March 1 Daily Briefing: Starbucks drive-thru a no-go, a DJ’s good deed, road reconfiguration, and more

Happy Friday! If you find yourself stuck in traffic this weekend, the Riverside County Transportation Commission wants to hear about it. The commission is asking for feedback on its 2024 Traffic Relief Plan, which you can read here. The survey asks what your biggest concerns are, from traffic, to potholes, to lack of pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, and more. Check out the survey here.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Black Coffee” by Ella Fitzgerald

LEADING OFF

Council votes against drive-thru only Starbucks proposal

In a decisive move, the Palm Springs City Council voted to deny the application for a drive-thru-only Starbucks at the southeast corner of North Palm Canyon Drive and Racquet Club Road.

Driving the news: Councilmembers voted 4-1 to direct city staff to draw up a resolution denying the project. That resolution will then be brought back to them for a formal vote.

How we got here: In December, councilmembers delayed a decision on the coffee shop, giving the applicant 90 days to address some of their concerns.

Dive deeper: The Council wanted more integration with the community, including outdoor and indoor seating. They were also concerned that there was no pedestrian or bicycle access, only car access.

The big picture: Councilmembers’ most significant concern with the project was the idea of a drive-thru-only establishment and how it squared with the city’s sustainability goals.

• The Sustainability Commission voted unanimously to recommend the Council reject the project, saying a coffee shop that exists to increase traffic and the idling of vehicles flies in the face of the city’s stated goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

What happened: The applicant returned Thursday evening with updated plans addressing some concerns, proposing shaded outdoor seating for 20 people and access for pedestrians and cyclists. 

Yes, but: Even with the changes, councilmembers were still unsatisfied with the project. 

On the other hand: Councilmember Lisa Middleton, the lone vote against denying the project, said the Council should not address concerns over drive-thrus on a case-by-case basis. Instead, she said, they should make a broader conclusion through city planning and zoning.

Looking ahead: Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein pointed out that the area around the proposed project site has the highest-density residential zone in the city.

What they’re saying: “Looking at the objective of the general plan, we want this future neighborhood to attract [businesses] that will be more of gathering spaces and be more pedestrian-friendly and create a new, vibrant commercial district in the city,” Bernstein said. “And I don’t believe this [project] does that.”

BRIEFLY

🚴‍♀️ Project to study lane reconfiguration of two major city streets approved

The Palm Springs City Council voted unanimously Thursday to approve money for consultants to study and conduct public outreach on the issue of lane reconfiguration for parts of South Palm Canyon Drive and Racquet Club Road.

• The project’s origin dates back to 2017, when the city began creating its Pedestrian Master Plan. The two roads in consideration were two of 37 locations identified for pedestrian safety enhancements.
  
  
• The section of South Palm Canyon Drive stretches from Acanto Drive to East Palm Canyon Drive, and the Racquet Club Road section stretches from West Racquet Club Road to Vista Chino. The project will examine pedestrian, bicyclist, and vehicle safety through lane reconfiguration, bike lanes, crossings, and sidewalk gap closures.
  
  
• Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein said he was pleased the lane reconfiguration project was finally moving forward. He told city staff to ensure that more protected bike lanes are considered rather than just painted Class II bike lanes and to allow for more public meetings on the issue if necessary. 
  
  
• Next steps: The consultants will finish their work in seven to eight months, and will report back to city council with a plan.

🌳 More art coming to local parks thanks to $100,000 investment

City leaders have approved $100,000 for the Artscape in the Parks project with the goal of honoring the cultural history of the parks and surrounding communities through art.

• The $100,000 will be split evenly between two parks, Victoria Park and the James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center. Once an artist is chosen, they will get $50,000 to spend on their project.
  
  
• Their project can be one large concept or several smaller concepts. Guidance from the Public Art Commission notes the artwork should feature imagery and a color palette that is welcoming, with a focus on themes that promote community, healthy living, family, and mutual collaboration.
  
  
• What to watch for: The call for artists will be sent out sometime in June of this year, with an installation in April of next year, to coincide with World Art Day 2025.

---

YOUR WEEKEND

ALL WEEKEND

Friends of the Palm Springs Library Book Sale
Today- Sunday | Palm Springs Public Library
Dive into the stacks of the Frey building to find some deals on classic books and new favorites at the Friend of the Palm Springs Library Book Sale. Friday is for members only, but luckily memberships are available for purchase at the door.

A Case for the Existence of God
Today- Sunday | Dezart Performs
“A Case for the Existence of God,” unfolds in a cubicle where two people unexpectedly choose to bring one another into their fragile worlds. Keith, a mortgage broker, and Ryan, a yogurt plant worker seeking to buy a plot of land that belonged to his family many decades ago, realize they share a “specific kind of sadness.” ($55)

“POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive”
Today- Sunday | Coachella Valley Repertory
Enjoy a hilarious modern-day political farce fresh from Broadway and just in time for election season. ($50)

“Mid-Century Moderns”
Today and Sunday | Revolution Stage Company
Catch this homegrown musical comedy this weekend at Revolution Stage Company. (Tickets start at $55, but you can get $20 off using promo code REV20 at checkout.)

TODAY

Bingo Night with Angelique Va Gorgeous
5 p.m. | The Lounge at Zoso
“The Queen of the Desert” is holding court at The Lounge at Zoso, welcoming all to a night of Drag Bingo. ($2)

Razzle Dazzle
7 p.m. | Palm Springs Cultural Center
Elevate your evenings with the magic of Broadway at the VIP Lounge. “Razzle Dazzle: A Broadway Revue” is your ticket to an unforgettable experience, featuring Bonnie G. and Douglas Graham and showcasing special guests from the vibrant world of Broadway. ($10)

SATURDAY

Certified Farmers’ Market
8 a.m. | Palm Springs Cultural Center
The farmers’ market is open for business on Saturday with local farmers and vendors offering fresh agri­cul­tural and related products.

“Drift” Screening 
10 a.m. | Palm Springs Cultural Center
A young Liberian refugee named Jacqueline, played by Cynthia Erivo, has barely escaped her war-torn country to a Greek island and meets a rootless tour guide, Alia Shawkat. The two become close as they each find hope in the other to forge ahead. The one-time screening will be accompanied by a conversation with Academy Award Film Producer Peter Spears ($15)

“Witchland”
2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. | Revolution Stage Company
It’s your last chance to see “Witchland,” which combines elements of traditional theatrical storytelling with immersive haunted elements. The story is based on the author’s experiences growing up in Richland, Washington, deemed the most toxic place in the Western Hemisphere. ($25)

SUNDAY

26th Annual Hike 4 Hope
8 a.m. | Art Smith Trailhead
City of Hope Cancer Center and the Coachella Valley Hiking Club announce the 26th Annual Hike 4 Hope, to be held at six different hiking trails throughout the Coachella Valley. No walk-up, or on-site registration will be available. Upon check-in, there will be goodie bags for all registrants, including Hike 4 Hope t-shirts. ($40)

Palm Springs Vintage Market
8 a.m. | Palm Springs Cultural Center
The vintage market returns this month, featuring unique and quirky furniture, décor, clothing, accessories, and more. Come enjoy the shopping, or just browse and take in the music and food. ($5)

Lez Out Loud Comedy Night at The Roost
7 p.m. | The Roost Lounge
Comedian Mina Hartong returns with special guests for Lez Out Loud. ($30)

SAVE THE DATE

• Movies in the Park: “The Goonies” at the Downtown Park on March 5.
  
  
• Rock the Park: AbbaFab-a Tribute to Abba at the Downtown Park on March 6.
  
  
• 2024 Palm Spring Philharmonic Series at the McCallum Theatre on March 6.
  
  
• Palm Springs Art Festival at Frances Stevens Park on March 9.

---

AND FINALLY …

A local DJ took matters into his own hands this week, painting over some graffiti he spotted in the city.

Driving the news: KGAY’s own DJ Galaxy went out on Monday morning and painted over graffiti on the former KFC building on Sunny Dunes and Palm Canyon.

Here’s how: He said Builder’s Supply donated the paint. Though it’s not an exact match, he said, “It’s better than seeing another tagged building.” 

What they’re saying: DJ Galaxy posted on Facebook, saying, “Everytime I drive past the former KFC … I just get so angry. I love our town and will do what I can to help keep our love bubble beautiful.”

What you can do: According to the city’s website, if you see graffiti, you can call Graffiti Abatement at 760-778-8469.