Following a heated in-person meeting last week, city staff emphasized Wednesday that controversial proposals for building heights and density remain in the draft stage.
The commission unanimously approved the project’s development permit, with a few small requests such as adding benches and potentially tweaking one of the buildings.
Homeowners worried about property values as city proposes allowing taller buildings near single-family neighborhoods to address workforce housing crisis.
Committee members focused their discussion primarily on design elements, landscaping and traffic flow within the site.
ARC asks for design refinements, including reduced roof mass, entry changes and additional studies on shade, materials and acoustic fencing before the project returns for review.
An early draft of zoning changes calls for streamlining single-family home zones, allowing up to five stories along corridors like Tahquitz Canyon and South Palm Canyon, and boosting downtown heights to seven stories.
Fire Chief Paul Alvarado presented conceptual designs to the City Council last week for Fire Stations 1, 3 and 5 -- facilities that range from 44 to nearly 70 years old.
Homeowners who submitted an appeal expressed concerns that residents of the apartments would be able to look down into their backyards from third-story windows.
Vice Chair Lauri Aylaian said 70 last-minute letters raised environmental issues already addressed by the project’s CEQA exemption, urging residents to join city commissions rather than oppose “a project that is removing blight.”
Community members who attended a discussion of the proposed San Rafael Apartments project questioned just how much development the area near the Navigation Center can absorb without additional basic services.
The joint meeting will give the developer additional time to address technical issues and allow the public more time to review the proposed 2.85 million-square-foot Desert Mountain View Business Park on tribal trust land.
Neighbors are challenging an 82-unit development while both that project and a separate 110-unit complex are being considered for city financial assistance.
