September 10 Daily Briefing: Parking concerns aired, project needs closer look, Sunrise construction, and more

Happy Tuesday, everyone, where we are 56 days away from the Nov. 5 General Election. But before then is a big debate! Yes, there’s one happening tonight for a certain national office, but did you know there’s another one that could impact you locally? On Oct. 5, candidates for two Palm Springs City Council seats will be appearing at Demuth Park Community Center for a candidate forum sponsored by the Organized Neighborhoods of Palm Springs (ONE-PS). Organizers are hoping you can help by submitting questions for them, and invite you to do that here. Our founder, Mark, will be asking the questions and can’t wait to see what they are!

🎶 Setting the mood: “I’m Beginning to See the Light” by Peggy Lee

LEADING OFF

Better signage, event parking among concerns at Monday meeting

Community members, business owners and others got their first chance to weigh in about parking in Downtown Palm Springs Monday evening, voicing concerns about a variety of issues that impact both locals and visitors alike.

Driving the news: In the first of four community meetings planned both virtually and in person, some of the more than a dozen people who participated highlighted the need for better signage to direct drivers to available spaces. Others called for longer-term parking options for event attendees and greater parking safety for employees at downtown businesses.

• The meeting was conducted by Julie Dixon, of Dixon Resources Unlimited, which was hired to study parking in the downtown core by PS Resorts.

At issue: The study, discussed in a slideshow available here, revealed that downtown has significantly more available parking than previously perceived, with an average occupancy rate of only 29%. 

• The findings challenge long-held beliefs about a parking shortage in the area. Dixon examined both weekday and weekend parking patterns in May.

Bigger picture: Environmental concerns and the impact of future developments, such as the reopening of the Plaza Theatre, were also mentioned during Monday’s virtual discussion.

• “One thing that’s missing in this discussion is the need to reduce gas-powered vehicle traffic substantially by 2030 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fight climate change,” said Roy Clark, who chairs the city’s Sustainability Commission.

Next up: Additional community meetings are scheduled for today at 7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall, with a final virtual meeting on Thursday at 7:30 a.m.

• The virtual meeting will be held via Zoom at this link (Meeting ID: 872 5945 9170).

Dive deeper with our complete story

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BRIEFLY

🏠 Committee requests restudy of residential project

The Palm Springs Architectural Review Committee (ARC) has called for a restudy of a proposed 15-unit residential development at 211 North Sunrise Way. During its Sept. 3 meeting, the committee requested additional information before making a final decision on the project proposed by Heritage Group.

• The development, planned for a 1.37-acre site surrounding the historic Gas Company building, raised concerns about facade repetition and proximity to the adjacent structure.
  
  

• Committee members requested more detailed elevations, clarification on setbacks, and information on solar control measures, particularly for units facing east and south.
  
  

• Bottom line: The project, which has already received Planning Commission approval for its site plan and circulation, must return to the ARC with the requested modifications before proceeding further in the approval process.

🍽️ Food Bank expanding to meet growing need

The Center’s Community Food Bank in Palm Springs is relocating to a larger facility on Oct. 1, enabling it to serve more people facing food insecurity in the Coachella Valley. The move comes as one in seven local adults report reducing or skipping meals due to financial constraints.

• Once open, the new location at 2901 East Alejo Road will offer increased storage space and improved distribution efficiency. Food distribution will begin in October, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for Nov. 1.
  
  
• Community members can access food distribution services every Thursday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the new site. This consistent schedule aims to provide reliable support to those in need.
  
  
• Why it matters: The expansion underscores the growing demand for food assistance in the region, with 48,670 residents experiencing food insecurity according to a 2022 Coachella Valley Community Health Survey.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Downtown Parking Meetings
7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. | City Hall
The City of Palm Springs invites business owners, employees and interested community members to join a discussion about downtown parking.

Sunshine Sisters Coffee
8 a.m. | Play Lounge & Cafe
Join other Palm Springs Sunshine Sisters for morning coffee and conversation. For more information on joining the organization, click here.

VillageFest Board Meeting
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
The VillageFest Board consists of seven members appointed by the City Council. The Board typically meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m.

Toastmasters
6 p.m. | The Center
Palm Springs Toastmasters provides a supportive and positive atmosphere where members develop communication and leadership skills.

PSUSD Board meeting
6 p.m. | PSUSD Headquarters
The Palm Springs unified School District Board of education meets every second and fourth Tuesday at district headquarters. Meetings are also streamed live on YouTube.

SAVE THE DATE

• Cat Show at the Palm Springs Convention Center on Saturday.
  
  
• Business Expo & Taste of Palm Springs at Indian Canyons Golf Resort on Sept. 18.
  
  
• Healthy Desert, Healthy You summit on Sept. 20 and 21.
  
  
• Palm Springs Police Department open house on Sept. 28.
  
  
• Palm Springs Car Show and Festival on Oct. 5.
  
  
• City Council Candidate Forum on Oct. 5.
  
  
• One Night Out Rio benefiting The Foundation for PSUSD on Oct. 5.
  
  
• Evening Under The Stars benefit for AAP – Food Samaritans on Oct. 13.
  
  
• Center Stage benefiting LQBTQ+ Center of the Desert on Oct. 19.
  
  
• Pride on the Page Book Festival on Oct. 20.
  
  
• Palm Springs Speaks first speaker on Oct. 22.

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AND FINALLY …

Right on time and just as promised, the cones went up and the crews came out Monday morning along Sunrise Way, where a major city thoroughfare will see construction impact traffic until right around Halloween.

Driving the news: A major road construction project to build a median on Sunrise Way is now underway. The work will affect the area between Via Escuela and Mel Avenue, with particular focus on the intersection of Sunrise Way and Vista Chino.

Why it matters: The city hopes to make improvements in the median that will, among other things, discourage people from crossing over it and instead encourage them to use crosswalks in the intersection. 

• The unofficial shortcut between a shopping center on the east side of Sunrise and both the DAP Health campus and a bus stop on the west side has seen pedestrians putting their lives on the line for years.

What to expect: Drivers should expect only one lane to be open in each direction on Sunrise Way during the construction period. 

💭Our take: We don’t live in Los Angeles, so this should not result in significant delays as you make your way to and from Starbucks or Stater Brothers. Still, it’s a good idea to be aware that construction workers are active in the area. So, here’s your reminder: Slow down and give them a break.