City's historic board wants updates on trio of stalled landmark projects ⋆ The Palm Springs Post

*Vacant and deteriorating buildings are all that remain of the historic Racquet Club off North Indian Canyon Drive.*

The Palm Springs Historic Site Preservation Board is calling for increased transparency and action from city officials after prolonged inaction on three significant historic properties in the city.

Board members who spoke to the issue at their Dec. 3 meeting expressed frustration over the lack of progress on the Town & Country Center, Orchid Tree Inn, and the former Racquet Club property. These properties, all designated historic sites, have been subjects of stalled development plans for years.

“These are embarrassments…,” said board member Peter Moruzzi. “…Nothing’s happening, and we get told one thing and nothing happens, and it just — there’s no good explanation for it.”

All three properties have been the subject of planned improvements or redevelopment for years, but little work has been completed, leaving Moruzzi with the feeling that, at least in the case of two of the properties in question, “they’re holding hostage the middle of our downtown.”

The Orchid Tree project, located on 3.6 acres at 284 West Baristo Rd., last saw action at City Hall in July 2023, when the Palm Springs City Council approved amendments that kept the project moving ahead. Portions of The Town & Country Center along Palm Canyon Drive have seen improvements and upkeep in recent years, but the part that faces Indian Canyon Drive continues to languish. As for the Racquet Club property at 2743 North Indian Canyon Dr., there has been no recent activity.

One board member suggested the board should receive regular updates on these properties, as was done in the past. “The previous board made it known that it was important to receive those updates,” said Janet Hansen. “This current board hasn’t done that until tonight.”

The board also discussed potential ways to address the Palm Springs City Council directly about the status of the properties, debating the board’s role in advising the Council on matters beyond specific property designations.

*Little activity has been seen at the site of the former Orchid Tree Hotel in Downtown Palm Springs in recent years.*

Chair Jade Nelson raised questions about the appropriate channels for the board to communicate its concerns to both the city’s Planning Commission and the Council.

“What is the process? What is the etiquette for one of us going in front of the Planning Commission, the City Council, and saying, you know, we’re really concerned, things are not happening,” Nelson asked.

A city staff member at the meeting agreed to provide updates on the three properties and explore appropriate channels for board input. She also committed to discussing the matter with the planning director.

Reached this week, a city spokesperson said the Orchid Tree Hotel project remains in progress; while the developer has not yet applied for building permits, the city continues to coordinate efforts to move the project forward. At the Town & Country Center, there are no active permit cases or code compliance issues. Similarly, the former Racquet Club property is under contract with a private party, but there are no active permits or code compliance matters at this time.

Board members emphasized the need for clearer communication between the Historic Preservation Board and the council. They expressed a desire for a more active role in addressing broader historic preservation concerns in Palm Springs.

Hansen pointed out that according to the ordinance establishing the Historic Site Preservation Board, one of its roles is “to advise the city council and or planning commission in all matters concerning historic preservation.”

“I think these issues could fall underneath that,” she said.