June 5 Daily Briefing: Public reviews PSP plans, next step for fulfillment center, restaurant grants, and more

Happy Wednesday, folks! Do you own a restaurant or know somebody who does? The city reminded us yesterday that the Restaurants Care Resilience Fund will soon begin accepting applications for $5,000 grants to build resilience through technology upgrades, equipment upgrades, employee training/retention, and unforeseen hardship. The application period runs June 15 through 30, so you’ve got time to prepare. Find all the details here.

🎶 Setting the mood:  “Horchata” by Vampire Weekend

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LEADING OFF

PSP development plan faces public scrutiny at community meeting

Last month, the Palm Springs City Council delayed approving the Palm Springs International Airport’s (PSP) conceptual development plan, citing the need for more public input. At a community meeting Tuesday evening, residents had the opportunity to provide that feedback, learn about the airport’s master planning project, and ask questions.

Driving the news: About 150 people from across the Coachella Valley attended the meeting, which took place at the Palm Springs Convention Center, to hear about the progress on the master plan. Palm Springs Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein and City Manager Scott Stiles joined them. 

• The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires the master plan, which is used as a planning tool to guide the airport’s development in the coming decades.

By the numbers: Data shows the airport saw about 3.2 million passengers in 2023 — a new record. By 2042, consultants working on the master plan estimate the airport will need to accommodate six million. To meet that growth, the plan is for the airport to increase its number of gates from 18 to 32.

• The estimated cost of the plan is around $2.3 billion. The money will come from the airport’s revenue, grant funds, and federal government funds.

What they’re saying: “We’re about 10 years behind where we need to be,” said PSP Executive Director Harry Barrett. “My focus right now is catching up to where we need to be to make sure that the airport continues to function efficiently.”

The latest: The plan would see a new concourse built north of the existing building, a new 45-foot-tall rental car facility, more parking, and improvements throughout the facility. 

Top of mind: The biggest concerns for residents at the meeting were issues such as an increase in vehicle traffic, especially rental cars, and a desire for more public transportation options.

• “My favorite cities to travel to are cities where I get off the plane, and I can make use of rapid transit or public transit to get to my destination,” said one attendee.
• Others were concerned about losing the airport’s charm and architectural qualities.

In sync: Residents’ concerns were on the same track as city councilmembers who, at the meeting on May 9, decided to delay approval of the conceptual development plan because they wanted to hear more about possible traffic problems and solutions as well as expanding transit options including buses and connections to the future Coachella Valley rail project.

What happens next: Airport officials said they plan to return to the council with the conceptual development plan sometime in the fall, after more public input meetings over the summer.

BRIEFLY

🏗️ Commission offers feedback on fulfillment center EIR

The Palm Springs Planning Commission deliberated on a proposed 739,000-square-foot fulfillment center in northern Palm Springs at its most recent meeting, raising concerns over its environmental impact. 

• During their May 22 meeting, commissioners requested further analysis on the draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR), particularly on greenhouse gas emissions and transportation impacts, before developers proceed with the final EIR.
  
  
• The proposed facility on a 38-acre property north of Interstate 10 at the northwest corner of North Indian Canyon Drive and 19th Avenue, aligns with current zoning laws. Commissioners voiced general support for the project when it was presented to them last September. 
  
  
• Key issues discussed last month include the visual impact on scenic views, differentiation between a fulfillment and distribution center, insufficient analysis on operational impacts like traffic and water quality, and the effectiveness of mitigation measures.

Next steps: Additional discussion of the project, the first of its type inside city limits, is anticipated at the commission’s July 24 meeting. It’s then that commissioners may adopt a “statement of overriding considerations” to acknowledge the project’s benefits despite its environmental impacts.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week
All Day | Participating Restaurants
Support local restaurants and enjoy discounts at your favorite spots as we head into the summer months. 

Sammy’s Circle: Pet Bereavement Group
10 a.m. | Palm Springs Animal Shelter
Sammy’s Circle is a safe place to share grief and stories of beloved pets. With doors and hearts open wide, Sammy’s Circle is a welcoming place for the public, shelter staff, and volunteers who have lost an animal whom they loved.

Knit Together
1:30 p.m. | The Center
Come enjoy the social and fun space open to all levels of fiber enthusiasts. Do note, the group is a social club and not a class.

First Wednesday Art Walk
5 p.m. | Backstreet Art District
Tour galleries and meet artists at this monthly event that happens rain or shine. Check with galleries’ individual websites to find out about their hours of operation and special events.

SAVE THE DATE

• Community Meeting: Palm Springs Zoning Code on Thursday at the Demuth Community Center.
  
  
• Palm Springs Young Playwrights Festival on Sunday at the Palm Springs Cultural Center.
  
  
• Palm Springs International ShortFest from June 18 -24.
  
  
• Third Wednesday Speaker Series: Juneteenth, Food for the Soul at the Mizell Center on June 19.
  
  
• Rock the City free concert at the Downtown Park on June 19.
  
  
• ONE-PS Lip-Sync Battle at the Palm Springs Cultural Center on July 7.

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AND FINALLY …

🐾 Each week, The Post partners with a local animal shelter to feature one or more of the many animal companions ready for a new home in our community. 

Today, we invite you to meet Cheetah Carla, a female available for adoption at the Frisky Business Cat Cafe.

If you’re interested: You can visit Frisky Business at Rimrock Plaza (also where Von’s is located) at 4781 E. Palm Canyon Dr., Suite F. 

• All cats available at Frisky Business come from the Palm Springs Animal Shelter. They are spayed or neutered and can be adopted while you sip a delicious beverage or enjoy a tasty treat. 

But wait: Don’t want to adopt but still enjoy cats? You can book a time to hang out in the cat lounge by clicking here.

• However, Frisky Business is closed the rest of the week for the owners to recharge their batteries. They plan on opening back up after June 6.