Nov. 13 Daily Briefing: Appeal denied, more rental car choices, navigating CV Link gap, and more

Welcome to Thursday, everyone, where we’re keeping our eyes on the skies as what could be a wet weekend approaches. Unfortunately, the “atmospheric river” expected to slam the state has already caused some havoc — forcing the movement of the Filipino Festival planned for this Saturday to next weekend, Nov. 22. That move might prove beneficial, however, as it’s now on the same day as the free Plaza Theatre open house. The weather gods are expected to be kinder to us then. 

🎶 Setting the mood: “Tieduprightnow” by Parcels

LEADING OFF

Council upholds commission decision on project that could become city’s tallest building

The Palm Springs City Council unanimously voted Wednesday to move forward with a proposed mixed-use development featuring a nine-story residential tower that would likely become the tallest building in the city. The decision upholds the Planning Commission’s September approval and rejects an appeal from a nearby homeowners association.

Driving the news: The project at 847 East Andreas Road includes a seven-story hotel with 125 rooms and a nine-story residential tower with 132 condo units, reaching 99 feet at its tallest points.

• The development also includes underground parking, a five-level garage with 400 spaces and a standalone restaurant near the Palm Springs Convention Center.

The backstory: The hotel proposal stems from a settlement agreement following a public corruption case involving a former Nexus employee accused of bribing former Mayor Steven Pougnet to secure the property at a reduced price.

The opposition: The Plaza Villa Homeowners Association appealed the project, citing concerns about its height and size setting a precedent for future development.

• “We’re not asking the city to stop the Nexus project, we’re just asking for some guard rails conditions to ensure it fits within the city of Palm Springs,” said Aaron Carter, representing the HOA.

Why it matters: The project’s scale is essential to its financial viability, according to Nexus vice president of development Rob Eres, who said the mix of hotel rooms and condos helps address Palm Springs’ seasonal challenges.

What’s next: Councilmembers added conditions including quarterly community meetings, a beautification plan and weekly site inspections. The project will next go before the Architectural Review Committee.

Dive deeper with our full story

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BRIEFLY

🚗 Another rental car company coming to airport

• The Palm Springs City Council voted 3–2 Wednesday evening to approve an operating agreement allowing Sixt Rent a Car to begin operations at Palm Springs International Airport. Mayor Ron deHarte and Councilmember Jeffrey Bernstein opposed the deal, with Bernstein questioning whether the city should delay the vote to give airport staff more time to discuss space needs with existing rental car companies.
  
• The debate centered on whether the airport can accommodate a fourth rental car brand without disrupting the current rental car companies. Airport staff said they created space by converting an employee parking area into ready-return spaces. 
  
• Bottom line: Sixt cannot begin operations until airport officials confirm its entry won’t disrupt existing operators. Staff said the company could be operational by mid-December, making it the airport’s fourth major rental car brand. Under the agreement, Sixt will pay the city a minimum annual guarantee of roughly $492,000 or 10% of gross revenues, whichever is greater.

Read the complete story here

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Better Brain & Balance
1 p.m. | The Center
Stay mentally sharp and physically stable. The class design is for older adults noticing memory issues and/or balance challenges. ($15)

Pilates Palm Springs Ribbon Cutting
3:30 p.m. | 551 Industrial Place
Celebrate 27 years of Pilates Palm Springs with a special ceremony marking their exciting new location.

Educator Night
4 p.m. | Agua Caliente Cultural Museum
ACCM hosts a yearly Educator Night every fall where they showcase the museum galleries and resources for teachers in the Coachella Valley. RSVP and school badge required for entry.

ONE-PS Monthly Meeting
4:30 p.m. | Palm Springs Police Training Center
The Organized Neighborhoods of Palm Springs (ONE-PS) holds its monthly meeting to discuss neighborhood issues with city council members, public safety officers, and others. The meeting will also be available on YouTube.

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

West Side Story In Concert: A Gala Celebration
5:30 p.m. | Dezart Playhouse
Dezart Performs honors the landmark year of 1957 with an event featuring a live orchestra and vocal ensemble marking the official debut of the new Dezart Playhouse. ($187)

Thursday Night Vibes @ The HooDoo Lounge
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! 

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

View all events here

SAVE THE DATE

• Palm Springs Hospitality Golf Tournament on Friday.
  
• Rotary Club of Palm Springs Sunup Holiday Blood Drive on Saturday.
  
• Book signing: Lucie Arnaz’s “Lucy and Desi: The Love Letters” at Just Fabulous on Saturday.
  
• Section 14 Survivors Anniversary Summit at St. Paul in the Desert Church on Saturday.
  
• Gregory Douglass Live at Revolution Stage Company on Sunday.
  
• McCormick’s 79th Auto Auction Nov. 21 through 23 at Palm Springs Convention Center.
  
• Coachella Valley Filipino Festival on Nov. 22.
  
• Plaza Theatre Community Open House and Block Party on Nov. 22.
  
• For the Heroic, Bright and Beautiful Desert Winds Freedom Band concert at Jewish Community Center on Nov. 22 and 23

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AND FINALLY …

While local officials work toward a complete CV Link pathway connecting the valley’s communities, cyclists navigating the gap between Rancho Mirage and the eastern segments no longer have to wing it.

Driving the news: New route maps created by cyclist Tim Wood provide detailed turn-by-turn directions for safely cycling around the CV Link’s current gaps, offering two connector routes — a 7.5-mile western-to-central transition and a 6.2-mile central-to-eastern segment.

Zoom in: The western route guides riders from Date Palm Drive through Gerald Ford Drive and Frank Sinatra Drive, with a creative cut through a Starbucks parking lot to avoid Highway 111, before reconnecting at Park View Drive.

• The eastern connector uses Cook Street and Hovley Lane to bypass Fred Waring Drive and the highway, with one potentially tricky left turn at Washington Street where riders are advised to cross carefully or wait for the signal.

Why it matters: The mapped routes keep cyclists on bike-laned roads while the CV Link remains incomplete, though riders should remember they’re traveling on public streets where conditions can change without warning.

How to use it: Cyclists can download and print the map to carry along for reference, but should stay alert for traffic, obey all signals, and use their judgment — if any segment feels unsafe, dismount or find an alternate route.

Yes but: These routes are provided for informational purposes only, and cyclists assume all responsibility for their safety while using them.

• Download the mapped routes here