Commission Continues Red Lobster Discussion, Cites Building Plan Concerns

The Palm Desert Architectural Review Commission asked Red Lobster's developer to make some changes to its building plans Tuesday, putting a slight snag in the project's progress.

The Red Lobster has proposed a 6,117-square-foot building on the southwest corner of Highway 111 and Fred Waring Drive.

Commissioner Karel Lambell told the project's developer she is excited about the project, but cited other commissioners' concerns about signage, a maintenance door and the ascetics of air conditioning units on the roof line.

"We’re very thrilled that Red Lobster is coming,'' Lambell told John Keen of Darden Restaurants. "We want to make it work for you and work for the city of Palm Desert.''

She asked him to not automatically dismiss suggestions.

"We like your persistence and we like your style,'' she said. "We need you to make some changes."

Following the meeting, Keen said he did not have a comment on the timetable of the project.

"We are going to have to reevaluate where we really are,'' Keen said, appearing to be visibly flustered.

Once approved, the plans will be subject to a 15-day appeal period. The plans would not need approval from the city’s Planning Commission or City Council.

The plans only need one round of approval because of a pre-existing conditional use permit for Bananaz, which burnt down at the location in 2004.