The developer proposing a 1.4-million-square-foot warehouse fulfillment center on the far north edge of Palm Springs near Whitewater tabled the plans Wednesday, hours before a public meeting where the project would be discussed.
The Palm Springs Planning Commission was scheduled to discuss the plans on 148 acres just north of the Highway 62 interchange along Interstate 10 during its regular study session Wednesday afternoon. Instead, a representative of the developer, Transwestern Development Company, told a local television station they will, “seek further community and city input” before moving forward.
The move came as welcome news to a local environmental group opposing the plans. Members of the group said earlier this week the project would have a negative impact on nearby desert lands deemed critical habitat and should not be allowed to move ahead. They urged opponents to attend the virtual Planning Commission meeting and submit comments in opposition.
“I am so glad the developer realized that this would be a major fight in Palm Springs,” said Jane Garrison, who heads an organization that recently fought to stop development of Oswit Canyon in South Palm Springs.
BRIEFLY
FIRE ASSIST IN DHS: Palm Springs Fire Department personnel assisted in containing a fire at a home near the intersection of Palm Drive and Pierson Boulevard in Desert Hot Springs overnight. The fire was reported at 12:10 AM and contained an hour later. No injuries were reported, but the flames driven by 40 mph winds did fully involve a single family home.
‘HERO PAY’ ON COUNCIL AGENDA: A temporary pay bump for certain workers in the city is up for discussion tonight during the regular meeting of the Palm Springs City Council. The move, dubbed ‘Hero Pay,’ would mandate increased hourly pay in the city for workers in certain grocery stores and pharmacies. Similar measures were approved recently in other California cities, including locally in Coachella. Residents can watch the Council meeting live online here , on the City’s YouTube channel, or on Palm Springs Community Television Channel 17. A complete agenda can be found here.
‘READ TO ME’ ONLINE: Join Palm Springs Pubic Library children’s librarian Nancy Valdivia for story time today at 10 AM on Facebook or YouTube. She reads two stories in English and one story in Spanish.
VACCINES: A COVID vaccine clinic continues at the Palm Springs Convention Center, 277 N. Avenida Caballeros, from 8 AM-5 PM through Friday. You must be eligible and make an appointment first. Appointments can be reserved online at www.rivcoph.org/COVID-19-Vaccine. Find community providers such as pharmacies here. As of Wednesday, there had been 3,574 cases reported in the city and 110 deaths. Those numbers represent one additional case and one additional death in the past day.
HISTORY CARAVAN: The Palm Springs Black History Committee is hosting a “Caravan Thru African American History” Saturday, Feb. 27 at 10 AM. The caravan kicks off at United Methodist Church of Palm Springs, 1555 E. Alejo Road. To register, visit this site.
