PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL
STUDY SESSION MEETING
AGENDA
Thursday, August 28, 2025
2:15 p.m.
Council Chamber, City Hall
73-510 Fred Waring Drive
Palm Desert, California
REVISED AGENDA
This agenda has been revised as follows:
Updated start time of 2:15 p.m.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the purpose of the Study Session is to review the items listed on the agenda. No action will be taken.
This is a joint meeting of the Palm Desert City Council, Successor Agency to the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency, Palm Desert Housing Authority, and Palm Desert Board of Library Trustees.
Pursuant to Assembly Bill 2449, this meeting may be conducted as a hybrid meeting allowing public access via teleconference or in person, and up to two Councilmembers may attend remotely.
WATCH THE MEETING LIVE: Watch the City Council meeting live at the City’s website:
https://palmdesert.zoom.us/ or on the City's YouTube Channel.
OPTIONS FOR PARTICIPATING IN THIS MEETING:
Send your comments by email to: [email protected].
Emails received prior to 10:00 a.m. on the day of the City Council meeting will be made part of the record and distributed to the City Council. Emails will not be read aloud at the meeting.
Pages
1. CALL TO ORDER - STUDY SESSION
2. STUDY SESSION TOPICS
2.a UPDATE ON THE 2025 CALIFORNIA DESERT PLEIN AIR FESTIVAL
SPONSORSHIP
5 RECOMMENDATION:
Receive an update on the 2025 California Desert Plein Air Festival sponsorship.
2.b PROVIDE DIRECTION ON CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
PROCESS FOR HISTORIC PROPERTIES
25 RECOMMENDATION:
Provide direction on the Certificate of Appropriateness process for historic properties.
2.c REGULATIONS FOR EXTERIOR LIGHTING AND ILLUMINATION ON
COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
27 RECOMMENDATION:
Provide feedback on updating Palm Desert Municipal Code Chapter 24.16, Outdoor Lighting Requirements, for exterior lighting and illumination on commercial buildings.
3. ADJOURNMENT
City Council Study Session
August 28, 2025
2 4. PUBLIC NOTICES
NOTE: Pursuant to Assembly Bill 2449, this meeting may be conducted by teleconference. Study Session is accessible in person or on the City’s website:
www.palmdesert.gov under the Council Agenda link at the top of the page.
Agenda Related Materials: Pursuant to Government Code §54957.5(b)(2) the designated office for inspection of records in connection with this meeting is the Office of the City Clerk, Palm Desert Civic Center, 73-510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert. Staff reports for all agenda items considered in open session, and documents provided to a majority of the legislative bodies are available for public inspection at City Hall and on the City’s website at www.palmdesert.gov by clicking “Council Agenda” at the top of the page.
Americans with Disabilities Act: It is the intention of the City of Palm Desert to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in all respects. If, as an attendee or a participant at this meeting, or in meetings on a regular basis, you will need special assistance beyond what is normally provided, the City will attempt to accommodate you in every reasonable manner. Please contact the Office of the City Clerk, (760) 346-0611, at least 48 hours prior to the meeting to inform us of your needs and to determine if accommodation is feasible.
AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING
I, Michelle Nance, Acting Assistant City Clerk of the City of Palm Desert, do hereby certify, under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California, that the foregoing agenda for the Palm Desert City Council, Successor Agency for the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency, and Housing Authority, was posted on the City Hall bulletin board and City website www.palmdesert.gov no less than 72 hours prior to the meeting.
/S/ Michelle Nance
Acting Assistant City Clerk
City Council Study Session
August 28, 2025
3 4
CITY OF PALM DESERT
STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: August 28, 2025
PREPARED BY: Erica Powell, Management Analyst
Thomas Soule, Public Affairs Manager
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON THE 2025 CALIFORNIA DESERT PLEIN AIR FESTIVAL
SPONSORSHIP
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive an update on the 2025 California Desert Plein Air Festival sponsorship.
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS:
The 2025 California Desert Plein Air Festival was presented in partnership by Palm Springs Life and the Desert Plein Air Association (DPAA) from January 8 through February 2, 2025, with the City of Palm Desert serving as the title sponsor. Together, these partners rebranded and launched the inaugural festival with the goal of establishing Palm Desert as the center of pleinair painting in the Coachella Valley.
Headquartered at the Artists Center in Palm Desert located at 72-567 Hwy 111, Palm Desert, the three-week event included four days of outdoor paint-outs at scenic locations, along with artist workshops, public lectures, gallery exhibitions, and art sales. More than 40 nationally recognized artists participated, competing for a $15,000 Best in Show prize.
Prior to this inaugural year with the Palm Springs Life partnership, the Desert Plein Air Association’s 2024 festival attendance was 125 attendees. With the addition of a targeted marketing campaign, the 2025 festival exceeded expectations, drawing over 3,000 attendees and significantly expanding promotional reach. The event contributed to increased tourism, local economic activity, and strengthened regional cultural branding during the peak winter season.
The Palm Springs Life campaign alone generated more than 1.3 million media and editorial impressions, with an estimated advertising value of over $100,000. These outcomes establish a strong baseline for future festivals and demonstrate the impact of sustained marketing support.
The 2025 festival established a solid foundation for future events and contributed to Palm Desert’s role as a regional hub for arts and cultural programming.
The City of Palm Desert provided a $25,000 sponsorship for the inaugural 2025 California Desert Plein Air Festival. At the January 9, 2025, study session on the Outside Agency Funding Program, the City Council directed that marketing sponsorships like this one which are outside the Community Event and Outside Agency funding guidelines be considered separately.
Accordingly, staff will present a formal request at the September 11, 2025, meeting for City Council consideration of a $25,000 sponsorship for the 2026 festival. 5 City of Palm Desert
(Update on the 2025 California Desert Plein Air Festival)
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no direct financial impact with this presentation.
ATTACHMENT:
Summary of 2025 California Desert Plein Air Festival by Palm Springs Life 6 7
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CITY OF PALM DESERT
STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: August 28, 2025
PREPARED BY: Carlos Flores, AICP, Interim Deputy Director of Development Services SUBJECT: PROVIDE DIRECTION ON CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
PROCESS FOR HISTORIC PROPERTIES
RECOMMENDATION:
Provide direction on the Certificate of Appropriateness process for historic properties.
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS:
A Certificate of Appropriateness application is required for any modifications to properties, structures, or buildings that meet, or may potentially meet, certain historical criteria. The City of Palm Desert Municipal Code (PDMC) Chapter 29.60 governs the Certificate of Appropriateness process.
Currently, Chapter 29.60 grants final approval authority for Certificate of Appropriateness applications to City staff, the Cultural Resources Preservation Committee (CRPC), or the City Council, depending on the scope of the project. However, it lacks clarity and consistency regarding which body has jurisdiction over specific scopes, including demolitions and modifications to landmarks. Additionally, the CRPC is the only City committee with final approval authority, which is inconsistent with the terminology established in February 2023 that reserves “board” or “commission” designations for bodies with final approval authority.
Policy Considerations
1. Staff Review with CPRC Referral
o All Certificate of Appropriateness applications would first be reviewed by staff. o Staff could either approve the application directly or refer it to the Cultural Preservation Review Committee (CPRC) for a recommendation. o Final action would rest with the City Council.
o Estimated Timeline:
1–2 weeks (staff-level approval).
4–8 weeks depending on CPRC meeting schedule and City Council agenda availability.
2. Tiered Review Process (Minor vs. Major Applications) o Establish clear definitions distinguishing minor from major Certificate of Appropriateness applications.
o Authorize staff to approve minor applications directly, streamlining the process. o Designate the City Council as the approval authority for major applications, with the CPRC providing a recommendation.
o Estimated Timeline:
Minor applications: 1–2 weeks (staff-level approval). 25 City of Palm Desert
Certificate of Appropriateness
Major applications: 6–10 weeks (CRPC review plus City Council consideration).
City staff will present background information, examples of similar processes in other cities, and potential options. A formal amendment to Chapter 29.60 is expected to be brought forward at a future date.
Legal Review:
This report has been reviewed by the City Attorney’s Office.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The is no financial impact with this action.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Presentation – will be provided as supplemental material prior to the meeting 26
CITY OF PALM DESERT
STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: August 28, 2025
PREPARED BY: Sijifredo Fernandez, Senior Planner
SUBJECT: STUDY SESSION: REGULATIONS FOR EXTERIOR LIGHTING AND
ILLUMINATION ON COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
RECOMMENDATION:
Provide feedback on updating Palm Desert Municipal Code Chapter 24.16, Outdoor Lighting Requirements, for exterior lighting and illumination on commercial buildings.
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS:
City of Palm Desert commercial businesses utilize a variety of lighting designs to attract customers to their respective businesses. Palm Desert Municipal Code (PDMC) Chapter 24.16, Outdoor Lighting Requirements, provides the regulations for outdoor lighting but does not capture the full extent of designs proposed by businesses and property owners. Multiple commercial businesses have installed decorative lighting that requires interpretation of the code to determine permissibility and process. The PDMC has a definition for “Decorative lighting” but no guidance on standards or process for installation of such lighting. City staff seeks clearer, objective standards and processes for alternative lighting designs to avoid using subjective standards, provide clarity for business owners, and establish guidelines for City enforcement.
On August 22, 2024, the City Council held a study session to review commercial exterior lighting practices. During that session, staff presented potential options for citywide decorative lighting standards. The City Council directed staff not to take immediate action but to continue monitoring the situation. While no formal applications for exterior lighting have been submitted to date, staff has continued to evaluate emerging practices. At the City Council’s request, this item is being brought forward for further discussion.
Policy Consideration
City staff are specifically seeking City Council direction on the permissibility and review process for the following types of lighting:
Building façade tube lighting: Linear or tube-style lighting installed along the edges or contours of building façades. These lights are typically light emitting diode (LED) or neon-style and are used to outline or accentuate building shapes. Façade tube lighting has the most significant visual impact during nighttime hours, when the lighting becomes the most prominent design feature of a building. o City staff recommends requiring a Design Review application for any proposed tube lighting and discouraging its use. The City’s Architectural Review Commission has typically rejected proposals for tube lighting. Tube lighting can 27 City of Palm Desert
Outdoor Lighting Study Session
create visual clutter, detract from architectural quality, and conflict with the City’s design intent.
Window framing lighting: Lighting that outlines or frames individual windows, often using LED or rope lighting.
o City staff recommends prohibiting its use except when associated with holiday lighting and limited to the holiday season. For the purposes of our outdoor lighting section, “holiday lighting” is permitted forty-five days prior to the holiday and to be removed thirty days after the holiday. Continuous window outlining lighting can appear overly commercial, inconsistent with community character, and create excessive glare. Limiting it to holiday periods balances ornamental/festive use with long-term design quality.
String lights: Small hanging lights, typically suspended on cords, often used in patio or pedestrian spaces.
o City staff recommends allowing continued use when located in a usable area (such as an outdoor patio or walkway) or when used to highlight an architectural feature. String lights are generally low-impact, pedestrian-friendly, and contribute to creating inviting outdoor spaces when used in appropriate settings and often don’t detract or create glare.
Based on the feedback provided, City staff will prepare a policy document and/or incorporate it into the ongoing Unified Development Code (UDC) project.
Legal Review:
This report has been reviewed by the City Attorney’s Office.
Fiscal Impact:
There is no financial impact associated with this report.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Presentation
28 Exterior Lighting
Update
CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 28, 2025
8/28/2025 CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 1
29 Background
Chapter 24.16 Outdoor Lighting provides definition but minimal guidance on standards or process:
Decorative Lighting: Lighting products used for decorative effects versus lighting performance.
Examples: fountain lighting, lighting fixtures with low lumen output, led commercial outdoor string lighting, building wall sconce and chandelier lighting with low lumen lamp sources.
Architectural Lighting: Lighting used to highlight architectural features, landscape, building façades, fountains, etc., shall be manufactured for the intended uses and shall be adjusted and/or aimed during the night to insure light is focused on the designated object.
August 22, 2024: City Council held a study session to review commercial exterior lighting. During the session, staff sought guidance on potential standards and processes for decorative lighting citywide.
Council directed staff not to take immediate action but to continue monitoring the situation. While no formal requests for exterior lighting have been submitted to date, staff has continued to evaluate commercial lighting practices. At Council’s request, this item is being brought back for further discussion. 8/28/2025 CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 2
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Chapter 24.16 Outdoor Lighting
8/28/2025 CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 6
Lighting Type Rancho Mirage Indian Wells Current
Palm Desert
Proposed
Palm Desert
Process Permissibility Process Permissibility Process Permissibility Process Permissibility Facade Lighting Staff Review Discouraged Prohibited N/A ARC Review ? ARC Review Low lumen, white Window Lighting Staff Review Discouraged N/A Discouraged Unclear ? No Permit Not Allowed String Lights Staff Review Allowed Planning Review Allowed No Permit Allowed No Permit Allowed if low
lumen
34 Enforcement
8/28/2025 CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 7
Section 25.68.020 can require ARC Design Review for building lighting: “No plan, elevation for buildings or structures, or alterations shall be approved […] without review and approval by the ARC.”
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