ARC approves eight detached homes at 2700 East Alejo Road with conditions

The Palm Springs Architectural Review Committee on April 6 approved a major architectural application for eight detached single‑family residences proposed at 2700 East Alejo Road (case AR2025‑0073), subject to staff‑recommended conditions.

Noriko, a planning staff member, summarized ARC comments from the March 2 hearing and the applicant’s responses: the applicant revised the color palette, agreed to adjust awning locations (staff recommended condition PLN15 to lower awnings), proposed a box/gutter and interior drain strategy to address runoff, and is offering detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and third‑car garages as buyer upgrades rather than as standard features.

Developer representative Neil Curve said rising construction costs influenced the decision to make ADUs and 3‑car garages optional. “We’ve been in this project development for several years now…and we are now gonna just offer that as an upgrade option to each individual lot buyer,” he said.

Members raised recurring concerns about roof runoff and fascia details. Several members recommended gutters or paintable/cleanable finishes to reduce staining from overflow and wind‑driven debris; staff noted the applicant proposes an internal gutter and conduits conveying captured water within building walls, and that final technical compliance will be verified during plan check.

The committee also discussed driveway treatment: plans show a small gap (roughly a foot) between parallel driveways; members reminded the applicant that zoning code requires all parking surfaces to be improved with an all‑weather impervious surface and staff recommended a condition to ensure compliance.

Member Walsh moved to approve the project with the presented revisions and staff conditions; a second was recorded and the motion passed on a unanimous roll call vote (Castro, Elliott, Roseman, Thomas, Walsh and Chair O’Donnell). Staff will finalize conditions and verify technical items during plan check and permit review.

The approval includes direction that design alternates (stone veneer, alternate garage door treatments and ADU/third‑car options) are acceptable as presented, but required modifications (awning placement, driveway surface) must be completed per staff conditions before permits are issued.