HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-03-25 ARC Regular Meeting MinutesARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION
CITY OF PALM DESERT
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
March 25, 2025, 12:30 p.m.
Present: Commissioner James Blakeley, Commissioner Dean Wallace
Colvard, Commissioner Michael McAuliffe, Commissioner James
McIntosh, Commissioner Francisco Sanchez, Chair John Vuksic
Absent: Commissioner Nicholas Latkovic
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 was called to order by Chair
Vuksic on March 25, 2025, at 12:30 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
Chair Vuksic opened and closed the public comment period for Non -Agenda public
comment. No public comments were provided.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion by: Commissioner Colvard
Seconded by: Commissioner McAuliffe
The Consent Calendar was approved as presented.
Motion Carried (6 to 0)
4.a APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by: Commissioner Colvard
Seconded by: Commissioner McAuliffe
The Architectural Review Commission (ARC) regular meeting minutes of March
11, 2025, were approved as presented.
Motion Carried (6 to 0)
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March 25, 2025
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5. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER
None
6. ACTION CALENDAR
6.a CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE A DESIGN REVIEW FOR A FAÇADE
MODIFICATION TO AN EXISTING RETAIL STOREFRONT FOR WHITE
HOUSE BLACK MARKET AT 73061 EL PASEO SUITES 6&7
Associate Planner, Kenny Taylor, narrated a PowerPoint presentation on the item
and responded to Commission inquiries. David Fletcher, Property Owner
Representative, was present in person. David Davis and Jason Hunt, Architects,
were present via Zoom.
Chair Vuksic opened the public comment period and invited the applicant to
speak. David Fletcher, Property Owner Representative, David Davis and Jason
Hunt, Architects, 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 on the project.
Motion by: Chair Vuksic
Seconded by: Commissioner McIntosh
Motion carried to approve Case No. MISC25-0004, with the following conditions:
1. The trim detail above soffit shall be removed.
2. The material board shall be updated to reflect "Flamed Absolute Black" for
the granite tile material (Number 4).
Motion Carried (6 to 0)
6.b CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE A DESIGN REVIEW TO MODIFY A FOUR-
STORY STAYBRIDGE SUITES HOTEL LOCATED AT 74755 TECHNOLOGY
DRIVE
Chair Vuksic advised the Commission of his need to recuse from this item as his
firm is the Architect on this project and left the conference room.
Principal Planner, Carlos Flores, narrated a PowerPoint presentation on the item
and responded to Commission inquiries. Nicole Williams with Prest Vuksic
Greenwood Architects, Applicant, was present via Zoom.
Vice Chair McIntosh opened the public comment period and invited the applicant
to speak. Nicole Williams with Prest Vuksic Greenwood Architects, Applicant,
introduced herself and answered questions from the Commission.
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March 25, 2025
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With no other members of the public wishing to comment, Vice Chair McIntosh
closed the public comment period. Discussion on the item ensued with
Commissioners providing comments on the project.
Motion by: Commissioner McAuliffe
Seconded by: Commissioner Blakeley
Motion carried to approve Case No. MISC25-0008 as presented, subject to the
following conditions:
1. Design is subject to review and approval of precise grading plan.
2. Final construction documents shall be reviewed by ARC subcommittee for
conformance with the design review.
3. Applicant shall provide a paint sample for P5 Metallic Rust Iron Custom
Mix finish during ARC subcommittee review of final construction
documents.
RECUSED (1): Chair Vuksic
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
Chair Vuksic rejoined the meeting at the conclusion of the item.
7. REPORTS & REMARKS
7.a ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSIONERS
Commissioner Colvard reported the following updates for the Cultural Arts
Committee:
"Rising Inversion" will be installed at Ironwood Park at a cost of $100,000.
Due to the rising costs of iron, steel, and general materials the budget for
the "Dueling Palms" sculpture will increase $106,000 with a total cost of
over $200,000.
Upon inquiry, Principal Planner Flores provided the following updates:
The department has received grading submittals for the Vesta Apartment
project.
Palms Community has submitted f or construction permits which are
currently under review. They have also submitted their final subdivision
map which will need to be approved.
Millennium Apartments is currently under construction.
Agate Apartments have been fully constructed.
The Phase 2 map for the Explore project was recently approved through
City Council. They have completed mass grading and submitted their
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application for precise grading. All entitlements have been approved for
this project.
7.b CITY STAFF
Principal Planner, Nick Melloni, provided the following updates:
The General Plan and Housing Element Annual Progress Report went
before the Planning Commission at their last meeting and the Commission
approved a recommendation to the City Council to submit the annual
report to the State. This report will go before the City Council at their next
regular meeting.
On Thursday, March 27, 2025, a study session will be held with City
Council regarding the Hillside Objective Design Standards which will
include the consultants, John Kaliski Architects, who will be preparing the
design standards.
On April 10, 2025, a study session will be held with the City Council
regarding the Unified Development Code.
In response to inquiries regarding the anticipated completion date for the
"Millennium Park" and if staff will be revisiting the Short-Term Rental ordinance,
Principal Planner Melloni stated he would reach out to the appropriate staff to
provide an update on these topics at a later ARC meeting.
7.c ATTENDANCE REPORT
The attendance report was provided with the agenda materials. The Commission
took no action on this item.
8. ADJOURNMENT
The Architectural Review Commission adjourned at 1:43 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Melinda Gonzalez
Melinda Gonzalez, Executive Administrative Assistant
Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
Carlos Flores
Carlos Flores, Principal Planner
Secretary
APPROVED BY ARC: 4/8/2025