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PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL
STUDY SESSION MEETING
AGENDA
Thursday, March 27, 2025
2:45 p.m.
Council Chamber, City Hall
73-510 Fred Waring Drive
Palm Desert, California
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the purpose of the Study Session is to review the items listed on the
agenda. No action will be taken.
This is a joint meeting of the Palm Desert City Council, Successor Agency to the Palm Desert
Redevelopment Agency, Palm Desert Housing Authority, and Palm Desert Board of Library Trustees.
Pursuant to Assembly Bill 2449, this meeting may be conducted as a hybrid meeting allowing public
access via teleconference or in person, and up to two Councilmembers may attend remotely.
WATCH THE MEETING LIVE: Watch the City Council meeting live at the City’s website:
https://palmdesert.zoom.us/ or on the City's YouTube Channel.
OPTIONS FOR PARTICIPATING IN THIS MEETING:
Send your comments by email to: CityClerk@palmdesert.gov.
Emails received prior to 10:00 a.m. on the day of the City Council meeting will be made part of the
record and distributed to the City Council. Emails will not be read aloud at the meeting.
Pages
1.CALL TO ORDER - STUDY SESSION
2.STUDY SESSION TOPICS
2.a UPDATE ON THE HILLSIDE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS
PROJECT CASE NO. ZOA25-0001
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RECOMMENDATION:
Receive an update on the Zoning Ordinance Amendment related to
establishing Hillside Objective Design Standards.
1.
Provide input on the proposed considerations for the Hillside
Objective Design Standards.
2.
2.b UPDATE ON THE CITY SEAL REDESIGN PROCESS 33
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive and file an update on the City Seal redesign process.
3.ADJOURNMENT
4.PUBLIC NOTICES
NOTE: Pursuant to Assembly Bill 2449, this meeting may be conducted by
teleconference. Study Session is accessible in person or on the City’s website:
www.palmdesert.gov under the Council Agenda link at the top of the page.
Agenda Related Materials: Pursuant to Government Code §54957.5(b)(2) the
designated office for inspection of records in connection with this meeting is the
Office of the City Clerk, Palm Desert Civic Center, 73-510 Fred Waring Drive,
Palm Desert. Staff reports for all agenda items considered in open session, and
documents provided to a majority of the legislative bodies are available for
public inspection at City Hall and on the City’s website at www.palmdesert.gov
by clicking “Meeting Agendas” at the top of the page.
Americans with Disabilities Act: It is the intention of the City of Palm Desert to
comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in all respects. If, as an
attendee or a participant at this meeting, or in meetings on a regular basis, you
will need special assistance beyond what is normally provided, the City will
attempt to accommodate you in every reasonable manner. Please contact the
Office of the City Clerk, (760) 346-0611, at least 48 hours prior to the meeting to
inform us of your needs and to determine if accommodation is feasible.
AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING
I, Michelle Nance, Acting Assistant City Clerk of the City of Palm Desert, do
hereby certify, under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California,
that the foregoing agenda for the Palm Desert City Council, Successor Agency
for the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency, and Housing Authority, was posted
on the City Hall bulletin board and City website www.palmdesert.gov no less
than 72 hours prior to the meeting.
/S/ Michelle Nance
Acting Assistant City Clerk
City Council Study Session
March 27, 2025
2
Page 1 of 2
CITY OF PALM DESERT
STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: March 27, 2025
PREPARED BY: Nick Melloni, AICP, Principal Planner
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON THE HILLSIDE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS
PROJECT CASE NO. ZOA25-0001
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Receive an update on the Zoning Ordinance Amendment related to establishing Hillside
Objective Design Standards.
2. Provide input on the proposed considerations for the Hillside Objective Design Standards.
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS:
On May 21, 2024, the City of Palm Desert entered into a professional services agreement
(Contract No. A47670) with John Kaliski Architects (Consultant), of Los Angeles, California, to
assist in the preparation of objective design standards (ODS) for the Downtown area and Hillside
areas. At this time, the scope of Hillside ODS is the primary focus and the Downtown ODS will
continue at a future time.
The Santa Rosa Mountains and its foothills, which are located in the south and south -western
areas of the City of Palm Desert, have long been recognized by the city as important scenic
resource areas. The city has enacted land use policies and development regulations to minimize
impacts on the scenic characteristic of the hillside by requiring sensitive grading techniques,
architectural design requirements, and discretionary council approval. These existing
regulations related to design consist of subjective guidelines, which are open to wide
interpretation among landowners, staff and decision makers, such as:
PDMC 25.10.050(2)(b) Architecture and landscape design which blends with the natural
terrain to the greatest practical extent.
PDMC 25.10.050(2)(c) Retention and protection of undisturbed viewsheds, natural
landmarks, and features including vistas and the natural skyline as integral elements.
To ensure future development of the hillside is given clear design parameters for stakeholders,
the Development Services Department will work with JKA to prepare Objective Design
Standards based on direction from the City Council, City Council Subcommittee for the Hillside
ODS, Planning Commission, and public input. In this study session, JKA will provide an overview
of the existing hillside setting, and considerations for City Council’s input.
Legal Review:
This report has been reviewed by the City Attorney’s Office.
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City of Palm Desert
Hillside ODS – Study Session
Page 2 of 2
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no financial impact to the General Fund related to this action.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Memorandum of Preliminary Assessment, Findings, and Considerations
2. Hillside ODS Study Session Presentation
4
March 20, 2025
MEMORANDUM
Preliminary Assessment, Findings, and Considerations
Development and Design in Palm Desert’s Hillside Areas
The Hillside Area Objective Design Standards Project
John Kaliski Architects (“Consultant”) was retained by the City of Palm Desert (“City”) in May 2024 to prepare
Downtown and Hillside Objective Design Standards (“ODS”). ODS are design-oriented development standards that are
measurable and quantifiable and used to establish baseline design criteria and parameters for projects .
To date, the Consultant has concentrated on completing a preliminary review of materials for the City’s hillside areas,
including existing ordinances and design standards for the Hillside Planned Residential (HPR) zoning district.
Additionally, the Consultant had the opportunity to tour hillside areas with City staff (“Staff”) on February 21, 2025,
and see existing conditions in the western and southern portions of the City.
This memorandum, in anticipation of a City Council Study Session to be held on March 27, 2025, outlines some
preliminary Consultant observations, findings, and considerations for review and comment by decision -makers at the
Study Session that will help establish priorities and outcomes for the hillside planned residential areas.
To develop the findings and consideration below, in addition to the review of City materials such as the General Plan
and Zoning Code, the Consultant also reviewed a selection of hillside standards in other locales including the
following:
• Blaine County, Idaho (see ORD No. 2023 - 10 Title 10)
• Los Angeles Hillside Ordinance (see LAMC Sec. 12.21.17 1-Fam DUs, Acc. Bldgs. & Adds. Hillside Regs.)
• Mulholland Scenic Parkway Specific Plan (see LA ORD. No. 167,943)
• Palm Springs, California (see Palm Springs ZC Sec. 93.13.00 Hillside developments)
• Pitkin County, Colorado (see Pitkin CO. Design Standards. 7-20-120)
• Salt Lake County, Utah (see Salt Lake CO Foothills and Canyons Overlay Zone)
• Santa Barbara, California (SB Planning Hillside Housing Development)
The Consultant found that each of these jurisdictions has developed standards, for instance the visibility of a structure
from a designated viewshed, that when taken in total suggested that a more robust approach to hillside topics on a
topic-by-topic basis is possible. This suggests that Palm Desert has an opportunity, based upon community and
decision-maker input, to craft more design standards that address this city’s constraints and opportunities for single-
family hillside development. Implementation of additional ideas that establish an agreed upon community baseline for
more certainty as relates to hillside development may be addressed both through the ongoing evolution of the City’s
Unified Development Code (UDC) which generally provides for development standards or through the development of
parallel objective design standards, which can either be adopted as a stand-alone document, or incorporated into the
UDC.
Existing Hillside Conditions
The Palm Desert hillside is composed of two existing contexts. In the West Hills area, privately -owned parcels
developed with single-family land uses are scattered throughout the hillside, while Stone Eagle and Canyons at
Bighorn are planned communities that make up the majority of the southern hillside area. In both the southern and
western portions of Palm Desert, views to and from the mountains across single-family zones dominate the City’s
landscape and establish the City’s identity, which is characterized by its unique desert setting and landscape. The City
acknowledges the value of this identity in its General Plan with the following key open space preservation and hillside
development goals.
5
• Land Use & Community Character Policy 1.2: Open space preservation. Balance the development of the City
with the provision of open space, and especially the hillsides surrounding the City, so as to create both high
quality urban areas and high-quality open space.
Two additional General Plan goals further define the City’s approach to hillside areas and development.
• Land Use & Community Character Policy 1.5: Hillside development. Limit development and grading in areas with
slopes greater than 20% and limit the density and intensity of development in areas with slopes of between 10
and 19 percent.
• Environmental Resources Policy 2.3: Hillside grading. Continue to require the preparation of a grading analysis
on hillside development to pre-determine where development should occur so as to minimize the impact of new
development of the city’s hillsides.
The policy to “…minimize the impact of new development of the city’s hillsides,” is a primary focus for the Hillside ODS
study. ODS can establish more tools that the City can utilize to establish a framework for community expectations of
the definition of quality development in the hillsides.
The City regulates hillside design with development standards (see PD Zoning Sec. 25.10.050A HPR development
standards). These include general grading goals to preserve the natural contours of the land, blend in with the natural
terrain, and protect viewsheds. Flat building pads and associated grading disturbance are limited to 10,000 SF in size,
while residences are not to exceed 4,000 SF inclusive of garages and accessory buildings. At building pads that were
developed before passage of these regulations, lot coverage of structures at these pads is limited to 35%. This can be
increased to 50% coverage with the approval of the City’s Architectural Review Commission (ARC). Given the many
ridges that are visible throughout much of Palm Desert, development is prohibited on or across ridges.
While by code (see PD Zoning Sec. 25.68.020) the ARC does not review typical single-family residences, the ARC often
reviews these projects if it is in a hillside area and exceeds 35% of a previously approved building pad. Staff may also
initiate a request for ARC review of a single-family residence (see PD Zoning Sec. 25.68.030). In practice, there are few
new building pads in the hillside areas, and larger homes are often proposed in the hillside planned residential districts
that exceed UDC thresholds. These are triggering ARC, Planning Commission, and City Council review of the single-
family development type within the hillsides. While a baseline of character, fit, and aesthetic concerns for hillside
design may be addressed by additional Palm Desert-specific design standards to meet community goals, to fully
establish a clear and certain design path for the hillsides requires careful coordination of objective design standard
recommendations, and the development requirements and processes of the City’s UDC. As work is simultaneously
underway to improve the UDC, JKA anticipates coordinating its design standards and guidelines recommendations and
work products with this parallel UDC effort to help ensure a coordinated set of development and design approaches,
standards, and if appropriate guidelines.
To ensure that the Consultant has a directed understanding of community concerns, the following Consultant
observations and considerations of hillside conditions are offered and provide an opportunity for comment and input
that will shape the work and outcomes of this hillside-oriented planning process.
Hillside Observations and Considerations for Discussion
The following observations and considerations are provided to facilitate input and direction to the Consultant during
the Study Session to guide the subsequent development of work product and Project outcomes. These findings and
considerations are not exhaustive but represent the Consultant’s first round of observations and considerations.
Identification and review of other topics and concerns that should be addressed are welcome.
1. Views To Hillsides: Views of the hillsides and mountains from the City are iconic, but due to ongoing single-family
development, hillsides are increasingly subject to change in a manner that decreases the conservation of the
hillside setting due to grading and siting of building pads.
Consideration: Develop more robust viewshed standards to the hillsides from roadways and streets and across the
6
field of view of larger developments.
2. Views From Hillsides: Views from the mountainsides and hills to the City are spectacular but there are cases
where these views are compromised by subsequent development in the hillsides.
Consideration: Standards for hillside building pads, pads in relationship to ridgelines, access roads and drives, and
the screening and visibility of new construction could further reduce the visibility of new homes and conserve
viewsheds from and across the mountain sides. Additionally, more robust standards for individual developments in
the hillsides that address the fit and character of development could be developed. Areas where standards could
be further expanded include, but are not limited to:
o Grading extent,
o Height in relationship to ridgelines,
o Roofline silhouette(s),
o Extent of scale, mass, bulk and transparency,
o Use of color(s),
o Use of material(s), and
o Extent of visible exterior lighting.
3. Use of Native Landscape: The native desert landscape of the hillsides contributes significantly to the sense of
place and identity of both the mountains and the city, but present landscape standards do not fully incorporate
use of native and similar flora requirements.
Consideration: Develop more robust standards for landscape in the hillside areas that conserves and fosters the
native landscape characteristic of these locations.
4. Cluster Development: Planned single-family residential developments emphasize individual lot development as
opposed to cluster development that maintains more conserved open space.
Consideration: Develop incentives for clustering of development in hillside areas that conserves more open space
and/or conservation easements for sloped areas where new grading cannot occur.
5. Site Access Standards Existing roads in some of the hillside areas do not meet minimum access standards that
ensure life safety access. In some hillside areas, evidence of erosion due to water flow is visible and utilities are
exposed.
Consideration: Develop more base standards and requirements for individual property development in relationship
to access, fire safety, flooding, and utilities that ensure life safety for both residents and first responders.
If you have any questions or comments with regard to this memorandum, please contact Planning Staff, Nick Melloni,
Principal Planner at nmelloni@palmdesert.gov, and John Kaliski and Amee Bhatt at jkaliski@jka-la.com and
abhatt@jka-la.com respectively.
7
8
EXISTING CONDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES REPORT
March 2025HILLSIDE OBJECTIVE
DESIGN STANDARDS
Prepared by:
9
EXISTING CONDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES REPORT –March 2025 2
IN THIS REPORT
⬩Existing Regulations
⬩Summary of Key Issues
⬩Hillside Precedents
⬩Consultant
Considerations
⬩Questions for the City
Council
10
EXISTING CONDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES REPORT –March 2025 3
⬩Explore, understand, and define the
built form and character of hillside
development in Palm Desert.
⬩Optimize engagement with residents,
City staff, and decision-makers to
understand expectations of hillside
development.
⬩Translate community values into
objective design standards that foster
the natural identity of the hillside and
acknowledge the balance between
nature and development.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
11
EXISTING CONDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES REPORT –March 2025 4
PROJECT TIMELINE
PROJECT
INITIATION &
EXISTING
CONDITIONS
🞙Project Kickoff
🞙Hillside Tour
with City Staff
🞙Existing
Conditions
Report
🞙City Council
Study Session
TECHNICAL
REPORT
🞙Case Studies
🞙ODS Findings and
Recommendations
Outline
🞙Decision-Maker
Study Session
OBJECTIVE
DESIGN
STANDARDS
🞙Administrative
Draft ODS
🞙Public Review
Draft ODS
🞙Public Hearing
Draft ODS
PUBLIC
HEARINGS
🞙Public Hearings
🞙Final ODS
12
EXISTING CONDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES REPORT –March 2025 5
HILLSIDE
PLANNED
RESIDENTIAL
WEST HILLS:
POTENTIAL
AREA OF
FOCUS?Stone Eagle
Canyons at Bighorn
Ridgeline
Hillside Planned
Residential Zone
City of
Palm
Desert
13
EXISTING CONDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES REPORT –March 2025 6
EXISTING
REGULATIONS
⬩History of Hillside Zoning
⬩Palm Desert General Plan
⬩Hillside Planned
Residential (HPR)
Development Standards
14
EXISTING CONDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES REPORT –March 2025
2006
7
HISTORY OF PALM DESERT HILLSIZE ZONING
1979
Palm Valley Area SP
🞙Slopes < 20% avg.: Planned
Residential zoning (1-3 DU/acre)
🞙Slopes > 20% avg.: Open Space
zoning
1994
Small family day care homes
permitted within any HPR district.
1983
West Hills SP establishes the
Hillside Planned Residential zone.
2004
Comprehensive update to
Hillside Development Code
and establishment of a
ridgeline map.
2007
HPR amended by
restricting
development along
ridgelines.
Hagadone House
constructed,
controversy
amongst residents.
15
EXISTING CONDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES REPORT –March 2025 8
GENERAL PLAN
Land Use 1.2 Open space
preservation.
Balance the development of the city with the provision of open space, and especially
the hillsides surrounding the City, so as to create both high quality urban areas and
high quality open space.
Land Use 1.5 Hillside
Development.
Limit development and grading in areas with slopes greater than 20 percent and limit
the density and intensity of development in areas with slopes of between 10 and 19
percent.
Environmental Resources 2.3
Hillside grading.
Continue to require the preparation of a grading analysis on hillside development to
pre-determine where development should occur so as to minimize the impact of new
development on views of the city’s hillsides.
Environmental Resources 2.4
Public facilities.
Plan public facilities, roads, and private development to take advantage of the city’s
mountain and hillside views, especially as the City Center develops.
Environmental Resources 2.5
Dark sky.
Limit light pollution from outdoor sources, especially in rural, hillside and mountain
areas, and open spaces, to maintain darkness for night sky viewing.
16
EXISTING CONDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES REPORT –March 2025 9
EXISTING DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
ODS
Design
Guideline
Density min. 1 DU; max. 1 DU per 5 acres 🗹Not required if:
-Commission and Council
approve a precise plan of
design.
-If a property owner can
demonstrate that a
previous building pad was
approved by the City or
County before
incorporation, no public
hearing is required.
Building size would be
limited to 35% of the lot,
max. 50% with ARC
approval. Enlarging a
previously approved
existing building pad
would require a new
public hearing.
Grading Preserve natural contours of the land to avoid extensive cut and fill
slopes to reduce the need for a staircase effect within developments.🗹
Architecture/landscape design which blends with the natural terrain to
the greatest practical extent.🗹
Retention and protection of undisturbed viewsheds, natural landmarks,
and features including vistas and the natural skyline as integral areas.🗹
Building Pad Area Area that is permanently disturbed by grading: max. 10,000 SF.🗹
Access Road/
Driveway
Permanent grading disturbance of natural terrain for development of
access to the approved building pad: max. 3,000 SF.🗹
Roads shall be located/designed to blend with the natural terrain to the
greatest practical extent, consistent with other grading provisions.🗹
Renaturalization All cuts, fills, or other areas temporarily disturbed by grading shall be
renaturalized, colored, and landscaped to blend with the adjacent
undisturbed natural terrain to the satisfaction of the City Council.
🗹
DU Size max. 4,000 SF per lot, inclusive of total SF of DU, garage, and accessory
building size 🗹
17
EXISTING CONDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES REPORT –March 2025 10
ODS
Design
Guideline
Coverage Max. 35% for previously approved existing building pads, max. 50% with ARC approval 🗹
Ridges Development on or across ridges is prohibited.🗹
Building Pads/
Architecture Design
Designed to eliminate or minimize any visual impact on the City to the maximum extent feasible.🗹
Common Open Space
(COS) -select one
a. Dedication of COS to the City, which is subject to formal acceptance.🗹
b. Establishment of an association or nonprofit corporation of all property owners or corporations within the
project area to ensure perpetual maintenance of all COS.🗹
c. Retention of ownership, control, and maintenance of all COS by the developer; all privately owned COS shall
continue as such and shall only be used in accordance with the development plan; appropriate land use
restrictions shall be contained in all deeds to ensure that the COS is permanently preserved according to the
development plan; said deed restrictions shall run with the land, be for the benefit of present as well as future
property owners, shall contain a prohibition against partition of COS.
🗹
Design Criteria The overall plan shall achieve an integrated land and building relationship.🗹
Open spaces, pedestrian and vehicular circulation facilities, parking facilities, and other pertinent amenities
shall be an integral part of the landscape and particular attention shall be given to the retention of natural
landscape features of the site.
🗹
The layout of structures and other facilities shall affect a conservation in street and utility improvements.🗹
Recreational areas, active and passive, shall be generally dispersed throughout the development and shall be
easily accessible from all dwelling units.🗹
Architectural unity and harmony within the development and with the surrounding properties shall be attained.🗹
EXISTING DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS (CONT.)
18
EXISTING CONDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES REPORT –March 2025 11
SUMMARY OF
KEY ISSUES
EXISTING MUNICIPAL CODE:
🞙Vague descriptions and design guidelines which
are subjective and open to interpretation by Staff
and decision-makers
🞙There are exceptions available to any standard
🞙Limited objective standards
🞙There is no clear definition of viewsheds or
relationship between developments and
viewsheds
🞙There are no grading design standards
19
EXISTING CONDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES REPORT –March 2025 12
HILLSIDE
PRECEDENTS
⬩Blaine County, Idaho
⬩Los Angeles Hillside
Ordinance and Mulholland
Drive Specific Plan
⬩Palm Springs, California
⬩Pitkin County, Colorado
⬩Salt Lake County, Utah
⬩Santa Barbara, California
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EXISTING CONDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES REPORT –March 2025 13
Add a slide summarizing the key issues with the existing code:
-Vague descriptions and design guidelines which are subjective and open
to interpretation by staff and decision makers
-Exceptions available to any standard
-Limited objective standards
-No clear definition of view sheds or relation between development and
view shed
-No grading design standards
Use these issue identifications to prime council to understand why we
looked at precedents of these other cities to show there are ways to
address the issues we raise in this presentation
21
EXISTING CONDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES REPORT –March 2025 14
BLAINE COUNTY, IDAHO:
🞙On lots located adjacent to public lands, all
buildings and other structures (except for
perimeter fencing): a min. 30' setback from
federally managed and state endowment
lands
🞙Buildings and structures on lots of five or
more acres shall have a minimum 50' setback
from public lands
🞙Protection of skylines, ridges, knolls, tree and
shrub clusters, and rock outcroppings to
preserve hillside appearance
LOS ANGELES HILLSIDE
ORDINANCE AND MULHOLLAND
DRIVE SPECIFIC PLAN:
🞙Visibility studies and/or viewshed analyses
depicting the relationship between a hillside
building pad and a lower elevation corridor
22
EXISTING CONDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES REPORT –March 2025 15
SALT LAKE COUNTY, UTAH:
🞙25% density bonus incentive over the base
density for cluster developments -which
reduce infrastructure costs and
environmental impacts
PITKIN COUNTY, COLORADO:
🞙Development standards categorized by slope
percentage of parcel
🞙Detailed standards and guidelines for
retaining walls, including maximum height, a
max. two tiers of terracing, and
material/color
🞙Heavy on infrastructural standards, such as
detention/stormwater, drainage, irrigation,
utilities
23
EXISTING CONDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES REPORT –March 2025 16
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA:
🞙Minor hillside streets (serving 4 lots or less)
require a minimum 32’ curb to curb width
and a minimum 40’ right-of-way
🞙Hillside collector streets (serving more than
4 lots) require a minimum 36’ curb to curb
width and a minimum 40’ right-of-way
🞙Curb-to-curb width exceptions include but
are not limited to:
○A min. 24’ foot travel way is provided,
adequate vertical and horizontal sight
distance is provided
○Roadways provide adequate access for
emergency equipment and that the fire
department may require upgraded fire
protection systems both on and offsite
SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA:
🞙Height Maximums: In rural areas: the height
of any structure should not exceed 16’
wherever there is a 16’ drop in elevation
within 100’ of the proposed structure’s
location
🞙Montecito Hillside Overlay Zone: project
grading shall not exceed 1,500 cubic yards of
cut or fill (excavation not apparent from the
exterior not included), unless additional
grading is necessary to allow reasonable
development of the property or to achieve
reasonable vehicular access
24
EXISTING CONDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES REPORT –March 2025 17
CONSULTANT
FINDINGS &
CONSIDERATIONS
⬩Views To Hillsides
⬩Views From Hillsides
⬩Use of Native Landscape
⬩Cluster Development
⬩Site Access Standards
25
EXISTING CONDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES REPORT –March 2025 18
VIEWS TO HILLSIDES:
Views of the hillsides and mountains from the City
are iconic, but due to ongoing single-family
development, hillsides are increasingly subject to
change in a manner that decreases the
conservation of the hillside setting.
CONSIDERATION:
Develop more robust viewshed
standards to the hillsides from
roadways and streets and across the
field of view of larger developments.
< Calle de los Campesinos looking west, uphill26
EXISTING CONDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES REPORT –March 2025 19
VIEWS FROM HILLSIDES:
Views from the mountainsides and hills to the City
are spectacular, but there are cases where these
views are compromised by subsequent
development in the hillsides.
CONSIDERATION:
Standards for hillside building pads, pads in
relationship to ridgelines, access roads and drives, and
the screening and visibility of new construction could
further reduce the visibility of new homes and
conserve viewsheds from and across the mountain
sides. Additionally, more robust standards for
individual developments in the hillsides that address
the fit and character of development could be
developed. Areas where standards could be further
expanded include, but are not limited to:
⬥Grading extent
⬥Height in relationship to ridgelines
⬥Roofline silhouette(s)
⬥Extent of scale, mass, bulk and transparency
⬥Use of color(s)
⬥Use of material(s)
⬥Extent of visible exterior lighting
< South Cliff Rd looking east, downhill27
EXISTING CONDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES REPORT –March 2025 20
USE OF NATIVE LANDSCAPE:
The native desert landscape of the hillsides
contributes significantly to the sense of place and
identity of both the mountains and the city, but
present landscape standards do not fully
incorporate use of native and similar flora
requirements.
CONSIDERATION:
Develop more robust standards for
landscape in the hillside areas that
conserves and fosters the native
landscape characteristic of these
locations.
< Canyons at Bighorn28
EXISTING CONDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES REPORT –March 2025 21
CLUSTER DEVELOPMENT:
Planned single-family residential developments
emphasize individual lot development as opposed
to cluster development that maintains more
conserved open space.
CONSIDERATION:
Develop incentives for clustering of
development in hillside areas that
conserves more open space.
< Canyons at Bighorn29
EXISTING CONDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES REPORT –March 2025 22
SITE ACCESS STANDARDS:
Existing roads in some of the hillside areas do not
meet minimum access standards that ensure life
safety access. In some hillside areas, evidence of
erosion due to water flow is visible and utilities are
exposed.
CONSIDERATION:
Develop more base standards and
requirements for individual property
development in relationship to access,
fire safety, flooding, and utilities that
ensure life safety for both residents and
first responders.
< South Cliff Road30
EXISTING CONDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES REPORT –March 2025 23
QUESTIONS FOR
CITY COUNCIL
⬩Should we concentrate our efforts in the
West Hills area?
⬩Should we develop design standards for
architectural and landscape fit in the
landscape?
⬩Are there particular viewsheds that are
important?
⬩Should we look further into hazard issues
and opportunities for cluster
development?
⬩Are there issues we haven’t brought up
that we should consider in this exercise?
HILLSIDE OBJECTIVE
DESIGN STANDARDS
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CITY OF PALM DESERT
STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: March 27, 2025
PREPARED BY: Thomas Soule, Public Affairs Manager
Erica Powell, Management Analyst – Public Art
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON THE CITY SEAL REDESIGN PROCESS
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive and file an update on the City Seal redesign process.
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS:
In response to a City Council request to explore updating the City Seal, staff is proposing a
comprehensive redesign process. This study session will provide an overview of the proposed
process for developing a new City Seal, including key phases for design, public engagement,
and City Council approval.
The City Seal has remained unchanged since the City's inco rporation 50 years ago, and as the
City has evolved, so too has its identity and community character. A more contemporary and
representative seal can help reinforce civic pride, reflect the City’s progress, and ensure that
official branding aligns with the City’s current vision. This session serves as a critical next step
in defining that approach, securing input, and ensuring a transparent and inclusive process
before moving forward. This session will also provide an opportunity for Council members to
share their insights before the process formally begins.
Proposed Process:
In broad strokes, the recommended approach includes the following steps:
Create a Steering Committee – Staff will identify and select members for a working group
comprising an artist, an art influencer, and a marketing professional.
Design Development – Establishing guiding principles for the new seal’s design, informed
by historical context and community identity.
Public Engagement – Gathering input from residents and stakeholders through surveys,
meetings, and outreach efforts to ensure broad representation.
Council Review & Approval – Presenting design options for City Council consideration
and final selection.
Staff will incorporate City Council feedback from this session into the f inal process framework
and create a detailed timeline for implementation. In addition, staff requests the appointment of
an ad hoc City Council Subcommittee to provide staff with guidance throughout the process. A
companion report is listed on the regular meeting agenda to confirm this appointment.
Legal Review:
This report has been reviewed by the City Attorney’s Office.
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City of Palm Desert
City Seal Redesign Process
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FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Total costs of this project are estimated at $10,000. Funds are available in the appropriate FY
2024-25 Annual Budget accounts. There is no additional impact to the General Fund.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. City of Palm Desert Seal
2. City of Palm Desert Seal Re-design Process
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City of Palm Desert Seal
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City of Palm Desert Seal Re-design Process
1. Goals:
• Involve Key Stakeholders: Ensure vested groups are involved with the process.
• Community Engagement: Solicit input and participation from residents, merchants, and
local organizations.
• Updating and ensuring quality to withstand the legacy for the next 50 years.
2. Deliverables
• City of Palm Desert Seal: new design.
• Timeline:
o Study Session
o Planning
o Commission
o Selection
o Review
o Public Engagement
o Approval
o Installation
3. Steering Committee
• Key Stakeholders:
o Palm Desert City Council subcommittee: 2 members
o Artist
o Art Influencer
o Marketing Professional
• Scheduled meetings: Call for Commission and selection process.
4. Establish Guidelines and Requirements
• Selection Process: Develop criteria prioritizing artistic vision, experience, and relevance
to project goals.
• Staff to create rubric.
• Submission Requirements: Define deliverables, such as concept sketches or digital
designs.
• Contract: Outline clear expectations, including scope of work, timelines, and payment
structure.
5. Call for Commission
• Staff will draft the Call for Commission and incorporate input from stakeholder
discussions.
• Selection process to begin with key stakeholders, then final round to be ranked by the
public engagement and presented to the City Council for final approval.
6. Engage with the Community Through EngagePalmDesert
• Project Website (EngagePalmDesert.com): Maintain a hub for feedback portal.
• Social Media: Point the public to EngagePD to solicit input.
• Community Partners: Collaborate with schools, nonprofits, and cultural organizations
(e.g., Artists Center) to extend engagement efforts.
• Analytics: Track community engagement metrics online, such as website visits, survey
completions, or social media interactions.
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