ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION

CITY OF PALM DESERT

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

Tuesday, February 11, 2025 at 12:30 P.m. - 3:00 P.m.

Development Services Conference Room, City Hall

73-510 Fred Waring Drive

Palm Desert, CA 92260

Present:

• Commissioner James Blakeley, 
• Commissioner Dean Wallace Colvard, 
• Commissioner Nicholas Latkovic, 
• Commissioner Michael McAuliffe, 
• Commissioner James McIntosh, 
• Commissioner Francisco Sanchez, 
• and Chair John Vuksic 

Staff Present:

• Principal Planner Carlos Flores 
• and Recording Secretary Melinda Gonzalez 

Liaison(s) Present:

• Niko Romaidis

   

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

A Regular Meeting of the Architectural Review Commission was called to order by Chair Vuksic on February 11, 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 Latkovic
  Seconded by: Commissioner McAuliffe

  The Consent Calendar was approved as presented.

  Motion Carried (7 to 0)

4.a

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

• Motion by: Commissioner Latkovic
  Seconded by: Commissioner McAuliffe

  The Architectural Review Commission (ARC) regular meeting minutes of January 28, 2025, were approved as presented.

  Motion Carried (7 to 0)

5.

CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER

None

6.

ACTION CALENDAR

6.a

CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE A SIGN PROGRAM AMENDMENT FOR AN EXISTING, MULTITENANT COMMERCIAL BUILDING NORTH OF HIGHWAY 111, APPROXIMATELY 505 FEET EAST OF DEEP CANYON ROAD

Principal Planner, Carlos Flores, narrated a PowerPoint presentation on the item and responded to Commission inquiries. Jack Rivers, President, with Canyon Print and Signs, Applicant, Alan Moore, Sales Manager, and John Brendy, Property Owner, were present in person.

Chair Vuksic opened the public comment period and invited the applicant to speak. Jack Rivers with Canyon Print and Signs, Applicant, Alan Moore, Sales Manager, and John Brendy, Property Owner, 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: Commissioner McAuliffe
  Seconded by: Commissioner Sanchez

  Motion carried to continue Case No. SARC24-0019, with the following comments:

  1. Restudy the monument sign proportions for the base.
  2. Implement spacing between the base and the main body of the sign.
  3. Revisit the cap detail which casts shadow on the field of the sign itself, as well as the edge and field spacing of the seven tenant signs.
  4. Added height to the monument sign is allowable for the modifications. 

   

   

  Motion Carried (7 to 0)

6.b

CONSIDERATION OF DESIGN REVIEW FOR A FAÇADE MODIFICATION TO EXISTING STOREFRONT FOR RESTORATION HARDWARE LOCATED AT 73100 EL PASEO, SUITES 3-10.

Planning Technician, Niko Romaidis, narrated a PowerPoint presentation on the item and responded to Commission inquiries. Brian Foust, Applicant, and David Fletcher, Property Owner Representative, were present in person. Michael Avelone with Restoration Hardware, Matthew Morgan, Landscape Architect, and Rebecca Hidalgo, Lighting Designer, joined the meeting via Zoom.

Chair Vuksic opened the public comment period and invited the applicant to speak.  Brian Foust, Applicant, David Fletcher, Property Owner Representative, and Matthew Morgan, Landscape 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: Commissioner McAuliffe
  Seconded by: Commissioner Latkovic

  Motion carried to approve Case No. MISC24-0023 as presented, subject to the following condition:

  1. The awnings shall be a “Heather Beige” color as provided in the physical material sample.
  Motion Carried (7 to 0)

6.c

CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE A DESIGN REVIEW FOR A FAÇADE MODIFICATION TO AN EXISTING COMMERCIAL STOREFRONT FOR LOVESAC RETAIL BUSINESS AT 73-199 EL PASEO, SUITES C-D

Principal Planner Flores narrated a PowerPoint presentation on the item and responded to Commission inquiries. Alexis Donnelly, Applicant Representative, joined the meeting via Zoom. David Fletcher, Property Owner Representative, was present in person.

Chair Vuksic opened the public comment period and invited the applicant to speak. Alexis Donnelly, Applicant Representative, and David Fletcher, Property Owner Representative, 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: Commissioner McIntosh
  Seconded by: Commissioner Colvard

  Motion carried to approve Case No. MISC25-0002 as presented, subject to the following condition:

  1. The Dark Tile Plank shall remain with a “Walnut” brown finish.
  Motion Carried (7 to 0)

7.

REPORTS & REMARKS

7.a

ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSIONERS

Commissioner Colvard reported the Cultural Arts Committee meeting for February was canceled and the next meeting will be held in March. 

7.b

CITY STAFF

Upon inquiry, Principal Planner Flores reported the DSRT Surf project has broken ground and currently has multiple plans under review for permitting. The lot on Country Club is a staging area for the DSRT Surf project and will eventually be an overflow parking lot for DSRT Surf. 

In response to inquiry, Principal Planner Flores encouraged Commissioners whose term is ending to submit their applications for reappointment. 

7.c

ATTENDANCE REPORT

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 2:18 p.m.
 
Respectfully submitted,

____________________________________________
Melinda Gonzalez, Executive Administrative Assistant
Recording Secretary
 
ATTEST:

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

 

 

 

9.

PUBLIC NOTICES