March 26 Daily Briefing: Chick-fil-A decision, grant delay, our pet of the week, and more

Welcome to Wednesday, folks. This week, we were asked whether we would ever consider reporting restaurant inspections (particularly failed inspections) in The Post. The answer is yes. We considered it, tried it, and then stopped. For us, the decision was a matter of fairness. We don’t run them because inconsistent coverage — due to time constraints on our tiny staff — could unfairly harm a restaurant’s reputation or create bias. The good news for the public is that you can find that information via this free county database.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Call Me” by Blondie

LEADING OFF

Commission approves Chick-fil-A with conditions, reduced drive-thru lanes

The Palm Springs Planning Commission has granted conditional approval for a new Chick-fil-A at The Springs Shopping Center but scaled back the proposed three-lane drive-thru to two lanes after debate over environmental impacts and pedestrian safety concerns.

Driving the news: The commission voted 5-2 Tuesday to approve the conditional use permit in a divided decision that highlighted tensions between commercial development and the city’s sustainability goals.

• Several commissioners expressed reluctance to approve additional drive-thru facilities in the city.

The plan: The project will see the replacement of an existing building at the shopping center located at the corner of Ramon Road and Gene Autry Trail and will have both indoor and outdoor seating.

• Traffic assessments indicate the development will generate 640 fewer daily trips than originally anticipated in the 2005 environmental impact report.

Zoom in: The approval came with several conditions related to landscaping, signage, and improved irrigation to prevent dead trees. 

Key concerns: Commissioners also debated whether drive-thru establishments align with Palm Springs’ climate action initiatives and distinctive architectural character. Vice Chair Lauri Aylaian said she understands how the city might appear to send mixed messages.

• “We want to be sustainable. We want people to walk,” she said. “However, the other side of the coin is we want economic development and stability, and we want diversification of our revenue streams.” 

What they’re saying: Commissioner Scott Miller said that while he understood commissioners who were against the idea of a drive-thru, “We’re not going to save the planet by stopping a drive-thrus at this vehicular-oriented shopping center.”

What’s next: The project now moves on to the Architectural Review Committee, which will examine the architectural details being proposed more closely. 

Dive deeper with our complete story.

BRIEFLY

🏥Healthcare district postpones grant amid lawsuit

The Desert Healthcare District Board of Directors voted to postpone a nearly $2 million grant to Eisenhower Health due to ongoing litigation between the organizations. The three-year funding package was put on hold following the recommendation of the district’s legal counsel during a board meeting Tuesday.

• Eisenhower Health has challenged a non-compete clause included in lease agreements from 1997 and planned for 2027 between the Desert Healthcare District and Tenet Health for the operation of Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs. The clause, Eisenhower’s lawyers claim, could restrict their ability to secure grant funding essential for behavioral health and primary care programs.
  
• District officials were assured that Eisenhower Health is proceeding with the residency program that the grant would have supported regardless of the funding status. “Rest assured, this is happening. The district’s funding is not going to inhibit this,” the district’s legal counsel said.
  
• Bottom line: The board voted to suspend rather than deny the application, which provides flexibility for future action once the legal situation is resolved.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Desert X
The fifth edition of Desert X, the recurring site-specific, international art exhibition is open now through May 11. Find the map of installations on the Desert X website.

Documentary film triple feature
Starting at 10:15 a.m. | Palm Springs Public Library
See entries that will be included in the American Documentary Film Festival. “The House: 6 Points Of Departure,” at 10:15 a.m., “Bearing Witness, Native American Voices In Hollywood,” at 2:15 p.m. and “What Ravens Do,” at 3:45 p.m.

Poetry Club
4 p.m. | Welwood Murray Memorial Library
Led by T.S. Leonard, meet monthly to discuss and work on your poetry. Every month a different theme. This month’s theme is luck.

Community Town Hall on Cannabis Issues
5:30 p.m. | Boys & Girls Club
A panel of speakers including medical and cannabis professionals and law enforcement will convene to discuss cannabis-related issues impacting the community.

“Broadway Backwards”
7 p.m. | Palm Canyon Theatre
During the cabaret-style performance of Broadway Backwards, men will sing songs originally written for women, and women will sing songs originally written for men. 

AbbaFab Rock the Park Concert
7 p.m. | Downtown Park
Grab your blankets, chairs, and dancing shoes for an unforgettable night with ABBAFAB, a tribute band covering the music of ABBA. Note that extreme weather or rain may force rescheduling of the event and that the start time may vary.

See all events

SAVE THE DATE

• American Documentary and Animation Film Festival at the Cultural Center starts on Thursday.
  
• Movie Night in the Park: “Elemental” at Ruth Hardy Park on Friday.
  
• Palm Springs Speaks Presents Mary Louise Kelly on April 3 at the Cultural Center. ($50-$70)
  
• Fuse – Opening Reception at Janssen Artspace on April 5.
  
• Coachella Valley Has Sole Shoe Drive at the Living Desert on April 5.
  
• Free Shredding Event at the Palm Springs Convention Center on April 5.
  
• Opera in the Park at Sunrise Park on April 6.
  
• World Art Day at the Downtown Park on April 12.
  
• PS Gay Men’s Chorus “Disney Pride In Concert“ starting April 24. ($35)

Submit your event

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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 sweet little Flan, a male cat about 11 months old. Staff at the shelter say Flan is super friendly, and rushes up to say hello to visitors.  Flan loves to play and loves to be near his human.

If you’re interested: You can visit the shelter at 4575 E. Mesquite Ave. Hours are 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. on all days except for Mondays (open for intake only) and Thursdays (1 p.m. until 7 p.m.). You can always call the shelter at (760) 416-5718.

• Make sure to check out all the other pets at the shelter here.