Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Commercial Design Review topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Architectural Review Committee recommends approval for Sun Community Credit Union building at Cathedral City Marketplace
Summary
The committee reviewed a proposed 2,900-square-foot Sun Community Credit Union building on a 0.59-acre pad at Cathedral City Marketplace and recommended the Planning Commission approve the design, with committee members discussing context, materials and shade for parking.
The Cathedral City Architectural Review Committee reviewed design plans for a proposed approximately 2,900-square-foot Sun Community Credit Union building at the Cathedral City Marketplace and recommended Planning Commission approval after staff presentation and discussion.
City associate planner Dom Camps told the committee the project would occupy an approximately 0.59-acre vacant parcel within the Cathedral City Marketplace, immediately north of Victoria Drive and west of Date Palm Drive. The parcel was contemplated for up to a 4,000-square-foot building when the shopping center was approved through a Conditional Use Permit in 1989 (CUP 89-127), Camps said. The proposed building would be sited on the south side of the parcel and include a walk-up ATM facing Date Palm Drive.
The project proposes to reconfigure the existing parking area, construct a new trash enclosure to city standards, extend the public sidewalk into the parking area, and provide 15 parking spaces plus two ADA-compliant spaces. Elevations provided to the committee show a contemporary design with large windows, faux wood panels and cladding in taupe, with blue and yellow accent colors; the tallest point of the building would be 20 feet, 5 inches. Staff said the final landscape plan will be reviewed by the Coachella Valley Water District to ensure water-efficiency compliance.
Committee members discussed whether the building’s varied facades and materials made the design overly complicated, and whether it fit the visual context of the existing shopping center. One member said the building “looks like a different building depending on which side you look at it,” while other members noted the building sits on a corner and could serve as a catalyst for neighboring property improvements.
The developer’s representative, Jonathan of Lehi 5, said the exterior finish is stucco (not tilt-up concrete) and that the design is intended to be somewhat thematic so it can be built in other cities while still considering local context. Staff confirmed that shade calculations for parking were submitted with the landscape plan and will be reviewed as trees mature.
On a motion to recommend approval, the committee recorded roll-call votes including Committee member Kane — aye; Committee member Rivera — recorded as no; Chair Bouchard — yes; Committee member Kiefer — yes. The motion was seconded and carried with recorded affirmative votes by multiple members; the committee’s recommendation advances the item to the Planning Commission for final action.
Staff said the project will return to the Planning Commission for final review and that the city will continue to process building permits, landscape review, and any required mechanical or water-efficiency approvals. Committee members asked staff to continue sharing a meeting look-ahead and a workload analysis to help plan future ARC agendas.
