HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-08-27 ARC Regular Meeting MinutesARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION
CITY OF PALM DESERT
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
August 27, 2024, 12:30 p.m.
Present: Commissioner James Blakeley, Commissioner Dean Wallace
Colvard, Commissioner Nicholas Latkovic, Commissioner Michael
McAuliffe, Commissioner Francisco Sanchez
Absent: Commissioner James McIntosh, Chair John Vuksic
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
Commissioner McAuliffe on August 27, 2024, at 12:31 p.m. 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
Commissioner McAuliffe opened and closed the public comment period for Non-Agenda
public comment. No public comments were provided.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
The Consent Calendar was approved as presented.
Motion by: Commissioner Colvard
Seconded by: Commissioner Blakeley
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
4.a APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The Architectural Review Commission regular meeting minutes of July 23, 2024,
were approved as presented.
Motion by: Commissioner Colvard
Seconded by: Commissioner Blakeley
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
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August 27, 2024
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5. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER
None
6. ACTION CALENDAR
6.a CONSIDERATION FOR APPROVAL OF A DESIGN REVIEW FOR A FAÇADE
RENOVATION AND ARCHITECTURAL IMPROVEMENTS FOR A NEW
JEWELRY STORE HOPE DIAMONDS & COMPANY AT 72990 HIGHWAY 111
(CONTINUED FROM MAY 14, 2024)
Associate Planner, Kenny Taylor, narrated a PowerPoint presentation on the item
and responded to Commission inquiries. German Santamaria, Applicant, Jimmy
Ozasi, Business Owner, and Frank Figueroa, Construction Manager, were present.
Commissioner McAuliffe opened the public comment period and invited the
applicant to speak. Jimmy Ozasi, Business Owner, stated he had no additional
comments to provide to staff's presentation. Mr. Ozasi and Mr. Figueroa answered
questions from the Commission.
With no other members of the public wishing to comment, Commissioner McAuliffe
closed the public comment period. Discussion on the item ensued with
Commissioners providing comments for the project.
Motion by: Commissioner Latkovic
Seconded by: Commissioner Blakeley
Following discussion, motion carried to approve Case No. MISC24-0002 as
presented with the following conditions:
1. Gold band trim shall be an anodized surface; staff to review and approve
material.
2. Shadow boxes shall have covers which are fade resistant.
3. All equipment shall be adequately screened, consistent with Palm Desert
Municipal Code Section 25.40.090.
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
6.b CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE A DESIGN REVIEW FOR A
FAÇADE MODIFICATION TO AN EXISTING COMMERCIAL STOREFRONT
FOR SHIRAZ RUG COMPANY LOCATED AT 74-220 HIGHWAY 111
Principal Planner, Carlos Flores, narrated a PowerPoint presentation on the item
and responded to Commission inquiries.
Commissioner Latkovic opened the public comment. With no members of the
public wishing to comment, Commissioner Latkovic closed the public comment
period. Discussion on the item ensued with Commissioners providing comments
for the project.
Motion by: Commissioner Colvard
Seconded by: Commissioner Blakeley
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August 27, 2024
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Following discussion, motion carried to approve Case No. MISC24-0012 as
presented.
RECUSED (1): Commissioner McAuliffe
Motion Carried (4 to 0)
7. REPORTS & REMARKS
7.a ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSIONERS
In response to Commissioner comments regarding the policy for remote
participation Recording Secretary Gonzalez advised when a commissioner
requests to participate remotely and the reason does not fall under certain
circumstances, adherence to Brown Act requirements for teleconferencing are
mandatory. Recording Secretary Gonzalez stated the memo from City Clerk
outlining the requirements would be resent to Commissioners to remind them of
the protocols for remote participation.
7.b CITY STAFF
Principal Planner Melloni provided the following updates.
• As requested by the Commission, staff followed up on the carports installed
for the Millennium Apartments project. As observed by commissioners, the
carports are taller and increased in size from the originally approved design.
The carports were revised to be solar carports, resulting in the need to
increase the size, number of carports, and increase the height to comply
with fire clearance requirements. These revisions were approved by staff
under the Solar Rights Act. Additional information on the Solar Rights Act
was provided.
• Clarion and Associates was awarded the contact for consultation services
for the unified development code update which will comprehensively update
the Zoning, Grading, and Subdivision ordinances as well as any other
codes that are applicable to development. Kick-off meetings are scheduled
for September 10, 2024, and September 12, 2024. A study session will be
held with the City Council on September 26, 2024. An invite to participate
in a survey to provide input will be emailed to ARC commissioners.
• Staff is working on an amendment to the University Neighborhood Specific
Plan (UNSP) primarily for the land use planning for the remaining 170 acres
at the corner of Portola Avenue and Frank Sinatra. Planning staff will
conduct a community engagement meeting for September 19, 2024, to
discuss the planning portion of the UNSP. A follow up meeting will be
conducted by the Public Works department which will focus on the 40-acre
regional park and other open spaces within the UNSP.
Principal Planner Flores reported at the last Planning Commission meeting Wildest
Restaurant Outdoor Patio Expansion project was approved. The Planning
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Commission also approved a recommendation of approval to the City Council for
the Upper Way West project; it will go to City Council for approval in October.
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 1:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Melinda Gonzalez
Melinda Gonzalez, Executive Administrative Assistant
Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
Carlos Flores
Carlos Flores, Principal Planner
Secretary
APPROVED BY ARC: 9/24/2024