ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION

CITY OF PALM DESERT

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

-
Development Services Conference Room, City Hall
73-510 Fred Waring Drive
Palm Desert, CA 92260
Present:
  • Commissioner James Blakeley, 
  • Commissioner Dean Wallace Colvard, 
  • Commissioner Michael McAuliffe, 
  • Commissioner James McIntosh, 
  • Commissioner Francisco Sanchez, 
  • and Chair John Vuksic 
Absent:
  • Commissioner Nicholas Latkovic 
Staff Present:
  • Principal Planner Carlos Flores, 
  • Principal Planner Nick Melloni, 
  • Associate Planner Kenny Taylor, 
  • and 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

This item has attachments. 
1.2025-03-11 Draft Architectural Review Commission Minutes.pdf
  • 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

5.
CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER

 

None

6.
ACTION CALENDAR

 

6.a
CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE A DESIGN REVIEW FOR A FACADE MODIFICATION TO AN EXISTING RETAIL STOREFRONT FOR WHITE HOUSE BLACK MARKET AT 73061 EL PASEO SUITES 6&7

This item has attachments. 
1.MISC25-0004 (WHITE HOUSE BLACK MARKET).pdf
2.1. Project Plans.pdf

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 with Dale Gardon Design, Landlord Architect, and Jason Hunt with Abbott Studios, Tenant Architect, were present via Zoom.

Chair Vuksic opened the public comment period and invited the applicant to speak. David Fletcher, Property Owner Representative, David Davis with Dale Gardon Design, Landlord Architect, and Jason Hunt with Abbott Studios, Tenant Architect, 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

This item has attachments. 
1.MISC25-0008 Staybridge Hotel Revisions.pdf
2.Attachment 1 MISC25-0008 Project Plans.pdf
3.Attachment 2 PC Resolution No. 2724.pdf
4.Attachment 3 MISC21-0023 Staff Report.pdf
5.Attachment 4 MISC21-0023 Project Plans.pdf
6.Attachment 5 MISC21-0023 ARC Notice of Action.pdf

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.

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. 

    Chair Vuksic rejoined the meeting at the conclusion of the item. 

    Motion Carried (5 to 0)

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 for 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 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

This item has attachments. 
1.2025-03-25 Attendance Report.pdf

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, Executive Administrative Assistant
Recording Secretary
 
ATTEST:

____________________________________________
Carlos Flores, Principal Planner
Secretary
 
APPROVED BY ARC: __/__/2025

 

 

9.
PUBLIC NOTICES

 
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