Architecture Review Committee backs recommendation for Eurotech auto body shop on Cathedral Canyon Drive

The City of Cathedral City’s Architecture Review Committee voted Nov. 5 to approve staff’s recommendation to forward Conditional Use Permit 24-0004 — a request from Eurotech Constructions to establish a 4,200-square-foot auto body and collision repair facility with a spray booth at 36711 Cathedral Canyon Drive — to the Planning Commission.

Assistant Planner Manuel Rocha introduced the project, describing three existing buildings on the site that would house the shop, storage and office space. “The proposed project is located at 36711 Cathedral Canyon Drive,” Rocha said. He said the service would include a spray booth located in one service bay and that vehicle painting requires committee approval because of the paint and exhaust equipment involved. Rocha said the spray booth area totals about 1,700 square feet within Building 2, Building 3 is about 1,400 square feet and Building 1 is roughly 1,900 square feet.

Rocha outlined site improvements the applicant proposes: 13 parking stalls, including one accessible stall; metal shade structures to meet the city’s 50% shading requirement (seven shaded stalls required); a double-screen exhaust that will extend six feet above the highest roof elevation and will be painted to match the building; minimal existing landscaping to be replaced with desert plantings (barrel cactus and agave) and 3/8-inch gravel ground cover. “The staff recommends that the Architecture Review Committee review the proposed site plan, architecture, and landscape plans, and recommend Planning Commission approval of the project,” Rocha said.

Committee members asked several clarifying questions about visibility from Cathedral Canyon Drive, the placement and number of shade structures, and whether a proposed block wall would be painted to match the building. Rocha confirmed that the primary visible change from the street would be the exhaust and the new shade structures, and that the landscaping and wall screening were intended to minimize visual impacts.

There were no public comments on the item and the applicant did not speak from the public comment area. Committee member Rivera moved to approve the item, and committee member Kiefer seconded. Staff recorded that the “motion carries — all ayes.” The committee therefore approved the staff recommendation to forward CUP 24-0004 to the Planning Commission for consideration.

During committee member comments members also noted other local development: one member praised progress on a nearby apartment project and improvements at the Cathedral Cove shopping center, while another raised concerns about an eight-unit building on Cathedral Canyon that has been abandoned for several years and appears hazardous. Staff told members there are no additional Architecture Review Committee meetings expected before year’s end unless new projects submit plans.

The committee adjourned at 4:45 p.m. and the Planning Commission will receive the committee’s recommendation as the next procedural step in the permit review.