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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-08-12 ARC Regular Meeting MinutesARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION CITY OF PALM DESERT REGULAR MEETING MINUTES 1. CALL TO ORDER A Regular Meeting of the Architectural Review Commission was called to order by Chair Vuksic on August 12, 2025, 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. APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRPERSON AND VICE-CHAIRPERSON FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 Deputy Director Flores provided a brief overview of the newly implemented rotational appointment for the Chair and Vice Chair as outlined in the City Clerk memo provided in the agenda. Chair Vuksic called for a motion to approved the appointment of Commissioner McIntosh as Chair and Commissioner Blakeley as Vice Chair. Commissioner Colvard called to approve the appointments of Commissioners McIntosh and Blakeley. Commissioner Gregory seconded the motion. Motion by: Commissioner Colvard Seconded by: Commissioner Gregory Motion Carried (6 to 0) 4. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT None Docusign Envelope ID: 74C49139-0EF3-41F7-88FB-CE62B6BC47DC Architectural Review Commission Meeting Minutes August 12, 2025 2 5. CONSENT CALENDAR Chair McIntosh opened up the public comment period. With no members of the public wishing to speak, Chair McIntosh closed the public comment period. The Consent Calendar was approved as presented. Motion by: Chair Vuksic Seconded by: Commissioner Blakeley Motion Carried (6 to 0) 5.a APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by: Chair Vuksic Seconded by: Commissioner Blakeley The Architectural Review Commission (ARC) regular meeting minutes of June 24, 2025, were approved as presented. Motion Carried (6 to 0) 6. BUSINESS ITEMS 6.a APPOINTMENT OF CULTURAL ARTS COMMITTEE LIAISON FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 Chair McIntosh called for nominations for a commission liaison for the Cultural Arts Committee. Chair McIntosh moved to reappoint Commission Colvard as liaison for the Cultural Arts Committee. Commissioner Vuksic seconded the motion. Motion by: Commissioner McIntosh Seconded by: Chair Vuksic Motion Carried (6 to 0) 6.b CONSIDERATION FOR DESIGN REVIEW APPROVAL FOR A PRIVATE PICKLEBALL COURT AT 73481 PURSLANE Assistant Planner Aguirre narrated a PowerPoint presentation on the item and responded to Commission inquiries. Shawn Rost, Applicant, was present in- person. Chair McIntosh opened the public comment period and invited the applicant to speak. Shawn Rost, Applicant, introduced himself and answered questions from the Commission. Mr. Rost spoke in favor of the project and asked that the Commission approve the project as presented. He shared information regarding the noise study noting the noise consultant pointed out several conditions of the home which help mitigate noise being carried out to the surrounding area. He further shared he self-reported not having permitted the sports court asserting he does not want to sidestep any process or approval and did not intend to do anything wrong. Mr. Rost stated his intentions were not to disrupt those around Docusign Envelope ID: 74C49139-0EF3-41F7-88FB-CE62B6BC47DC Architectural Review Commission Meeting Minutes August 12, 2025 3 the property and shared his desire to correct the issue, adding that his project otherwise complies with the code. Evan Dockser, Palm Desert Resident, spoke in opposition to the project. Mr. Dockser expressed concerns regarding the property, noting it is currently in escrow and has undergone extensive renovation. He stated to his understanding after speaking with staff that the pickleball court may not have been approved due to setback requirements. He further stated concerns that the applicant built the pickleball court and asked for forgiveness instead of permission and does not feel the Commission should approve or allow the court. Kitty Dockser, Palm Desert Resident, spoke in opposition to the project. Mrs. Dockser raised concerns about the noise study because the consultant was hired by the applicant. She further voiced concerns that the renovation has been noisy and with the sale of the property there will be no requirements which will prohibit the number of consecutive and concurrent recreational users for the pickleball court. She encouraged commissioners to see the existing conditions and asked that a licensed surveyor confirm the dimensions, including the setbacks. Mrs. Dockser asserted that approval of the project would set a concerning precedent and would be a detriment to the surrounding neighbors. Kent Stone, Palm Desert Resident, observed the request is difficult because approval is being sought after the project has been built. He stated that identifying these issues needs to start sooner in the process of approved plans to construction plans so you are not having to approve construction after the fact. He asserted that intervention for the court’s construction should have been addressed earlier to avoid having upset neighbors and community members. Shawn Rost, Applicant, stated since the pickleball court has been built it has only been played on once and added that they have not made noise, any noise was from another source. He reiterated he is not trying to sidestep the process and self-reported the court’s construction without a permit. Mr. Rost stated he is requesting approval for a project that meets city standards. With no other members of the public wishing to comment, Chair McIntosh closed the public comment period. Discussion on the item ensued with Commissioners providing comments on the project. Motion by: Commissioner Gregory Seconded by: Commissioner Blakeley Motion carried to continue Case No. MISC25-0018 to a date uncertain with the following comments: 1. Provide a survey of the property drafted by a license surveyor to confirm setbacks. 2. Sound engineer who provided noise study should be present at the next ARC review meeting to answer questions from the Commission. Motion Carried (6 to 0) Docusign Envelope ID: 74C49139-0EF3-41F7-88FB-CE62B6BC47DC Architectural Review Commission Meeting Minutes August 12, 2025 4 7. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS 7.a COMMITTEE MEETING UPDATES 7.a.1 Cultural Arts Committee Commissioner Colvard provided an update for the Cultural Art Committee (CAC) reporting the CAC has approved a request to enter into a 10-year lease agreement with Golden Voice for the installation of a sculpture experience called Taffy, by artist, Stephanie Lin. The sculpture experience includes six vertical towers ranging from 25 feet to 50 feet in height and 5 feet to 7 feet in diameter. The art piece was shown at Coachella fest and will be installed at the Civic Center Park, located in the open grassy area between the skate park and City Hall north wing building. 7.a.2 ARC Subcommittee Deputy Director Flores reported the applicant for the Shadow Ridge project has construction documents which are ready for review by an ARC subcommittee. Upon request of volunteers to form an ARC subcommittee for the project, Commissioner Gregory and Chair McIntosh volunteered to review the construction documents to confirm substantial conformance. 7.b CITY STAFF Deputy Director Flores provided the following updates: • Introduced new Senior Planner, Siji Fernandez, and shared there are two additional new planners to the team, Associate Planner, Bobby Keatinge, and Assistant Planner, Payton Thomas. • A study session will be held with City Council to receive direction for procedures and standards on outdoor lighting. • Staff will look into options regarding informational or educational training for noise including process used to obtain noise studies. • Joint study sessions with ARC, PC, and potentially City Council will be held for several long-range planning projects, including Unified Development Code Update, Hillside and Downtown objective design standards, and Circulation Element. • Commissioners inquired about ways to deter developers from asking for forgiveness instead of permission for construction. 7.c ATTENDANCE REPORT The attendance report was provided with the agenda materials. The Commission took no action on this item. 8. REQUESTS FOR ACTION No requests for future agenda items were proposed. Docusign Envelope ID: 74C49139-0EF3-41F7-88FB-CE62B6BC47DC Architectural Review Commission Meeting Minutes August 12, 2025 5 9. ADJOURNMENT The Architectural Review Commission adjourned at 2:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, _________________________________________________ Melinda Gonzalez, Executive Administrative Assistant Recording Secretary ATTEST: ___________________________________________________ Carlos Flores, Interim Deputy Director of Development Services Secretary APPROVED BY ARC: 10/14/2025 Docusign Envelope ID: 74C49139-0EF3-41F7-88FB-CE62B6BC47DC