Architectural committee approves design for 82-unit apartment complex on San Rafael Drive

Plans continue to take shape for a 100% affordable, 82-unit apartment complex at 305 West San Rafael Drive.

The Palm Springs Architectural Review Committee on Wednesday reviewed the project’s overall design, colors and materials, lighting, and landscaping, ultimately approving the major architectural application submitted by Red Tail Acquisitions, LLC.

The applicant presented a revised design in response to earlier direction from the Planning Commission, which approved the project’s major development permit in November. Where earlier renderings showed a more rectangular building in dark neutral tones, the updated version features a structure of varied height with more points of visual interest, a mostly white color scheme, and green and yellow accent colors.

“Where we started is a lot different than what you’re seeing here, and we like to think that the project is better after listening to all the planning comments, city council comments, we’ve had many discussions back and forth and just really trying to dial in what would fit best in Palm Springs,” said a representative of Red Tail.

The Planning Commission’s initial approval was appealed by two nearby homeowners whose properties back up to the project’s southern boundary. In January, the Palm Springs City Council voted to uphold the commission’s approval, allowing the project to move forward to architectural review. The council also directed the developer to add tall hedges along the south side of the property for additional privacy.

Landscape plans presented Wednesday included desert cassia shrubs along that southern edge, but the same two homeowners again expressed concern that future residents of the affordable apartments would be able to look down into their backyards, arguing the shrubs would not be tall enough to address the issue.

In response, the committee added a condition of approval requiring the developer to relocate some planned trees to that side of the property. The height of vegetation directly against the property line is restricted due to power lines, according to the developer, but trees can be placed elsewhere on the site. Additional conditions include screening for the building’s stairwells and relocating the trash enclosure further from the property line.

The project will carry a 55-year deed restriction ensuring all 82 units remain affordable for extremely low, very low, low and moderate income residents. A mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom units will be available, and the property will also include a dog park, playground and community room. Under current Riverside County guidelines cited by city staff at the January council meeting, income requirements for a family of four would range from $34,000 to $78,000.

A separate, fully affordable 115-unit apartment complex is also in the works nearby, at the northwest corner of West San Rafael Drive and McCarthy Road. The Planning Commission approved that project in January.

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