Jan. 15 Daily Briefing: Project approval upheld, statue staying put, honor for Plaza Theatre, and more

Happy Thursday! Yesterday, we told you all about the police department’s use of license plate readers and drone technology, and we then received emails from readers wondering how to tell if a drone flying near them belongs to PSPD. As a part of its emphasis on transparency, the department keeps track of the flight logs for its Drones as First Responder program. On it, you can see the date, time, and location of the drone and the reason why it was deployed. Check out the flight logs here, and bookmark it just in case you see or hear something weird flying around!

🎶 Setting the mood: “Fly As Me” by Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak as Silk Sonic

LEADING OFF

Council upholds approval of 82-unit affordable housing project despite privacy concerns

The Palm Springs City Council on Wednesday denied an appeal from neighboring homeowners and approved an 82-unit, 100% affordable housing development on West San Rafael Drive. The project now moves forward with construction potentially starting in late 2026.

Driving the news: The council upheld the Planning Commission’s November approval of the project at 305 West San Rafael Drive, which will consist of three apartment buildings with a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom units for very low- and low-income families earning $34,000 to $78,000 annually.

The appeal: Two homeowners on Santa Catalina Road — whose properties back up to the development site — challenged the approval, claiming third-story windows would allow residents to look into their backyards.

• A letter from appellants called the project a “permanent and unmitigated private nuisance.”

The response: Developer Red Tail LLC submitted a sightline analysis showing the combination of distance and window placement means views would be “basically up into the sky,” not down into backyards.

• “The applicant is doing everything that they can to make sure that there’s privacy for the neighbors,” said Councilmember Grace Garner.

What’s next: The council directed the developer to explore adding tall hedges on the south side when the project goes through Architectural Review Committee review.

By the numbers: The council also approved a $3.8 million city loan to help close financing gaps and a separate $2.25 million loan for another nearby 115-unit affordable housing development still in planning stages.

Read Erin Rode’s full story

---

BRIEFLY

🏛️ Bogert statue decision voided, artwork to remain in storage

• The Frank Bogert statue will remain in storage after Palm Springs City Council members determined Wednesday that a potential Brown Act violation at their Nov. 12 meeting voided the Public Arts Commission’s decision on Jan. 8 to relocate the memorial to the Village Green.
  
• City Attorney Jeff Ballinger announced the decision during the regular City Council meeting Wednesday evening, saying the council met in a special closed session at 3:30 p.m. prior to its regularly scheduled closed session at 4 p.m. to discuss a potential violation arising from the council’s Nov. 12 discussion about the statue.
  
• At issue: The potential violation stems from an exchange at the end of the Nov. 12 council meeting when then-Mayor Ron deHarte brought up moving the statue during the portion of the meeting where council members suggest future agenda items, with Ballinger warning the discussion was happening outside the posted agenda.
  

Read Kendall Balchan’s full story

🎭 Plaza Theatre earns historic places designation

• The Palm Springs Plaza Theatre has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation announced Wednesday. The 1936 Spanish Colonial Revival theater recently reopened after extensive restoration completed in accordance with strict historical guidelines set by the National Park Service.
  
• The theater is the only known historic atmospheric theater in the Coachella Valley and is closely associated with early 20th century commercial development of Palm Springs. Celebrities such as Jack Benny, Bob Hope and Frank Sinatra performed at the venue.
  
• Bottom line: The National Register listing was part of the process to secure Federal Historic Tax Credits by the City of Palm Springs and the Foundation to help offset restoration costs, netting approximately $2.8 million in tax credit funds.

Read our full story

---

TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Introductory French
9:30 a.m. | Mizell Center
For those looking to learn French but don’t know where to start, the Mizell Center is offering a great introductory course. ($100)

Preschool and Baby Story Times
10 a.m. | Library at Rimrock Plaza
Children’s Librarian Nancy reads stories, sings songs, and shares early learning concepts. Preschool story time is from 10-11 AM and Baby story time is at 11 AM – 12 PM each Thursday morning, unless otherwise noted.

Palm Springs Hospitality Association Monthly Luncheon
11:30 a.m. | Palm Springs Surf Club
Mayor Naomi Soto outlines what’s next for Palm Springs from airport modernization to downtown improvements — and what it means for hospitality leaders who want to stay ahead of the curve. ($50)

Nonesuch Nonfiction Book Club
2 p.m. | Welwood Murray Memorial Library
Members of the book club will discuss this month’s pick: “Outraged: Why We Fight About Morality and Politics and How to Find Common Ground” by Kurt Gray. Next month they’ll tackle “Abundance” by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson. Find out how to join the book club here.

Yappy Hour with Animal Samaritans
4 p.m. | Riviera Resort & Spa
Every Yappy Hour supports Animal Samaritans’ life-saving programs. Mark your calendars, grab the leash, and join us for the happiest happy hour in town! ($20)

Measure J Oversight Commission
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
At this month’s meeting, commissioners will discuss funding for Palm Springs Convention Center projects.

VillageFest
6 p.m. | Downtown Palm Springs  
The street fair features art, entertainment, shopping, and food. 

Eureka Day
7 p.m. | Dezart Playhouse
The play centers on a well-intentioned school board trying to maintain unity and inclusivity—until a mumps outbreak triggers a fierce debate over vaccinations, personal freedom, and public health. ($78)

View all events here

SAVE THE DATE

• Parks Listening Session, hosted by Palm Springs Parks Foundation, Friday at 8 a.m. at Hilton Palm Springs
  
• American Legion Youth Baseball Fundraiser with Robin Wilson of Gin Blossoms on Saturday
  
• MLK Jr. Commemoration on Sunday at 2 p.m. at United Methodist Church
  
• Virtual San Rafael Apartments Community Meeting on Zoom on Jan. 20
  
• The Gand Band Jeanie Cunningham Star Fundraiser on Jan. 22
  
• Palm Springs Health Run & Wellness Festival on Jan. 24
  
• “Car Show Car Show” at Market Market on Jan. 25
  
• Palm Springs Speaks with Cheech Marin on Feb. 10
  
• Palm Springs International Jazz Festival from Feb. 19-22

---

AND FINALLY …

Jim Lanahan spent years producing major Broadway tours and juggling the demands of caregiving before landing in Palm Springs, where he discovered an unlikely calling: becoming the desert’s most enthusiastic thrift evangelist.

Meet ‘Thrift Boss’: The former theater producer has transformed his weekend Revivals shopping trips into social media content that reaches more than 130,000 followers worldwide, earning him the nickname “Thrift Boss” and a starring role in the nonprofit thrift store’s new commercial campaign.

• Lanahan visits at least two of the four Revivals locations every Saturday, documenting his finds for an audience split evenly between caregivers and thrifting enthusiasts.

From stage to screen: After relocating to Palm Springs in 2020 to care for his mother, now 77 and living in Cathedral City, Lanahan began sharing his resale discoveries online — a natural evolution from his earlier posts about the realities of caregiving.

Why it matters: His authentic enthusiasm caught the attention of DAP Health Chief Marketing Officer Steven Henke, who tapped Lanahan to star in commercials showcasing his signature riffing style about the “soul” and story behind secondhand treasures.

The appeal: “Revivals is the unique intersection of upcycling, volunteerism, and community activism,” Lanahan says. “I’m the cheerleader, a true fan of Revivals who is appreciative of it on many levels.”

Dive deeper with the complete story from DAP Health