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Architectural Review Committee approves recommendation for JP Custom Contractors’ auto repair shop at 34870 Date Palm Drive
Summary
The Cathedral City Architectural Review Committee voted unanimously to approve a recommendation for a conditional use permit allowing JP Custom Contractors to establish a 3,274-square-foot auto repair shop and office at 34870 Date Palm Drive; the project will be forwarded consistent with staff recommendations.
The Cathedral City Architectural Review Committee voted unanimously Sept. 17 to approve a recommendation for Conditional Use Permit 25-0004, a request by JP Custom Contractors to establish a 3,274-square-foot auto repair shop and office at 34870 Date Palm Drive.
Assistant Planner Manuel Rocha told the committee the property is designated Planned Community Commercial under the city general plan and is surrounded by residential uses to the east and west and commercial uses to the north and south. "This is a request from JP Custom Contractors to establish an auto repair shop and office space in an existing building," Rocha said in his presentation.
Rocha said the existing building — previously occupied by SR Appliances — would be refreshed with modern materials and a new color scheme; the work would retain the three existing service bay roll-up doors. The proposal includes three service bays (about 1,700 square feet), roughly 1,500 square feet of shop storage and two tenant suites, one of which the applicant intends to occupy; the second suite is currently vacant. Site improvements described in the staff report include a tubular steel fence along the eastern boundary, a city-standard trash enclosure, refreshed landscaping, additional site lighting and installation of one additional shade tree so the project complies with the requirement that 50% of parking be shaded. Rocha noted the proposal provides 12 parking stalls, including one accessible stall.
Committee member Kiefer asked about exterior lighting shown in the existing photos, saying, "In the photo of the existing, it looked like there are wall packs... So I'm asking is in the proposed renovation, how will that area be lit?" Rocha said the existing wall packs would be removed and that the site plan shows new lighting, but he could not confirm finer details without consulting the applicant or the larger plan set.
Committee members also discussed building colors and the appearance of the rear service area; one member observed that the back of the building is unlikely to be visible from the street. The applicant did not speak during the item.
Staff recommended the Architectural Review Committee review the proposed site plan, architecture and landscaping and recommend planning commission approval. Committee member Rivera moved to approve the application; Committee member Kiefer seconded the motion. The committee voted "all ayes." The Architectural Review Committee's approval acts as the committee's recommendation consistent with staff direction and will be reflected in materials forwarded to the planning commission for its review and final decision.
Votes at a glance: The committee unanimously approved two routine items during the Sept. 17 meeting: (1) approval of the Aug. 20 and Sept. 3, 2025 minutes (motion by Committee member Kiefer, seconded by Committee member Rivera; all ayes); and (2) a motion to approve Conditional Use Permit 25-0004 for JP Custom Contractors at 34870 Date Palm Drive (motion by Committee member Rivera, seconded by Committee member Kiefer; all ayes).
