO: DR 23-0010
NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration to approve a Design
Review (DR) for a proposed Precise Plan (PP), Conditional Use Permit (CUP) and
Environmental Assessment (EA) to construct a new event center, administration office,
and lion habitat at the existing Living Desert facility located at 47900 Portola Avenue
(Assessor’s Parcel Numbers 630-250-045 & 625-300-052).
APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: Prest Vuksic Greenwood Architects, Palm Desert CA
92260
LOCATION: 47900 Portola Avenue (Assessor’s Parcel Numbers 630-250-045 & 625-
300-052)
ZONE: Public Institution (P)
Chair Vuksic announced his recusal as his firm is the Architect for this project and left
the conference room.
Principal Planner, Carlos Flores, narrated a PowerPoint presentation on the item and
responded to Commission inquiries. John Greenwood, Applicant; Will Kleindienst and
Michael Fontana, Applicant Team, were present.
Vice Chair McIntosh opened the public comment period and invited the applicant to
speak. John Greenwood, Applicant; Will Kleindienst and Michael Fontana, Applicant
Team, introduced themselves, provided additional information for the project, 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 LATKOVIC, SECOND BY
COMMISSIONER MCAULIFFE, CARRIED 6-0 (CHAIR VUKSIC RECUSED); to
approve Case No. DR23-0010 as presented.
6. CASE NO: DR 23-0023
NATURE OF PROJECT/APPROVAL SOUGHT: Consideration to approve a Design
Review (DR) for a Precise Plan (PP) and Environmental Assessment (EA) to develop
a 93-unit single-family residential subdivision on a 20.69-acre property within the
existing Marriott Shadow Ridge Development located at Assessor Parcel Nos. 694-
290-010, -011, 694-320-010, and -011.
APPLICANT AND ADDRESS: Toll Brothers, Irvine, CA 92602
LOCATION: Assessor Parcel Nos. 694-290-010, -011, 694-320-010, and -011.
Architectural Review Commission Minutes April 9, 2024
City of Palm Desert Page 6
ZONE: Planned Residential 5 Dwelling units per acre (PR-5)
Chair Vuksic rejoined the meeting. Principal Planner, Nick Melloni, narrated a
PowerPoint presentation on the item and responded to Commission inquiries. Eric
Everhart, Applicant Representative, was present.
Chair Vuksic opened the public comment period and invited the applicant to speak.
Eric Everhart, Applicant Representative, introduced himself, provided additional
information on the project, 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 CHAIR VUKSIC, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER
LATKOVIC CARRIED 5-2; (COMMISSIONERS LATKOVIC and MCINTOSH voting
NO) to continue Case No. DR23-0023 with the following comments:
1. Provide a site plan which clearly identifies exposed sides and shows enhanced
elevations that correspond to the identified exposed side.
2. Site walls, pilasters, gates, and any ironwork, should be consistent with the modern
style of the development.
3. Rear elevations should be enhanced since they are visible from the golf course;
columns should be four-sided; windows should be recessed at least six inches.
4. Garage doors should be recessed at least twelve (12) inches.
6. NON-ACTION ITEMS
None
7. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & COMMENTS
A. ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSIONERS
None
B. CITY STAFF
Principal Planner Melloni provided the following updates:
Objective Design Standards will go before the City Council at their meeting scheduled
for Thursday, April 11, 2024.
The Desert SURF project is proceeding with the primary phase of the project which will
include the Lagoon, Surf Center, and retail center, and is anticipated to begin in the fall.
C. ATTENDANCE REPORT
The attendance report was provided with the agenda materials. The Commission took
no action on this matter.
Architectural Review Commission Minutes April 9, 2024
City of Palm Desert Page 7
8. ADJOURNMENT
The Architectural Review Commission adjourned at 4:57 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Melinda Gonzalez
Melinda Gonzalez, Executive Administrative Assistant
Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
Carlos Flores
Carlos Flores, Principal Planner
Secretary
APPROVED BY ARC: 4/23/2024