Get AI Briefings, Transcripts & Alerts on Local & National Government Meetings — Forever.
Architectural Review Committee approves Backpack Boys dispensary color change after members debate city palette
Loading...
Summary
The Cathedral City Architectural Review Committee voted 4-1 to approve a revised exterior color scheme for a dispensary now operating as Backpack Boys, after staff said the franchise had already repainted the storefront and provided a brand color requirement letter.
The Cathedral City Architectural Review Committee voted to approve a revised exterior color scheme for a cannabis dispensary operating as Backpack Boys at a shopping center on Perez Road, passing the motion 4-1 during the committee’s meeting, which convened at 4:30 p.m.
City staff told the committee the dispensary originally operated under a different trade name and that a conditional use permit (CUP) for cannabis activity had been approved previously; the operator has since repainted the storefront to match Backpack Boys’ national brand colors and provided a letter saying the black-and-red palette is required for franchise consistency.
Committee members debated design conformity and neighborhood context before the vote. One committee member called the black-and-red scheme “not a great color scheme for this for a citywide application” but said the location on Perez Road, an industrial area, made the palette acceptable. Another member said the storefront already “jumped the gun” by repainting before seeking committee approval. The applicant, identified in staff remarks as Mr. Hovanes, did not attend the meeting.
Staff said the dispensary’s original CUP and a later modification authorized cannabis uses on the site; the dispensary portion has changed trade names since that permit. The committee reviewed elevations and images from other Backpack Boys locations submitted with a letter from the franchise confirming the color requirement.
During roll call the vote recorded: Committee member King — no; Committee member Rivera — yes; Chair Bouchard — yes; Committee member Kiefer — yes; Vice Chair Haas — aye. The committee’s official action was to approve the revised exterior colors. Committee discussion and public comment were limited; no members of the public spoke on the item.
The approval authorizes the revised finish and color scheme as presented to the committee. Staff noted the CUP and any applicable planning conditions remain in effect; committee members emphasized that future applications will continue to be reviewed for consistency with city design guidelines and prior approvals.
The committee moved on to other agenda items following the vote. Staff will record the committee recommendation in the project file and proceed with any subsequent planning or enforcement follow-up required by city procedures.
