July 25 Daily Briefing: Progress on preserve, more housing coming, previewing ‘Merienda,’ and more

Welcome to Thursday! While there’s no word on where the mural of George Floyd might ultimately land (or be recreated), there has been progress on restoring the artwork that’s partially on plywood sheets and partially on the vacant building at 311 Indian Canyon Drive. Artist MisterAlek recently applied fresh paint to the mural, doing away with the vandalism that had marred it over the past few years. The City Council approved $3,500 for the repair work, as the Public Arts Commission recommended. High-resolution photographs of the piece will now be taken to create a permanent record of the mural that could be used as reference for its possible re-creation elsewhere.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Free Yourself” by Jessie Ware

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LEADING OFF

Preserve plans move forward after unanimous commission decision

The Palm Springs Planning Commission on Wednesday unanimously agreed to an amendment enabling the transformation of about 90 acres of the former Mesquite Country Club golf course into the Prescott Preserve, a native desert habitat and nature reserve, furthering the Oswit Land Trust’s project plans.

Zoom in: Commissioners were considering “minor amendment” to the approved landscape plan on the property, located between Sunrise Way and El Cielo Road. Usually, minor amendments like these do not need commission approval, but city staff decided to bring it to the commission for a vote because of the scope and size of the project and public interest.

• Ten people spoke during the meeting, and the commission received a total of 128 letters on the topic with 87 in favor, 34 opposed, and seven neutral.

At issue: Public comments on the issue mentioned concerns from nearby residents including security, wildlife, including coyotes, and potential flooding.

What they did: To address concerns, commissioners updated the approval terms by mandating the employment of full-time rangers for patrols, the filing of annual progress reports, and collaboration between OLT and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife on educational programs for residents about coexisting with wildlife, especially coyotes.

In context: The planned preserve has encountered numerous issues, including pushback from nearby homeowners and a delay in obtaining needed grant funding. The city and other jurisdictions have pressed OLT for unauthorized activities on the property, including the removal of vegetation and trees without proper approvals. 

Looking back: Less than a month after OLT announced the acquisition of the land in August 2022, owners of surrounding homes sued both OLT and the former property owner. 

• They claim the land being transformed from a golf course into a nature preserve violates their lease agreement.

What they’re saying: Oswit will have two years to start work on the project. Founder and Executive Director of OLT Jane Garrison told commissioners, “If it weren’t for the fact that we got sued by the surrounding HOA, you would already be seeing plants in the ground,” she said.

• “The timing is in the hands of the Mesquite Country Club HOA,” Garrison said, claiming OLT could’ve gotten a $7.2 million grant in May, but the HOA refused to write a letter of support.

What to watch for: There could be signs of progress in the lawsuit. Last week, The Post learned that the Mesquite HOA’s board of directors announced to its 600 owners that the board had parted ways with its lawyers after frustrations mounted as litigation dragged on for the past two years.

Dive deeper with our full story.

BRIEFLY

🏘️ Housing projects move forward at Miralon, near Gas Company building

The Palm Springs Planning Commission unanimously approved a 15-unit apartment complex and 71 single-family homes during its regular meeting on Wednesday evening.

• The Heritage Group, representing the Mezrahi Family Trust, received approval for a major development permit to construct 15 apartments at 211 North Sunrise Way. The 1.37-acre site also houses the former Gas Company building, which will remain as a single-family residence.
  
  
• The 71 single-family homes will be part of phase 2 of the Miralon Development at 801 Sunrise Way.

Bottom line: Both projects are exempt from some review guidelines. However, the approval of the 71 single-family homes is subject to conditions and review by the city’s Architectural Review Committee.

🏛️ What to watch for at tonight’s City Council meeting

The Palm Springs City Council will meet in closed and regular sessions today. According to the agenda, councilmembers will hear updates on the College of the Desert’s West Valley Campus and the renovation of the Palm Springs Public Library.

• Plus, council will hold a public hearing regarding a proposed street vacation of a portion of Museum Way between Belardo Road and Museum Drive to facilitate permanent installation of the Forever Marilyn sculpture.
  
  
• Also on the agenda is approval of the Demuth Park pickleball expansion project and conceptual design. 
  
  
• One other item to look out for is the second reading and possible approval of plans that allow for co-owned housing units in the city. Residents of one neighborhood have joined to protest the move, claiming some city leaders who approved the rules had conflicts of interest. 

Details: The regular meeting is open to the public in council chambers at City Hall. You can submit comments via an online public comment form, in person, or by calling the city clerk’s office at 760-323-8204 at any time prior to the end of the public comment period. View the meeting live on the city’s website, YouTube or Spectrum channel 17.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Pet Vaccine Clinic
9:30 a.m. | Palm Springs Animal Shelter
The Palm Springs Animal Shelter invites you to bring in your pet for low-cost vaccines, including vaccines for rabies and canine influenza. They are also offering microchip implantation and registration. ($15-$25)

Cocktail Cinema: “Parasite”
5 p.m. | Annenberg Theater, Palm Springs Art Museum
This season of Cocktail Cinema, organizers explore four films that shed light on the dark side of suburban living, revealing the hidden struggles and tribulations behind the facade of the perfectly manicured lawns and white picket fences. Arrive early to the Houston Atrium for a movie-inspired cocktail. 

Palm Springs City Council
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
City councilmembers meet for their regularly scheduled meeting this evening.

2024 Summer Cabaret Series: David Burnham
7 p.m. | CV Rep Theatre
David entertains his audience with humorous tales from The Great White Way using his powerhouse vocals to bring to life some of the greatest songs from Broadway and film as well as favorites from the American songbook. ($50)

VillageFest
7 p.m. | Downtown Palm Springs
VillageFest, the weekly street fair featuring art, entertainment, shopping, and food, starts at 7 p.m. The Palm Springs Art Museum also has free admission tonight starting at 5 p.m.

SAVE THE DATE

• Craft Beer Fest at the Ace Hotel & Swim Club on Saturday.
  
  
• Merienda Filipino Halo-halo workshop at Play Lounge & Cafe on Sunday.
  
  
• Sip & Chill with Palm Springs firefighters on July 29.
  
  
• Summer Sunday: Weaving Patterns at the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum on Aug. 4.
  
  
• The Great Catsby Book Club at Frisky Business on Aug. 8.
  
  
• PSUSD Diversity & Racial Equity Conference at the Palm Springs Convention Center on Sept. 7.

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AND FINALLY …

Mark your calendar for this Sunday, when Lola Sally’s Kusina will present Merienda, an event and interactive workshop where attendees can learn about the history of the Filipino dessert Halo-halo with Chef Michelle Castillo.

Zoom in: The event aims to educate participants about Filipino culture and cuisine while fostering community connections. Attendees will learn about the history of Halo-halo and create their own version of the dessert using common household ingredients.

• The workshop is open to all skill levels, with no prior cooking experience required.

Why it matters: Castillo believes sharing food stories can break down barriers between communities and promote cultural understanding.

• Merienda, a traditional Filipino snack time, plays a significant role in the country’s culture.

Details: The event takes place July 28 between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. at the Play Lounge and Cafe, 2825 East Tahquitz Canyon Way. To Purchase tickets and find out more information about the event, visit this page.

Dive deeper with Henry Braun’s complete story.