April 1 Daily Briefing: Design concerns, zoning changes discussed, visible changes at Air Museum, and more

Happy Tuesday, and welcome to April — and April Fools’ Day! Every April 1 we entertain ourselves with thoughts about what we would put in an April Fools’ Day edition of this newsletter (the Marilyn statue moved to the Top of The Tram? A Starbucks planned for the the South Lykken Trailhead? Oh, how we amuse ourselves!). Fortunately for you all, we would never, ever, attempt such a thing, because media outlets that try almost always fall flat on their face and end up hurting their reputation. So, on this April 1, we’ll just invite you to read about some of those epic fails here.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Little Boxes” by Pete Seeger

LEADING OFF

Plans for ‘soulless,’ ‘pseudo-modern’ development ignite passion in architecture community

Planning commissioners and members of the local architecture and design community sharply criticized a proposed 62-unit residential development planned for East Palm Canyon Drive at a study session last week, citing inadequate density, poor design, and zoning violations on a nine-acre lot near the Twin Palms neighborhood.

Driving the news: During a March 25 meeting, Planning Department staff noted the proposal by Nexus Development Corporation to build 40 single-family homes and 22 duplexes presents multiple concerns, most obviously the fact that single-family residences are expressly prohibited in the R-3 zone where the site is located. 

By the numbers: The project’s proposed density of approximately seven dwelling units per acre falls significantly below the 30 units per acre that current zoning allows. The maximum number of units zoned for that location is 264, and the developer is proposing just 62 units. 

What they’re saying: Local architecture and design community members present at the meeting strongly criticized the aesthetic approach, calling it “mundane,” “pseudo-modern,” “placeless,” and “soulless.”

• Chris Menrad compared many of the city’s new luxury condo developments to the block-based video game Minecraft and others said the design is something that could be found anywhere in the country.

In response: The developer acknowledged the design complaints from a February neighborhood outreach meeting and has since hired local architect Sean Lockyer to improve the project’s look.

• A representative of the developer defended the low density, saying there’s “no minimum density required” and that market analysis suggested a low-density project would “make more sense economically.”

What’s next: The pre-application study session was a preliminary step before the developer can submit a formal planned development district application. Commissioners provided guidance but took no formal action.

Dive deeper with our complete story here.

BRIEFLY

🏘️ Early draft of zoning overhaul reduces districts, creates new housing options

Palm Springs officials are seeking public feedback on proposed zoning changes that would reshape the city’s development landscape for decades to come, with a public meeting held Monday night to review preliminary proposals and another scheduled for today as part of the city’s first comprehensive zoning update in over 40 years.

• As presented Monday evening at the James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center, the preliminary plans show a proposal to streamline the current system by reducing zoning districts from approximately 30 to 23. The most significant consolidation would occur in commercial districts, which would decrease from nine to three or four.
  
• A key feature of the proposed update is the creation of new “missing middle” housing districts that would accommodate a wider variety of housing types while limiting the scale of new development, with one proposed district capping buildings at 12 units.
  
• What’s next: City Councilmember Grace Garner described the project as having the most lasting impact of any currently underway in Palm Springs. Residents can participate in the process today at Demuth Community Center, 3601 E. Mesquite Ave., starting at 12 p.m.

Read our complete story online

🥫 SunLine Transit holding food drive benefiting The Center

SunLine Transit Agency’s annual “Pantry to the People” food drive will benefit The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert’s food bank on Thursday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Albertsons grocery store in Palm Springs. The event aims to collect non-perishable food items and toiletries to support food-insecure residents in the Coachella Valley.

• Donors are encouraged to contribute items such as canned meats, soups, fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, breakfast foods, coffee, pasta, beans, and toiletries at the SunLine bus parked in the Albertsons parking lot at 1751 North Sunrise Way.
  
• “We are beyond grateful to SunLine and we’re thrilled to be sharing in their generosity alongside our friends at Find Food Bank,” said Charles Huff, director of food security at The Center, noting that one in seven Coachella Valley residents risk food insecurity, with LGBTQ people facing even greater risk.
  
• Why it matters: The Palm Springs-based operation is the only organization in the Coachella Valley dedicated to meeting the diverse needs of LGBTQ+ individuals, providing fresh produce, proteins, dairy and pantry items weekly at no charge through its Community Food Bank.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Desert X
The fifth edition of Desert X, the recurring site-specific, international art exhibition is open now through May 11. Find the map of installations on the Desert X website.

Pre-Shredding Drop Off
8 a.m. | City Hall
From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. drop off paper waste for shredding in secure bins placed inside City Hall. No bulky items will be accepted during pre-shredding.

Knit Together
10 a.m. | The Center
Come enjoy the social and fun space open to all levels of fiber enthusiasts. Do note, the group is a social club and not a class. Register online to participate.

Zone Palm Springs Community Meeting
12 p.m. | DeMuth Community Center
Join city representatives for a meeting to learn about Zone Palm Springs – the city’s first comprehensive update to its zoning code since 1988. Share your priorities for the future of the city. 

Trivia Night
6:30 p.m. | Play Lounge PS
Come alone or bring a group to participate in this popular trivia night. Win bagging rights and other prizes.

See all events here

SAVE THE DATE

• Palm Springs Speaks Presents Mary Louise Kelly on Thursday at the Cultural Center. ($50-$70)
  
• Fuse – Opening Reception at Janssen Artspace on Saturday.
  
• Yoga Workshop: Pickleball Injury Prevention and Recovery at Khaga Yoga Palm Springs on Saturday.
  
• Coachella Valley Has Sole Shoe Drive at the Living Desert on Saturday.
  
• Free Shredding Event at the Palm Springs Convention Center on Saturday.
  
• Opera in the Park at Sunrise Park on Sunday.
  
• World Art Day at the Downtown Park on April 12.
  
• PS Gay Men’s Chorus “Disney Pride In Concert“ starting April 24. ($35)
  
• 2025 Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival starting May 8. ($17)

Submit your event here

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AND FINALLY …

Visitors and residents alike are finally getting a glimpse of the Palm Springs Air Museum’s ambitious transformation, as construction crews recently erected the columns for a striking new facade that will greet future guests.

Driving the news: The museum’s $9.2 million expansion and renovation project, which broke ground in May 2024, is now visibly taking shape with the installation of its distinctive new entrance.

• The facade design draws inspiration from both wind turbines and Palm Springs’ iconic Midcentury Modern architecture, creating a fresh visual identity while honoring the region’s aesthetic heritage.

Why it matters: The 9,200-square-foot expansion represents the most significant upgrade to the facility since the Major General Kenneth P. Miles hangar opened in 2017, signaling the museum’s evolution into a premier aviation destination.

The big picture: When completed within the next 18 months, the expanded museum will feature the Ronald M. Auen Learning Center for educational programming, improved visitor flow with enlarged ticketing areas, a new multi-purpose room, and enhanced gift shop facilities.

Behind the scenes: The 25-year-old museum houses more than 70 vintage aircraft spanning several conflicts from World War II through Operation Desert Storm, displayed across 91,000 square feet of hangar space.