HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-03-27 - Study SessionStudy Session of the Palm Desert City Council, Successor Agency to the Palm Desert
Redevelopment Agency, Housing Authority, and Board of Library Trustees
Minutes
March 27, 2025, 2:45 p.m.
Present: Mayor Jan Harnik, Councilmember Gina Nestande, Mayor Pro
Tem Evan Trubee, Councilmember Karina Quintanilla,
Councilmember Joe Pradetto
1. CALL TO ORDER - STUDY SESSION
A Study Session of the Palm Desert City Council was called to order by Mayor Harnik on
Thursday, March 27, 2025, at 2:47 p.m., in the Council Chamber, City Hall, located at 73-
510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, California.
2. STUDY SESSION TOPICS
2.a UPDATE ON THE HILLSIDE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS PROJECT
CASE NO. ZOA25-0001
Principal Planner Melloni introduced John Kaliski, of John Kaliski Architects, who
narrated a PowerPoint presentation and responded to City Council inquiries.
During the deliberations, individual Councilmember(s) offered commentary as
follows. The points below do not necessarily reflect the City Council consensus.
• Adopt objective standards for ridgeline protection.
• Clearly define "excessive" cut/fill with objective standards.
• Oppose new cluster development in the west hills.
• Establish standards for viewshed protection.
• Conduct a hillside tour for council members.
• Clarify Fire Department requirements for property access.
• Explore eliminating the existing precise plan and exceptions in the Hillside
Planned Residential zone if no major environmental review is needed.
• Provide background on State laws, including Senate Bill 9, and its applicability
to charter cities.
• Limit structure size in Hillside Planned Residential areas.
• Encourage homeowners to focus on mountain views rather than valley views.
• Assess the number of privately owned lots and their developability.
• Determine if private property owners can build additional roads.
• Evaluate the feasibility of prohibiting all hillside development.
• Clarify if the ODS project applies to existing developments like Bighorn.
• Recognize all mountains and open space as important within the City's
influence.
• Prohibit short-term rental structures in hillside areas.
• Ensure architecture and landscaping complement the natural beauty of the
desert.
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City Council Study Session Minutes
March 27, 2025
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2.b UPDATE ON THE CITY SEAL REDESIGN PROCESS
Management Analyst Powell presented a staff report and responded to City
Council inquiries.
3. ADJOURNMENT
The City Council adjourned the Study Session at 4:02 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_________________________
Michelle Nance
Acting Assistant City Clerk, CMC/Assistant Secretary
_________________________
Anthony J. Mejia, MMC
City Clerk/Secretary
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