Jan. 24 Daily Briefing: Warehouse moves forward, rental rules eased, PSUSD survey, and more

TGIF, everyone, where we are hoping that rain in the forecast actually arrives. As you might have remembered from our report earlier this month, it has been a very long time since any significant rain fell in the city. This weekend, a storm system is arriving from the north that should include some, as well as mountain snow. In fact, forecasters are predicting there could be up to half an inch of rain in our area. Let’s hope they’re right, and that our neighbors in Los Angeles see some precipitation as well.

🎶 Setting the mood: “The Age of Aquarius” by The 5th Dimension

LEADING OFF

Council OKs massive warehouse despite environmental concerns

A 739,360-square-foot warehouse will be built in the far north section of Palm Springs after the City Council unanimously denied an appeal and approved the project Thursday, following intense debate over environmental and economic impacts.

Driving the news: PS Canyon Development LLC received approval to construct the facility at North Indian Canyon Drive and 19th Avenue. It is predicted to create more than 500 union construction jobs and up to 1,000 permanent positions.

• The project includes 12,000 square feet of office space and parking for both vehicles and trucks.

At issue: Environmental advocates who spoke Thursday said they are worried about greenhouse gas emissions from an estimated 102,000 annual truck trips, while supporters emphasize economic benefits and tax revenue.

The response: Developers have agreed to install rooftop solar panels and commit to zero-emission vehicles when feasible, following negotiations with the Sierra Club.

• The council also requested an air quality analysis in five years to assess impacts.

What they’re saying: Mayor Ron deHarte defended the project’s future viability, reacting to a concern from one opponent that the warehouses could someday be empty if online shopping declines.

• “We can’t be afraid of tomorrow,” deHarte said during the debate on the appeal. “These can be data storage locations. We can see technology and the technology industry very quickly move into these large warehouses.”

What’s next: The project now moves to the Architectural Review Committee for design evaluation, with construction expected to begin this year.

Dive deeper with our complete story

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BRIEFLY

🏠 Palm Springs eases rental rules to assist wildfire evacuees

The Palm Springs City Council unanimously approved temporary relief from vacation rental caps for properties hosting Los Angeles wildfire evacuees. The measure applies retroactively from Jan. 7 through Feb. 28.

• The decision made Thursday evening exempts rental stays by evacuees from annual contract limits, which normally restrict properties to 36 rentals per year for permits issued before Oct. 18, 2022, and 26 rentals for those issued after.
  
  
• Property owners must submit affidavits for evacuee stays, which will be treated similarly to friends and family visits. The exemption applies only to short-term stays of 28 days or less.
  
  
• Bottom line: The measure follows Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Jan. 7 declaration of a state of emergency and complements other local support efforts, including discounted hotel rooms offered through the Palm Springs Hospitality Association.

🏛️ CEO’s trial conference delayed in non-profit fraud case

A trial readiness conference scheduled Thursday for Queer Works CEO Jacob Rostovsky, who faces 53 counts of fraud for allegedly misusing funds from the city of Palm Springs and Riverside County, has been postponed until June 18, according to court documents.

• Rostovsky, 33, was indicted in October 2024 for allegedly taking more than $840,000 in public funds intended for housing assistance and a universal basic income program and using them himself. 
  
  
• Looking back: In Palm Springs, Queer Works was supposed to distribute monthly $800 allowances to 180 people from the transgender and nonbinary community as part of a basic income program. A local healthcare company has since taken over that program.

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YOUR WEEKEND

MULTIPLE DAYS

• Library Book Sale at the Palm Springs Public Library’s JC Frey building today and Saturday.
  
  
• Desert Open Studios at art studios throughout the valley today through Sunday.
  
  
• “Fat Ham” at Dezart Performs all weekend. ($57)
  
  
• “The Light in the Piazza” at the Coachella Valley Repertory all weekend. ($90)
  
  
• “A Very Sordid Wedding” at Palm Canyon Theatre all weekend. ($32)

TODAY

• TGIF Trivia at Play Lounge & Café at 6:30 p.m.
  
  
• An Evening with Jimmy Webb at 7 p.m. ($82)
  
  
• Comedy Night at Hotel Zoso at 8 p.m. ($15)

SATURDAY

• Palm Springs Health Run & Wellness Festival at Ruth Hardy Park at 8 a.m. ($40)
  
  
• Certified Farmers’ Market at the Cultural Center at 8 a.m.
  
  
• Community Clean-Up event at the James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center at 9 a.m.
  
  
• Singing The Birds Bird Song and Dance Festival at Palm Springs High School from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m.
  
  
• “Addicted Idol” staged reading at Revolution Stage Company at 2 p.m. ($10)
  
  
• Country Western Dancing at 933 Crossley Road at 7 p.m. ($5)
  
  
• Every Nun’s Got Talent with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence at one eleven bar at 9 p.m. ($10)

SUNDAY

• Mah Jong Meetup at Play Lounge & Cafe at 1 p.m.
  
  
• Gospel Festival presented by the Palm Springs Black History Committee at Word of Life Fellowship Center at 2 p.m.
  
  
• Violinist Andrew Sords concert at the Richards Center for the Arts at 2 p.m. ($35)
  
  
• Dusty Strings Collective performance and open mic at the Palm Springs Cultural Center at 5:30 p.m. ($20)

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AND FINALLY …

The Palm Springs Unified School District (PSUSD) is taking a look at its cell phone policy and it needs input from students and families.

Driving the news: PSUSD is complying with the California Phone-Free Schools Act, which aims to support student development and create strong, respectful learning environments by limiting cell phone use during school hours.

Context: At least eight states across the country have enacted cell phone bans of some kind, and more states are joining. The re-examination of cell phone policies come amid the former Surgeon General’s recommendation to require warning labels on social media for young people. 

Dive deeper: The district’s survey asks participants, “What impact do you believe cell phones have on students’ social-emotional well-being?”

• It also asks whether they agree or disagree with statements like, “Student use of cell phones causes distractions during the school day,” and “I observe conflicts or issues among students related to cell phone use.”

What they’re saying: “We recognize the importance of technology in daily life but also the distractions it can pose in the classroom,” the district said online. 

Looking ahead: Some of the solutions offered by the survey range from the phone being turned off and left either at home or in the office to a policy where the phone would stay with the student and they would be allowed to use it at teacher’s discretion.

Details: The survey is due back this afternoon by 4 p.m. The surveys are offered in English and Spanish.