Planning Commission recommends exploring open space designation for Boulders, Crescendo

The Palm Springs Planning Commission has recommended exploring designating the undeveloped Boulders and Crescendo properties as open space, potentially offsetting density requirements through upzoning elsewhere in the city.

During their regular meeting on Sept. 11, commissioners discussed the idea as part of a broader review of updates to the city’s General Plan.

Commissioner Robert Rotman raised the issue, noting there is “a lot of public support to leave them open.”

Both 42 acres known as Crescendo and 31 acres named Boulders were slated for development by the company responsible for the revitalized portion of Downtown Palm Springs — now known as Grit Development — that was also wrapped up in an alleged bribery case involving a former city mayor. The land is adjacent to Chino Canyon and the Palm Springs Visitors Center.

City officials have maintained the properties are not for sale and would not be developed, but need to be kept on a list of available properties to help meet housing density requirements. 

The fact that both have been listed in an inventory of unused land the city must submit to the state each year often fuels speculation that a sale was possible. 

Planning Director Christopher Hadwin explained that previous discussions with the City Council had determined not to change the properties’ designations at this time. However, he suggested the commission could recommend further exploration of the idea.

“What I might suggest is that if the commission wishes to make a recommendation, that we explore that further and perhaps return with an amendment to this to make that change,” Hadwin said.

Chair Kathy Weremiuk proposed tying the potential open space designation to future upzoning of other areas, such as the College of the Desert site adjacent to the Desert Highland Gateway Estates neighborhood

“As that area gets new zoning, it would create the density where we could make the trade under state law, to make Boulders and Crescendo open space,” Weremiuk said.

The recommendation was included in the commission’s motion to approve the General Plan updates, which passed unanimously.

Other key changes in the General Plan recommended by the commission include:

• Changing the land use designation of a parcel at Alejo Road and Commercial Drive to reflect a previous General Plan amendment
  
  
• Considering changing the United Methodist Church site from medium density residential to high density residential
  
  
• Adding map references to help locate areas like Boulders, Crescendo and the Chino Cone
  
  
• Ensuring a comprehensive glossary of terms and definitions

The commission also discussed potential changes to street designations, including reclassifying Racquet Club Road west of Palm Canyon Drive from a collector to a local street. members directed staff to further evaluate that move with the city engineer.

The updated General Plan will next go to the City Council for final approval.

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