Jan. 8 Daily Briefing: Affordable housing update, young artists wanted, clean-up planned, and more

Welcome to Thursday, where we’ve got good news for fans of nature cams! Big Bear’s famous bald eagle couple, Jackie and Shadow, are back at their nest and getting ready for another family — renovating their home, fluffing things up, and showing all the signs that eggs could arrive as soon as this month. You can watch all the nest-building action live on the Big Bear Eagle Nest Cam, where fans are already getting excited about the possibility of new eaglets!

🎶 Setting the mood: “Seasons Come, Seasons Go” by Bobbie Gentry

LEADING OFF

Council to weigh appeal, funding for two affordable housing projects along West San Rafael Drive

The Palm Springs City Council will confront two closely linked affordable housing proposals on West San Rafael Drive at its Jan. 14 meeting, collectively determining whether nearly 200 affordable apartment units will be built near the city’s northern edge. The projects sit within roughly 100 yards of each other.

Driving the news: An 82-unit project at 305 West San Rafael Drive faces a formal appeal from neighboring property owners after unanimous Planning Commission approval in November, while a separate 110-unit development at San Rafael Drive and McCarthy Road is seeking preliminary city funding.

• Appellants argue the 82-unit project would create privacy impacts, excessive height, and what they describe as an overconcentration of income-restricted housing in the area.

The other side: City staff maintain both projects comply with zoning codes and state Density Bonus Law, which requires local governments to grant increased height and density for qualifying affordable developments.

By the numbers: The council will also consider $3.8 million in city loans for the 82-unit project — possibly pending results of the appeal — and $2.25 million for the 110-unit development at McCarthy Road, which has not yet received land-use approvals.

What’s next: If the appeal is denied and funding approved, construction on the 82-unit project could begin in late 2026 with completion in 2028.

• Community meetings for the McCarthy Road project are scheduled for Jan. 12 at the James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center and Jan. 20 via Zoom. A Zoom meeting planned for last night faced an unplanned cancellation.

Dive deeper with our complete story

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BRIEFLY

🎨 Student artists sought for health data event

• HARC is recruiting student artists age 14 through 25 to create artwork interpreting Coachella Valley community health data for display at its Feb. 26 data release event. Selected artists will receive a free event ticket and a stipend.
  
• The nonprofit research organization conducts the region’s most comprehensive survey on health, housing, economic security and quality of life every three years. The data release event brings together community leaders, nonprofits, educators, healthcare providers and officials to review findings.
  
• Details: The deadline to apply is this Saturday (Jan. 10). Students may submit digital art, photography, painting, sculpture or any other original artistic medium inspired by provided data themes. Applications and information are available at this link, or by emailing aramos@HARCdata.org.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Palm Springs International Film Festival
All day | Multiple Locations
The film festival continues today, with screenings and events taking place across the valley. The festival concludes on Jan. 12.

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.

Unlock’d The Musical
3 p.m. | Revolution Stage Company
Unlock’d is A Midsummer Night’s Dream meets Legally Blonde. It’s a battle between the sexes, filled with passion, fun, romance as well as surprise endings while individuals untangle their entanglements, unlock their hearts and ultimately become their true selves. ($1 suggested donation)

Talk: Keeping California Native
3 p.m. | Mizell Center
Join Dr. James Danoff-Burg, Vice President of Conservation at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens for a discussion of lessons learned about urban habitat creation and wildlands enrichment projects in Southern California.

Art Museum Free Admission
5 p.m. | Palm Springs Art Museums 
From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., enjoy free admission to galleries and exhibitions, and explore the collections at both downtown museums at your own pace. 

Community Food Bank Distribution
5 p.m. | The Center
Every Thursday evening, The Center provides free groceries for local families and residents at 2901 East Alejo Road. 

Public Arts Commission
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
Commissioners are holding a special meeting tonight, with the agenda listing the potential move of the Frank Bogert statue to Village Green.

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

Thursday Night Vibes
6 p.m. | Hyatt Palm Springs
Every Thursday, Leanna & Miguel on congas turn up the entertainment energy with an electrifying mix of pop, soft-rock, disco, jazz, classic covers, and those irresistible dance & sing-along hits from the 70s & 80s!

View all events here

SAVE THE DATE

• Palm Springs Pugs Meetup at Demuth Park on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
  
• Auditions for Modern Men Chorus (celebrating Dr. Stan Hill’s final concert) on Saturday at 11 a.m.
  
• Wishing Well Benefit Concert for Well in the Desert on Jan. 12
  
• American Legion Youth Baseball Fundraiser with Robin Wilson of Gin Blossoms on Jan. 17
  
• Palm Springs Health Run & Wellness Festival on Jan. 24
  
• Palm Springs Speaks with Cheech Marin on Feb. 10
  
• Palm Springs International Jazz Festival from Feb. 19-22

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AND FINALLY …

Palm Springs residents can help beautify their city while enjoying free ice cream this Friday, thanks to a partnership between city sustainability officials and a beloved ice cream brand.

Driving the news: The Palm Springs Sustainability Department’s annual Community Clean-Up takes place Friday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center, with Ben & Jerry’s bringing more than 200 volunteers from their Franchisee Annual Meeting to boost the effort.

• Mayor Naomi Soto will deliver welcoming remarks before participants head out with gloves and bags.

The sweet incentive: Ben & Jerry’s Palm Springs will treat all volunteers to complimentary ice cream, adding a festive touch to the civic-minded afternoon.

The details: All community members are invited to participate in the cleanup effort, which is supported by Palm Springs Disposal Services and the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.

• Residents can show up at 480 West Tramview Road at the time of the event, or contact the Sustainability Department at recycling@palmspringsca.gov for more information.