Study Session of the Palm Desert City Council, Successor Agency to the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency, Housing Authority, and Board of Library Trustees

Minutes

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Council Chamber, City Hall
73-510 Fred Waring Drive
Palm Desert, California
Present:
  • Mayor Jan Harnik, 
  • Councilmember Gina Nestande, 
  • Mayor Pro Tem Evan Trubee, 
  • Councilmember Karina Quintanilla, 
  • and 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

This item has attachments. 
1.Hillside Objective Design Standards.pdf
2.01 Memorandum of Preliminary Assessment, Findings, and Considerations.pdf
3.02 Hillside ODS - CC Study Session.pdf
4.Supplemental Material - Updated Hillside Study Session Maps.pdf

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.

2.b
UPDATE ON THE CITY SEAL REDESIGN PROCESS

This item has attachments. 
1.City Seal Redesign Process.pdf
2.01 City of Palm Desert Seal.pdf
3.02 Palm Desert Seal Re-design.pdf

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.

4.
PUBLIC NOTICES

 
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