HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-06-24 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 June 24, 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. NONAGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT
Chair Vuksic 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 McAuliffe
Seconded by: Commissioner Latkovic
Motion Carried (7 to 0)
4.a APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by: Commissioner McAuliffe
Seconded by: Commissioner Latkovic
The Architectural Review Commission (ARC) regular meeting minutes of May 27,
2025, were approved as presented.
Motion Carried (7 to 0)
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5. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER
None
6. BUSINESS ITEMS
6.a CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE A SIGN PROGRAM FOR AN EXISTING,
MULTITENANT COMMERCIAL BUILDING AT 72171 HIGHWAY 111
Deputy Director Flores narrated a PowerPoint presentation on the item and
responded to Commission inquiries. Glenn Davis with Signarama, Applicant, was
present in-person.
Chair Vuksic opened the public comment period and invited the applicant to
speak. Glenn Davis with Signarama, Applicant, introduced himself 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: Commissioner McAuliffe
Seconded by: Commissioner McIntosh
Motion carried to continue Case No. SARC24-0009, with the following
comments:
1. Further study the monument sign.
2. The proposed location for the monument sign and signs placed on the
building are acceptable.
3. Monument sign design needs to be upgraded. Give consideration to its
location as one the first things seen as you drive into the City.
Motion Carried (7 to 0)
6.b PROVIDE FEEDBACK ON CITYWIDE LANDSCAPE MASTER PLAN
Commissioner Sanchez advised the Commission of his need to recuse from this
item as his firm is the Landscape Architect on this project.
Deputy Director Flores provided a brief introduction to the project and turned the
presentation over to City staff member, Community Services Manager Shawn
Muir. Community Services Manager Muir provided a brief summary of the project
stating the City is looking to develop a landscape Master Plan to create a
cohesive landscape design on all of the medians throughout the City. Community
Services Manager Muir turned the presentation over to the City's consultant for
the project. Opus Garza, Associate and Senior Designer with Hermann Design
Group, introduced himself and narrated a PowerPoint presentation for the Palm
Desert landscape Master Plan.
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Mr. Opus provided information on the existing conditions of the landscape in the
City medians and provided a comprehensive overview of the proposed master
plan including plant selections and accent design elements. Designs will be of
three different levels based on vehicle speed and density. Mr. Opus outlined the
landscape components, including depictions for each with a list of proposed plant
species, accents, grasses, shrubs, groundcovers and vines, as well as paving
stones and gravel material for each of the three tier levels.
Commissioners provided the following feedback on the proposed landscape
master plan:
• Consider adding landscaping or another type of design, such as a
sculpture, to the desert area behind Costco going eastbound off of
Monterey Avenue off ramp.
• Add lighting to the medians in areas where it is a feasible option.
• Ensure there is budget available for maintenance to the medians to keep
them at optimal design.
• Proposed hybrid plants should be suitable for the desert climate.
• Commissioners were pleased with the proposed landscape Master Plan.
Commissioner Sanchez returned to the meeting at the conclusion of this item.
7. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
7.a COMMITTEE MEETING UPDATES
7.a.1 Cultural Arts Committee
No updates were reported.
7.b CITY STAFF
Deputy Director Flores reported the following updates:
• The City Council will review the proposed City Budget for the upcoming
fiscal year at the City Council meeting scheduled for this Thursday, June
26, 2025. There will also be a study session to discuss updating the
Circulation Element to include the Portola Avenue Interchange.
• Our newly appointed ARC Commissioner will be at the next ARC meeting.
Deputy Director Flores thanked Commissioner McAuliffe for his many
years of service and expressed gratitude for the work he contributed to the
Commission, adding he will be missed.
• In response to inquiry, Deputy Director Flores advised any business on El
Paseo who would like to rebuild or add a dining deck will need to apply
through a Temporary Use Permit and will be subject to the new design
guidelines. There are three businesses who have confirmed they are
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interested in rebuilding their dining deck after the road rehabilitation
project concludes.
• The Planning webpages on the City's website have been updated and the
City's Historic Context Statement and Survey have been added for public
review.
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.
9. ADJOURNMENT
The Architectural Review Commission adjourned at 2:11 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_________________________________________________
Melinda Gonzalez, Executive Administrative Assistant
Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
___________________________________________________
Carlos Flores, Interim Deputy Director of Development Services
Secretary
APPROVED BY ARC: 08/12/2025
Docusign Envelope ID: 74C49139-0EF3-41F7-88FB-CE62B6BC47DC