HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-06-25 ARC Regular Meeting MinutesARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION
CITY OF PALM DESERT
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
June 25, 2024, 12:30 p.m.
Present: Commissioner James Blakeley, Commissioner Dean Wallace
Colvard, Commissioner Nicholas Latkovic, Commissioner James
McIntosh, Commissioner Francisco Sanchez, Chair John Vuksic
Absent: Commissioner Michael McAuliffe
Staff Present: Principal Planner Carlos Flores, Principal Planner Nick Melloni,
Associate Planner Kenny Taylor, Recording Secretary Melinda
Gonzalez
1. CALL TO ORDER
A Regular Meeting of the Architectural Review Commission (ARC) was called to order by
Chair Vuksic on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in the Development Services Conference Room,
City Hall, located at 73-510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, California.
2. ROLL CALL
3. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT
Chair Vuksic opened and closed the public comment period for Non-Agenda public
comment. No public comments were provided.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
Chair Vuksic opened and closed the public comment period for the Consent Calendar. No
public comments were provided.
Motion by: Commissioner Latkovic
Seconded by: Commissioner Colvard
To approve the consent calendar as presented.
Motion Carried (6 to 0)
4.a APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by: Commissioner Latkovic
Seconded by: Commissioner Colvard
Approved the Regular Meeting Minutes of June 11, 2024.
Motion Carried (6 to 0)
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5. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER
None
6. ACTION CALENDAR
6.a CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE A DESIGN REVIEW FOR ARCHITECTURAL
REVISIONS TO THE BRAVO GARDENS PROJECT (MISC24-0009)
Principal Planner, Carlos Flores, narrated a PowerPoint presentation on the item
and responded to Commission inquiries. Rachel Felton, Development Manager;
Joy Brown, Office Manager; Vince Chupka, HPA Lead Architect; and Vely Zaljec,
HPA Architect, were present.
Chair Vuksic opened the public comment period and invited the applicant to speak.
Vince Chupka, HPA Lead Architect; and Vely Zaljec, HPA 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.
Motion by: Commissioner McIntosh
Seconded by: Commissioner Colvard
Following discussion, motion carried to approve Case No. MISC24-0009 as
presented with the following condition:
1. Staff to review proposed mechanical screening with consideration to
Commission comments. If staff determines mechanical screening will impact the
visual composition of the building the item shall return to the Architectural Review
Commission for further review.
Motion Carried (6 to 0)
6.b CONSIDERATION FOR DESIGN REVIEW APPROVAL FOR TWO WALL-
MOUNTED SIGNS READING “M” MILENNIUM APARTMENTS LOCATED AT
TECHNOLOGY DRIVE AND GERALD FORD DRIVE (Continued from June
11, 2024)
Associate Planner, Kenny Taylor, narrated a PowerPoint presentation on the item
and responded to Commission inquiries. Glenn Davis with Signarama, Applicant
and Russell MacDonald with HSA, Designer, were present.
Chair Vuksic opened the public comment period and invited the applicant to speak.
Glenn Davis with Signarama, Applicant, and Russell MacDonald with HSA,
Designer, introduced themselves and answered questions from the Commission.
Glenn Davis provided a demonstration of the illumination of the sign.
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.
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Motion by: Commissioner Sanchez
Seconded by: Commissioner McIntosh
Following discussion, motion carried to approve Case No. SARC24-0008 as
presented.
Motion Carried (6 to 0)
7. REPORTS & REMARKS
7.a ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSIONERS
Commissioner Colvard provided an update for the Cultural Arts Committee. A
sculpture will be placed in the median on Portola between Gerald Ford and Dinah
Shore. Another potential location for installation of a sculpture is on Cook Street
between Gerald Ford and Frank Sinatra. Additionally, sculptures from Coachella
Music festival have been installed in various locations in the Coachella Valley, with
several in Indio and Coachella.
7.b CITY STAFF
Principal Planner Flores provided the following updates.
• On June 18, 2024, at the regular meeting of the Planning Commission the
Shadow Ridge project was approved. Wildest Restaurant Patio also went
before the Planning Commission and was continued with comments
regarding the proposed wrap material for the storage container. This item
will return to the Architectural Review Commission for a second review to
explore alternative options.
• The City is hosting a community meeting today, June 25, 2024, regarding
the Pulte “Explorer” project, including the Refuge project, to provide
information on the current project and hear concerns from surrounding
neighbors.
• Staff will be taking several items before the City Council at their next
regular meeting of June 27, 2024, including two Award of Contracts; the
first to the firm selected for the Unified Development Code update and the
second for the firm selected to establish a historic context statement and
to complete a City survey. Also, going to the City Council is an appeal of
the Chief Building Official decision regarding the City's definition of a
bedroom.
Principal Planner Melloni provided the following updates.
• Staff will be meeting with consultants, JKA Architects, who will be
establishing objective design standards for the Downtown District and
Hillside development.
• Expiration of existing Temporary Use Permits for dining desks were
extended by the City Council to June 2025 to accommodate businesses
who will be impacted during the City's rehabilitation project for the streets
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and sidewalks on El Paseo. A Commissioner commented there should be
consideration for inclusion of pop-outs on the sidewalk to allow for dining
desks to improve the energy and atmosphere of El Paseo.
7.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 1:49 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Melinda Gonzalez
Melinda Gonzalez, Executive Administrative Assistant
Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
Carlos Flores
Carlos Flores, Principal Planner
Secretary
APPROVED BY ARC: 7/23/2024