A recently-erected sign at the site of land near the abandoned Palm Springs Country Club has neighbors wondering if a housing project is moving forward. The answer is yes and no.
Yes, the developer of one of two projects in the area recently applied for a zoning change to help move his project ahead. No, the sign is not in relation to the nearly 400 homes planned on 126 acres, dubbed “Serena Park.”
Instead, city staff said Monday, the sign refers to the “Casa Verona” project — which the developer is hoping to expand from 25 to 31 single family homes, each built in “a single story modern contemporary style with pools and desert landscape.” The zoning change currently being considered will allow for the additional homes. While the Serena Park project was planned for land formerly occupied by the golf course, the Casa Verona project is on a 4.6-acrea triangle section of land to the right former golf course’s parking lot, clubhouse, and tennis courts, bordered by East Verona Road.
The on-again, off-again development of the golf course land has long frustrated area residents, who have voiced concerns about additional traffic after the homes have been built, and construction noise during their build-out. The golf course has been closed since 2007, with its facilities and acreage falling into disrepair. The Serena Park project was approved in 2016, but is not currently moving forward
The builder of Casa Verona, Temple Development, purchased the land in question in 2005. In a letter to the city requesting the zoning change earlier this year, Mark Temple said abandonment of the golf course and multiple economic downturns have been tough to overcome, but his company has stuck with the plans for Casa Verona and has every intention of moving forward.
“We are the only vacant land property owners in this area that have stayed with the project and weathered the storm,” he wrote in a justification letter to city planners. “(We) are committed to complete this project.
“I have lived permanently in Palm Springs since 1977 and Temple Development has developed over 1,800 resort homes and condominiums in Palm Springs.”
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BRIEFLY
FUNDRAISER RESULTS: Postal Palm Springs recently presented a check for $2,500 to AAP Food Samaritans — the result of a fundraiser during the month of March which saw the local business donate 20 percent of its net sales when customers used UPS, FedEx or USPS. This was the first promotion of its kind to be arranged for the local nonprofit dedicated to providing nutritional support to improve the quality of the lives of low-income people living with HIV/AIDS and other chronic illnesses.
MOVIE THEATER REOPENING: Regal is planning to open its Palm Springs movie theater, 789 E Tahquitz Canyon Way, to the public again later this month, according to its company website. The Palm Springs location, closed during much of the past year due to the pandemic, is one of 17 in California, and more than 100 nationwide, reopening on May 21, the company said. “We are excited to open our doors and begin sharing our love of movies with our fans.,” the company said. “As we re-open our theatres, we remain committed to the safety of our patrons and employees.” The chain has been mostly
EVENTS
TODAY
- DESERT WATER MEETING: The Desert Water Agency Board of Directors meets via Zoom at 8 AM. Information about how to watch the meeting is here. An agenda for the meeting is here. Among items being discussed in closed session is ongoing litigation between the agency and the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians.
- MAIN STREET MEETING: Main Street Palm Springs holds its regular meeting at 8:30 AM. Information about joining that meeting can be found here.
- SOLAR AND GREEN: The city’s Standing Subcommittee on Solar and Green Building meets at 10:30 AM. Information on that meeting can be found here.
- TEEN EVENT: Teen librarian Sean Corbin hosts “This is NOT Teen Talk” at 4 PM on Instagram Live.
- HISTORIC PRESERVATION: The city’s Historic Site Preservation Board meets at 5:30 PM. Information on the agenda for that meeting, and viewing the meeting, can be found here.
ONGOING
- OUTDOOR ART: Desert X art installations are on display throughout the Coachella Valley, including several within the Palm Springs city limits. The free event runs through May 16. A map of the installations can be found here. Some require reservations to view.
- VACCINES: Anyone 16 and older now qualifies for a COVID-19 vaccine in Riverside County. If you qualify, you can get one at the Palm Springs Convention Center, 277 North Avenida Caballeros, from 8 AM-5 PM through Friday. Appointments are encouraged, but not required, and can be reserved online at www.rivcoph.org/COVID-19-Vaccine. You can also find a list of community providers such as pharmacies here.
